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 humb

The Social History of Tea

Mar 7th, 2024 8m 16s

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,

The Strange History of the rise of Beer in Europe

Feb 29th, 2024 8m 9s

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 ti

Sex, Drugs and Gobi Manchurian

Feb 22nd, 2024 8m 18s

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 intri

Why East Asian food lacks Desserts

Feb 15th, 2024 8m 47s

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, a

The Ubiquitous Art of Cooking in Leaves

Feb 8th, 2024 8m 43s

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

Why we are all Hungarians from Rajasthan ?

Feb 1st, 2024 7m 56s

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 tantaliz

Why do we have Addresses at all?

Jan 25th, 2024 8m 17s

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

Why does Japan have no street names?

Jan 18th, 2024 8m 28s

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

Why dictators love town squares ?

Jan 11th, 2024 8m 22s

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

The Unkindness of History: Lenin in a Theme Park

Nov 30th, 2023 8m 31s

In this week's episode, join us on a journey to Krakow, Poland, where a statue of Soviet hero Vladimir Lenin undergoes a bizarre journey from a symbol of communism to a casualty of local disdain. Uncover the surprising twists that lead this sta

Two Billion Euros and the Polish Temple of Memory

Nov 16th, 2023 9m 9s

Embark on a riveting journey with this week's episode as we trace the tumultuous odyssey of a priceless painting worth two billion Euros. From Hotel Lambert in 1830s Paris to the clandestine moves during World Wars, this painting, Leonardo Da V

The untold story of Holocaust heroism: 'Under the Eagle' Pharmacy

Nov 9th, 2023 8m 25s

Journey back in time to Krakow's darkest hours during the Holocaust, where ordinary heroes emerged from the shadows. Explore the remarkable story of Tadeusz Pankiewicz and his team at the 'Under the Eagle' pharmacy, a symbol of hope in a sea of

The complicated legacy of Schindler's List

Nov 2nd, 2023 10m 21s

This episode takes you on a journey through the complex legacy of Spielberg's Schindler's List. Beyond the heroism, we explore the enigmatic truth behind Oskar Schindler, and why it's not quite what it seems. We also contrast it with The Pianis

The surprising evolution of Polish food

Oct 26th, 2023 9m 31s

1981, Communist PolandAt the peak of the Soviet rule in Poland, the country had run into enormous economic hardships. Food became scarce, and citizens marched on the streets protesting against hunger. Everything became rationed, and even then,

The Oak Tree that chronicled Poland's Modern History

Oct 19th, 2023 8m 52s

Prepare to be transported to the heart of Krakow, Poland, where an ancient Oak tree holds secrets of a nation's tumultuous history. Step back in time to November 6, 1939, when shadows of tyranny descended upon Poland, targeting its intellectual

The Strange Polish notion of Holocaust Envy

Oct 12th, 2023 8m 44s

Explore the chilling tale of Cywia Asterblum, a student condemned in 1936 Poland for protesting anti-Semitism, setting the stage for a dark period in history. The episode navigates through the haunting realities of Auschwitz and unveils the con

Love European Cities? You are walking on Poop

Oct 5th, 2023 7m 36s

Discover Krakow's dramatic transformation from devastation to grandeur after the Mongol invasion of 1241. Join us as we delve into the secrets buried beneath its cobbled streets witness the rise, struggles, and innovative solutions of a medieva

The Complicated Legacy of Tintin

Sep 28th, 2023 9m 25s

What could possibly be wrong or complicated about the legacy of the one of the most loved boy detectives in the world? Tintin has been and will continue to be a part of the childhood of millions, including mine. But what did a visit to Brussels

The Neuroscience of Trying New Cuisines

Sep 14th, 2023 8m 8s

Imagine the last time you had some horrendous food. Like the kind which not only tastes bad, but also gives you a recoiling diarrohea. The one you take almost a week to properly recover from. Now imagine walking into your home after being drenc

Syncing Senses: The Neuroscience of Music, Grunting, and Eating with Hands

Sep 7th, 2023 8m 26s

Think Tennis and Taekwondo. Two sports which could not be more different from each other, but they have one aspect in common. Grunting. But what's the big deal about grunting in sports? And if you thought these two were unrelated, may I introdu

Endangered Pasts: Decoding Ancient Bonds between Gujarat & Tamil Nadu

Aug 31st, 2023 7m 39s

In July 2023, Coke Studio Bharat dropped a song, Khalasi. It took only a few days for it to rake up over 20 Million listens on YouTube, making it an instant hit. It was a bunch of firsts - A Gujarati song, that too one which is not a Garba song

Architecture as Statecraft: The Story of Jaipur

Aug 24th, 2023 8m 32s

This week on "Postcards from Nowhere. we unveil the hidden power of architecture in Jaipur's streets and discover how food-named lanes were tools of statecraft, intricately designed to influence politics and trade and explore how history's comp

Pilgrimage to the Land of the Martyrs ft. Varun Oak-Bhakay

Aug 10th, 2023 26m 6s

If you consider yourself patriotic, do you know about Hussaniwala? It's a small village on the border of Indian Punjab and Pakistan and has a fascinating history that shaped both pre and post-independence India. This week, on the eve of our ind

How Salt built the World's Greatest Civilizations - Part 2

Aug 3rd, 2023 7m 27s

In 1922, The tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by excavators led by the Egyptologist Howard Carter. It was the first known largely intact royal burial from ancient Egypt and became one of the most significant archaeo