The makers of ‘The Big Small Talk’ podcast, Anuj Sawhney and Manav Subodh, discuss the meaning behind their venture and its goal of examining the importance of mundane happenings. They hope to promote honesty and encourage listeners to get more involved in their lives by having open discussions and featuring a range of viewpoints. They see a future when their podcast improves consumers’ lives all around the world, and they intend to take it further by introducing interesting conversations with actual “superheroes” and breaking into other markets. In this exclusive interview, they share insights into the creative process behind The Big Small Talk and offer a glimpse into what listeners can expect from future episodes.
Excerpts from the interview:
1. What inspired you both to start this podcast?
The inspiration came at the time when I left Bollywood and had to restart my journey from scratch all over again at the age of 36. My MBA from Vanderbilt after so many years held no meaning anymore, & the bruises and experience Bollywood gave had no significance in the corporate world I was venturing out into.
The only thing that helped at the time was that I was fearless, as I had nothing more to lose and I gave my brand, Swiss Military, all I had wholeheartedly. I always pondered over the topics we are addressing today in the podcast once I returned from Bollywood and it was only when I shared these anecdotes and experiences with Manav, that we both realised that we had such similar stories and journeys to explore and share!
We got together and realised immediately that something like this that is straight from the heart and touches all our lives does not exist anywhere on any platform around! Today’s society has a troubling trend of people holding back from open dialogue and that became the very foundation of our show. Whether it’s due to insecurities, fears, or just feeling too comfortable in silence, genuine expression seems scarce, be it among friends or in public forums.
Enter “Big Small Talk,” a sanctuary for unrestricted conversations on any conceivable topic. Here, authenticity reigns supreme, with discussions delving into the depths of human experiences. From grappling with self-authenticity and confronting fears to navigating generational divides and understanding the power of empathy, no topic is off-limits, not even the traditionally taboo ones. We extend an open invitation to individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their stories, embarking on a collective journey of introspection and discovery.
Our mission is to illuminate the significance of seemingly mundane moments, forging connections and unveiling new perspectives along the way. Together, we eagerly embark on this expedition, seeking to engage and inspire our audiences with the richness of our shared experiences.
2. Can you tell us a bit about the concept and theme of your podcast?
To be candid, the notion of crafting something impactful yet resonant with everyone today has been brewing within us for years. It grew increasingly frustrating to witness the world around us while pondering why certain topics remained shrouded in silence. Despite delving into various spiritual avenues during my quest for understanding, I found little solace in addressing the everyday trials and tribulations.
Persistently, I sought a means to articulate the whirlwind of thoughts within me. After many years apart, I finally vocalised this burning aspiration during a reunion with my childhood confidant, Manav. Together, we resolved to share our narratives, giving rise to the concept of ‘The Big Small Talk’ podcast. Our aim was simple: to carve out a space where discussions spanned from the mundane to the profound, all while maintaining authenticity, humour and relatability.
And what better moment to unveil our venture than on my 50th birthday? It felt exhilarating to mark this milestone by leaping into the podcasting realm. Now, as we stand at the threshold of this journey filled with excitement and anticipation, we eagerly await the twists and turns that lie ahead.
3. What do you hope listeners will take away from each episode of your podcast?
At the heart of ‘The Big Small Talk’ podcast lies a profound hope: each listener walks away from every episode feeling enriched, enlightened, and empowered. We hope they realise that being quiet about topics and episodes that matter is not a choice anymore. The repercussions thereof are borne both by the individuals and by society in general due to this nonchalant attitude. By curating a diverse array of guests spanning different backgrounds, professions, and life journeys, we aim to offer a multifaceted exploration of the human experience.
Through our guests’ varied perspectives, we aspire to explore the intricacies of everyday life, from personal anecdotes to professional insights and cultural reflections. Every conversation is an opportunity to challenge assumptions, broaden horizons, and foster deeper connections with the world and one another.
Ultimately, we hope our listeners find resonance in shared stories, discover new ways of seeing the world, and feel inspired to engage more authentically with their lives and those around them. Our goal is to create a space where curiosity thrives, empathy flourishes, and meaningful dialogue reigns supreme.
4. How do you select the topics and guests for your podcast episodes?
Selecting topics and guests for ‘The Big Small Talk’ podcast is a deliberate process aimed at offering a diverse exploration of the human experience. Our topics are carefully curated to reflect the nuances of daily life, covering a wide spectrum of themes, including the recently released “Fake it… to Make it!” and “The Role of Abuses in Everyday Life.” We draw inspiration from everyday life and societal trends, ensuring topics resonate with our audience. From grappling with the authenticity of our identities to navigating generational gaps, the lack of empathy today, and the role of rumours, no subject is too taboo for our discussions.
When it comes to choosing guests, diversity is paramount. We seek individuals from various backgrounds, professions, and life experiences, ensuring a rich tapestry of perspectives. Whether they’re experts in their field or ordinary people with extraordinary stories, our guests enrich discussions with insights and experiences that resonate with our listeners.
Our goal is to create a podcast that entertains, enlightens, and inspires. Each episode prompts thought-provoking conversations, fostering an understanding of ourselves and the world. We hope to spark curiosity and reflection among our listeners through a rich tapestry of topics and guests.
5. Can you share any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had while recording episodes for the podcast?
Each of us leads our lives in a small cocoon. We imagine that we are the only ones facing the varied experiences and issues that come our way. It is a big revelation when so many join in and express that they too are going through the exact same experience and wish they had done something about this earlier.
During my research for the show, I was absolutely amazed by the multitude of people I met across a varied strata, and each of them resonated with every topic I had in mind with similar experiences that brought a smile of surprise and a sigh of relief to their faces when I read my stories, which were in fact part of their journeys and stories as well! That is when I resolved to make this a reality and launched “Big Small Talk” as my dream project.
6. What challenges have you faced so far in the process of launching and producing your podcast, and how have you overcome them?
Launching a podcast entails overcoming challenges such as choosing a topic that’s relatable, researching the topic from multi-faceted angles to give it an all-rounded approach, building an audience from scratch, sourcing engaging guests and mastering technical aspects. Solutions include researching, leveraging social media for audience growth, networking for diverse guests, and learning new tech methods for distribution efficiency on diverse social media platforms.
By embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and employing resourcefulness and perseverance, we’ve successfully launched and produced a podcast that resonates with our audience.
7. How do you plan to grow and evolve your podcast in the future?
Our vision for ‘The Big Small Talk’ is to continuously evolve and grow by offering listeners a unique and thought-provoking journey through the complexities of daily life. We strive to explore topics that resonate deeply with our audience, delving into uncharted territories of discussion. We are introducing a new concept, where we’ll delve into captivating discussions under the banner of “The Big Small Talk SUPERHEROS” with people who’ve emerged as survivors in their own narratives & would be our ambassadors celebrating the triumph of the human spirit! They’ll shed light on the raw realities of life and share inspiring tales of how they’ve triumphed over extreme adversity. As we navigate these unexplored realms, we aim to spark meaningful conversations and provide valuable insights that resonate with our listeners.
Our goal is to create a dynamic and engaging platform where authenticity, humour, and relatability intersect, offering listeners a refreshing perspective on the world around them. In the future, we plan to expand our repertoire of topics, delve deeper into societal norms, and invite a diverse range of guests to share their experiences and insights. Through continuous growth and evolution, we aspire to make ‘The Big Small Talk’ a staple in the podcasting landscape, enriching the lives of our listeners with each new episode.