Beyond the black letter law

00:00 - Intro

01:28 - The inspiration behind Nou Tou Mantal

04:30 - Not being alone

07:18 - What is mental health

08:12 - Launching the first episode

13:16 - Receiving feedback

15:50 - Growing a platform organically

17:55 - Preconceptions about mental health

21:38 - The reality of a breakdown

24:36 - Commonalities and differences around mental health

29:26 - Podcasting as a barrister

32:36 - The impact of practising law on mental health

39:38 - Everything happens for a reason

40:35 - Teenage mental health

45:01 - Mental health of an ageing population

What goes on in the mind of a serial killer?

Were they born this way or made so?

Are they capable of change?

What does a criminal profiler do?

Why do people fall in love with criminals?

These are but a few questions we explored in this week’s podcast during this fascinating conversation with Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first criminal profiler and the first woman in the profession.

Micki is recognised as one of the world's foremost psychological profilers. Her best selling book Catch me a killer is based on her life and journey as a forensic psychologist. The true crime TV series of the same name was inspired from her autobiographical writing.

I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most interesting conversations I’ve ever had. I know it may sound like I say the same thing every week, but you won’t want to miss this one.

00:00 - Intro

00:59 - What goes on in the mind of a serial killer

02:51 - Lack of empathy

04:44 - What is a serial killer looking for?

06:09 - Can they change?

08:01 - Can the brain of a serial killer be rewired?

10:24 - What does a criminal profiler do?

13:27 - Testifying in court as a forensic psychologist

15:10 - Is profiling a skill?

17:12 - Falling in love with a criminal

18:48 - Emotional detachment

20:50 - Dealing with the emotional toll

22:03 - Why Mauritius?

24:20 - Being ready for crime

26:19 - Preparing our institutions

27:35 - Catch me a killer and writing

30:02 - Archeology

31:22 - The history of crime

32:25 - Favourite archeological site

34:32 - Loving France

37:34 - Teaching

38:14 - Profiling losing track

39:55 - Any regrets?

41:20 - Studying profiling

42:32 - Can AI replace a human profiler

44:34 - Solving cold cases

Carrying the legacy of a name is often seen as a privilege, but it is in fact, more often than not, a heavy responsibility. 

It is no small feat to carry that burden with grace, without false humility and no sense of entitlement.

This is one of the many reasons why I enjoyed my refreshing – and at times, very philosophical - conversation with this week’s guest. 

As Nikhil Boolell so eloquently puts it, “I consider myself as dust. I’m nothing, I come from nothing, I will lead my life in the nothingness of the values I hold and I will leave my life as such”. 

That said, he is conscious of the valuable role he can play in his life: as a younger member of the Bar, as a caring member of his neighbourhood and as a husband and father. 

Join us for this week’s episode as we talk about Nikhil’s childhood influences, why he chose the profession, his thoughts of AI and the law, why he enjoys litigation and more.

00:00 - Intro

01:35 - If Nikhil hadn’t been a lawyer…

02:44 - Was law a choice?

06:32 - The nobility of the Bar

07:51 - The values that drive Nikhil

11:59 - Parental influence

13:30 - Being in a law firm

15:22 - The challenges of AI for the legal profession

23:57 - How AI can be used as a tool to improve the practice of law

25:55 - The joys of litigation

31:48 - Being married to a lawyer

33:30 - Nikhil’s favourite legal book

35:21 - Benefits of doing a Masters

42:33 - Boarding school

48:07 - The community of the Bar

00:00 - Intro 

01:03 - Why tax?

02:29 - Having and being a mentor

04:49 - Lifelong learning

07:02 - Nurturing client relationships

09:48 - Tax challenges Mauritius faces

13:45 - The future of Mauritius IFC

16:24 - Mauritius IFA

17:40 - Why attend the 16th Mauritius Africa-Asia conference

18:48 - Advice for the young professional

20:38 - Would our jobs still exist in 10 years?

21:52 - Alternative career?

23:44 - Any regrets?

What do Indian classical dance, molecular genetics, and neuroscience have in common?

More than you’d think.

A few weeks ago, I had the joy of meeting someone whose inner beauty shone throughout our conversation. 

Nirupama Anand 🌀 is not just a dance teacher. Her energy, philosophy, and life story are infused with a contagious joie de vivre that stays with you long after you’ve met her.

Born on a naval ship (yes, really!) and raised in Hong Kong, Nirupama discovered the magic of Bharatanatyam as a young girl. Today, she channels that same magic into Bollyfit and Bollywood-inspired classes that empower and energise women of all ages and backgrounds.

