In this episode, I’m talking to Rajat Ubhaykar who is a journalist and author. His first book “Truck De India” launched in late 2019 and since then it’s trending in top travel books in India. In this book, he shares his 10000km hitchhiking adventure throughout India with Truckers. He documented the lives of truckers, the highway economy and busted a lot of myths about truckers.
In this conversation, we talked about his book, his writing process, a lot of stories he actually lived through while on this crazy journey, including an insurgent attack in northeast India
It was a great experience talking to Rajat about his own story and his documented journey called “Truck De India”.
So without further adieu, please enjoy this conversation with Rajat Ubhaykar.
Happy Women’s Day to all the amazing and lovely women in our lives. More power to you!
Here is a video from the humans of Bombay where 4 different generations of women writer letter to their younger selves.
Coming to the past week, I had a productive week at the office but wasn’t very much productive creatively. Hopefully, this coming week will be more creative. I was able to put in exercise for a couple of days and I tried to sleep on time and replenish my neurons as well as recover. Giving your body and mind, time and space is more important than anything we do.
Coming on to the book listening progress, I’ve finished Homo Deus finally and moved with “The Sign of the Four” more (almost 50% done), I started a new book as well – “Nonviolent Communication” (5% done). So this month I’ve to finish another book from the Sherlock Holmes series to reach 6 books in March end.
Enjoy today’s Saturday-Pentacle. (Delayed a bit due to the podcast episode release this weekend, check it out at the end of the page.)
Issue 174 // Week 10 // 2020
A Podcast I loved —
Agla Station Podcast – This is a brand new show hosted by one of our podcast group member – Priyanka Ganwani (of Fork Media). She’s done a brilliant job on this one. The production value of the first episode even speaks for itself.
In Agla Station podcast, she explores different Mumbai Local stations and talks to people who make these station working.
The whole idea of this podcast is very creative but sounds like so much work put into the production. Glad to see someone doing courageous production.
Highly recommend listening to this podcast. Here is the first episode for you to start with –
A piece of information I found really useful — Amid the panics of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) spreading throughout the world. Kevin Rose (One of my favourite people) discussed the matter on this show (The Kevin Rose Show) with Dr Andrew Weil to share more insights about the situations and few immunity-boosting herbs and others things.
One of these may sound like a superstition but it’s not. It’s a scientific fact that consuming Garlic in raw form (10 mins after it’s cut into the piece), releases Allicin, which is a great source of immunity-boosting. This might help you in contracting the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) by the means of boosting your immunity.
Check out the quick 20 mins episode if you wanna learn more –
In this short film, he explores if to be a successful leader you need to be a dick?
Check out this video –
A documentary I loved –
Facing Putin – Last week I stumbled upon this NatGeo Series called Facing Icons, especially the episode of Putin.
This episode explores the controversies around Putin, how he became the face of Power in Russia. The facts mentioned are just so intimidating but fascinating at the same time. Check it out (link above).
Quote I’m pondering on lately –
They say age brings wisdom, but it isn’t true. All you ever get is a better sense of your own limitations.
Curtis Edmonds
Before saying “see you next week” Here is a podcast episode I published in the past week. Episode 19 with Rajat Ubhaykar. We talk about his 10000kms hitchhiking journey, his book Truck De India, his writing process and more.
Hey friends, I’m Himanshu, a technology professional working in Mumbai, India. I spend most of my spare time making Podcasts, YouTube videos and write on Lifestyle Design and sometimes stories. Every Saturday, I send out an email newsletter called “Saturday Pentacle”, a list of the cool stuff I explored in the past week, including quotes, photos, books, articles, movies, documentaries and so on!
Have you asked this question to yourself anytime before? We talk about self-care, self-love and treating ourself as we would to our best friends and family. But have you asked this question to yourself anytime before?
If no, then it’s the right time to ask it to yourself. If you are not able to think clearly, use paper or a diary and note down how are you feeling right now. Physically and emotionally.
Stop thinking about what you should have done, what you would have done or what you could do. You are going to miss this moment, the right now, this moment. (Yes this one!)
Ask yourself the hard question and try to answer it honestly.
I did ask this to myself recently and in the process of answering it, I arrived at quite an interesting derivation about my well being. That gave me a new goal and direction to work on and made me course-correct myself and start living in the present moment once again. I totally recommend you do this exercise.
