(UN)LEARN

without SHAPE without FORM
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THE (UN)LEARN PODCAST creates moments of self-discovery. Each episode explores the power of the mind through unfiltered stories of resilience, curiosity, and personal growth with artists, thinkers, and cultural practitioners. Hosted by without SHAPE without FORM, a cultural platform inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living.

  1. Jun 8

    Battlefield of the Mind: Unloading the Mental Weight

    How do we find true freedom when we are simply too tired to carry the weight of our own thoughts? Ahead of their Total Response performance in New York, critically acclaimed composer and multi-instrumentalist Angel Bat Dawid and artist Nirbhai nep Sidhu join Deep for an unfiltered exploration of music, memory, and endurance. Angel shares nostalgic reflections on her childhood parlour room and how watching Amadeus sparked a hidden, lifelong obsession with classical music. We discuss art and music as essential portals that allow us to explore beyond. Shifting to the "Battlefield of the Mind," Angel opens up with raw honesty about the physical and emotional exhaustion of carrying heavy burdens, opening the door for Deep to share a transformative perspective on how to access genuine inner freedom. Finally, we dive into the transformative power of repetition and discipline, proving that rigorous practice is not a constraint, but the ultimate tool for personal growth and self-mastery. Angel Bat Dawid is a phenomenal Chicago-based composer, clarinetist, singer, and educator whose radical, genre-defying work interacts deeply with memory, spirituality, and the rich lineage of Black jazz avant-garde. nep Sidhu is an interdisciplinary practitioner whose work explores the metaphysics of form and spatial rhythm within community. Together, they embody a courageous commitment to the constant evolution of the self and the spirit.

    39 min

  2. May 11

    Acknowledging Compulsion: Staying on the Path of the Seeker

    What keeps you on the path when the world tries to pull you away? Ahead of their TOTAL RESPONSE performance in New York, artist Nirbhai (nep) Singh Sidhu and legendary musician Ishmael Butler join Deep K Kailey to explore the "compulsion" that drives the seeker. They discuss the bravery required to evolve your art in a world that demands consistency, and the fascinating challenge of naming the "unnamed"—the realisation that by the time an artwork is defined, the creator has already moved on to the next.   Ishmael Butler is a Grammy-winning musician and pioneer (Digable Planets, Shabazz Palaces), celebrated for his experimental approach to sonic architecture. nep Sidhu is an interdisciplinary practitioner whose work explores the metaphysics of form and spatial rhythm within community. Together, they embody a courageous commitment to the constant evolution of the self and the spirit.

    36 min

  3. Apr 18

    Playing is Serious Business: The Responsibility of Truth (ft. Carlos Niño & nep Sidhu)

    Is true play an act of discipline? Ahead of their TOTAL RESPONSE performance in New York, artists Carlos Niño and Nirbhai (nep) Singh Sidhu join Deep K Kailey to explore the rigorous yet joyful practice of creative expression. They discuss the concept of Simran and the profound responsibility of sharing it with care and integrity. Exploring their deep artistic connection, they reflect on the freedom found in the 'just doing'—where creation becomes a boundaryless act. The conversation moves into the nature of a "weak mind" and how easily it is influenced. Carlos Niño is an internationally renowned percussionist, producer, and composer known for his collaborative approach to spiritual jazz and ambient music (and the concerts Music Director). nep Sidhu is an interdisciplinary practitioner whose work explores the metaphysics of form and spatial rhythm. In collaboration with without SHAPE without FORM and other artists, they create immersive experiences that challenge the boundaries of sound and spirit.

    45 min

  4. Mar 9

    The Creative Path Home: Unlearning the Need for Context (ft. Sejal Parekh)

    What do you do when a "creative" industry fails to fulfill your purpose? Artist Sejal Parekh shares her non-linear journey, from earning a BA in fine art to years in marketing, and the essential pull that brought her back to the studio. She discusses her experiential sculptural work, including a piece inspired by a vivid memory of a stone handmill (chaki) that was contested by others. We explore the deep freedom in unlearning the need for context, allowing art to be experienced directly, and the joy of finding your true path home. Sejal Parekh is a British-Indian cross-disciplinary artist whose sculptural practice serves as a cartographic intervention into the geographies of displacement. Her work transforms objects and motifs into complex instruments of critical refusal. https://sejalparekh.art/ Guest Curator: Xavier Leopold https://xavierleopoldstudio.com

