The Productivity Paradox:

We start talking about learning to be productive in the times of Artificial Intelligence. With AI entering so many aspects of our lives, and the ease with which we can access it, this is a question taking up a lot of mind-space.

The Perception Gap:

Before we know it, the topic veers between the overall impact of AI, our understanding, our lack of information about the uses, the users and the differences in our perceptions of how it works or doesn't, whether there has been a deeper understanding about the pros and cons of all stakeholders among many other ways of looking at this extremely important topic. It is after all, both, a magic wand and a Pandora's box rolled into one.

The difference between Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom:

What happens here is we land up with more questions that the 'answers' raise than actual satisfaction at reaching some understanding worth banking on.

The topic continues to open up and surprise us with both the depth and the expanse of possibilities, even as we remain unsure of our own ability to take into account whatever little bit of information is accessible to us or even when it is, understood with the gravity it deserves. An interesting take on a topic vital to the present and coming generations.

There is much to be learned from questions...and this is a provocative episode in every sense. Do share your thoughts in the comments. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

Have you wondered how Alice felt when she went down that rabbithole? In this episode, you will know at least some of it. Light and heavy, madly creative and scientifically precise, emotional or rational, whatever tickles your fancy, this episode might be fulfilling, or then again, it might have you asking for more, as we delve deeper into each and every small and big thought-way which seems enticing in the moment. We talk about being in the moment, experiencing fear and knowing what's positive about it, Rubik's cube and Snake, creativity with an end in mind and with no reason at all, capitalism, deadlines.... Seems mad, exciting or simply nonsensical? You are right on all counts. Jump in and check it out. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

Deepa speaks passionately, happily, excitedly, deeply and evocatively about all things under the sun. And she does this with a lot of old-world wisdom. I have heard this kind of world-view after a long time, and it is so heartening to see pockets of moving slowly, deliberately, engaging with the moments exist like she describes. This conversation has depth and stories in equal measure. Do check it out. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

The fast pace of life seems important, especially with technology being a part of our existence in many ways. Yet, there is some real substance to this digging into the reasons why and what we should slow down, allowing the moments to be lived fully and teach us what we are supposed to be learning. We speak about the times we need to rush, the times we need to pause and respond slowly, the difficulty of adapting to this changing according to the situation. The conversation with Hemant Gupta is a revelation as always, where he joins me in pondering over the many kinds of hidden little seeking within this umbrella thought of going slow. Do check out this wonderful chat. For the video, check www.youube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

There are conversations which have a clear drift, and then there are those which keep on moving without an 'exact direction'. This is one such, which draws you into its mystery, its unsure parts, its incomplete answers. And why not? We have Mustafa Chharchhoda for a guest, and he speaks vivaciously, using his arms to complete sentences, or his expressions to convey helplessness at saying things which are difficult to name. His answers are however always in the present and therefore slowly nudge into your own creation of meaning as well. Sounds mystical? It is. Even I land up saying things which seem new to me at times. Check it out. It is that kind of conversation. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

The question is simple enough: How do we get happiness to stay longer or even permanently? The answer opens to one point of query and then another till we keep going to the core of what our question is, along with other possible pain-points like: finding who the responsibility of our unhappiness lies with, discussing threadbare the role of others and the circumstances which lead us to disappointment, time and again. We discuss the seeking, the path, past life regression, meditation, anger management, gradual growing of wisdom, and a lot more which would perhaps help other fellow seekers who are keen to live a better and happier quality of life. Do check this if this is what you seek like many of us do. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

Youth means parties, shopping, the traditional version of the 'good life', as we see it today. And yet, here is a young girl, walking a different path altogether...early nights, early mornings, Yoga, working with truthfulness, talking about so many deeper things simply that it is uplifting. A beautiful casual kind of chat, and yet the topic, the Q & A, and the implications are anything but casual. There is a lovely sense of ease and bonding I share with Mayuri and it allows me to try asking her about the 'real' challenges. She does not flinch but clarifies her understanding patiently, calmly and simply. A happy conversation, this. Check it out. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

Once more Hemant Gupta joins me in a deep introspection on one of humankind's most incisive challenges: Our relationship with Grief. And once more, he brings in a perspective which challenges our 'definitions' as also our easy acceptance of them as factual. He reminds us of some of the points he has made in the past, and I for one, think, instead of being repetitive, they seem to stand up as important thought-marks in our journey of discovering together. Do have a look at this episode, short in time, but not short on invoking a few streams of your inner workings :) For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop

The discussion starts on a fun term 'Insidely-Outsidely' and immediately, my guest, John Britton provokes another look at the binary version of how we see life. He explains why assumptions are necessary and how we need to hold them loosely. Inner reality and the external manifestation are also looked at from different angles. He is a trainer of artists and therefore, has a methodical explanation of many difficult concepts, explaining them methodically and dissecting the systems for us to see what lies beneath. A fundamentally exploratory conversation, this. And a fascinating one. Do check it out. For the video, check www.youtube/c/thevaluesworkshop

It is a conversation with Hemant Gupta again, and like always, we manage to skim beneath the many layers of meaning/s and are able to discuss the contemporary usage and understanding of sincerity, presence and the spaces they represent. We discuss many aspects, including the importance of both sincerity and insincerity and when one uses what. We also discuss states of mind and the work involved in gauging different truths - contextual and immediate. A hard-core and important conversation, this. Do check it out. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevaluesworkshop