Paani with People

Ambikesh Sharma
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At Paani with People, we talk to everyday people whose stories are anything but ordinary, giving a space for these stories to exist, and multiply! Each guest refers the next, creating a continuous, organic chain of fascinating conversations. Tune in to listen to real people reflect on life, love, dreams, fear, and everything in between. No celebrities. No scripts. Just stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Ep 6 | Siddhi | Fragments of a mind in motion

    May 5

    Ep 6 | Siddhi | Fragments of a mind in motion

    Some conversations don’t move in straight lines. They drift, pause, return, and slowly reveal something deeper along the way. In this episode of Paani with People, I sit down with Siddhi: a reader, writer, and observer of the world in her own quiet, thoughtful way. What begins as a simple conversation moves through poetry, libraries, childhood, and the evolving relationship we have with reading and expression. We talk about what it means to truly engage with books: not as something prescribed, but something discovered. About libraries as spaces of curiosity rather than control. About writing without the pressure to perform, and holding on to creativity in a world that constantly demands output. Siddhi shares pieces of her inner world: through poems, memories, and reflections that connect the outer world with what we carry within. There’s a certain stillness to this conversation, and also a quiet honesty that stays with you. This isn’t a conversation trying to arrive somewhere. It’s one that simply unfolds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 6m
  2. Ep 5 | Adya Jha | Blabbering Through Life

    Apr 10

    Ep 5 | Adya Jha | Blabbering Through Life

    In this episode of Paani with People, the conversation moves exactly how it’s meant to—unstructured, unpredictable, and honest. With Adya, what begins as casual “blabbering” slowly opens into something deeper. We talk about birthdays and why they feel performative, about choosing solitude without guilt, and about documenting life in ways that actually matter to you. Along the way, we wander into conversations about anger, childhood, identity, and the quiet ways we inherit patterns from our parents. Adya reflects on why she resists permanence—whether it’s tattoos, expectations, or fixed identities—and how she prefers to experience life in fragments: through photographs, notes, and moments that don’t need validation from anyone else. There’s humour, there’s randomness, and then there are moments that hit unexpectedly hard—like understanding where your emotions come from, or realizing that sometimes “blabbering” is just another form of thinking out loud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m
  3. Ep 4 | Neeraj Shetye | Between Thane and Oxford

    Feb 21

    Ep 4 | Neeraj Shetye | Between Thane and Oxford

    In this fourth episode of Paani with People, I sit down with Neeraj Shetye - a policy professional at the Oxford India Centre, former election fieldworker, conflict studies graduate, and someone deeply reflective about power, identity, and belonging. We talk about growing up in Thane, moving out at 17, navigating language shifts from Marathi to Hindi to English, and studying politics of conflict and justice at SOAS. Neeraj shares what it was like working on the ground during Indian state elections - witnessing intimidation, rural political ecosystems, and the realities you only understand when you are physically there. The conversation moves through Hindu nationalism, social policy, queer identity, migration, family, and the complicated question many of us carry: Do we go back home, or do we build a life where we feel safest? We also talk about overcommitting, learning to say no, calling parents once a week for four hours, and what it means to be rooted in language even when you are geographically elsewhere. This episode is layered, honest, and had layered giggles sandwiched between valuable conversations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  4. Ep 3 | Sahreen | Partnerships, work and otherwise

    Feb 3

    Ep 3 | Sahreen | Partnerships, work and otherwise

    In this episode of Paani with People, I sit down with Sahreen Shamim for a deeply honest, wide‑ranging conversation about identity, agency, and the quiet weight women carry through life. We talk about growing up in Kashmir, navigating marriage on her own terms, moving across cities and countries, and what it really took to get to Oxford through crowdfunding. Sahreen reflects on privilege, guilt, ambition, and the invisible pressures that come with success. The conversation moves through work culture, mental health, anxiety, decision‑making, and the long journey of unlearning self‑doubt. This is not a polished success story. It’s a raw reflection on becoming — with all the contradictions, fears, and courage that come with it. Guest referred by Manzer from the last episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  5. Ep 2 | Manzer | Being and Becoming

    04/19/2025

    Ep 2 | Manzer | Being and Becoming

    In this heartfelt episode of Paani with People, Ambikesh speaks with Manzer, a policy professional, social entrepreneur, and "a confused person in pursuit." From his roots in a small town in Chhattisgarh to his time at Oxford and his return to Bihar, Manzer reflects on the threads of curiosity, contradiction, and community that have shaped his life. They talk about growing up with unconventional parenting, navigating long-distance marriage, and building Bridge—a student-led initiative that helps peers graduate without debt. Manzer opens up about burnout, belief systems, privilege, and his struggle with always wanting to do more. It’s a conversation about embracing confusion, celebrating pauses, and walking purposefully - even when you’re unsure of the destination. 🔗 Guest referred by Kanika Joshi. Bridge is Manzer's beautiful initiative to make education accessible to all. Find out more here: https://www.bridge-edu.in/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 6m
  6. Ep 1 | Kanika Joshi | Dancing Through Development

    04/18/2025

    Ep 1 | Kanika Joshi | Dancing Through Development

    In the very first episode of Paani with People, we sit down with Kanika Joshi, a dynamic development sector professional, dancer, and optimist. From her early days as a performer to becoming a published author and global changemaker, Kanika opens up about her journey across countries, ideas, and identities. They talk about the complexities of the development sector, the politics of privilege, the reality of burnout, and the pursuit of balance in a world that rewards extremes. The conversation flows through joy, fear, ambition, and love - with reflections on personal growth, long-term relationships, and choosing courage despite doubt. This is a story about choosing to show up - again and again - with your full self. 🔗 Plus, Kanika recommends the next guest in this ever-growing chain of conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m
  • 6 Episodes

About

At Paani with People, we talk to everyday people whose stories are anything but ordinary, giving a space for these stories to exist, and multiply! Each guest refers the next, creating a continuous, organic chain of fascinating conversations. Tune in to listen to real people reflect on life, love, dreams, fear, and everything in between. No celebrities. No scripts. Just stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Ambikesh Sharma
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ambikesh Sharma
  • Show Website
    Paani with People