The only thing which will help you grow apart from generating ideas is following through by doing reflection exercises on a consistent frequency. (This Saturday-Pentacle newsletter has become that for me, a weekly reflection exercise) It helps me re-calibrate the upcoming week, after reflecting on the past week.
This is a leap year day, 29th Feb 2020. So happy B’day to all who were born on 29th Feb. Wish you next after 4 years. Here is a fun Ad Ryan Reynolds’ (the Deadpool actor) company Aviation Gin made for a lady who was born on 29th Feb and turned legally 21 (actual biological age 84). What a video. Watch it here. (This is a bonus piece in today’s pentacle)
Coming on book listening progress, I’m finishing up on Homo Deus (88% done) and finished “A Study in Scarlet” of Sherlock Holmes series and started the next one in this series “The Sign of the Four” (which is almost 20% done). So even though Home Deus is not finished. Still, I’m near to my goal (certainly didn’t breach the goal). So hopefully till the March End, my 6 books are over (Jan – 1, Feb – 2.5 and Mar 2.5). Hoping for more consistent listening time daily.
Coming back to the Saturday-Pentacle, let’s cut to the chase.
Once I saw Sam Kolder’s work on YouTube. It just swept me off my feet. His videos are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. So much editing work done with all those magical transitions and every second making your jaw drop a little more wider.
Here is a video from him (and you can get down the YouTube suggested video rabbit hole from here and you won’t be disappointed) –
KOLD – The Creative Process
A meditation session I Loved —
The Last Time You’ll Do Something – This meditation session by Sam Harris on the app “Waking Up” shares a significant insight about our lives. Just like a reminder that everything you do may be the last time you do it. Not just maybe because you’ll die tomorrow, but also maybe you might just not do that thing due to any number of reason ever again. So think about it, whenever you are doing anything, is that last time you are doing it?
When was the last time you took a walk just to take a walk?
Sam Harriss
Check out this video (made by someone else, but this same meditation session) –
A playlist I loved –
Songs to Get lost in – This past week this playlist had been on heavy rotation. Loved many of the songs from this playlists. Great for chilling or light focus.
Check it out.
Quote I’m pondering on lately – (this one is also from Sam Harris)
The only thing that permits human beings to collaborate with one another in a truly open-ended way is their willingness to have their beliefs modified by new facts. Only openness to evidence and argument will secure a common world for us.
Sam Harris
Before saying “see you next week” Here is a podcast episode I published in the past week. Episode 18 with Delton Dsouza. We talk about adventure filmmaking, his creative process and much more.
Hey friends, I’m Himanshu, a technology professional working in Mumbai, India. I spend most of my spare time making Podcasts, YouTube videos and write on Lifestyle Design and sometimes stories. Every Saturday, I send out an email newsletter called “Saturday Pentacle”, a list of the cool stuff I explored in the past week, including quotes, photos, books, articles, movies, documentaries and so on!
In this episode, I’m talking to Delton Dsouza. He’s an adventure Film Maker, Director of Photography and Cinematographer. He’s been publishing his amazing adventure outdoors videos on YouTube including his BikePacking Series. His video editing works are just out of the world. He’s also done commercial work with names like Vogue, Flipkart and more.
In this conversation, we cover a wide variety of topics – his creative process, how he transitioned to this creative career from a regular airline job. We also talk about his YouTube series called BikePacking. There is a lot of nitty-gritty details if you are an aspiring filmmaker, YouTuber or Director.
It was just pure joy listening to this guy talks about his passion.
So without further adieu, please enjoy this conversation with Delton Dsouza.
Hope your weekend was well spent. Recovering and reflecting maybe?
It was a long weekend for me and I was recovering from being under the weather from the mid of last week. I got better and worked on some creative stuff as well. 2 more podcasts are published now, one in the mid of last week and another one today.
So, all in all, it was an okay week with a recovery weekend for me. (How was your week? Reply in the comment section!)
Coming on book listening progress, I didn’t make much progress in listening to the books, just couple more hours than last week for both the books – Homo Deus (70% done) and “A Study in Scarlet” of Sherlock Holmes series (around 70% done). This week I’ll try to be more consistent. Past week 2 additional holidays reduced my commute by 4+ hours, hence less book consumption.
