The Indian Edit Podcast: Five Things I’ve Learned from Five Years of Interviewing 85 Entrepreneurs & Creators
For five years now, I’ve sat down on a regular basis and hosted hour-long conversations with a series of inspiring women who are building new companies, creating works of art or literature, or launching a huge variety of other creative ventures. Here are some things I’ve learned from the 85 guests who have graciously shared their stories:
What I’ve learned from interviewing 85 women entrepreneurs and creatives:
There is no such thing as ‘self-made’
When I first started, I was slightly hung up on only hosting people who were ‘self-made’, who didn’t inherit a business or get major financial support from family, (and while I do acknowledge everyone starts from a different starting point), I realized just how privileged most of us are in ways that are both obvious and not, so move beyond the myth of the ‘self-made’ person and instead accept Randy Pausch’s maxim: “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” My guests represent a diverse group of different ages, backgrounds, education, and family circumstances, but all embraced the risk of starting something new, and acknowledged the support they got from various quarters.
There is no single formula for success
Hearing this feels both liberating and unhelpful (who doesn’t love a 5 step plan!?). But frankly, for every career changer who quit her day job and focused 100% on her new venture, there was another who kept the day job and launched as a side hustle. For all the guests who trained for years before launching, an equal number exemplified the ‘Beginner’s mind’ by jumping into brand new fields. The only thing their paths had in common were that they all: 1. Took that first step 2. Didn’t give up!
Attempting a creative venture leads to a wonderful, richer, life
In the words of recent guest - award-winning children’s author and physician - Rajani LaRocca:“Don't be precious about it - do the thing you want to do, make time for it. Exploring your own creativity in the arts can be such a wonderful source of joy. So I hope that everyone goes out there and tries something creative that they don't have any other kind of goal attached to.” Make space for play even if it isn’t a second career or paid (yet)!
Creatives all have to push past inner critics and imposter syndrome to get their work out
If you’re stuck thinking ‘Why bother? So-and-so has already done it’ or ‘Who am I to …[fill in the blank]’ you won’t get off the starting point. You have to break past that barrier and muster up the courage to launch or you’ll always wonder ‘What if?’. My guests all acknowledged their fears and doubts, but had the courage to launch anyway.
The most inspiring creators have a strong sense of purpose
My guests were all motivated by the importance of their mission. They clearly defined the ‘why’ of their project which helped them overcome the tough times. To extend this point further: it’s clear that people were at the heart of all my guests’ missions - whether they were creating for clients or an online audience, my guests were driven by people.
Connecting with these inspiring people has been a real joy for me! And now - on to the podcast! If you haven’t checked it out lately, do have a listen. New episodes appear every 2 weeks! We are up to 85 episodes and a new Mini-Edit format - shorter, focused episodes where a guest talks about one object or project. Mini-edits guests have usually been on before, so we don’t get into their background story, and instead let the work be the star. Have a listen and do reach out with ideas for guests or any other questions @theindianeditpodcast on Instagram and www.theindianedit.com.
The Indian Edit podcast is a biweekly show highlighting innovative and inspiring women with a connection to the Indian sub-continent. Host Nitasha Manchanda is a Harvard-trained scientist who invites a diverse group of entrepreneurial and creative women to share their lessons.
"Whoever thought a conversation could be boxed, and when opened, could lead one into new worlds of knowledge and imagination? The conversational podcast is not easy to sustain, and those who have managed to run a show for any length of time deserve appreciation. And, like Manchanda, if they’ve managed to package it with character, even more so." - Podcast review in The Hindu, Jan 22, 2022.
Some show statistics
Audience distribution:
50% India
35% USA
15% Canada, UK, Singapore, etc.
Testimonials from listeners:
"Diverse and fascinating guests and topics. Like a great conversation with friends."
"An inspiring and informative listen!"
"I'm not much of a listener, but The Indian Edit has managed to convert me. Highly recommend!"
About the Author
Nitasha Manchanda is a Harvard-trained scientist who invites a diverse group of entrepreneurial and creative women to share their lessons. She is the host of The Indian Edit Podcast.
