Reuben's Podcast

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/