AwokenWord

#015: Shantanu Pujari - "Hip Hop India"

November 13th, 2019  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 24 mins

action, bollywood, fight, film, gully boy, hip hop, history, humanity, india, inspiration, kickboxing, martial arts, mma, muay thai, mumbai, music, politics, spiritual, yoga

Anuj Rastogi reconnects with Shantanu Pujari, a multi-talented artist and fighter. Shantanu is a professional competitive mixed martial arts fighter, yoga instructor, action director for film, activist, b-boy, beatboxer and hip hop label artist manager. Shantanu is also the host of the "Shakahari Show" on Rukus Avenue Radio. Shantanu shares his incredible personal journey, and a deep respect and knowledge of the history of Hip Hop as well as India. This conversation is an inspiring and exciting journey through the eyes of India's youth which is on course to transform the country and the world in positive ways.

#014: Sangita Patel - "Leading Rainbow"

September 26th, 2019  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 47 mins

america, brene brown, ceo, culture, education, humanity, leadership, levar burton, politics, race, reading rainbow, society, world

Live in Los Angeles, California (well, Orange County actually) Anuj Rastogi sits down with Sangita Patel, entrepreneur, tech leader and the CEO of LeVar Burton Kids. Sangita shares her jouney in America, finding a place in a world that was only black or white, and what she's learned in her remarkable life and career. Sangita also shares her journey working with one of the most inspiring men in the world, LeVar Burton, and the journey from Reading Rainbow to LeVar Burton Kids. The conversation wanders through race, society, the American dream, and what we can learn from our kids, as well as what we can do to shape the world through dialogue, books, literature and sharing the human experience through art that reflects the world.

#012: Ali A. Rizvi - "Of Myth & Legends"

July 25th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  2 hrs 10 mins

art, conversation, culture, death, democrats, evolution, fatherhood, history, humanity, joe rogan, love, metoo, politics, religion, science, society, world

Anuj sits down with Ali A. Rizvi back in the AwokenWord studio. Ali is an author, speaker, and musician who grew up in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan before moving to the US and eventually Canada at the age of 24. Anuj and Ali discuss his background, life experiences growing up, the insights Ali gleaned in working with the dead, science, and religion. They dive deep into the challenges and questions unanswered by religion, the history and impact of religion on human cultural evolution, and the role that spirituality may or may not play in our lives, as well as the beauty of wonder and fatherhood and everyday life. The conversation turns to the current US Democratic primaries and the role of politics, identity, populism and social forces shaping the world today.

#011: Lisa Fitzpatrick - "Open Your Door"

June 13th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 23 mins

america, apex youth center, cnn, conversation, culture, darius baxter, david brooks, gangs, gun violence, history, human, humanity, interview, love, new orleans, politics, prison, religion, society, sxsw, sxsw edu, system, world

Live from SXSW EDU, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Lisa Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the APEX Youth Center based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lisa shared the stage as the opening keynote in SXSW EDU 2019. Lisa's story is a rare glimpse into the mind of a true hero who overcomes incredible trauma and build a life of humanity and compassion. Lisa shares her personal journey from tragically falling victim in a random act of violence to devoting her life and efforts to welcoming the community quite literally into her home. Lisa shares the story behind founding a community organization that has changed the lives for over 1,200 youth to date, and how her experience as a pastor, a business executive, and mother has shaped her incredible contributions to the world.

#010: Darius Baxter - "Be The Change"

April 14th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

america, conversation, culture, david brooks, goodprojects, gun violence, history, human, humanity, interview, lisa fitzpatrick, love, politics, science, society, sxsw, sxsw edu, washington, world

Live from SXSW EDU, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Darius Baxter, co-founder of GOODProjects based in Washington DC. Darius shared the stage as the opening keynote in SXSW EDU 2019. He is an incredibly inspiring leader, and shares his personal journey from tragically losing his father at age 9, to being raised by a strong mother, and the choices he made between pursuing a Wall Street career and serving the community, modern political life in America, inspiring new generations, and being the change in action.

one of the country's most prolific event producers, as well as a talented author, speaker and poet. Anuj and Dwayne dive deep into many important territories, from Race, the experience of being black in this world, creating spaces and platforms for others to shine, being a man, fatherhood, sociopolitical polarization, the importance of self love, and paying it forward.