Coming back to the Saturday-Pentacle, let’s get on with it.
He shares practical things to discover what you love and how to pursue them.
Check it out.
News of the week —
Death of Larry Tesler (Creator of copy and paste command)
Larry Tesler
The year 2020 continuous to shake us with deaths of Legends. After Kobe Bryant earlier, now the creator of Copy and Paste Command in computers Larry Tesler, died on 16th Feb 2020. May he rest in peace, who made lives of modern-day humans who use a computer so much easier. (Can’t imagine what will we do without copy, paste).
Lawrence Gordon Tesler was an American computer scientist who worked in the field of human-computer interaction. Tesler worked at Xerox PARC, Apple, Amazon, and Yahoo!
A person I’m curious about —
Taika Waititi – Taika won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his Movie Jojo Rabit this year. In this movie, he also played the role of Adolf Hitler who is an imaginary friend of a Jojo a young boy living in Nazi Germany.
Here is a TedX talk Taika gave on The Art of Creativity in Doha in 2010. Which blew up to many million views in the past few days, after he won the oscar. His works are just astounding.
A video which blew mind –
Billie Eilish Talking to a robot – I just loved this conversation between Billie Eilish and a robot driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Even though initially it looked like a gimmick but it isn’t. I was blown away by the quality of questions.
Machines are coming closure to humans.
Quote I’m pondering on lately –
Quality is not an act, it is a habit.
Aristotle
Before saying “see you next week” Here is a podcast episode I published in the past week. Episode 17 with Chhavi Sachdev. We talk about podcasting, radio culture in India her story, routine, tools, tips and a much more.
Hey friends, I’m Himanshu, a technology professional working in Mumbai, India. I spend most of my spare time making Podcasts, YouTube videos and write on Lifestyle Design and sometimes stories. Every Saturday, I send out an email newsletter called “Saturday Pentacle”, a list of the cool stuff I explored in the past week, including quotes, photos, books, articles, movies, documentaries and so on!
In this episode, I’m talking to Chhavi Sachdev. She’s an independent podcast producer, consultant, and coach. Basically one-stop-shop for podcast production. She is also the most experienced podcaster in India; she has been making podcasts since 2008.
She is also a multimedia journalist and has worked with names like BBC, PRI and NPR. When she moved back to India from the US almost 10 years back, she saw almost nobody in India was working with the new intelligent medium of storytelling which was podcasts. So she embarked on this long journey of making the Podcast medium relevant in India. Like smart and intellectual radio stations.
Meanwhile, Chhavi worked on interesting projects and co-founded IVM which is a big podcast production company now, but she left after a short stint and eventually founded Sonologue which is her own podcast production company. She has worked on a wide array of projects in Audio and it reflects in her production value.
Chhavi has also been conducting regular workshops for individuals, colleges, corporates, as well as NGO’s. Her 4-hour crash course in podcasting is fairly popular.
In this conversation, we cover many of the things about podcasting, the state of radio industry in India. Her productive routine, tools and tips about podcasting.
I had a blast having this conversation with Chhavi.
So without further adieu, please enjoy this conversation with Chhavi Sachdev.
Hope the Valentines Day went good for you. It’s the day of love. Even if you haven’t found your soulmate, you could spend this with your loved ones at home. Take them out on a date if you could. (Your mom? Your granny? or even your dad? anyone you really love).
If you have a girlfriend/boyfriend, wife/husband or soulmate I hope you gave them special time.
Even though they say, every day is a day of love. But probably if you can do something special on this day (when we get the opportunity to do something special on regular days?), just do it.
This time it was on a Friday, so most of us were working the day. But the evening could be spent out. Well, I did!
Coming to the progress of this week, I released a vlog (Kala Ghoda 2020) and worked on the Podcast edits, which are coming out shortly.
Coming on book progress, I’m halfway through on Homo Deus and 65% done on the first book “A Study in Scarlet” of Sherlock Holmes series. So probably I’ll be able to finish 3 books at least this month. That will help me catch up on last month’s one less book. So far so good.
