What Happens When Your Story Isn’t Yours Anymore

Can Trauma Create Great Artists? | Arundhati Roy Discussion

In this episode, I sit down with media founder Aparna and landscape architect Suvarna, to unpack 'Mother Mary Comes to Me' —and how trauma, fierce parenting, and resilience intersect in ways we don’t always see. We get into how public personas mask pain, the hidden systemic failures in urban infrastructure, and why extraordinary talent can stem from such relentless parenting. Aparna shares how raising children requires immense personal strength, while Suvarna brings a physical lens on spaces, systems, and survival—then and now. If you care about vulnerability, complicated families, critical thinking, and the deeper meaning behind memoirs, this one stays with you. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 | Why We Need Uncomfortable Stories  00:37 | Unmasking Arundhati Roy: The Memoir & Our Guests 04:36 | Reading the Book: Empathy, Vulnerability, & City Realities 10:50 | Design Blind Spots: When Infrastructure Fails the Vulnerable 15:38 | Separating the Art from the Activist 28:13 | Motherhood, Control, & Forging Resilience 33:04 | Why Every Woman Should Read This Book 35:37 | Outro & Further Reading Aparna Apte Gupta  The founder of The Modern Narrative, a media and communications agency. With over 27 years of experience spanning documentary production (BBC World, National Geographic), leadership coaching, and storytelling, she now helps social impact organizations craft meaningful narratives. Suvarna Apte Dalvie A landscape architect and planner with over two decades of experience. Deeply engaged in the social sector, she brings a holistic, design-thinking approach to community impact and sustainability, currently serving as a director at Farmers for Forests. Gunjali I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change. This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into. About The Changemakers Book Club The Changemakers Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.

What Happens When Your Story Isn’t Yours Anymore

I thought this would be a simple book discussion… it turned into a conversation about who owns our stories. In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author Alka Joshi and Cai Chengying, Deputy CEO at Pro Bono SG, to unpack The House of Doors—and how storytelling, history, and justice intersect in ways we don’t always see. We get into how real lives become fiction, the hidden power dynamics in colonial history, and why stories can outlive the people they’re based on. Alka shares how she builds characters from real experiences, while Chengying brings a legal lens on justice, gender, and bias—then and now. If you care about storytelling, historical fiction, writing craft, and the deeper meaning behind narratives, this one stays with you. IN THIS EPISODE 00:30 | This Story Stays With You 03:14 | Why These Voices Matter 04:53 | The Book That Surprised Us 06:24 | You Can Feel This World 10:15 | A Character You Can’t Figure Out 13:17 | Would You Tell Your Story? 16:50 | When Justice Feels Unfair 23:26 | The Gaps No One Talks About 27:50 | Does Money Shape Creativity? 32:23 | Should You Read This Book? Our guest - Alka Joshi Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Six Days in Bombay is her fourth novel. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick, an LA Times Bestseller, a Toronto Star and Globe & Mail Bestseller, an Indie Bookstores Bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook, and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and has been translated into 30 languages. Since its release during the pandemic of 2020, Alka has spoken to over 1000 libraries, bookclubs, bookstores, literary festivals, podcasters, universities and colleges and corporations about persistence, patience and passion and her ten-your journey to overnight success. Because she started her writing career at the age of 62, Forbes selected Alka as one of 50 Women Over 50 who are shattering age and gender norms.  Alka was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Cai Chengying Cai Chengying is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Pro Bono SG, where she works to improve access to justice for underserved communities. Trained as a litigation lawyer, she transitioned into the social sector and has been instrumental in developing community-based legal services and pro bono initiatives in Singapore. Her work focuses on making legal help more accessible through partnerships with social service organisations and outreach efforts. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Merit Award at the Social Service Professional Awards. Gunjali Singh I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change. This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into. —- About The Changemakers Book Club The Changemakers Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.

Chats with the Dead

What if solving your own murder meant queuing up in the afterlife’s visa office? That’s the hilarious and haunting premise of The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida. A Booker Prize novel set in 1990s Sri Lanka, it’s a wild mix of murder mystery, dark humour, and political history. In this episode, I sit down with Ingrid Srinath and Stephen Keys to unpack how this story blends war, identity, journalism, and ghosts into something unforgettable. If you love smart storytelling, sharp wit, and a peek behind the curtain of Sri Lanka’s civil war, this one’s a must-listen! IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) A murder mystery, an afterlife queue, and a war-torn island?! (03:20) How a book can make you laugh at the edge of darkness (05:21) Seeing Sri Lanka through unexpected eyes (08:04) Bureaucracy… but make it the afterlife (10:08) When witnessing isn’t optional anymore (12:08) How societies forget.. and who keeps the receipts (13:47) Your ‘one thing’ might just change the world (15:23) Collaboration isn’t just kumbaya. It’s power. (20:17) Heroes, villains… or something much messier (22:06) When good intentions meet uncomfortable truths (23:35) Why telling the truth still matters (26:27) The author’s secret weapon: wit (28:44) Underrated books you need on your list (32:12) The stories that stay with us (34:08) A few pages, a lot to think about Ingrid Srinath Ingrid Srinath is the Founder Director of the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University, the first academic centre in South Asia dedicated to philanthropy and civil society. A former advertising professional turned trailblazing changemaker, Ingrid has led organisations like CRY, CIVICUS, CHILDLINE India, and Hivos India. She’s championed everything from education as a fundamental right to strengthening nonprofit ecosystems across the globe. Ingrid sits on multiple national and international boards — and when she’s not shaping the future of civil society, she’s probably buried in a book. Stephen Keys Stephen Keys chairs the IFS Foundation, supporting education and community development in rural Sri Lanka, and also volunteers as Senior Director at The Majurity Trust in Singapore. Stephen’s had a global career in tech and sustainability, with senior roles at IFS AB and beyond, leading major transformation and ESG efforts. A lifelong learner, he’s currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable Business at the University of Cambridge and is also part of the Distinguished Senior Fellowship Programme at the National University of Singapore. Gunjali Singh I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change. This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into. —- About The Changemakers Book Club The Changemakers Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.

