Not SmallTalk

physics.(yep, thats it. thats the title)

In this episode, I sit down with a university physics student to talk about what it’s really like studying physics. His genuine passion for the subject is refreshing, and the way he approaches learning is honestly inspiring. We get into why he chose physics, what keeps him motivated, and what he’s learned so far from diving head-first into one of the toughest degrees out there. If you’re curious about physics, university life, or just enjoy hearing from people who truly love what they do, this one’s for you. As always, if you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow the podcast and leave a review, it really helps more people find the show.

growing up with siblings (and how time changes that relationship)

This episode starts with two people who only knew of each other at school, and somehow ended up in the same place years later. We talk about boarding school memories, siblings, and how we both landed on this island doing degrees we never really planned for. It’s a conversation about growing up, growing apart, and then meeting again as slightly different people. Also: my friend brings me kheer, and something about food from your childhood, with someone from your childhood, feels like being taken home for a moment. I hope you enjoy this one. And if anything we talk about resonates with you, I’d really love to hear from you. You can write to me or tag me on Instagram at @jeevtisamani.

reading to understand ourselves (and each other)

This episode begins with books, buying them, gifting them, annotating them, and slowly opens into a conversation about identity, taste and who we’re becoming at 21. We talk about bonding over recommendations, crying over fictional characters, arguing about melody versus lyrics and why passing someone a book can feel strangely intimate. The conversation moves between music, ambition, comfort, research, teaching, friendship and the fear of getting too settled, without trying to pin anything down too neatly. There are reflections on growing up, on whether anyone ever really feels certain, and on how time and attention might be the most generous things we can offer each other. This one contains copious amounts of giggling, dramatic tangents and at least a few moments where we forget what we were originally talking about. Books discussed: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Swallows by Natsuo Kirino This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Dan Brown novels Films & shows mentioned: La La Land Me Before You A Man Called Otto How I Met Your Mother Music & artists mentioned: Hozier Cody Fry, “I Hear a Symphony” Lauv Peter Cat Recording Co. Arctic Monkeys “La Vie en Rose” Emily Watts vs Annapantsu Kishore Kumar R.D. Burman This was one of my favourite episodes to record. It felt easy, curious and genuinely fun. If something in this episode stayed with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can leave a comment, share the episode, or reach out to me on Instagram @jeevtisamani. If you want more conversations like this, following the podcast really helps. – jeev

maths and faith (and other things we didn’t mean to unpack)

This episode starts with university, home and the everyday logistics of student life, and slowly opens into wider conversations about choice, belief and how people make sense of things as they grow. We talk about studying for enjoyment rather than efficiency, taking on difficulty on purpose, and how faith and ethics shift when you stop accepting them passively. The conversation moves between maths, religion, ambition and responsibility, without trying to pin anything down too neatly. There isn’t a conclusion here. It’s a long, curious conversation that stayed honest and surprisingly fun. This was one of my favourite episodes to record. It felt easy, curious and genuinely fun. If something in this episode stayed with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can leave a comment, share the episode, or reach out to me on Instagram @jeevtisamani. If you want more conversations like this, following the podcast really helps. – jeev

growing up feels like losing the manual (and guessing anyway)

This episode starts with tea and food habits, and slowly wanders into bigger questions about growing up, uncertainty, and what it feels like to lose the structure you once had and realise you have to choose for yourself. We talk about comfort and stability, ambition and fear, learning for joy, changing priorities, and how messy it can feel to figure things out while you’re still in the middle of it. There’s no clear conclusion here. It’s mostly thinking out loud, noticing patterns and questioning things as they come up. If you listen all the way through, I hope something in it resonates with you. I’m always looking for new people to talk to. If this conversation speaks to you, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @jeevtisamani. -jeev