Books and Beyond with Bound

What happens to “us” when we’re no longer the smartest beings on the planet?In our brand new episode, technologist and global innovation leader Akshay Chopra discusses his debut novel After Us, exploring a world transformed by SUI, a self-aware, benevolent superintelligence that questions the very definition of life and humanity.Tara and Akshay dive deep into the fascinating (and often terrifying) intersections of science and fiction, from the "Longevity Escape Velocity" that could grant us 400-year lifespans to why humans may never truly understand an AI’s motives, and how Akshay conceived SUI not as an invention, but as a fallible, evolving being.The conversation goes on to explore why science fiction remains largely untapped in India, despite its wealth of technologists and storytellers, and how our fear of AI may stem from humanity’s own history of driving other species to extinction. Akshay also shares his journey of publishing his novel through Jaico and his shift from a "pretentious" writing style to a simplified narrative. By stripping away the jargon, he makes the looming reality of our future impossible to ignore.If the AI takeover keeps you up at night, this episode is just for you!Books, Movies, and TV shows mentioned in the episode:Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyBlack Mirror (2011)Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariHer (2013)Star Trek (2009)Children of Time by Adrian TchaikovskyThe Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin SharmaAutobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa YoganandaRubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Omar KhayyamA Sound of Thunder by Ray BradburyChildhood's End by Arthur C. ClarkeRendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. ClarkeInterstellar (2014)2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

What does it take to actually curate a literary festival?We’re back! Season 9 of Books & Beyond kicks off with Tara and Aishwarya spilling the tea on their latest project: curating the Literature Section for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026! This episode is a deep dive into the madness of curation. Why is Aishwarya obsessed with color-coded Excel sheets? Why is Tara picking out "apples" for a festival? And how many "healthy skirmishes" does it take to build a schedule from scratch?From the magic of reading Kafka in Marathi to the courage it takes to launch a debut novel, tune in for an exclusive peek into the heart of a mammoth arts festival! ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Would you keep writing if your agent told you "not yet" for ten straight years?In this episode of Books & Beyond, Tara sits down with NYT bestselling author Alka Joshi to discuss her latest novel, Six Days in Bombay.Alka reveals the incredible decade-long journey behind her debut, The Henna Artist, from a relentless agent who kept saying the book wasn’t ready, through years of tireless revisions, to the "perfect timing" that landed her in Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club.But for Alka, the story started much earlier. She shares her personal journey of navigating prejudice as an Indian in America; an experience that once forced her to leave her heritage behind, until she finally chose to embrace it all to tell her mother’s story.She also takes us behind the scenes of her new book; how she purposefully traveled to cities like Prague, Paris, and Florence to "live" the world of her novels before meticulously reconstructing the 1937 world portrayed in Six Days in Bombay.Tara and Alka also dive into their shared love for historical fiction, their top book recommendations, and the real-life incredible women who inspired her most beloved characters.Tune in now to hear firsthand about Alka Joshi’s fascinating road to publishing and her life as a storyteller!Books Mentioned in the Episode:The Joy Luck Club by Amy TanA Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryRed Azalea by Anchee MinPachinko by Min Jin LeeStories from TagoreThe Color Purple by Alice WalkerThe Inheritance of Loss by Kiran DesaiAll the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseRailsong by Rahul BhattacharyaSmall Things Like These by Claire Keegan‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

You don't need a playbook to become a leader, your instincts are your guide.In the latest episode of Books & Beyond, Roopa Kudva, author of Leadership Beyond the Playbook, joins Tara to challenge the formulaic approach to leadership. Instead of giving you a 10-step plan, Roopa hands the steering wheel to you.They dive into why true leadership can’t be squeezed into neat frameworks and why the real growth happens when you start looking inward. Roopa shares her own evolution, from asking for a career-changing role to her transition into becoming the CEO of Crisil.They also explore leadership styles, authentic vs. inauthentic communication, and the science of resilience, including how to build it within yourself and across your organisation.Whether you’re taking your first step up or navigating a major transition, this episode is an empowering reminder that you are in the driver’s seat and get to decide the leader you want to be.Books mentioned in the episode:Personal History by Katharine GrahamAuthors mentioned in the episode:P.G. WodehouseAgatha Christie ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Ever wondered what it takes to go from crunching numbers to creating worlds that millions of readers dive into?In the latest episode of Books & Beyond, Amish Tripathi shares the ups, downs, and behind-the-scenes of his journey from the 9-to-5 grind to bestselling author. From juggling a full-time job while writing Immortals of Meluha, to being one of the few authors in India who can write full time, he spills it all.Get a peek into his unique writing process: constant reading, letting characters “speak” to him, and rewriting until the story feels just right. He also shares insights for aspiring writers on how to navigate the journey of writing while staying true to their craft and managing the realities of the profession.Whether you’re an aspiring author or just curious about the magic behind bestselling books, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and the twists and turns of Amish’s writing journey.Tune in now and dive into the mind of one of India’s most celebrated authors!Books mentioned in the episode:Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki KrishnamurthyBanbhatta Ki Atmakatha by Hazari Prasad DwivediRamayana by ValmikiMahabharata by Maharishi Ved Vyasa ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

