When I was 13

In this Family season series (Season 3), this week we meet siblings Swathi Bavanaka & Sandeep Bavanaka. Swathi is an entrepreneur & founder of EVIBE.IN, an online virtual celebrations app. Sandeep is a cricketer with the Hyderabad team who was also selected for IPL this year, which got cancelled due to covid. Let's hop into our time machine and go back in time when siblings Sandeep and Swathi were 13 in Hyderabad. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/when-i-was-13/message

Yet another episode and yet another inspiration for all of us!  In this episode of “When I Was 13”, we meet Ruchi Dhona who is the founder of NGO “Let’s Open a Book”. Ruchi quit a promising career with Bain & Company to start her NGO in Spiti Valley.  Let’s Open a Book helps school going children in remote schools to read a book and ignite the young minds. Ruchi’s NGO helps in setting up libraries in schools in remote areas so that children do not miss out the joy of reading. So let’s hop onto our time machine and go back to 1996 when Ruchi Dhona was 13 in Kolkata and obviously, enjoyed reading books.

Hello again! The first guest in this new season of When I Was 13 is someone who has never stopped learning. We meet Col (Dr) Manorama Bordoloi who joined the Indian Army as a doctor in the Armed Medical Corps during the 1971 India-Pak war. Even after retiring from the army in 2005, Col Bordoloi studied for her fellowship and worked with an NGO. As I speak with Manu Ma'am about the time when she was 13 in Tirupati in 1962, we are also joined by Manu ma'am's two daughters. So lets hop onto our time machine.

My podcast is two seasons and 28 episodes old! During this quarantine due to Covid19, I got to understand how much our friends and family mean to us. Those that we are really close to, we make all efforts to stay in touch, via video, whatsapp or a phone call. So I decided it will be good to see if my guests, who talk about their childhood, can bring along a family member to discuss how the world was when they were 13. Do you think it's a good idea?

We have new soldiers amidst us in these Covid times-doctors and medical support staff.  In this new episode, we talk to Dr Purba Gupta - an infectious diseases specialist who has been associated with the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. Dr Purba Gupta talks about growing up in the small town of Chaibasa, and her journey to Lady Harding Medical College in New Delhi, and then further on to the US. We also talk about the future of Coronavirus and how the world might be in a few months from now. So lets hop into our time machine and travel to Chaibasa in 1989 when Purba was 13.

It's summer break for me! This week, I get to meet someone who publishes books as part of her job. Shreya Punj is a commissioning editor with Penguin Random House and we talk about her job, how she became an editor after doing engineering. Shreya talks about the future of reading in a world full of digital content, and shares tips on reading more and more. Like all my guests, Shreya also hops onto my time machine and goes back to 2006 when she was 13, and spent her time with, what else, books! Shreya's advice to all 13 year-olds is not to worry too much, and if you are a boy, respect women all your life

We have our first international guest on "When I Was 13" in this episode. Mo Sibyl is a professor of pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma, a podcaster as well as a Koreanophile. Mo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and went to get her PhD in Health Economics, and then take up a teaching job. In this episode, we talk about how life was when Mo was 13, what is Health Economics, and what does it take to do so many things in just 24 hours! So let's hop into our time machine and go to Lagos in 1999 when Mo Sibyl was 13, and her transistor radio was her favorite possession.

In this new episode of When I Was 13, I catch up with an entrepreneur who is building a STEM based toys startup, Smartivity Labs. Tushar Amin, co-founder at Smartivity, is also a screenwriter & author. His advice for all 13 year-old is to look at fresh opportunities, have fun and not take too much stress! Lets hop onto our time machine to find how the was the world when Tushar was 13, and what got him to look at toys in a different manner altogether.

When I was your age, we just had one TV channel When I was your age, we would go out and play When I was your age, I would read books every evening instead of watching Youtube If you were born in 2005 or later, how many of you have had your parents say this to you? There. I knew it! It’s true everywhere, from the US to India. Hello, my name is Aarushi Gupta. I am 14 and I stay in Gurugram, near New Delhi, India. I love watching TV shows. I got my smartphone when I turned 13 last year, but I did not realise this wonderful device comes with constant reminders from the parent- about how things were different when they were my age.  Pestered by my parents’ constant reminders, I decided to figure out how the world really was when my parents were 13?  Encouraged by the short-lived TV series Alex, I got curious about podcasting, and then decided that this would the easiest platform for me to figure out how life was for 13 year-olds in the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and the 2000s! I took some help from my dad and got in touch with a podcaster to launch my own podcast titled “When I Was 13” in 2018, when I turned, well, 13. With 23 episodes behind me, I have met entrepreneurs, professors, scientists, danseuse, social activists, CEOs, and more, and asked them 13 questions, including   “In which year did you turn 13?” “At 13, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up?” “Did you imagine doing what you do today, when you were 13?” And I normally end my show with this question: “What advice would have you have for 13 year olds like me?” I like to believe that my podcast is a time machine. It is a time machine for people, today and tomorrow, to travel back and find what young minds thought and did. It also acts as a fun class to learn some life lessons. And it begins by asking a simple question- “How was your world when you were 13?”

