Stepwell Radio

The Stepwell Radio and The Ahmedabad University Library are delighted to present a special World Book Day 2026 edition of Voices from the Bookshelf, featuring distinguished scholars Aparajith Ramnath, Neeraja Sankaran, and Rahul Sarwate. This engaging conversation moves beyond academic obligations to rediscover the joy of reading as a deeply personal and creative act. The panel reflects on how boo...

This show looks at how everything happening right now—wars, trade tensions, rising inequality—might not be random, but part of a bigger pattern. It explores how global power is shifting, and how democracy today often exists more in form than in reality, with decisions shaped by elites and strategic interests.  Instead of a dramatic collapse, the show suggests we’re living through a transition into...

Somewhere between right and wrong, the most honest stories live. We grew up on perfect heroes—clean choices, clear morals, predictable endings. But the characters that stay with us? They lie. They fail. They cross lines they can’t uncross. This episode dives into why anti-heroes feel more real than the “good guys”—and why their flaws make us uncomfortable in a way that’s hard to look away from. Be...

Trekking has always been more than just reaching the summit—it’s about the journey, the people, and the stories you collect along the way. But is that changing? In this episode, we dive into a thought provoking question: is trekking culture slowly being westernised? We explore the contrast between traditional Indian trekking styles—simple, immersive, and deeply connected to local culture—and a mor...

Ever thought about what we call “classical” and whether it’s really as ancient or untouched as it seems? Society often presents traditions like Bharatanatyam as timeless and unchanging, passed down intact from a distant past. Tradition, however, can’t be reduced to simple inheritance; and neither is the question of who shapes it a new one. Join us as we trace Bharatanatyam’s journey from temple ri...

What do we really mean when we talk about  intelligence ? Is it an inherent trait, a measurable ability, or a concept shaped by society itself? In this episode, we trace the evolution of intelligence as an idea beginning with the early 20th century work of Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon, who designed intelligence tests to support children’s learning, not define their potential. Over time, however...

We’ve traded intuition for instructions and aesthetics for reality. This week, we’re looking at how "finishing" became the enemy of "learning" and how "beautifcation' of food and standarization of education interlap. From the sterile precision of modern recipes and supermarket food to the transactional nature of the 4-year degree, we discuss why the obsession with the...

We like to believe that every purchase we make is logical and well thought out but is it really? In this episode, we step into the world of behavioural economics to uncover why people often buy things they don’t actually need. Challenging the idea of the “rational consumer,” we explore how our decisions are shaped not just by price or utility, but by emotions, habits and subtle psychological trigg...

What if the "flaw" you noticed this morning wasn't really yours to notice? We live in a world where images, ideals, and ideas about perfection surround us constantly, be it in our social media feeds, in ads, or in the quiet suggestion that who we are right now isn't quite enough. This episode asks: Where do these feelings come from? Blending psychology with the world of marketing...

xHave you ever wondered if what you want is truly yours? In this episode, we explore the idea of mimetic desire, introduced by René Girard, which suggests that our wants are often shaped by the people around us. From social media trends to career goals and personal choices, imitation quietly influences how we think, act, and aspire. As we unpack this concept, we begin to question whether our desir...

From carbon markets to corporate responsibility, two conversations at the frontier of environmental economics. Featuring Prof. Colmer on EU emissions policy & Prof. Bansal on how firms navigate regulation, social pressure, and sustainability. Tune in to know more about how carbon markets, corporate responsibility, and environmental policy are shaping the future of our planet.

Family Influences who we become, but what if we said something as simple as your place in the family played a larger role than you'd expect. Alfred Adler proposed exactly this - birth order theory, where your position in the family influenced and shaped your personality. Whether you are the first born, the middle or the youngest - your personality is shaped by the order you're born in. Tun...

Astrology has long occupied a significant place in cultural and historical traditions, shaping how individuals interpret personality, relationships, and uncertainty in everyday life. Yet it also raises important questions about the boundary between belief systems and empirical evidence. This episode examines the enduring influence of astrology from horoscopes and zodiac identities to related pract...

