Reuben's Podcast

Reuben's Podcast

By ReubenSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
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Reuben's Podcast episodes

  • #79: Alina Gufran: Writer & Filmmaker | So What Do You Actually Do?

    On this episode, I speak with Alina about her work as a writer and filmmaker. We talk about how her creative life developed, why she moved from film into fiction, what it actually takes to finish a book, realities of publishing in India, the pressure of external validation, and how AI is already reshaping creative work.

    Chapters 00:00-What does Alina do?01:50-Getting to Writing via Filmmaking and her own future14:49-Alina's process to write a book and realisations28:00-What makes a good writer38:46-A Career in Writing48:00-Advice for people interested in becoming a writer50:00-Technology's impact on the future of Writing1:16:30-Misconception about being a Writer1:24:10-Deciding on book titlesAlina's SocialsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/alinaguf/?hl=enAlina's work https://linktr.ee/alinagufReuben's SocialsSubscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast

    1 hr 27 min
  • #78: Neha Rachel Abraham: Music, Cooperatives, Poverty, Religion

    Neha's spent the last decade working on the problem of poverty alleviation. Here's a note from her highlighting 9 things we can do to help.

    Addressing inequalities around us doesn’t necessarily mean making large donations. Here are some simple things we can do to support less privileged friends and colleagues:
    1. Listen to ideas and help develop and strengthen them. Also, be open to sharing ideas.
    2. Share constructive, strategic feedback— this can be related to writing applications/CVs, preparing for interviews, language skills, making presentations, pitches, or writing proposals
    3. Give them access to your networks (this can include sharing job opportunities, funding opportunities, connects to influential people)
    4. Be open to sharing tacit knowledge & skills, industry insights gained through experience, and your own social capital.
    5. For researchers - It’s useful to first acknowledge how extractive the knowledge creation industry is. Co-create knowledge and share ideas with people involved in your research.
    6. Offer your time to mentor young students or local researchers involved in your projects. Try to share authorship wherever possible.
    7. Help young students and professionals access opportunities for exposure. If you’re in a position of leadership, help create opportunities for such exposure.
    8. If you’re hiring someone based on mandates for affirmative action- make sure there is an enabling environment and opportunity for them to gain or upgrade required skills so that they can become competent and perform. Hold these employees accountable, just like anyone else. Without accountability and a support system, you do a disservice to them and yourself.
    9. If you have to fire someone who is not performing, strongly affirm their strengths and offer to be in touch. Share other openings and help with recommendations. If you don’t think you can give a good recommendation, take the time to politely let them know why.
    Chapters
    00:00-DJ Reuben
    02:40-Neha's past decade
    05:00-Favorite memory from St. Stephen's College
    09:50-Rajasthan Folk Music and Ethnomusicology
    17:20-Kathputli Colony
    22:50-Realizations about poverty
    26:30-Dealing with burnout, compassion fatigue and guilt
    34:50-How can privileged people help
    43:20-Urban Fellow Program
    50:30-Challenges while working with the government
    56:10-What drives donors
    1:04:00-Relationship with religion
    1:13:30-Power of Collectives
    1:20:57-SEWA and building women leaders
    1:34:00-Challenges with SEWA and collectives
    1:37:00-India's growth and inequality
    1:44:50-Shifts in belief
    1:46:50-2 pieces of advice
    1:51:30-Question for Reuben
    1:56:50-Wrapping up
    Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Neha's Socials
    Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/neharachelabraham/
    Reuben's Socials
    Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
    Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

    1 hr 59 min
  • #77: Arman Sood: Coffee, Law, SleepyOwl, Startups, Success

    Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Chapters
    00:00-Reuben's last decade
    17:40-Moving from Calcutta to Sonipat
    20:40-Meeting Ashwajeet
    23:30-Law School
    28:30-Picking Law and running e-shack
    35:02-Starting a company, Idea #1
    38:08-Idea #2
    40:20-Why starting a business is important
    42:36-Entrepreneurship as a path to money and freedom
    49:20-Low points during SleepyOwl
    54:35-Starting with Cold Brew
    58:25-Launching Instant Coffee
    1:07:08-Enablers and Constraints from raising capital
    1:14:04-What keeps Arman up at night
    1:16:30-India's startup scene - overrated and underrated
    1:20:25-What is "Success" today
    1:22:20-Work-Life Balance
    1:24:30-What Arman has learnt about himself
    1:29:02-Shifts in belief
    1:31:20-Advice for younger self
    1:41:35-Question for Reuben
    1:44:35-Wrapping up
    Links
    1. SleepyOwl - https://sleepyowl.co/
    2. [Starbucks Podcast] Podcast with Starbuck's CEO Howard Schultz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fvX-wV70Y
    3. [IG Post] Why start a business - https://www.instagram.com/p/C--piWCvo3h/?igsh=MTQwZXF6YTVwbXEwdA==
    4. [Podast] Arman on GrowthX - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm_eaxgIBrI
    5. [Podcast] Arman on Backstage with Millionaires - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lilYEonWAq8
    6. [Podcast] Arman on Indian Silicon Valley Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ9F2ej3PgY
    Arman's Socials
    Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/armansood/
    Reuben's Socials
    Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
    Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

