Is Loneliness Driving Us Toward AI Companions? | Annie Bot Discussion

Is Loneliness Driving Us Toward AI Companions? | Annie Bot Discussion

An AI girlfriend, a trafficking survivor, and a social entrepreneur walk into the same conversation… and somehow it becomes one of the most human discussions I've had all year. This week on Changemakers Book Club, we're unpacking Annie Bot with Bharathy Tahiliani, the founder of Kshamata, and Yeoh Wan Qing, co-founder of Hatch. Bharathy has spent over 20 years helping women rebuild their lives after trafficking and gender-based violence, while Yeoh Wan Qing works with youth navigating identity, belonging, and the future of work. What surprised me most was how quickly the conversation stopped being about artificial intelligence and became about loneliness, control, abusive relationships, self-worth, and what it really takes to rebuild trust. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 | The AI Girlfriend Who Feels Too Human 00:58 | Built To Be The Perfect Partner 01:45 | When Love Becomes Control 03:14 | Why This Story Won't Leave You 03:43 | Meet The Changemakers 05:33 | Is Annie Bot Really About AI? 09:48 | Can AI Solve Loneliness? 12:52 | Why Isolation Is So Dangerous 18:53 | The Real Meaning Of Freedom 21:39 | What Annie Bot Gets Right About Us 25:28 | The Question That Stayed With Me Bharathy Tahiliani | Founder of Kshamata Bharathy Tahiliani, the founder of Kshamata, an organization she established in 2011 that is doing deeply transformative work with women and girls who have experienced trafficking and gender-based violence. With over two decades of experience working across organizations like UNICEF, the Government of Maharashtra, and anti-trafficking organisations in India, she has spent her career not just rescuing women from exploitative situations, but asking the harder question—what comes after? How do you rebuild a life, restore dignity, and create a real sense of belonging again? At Kshamata, she’s built a holistic model that supports survivors through every stage of that journey—from healing and trauma-informed care, to skilling and livelihood training, to long-term reintegration into society. Yeoh Wan Qing| Co-founder & CEO of Hatch Wan Qing’s work sits at the intersection of impact and enterprise, driven by a deep belief in unlocking potential—across people, systems, and opportunities. Her journey has taken her from grassroots volunteering and working with children with special needs, to building communities and exploring how businesses can create meaningful, scalable impact. She co-founded Hatch to tackle a fundamental gap—access to meaningful work. Hatch is a social venture that supports individuals, particularly those who are underemployed, to discover pathways into careers they might not otherwise have access to, regardless of their background or networks. Alongside this, she chairs Kita, a youth development non-profit that goes a step further—creating spaces where young people don’t just prepare for jobs, but explore identity, agency, and what it means to shape their own futures. Gunjali Singh | Host | Changemaker's Book Club 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.

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.