The Expressions Podcast

In this episode of Expressions, we speak with Rizwan Arshad, Karnataka’s Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, about the challenges of governance and the issues affecting everyday citizens. From gaps in Karnataka’s food distribution system and preventing food grain black marketing to the proposed social media restrictions for children under 16, he shares his views on the changes...

What can the Ramayana and Mahabharata teach us about courage, identity, failure and being human? In this episode of Expressions , acclaimed author and storyteller Samhita Arni joins us for a thoughtful conversation about Indian mythology, childhood struggles, creativity and finding meaning in life's difficult moments. From retelling the Ramayana through Sita's eyes in Sita's Ramayana t...

A saree can be more than something you wear. It can carry a memory, a family story, a craft and generations of knowledge. In this episode of Expressions, Neha sits down with Pavithra Muddaya of Vimor to explore the world behind India's hand loom traditions. Pavithra talks about the weavers who created extraordinary mathematical and geometric techniques, the growing difficulty of recognizing ge...

#parenting #childdevelopment #earlychildhoodeducation What do children really need in their first six years? In this episode of Expressions, Neha speaks to Helen Issar, Founder & Director of Papagoya Education, about screen-free parenting, healthy routines, tantrums, emotional regulation and the power of play. Helen explains why children thrive on routine, why parents should rethink constantly...

Where does our waste go, and who keeps our cities clean? In this episode of Expressions by The New Indian Express, we speak with Nalini Shekar, co-founder of Hasiru Dala, about her work with waste pickers and their contribution to Bengaluru’s waste management and recycling system. Nalini discusses how waste pickers help the city save an estimated ₹84 crore annually in waste collection and transpor...

What happens when an artist steps out of the studio and into the land? And can art help us understand what we consume, how we live and what we are losing? In this episode of Expressions, sculptor and installation artist Arun Kumar HG talks about his journey from urban art to working closely with agriculture, ecology and the Western Ghats. Arun discusses why he calls himself a “student of the envir...

What happens when a senior advocate steps from the courtroom into politics? In this episode of Expressions , A.S. Ponnanna, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and senior advocate, reflects on his journey from law to public life — and the questions it raises about Karnataka’s judiciary, governance, politics and society. From the challenges facing India’s justice system and why people hesi...

Bengaluru has grown rapidly — but what has the city gained, and what has it lost along the way? In this episode of Expressions, Krishna Byre Gowda, Karnataka’s Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development shares about the city’s explosive growth, traffic, changing weather, infrastructure, urbanisation and future. From returning to India after his father’s death to entering public life, Gowda reflect...

Jayana Kothari, Supreme Court litigator and founder of the Centre for Law and Policy Research, joins Expressions for a candid conversation on gender equality, constitutionalrights, disability rights and the power of law to bring social change. With 25 years of litigation, Jayana reflects on representing women, persons with disabilities and transgender communities, and the landmark battles that cha...

Ruth Manorama, social activist and 2006 Right Livelihood Award laureate, joins Expressions for a deeply personal conversation on resilience, leadership, dignity and the power of finding your voice. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her, the influence of her mother, her journey of working alongside marginalized communities, and the importance of education and self-reliance. From building...

Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of The New Indian Express, its editorial team, or Expressions. What does it take to challenge the system for over six decades? In this episode of Expressions, lawyer and women’s rights advocate Pramila Nesargi speaks candidly about her journey in law, fighting for women’s rights, judicial accountabil...

Dr. Sunita Maheshwari, a US Board-certified Pediatric Cardiologist and co-founder of Teleradiology Solutions, shares her remarkable journey from healing newborn hearts to building impactful healthcare innovations. She discusses the challenges and rewards of medical entrepreneurship, the role of AI in medicine, her philosophy of giving and staying grounded, and her unique parenting hacks. The conve...

In this episode of Expressions by The New Indian Express, host Neha Sonthalia speaks with Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Medical Education, about the future of healthcare, medical education, NEET, AI, public hospitals, organ transplants, nursing, and skill development.   Dr. Patil explains why no exam can fully judge a student's capabilities, shares his vision of establ...