Did The Bee Sting Just Predict Our Climate Future? | Changemakers Book Club

What does a Booker Prize novel about a struggling family have to do with philanthropy in Singapore and waste management in India? In this episode of the Changemaker Book Club, I dive into The Bee Sting with Priyanka Agarwal, Executive Director of the Tsao Family Foundation, and Vishal Kumar, CEO of Waste Warriors Society. Priyanka shares her journey from finance to philanthropy in Singapore, while Vishal talks about building a climate change nonprofit in the Indian Himalayan region tackling waste management in India. Together, we explore how books spark reflections on family, values, and the future of climate action. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Book Introduction: Why The Bee Sting Hooks You Instantly (02:35) Meet the Guests: From Philanthropy to Waste Warriors (03:20) That Cliffhanger Ending Everyone’s Talking About (04:57) Vishal’s Take: Family, Love, and Unfinished Stories (07:28) Family Struggles: Why Staying Connected Is So Hard (09:54) Climate Change: Guilt, Choices, and Small Wins (18:25) Big Read, Bigger Lessons: Surviving 650 Pages (20:37) Would They Recommend It? Honest Answers (23:20) Wrapping Up: Why Stories Like This Stick With Us Priyanka Agarwal Priyanka Agarwal is the Executive Director of the Tsao Family Foundation. A passionate learner and book club enthusiast, Priyanka has led philanthropic organisations in Singapore and Hong Kong, and brings with her a global career that spans finance, social impact, and a deep commitment to meaningful change. Vishal Kumar Vishal Kumar, a self-described waste warrior and the CEO of Waste Warriors Society, a non-profit tackling waste management in the ecosensitive Indian Himalayan Region. A passionate and visionary leader, Vishal brings deep expertise in waste management and a talent for uniting diverse stakeholders around a cleaner, more sustainable future. Gunjali Singh I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change. This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into. —- About The Changemakers Book Club The Changemakers Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.

The Book That Uncovered Shipping’s Dark Side, And Inspired Two Changemakers

What happens when two trailblazers from finance and clean energy dive into a murder-at-sea thriller? I sat down with Lakshmi Iyer, Group President & CEO at Bajaj Alternatives and one of Asia’s top women in asset management, and Malavika Bambawale, a global leader in clean energy and CEO of SAS Energy UK. Lakshmi opened up about her journey as a woman leader in finance and why she champions diversity in investment spaces. Malavika shared her path through global sustainability projects, from shipping to renewable energy, and how she’s driving change in the commercial and industrial sector. This conversation is personal, powerful, and packed with anecdotes from the journeys of the two amazing guests on the show. IN THIS EPISODE (00:30) A murder-at-sea thriller that’s actually true? (02:33) Meet two changemakers rewriting the rules of money & energy (03:17) The twist that turned nonfiction into a page-turner (04:28) What shipping doesn’t want you to know (06:30) How finance tricks shape our everyday lives (10:19) Can big business really go green, or is it all talk? (12:21) Why the finance world still feels like a boys’ club (13:57) The hidden cost of chasing your career abroad (15:52) The character everyone is still thinking about (16:52) Our take: why this book belongs on your shelf (18:12) Final thoughts (and your next great read) Lakshmi Iyer Group President investments & CEO - Bajaj Alternates. A trailblazer in India’s financial sector, Lakshmi has been featured on Forbes’ W-Power and Self-Made Women lists, and named one of Asia’s Top 25 Most Influential Women in Asset Management. She’s a changemaker who brings sharp financial acumen—and a love for films, travel and food—to everything she does. Malavika A seasoned changemaker in the clean energy space with over 20 years of global experience across APAC, the EU, and the US. She is currently the CEO of SAS Energy based in the UK, which is helping accelerate the adoption of renewable technologies for the commercial and industrial sector. Gunjali Singh I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change. This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into. —- About The ChangeMaker’s Book Club The ChangeMaker’s Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.