Beyond Borders Podcast

by Aakriti Dhawan

Season 1

What you DON'T know about women health and fitness FT. celeb trainer Karan Sawhney

Unlock the Secrets Behind Celebrity Fitness & Indian Football with Karan Sawhney! In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation revealing Karan’s journey from a pro footballer to a top celebrity fitness coach. Discover insights into Indian football’s challenges, myths around fitness and diet, and how fitness culture is evolving in India post-Covid. Plus, learn practical tips for mental well-being, prenatal fitness, and training like the stars. Karan Sawhney is a former professional footballer and, former player of Kerala Blasters and transitioned full-time into fitness coaching. He trains Bollywood celebrities like @aliabhatt and Arjun Rampal, blending athletic discipline with holistic health approaches. Passionate about putting India on the fitness map, Karan also engages in football commentary and advocates for sports for longevity and mental wellness.

S1 · E20

Nov 7, 2025

29:06

The Commentary Box Secrets of Asia Cup 2025 — You Won’t Believe the Prep! Ft. Atish Thukral

-- What does it really take to be a sports commentator in India — especially during the Asia Cup 2025? In this episode of Beyond Borders Podcast, we sit with ⁨@ThukralTales⁩ and go behind the mic with insights into what it means to call one of the biggest cricket tournaments in the world. From high-pressure moments to unseen preparation, we unpack the discipline, storytelling, and chaos that define Indian sports commentary today. 🏏 💬 Hear how commentators handle live pressure, connect with millions of fans, and bring every over to life — all while staying composed when the stakes are sky-high. 📺 Watch the full episode now to see the side of cricket you’ve never experienced before! #AsiaCup2025 #SportsCommentary #BeyondBorders #AakritiDhawan #CricketIndia #BehindTheMic #SportsJournalism #IndiaVsPakistan #CommentatorLife Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Beyond Borders or its producers. 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

S1 · E19

Nov 2, 2025

37:33

WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK LIKE UNDER THE TALIBAN?

When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the world watched in shock - What has life really been like since? In this episode, we talk to Kanika Gupta, a senior journalist reporting on Afganistan, India, Srilanka, Lebanon, amongst others, about Taliban beyond the headlines: the silence, the fear, and the fading idea of freedom. From restricted voices to vanishing media, we explore what truth looks like in a country where speaking up can cost you everything. She shares firsthand insights into the stories that never make it out, the challenges of reporting under Taliban rule, and what freedom means when every word is monitored. 🎧 Tune in for a raw, unfiltered conversation about truth, access, and the cost of staying silent. 00:00 – Introduction: Taliban in India 2025 02:15 – Afghanistan’s Fall: How the Government Collapsed Overnight 06:30 – The Taliban Takeover: Inside the Shift of Power and Fear 10:45 – Life After 2021: What Freedom Means in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan 15:20 – Reporting Under Pressure: Comparing Journalists in Afghanistan and India 20:05 – Voices in Silence: The Reality for Afghan Women Today 24:40 – Beyond Borders: The Struggles of South Asian Journalists 29:15 – Lebanon’s Economic Crisis: Another Story the World Forgot 33:50 – Why Global Media Moves On So Quickly 37:25 – Finding Hope: Journalism, Freedom, and What Comes Next 41:00 – Closing Thoughts: Can Truth Survive Borders and Regimes? ⚠️ Disclaimer Message This conversation is intended for informational purposes only. It reflects personal experiences, insights, and perspectives shared by the speakers. The views expressed do not represent any organization or government. We encourage open, respectful dialogue — no hate speech, trolling, or discriminatory comments will be tolerated. #BeyondBordersPodcast #Afghanistan #Taliban #AfghanistanCrisis #PressFreedom #JournalismMatters #HumanRights #GlobalVoices #SouthAsia #FreePress #TruthMatters #Storytelling #FreedomOfSpeech #WomenAndMedia #ConflictReporting #WorldNews #PodcastInterview #AakritiDhawan #AfghanistanToday #NoHateJustDialogue