But where do biology and the brain fit into all of this? 

You'll have to tune in to this week's episode to find out! (full episode out on Thursday on our usual channels)

p.s - The podcast is taking a little winter break from next week. See you in a month!

00:00 - Intro 

01:56 - Starting life aboard a ship

04:06 - Growing up in Hong Kong

05:17 - The love of dance

07:11 - Discovering Bharatanatyam

09:38 - Developing the passion for dance

11:22 - I am not a good dancer, what do I do?

12:15 - Why Molecular genetics and neuroscience

15:15 - The ethics of scientific research

17:25 - Why Mauritius? 

20:59 - Growing up in Mauritius

23:51 - Taking on the role of a mother

27:52 - The birth of Bollywood

30:30 - Dance as a tool to empower

31:13 - The mother’s guilt

32:51 - The interconnectedness of everything

34:13 - Music as medicine

36:36 - Holding that space for longer

37:13 - The age of convenience

38:05 - Movement other than dance as we age

40:02 - Choosing karate

44:43 - Finding joy

47:12 - Where to dance with Nirupama

“Une roupie pour 10,000, je n’aurais jamais mis mon argent sur Gavin »

Those were the teasing words of a very proud grandfather when his grandson bagged the coveted laureate scholarship in February 1980.

A “late bloomer”, as he candidly describes himself, the bright teenager went on to read law at Oxford University before embarking on a formidable 40-year career at the Mauritian bar, earning the well-deserved Senior Counsel title in 2010.

Gavin Glover SC decided to take on the challenge of becoming Attorney General of the Republic of Mauritius in November 2024. He appreciates the enormity of the challenge before him: advising the Government independently, addressing deep structural flaws in the administration of justice and attempting to rejuvenate the justice system.

Tall order, indeed.

But if anyone can do it, it is surely Mr Glover SC.

Join us in this week’s inspiring conversation with the Attorney General as we talk about:

💡 The childhood influences that shaped his values and path

💡 The brilliant class of 85

💡 His most rewarding case

💡 Accepting to become Attorney General

💡 Whether he misses private practice

💡 Urgent legal reforms

💡 The current state of the legal profession

💡 The Law Practitioners Disciplinary Proceedings Bill

💡 The proposed new Court of Appeal

💡 His favourite courtroom memories

... and much more!

It was an honour, Mr Attorney General. Thank you. 

00:00 - Intro

02:01 - Childhood influences

05:28 - Why choose law

06:36 - The start of a career as a barrister

07:34 - Laureates in the family

09:24 - Education and parental support

11:57 - An exceptional bar intake

13:03 - The nostalgia of old times

16:07 - The choice to be Attorney General

19:30 - Missing chambers

20:52 - The challenges ahead

22:27 - The beating heart of our democracy

26:16 - Legal reforms

29:38 - New Court of Appeal

31:17 - Memorial lectures

32:07 - The JCPC

32:58 - The core ethics of independence 

34:57 - Law Practitioners Disciplinary Proceedings Bill

37:42 - Being reduced to mere traders

40:18 - Most meaningful cases 

43:31 - The first cases

46:29 - The next Glover generation

49:45 - Is the law the right profession for me?

51:26 - Alternative career

I am sometimes – perhaps more often than I should – quite critical of the education system that shaped me. 

The rote learning, the pressure to excel academically, the intense competition to be laureate, the relentless private tuition.

However, I can only be grateful for the opportunities that the system gave me.

And when I look at my circle of friends from school, I realise that they share the same mixed emotions about our formative years.

I have known Adil Mohamedbhai since I was about 9. He is my oldest friend. Apart from probably being the brightest person I know, he is also one of the sweetest and kindest. 

Our paths are oddly very similar. We both qualified as tax solicitors at magic circle firms in London and then converted to the bar. 

That said, his career path into, and at, the English bar is rather exceptional. 

In this fascinating conversation, Adil shares:

💡 stories from his time as judicial assistant to Lord Rodger and Lord Brown of the UK Supreme Court;
💡 what it was like to spend a week visiting the US Supreme Court and meeting Ruth Bader Ginsburg;
💡 his views on the British judicial system;
💡 why he gave up tax law (!) to specialise in chancery/commercial work;
💡 why meritocracy is at the heart of his core values.

