AwokenWord
26 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAwokenWord is a long-form, conversation style podcast hosted by writer, poet, and music composer, Anuj Rastogi. Through nuanced and thoughtful dialogue with an incredible array of guests, Anuj explores the worlds of society, culture, art, music, science, current events and all things that comprise the human experience.
"I want to challenge and evolve ideas, intuitions and convictions. This world, is quite simply, nuts, and often terrifying. Yet, this same world is incredibly beautiful, inspiring and mesmerizing. I want to get to know people who are interesting, who hold varied opinions and have life experiences different than my own.
This podcast is my humble attempt to bring a grain of sand of goodness, conversation and inspiration to the beach of human experience. This podcast is my love letter to the world, and to what it means to be human."
~ Anuj Rastogi
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Episodes
#026: Dr. Yasser Khan - "Humanitarian in Gaza"
February 05, 2024 06:00 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBAnuj sits down with Dr. Yasser Khan - a Canadian opthamologist who was among the first in the world to visit Gaza in the midst of the recent Israel-Hamas war, to help injured civilians and see the dire conditions first hand. Yasser shares his humbling experiences and perspectives on being a humanitarian, in one of the most important conversations yet on AwokenWord. Dr. Yasser Khan is an internationally renowned ophthalmic surgeon, humanitarian and entrepreneur. He is a leading ophthalmologist...
#025: Jennifer Boger - "The AI Mirror"
January 25, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 94.6 MBKicking off Season 3, Anuj sits with Dr. Jennifer Boger for an entirely different, human conversation on AI, technology and finding our way in an a rapidly accelerating future. Dr Jennifer Boger has an unrelenting passion to create technologies that are more sustainable and appropriate from multifaceted perspectives, such as the environment, society, and industry. She is the Chief Scientific Officer at ESG.AI, an Adjunct Professor in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, ...
#024: "Analog Intelligence"
December 31, 2023 23:00 - 37 minutes - 52.2 MBA special episode where Anuj shares his reflections on 2023, ahead of another impromptu conversation with his son about AI ethics, and the struggle between good and bad.
#023: Martin Ryan - "Artificial Intelligence. Real Ethics"
November 23, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 95.6 MBAnuj sits down with Martin Ryan to discuss the moment in time we find ourselves in on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Nearly one year since the public launch of Chat GPT, AI has seen an unprecedented level of attention in the public conscience, along with unparalleled growth. Martin is innovation strategy and human-centered design leader with 15+ years of cross-sector and cross-domain experience. Leading from a place of sincere concern and regard for the interaction between humanity and...
#022: My Son - "No War"
November 02, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 31.6 MBA very special & humbling episode. This morning, Anuj cuddled in bed with his 9-year old son, and had the most human, humbling and honest conversation about the situation in that has broken out in Gaza & Israel since October 7, 2023, and what he wants for the world of tomorrow.
#021: Mugabi Byenka - "Beyond Skin"
October 04, 2023 04:00 - 2 hours - 96.1 MBAnuj sat down with poet & author, Mugabi Byenkya. Audio of this conversation was thought lost, however resurrected in the end to share this wide sweeping dialogue. Mugabi shares key experiences from his life living around the world, how his parents gave him a foundation for strength, and what it's been like to move through life's challenges, adversities and triumphs. Anuj & Mugabi explore biases, assumptions and reflect on the role poetry and art have played in their lives. Mugabi's positivi...
#020: Shree Paradkar - "Casting Light"
May 10, 2021 13:00 - 59 minutes - 82.7 MBAnuj and Shree Paradkar sit down for an unflinching conversation about race and self refection. Shree is a Toronto Star race and gender columnist, and the 2018-2019 recipient of the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy. Shree's writing takes on charged issues with a critical and unwaivering approach. Shree shares the role of Black feminism in her own journey, and the debt that we all owe to indigenous and black communities. Shree also raises the question of who defines the "norm" in society, ...
#019: G Yamazawa - "Way of The Shogun"
June 23, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 82.7 MBAnuj is joined by G Yamazawa, in this conversation deep into the COVID19 pandemic. G Yamazawa is an innovative rapper, spoken word poet and hip hop artist. Originally out of Durham, North Carolina, G is now based in Los Angeles. G shares a lot about his life growing up, how hip hop entered his life, and the path that spoken word poetry opened up for him to find his own voice in the world of hip hop. Anuj and G unpack life in the US at the early stages of the COVID19 pandemic, as well as the ...