#007: Jeff Perera - "Mankind. Kind Men"

January 19th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  2 hrs 33 mins

#metoo, #womensmarch, conversation, culture, gentleman, gillette, hip hop, history, human, humanity, interview, love, manhood, masculinity, men, politics, science, society, toxic masculinity, world

In this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi is joined by Jeff Perera, public speaker, motivator and leading voice in the evolution of our perceptions of manhood, masculinity and empathy. A well-respected voice, TEDx speaker and writer, Jeff has been devoted to the cause long before the #metoo movement, and polarizing ads such as that from Gillette, were in the public consciousness. Anuj and Jeff explore both very personal and collective experiences on issues of self reflection as men, self-love, as well as the related conversations on race, and our current political climate.

#006: Dwayne Morgan - "The Race To Pay It Forward"

December 26th, 2018  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 46 mins

art, black, civil rights, dwayne morgan, humanity, inspiration, love, manhood, masculinity, music, poetry, politics, race, racism, when brothers speak, when sisters speak

In this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Dwayne Morgan, one of the country's most prolific event producers, as well as a talented author, speaker and poet. Anuj and Dwayne dive deep into many important territories, from Race, the experience of being black in this world, creating spaces and platforms for others to shine, being a man, fatherhood, sociopolitical polarization, the importance of self love, and paying it forward.

#005: IF The Poet - "Renaissance Reincarnated"

November 3rd, 2018  |  Season 1  |  2 hrs 18 mins

art, education, history, humanity, inspiration, love, masculinity, music, poetry, politics, racism

In this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi talks to Ian French, popularly known as "IF The Poet" and finalist in the 2015 World Slam Poetry championship in Paris. Ian has been the subject of a CBC documentary, and is a respected performer whose work spans the breadth of our collective, and individual human experiences. Anuj and Ian talk at length about the state of the world today, poetry, the journey of creativity, masculinity in today's world, being honest, the nuances of identity politics and political correctness, self-love and the importance of knowing your own story.

[*NOTE: Though planned at the time of this recording, Ian ultimately pulled out of present at the 2018 "Men and Masculinity Summit" in Toronto, for specific concerns of his own regarding a decision for this year's sumit. He's continued to be a supporter of the summit, and the cause.]

#003: Raheel Raza - "Religion & the Real World"

November 1st, 2018  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 28 mins

culture, feminism, humanity, islam, love, multiculturalism, muslim, pakistan, politics, raheel, raza, religion, tolerance, youth

In this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi speaks with Raheel Raza, author, speaker, and incredibly fierce activist and advocate for reform within the Muslim world. Raheel talks about her experience as a muslim, and a woman pushing for reformation within the community, and for open, honest dialogue. Raheel speaks about her work with youth, with the UN Human Rights Commission, and the crisis of an increasingly polarized world, and how difficult it can be to call a "spade a spade" in a climate where both sides of the political spectrum take issue with one's views without engaging in that dialogue.

#002: Raj Sharma - "Home"

October 31st, 2018  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 9 mins

brexit, home, humanity, immigration, law, lawyer, love, migrants, politics, raj sharma, refugees, society

In this episode of the AwokenWord podcast, Anuj Rastogi talks to Raj Sharma, one of Canada's leading refugee lawyers. Raj talks about his experience as a refugee protection officer, as a refugee and immigration lawyer in the context of the current migrant crisis in the US, and potential impact on Canada. Anuj and Raj discuss the concept of home itself, what it means to leave home, and what it means to find a new place to call home. The conversation makes timely reference in the context of a rise in political polarization, brexit, far-right fears and increasing globalization.