    34 min

  5. Feb 23

    Purpose Over Praise: Resilience in Animation (ft. Gagandeep Kaur Chahal)

    How do we stay grounded in our purpose when the world offers us the trap of ego? BAFTA-longlisted animator Gagandeep Kaur Chahal joins us to discuss the profound shift in perspective that motherhood has brought to her life and work. We explore the deep research behind her acclaimed animation 'Cha', inspired by the incredible resilience, love and detachment of Bibi Jagdish Kaur, and what it means to practice detachment in a high-stakes creative industry. Gagandeep shares her commitment to making art for its original purpose rather than views or accolades, while offering a critical look at AI and why it can never replace the contextual, lived human experience that gives art its soul. Gagandeep Kaur Chahal is a BAFTA-nominated animator and artist celebrated for her ability to weave complex narratives with emotional depth. Her work often explores themes of history, memory, and resilience, combining technical mastery with a commitment to storytelling that prioritises human connection over digital convenience.

    1h 9m

  6. Feb 10

    Breath is a Gift: Portals into the Mind (ft. Tyreis Holder)

    What is the true currency of life? Artist, poet, and visual storyteller Tyreis Holder invites us into the "portals into her mind," sharing how her textile and poetry practice became a vital healing device after debilitating grief. We discuss the challenge of overthinking and the freedom found in simply giving yourself permission to 'just do' when words fail. Tyreis shares how a creative community helped her navigate a mind that can feel over-stimulated, and how she works toward contentment—a feeling of being fully at one with body and mind. We close with a reflective discussion on how valuing breath as a gift can bring a powerful perspective on life's fleeting nature and guide us toward mindfulness. Tyreis Holder is a South London-based artist and poet. Her practice centers on explorations of self and the relationship with the mind, using textiles as a poetic language and healing device to generate conversations around social and intimate spaces.

    45 min

  7. Jan 28

    Laying Foundations for the Future: Language, Lineage, and Care (ft. Manuela Moscoso)

    How do we prevent ourselves from slipping back into old patterns? Manuela Moscoso, Executive and Artistic Director of CARA in New York, joins us for a deep dive into institutional building rooted in transparency and kinship. We explore her unique curatorial approach—putting ideas in relation to one another to uncover hidden genealogies—and the vital importance of un-learning the "why" behind our habits. Reflecting on the aftermath of the pandemic, Manuela shares her candid cynicism about how quickly society has returned to old ways, while we discuss the grounding power of planning 250 years ahead. By shifting our focus from immediate results to laying long-term foundations, we explore how to create a culture of care that truly lasts. Manuela Moscoso is a world-renowned curator and institutional leader dedicated to expanding historical records and public discourse. With a career spanning major international biennials and research centers, she now leads CARA (Center for Art, Research and Alliances), a nonprofit space in New York committed to challenging dominant narratives through artistic research, publishing, and a radical commitment to un-learning.

    41 min

  8. Jan 12

    The Blank Canvas: Unlearning the Need for Boxes (ft. Jordan Zayas Kelly)

    When does freedom become overwhelming? Artist Jordan Zayas Kelly discusses the pressure of time in an academic year and the paradox of the blank canvas, exploring how we often crave external constraints when true freedom feels like too much. She shares her journey from a rigid, prescriptive artistic approach to creating intuitively, and how this shift allows her work to be more accessible. We discuss the work of unlearning complexity to make space for connection, allowing the viewer to re-ascribe histories and ultimately see themselves in the art. Jordan Zayas Kelly is an interdisciplinary artist working between New York and London. Her experimental practice harnesses histories that resist traditional documentation, transforming historically exploited materials into aesthetic interventions. https://jordanzayaskelly.com/ Guest Curator: Xavier Leopold https://xavierleopoldstudio.com

    27 min
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About

THE (UN)LEARN PODCAST creates moments of self-discovery. Each episode explores the power of the mind through unfiltered stories of resilience, curiosity, and personal growth with artists, thinkers, and cultural practitioners. Hosted by without SHAPE without FORM, a cultural platform inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living.

Information

  • Creator
    without SHAPE without FORM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © without SHAPE without FORM
  • Show Website
    (UN)LEARN

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