    1 hr 46 min
  • #76: Sanya Kapur: Ambition, Health, Brand, Living Alone, Chicago, Bain, BSchool

    Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Chapters
    00:00-Working at Bain for a decade
    07:00-Sanya at Bain Chicago vs Bain India
    13:00-Changing relationship with work
    19:54-Ambition
    28:50-Sanya's (lack of) plan
    31:40-Living Alone
    37:00-Chicago
    39:00-Moving back to India
    43:24-European vibes
    45:45-Business School
    57:24-Sanya's Brand
    1:08:29-Different brands to different people
    1:13:34-Reuben's Brand according to Sanya
    1:17:57-Music and Concerts
    1:24:32-Focusing on Health
    1:27:50-Wellness Retreat
    1:30:45-Firework break
    1:31:18-Back to Wellness Retreat
    1:33:11-Shifts in belief
    1:36:42-2 pieces of advice
    1:38:35-Question for Reuben
    1:45:04-Wrapping up


    Sanya's Socials

    Instagram (@sanyak11) https://www.instagram.com/sanyak11/
    Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanya-kapur-3a886b52/
    Reuben's Socials
    Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
    Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

    1 hr 48 min
  • #75: Chandrika Maheshwari: Startups, San Francisco, Fintech, Product Management

    Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Chapters

    00:00-Startups in San Francisco

    05:45-Homelessness and Drugs in SF

    14:13-Recap of the last decade

    15:26-Offsites and "growing up" at Bain

    23:00-Product Marketing at Google

    30:00-Biggest takeaway from Google

    32:15-What is Marketing

    38:00-Picking MIT for Bschool

    50:00-Challenges during Bschool

    56:03-Good & Bad reasons to do Bschool

    1:01:00-Role as a Product Manager

    1:11:00-Pandemic Growth at Docusign

    1:16:30-Entering Fintech at Plaid

    1:23:00-Starting and Vision for Pull

    1:37:00-Shutting down and lessons

    1:47:00-Navigating hardship through the pandemic

    1:55:50-Shifts in belief and advice to younger self

    2:01:20-Question for Reuben

    2:05:55-Wrapping up


    Chandrika's Socials

    X (@Chandrika633) https://twitter.com/Chandrika633

    Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandrikamaheshwari/

    Instagram (@chandrika633) https://www.instagram.com/chandrika633/


    Reuben's Socials

    Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠

    Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

    2 hr 9 min
  • #74: Aditya Kakati: Academia, Food, Northeast India, WW2, Geneva

    Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Chapters
    00:00-Being Student's Union President at Stephen's
    04:50-Recap of the last decade
    06:25-Favorite memory from Stephen's
    08:45-Moving to Geneva and pursuing Academia
    17:00-The PhD experience and reflections
    21:10-Changes through the PhD
    25:40-Knowing too much
    32:25-"Layered" Life in Geneva
    37:03-The History of Anthropology
    45:30-Studying Food and Northeast India
    53:20-Deciding a PhD topic
    57:50-Studying WW2 and Conflict in Northeast India
    1:16:55-What's next for Aditya
    1:20:20-What drives a PhD
    1:25:25-Shifts in belief
    1:36:00-2 pieces of advice
    1:39:05-Question for Reuben
    1:47:20-Wrapping up
    Aditya's Socials

    X https://x.com/adityakakati

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adityakirankakati/

    Academic Work

    • The "Unmasking the prejudice and politics of Food" podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZnhqWA4Z6W4EVDmWPE48y?si=nmrhFSIITN-8S1WqGDYMCw
    • Ethnographic poem (published in an anthropology journal): https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anhu.12359
    • academia.edu page: https://www.academia.edu/61937167/Depth_of_Field_Disorienting_the_Ethnographic_Gaze_through_Zeme_Naga_Realms
    • "Elephant in the Room: Tracing culture as a strategic resource in food-politics, racism, and resistance in contemporary Naga social history": https://journals.ed.ac.uk/himalaya/article/view/8044
    • How Global War Memory in the Indo-Myanmar Border-Zones is Refashioning “Remote” Places: https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/how-global-war-memory-indo-myanmar-border-zones-refashioning-remote-places
    • For the Love of Pork: Eating in Ethnic Enclaves: https://brill.com/downloadpdf/book/edcoll/9781848883246/BP000012.xml