#018: Jeff Teravainen - "Acting Human"
March 18, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBIn this episode, Anuj sits down with Jeff Teravainen. Jeff is a well-loved actor, voiceover artist, and musician. He's played the role of Lieutenant Anders on SYFY's hit "Dark Matter", as well as roles in SYFY's "12 Monkeys" in Season 2 along with movies such as the 2019 Netflix hit, "Christmas Chronicles". Jeff has also given his likeness and voice to characters in popular animation and video games such as "Far Cry", "Splinter Cell" and "Resident Evil". Most recently, you can find Jeff as th...
#017: Sammy Chand - "Genesis Man"
January 15, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBLive from DASH Radio studio in Los Angeles, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Sammy Chand. Sammy is the founder of Rukus Avenue Radio, a rapper, producer, record label exec, entrepreneur and man of the people. In this conversation, Anuj and Sammy explore the impact of Hip Hop, the genesis of Indian Hip Hop and its ties back to Sammy's group KARMACY. The two discuss identity, the evolution of music, fatherhood, the current political climate in the US and what we can do to shape the world for better....
#016: Barkha Madan - "Lights, Camera, Introspection!"
December 12, 2019 02:30 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBAnuj Rastogi is joined by Barkha Madan at the AwokenWord studio. Barkha Madan is a former Indian model, film actress and film producer who has also appeared in television serials and hosted TV shows in India. Barkha had risen to prominence through major film and fashion projects, while undergoing her own inner exploration and journey. In November 2012, Barkha finally made the leap into her self-described "calling" and underwent ordination to become a Buddhist nun and changed her name to Ven. ...
#015: Shantanu Pujari - "Hip Hop India"
November 14, 2019 01:00 - 1 hour - 77.3 MBAnuj Rastogi reconnects with Shantanu Pujari, a multi-talented artist and fighter. Shantanu is a professional competitive mixed martial arts fighter, yoga instructor, action director for film, activist, b-boy, beatboxer and hip hop label artist manager. Shantanu is also the host of the "Shakahari Show" on Rukus Avenue Radio. Shantanu shares his incredible personal journey, and a deep respect and knowledge of the history of Hip Hop as well as India. This conversation is an inspiring and exciti...
#014: Sangita Patel - "Leading Rainbow"
September 26, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBLive in Los Angeles, California (well, Orange County actually) Anuj Rastogi sits down with Sangita Patel, entrepreneur, tech leader and the CEO of LeVar Burton Kids. Sangita shares her jouney in America, finding a place in a world that was only black or white, and what she's learned in her remarkable life and career. Sangita also shares her journey working with one of the most inspiring men in the world, LeVar Burton, and the journey from Reading Rainbow to LeVar Burton Kids. The conversation...
#013: Ashwin Srinivasan - "The Airbender"
August 14, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 79.9 MBLive in Mumbai, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Ashwin Srinivasan, one of the most highly sought-after musicians in India. Ashwin is an acclaimed Indian Classical flautist and vocalist, and long-time collaborator with internationally renowned composer Nitin Sawhney, as well as core member of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman's band. Ashwin's vocal and instrumental brilliance is well known, and in this conversation, Anuj and Ashwin explore the worlds of music, Ashwin's journey as an artist, and h...
#012: Ali A. Rizvi - "Of Myth & Legends"
July 25, 2019 04:00 - 2 hours - 90.6 MBAnuj sits down with Ali Rizvi back in the AwokenWord studio. Ali is an author, speaker, and musician who grew up in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan before moving to the US, and eventually Canada at the age of 24. Rizvi has been writing extensively about secularism in the Muslim world for several years, contributing to The Huffington Post, Quillette and major media outlets like CNN. Rizvi is also a medical communications professional and a trained physician and oncologic pathologist. Ali's ...
#011: Lisa Fitzpatrick - "Open Your Door"
June 13, 2019 04:30 - 1 hour - 76.6 MBLive from SXSW EDU, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Lisa Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the APEX Youth Center based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lisa shared the stage as the opening keynote in SXSW EDU 2019. Lisa is a past CNN Hero, and her story is a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who overcomes incredible trauma and builds a life of humanity and compassion. Lisa shares her personal journey from tragically falling victim in a random act of violence to devoting her life and efforts to welcoming t...
#010: Darius Baxter - "Be The Change"
April 14, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBLive from SXSW EDU, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Darius Baxter, co-founder of GOODProjects based in Washington DC. Darius shared the stage as the opening keynote in SXSW EDU 2019. He is an incredibly inspiring leader, and shares his personal journey from tragically losing his father at age 9, to being raised by a strong mother, and the choices he made between pursuing a Wall Street career and serving the community, modern political life in America, inspiring new generations, and being the chan...