In this episode of When I Was 13, I ask Rashi Joshi, a commercial pilot, to hop onto my time machine and go back in time when Rashi was 13.  Rashi turned 13 at the beginning of the 21st century in 2001, and she talks about how New Delhi was in those days, and how she decided to become a pilot. Rashi also talks about how we should speak for ourselves; and yes, she has some tips for all parents to teenagers :-) The image used in this descriptor has been shot by Rashi Joshi from the cockpit.

In this episode of When I Was 13, I meet Sreeraman, an entrepreneur who is building the "voice-enabled" internet. Sreeraman talks about the 1990s, growing up in Bangalore as a teenager. He also talks about how the future of internet would like, with voice enabled gadgets like Alexa. Sreeraman also says that "curiosity quotient" is very important to have in life. So lets hop into our time machine and go back to the time when Sreeraman was 13.

In this latest episode of When I Was 13, I spoke with Ashutosh Garg, who is the entrepreneur behind Guardian pharmacy chain. Ashutosh is an accomplished writer as well as a CEO coach. He is also a podcaster with more than 200 episodes recorded for his podcast "The Brand Called You" Ashutosh talks about how being true to his own self (his brand) helped him achieve all that he has. His advice to all youngsters is to be yourself. Lets hop on into our time machine and go back to Landour in Mussourie when Ashutosh Garg was 13.

In this latest episode of When I Was 13, I talk with Raghav Gupta, Managing Director of Coursera India & Asia Pacific.  Raghav talks about the time when he was 13 in a boarding school, and how sports and academics defined him. He also talks about why self-learning is a skill that we should all add in this age of online learning.

In this episode, much delayed in publishing from my side, we explore the world of Ninorah & Bettina who host the podcast NRI Woman. Bettina & Ninorah have been best friends for more than 25 years! So lets hop into our time machine and hear what friendship is all about, and the bitter and sweet memories that hold a strong friendship together, (https://audioboom.com/posts/7432861-when-i-was-13-vishnu-and-shankar-podcasters/edit)

This episode, we meet the hosts of another wonderful podcast " Writer and Geek Show"  hosted by two brothers Vishnu and Shankar. We will go back to the time how the world was in the 90s and 2000s in Kerala and also get to now more about how their podcast is based on the conversation that they have with each other. So let's get into our time machine and go back to the time when Shankar and Vishnu were 13.

This time, our time machine podcast takes you to Assam, where our guest Tanushree Ishani grew up. Tanushree is the co-founder of an organic brand called The Body Cafe. We also talk about skin care tips in this episode.

In this episode, we meet the host of the excellent podcast "The Passion People Podcast" Naga Subramanya. Naga is also a Chartered Accountant. He talks about when he was 13 in 2003 in Mysore, and the life lessons he garners when he meets people on his show. So let's get into our time machine and go back to Mysore in 2003, when the internet was on dial-up!

In the first episode of Season 2 of "When I Was 13", we meet Ambi Parameswaran, who is a well regarded leader and expert in the world of advertising & marketing. Ambi talks about his childhood in Chennai, reading books and playing gilli danda. Ambi also talks in detail about advertising and how it is changing in today's world of Netflix & Chill.  Join me in this conversation with Ambi Parameswaran.

Hey there! I did it! 13 episodes! Meeting 13 inspirational and successful people who shared their memories from the time that they were 13. I move onwards to season 2, and will have more such people on my time machine podcast.

In the 13th episode of 'When I Was 13', we meet Global Changemaker & Founder of whywaste.io, Garvita Gulhati. Garvita began her  social entrepreneur journey at the young age of  13 (More power to 13ers!) Today her 'glass half full' movement has helped save millions of litres of water.  Join me in this conversation with social entrepreneur Garvita Gulhati about the world that was when she was 13...

In this latest episode, we have a basketball coach with a difference. Meet Pradyut Voleti, the Founder of The Dribble Academy, which trains youngsters in basketball with the aim to have them play on the international scene someday. Pradyut talks about he got hooked to basketball when he was around 13, and how that changed his life.