Now a leading junior at Serle Court in London, he is so wholly deserving of what the directories say of him: “He is unbelievably bright, great at working in a team, uber responsive and someone who really gets stuck in. He is a star of the future” (Chambers UK Bar, 2025)

What an honour to have you on the podcast, my dear friend. Thank you for this candid and enriching conversation!

p.s – In my humble opinion, it is people like Adil who should be sitting on the Diaspora and Global Advisory Council (the set up of which was recently announced in this year’s Budget Speech).

00:00 - Intro
01:33 - Reminiscing on childhood
04:08 - Being educated in the 80s
06:24 - Choosing law
09:33 - Crossing paths in Big Law
10:24 - Becoming a barrister
12:51 - Judicial assistant to Lord Rodger and Lord Brown
16:16 - Visiting the US Supreme Court
17:59 - Mentoring from the Law Lords
19:28 - Chambers v/s law firm life
20:45 - Chancery work
21:55 - Nerves before court
23:19 - Litigation risk
24:57 - Most enjoyable case
29:25 - Achieving detachment
30:41 - Pupillage in London
34:26 - Brexit and the legal market
35:44 - Meritocracy in the workplace
40:47 - Missing Mauritius
41:23 - The pull factor for the diaspora

The UK, in many ways, is a second home to me.

It is a country which welcomed me with open arms when I had barely reached adulthood and which enabled me to thrive in a wholly meritocratic environment.

Mauritius has always had a special relationship with the UK. In spite of the complex layers of our colonial past, the relationship remains an enduring one, from an economic, financial, social and cultural perspective.

I was excited to sit down with this week’s guest, Deeptee K.Bungaree-Gooheeram, to talk to us about the role of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The DBT is an arm of His Majesty’s government and provides trade and investment services and practical support, thereby helping companies succeed in Mauritius, and Mauritius companies set up and invest in the UK.

Thank you Deeptee for shedding light on the crucial role of the DBT, sharing success stories (the recent trip with the Minister of Education being one) and why trade relationships are now more relevant than ever.

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Childhood influences on present career

04:05 - Why International relations

06:31 - Forray into Trade

07:36 - What is the Department for Business and Trade

09:37 - What does DBT do?

15:44 - Are services included?

17:38 - UK universities in Mauritius

19:51 - Collaborating with Mauritian authorities

22:28 - The evolution of Mauritius-UK trade relationships

24:58 - Impact of Brexit

26:16 - Growth and prosperity

27:39 - See things differently, do things differently

29:52 - Partnership between Governments

33:04 - SOAS in Mauritius

35:31 - Mauritius as the Education gateway

38:18 - Building an ecosystem

40:50 - Challenging aspects of the job

42:17 - What having the right mentor means

44:03 - Deeptee’s biggest ally

45:37 - Alternative career

Having a curious mind and the humility to continuously learn is a common theme I find amongst many of my guests.

What I also take from those conversations is that there are no shortcuts to "success" and that circumventing hard work is only a recipe for short term gratification or glory.

This week's guest is no exception.

On the occasion of Music Day celebrated last Saturday, I was thrilled to sit down with music producer and DJ Ejilen who generously shared his story: why he chose music and music chose him, what drives him to pursue his passion in an incredibly difficult industry and his advice to aspiring artists.

00:00 - Intro 

01:51 - Comment Ejilen ine fer so mark

02:48 - Parcours dan la misik

03:52 - Reussir dan domaine la misik

05:29 - Styles et morceaux préférés

06:02 - Bizin l’amour

07:50 - La vie ene l’artis

09:20 - Kot Ejilen gagne so l’inspiration

10:31 - Défis à surmonter

11:47 - Mauritius Open Air Festival

14:02 - Sagesse ban anciens

15:09 - Statut ban artis dan moris

17:57 - Consey pou ban zenn

21:14 - Music producer v/s DJ

22:16 - L’entente avek ene lartis

24:52 - Rev de Ejilen

00:00 - Intro 

01:36 - What it means to be a visionary leader

05:57 - Is one born a leader?

07:54 - Being an architect of opportunity

09:57 - Finding inspiration in nature

12:24 - The challenge of creating an amazing company culture

16:14 - Leadership style

19:45 - Leading in tough times

21:38 - Failing well, failing fast

24:05 - Your say to do ratio

27:43 - Embedding a meritocratic environment

29:34 - The climate change emergency

33:23 - What is happening to our lagoons

37:44 - The dangers of net fishing

39:15 - Protecting our beaches

40:43 - The green economy

43:11 - Being a model for the African continent

46:31 - Everything is connected

48:11 - National Budget and mindset

52:01 - Let’s not forget the global business sector