The Seen and the Unseen
This is the best Indian podcast by leaps and bounds. Period. From the topics of discussion, the guests, the depth of research, the long-format conversations, everything is remarkable. I wish to achieve this level of podcasting. I’d recommend listening to Episode 166: Nanak Was Here. I was fascinated to discover new aspects of Guru Nanak — the first Sikh guru — that I was unaware of, even though I grew up in a Sikh family and went to a Sikh school till my Secondary education.
Hidden Brain
I don’t miss even a single episode of this podcast! It helps me understand the subconscious habits and behaviours that affect our daily lives. My all-time favourite episode with this one is The Scarcity Trap: Why We Keep Digging When We’re Stuck In A Hole.
Gastropod
If I wasn’t a graphic designer, I’d be a chef or a scientist, and this podcast fulfils both of those intellectual curiosities. Gastropod looks at food through the lens of science and history. Although it’s a US-based podcast, sometimes they dig into cuisines from other parts of the world with the same appetite. Recommended Episode: The United States Of Chinese Food
The Real Food Podcast
This one, hosted by Vikram Doctor, was pretty much a Gastropod-like podcast, but exclusively for Indian food. Sadly, the producers discontinued the podcast five years back, but the old episodes, definitely worth listening to, are available on Audible. My favourite episode is the one on papad.
Where Should We Begin?
Esther Perel, the host of this podcast is known for saying “Love enjoys knowing everything about you; desire needs mystery.” The podcast features real couples’ therapy sessions, where the host, who is a psychotherapist, decodes their relationship and sexuality. I love Perel’s take on the tension between the need for security and the need for freedom in human relationships, and on how to apply that in real life. But I have to admit — I found the first season to be way better than the newer seasons. Recommended Episode: Speak to Me in French