In this lively discussion, Apekshit Khare, an HR leader and author of The Time Energy Toolkit, shares insights on mastering time management with a focus on practical exercises inspired by Indian culture. He dives into how cultural perceptions of time influence productivity, the significance of purpose in curbing social media distractions, and the innovative 'day catalog' tool for tracking energy use. Apekshit also critiques the push for longer work hours, advocating instead for intentional downtime and aligning tasks with natural energy rhythms. Fun personal anecdotes about his love for sitar playing add a delightful touch!

How does mythology change when we look at them through women’s lives?In this episode, Tara chats with P. Lalita Kumari, also known as Volga, one of the most influential feminist voices in Indian literature, and Purnima Rao, the translator of On the Banks of the Pampa, Volga’s retelling of Shabari’s story from the Ramayana.Volga shares how the idea for Shabari’s story first took shape, reflecting on the many women in mythology whose voices have been silenced. She talks about nature, womanhood, and the connection she sees between the two. Purnima speaks about the process of translating Volga’s lyrical Telugu prose into English while preserving its essence.Volga also explores her journey as a reader and poet, the challenges of writing as a feminist in the 80s, and how storytelling became her weapon. Purnima discusses her shift from tech to writing, the hurdles of setting up an independent Telugu publishing house, and the need to fill gaps in the literary ecosystem.Together, they look ahead to their upcoming projects, and to Volga’s return to contemporary narratives.Tune in to dive into their creative process and literary brilliance.Books mentioned in the episode:Yashodhara: A Novel by VolgaSwetcha by VolgaLiberation Of Sita by VolgaNa Maate Tupaki Toota (in Telugu) by Mallu SwarajyamPainting mentioned in the episode:The Great Departure (Mahabhinishkramana) ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

What dangerous secrets lie beneath the "comforting newborn smell" of one of the most trusted companies in the world?In this explosive episode, Pulitzer Prize-nominated NYT journalist Gardiner Harris pulls back the curtain on Johnson & Johnson's history, detailed in his book No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson.Gardiner reveals J&J's systemic deception, from knowingly selling asbestos-contaminated baby powder for seven decades to marketing drugs as cancer cures that were actually "Miracle Grow" for tumours. He exposes J&J's hidden role in the opioid crisis and their shocking refusal to share life-saving HIV drugs with Africa, costing millions of lives.Drawing from years of investigative reporting, Gardiner explains how corporate PR, media influence, and medical incentives allow giants like J&J to evade accountability, even with secret Grand Jury testimony as evidence. Tara and Gardiner also discuss the stories that didn't make it into the book and the mental toll of exposing the truth.Tune in for an essential, eye-opening conversation that forces consumers to question the products of a company they love and trust.‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Pushkar Anand, a Cambridge-educated coach and founder of the Centre for Infinite Riches, shares his transformative journey from corporate life to personal fulfillment. He discusses the concept of 'infinite riches' as aligning work with one's mission. Listeners learn about his Primary Vision Tool for identifying passions and the importance of taking inspired action toward goals. Pushkar debunks common manifesting myths and explains his JJ Method for raising vibration. His insights on mentorship and the balance between bold dreams and realism are both practical and inspiring.

How do you rebuild your life when one moment changes everything?In this episode, Tarini Mohan, the author of the memoir, Lifequake shared the raw and honest story of suffering a traumatic brain injury and waking up from a coma with lifelong disabilities. She details the disorienting early days of recovery, how she fought her way back to pursue her MBA at Yale, and the simple cup of coffee that reminded her where joy resides.Tarini also discusses the incredible discipline behind writing her book, working with Mohit Parikh, her mentor through Bound, and the difference in disability support between India and America.This is a story of survival, resilience, and why love, not just inspiration, is the primary theme of a life rebuilt.Books mentioned in the episode:I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility by Trisha MeiliBetween Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika JaouadPodcasts mentioned in the episode:Books and Beyond with BoundWriter’s Routine‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.