#17 – Chhavi Sachdev (Founder of Sonologue and Independent pod…

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#17 – Chhavi Sachdev (Founder of Sonologue and Independent podcast consultant) – Telling stories through Audio and bringing podcasting to life in India

February 18, 2020

Chhavi Sachdev

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In this episode, I’m talking to Chhavi Sachdev. She’s an independent podcast producer, consultant, and coach. Basically one-stop-shop for podcast production. She is also the most experienced podcaster in India; she has been making podcasts since 2008.

She is also a multimedia journalist and has worked with names like BBC, PRI and NPR. When she moved back to India from the US almost 10 years back, she saw almost nobody in India was working with the new intelligent medium of storytelling which was podcasts. So she embarked on this long journey of making the Podcast medium relevant in India. Like smart and intellectual radio stations.

Meanwhile, Chhavi worked on interesting projects and co-founded IVM which is a big podcast production company now, but she left after a short stint and eventually founded Sonologue which is her own podcast production company. She has worked on a wide array of projects in Audio and it reflects in her production value.

Chhavi has also been conducting regular workshops for individuals, colleges, corporates, as well as NGO’s. Her 4-hour crash course in podcasting is fairly popular.

In this conversation, we cover many of the things about podcasting, the state of radio industry in India. Her productive routine, tools and tips about podcasting.

I had a blast having this conversation with Chhavi.

So without further adieu, please enjoy this conversation with Chhavi Sachdev.

Links and references from the episode –

People mentioned –

Arghya Lahiri – Theater person Chhavi Worked with while creating audio tours experience
Sam Harris – Mentioned by Himanshu in reference to Meditation
Tara Brach – Mentioned by Chhavi in reference to Meditation
Kristin Neff – Mentioned by Chhavi in reference to Meditation/Affirmation
Kenneth Soares – Mentioned by Chhavi in reference to sleeping Meditation
Marc Silver – Editor in NPR

Podcasts Chhavi is listening to –

Hello from the Magic Tavern – improvisational comedy (NSFW)
Dirty John – True Crime
Victoriosity – Steampunk Sci-Fi
The World from PRI
The Daily from the New York Times

Books she recently read –

Maybe you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb
The lost city of the monkey god by Douglas Preston

Quotes mentioned –

(In the context of Podcasting with an exclusive platform) If you are going to bed with somebody, then either you be in it and be getting something from it, or you don’t and make yourself available everywhere.
Sometimes, you need to say No to people, it’s necessary.
There are people who will help you amplify your voice without tamping it down.
I feel like going to a counsellor is like taking your car for maintenance. Everybody should go.

Interesting references –

H1B Visa
Green Card
Podcasts mentioned-
9/11 incident – the day when she graduated her masters.
Audio Compass – The company which designed audio experiences as tours for historic or heritage places.
The footsteps of the Raj – Gateway of India
Kala Ghoda (Black town and White town divide)
Old women’s island
Oval Maidan – Until the early 20th century the vast expanses of the Oval Maidan, Azad Maidan, Cooperage Ground and Cross Maidan formed the area known as Esplanade.
Anchor podcast app
Luminary podcast platform
Dolly Parton Challenge
Audio Book mentioned by Himanshu – Good Omens
Neil Gaiman Podcast episode mentioned by Himanshu – in context of Fountain pens

The ways you can connect with Chhavi –

Sonologue Links –

Indie Pod Collective Group Links –

This podcast is brought to you by audible. I love audiobooks and I’ve been using Audible for years. Whenever I’m commuting to work and back. Almost always I’m listening to a book. Because I don’t get as much time to read as I would like to. Audiobooks help me read books in a whole new way.

For you, the listeners of Lifestyle Architecture Lab podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-days trial, the free audiobook is yours to keep even after the trial ends. I have a few audiobooks to recommend –

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – This is one of those books which will take you back to ancient times and teach you so much. I recently read it and it just blew my mind.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – This is one of the greatest bedtime books. Neil Gaiman’s voice just makes this book much more wonderful. The story and the narration is just amazing.

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Listen to this podcast on one of your favourite platforms –