S1 · E18

Oct 17, 2025

42:00

Ep. #17 Reverse Migration: What Happens When You Migrate East? German Woman Moved to India for Love

What happens when you follow love across continents, from West to East? German national Saskia Groneberg Chitrak shares her unfiltered experience of migrating to India two decades ago. Saskia’s time in India has been a complex tapestry, marked by political clashes, navigating stark social and cultural differences, and, critically, finding immense joy. In this episode, we dive deep into the reality of reverse migration. Find out what it's truly like to build a life in the East and why this cross-continental journey is often overlooked or not celebrated in the same way as migration to the West.

S1 · E17

Oct 11, 2025

30:48

Indo-German Love Story in Music: Indian Classical Meets Global Pop

What happens when Indian classical dance meets Western percussion? In this episode of Beyond Borders, we sit down with Shivani Karmarkar Schürfeld (Kathak artist) and Tillmann Schürfeld (drummer & percussionist) to explore how love, culture, and music fuse across continents. From performing at the Beethoven Festival to blending taals with drumbeats, this Indo-German couple shares their journey of creating harmony between two worlds. We dive into the rise and fall of Indian classical music, the challenges of cross-cultural collaboration, and how personal struggles—including injury and pandemic hardships—shaped their art and relationship. 💡 Whether you’re a music lover, a dancer, or just curious about Indo-Western fusion, this conversation is a celebration of breaking boundaries. ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – How the Indo-German fusion began 05:00 – Western perceptions of India 06:00 – The story of the Beethoven Festival 08:30 – India: dos and don’ts 17:00 – Reciting taals together 18:50 – Injury and comeback 23:00 – The rise and fall of Indian classical music 26:00 – Indo-Western music fusion 27:00 – The perfect collab 30:00 – The wave of Indian classical music & dance 33:00 – Till as an “Almond German” & Shivi’s journey 35:00 – Their love story 39:00 – Covid, love, and music 41:00 – Fetishization of fair skin in India 43:00 – Social media’s effect on art & relationships 44:00 – Advice for budding relationships 49:00 – A question for the host 51:00 – Advice for going Beyond Borders Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or institution. #IndoGerman #MusicFusion #KathakDance #IndianClassicalMusic #FusionMusic #CrossCultural #WorldMusic #DrumsAndDance #BeyondBordersPodcast #LoveAndMusic #EastMeetsWest #IndoGermanLove #PercussionMusic #KathakFusion #CulturalFusion #IndoWesternMusic #GlobalMusic #DanceAndMusic #PodcastIndia #podcastgermany

S1 · E16

Sep 26, 2025

57:01

Ep. #15 Saira Shah Halim on CPI(M), Politics, and the Battle for the Future of India’s Left

In this powerful episode of Beyond Borders Podcast, journalist Aakriti Dhawan sits down with Saira Shah Halim — activist, educator, and author of Comrades and Comeback — to unpack the turbulent journey of the Left in Indian politics. From the rise of the Right to questions of democracy, dissent, and ideology, this episode dives into the political battle shaping India’s future. 🔥 00:00 Intro 1:40 Increase vote share in the By-elections of Kolkata 2022 3:00 Family and Naseeruddin Shah 5:00 Women representation in Lok Sabha 6:00 Vote Chori, Congress and Rahul Gandhi 6:30 Delhi Stray dogs as a cover 8:00 Kangana Ranaut and Vir Das 12:00 Kolkata Rape & Murder Case 2024 13:00 CPI M's role 16:30 Book Launch: Comrades And Comeback 19:00 What are left and right? 21:00 TMC and Mamta Banerjee 25:00 2024 election results and future of India 26:00 Women in Indian politics 28:00 Actor Naseeruddin Shah, Bollywood and more 32:00 Advice for anyone going beyond borders

S1 · E15

Sep 19, 2025

34:26

Ep. #14 Indo-German Bridges: Sunanda Rao Erdem on Culture, Communication & Collaboration

