If you’re even remotely interested in mental health, you’d have heard about the benefits of journalling. While it may seem like an obvious thing today to put your feelings down on paper, the positive impacts of the practice wasn’t discovered until the turn of the millennium. In this episode, we explore the story of how a failed musician led to the discovery of psychological benefits of journalling, and how a couple of friends in search of a novel business idea gave (new) life to the famed Molesk...
Feb 06, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 229
Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2025, we travel back to Florence in the medieval ages, and how the adoption of double-entry system of accounting inadvertantly led to the rise of sketching, and thus, more realistic art. How are you documenting your intellectual journeys this year? Here is how I am doing mine—through longform reflective writing and sketching: Why are we so tired all the time? Why we understand time wrong If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or ...
Jan 09, 2025•11 min
Did you know that no other animal really laughs? The closest to laughing is the "play sounds" that some apes make when tickled. So then how come humans laugh? And why did we evolve to wield and perceive humour, as a species? In this episode, we trace the origins of the funny bone , and discuss why we often don't need impeccable jokes to make us laugh. If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcards.pfn I now h...
Dec 05, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 227
In this episode, we explore the connection between language and the perception of colour, and why colours may not be as black and white as we imagine them to be. For instance, the sky wasn’t observed to be blue from the beginning of time. In fact, there was no ‘blue’ just two millennia ago. If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcards.pfn I now have a YouTube show! Check out To Your Heart's Content where my...
Nov 28, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 226
In this episode, we trace the unexpected origins of video games—in the notorious Japanese crime syndicate, the Yakuza . Tune in to find out how a lost Portuguese ship that stumbled on Japanese shores actually sowed the seeds, which when combined with domestic isolationist policies and the enterprising spirit of Japanese entrepreneurs, led to this innovation. If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcards.pfn ...
Nov 14, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 225
In this episode, we travel to medieval Japan to trace the origins of Kodawari , or the Japanese pursuit of perfection, that is still proudly held by artists, artisans, fashion designers, and chefs in the country. Does this mean that everything is perfect in Japan? What if the secret lies in having a collective great sense of what could be perfected and what shouldn’t be expected to be perfect? If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out ...
Nov 07, 2024•10 min
In this episode we talk about the magnificent elusive creatures who can hold their breath for over a hundred minutes, who possess a sound-based navigation system that’s better military systems, and whose evolution has confounded marine biologists and palaeontologists alike: whales! 🐳 Whatever we know about whales today, we’ve learnt with much difficulty, over centuries, with experts of various disciplines putting tiny pieces of puzzles together across space and time. What could we discover if w...
Oct 17, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 223
Today, we explore the disappearing art of Buddhist papermaking in India, which is only practised by less than 10 Tibetan households in a remote village in Arunachal Pradesh. Invisible to the observer, each plain sheet of paper, painstaking handmade over several days, carries inscriptions preserving the Monpa tribe's history, memories of migration, and their religious and ecological roots. We ask ourselves what we can do as travellers, to extend the life of dying local traditional artforms. If yo...
Oct 10, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this episode, we discuss the artistry behind something we across everywhere around us that we don’t pay attention to: fonts. We trace the history of the couple in mid-18th century whose carefully hand-cut “type punchers” gave rise to elegant letters in printing fonts, and the clean and spacial aesthetic used in book production even today. Just as these simple fonts were created by complex contours that were hand-crafted, and shaped by years of varied experience, the places we travel to have s...
Oct 03, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 221
In this episode, we go back to a time when Science was considered blasphemy, reading was synonymous to reading the scriptures, and a University meant a religious guild, and trace the history of a reference system so simple, yet monumental: the index. We discuss how we could all benefit from having an index of our lives—important memories and learnings—in our head. If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcard...
Sep 12, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 220
In this episode, we discuss the fascinating story of Onesimo Pena, Frans Haartman, Jemboa Tran, and Corlis Benefideo—exceptional writers and cartographers; who were actually the same person. And an American student who was obsessed with this man and his work, and ended up discovering this truth, hunting down the elusive author and meeting him. If you’ve not come across this man’s name in history, that is because he does not exist in the real world. He is part of Barry Lopez’s compelling short st...
