Journalist and author Malini Goyal shares insights on deep journalism, city exploration, and societal values. The podcast covers the rarity of curiosity in journalism, challenges of investigative reporting, career evolution, personal struggles, and embracing change. Topics include writing international research, Bangalore's evolution, tech innovation, data challenges, city culture, imposter syndrome, dating dynamics, and Bengaluru's talent landscape.
Curiosity is vital for truth-seeking and understanding fellow humans in journalism.
Unboxing Bengaluru offers diverse perspectives on the city's history and society in flux.
Preserving handwritten notes and immersive reporting enhances storytelling depth and narrative richness.
Early exposure to diverse school environments fueled a lifelong journey of questioning societal norms.
Transition from successful journalism to book writing reflects a pursuit of personal growth and creativity.
Exploring dating dynamics and urban challenges in Bangalore sheds light on societal nuances and infrastructure needs.
Deep dives
Curiosity and the Essence of Journalism
The speaker emphasizes the importance of curiosity as a fundamental human quality, essential for engaging with the world and understanding fellow humans. In the context of journalism, curiosity is highlighted as a key trait for seeking truth and unraveling the mysteries of the world. Despite the lack of curiosity in many professionals, the guest journalist stands out for her insatiable curiosity, fervently pursuing big stories and deep truths without being swayed by mundane concerns like career progression.
Unboxing Bengaluru: A Multifaceted Exploration
The guest journalist, Malini Govell, is introduced as a veteran journalist with a knack for deep dive stories and monumental features. Her recent work, 'Unboxing Bengaluru,' delves into the city's history from multiple angles, portraying a society in flux amid globalization and local transitions. The book offers diverse perspectives, including insights into young individuals navigating life in the city, migrants seeking to establish roots, and visionaries striving for progress amidst lingering traditions.
The Significance of Notebooks and Immersive Journalism
Malini Govell shares her unique approach to journalism, emphasizing the value of handwritten notes in preserving conversations and ideas. Through meticulously cataloging themes in multiple notebooks, she delves into various topics each year, allowing for detailed exploration and in-depth storytelling. Her commitment to immersive reporting, including video and audio recordings, reflects a dedication to capturing profound narratives and maintaining a fresh perspective on storytelling.
Discovering New Worlds Through Learning
Growing up in a challenging environment shaped the speaker's appreciation for education and curiosity. Their early exposure to diverse school environments sparked a lifelong journey of questioning societal norms and exploring new perspectives.
Challenging Status Quo Through Hard Work and Determination
The speaker recounts a childhood focused on academic excellence, driven by parental expectations. Despite initial lack of personal dreams, the emphasis on constant improvement and resilience instilled by their mother guided them towards questioning normative paths and striving for independence.
Transitioning to a Writing Career and Exploring New Horizons
The speaker's transition from a successful journalism career to embracing writing challenges, like starting a podcast and writing a book, highlights a shift towards taking more instinct-driven decisions and pursuing uncharted paths. This new phase reflects a willingness to step out of comfort zones to fuel personal growth and creativity.
Exploring the Start of a Podcast Journey
The journey of starting a podcast for Times of India began with a proposal from an ex-boss, Rohit, offering to pay a small sum for a podcast series. This familiar connection provided a comfortable starting point. Initially working on a book, the transition to podcasting and book writing marked a significant shift. Visiting Bangalore during the unwinding pandemic highlighted the need to delve deeper into understanding the city, starting from the grassroots level.
Navigating Social Media and Building Trust for a Book Project
Embarking on a book project, the significance of engaging with social media emerged, despite initial hesitation due to introverted tendencies. Transitioning to active social media participation proved challenging but essential for project visibility. Utilizing social media to connect with various individuals, including slum residents and activists, allowed for diverse narrative threads in the book, showcasing a bottom-up approach to storytelling.
Uncovering Diverse Narratives Through In-depth Interviews
Delving into the rich tapestry of Bangalore's diverse population, the storyteller navigated through language barriers and diverse social strata, engaging in profound conversations with individuals from all walks of life. From interactions with slum dwellers to visits to working-class environments, building trust and understanding personal narratives became paramount. Through exhaustive meetings and deep conversations, a multidimensional portrayal of Bangalore's residents unfolded, uncovering powerful stories of resilience and growth.
Insight into Dating Dynamics Across Different Indian Cities
The podcast episode delves into the differences in dating dynamics across various Indian cities, highlighting how factors like trust, privacy, and safety influence the progression from online connections to in-person meetings. In cities like Delhi, where trust issues are prominent, the journey from app to meeting in person can take up to six months, while in cities like Mumbai and Bangalore, the timeline shortens significantly to a few weeks or even days. These insights shed light on the challenges and nuances of modern dating in different urban settings.
Impact of Urban Infrastructure on Bangalore's Growth Trajectory
The episode also explores the dichotomy of Bangalore's rapid technological advancements juxtaposed with its lagging urban infrastructure. Despite being a hub for cutting-edge technology and innovation, the city faces challenges such as traffic congestion, potholes, and inadequate public transport infrastructure. The discussion delves into the need for improved urban governance and infrastructure to sustain Bangalore's growth and maintain its status as a leading tech and innovation hub in India.
