Abel Pathways Podcast

S1 E19: Becoming a Filmmaker with Awiskar Rai

Awiskar Rai shares his journey from mathematics to filmmaking in a unique community of young artists within Sikkim, India. His thoughtful and insightful approach to life is full of wisdom and curiosity. Watching: Big World Listening: Requiem by Thom Isaacs Reading: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Buddha by Osamu Tezuka  Other Recommendations: Progressive Learning Foundation, Kuna Studios [https://www.designkuna.com/]

S1 E18: Becoming a Designer & Entrepreneur with AJ

Content warning for mention of depression and suicidal thoughts. Guest: AJ is a trained engineer who became a designer and entrepreneur. He founded Studio Sensorium [https://studiosensorium.in/] in Sikkim, which aims to bridge the gap between academic design education and real-world application through books, websites and historical projects with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. AJ shares his journey to finding his passion and finding creative outlets with photography and connecting with nature. Watching: Nature, The Why Files [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaEJLf99gDO5WddzaowtNIt6D0fSOuusm], Captain Fantastic (2016) Listening: toe [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rpKM0MniNkXM1SLSglYUZ?si=SoY2MWKVTRuORsTvzcNVhw] Reading: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Exhalation by Ted Chiang, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell Other Recommendations: Studio Sensorium [https://studiosensorium.in/], Alexandra David-Néel (French explorer), Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

S1 E17: Becoming a Journalist & Author with Pema Wangchuk

Pema Wangchuk shares his story of how he found his way into journalism and the many interesting twists and turns that brought him across the Himalayas to Sikkim, India.  Pema has been a journalist in Sikkim since 1994. He is the co-author of ‘Khanchendzonga: Sacred Summit,’  ‘In The Land of The Lama,’ and co-editor of  ‘The birds have lost their way’. Listening: One54 podcast, The Seen and the Unseen, Empire, The Rest is History, The Lit Pickers Watching: Dark Winds (TV Series), Dhokbu: The Keeper (Lepcha language feature film with brilliant English subtitles) Reading: Inside Sikkim Against the Tide by Jigme N Kazi, Knife by Salmon Rushdie, Why The Poor Don’t Kill Us by Manu Joseph, Meet the Savarnas by Ravikant Kisana, The King's Harvest by Chetan Raj Shrestha, The Light of His Clan by Chetan Raj Shrestha, Fruits of a Barren Tree by Lekhnath Chhetri (Translated from the Nepali Anurag Basnet), Caravan (English monthly magazine), Sikkim Stories [https://rachnabooks.com/product/in-the-land-of-the-lama/] (graphic novel) Recommendations:  The Conversation, Himal magazine, Taktse International School, The Ekavya Trust

S1 E16: Becoming a Teacher with Ms Prerna

This conversation explores the journey of a dedicated teacher, Ms Prerna, who shares her insights on education and the transformative power of teaching. From her early experiences as a student to her current role as an educator, she reflects on the importance of empathy, community, and continuous learning in the teaching profession. Ms Prerna emphasizes the need for mentorship and feedback in her growth as a leader and the significance of building confidence in her students.   Listening:  * Dr Feuerstein (28 cognitive strategies method) Reading:  * Mother Mary Comes for Me by Arundhati Roy * Flood by Stephen Baxter Other Recommendations:  * Taktse International School * Khelum Foundation

S1 E15: Becoming a Lawyer & Mountaineer with Puru Sharma

Lawyer, Mountaineer, and the General Manager of Alice Himalayas of Follow Alice. Puru shares his deep love and commitment to the natural world and how he shaped his career around his education, his strengths, and his passions! You can reach out to him @puru1511 Watching: Dark Reading: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari; Psycho-Cybernetics Series by Maxwell Maltz Other Recommendations: Follow Alice, KEF (Katalytic Education Foundation), Sikkim Charter School, NIMAS (National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports) , Lancaster University, UK