Sep 05, 2024•14 min•Ep. 219
As climate change leads to harsher weather conditions and calamities across the world, the ways we travel are definitely bound to get affected. Will tiny island nations be safe for travel in a few decades? What about resorts on secluded hilltops? In today's episode, we discuss how climate stress could impact the world's biggest pilgrimages like the Haj and Kumbh Mela. Would we see a time when the time and the way these are held is governed by what climatic conditions allow, rather than religious...
Aug 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 218
The more you look at the iconic painting The Great Wave off Kanagawa , the more you find in it. Starting off with the explicit nuances of the art that you missed, and then moving on interpretations and meanings to draw from it. In today's episode, we look back into the life of Hokusai, the Japanese artist behind the famed painting who changed his name 30 times in his long-spanning career; and what his work and approach to art can teach us about living our lives better—all versions of it. If you ...
Aug 08, 2024•10 min•Ep. 217
In a game of finding the common connection, you get: war, imperialism, wealth, and resistance. Would you guess the answer to be books ? In this episode, we go back to a time when libraries were treasures that emperors and elites boasted of, and learn the surprising reason why these prized possessions got neglected after a certain point in history. We find the truth in the maxim Knowledge is Power , and discuss the unfading popularity of biblioclasm as a means of oppression, and as an aid in ethn...
Aug 01, 2024•11 min•Ep. 216
In this episode, we understand the difference between Indian and Western narratology by taking a closer look at Ramayana; what makes the epic quite literally timeless and why our ancient stories usually fail the "history test". If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcards.pfn My second podcast, Smartphone Nation, won the Hindustan Times Podmasters award for Best Documentary (Non-Fiction) earlier this year. ...
Jul 25, 2024•10 min•Ep. 215
I'm sure we've all owned, or seen a copy of a guidebook to a country or a tourist destination. While internet itineraries might have replaced the physical guidebooks today, the concept of 'tourist guides' are still very much around. Did you ever wonder why and when making these guides became a thing? In today's episode, we travel back to a time when Rumi lived in Konya, Turkey, and uncover the enchanting story of an Indian fakir who disappeared without a trace one day. We discuss why guidebooks ...
Jul 11, 2024•11 min•Ep. 214
A baby girl who was miraculously brought back to life after being struck by lightning; a tween girl who obsessively dug up the skeletal remains of a 200-million years old 'fish lizard'; and the woman who ran a fossil-shop that was visited by the King—we dive into the story of Mary Anning's extraordinary life as an unheralded female paleontologist in 19th Century England in this episode. We also contemplate on how many accomplished women's histories we fail to pay attention to when we travel, bec...
Jul 04, 2024•11 min•Ep. 213
In today's episode we talk about a 19th century canals and railways surveyor in England who was obsessed with rocks, fossils, and maps. And how this obsession made the industrial revolution possible, helped make an English professor in the 1990s a successful Champagne baron, and the police partner with geologists to solve a murder mystery nearly 200 years later! If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple podcasts. You can reach out to me on Instagram: @postcards....
Jun 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 212
This is not your usual episode of Postcards from Nowhere. But it has everything to do with the show - the genesis of the show almost 5 years ago, and it has led to one of the most significant milestones in my life - The 6% Club. To get the entire story, just tune in. Check out The Six Percent Club: https://www.thesixpercent.club/ Follow Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chuckofalltrades/?hl=en Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckofalltrades/ Deepak runs...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 211
Hi, I'm Utsav Mamoria and I'm back with another episode of Postcards from Nowhere after a brief hiatus. In this episode, we talk about how Greenland's ice sheets act as time capsules that give us glimpses not only of climate history, but also human history. And the concept of Deep Time, as a reminder for us to slow down and focus on a place's present and its people when we travel. If you liked this episode, do consider rating the show on Spotify or Apple podcasts. You can reach out to me on Inst...
Jun 13, 2024•10 min
Dive into the fascinating world of ramen with our latest podcast episode! Meet Osaki Hoshiri, a man who eats 800 bowls of ramen a year and has dedicated his life to writing about this iconic Japanese dish. Discover how ramen evolved from a humble meal to a cultural phenomenon, with intriguing origin stories dating back centuries. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of ramen's past and celebrate its delicious present across Japan and beyond. Tune in now for a savory journey through culinary histo...