On this episode of Beyond Borders Podcast, Aakriti Dhawan is joined by Sunanda Rao Erdem—opera singer, commentator, ex-journalist, and entrepreneur—who has built her career and life between India and Germany. From training as an opera singer in Germany to consulting with embassies, institutions, and cultural bodies, Sunanda’s journey reflects the power of cross-border dialogue and cultural diplomacy. 00:00 intro 1:30 Chance card and it’s suspicious 6:00 chance card + German language 7:00 misinformation before you go to Germany 10:37 influencer culture + social media tandoms 14:45 The rise of Indian students in Germany 18:14 History to Future Indo-German relations 20:25 How to be better informed before you decide to move to Germany 21:40 Mental Health 25:15 A woman Entrepreneur 27:10 CV 32:00 Advice for someone going beyond the border #indiansingermany #IndianMedia #indogerman #Sexism #WorldPressFreedomIndex #journalisminindia #FreePress #SpeakTruthToPower #MediaSafety #AakritiDhawanPodcast #transgender #health #talks 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

S1 · E14

Sep 12, 2025

33:10

How NRWEventss Brought Zakir Khan & Indian Comedy to Germany | Cologne & Frankfurt Shows

Ever wondered how Indian comedians like Zakir Khan, Rahul Dua, and Manhar Seth made their way to Germany’s live stages? We uncover the inspiration behind starting NRW Eventss, and the gaps in Europe’s entertainment market that led to a focus on Indian comedians and entertainers in cities like Cologne and Frankfurt. —This episode offers a candid look at the hustle behind the laughter. We also talk about the realities of event management—what it means to face losses, how venues shape strategy, and the unexpected backstage stories that never make it to the spotlight. Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the stage lights—about dreams, risks, and the joy of building cultural bridges through comedy.

S1 · E13

Aug 31, 2025

56:22

India-Pakistan Friendship: Aisha & Roma on 15 Years of Bonding, Hate, and Holding On

What does it take to maintain a deep friendship between an Indian and a Pakistani — especially in today’s political climate? In this episode, Aisha and Roma share the story of their 15-year-long friendship that began across borders and continues in Germany. They reflect on: How they met and built trust despite stereotypes Dealing with online trolls and nationalistic hate Finding common ground in culture, humour, and shared experiences What being South Asian abroad has taught them about identity Why their friendship matters more than ever today This conversation is not about politics — it’s about people, connection, and the quiet resistance of choosing love and friendship over division. If you’ve ever had a friendship that defied expectations, this one’s for you. #IndiaPakistanFriendship #DesisAbroad #BeyondBorders #SouthAsianVoices #FriendshipBeyondBorders #AishaAndRoma

S1 · E12

Aug 8, 2025

47:43

Revealing the Struggles of South Asian Students in Germany | Aju John | HOSTWRITER PRIZE 2025

In this episode, Dheeraj Tyagi and Aju John open up about the hidden struggles faced by South Asian students—from financial hardship and visa uncertainty to exploitation, isolation, and broken promises. 🇮🇳🇩🇪 About Dheeraj Tyagi: Dheeraj was a Master’s student in Germany, working as a delivery rider for Uber Eats. Disturbed by the company’s unfair payment policies and poor working conditions, he chose to lead a protest alongside his co-workers. As a result, he was dismissed the very next day — leaving him unemployed for months. His story reflects a harsh reality that many South Asian students in Germany fear but rarely talk about. About Aju John: Aju is a lawyer and activist who closely engages with the struggles of South Asian communities across Germany. His work focuses particularly on the exploitation faced by delivery workers and the systemic injustices within the gig economy. Aju also documents the challenges many South Asian students face during their initial years in the country — from legal hurdles to cultural adjustment. 🎧 Hear firsthand what life really looks like for Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and other South Asian students abroad—beyond the glossy brochures and Instagram reels. 🚨 This is not just one story. It’s a growing crisis.

S1 · E11

Jul 25, 2025

1:14:42

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