AwokenWord
AwokenWord is a long-form, conversation style podcast hosted by writer, poet, and music composer, Anuj Rastogi. Through nuanced and thoughtful dialogue with an incredible array of guests, Anuj explores the worlds of society, culture, art, music, science, current events and all things that comprise the human experience.
"I want to challenge and evolve ideas, intuitions and convictions. This world, is quite simply, nuts, and often terrifying. Yet, this same world is incredibly beautiful, inspiring and mesmerizing. I want to get to know people who are interesting, who hold varied opinions and have life experiences different than my own.
This podcast is my humble attempt to bring goodness, unique conversation and inspiration to the beach of human experience. This podcast is my love letter to the world, and to what it means to be human."
~ Anuj Rastogi
- Update frequency
- every 31 days
- Average duration
- 93 minutes
- Episodes
- 28
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
#028: Matt Hoh - "The Fight for Peace"
Anuj sits down with Captain Matthew Hoh, former US Marine and now Fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. Matt's personal journey has literally moved through war, to trying to take on the machine o…
#027: Uzma Rizvi - "Living History"
Anuj sits down with Uzma Rizvi - an anthropological archaeologist to explore a fascinating journey through her field, and the history of one of the world's oldest civilizations, in the Indus Valley. …
#026: Dr. Yasser Khan - "Humanitarian in Gaza"
Anuj sits down with Dr. Yasser Khan - a Canadian opthamologist who was among the first in the world to visit Gaza in the midst of the recent Israel-Hamas war, to help injured civilians and see the di…
#025: Jennifer Boger - "The AI Mirror"
Kicking off Season 3, Anuj sits with Dr. Jennifer Boger for an entirely different, human conversation on AI, technology and finding our way in an a rapidly accelerating future.
Dr Jennifer Boger ha…
#024: "Analog Intelligence"
A special episode where Anuj shares his reflections on 2023, ahead of another impromptu conversation with his son about AI ethics, and the struggle between good and bad.
#023: Martin Ryan - "Artificial Intelligence. Real Ethics"
Anuj sits down with Martin Ryan to discuss the moment in time we find ourselves in on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Nearly one year since the public launch of Chat GPT, AI has seen an unprece…
#022: My Son - "No War"
A very special & humbling episode. This morning, Anuj cuddled in bed with his 9-year old son, and had the most human, humbling and honest conversation about the situation in that has broken out in G…
#021: Mugabi Byenka - "Beyond Skin"
Anuj sat down with poet & author, Mugabi Byenkya. Audio of this conversation was thought lost, however resurrected in the end to share this wide sweeping dialogue.
Mugabi shares key experiences fro…
#020: Shree Paradkar - "Casting Light"
Anuj and Shree Paradkar sit down for an unflinching conversation about race and self refection. Shree is a Toronto Star race and gender columnist, and the 2018-2019 recipient of the Atkinson Fellowsh…
#019: G Yamazawa - "Way of The Shogun"
Anuj is joined by G Yamazawa, in this conversation deep into the COVID19 pandemic. G Yamazawa is an innovative rapper, spoken word poet and hip hop artist. Originally out of Durham, North Carolina, G…
#018: Jeff Teravainen - "Acting Human"
In this episode, Anuj sits down with Jeff Teravainen. Jeff is a well-loved actor, voiceover artist, and musician. He's played the role of Lieutenant Anders on SYFY's hit "Dark Matter", as well as rol…
#017: Sammy Chand - "Genesis Man"
Live from DASH Radio studio in Los Angeles, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Sammy Chand. Sammy is the founder of Rukus Avenue Radio, a rapper, producer, record label exec, entrepreneur and man of the peo…
#016: Barkha Madan - "Lights, Camera, Introspection!"
Anuj Rastogi is joined by Barkha Madan at the AwokenWord studio. Barkha Madan is a former Indian model, film actress and film producer who has also appeared in television serials and hosted TV shows …
#015: Shantanu Pujari - "Hip Hop India"
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, activi…
#014: Sangita Patel - "Leading Rainbow"
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 Amer…
#013: Ashwin Srinivasan - "The Airbender"
Live in Mumbai, Anuj Rastogi sits down with Ashwin Srinivasan, one of the most highly sought-after musicians in India. Ashwin is an acclaimed Indian Classical flautist and vocalist, and long-time col…
#012: Ali A. Rizvi - "Of Myth & Legends"
Anuj sits down with Ali 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…
#011: Lisa Fitzpatrick - "Open Your Door"
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. L…
#010: Darius Baxter - "Be The Change"
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 …
#009: Nicki Wells - "The World is Sound"
In this episode, Anuj connects with London-based singer, songwriter, composer, producer and multi-genre musical prodigy, Nicki Wells (aka TURYA). Nicki is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, and c…