@spotlight
Featuring deep conversations with thought leaders, innovators, rule-breakers, and the causal geniuses we discover inside Swell.
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 3:00
What does it feel like to impact 700 + Million lives? Hello! Minakshi Achan
Does it feel like I think it feels which is really good because in the end of the day, you are amplifying great storytellers and their work and all the people that are attached to that, every part of the crew, everybody's in front of the camera behind the camera, it must feel really good. Does it feel good and
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 3:09
Over the years, I've had the privilege of meeting the most amazing storytellers writers, artists, singers, movie directors, sculptors, comedians. And they're all trying to send a message out to the world. And once upon a time, maybe they didn't use the tech that they are doing or what we are doing right now. But the need for storytelling and the stories have just continued through time. And even I have evolved through time
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 2:15
And there are people that I'm sure you've watched who have a sustained career. And I would love for you to speak about what you think makes for a stable, sustained career in this business. And the characteristics may be that you've seen in the people who've continued to create and collaborate and succeed in this industry. Is there a set of traits that you've noticed that they have in common? Is there something along their journeys that there are similar milestones?
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 5:00
It's so very important, and it's so appropriate that we are talking about this as well, a voice platform where it's important to listen to hear and of course, and therefore to come back to the context of our teams to make them feel heard and respected because it will truly help people reach their potential. So I hope everybody listening has great bosses or have great teams whom they can actually listen to and help them maximize their potential. It is a difficult life for young people out there today
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 0:39
Hi. I kind of cut myself off without realizing as I was talking, I was just saying that when you look at the artists who have really had a long career, and there's one thing which really shines through, which is that they've all changed their work, so to say, or their careers with absolute love and passion. And they've played it consistently because when you play with love, you never, ever work a day in your life but actually enjoy this long, beautiful journey
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 3:04
Do you feel like there's something going on with the entertainment industry where they're seeing they have to become more aware of the human beings as opposed to the dollar signs, the movement for equity, the movement for diversity. Are we going in the right direction? Are we going to a more balanced world where it's not just about the dollar signs, where it's about the humanity behind the industry. Are you feeling hopeful that there is going balance coming into the industrial complex of entertainment
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 1:53
I think that the only thing to do is to honor our biggest priorities of that moment, be it personal or professional and it can keep swinging. But yeah, so I tend to typically examine the moment and see who needs me most at that moment, because often the lesser important can become priority as well, and both professional and personalized need attention and investment. I think many progressive companies understand this these days
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:15
And can you point to certain milestones in your life that represented opportunity and growth and sort of before those milestones were met? Can you share with us a little bit about the I wouldn't use the word the struggles, for sure. But the mindset that you adopted to handle those struggles is very interesting for those of us who are aware, always looking to learn from other people's journeys
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 1:45
I have been very fortunate to be in companies that believe in gender equality, but my observation is that we need more women to run the race at the same rate as men, and we cannot let a few hurdles limit ourselves, nor do we have to run at a faster rate to overcompensate. We just need to stay in the race. So belief is everything and everything else is sheer noise. So ignore it because all you have is yourself and you have to get your own back
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 2:16
I have a real belief that mentorship is something that is could be a real guiding principle for more organizations. And I know that where you work. There's quite a bit of it. And because this is swell and we have this open architecture of conversation, I'm wondering if you can take some time and think about a new voice. We can bring in to speak with us about these conversations or this conversation that doesn't really have edges and boundaries
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 0:40
What are the big lessons that you've had through your wonderful career as a storyteller and who are the people who've impacted you the most and really would love to hear that
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 4:57
To say, I started working in the literacy space, and I started working with people who learned to read late in life. And my experience in those concentrated years really gave me a deep appreciation for what really is what was the turning point for me in terms of watching people have their turning points
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 0:40
Hello. Hey, Deborah, how lovely to hear that you were a songwriter. I'm so excited by that because I've always wanted to be one. And I've tried my hand at lyrics and never, ever succeeded. So I can never earn a living off writing a song for sure. So I would love to hear you sing a song, actually. And I think it can really light up swell that way
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 3:44
Oh, you are putting me on the spot. And I love that. That's really cool. I'm gonna sing you a song I wrote for a storytelling series. And the theme of the storytelling night. Eight was after hours so I wrote this song
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 0:32
What a divine voice. You're truly blessed, Deborah. The lyrics and the music are sheer art. I'm truly inspired and so very moved that you did this for me, though. I didn't really mean to put you in a spot. You just made my day and my weekend so very special. I'm going to keep playing this on loop now. Have a wonderful weekend and do keep spreading the magic. I don't want to speak too much
Minakshi Achan
@minakshiachan · 1:22
She's been a songwriter and a musician and a brand storyteller to now the leading voice of this lovely platform. She holds really authentic conversations here with so many inspiring and inspired people. In fact, I've had the privilege of a beautiful conversation with her and she actually sang a song for me. So over to Deborah to take this forward
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:53
We know it to be a place of raves and where people go to have these experiences, if you will. And your life is now, there's lots more continuity than just a great wild evening you're living there. Can you dispel some of the myths we have of Goa? And can you share with us a typical day in the life of you there so we can get a sense of of what you've built. And really, thank you so much for being in this conversation with us
Kankana Das
@Kankana · 4:43
No boss, no schedule, just an internal Compass to rely on. It's a little scary, but without taking a plunge, we'll never know if I can turn a passion and a bunch of interests and much more. And so it's all worth it. I guess eventually, whether I succeed or not. Interesting, Deborah, when you mentioned Goa being synonymous with rave and other experiences, the image that came to mind was actually a burning man, a community and culture that advocates active participation
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 2:56
That makes sense, actually, and that the GDP is high means that a lot of people might be coming there to take that next chapter into their own hands and bring what they've worked so hard to save and then spend it there. It makes total sense when you think about restoring old homes to what they were. I think that makes me want to understand the balance between honoring and having reference for the antiquity of those kinds of homes. And I can imagine them in my mind
Kankana Das
@Kankana · 4:43
These homes used to be built with the local large later bricks bound together with mud and finished with lime wash, often using vegetable or natural dyes for color. A traditional home is high ceiling clagged with clay or terracotta tiles placed on a wooden framework. The structure is punctuated with large and multiple wooden doors and windows
Kankana Das
@Kankana · 2:21
Perfect place to congregate and watch the world go by while shielding the main house from the heavy rains. The application of stained glass, as inflection points use of Mother of Pearl with wooden shutters to temper the brightness of the summer sun. Intricate castiron railings, wood and Eaves boards like a lace holding together tile roof. An extensive use of wood. Oh, I love wood, whether it's Walnut or teak or Cedar. All this can truly be given a very contemporary feel, especially inside the house
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 4:43
And how does that sink into the home itself? I'm always fascinated by how environments connect to people's connection. Obviously, a warm home and a home that has all this story contributes to people's ability to be more vulnerable, more open, more gregarious, more whatever, because it's instigating this sense of flow. So I'm wondering if you can paint me a picture of how you think homes connect to intimacy and revelation between people in terms of what happens when they're in that home?