      • Reuben's Socials
      Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
      Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

      1 hr 50 min
    • #73: Trang Nguyen: Pottery, Entrepreneurship, France, Tech Unicorns, Hobbies

      Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

      Chapters
      00:00-Intro and Life in Paris
      06:00-Recap of Trang's last decade
      10:30-Moving to Hong Kong
      15:45-Bangkok and joining Zilingo
      20:05-Favorite memory from Zilingo
      26:45-Lessons from Zilingo
      38:50-Working at Meero and getting back to Tech
      49:25-Taking a 3-month break
      1:01:00-Pottery and Seom
      1:04:35-Hobby vs Business
      1:16:51-Kaly Ora and Entrepreneurship
      1:23:09-Shifts in beliefs
      1:27:10-Connecting the Dots
      1:36:00-2 pieces of advice
      1:37:00-Question for Reuben
      Trang's Social
      Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/thien-trang-nguyen-hoang/
      Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tnghoang/

      Kaly Ora (Trang's Swimwear Brand) 👙https://www.instagram.com/kalyora/

      Seom (Trang's Pottery Brand) 🏺https://www.instagram.com/seombytrang/
      Reuben's Socials
      Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
      Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

      1 hr 46 min
    • #72: Nishtha Jain: Motherhood, Decisions, Consulting, BSchool, Money, SF

      Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠


      Timestamps

      00:00-Becoming a Mom

      09:50-Recap of the last decade

      11:27-Being Reuben's Manager at Bain

      24:20-Lowest point at Bain and moving to a startup

      30:15-Optimising for the "best" decision

      37:59-Struggles during Bschool

      46:25-Biggest takeaway from Bschool

      51:45-Learnings about Money

      1:07:38-Life in San Francisco - Good and Bad

      1:14:20-India FOMO and moving back

      1:23:35-Retiring with friends

      1:30:02-Comparing consulting firms

      1:36:20-Life as an Engagement Manager

      1:45:08-Value of Consultants

      1:51:35-Shifts in belief

      1:58:35-2 pieces of advice

      2:03:17-Question for Reuben

      2:11:30-Wrapping up


      Nishtha's Social

      Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishthajain/
      Instagram https://www.instagram.com/partymonitor/
      Reuben's Socials
      Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
      Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

      2 hr 13 min
    • #71: Pooja Anna Pant: Theatre, Teaching, Religion, Disney, Sabbatical

      Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠

      Timestamps
      00:00-Recap of Pooja's past decade
      02:00-Studying Arts and Aesthetics at JNU
      06:30-Who should study Arts and Aesthetics
      10:35-Threatre, stories, and contradictions
      16:45-Religion
      20:45-Music and Worship
      27:05-Auditioning for Disney's Beauty and the Beast
      37:00-Life on tour in Bombay and challenges
      46:30-Pursuing a career in Teaching
      55:20-Taking a sabbatical (take 1)
      58:55-Social Emotional Learning
      1:10:09-Taking a sabbatical (take 2)
      1:16:10-Sabbatical bucket list
      1:18:30-Shifts in beliefs
      1:24:25-Pieces of advice
      1:28:30-Question for Reuben
      1:32:20-Wrapping up
      Pooja's Socials
      Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poojaannapant/
      Reuben's Socials
      Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
      Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

      1 hr 35 min
    • #70: Sameer Sheikh: Football, Food, London, Instagram, Bain, Revolut, Friends

      Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn⁠⁠⁠⁠


      Chapters

      00:00-Thoughts on staying in touch

      08:10-Getting off social media but dealing with FOMO

      19:30-Comparing yourself to others

      27:40-Recap of the last decade

      29:45-Fondest memory from Bain

      34:55-Lowest point at Bain

      40:20-Staying at Bain despite challenges

      43:40-Getting into SRCC vs INSEAD

      47:40-Reflection on business school reality

      53:00-Balancing the cost of career

      58:50-Settling in London

      1:06:00-People diverging

      1:09:20-Leaving Bain and joining Revolut

      1:18:50-How Reuben landed up in Singapore

      1:28:55-Top of Mind

      1:32:45-Exploring Food

      1:37:20-Shift in belief

      1:46:00-Two pieces of advice

      1:53:10-Question for Reuben

      1:58:36-Wrapping up


      Sameer's Socials

      Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameer-sheikh-160892/

      Reuben's Socials

      Hear from me by subscribing to the newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reubenspodcast.substack.com⁠⁠

      Follow the podcast for new updates on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reubenspodcast/

      2 hr 1 min

    About Reuben's Podcast

    From the publisher's feed

    Stories and learnings over a decade