With every new guest I have on my podcast, I get to discover new career options. In this episode, we talk to Zeenia Jagga, who is a computational biology expert. How was Zeenia's world when she was 13? Did she know what computational biology was?  Hop onto our time machine to go back to a small town Malaur in Punjab, in 1999 when Zeenia was 13.

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, we meet Padma Priya, who is a journalist and the co-founder of Suno India, a podcast that focuses on issues that matter. Padma Priya talks about how we take our right to vote lightly, and how such attitude affects India. With the 17th Lok Sabha election currently underway, Padma's views on election helped me understand how we should definitely vote, and responsibly. I am 13, so I hope to vote in the next Lok Sabha election in 2024! So join me on my time machine and hear about Padma Priya's world when she was 13.

Hop on to our time machine to go back to the 1970s, when Prakash Iyer was 13. Prakash Iyer is a best-selling author, and a well-regarded CEO. In this episode, Prakash talks about how he overcame stage-fright at a young age, which later helped him become a successful motivational speaker.

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, we meet Aparna Sapra, who is a geneticist and the co-founder of Stellar Gene. Aparna takes us back to Bombay in 1989, when she was 13. While she did not know what she wanted to do later in life, she knew that biology was her favourite subject and she would love to do something around biology. Talking with Aparna helped me understand what microarray and genomics are all about. Aparna's work at Stellar Gene involves researching genetic make-up to help find cure for diseases linked to chromosomal disorders. So join me on my time machine and hear about Aparna Sapra's world when she was 13.

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, we meet the social entrepreneur behind the Khabar Lahariya YouTube channel, Disha Mullick. Disha talks about life in Madras and Bangalore when she was 13, and also helps me understand why she decided to pursue 'Gender Studies' for her further studies. Talking with Disha got me to understand how rural women, unlike what we think, are actually quite empowered and know how to speak up for themselves, when given a chance. So join me on my time machine and hear about Disha Mullick's world when she was 13.

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, I talk with Madhu Naithani, a theatre activist and classical dancer, who can actually talk about 'Summer of '69' because she was 13 in 1969. In this very engaging conversation, Madhu talks about how she grew up in Chandigarh in the 1960s without any TV, and yet she was so busy with 'real friends' that she just had no free time! Madhu also started learning Kuchipudi dance at the age of 50, and believes that the one advice we should take to heart is to 'Love our own self'.  So join me on my time machine and hear about Madhu Naithani's world that was Chandigarh in 1969.

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, I talk with Soumi Duttagupta, a writer and classical dancer, who started learning Odissi dance when she was 36! In this very engaging conversation, Soumi talks about 1988 when there was just one TV channel and how programmes like Udaan and Bharat Ek Khoj ignited her creativity. Soumi ends the episode telling teenagers that 'It is very important to get bored in this digital age'. That's something to think, especially for a F.R.I.E.N.D.S addict like me :-) So join me on my time machine and hear about Soumi Duttagupta's world that was Durgapur in 1988

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, I talk with Suhas Misra, a serial entrepreneur, who also happens to be the ex co-founder of **Paper Boat** beverage. In this very engaging conversation, Suhas talks about how he did not know what entrepreneurship meant when he was 13. He also tells me how he used his childhood memories to write those wonderful descriptions on the Paper Boat packs. Suhas is currently on his third startup, and he says that we should not take stress about the long-term. We should be relaxed at the age of 13. I totally agree!! So join me on my time machine and hear about Suhas Misra's world that was Lucknow in 1991

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, I talk with Divya Devpriya, an IT specialist and a corporate leader. Divya tells me about her childhood when she discovered Madonna and MASH. Divya's dream at 13 was to follow the footsteps of Kiran Bedi, India's first female police officer. So join me on my time machine and hear about Divya Devpriya's world that was Bhopal in the late 1980s

When I Was 13 is a podcast that is also a time machine. In this episode, I talk with Ipshita Chowdhury, an experienced marketer, about her world when she was 13. Ipshita talks about a time when India was changing, and there was a lot of uncertainty. In this 23 minute conversation, Ipshita talks about Steffi Graf, Remington Steele, Dil Hain Ke Maanta Nahin and much more. As a 13-year-old listening to Ipshita, there's stuff that I knew (Only one TV channel! Imagine!) and stuff that I did not. So join me on my time machine and hear about a world that was India in the early 1990s

This is the introduction episode to my podcast 'When I was 13'. We will be uploading interviews very soon.