Mar 14, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 209
Explore the captivating journey of tea from its ancient origins to its modern-day significance in India and also we unravel the social, psychological, and poetic effects of this beloved beverage, delving into its rich history, cultural impact, and the rituals that surround it. From the colonial trade routes to the bustling streets of contemporary India, discover how chai has become more than just a drink—it's a symbol of hospitality, connection, and tradition. Till then Check out the other episo...
Mar 07, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 208
Unlock the surprising history behind your favorite brew in this episode! Delve into the captivating tale of how two pandemics and the guidance of priests paved the frothy path for beer to become the beloved beverage it is today. Step back in time and discover the fascinating origins of beer that transcend centuries and pandemics alike. Tune in now to uncover the remarkable story brewing beneath the foam! Till then Check out the other episodes, The strange Polish notion of Holocaust Envy - https:...
Feb 29, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 207
Delve into Bangalore’s culinary obsession with Gobi Manchurian and explore how language influences our food experiences. Journey back to Calcutta's history of Chinese migration, uncovering the roots of Indian-Chinese cuisine. Discover the intriguing parallels between food and sex, as we uncover the hidden connections that tantalize our taste buds and ignite our passions. Tune in for a deliciously provocative journey where every bite tells a story of pleasure and desire. Till then Check out the o...
Feb 22, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 206
Ever wondered why do East Asian cuisine's lack of desserts. From the subtleties of taste to the deep-rooted philosophies, explore why sugar takes a backseat in Chinese culinary traditions. Discover how genetic predispositions, cultural norms, and historical contexts shape the palate of billions. Through insightful discussions and savory insights, we unravel the fascinating world where meals end without a sweet note. Tune in as we explore the rich tapestry of flavors and traditions that make East...
Feb 15, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 205
Ever wondered about the culinary secrets hidden within the folds of nature's humble leaves? Join us on a tantalizing audio journey that delves deep into the heart of global cuisine, where the simple leaf becomes a vessel of culinary creativity and cultural heritage. From the bustling streets of Mumbai's Matunga to the serene temples of Tamil Nadu, and from the aromatic kitchens of Gujarat to the historic recipes of medieval Karnataka, immerse yourself in the flavors and stories woven into every ...
Feb 08, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Unveil the enigmatic ties between Rajasthan and distant lands in this trivia-packed Episode ! From the exploits of Paan Singh Tomar to the fascinating history of the Tomar clan, embark on a journey through time and lineage. Explore the tantalizing theories linking Rajasthan's Chauhan kings to the Huns of Hungary, weaving a tale of shared heritage across continents. Delve into the world of genetics as we unravel the diverse origins of communities like the Jats and Rajputs, revealing the intricate...
Feb 01, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 203
Did you know that the famous 221B Baker Street, home to Sherlock Holmes, sparked a real-life address feud in London? Dive into the intriguing world of addresses with us this week as we uncover the unexpected drama behind this fictional location. From mysterious letters to a full-time job just to reply to them, the story gets crazier! Tune in for a wild ride through history, names, and the surprising reasons we have addresses. Till then Check out the other episodes, The strange Polish notion of H...
Jan 25, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 202
What if for a moment, I transported you into the heart of Tokyo, and you discover that the city has no street names? And not just Tokyo, all of Japan is like that. And what does that have to do with the 1987 U2 song 'Where Streets Have No Names', written in a completely different context in Ireland? This week, we travel to Japan and ask a simple question - What if we pay attention to the notion of addresses and street names? What if we stop and ask, why are our addresses and street names the way...
Jan 18, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Embark on a journey from Poland to China in this riveting episode as we explore why dictators are drawn to town squares and how these very squares become the stages of their demise. From Tiananmen Square in Beijing, witness the poignant events of 1989, to the Grand Market in Krakow, a symbol of resilience against Nazi and Communist regimes. Discover the historical significance of town squares as dictators' theatres of power and learn how, in a twist of fate, these squares become the battleground...
Jan 11, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 200