Last week I joined a special event at my workplace as well, I was selected in the final 44 people (Out of 1000 participants) for the finale of Young Leaders council. We went through 6 exams and interview panels. It was great to interact with amazing minds in the financial sector. I wasn’t selected for the final 12 people council. But reaching finals was also a great deal for me. I got the opportunity to meet even the board of directors and be interviewed by them directly and also voice my ideas. It was a unique experience.
Coming back to the Saturday-Pentacle, let’s get on with it.
Issue 171 // Week 7 // 2020
My latest article –
Goals with Intention (GWI)
Goals with Intention (GWI) – 2020 – So this year, I didn’t make new year resolutions, because now I understand that this whole method is flawed. You’ll work only on those things where you actually have a real interest.
This year I’m working on Goals with intention (GWI). Check out the article to know more about my process.
A photo and story from the week —
From Inside the Air India Flight which evacuated around 324 Indians from the City of Wuhan (which is the epicentre of the Corona Virus outbreak)
In this article – A senior Air India pilot who led the evacuation of Indian citizens from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan describes the experience of planning the operation and flying to the ghost city.
A Person, I’m curious to know more about —
Rajat Ubhyakar – He’s a journalist and an author who wrote the book named – “Truck de India!: A Hitchhiker’s guide to Hindustan“. I got to know about him on Twitter. His book talks about a very odd topic or rather subject – The Truckers of India. The hidden tribe. People we almost tend to ignore. People who we most often think off in very sceptical ways. His book debunks a lot of myths about them. His journey for the book fascinated me. (probably a podcast hint…Psss)
Here is an introduction to him and the book from GoodReads.
In Truck De India!, journalist Rajat Ubhaykar embarks on a 10,000 km-long, 100% unplanned trip, hitchhiking with truckers all across India. On the way, he makes unexpected friendships; listens to highway ghost stories; discovers the near-fatal consequences of overloading trucks; documents the fascinating tradition of truck art in Punjab; travels alongside nomadic shepherds in Kashmir; encounters endemic corruption repeatedly; survives NH39, the insurgent-ridden highway through Nagaland and Manipur; and is unfailingly greeted by the unconditional kindness of perfect strangers.
A series I’m enjoying –
The Crossing
The Crossing – I’m watching this series lately and well it got me hooked. From its description, it looked like a time-travelling drama. (I have a thing for time-travelling movies/shows/books).
But as soon as I started watching it was not exactly like the usual ones, however people from the future come back to the past and it all gets mixed up with superhumans and normal humans trying to beat each other’s a**.
Quote I’m pondering on lately – (Got the reference of it from the last week’s podcast of Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose – The random show episode)
Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.
James Lane Allen (NOVELIST)
Before saying “see you next week” Here is a vlog I was supposed to released last Sunday but got delayed till the mid of this past week. It’s from my recent visit to the Kala Ghoda Art Festival – 2020. Which happens in the Kala Ghoda area of Mumbai. It was my 5th visit to the fest. Hope you like it.
Until Next Saturday!
Thanks for reading.
Himanshu
Hey friends, I’m Himanshu, a technology professional working in Mumbai, India. I spend most of my spare time making Podcasts, YouTube videos and write on Lifestyle Design and sometimes stories. Every Saturday, I send out an email newsletter called “Saturday Pentacle”, a list of the cool stuff I explored in the past week, including quotes, photos, books, articles, movies, documentaries and so on!
It’s the start of the weekend, hope you’re relaxing and being with your family.
So I’ve started to share a little bit of my week, in this newsletter. I feel like it keeps me a little accountable for my progress of the week.
For me, this past week was a bit relaxed from the last week. I’ve been progressing at a project at work, hopefully it will yield some good.
I’m excited about the two new podcast episodes which are coming soon. (in next few days). I’m even a little nervous about my first presentation at a local podcasting event. But that’s what happens when you are doing something you love. You are nervous in a good way. I hope it goes well.
Coming to the progress on books, as I started “Homo Deus” last week, I’ve listened to this book about 3+ hours till now and hopefully, it will be completed till mid of February. I’m listening to this one in the morning (as it’s non-fiction) and listening to the “Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection” while commuting back home in the evening. It’s sort of a balance of non-fiction and fiction throughout the day and I like it.
So without further adieu, let’s get on with the Saturday-Pentacle.
