Dear Paarijaat

Dear Paarijaat

"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." ~ Muriel Rukeyser Every person has a story. Every journey has a lesson. Every conversation has the power to inspire. Dear Paarijaat is a global podcast hosted by Mayank Gangwar, author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and Karmaveer Chakra Awardee. The show features meaningful conversations with authors, entrepreneurs, creators, artists, thought leaders, and changemakers from around the world. More than just interviews, these are conversations about purpose, passion, challenges, growth, and the experiences that shape who we become. With 4+ seasons, 35+ episodes, listeners across 30+ countries, availability on 20+ major platforms, and over 5 Million impressions, Dear Paarijaat has become a space where stories connect people across cultures, professions, and borders. The podcast currently holds a 9.4 IMDb rating and a 5-star Spotify rating. Because behind every achievement is a story worth sharing. Want to be a guest on Dear Paarijaat? Send Mayank Gangwar a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/dearpaarijaat Looking for great podcast guests or interview opportunities of your own? Join PodMatch: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/dearpaarijaat Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dear-paarijaat--6055494/support.

Episodes

What Grief Teaches Us About Living | Doug Lawrence

August 20, 2026 • 22 mins
We all know what it means to lose something. But we don't always know how to talk about it. Doug Lawrence has spent more than 30 years working in mentoring and leadership, helping people navigate growth, change, and difficult moments. In this conversation, we explore what happens when life becomes too heavy to handle alone. We talk about the difference between advice and real mentorship, why asking for help can be so difficult, wha...
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The Research Behind True Crime | Alan R Warren

August 19, 2026 • 30 mins
What happens before a true crime story reaches the page or the radio? We talked about researching difficult cases, turning real events into compelling stories, and the responsibility that comes with writing about real people and real tragedies. We also discussed his journey across 39 published books, history, nonfiction and true crime.

Learn more about Alan: https://alanrwarren.com

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What Can Fiction Teach Us About Our Future? | Lance Robinson

August 18, 2026 • 33 mins
What do our stories reveal about the way we see the world? Lance Robinson and I talked about science fiction, nature, human relationships with the environment, and how real-world experiences can quietly find their way into fiction. We also explored his journey as a writer, his experiences across different countries, and what happens when science, society and imagination meet on the page.

Learn more about Lance: https://lance...
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How Do You Build a World That Feels Real? | Terrance Niedziela Jr.

August 18, 2026 • 47 mins
Where do fictional worlds actually come from? Terrance Niedziela Jr. and I talked about how his experiences shaped his writing, the process behind creating the world of his fiction, and what it takes to turn an idea into something readers can actually step inside. 

Learn more about Terrance: https://terranceniedzielajr.com/

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The Stories We Carry | Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

August 18, 2026 • 27 mins
What are the stories we carry quietly? Randi-Lee Bowslaugh joins me for a conversation about mental health, personal experiences, writing, resilience and the things we often struggle to put into words. A thoughtful conversation about understanding ourselves, finding our voice and making space for difficult stories.

Learn more about Randi: https://rbwriting.ca/



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What Growing Up CODA Taught Me About Connection | Maria Gallucci

August 15, 2026 • 29 mins
What does it mean to grow up between two different worlds? Maria Gallucci shared what being a CODA shaped in her childhood, relationships and understanding of communication. We also talked about her journey in real estate, inclusion, belonging, and the communities that have influenced her work and life. 

Learn more about Maria here: https://www.raisedinsilence.com/

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Why Do We Write? | J. M. Shaw

August 14, 2026 • 26 mins
What if writing isn't just about telling stories, but about understanding yourself? J. M. Shaw and I talked about growing up creating imaginary worlds, finding the courage to publish, and how writing became a way to process life. We also explored identity, belonging, emotional resilience, and how her neurodivergent perspective shapes the worlds and characters she creates. 

Learn more about J.M. Shaw: https://jmshawautho...
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Why We Build Imaginary Worlds | Brad C. Anderson

August 13, 2026 • 42 mins
What can imaginary worlds reveal about the real one? Brad C. Anderson and I talked about the craft of science fiction, building believable worlds, flawed characters, and organizational wisdom. 
We also got into what happens when an author's real-world experience starts quietly shaping the worlds they create.

Learn more about Brad here: https://bradanderson2000.com/

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What Are We Really Trying to Say When We Sing? | Glenda Benevides

August 12, 2026 • 34 mins
What happens when music becomes more than a performance? Glenda Benevides and I talked about music, songwriting, emotion, finding your voice, and why some songs stay with us long after they end. We also touched on the courage it takes to create honestly and let people see the person behind the artist. A conversation about music, connection, and what happens when you create from somewhere real.