Why do stories written decades or even centuries ago still manage to capture our imagination today? In this episode, we dive into our lasting fascination with classic literature and the magic of seeing these beloved stories come alive on screen. From timeless novels to modern film and television adaptations, we explore how these narratives continue to evolve while still holding on to their origina...

What do our favourite childhood movies and environmental activism have in common? More than we ever realised. The films that once made us laugh, cry, and sing along were also quietly planting ideas about compassion for animals, respect for forests, and the fragile balance of nature. Long before climate change became a daily headline, these stories were showing us habitats under threat, species str...

Have you ever questioned whether the behavior of reality show contestants reflects authenticity or production design? In this episode of Showrunner’s Secret, we examine how editing, constant surveillance, and the strategic selection of personality archetypes shape what audiences perceive as “Reality.” By situating reality television within broader media and cultural frameworks, the discussion expl...

Ever thought about what it's really like to face mental health struggles? Society often tries to explain away and fix mental health struggles which aren't easily apparent. Mental health, however, can't just be fixed in simple steps; and neither is this topic a recent development in society.  Join us as we have a conversation about the masked nature of psychological struggle and how the...

Who really owns a masterpiece? Is it the museums and the elite or is it actually the community that it was stolen from? Moreover, who defines what makes a masterpiece? In this episode, we’re painting a picture about the most famous and infamous robberies; be it colonial-era plunder, the politics of curation, an iconic pop culture moment or everyone's favourite street artist. Tune in as we expl...

We have all grown up watching Bollywood, the drama, the music, the unforgettable dialogues, the larger than life characters. But hidden within all that entertainment are patterns we rarely stop to question. Why is the South Indian character almost always exaggerated? Why does the Gujarati character come with a ready made accent? Why do certain regions become punchlines instead of people? And more...

Sustainability is no longer a distant goal, it’s a present-day responsibility. We are the generation living with the consequences of environmental degradation, and waiting for someone else to fix it is no longer an option. In this episode, we explore how sustainability is really a lifestyle shift one rooted in empathy, community, and conscious choices. From mindful consumption to intentional livin...

In this episode of The Stepwell Radio, we’re going to be in a place many of us know: The In-Between Hours. It’s that place where you’ve outgrown who you were, but don’t yet know who you’re becoming. Where everyone else seems certain, but you’re still figuring it out. Neither fully here, nor fully there. We talk about feeling lost, the pressure to have a plan, and the fear of uncertainty — and the...

Ever wanted to know how Buddhism connects to Spiderman? In this episode of the stepwell radio, we compare ancient philosophical ideas of destiny from Greek, Buddhist, Existentialist, and Catholic schools of thought with how  modern stories like Percy Jackson, Loki, Harry Potter, and Spiderman reimagine prophecy and choice, and see what ideas disappear or remain alive through the ages. Tune in at 1...

Ever wondered how a simple nursery color scheme decides a grown man's career path? In this episode, we trace the invisible lines connecting childhood toys to adulthood burdens, comparing the "Blue" pressure of earning with the "Pink" weight of family honor while also exploring how societal norms and the quiet pressure of " log kya kahenge " become the blueprints o...

What’s your thought when someone mentions Buddhism; prayers, monks, rules and regulations, vows, maroon robes, historical belifes ? What if we proved you wrong? A tradition comprising of debate, modern-science, technology an ever evolving tradition also upholding its' ancient practices.  Join us as we explore Nalanda in Exile; a conversation about the Gelug tradition of Buddhism.

What if Starting Over didn’t mean Reinvention, but Erasure? In Japan, thousands of people choose to vanish every year. This is Jōhatsu, or “Evaporation.” In this Episode of The Stepwell Radio, we sit with an uncomfortable idea: that disappearing can sometimes feel like the only way out. We look at the pressures that make absence seem kinder than explanation, why the police often look the other way...