Mahesh Krishnachari , founder of O'ver Coffee and Director of VEVRA , joins Expressions for a conversation on entrepreneurship, hospitality, architecture and buildingbusinesses with purpose. From creating one of Bengaluru's most distinctive café and wine destinations to leading industrial projects across India, Mahesh shares how patience, quality and long-term thinking shaped his journey....

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kasim Raja joins Expressions for a conversation on cybercrime, digital safety, AI's role in policing, and the lessons he learned directly from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. With 30 years of service transforming Bangalore's police force through technology and human judgment, he shares practical tips on spotting scams, protecting your digital footprint, and why prevention...

#expressions #100thepisode #lifelessons #inspiration #podcast #thenewindianexpress #motivation #leadership #successstories #india To mark this milestone, we've handpicked some of the most inspiring conversations and timeless lessons from the Expressions archive. Whether you're a long-time viewer or joining us for the first time, this special episode is a celebration of the ideas, stories,...

Theatre director, filmmaker, actor and restaurateur Arjun Sajnani joins Expressions for a conversation on creativity, success, envy, old Bangalore and building a meaningful life. From directing acclaimed productions like The Fire and the Rain and Amadeus to founding Sunny's, one of Bangalore's most iconic restaurants, Arjun reflects on passion, ambition,legacy and why success isn't alw...

Brand strategist, author, and consumer behavior expert Harish Bijoor joins Expressions for a conversation on branding, AI, digital culture, relationships, and the future of work. From his dream of becoming an IAS officer to advising some of India's biggest brands and political campaigns, he shares the lessons that shaped his journey, his views on a rapidly changing world, and why understanding...

Award-winning poet and screenwriter Samragnee Bandyopadhyay joins Expressions for a conversation on feminism, verbal abuse, storytelling, and writing flawed women. From creating Lojja and Noshtoneer to navigatingpublic criticism, creative compromises, and life's unexpected turns, she shares the lessons that shaped her journey from poetry to screenwriting. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN   • Why feminism is abou...

She grew up eating Satyajit Ray's sandwiches, sleeping in the homes of legends, and still had to fight for every single role. Sohini Sengupta , National Film Award winner, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, and the Heart of Nandikar, opens up about what it truly means to be an artist from the inside. In this episode of Expressions , Sohini talks about discovering herself on stage through Arthur Mi...

She grew up on a coffee plantation, studied art in Rome, and spent 56 years building a life with the man she loved. Priya Mascarenhas, an entrepreneur, gardener, and winner of the Javarayya Rolling Shield for 47 consecutive years, opens up about the discipline behind a lifelong passion, the loneliness of loss, and why a small garden done right will always beat a grand one done carelessly. A quietl...

Some people change jobs. She changed lives. Dr. Shukla Bose walked away from a 26-year corporate career, invested her life savings, and built free schools for over 2,000 street, slum, and orphan children in India. She volunteered with Mother Teresa. She waited seven years for school permission rather than pay a single bribe. She walked away from a large donation that came at the cost of her values...

The mental performance coach behind some of India's most-watched sporting moments finally steps out of the shadows. Mon Brokman breaks down how he trains champions like Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy to stay calm at heart rate 170, why high-arousal athletes like Kohli and Nadal often struggle most off the court, and how anyone — athlete or not — can rewire their mind for pressure using methods roo...

Wilma Rodrigues, Chief Transformation Officer of Sahas Zero Waste, joins us in an eye-opening conversation on this week’s episode of the Expressions Podcast. In the chat, we dive deep into India's waste management crisis and the systemic solutions that actually work. Tune in to learn how one woman's 1983 moment sparked a 25-year movement transforming waste management across India, why bulk...

In this inspiring conversation with internationally acclaimed storytelling expert and educator Geeta Ramanujam , we explore the transformative power of stories in education, parenting and human connection. Geeta shares her remarkable 40-plus-year journey from her early days in a Bombay chawl to becoming a global storytelling champion — having trained teachers and professionals across many countrie...