Learn more about Glenda: https:...
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From Family Notes to Fiction | Kristine Jensen

August 10, 2026 • 53 mins
Kristine Jensen joins Dear Paarijaat to talk about her novel, the real family history that inspired it, and the process of turning old memories and handwritten records into fiction. We also discuss storytelling, friendship, community, and the unexpected ways our past can shape what we create.

Learn more about Kristine: https://www.wednesday-club.com



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The Long Road to Becoming a Writer | Myron Edwards

August 9, 2026 • 42 mins
What keeps a creative person creating for decades? Myron Edwards has written for the BBC, worked in advertising, created Tubewalking, travelled the world, and eventually found his way into fiction. We talk about creativity, starting late, writing, publishing, finding readers, and what it takes to keep creating when the world keeps changing. A conversation about ideas, persistence, and the creative life.

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500 Weddings Later: Behind the Scenes of Destination Weddings | Sandy Malone

August 9, 2026 • 48 mins
After planning more than 500 destination weddings, Sandy Malone has seen just about everything. She joins Dear Paarijaat to share the unforgettable stories behind the weddings, how Hurricane Maria changed the course of her life and business, and how those experiences eventually inspired her fiction. A candid conversation about weddings, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and starting over.

Learn more about Sandy Malone: https:/...
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Why Curiosity Might Be One of Our Greatest Strengths? | Eric Fisher

August 6, 2026 • 31 mins
Eric Fisher joins us for a thoughtful conversation on resilience, mental health, curiosity, vulnerability, and finding balance when life gets messy. We explore how to get unstuck, understand ourselves better, and approach life's challenges with greater awareness.

Learn more about Eric: https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com

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Democracy for Sale: Politics, Power & Accountability | Dr. Neelam Perry

August 5, 2026 • 31 mins
What happens when a physician steps into politics to challenge the system she believes is failing the people? Dr. Neelam Perry joins Dear Paarijaat to discuss democracy, political accountability, money and influence, immigration, healthcare reform, mental health, and restoring public trust in government. A candid conversation about what political leadership should actually look like.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expres...
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The Future of Work Is You | Danny Carpio on AI, Self-Scale & The Unfirm

June 30, 2026 • 31 mins
What if the biggest shift in work isn't AI itself, but how we choose to work?

In this episode of Dear Paarijaat, I sit down with Danny Carpio, organizational architect, systems builder, and author of The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You.

For over a decade, Danny has helped build organizations, startups, and high-performance teams that have collectively raised more than $25 million in capital while navigating rapid...
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Building a Life Outside the Lines | Dr. Amanda Wilson

June 10, 2026 • 20 mins
What happens when someone refuses to follow the usual path?
In this episode of Dear Paarijaat, I sit down with Dr. Amanda Wilson - orthodontist, entrepreneur, educator, and proud member of the neurodivergent community.
From an unconventional childhood to helping scale a dental startup toward a billion-dollar IPO, Amanda shares stories about resilience, thinking differently, parenting outside the box, and why some of life's bi...
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What Matters After the Applause Ends | Chris Woods

June 9, 2026 • 23 mins
Chris Woods had the career, the success, and everything many people aspire to achieve. Then a life-changing moment forced him to rethink what truly matters. A candid conversation on fear, fulfillment, personal growth, and redefining success.

Chris Woods Website: Click here

Check out the book "The Boardman Watches": Click here

Reach out to Mayank Gangwar: click here
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Overcoming Conditioning & Rebuilding Self‑Worth — Andrew Parr (author, The Real You)

June 8, 2026 • 33 mins
Mayank Gangwar interviews Andrew Parr, author of The Real You, about the invisible conditioning that makes us feel stuck. Drawing on 30+ years helping people create lasting change, Andrew explains how conditioning shapes thoughts, fears, relationships, self‑worth and everyday decisions. Listen for clear insights to recognize conditioning and begin rebuilding self‑worth and healthier choices.

Guest: Andrew Parr
Website: ht...
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Human First. Leader Always. | Shermin Kruse on Stoic Empathy, Leadership & Human Connection

May 16, 2026 • 62 mins
What if true leadership begins with empathy, not power?

In this episode of Dear Paarijaat Podcast, Mayank Gangwar sits down with author, lawyer, TEDx producer, professor, and global leadership expert Shermin Kruse to explore the philosophy behind her book Stoic Empathy.

From emotional intelligence and self-leadership to influence, negotiation, resilience, and human connection, this conversation dives deep into what it...
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Brand Your Story Ft. Lily Patrascu | Books, Publishing & Personal Branding

May 5, 2026 • 19 mins
This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I should write a book… but what next?”

Because writing is just the start. Positioning is everything.

In this conversation on Dear Paarijaat Podcast, I sit down with Lily Patrascu - someone who has built her entire career around helping people turn their ideas into powerful personal brands and books that actually open doors.

We talk about w...
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