#009: Nicki Wells - "The World is Sound"
March 13, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBIn this episode, Anuj connects with London-based singer, songwriter, composer, producer and multi-genre musical prodigy, Nicki Wells (aka TURYA). Nicki is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, and capable of astonishing fluency across Western classical, pop, and Indian Classical styles of music. A long-time collaborator with leading global artists, Nicki has worked with acclaimed film, theatre and studio music composer Nitin Sawhney, vocalists Tina Grace, and Joss Stone among many others. Ni...
#008: Pardeep Nagra - "The Tiger"
February 20, 2019 12:00 - 2 hours - 85.8 MBIn this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi sits down in studio with Pardeep Singh Nagra, championship boxer, athlete, historian, educator, public speaker and human rights advocate. Pardeep is the Executive Director of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, and a champion of equity within the public school system. In the 1990s Mr. Nagra was barred from competing in a Canadian boxing championship because of his beard, which is a mandatory article of his Sikh faith. These real-life eve...
#007: Jeff Perera - "Mankind. Kind Men"
January 19, 2019 06:00 - 2 hours - 87.8 MBAnuj Rastogi is sits down with Jeff Perera, public speaker, motivator and leading voice in the evolution of our perceptions of manhood, masculinity and empathy. A well-respected voice, TEDx speaker and writer, Jeff has been devoted to the cause long before the #metoo movement, and polarizing ads such as that from Gillette, were in the public consciousness. Anuj and Jeff explore both very personal and collective experiences on issues of self reflection as men, self-love, as well as the related...
#006: Dwayne Morgan - "The Race To Pay It Forward"
December 27, 2018 01:00 - 1 hour - 86.5 MBIn today's AwokenWord episode, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Dwayne Morgan, one of the country's most prolific event producers, as well as a talented author, speaker and poet. Anuj and Dwayne dive deep into many important territories, from race, the experience of being black in this world, creating spaces and platforms for others to shine, to being a man, fatherhood, sociopolitical polarization, the importance of self love, and paying it forward. Special Guest: Dwayne Morgan.
#005: IF The Poet - "Renaissance Reincarnated"
November 03, 2018 19:00 - 2 hours - 95.7 MBIn this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi talks to Ian French, popularly known as "IF The Poet" and finalist in the 2015 World Slam Poetry championship in Paris. Ian has been the subject of a CBC documentary, and is a respected performer whose work spans the breadth of our collective, and individual human experiences. Anuj and Ian talk at length about the state of the world today, poetry, the journey of creativity, masculinity in today's world, being honest, the nuances of ident...
#004: Roger Christian - "Star Wars & The Alchemy of Cinema"
November 02, 2018 19:00 - 2 hours - 89.7 MBIn today's episode, AwokenWord host Anuj Rastogi speaks with legendary, Academy award-winning Art Director and Filmmaker, Roger Christian. Roger walks through his incredible life's journey from childhood in the UK, to learning the craft of set direction to the day he was hired personally by George Lucas to lead set design on "Star Wars: A New Hope". Roger explains the process he went through in inventing and designing the light-saber, R2D2, and the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, among many...
#003: Raheel Raza - "Religion & the Real World"
November 01, 2018 19:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBIn today's episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi speaks with Raheel Raza, author, speaker, and incredibly fierce activist and advocate for reform within the Muslim world. Raheel talks about her experience as a muslim, and a woman pushing for reformation within the community, and for open, honest dialogue. Raheel speaks about her work with youth, with the UN Human Rights Commission, and the crisis of an increasingly polarized world, and how difficult it can be to call a "spade a spad...
#002: Raj Sharma - "Home"
October 31, 2018 19:00 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBIn this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi talks to Raj Sharma, one of Canada's leading refugee lawyers. Raj talks about his experience as a refugee protection officer, as a refugee and immigration lawyer in the context of the current migrant crisis in the US, and potential impact on Canada. Anuj and Raj discuss the concept of home itself, what it means to leave home, and what it means to find a new place to call home. The conversation makes timely reference in the context of a r...
#001: Anuj Rastogi (Intro) - "Theory of Encumbered Will"
October 30, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 18.6 MBIn this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi introduces himself, the podcast and the reasons behind launching this podcast. Anuj also introduces his hypothesis on free-will, entitled the "Theory of Encumbered Will".