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Coffee By TwoAuthor: Pawan
Many of us are sleepscrolling through life. We have big dreams but for some reason, have given up on them. It might be laziness or ennui or procrastination or addiction to our gadgets. We are looking for a jolt to wake us up, much like a strong cup of coffee. Some conversations can do the same. They jolt us out of our humdrum existence. Bangalore has a practice of 'by two' culture where two people share a cup of coffee. The name of the podcast is a tribute to that. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Writing the rookie handbook with Pawan Kumar Marella
Episode 15
Friday, 3 October, 2025
Key takeaways: Backstories shape choicesHis father’s failed businesses made him crave stability, while others chase variety to make up for their parents’ steady lives. Our career choices are never random.Luck and serendipity matterWe often underplay how much timing, mentors, and chance encounters influence a career. Success is not only about effort.Everyone wears masksAt work, most people pretend to have it figured out. Realising this makes it easier to drop the act and have honest conversations.Rookie mistakes: health and permissionHe neglected his health early on and is still paying for it. He also waited too long for permission, instead of taking initiative.Bosses and structures aren’t chosenYou don’t pick your parents or your bosses. Surviving and thriving means learning to adapt to hierarchies and seeing the bigger picture.Difficult people vs difficult situationsMany struggles at work come from context, not individuals. Diagnose the difference, understand values, and if needed, act as a collective.One-liners to remember“Don’t come to a football match and play tennis” (adapt to the system you are in) and “The person you miss saying hello to will be a roadblock later on” (relationships matter).Three-year detoxHe went on a complete digital detox — no TV, no social media — for three years. It helped him reconnect deeply with his wife and with life offline.It’s not about hot jobsHis wife Ruchi’s insight: “There are no hot jobs, only hot people.” Culture and colleagues matter more than perks or branding.What matters mostHe’d choose to have coffee with his late father. A reminder not to put off time with loved ones.