Issue 170 // Week 6 // 2020
A YouTube Video I loved –
Set systems rather than goals – I discovered Rowena Tsai’s YouTube channel last year and I liked the theme of this channel. But somehow I missed the rail on her channel’s progress.
She’s grown to double the audience since I saw her videos last year. But it’s not just about her channel’s growth, it’s the genuineness of the content. Her content about living a life of meaning and designing her life really resonated with me.
Last week, when YouTube algorithm put her video back in my recommended videos, I was happily surprised and found this video insightful. Plus I loved the way the videos are shot showing her doing casual things with the voice-over narration. It’s the small routine things which seem boring, sometimes they make you feel satisfied as well. (watch the video and you’ll know what I mean)
Morag Myerscough – I stumbled upon this British architect/designer while researching for one of my posts and I started loving her work. She designs neon colour (not that I resonate with neons) walls, cafes, temples and more. But the way she merges it with the aesthetics is astonishing. Check out her Instagram and also this piece here showcasing a spectacular example of her work on a biophilic cafe pavilion.
Tim and Kevin talk about so many things. It’s like a yearly catch-up call they have. I also would like to have this kind of conversation with one of my really close friends.
They talked about relationships, how to sail through difficult waters (in context of relationships), biohacking (Kevin’s favourite topic) and so much interesting stuff.
This is one episode I totally recommend.
Quote I’m pondering on lately –
Your Calendar reflects your true priorities.
The Minimalists
Before saying “see you next week” Here is a vlog I shot couple of years back, it was essentially my first attempt on vlogging.
P.S.: This week’s vlog will be released this Sunday.
Until Next Saturday!
Thanks for reading.
Himanshu
Hey friends, I’m Himanshu, a technology professional working in Mumbai, India. I spend most of my spare time making Podcasts, YouTube videos and write on Lifestyle Design and sometimes stories. Every Saturday, I send out an email newsletter called “Saturday Pentacle”, a list of the cool stuff I explored in the past week, including quotes, photos, books, articles, movies, documentaries and so on!
Making new year resolutions is clichéd. It’s known that 12th Jan is the fateful day[mfn]Reference[/mfn] when the majority of people drop on their new year resolutions and fall back into the normal (for them).
So last few years I’ve made a new year resolution list and some of them worked where I had the intention but some of them didn’t, they dropped out in the first half of the Jan month itself.
So this year, I didn’t make new year resolutions, because now I understand that this whole method is flawed. You’ll work only on those things where you actually have a real interest.
This year I’m working on Goals with intention (GWI)[mfn]Forbes Reference[/mfn]
Let me explain a little bit. Goals alone don’t work. Resolutions and Goals are similar, they fail, if your intention is flawed. You need to consciously define your intentions what do you really love to do and want to achieve. So if we put Intentions with Goals. Then they seem to work.
For example, If you are putting waking up at 5 am every day as your new year resolution but your work time doesn’t let you sleep till 10. Then the goal is flawed. You should think – why you want to wake up at that time? Maybe, to exercise? or to get some quiet time? Then you should probably not put this into the goal list and fail. Instead, you can just modify your current calendar to shift your exercise time in the middle of the day (at work maybe)? Your quiet time can be moved to right before your nighttime routine.
An example of a goal with intention is where you need to make a new window of time for something new entirely. Like Swimming or painting or journaling or writing and list goes on. However, the most important thing is to know what you really really love. You can discover but doing a little discovery on paper. Introspect yourself. Then to followup on your intention put it into a weekly review. Share your progress on a blog or maybe to a friend or a close group (maybe other people who also are working on similar lines). This way you actually can track what’s going on.
So for me, the formula is –
Goals with Intentions = Start with Intention + Set precise Goal + Measure + Improvise
Coming back to my list. Even though I’m improvising my system of resolution goal tracking in 2020. But first, let’s start with what I did with resolutions in 2019.
The Lifestyle Architecture Lab podcast kicked off at the end of 2018. But 2019 was the year of establishment with many milestone interview episodes.
So I thought it would be awesome to compile a list of my top 5 most loved podcast episodes of 2019 and this can be a good starting point for someone starting to discover the podcast medium and especially my podcast.
Hope you enjoy this recap and find the conversations with these amazing people inspiring. If you like the episodes, please share your honest review on Apple Podcasts, if you can spare just 2 mins, it means a great deal to me.
