How To Make a Life

In 2016, the International Olympic Committee announced that Sport Climbing would be a medal sport in the 2020 Summer Olympics which was to be held in Tokyo.

On this episode, I talk to Bharath Pereira and Lokesh Rajan, two national level climbers who are gunning to represent India at the Olympics. Climbing since they were in primary school, Bharath and Lokesh have literally grown up with the climbing ecosystem in India and have had an immersive view of the trials and triumphs the sport and its participants have been through over the years.

What you'll take away from this episode:

1. India's chances at the Olympics
2. The opportunities to improve the climbing ecosystem in India
3. What's needed to get started as a climber
4. Living the climbing lifestyle in India
5. What makes climbing so addictive and so much fun!

In this episode I talk to Preveen Pandita, one of the highest booked mentalists and magicians in India. Here's some of the stuff we talk about:

- How magicians and organisations manipulate the human mind
- The technical stuff that goes into creating a magical illusion
- The difference between tricks and magic
- How Hitler supposedly employed a mentalist
- Why sleight of hand is the fundamental skill for a magician
- Anecdotes from Preveen's journey as a mentalist

In this episode, I learn about the art and craft of custom guitar building from one of India's foremost luthiers. We talk about everything from what goes into building a great guitar - technically, sonically and philosophically - to the rise in popularity of custom guitars in India and abroad.

About Karan Singh: Under the brand name BigFoot guitars, he hand crafts bespoke guitars which are considered among the best around the world, and have been used by musicians like 2-time Grammy winner Amrit Sond, and Bob Weir- founding member of The Grateful Dead. Having apprenticed under world renowned luthier Jason Kostal, this former HR professional now builds top-notch guitars out of locally sourced woods from his workshop in Goa.

You should listen if:
1. You're a guitarist and you've considered getting a custom guitar for yourself
2. You've wondered what goes into building quality guitars with great tone
3. You'd like to know what it's like being a luthier building out of India

In this edition, I learn about the world of archaeology from Arsh Ali- India's youngest Archaeologist. Our conversation threads through topics ranging from how archaeologists deal with ancient Egyptian curses, to the role of future archaeologists in a time when everything is increasingly well recorded and archived, and his newest archaeological discovery.

About Arsh Ali: Starting his journey at the age of 5, twenty year old Arsh is India's youngest archaeologist and first Egyptologist. Having taken part in a number of digs, discoveries and excavations throughout his career, Arsh is currently exploring the experimental method of ancient Egyptian bread making, and mummification. (He's mummified a couple of his pets. After they died of natural causes of course)

You should listen if:
1. You're curious about the world of an archaeologist
2. You want to learn about Buddhism in ancient Egypt
3. You've wondered how much of recorded history is fake news

I talk to Zain about the state of Street Art in India. Growing from illegal graffiti to state sanctioned beautification projects, street art in India has come a long way from it's underground roots. We talk about everything from the market available to street artists, to the time he brushed with the law for tagging a wall.

About Zain Siddiqui: From his humble beginnings as a graffiti artist expressing himself upon his environment, Zain has gone on to create Wicked Broz, an organisation looking to inject art into everything they see. From conducting workshops to organising graffiti festivals, Zain is helping lift the lid on a once closeted art form.

You should listen if:
1. You're an aspiring street artist
2. You're looking to get paid for your art
3. You want to learn about the art ecosystem in India

In this first episode, we hear from India's finest Mixologist on topics ranging from what his ranking as one of the top 100 most influential people in the global F&B industry means for bar culture in India, to what you must keep in mind when experimenting with cocktails at home, to what the next decade is going to look like for cocktails in the country .

About Yangdup Lama: Over the last 25+ years, Yangdup has skyrocketed to become the only Indian featured in Drinks Internationals list of 100 most influential people in the global alcohol industry. One of the bars he co-owns - Sidecar, is among Asia's 50 best. You can catch him on his YouTube channel "The Three Barstools" where he and his colleagues share their techniques, recipes, tricks, and stories from behind the bar.

You should listen if:
1. You're curious about the evolution of bar culture in India
2. You've wondered what it takes to run a bar focused on the mixology experience
3. You want to know what it takes to create a fine cocktail at home