Sunday Snapshot w/c 11.03.24
Escapism with a slice of nostalgia. Join me for this weeks Sunday Snapshot where we touch down in Hawaii, Aperitivo in Barcelona before venturing to Kenya.
Good morning, New Yorkers,
Or wherever you find yourself this Sunday morning.
Let’s take a moment to imagine the perfect wake-up spot. Where would it be for you?
For me, it's a beach hotel in Hawaii — dreamy!
Time to wake up from that dream and dive into this week’s Sunday Snapshot.
Sonic sanctuary (music):
For this weeks tunes I went into my Shazam backlog which I’ve been stockpiling - that’s what I call delayed gratification. If you like the tunes make sure you add them to your playlist.
Berlioz - nyc in 1940
Let’s kick off with this elegant yet understated house track - "NYC in 1940." It sets the tone for a perfect Sunday: one where you've indulged in a lie-in, perhaps perused something like 'Sunday Snapshot,' and you descend the stairs to the aroma of insert your favorite breakfast item here. The sun bathes the room in warmth, and the birds sing sweet songs outside.
It's shaping up to be a perfect day.
Esbe - Darling
Salud!
You’ve just been handed a sangria as you enjoy a calm evening. That’s the vibe my mind conjures up when I listen to this song.
Beautiful and powerful just like the album cover.
Greentea Peng - look to him
What a voice!
Sultry, smooth, and sleek, Greentea Peng captivates in this track. The production, lyrics, and her voice blend seamlessly, creating a perfect harmony. Today, as I indulge my imagination, this song feels like the soundtrack to getting ready to hit the town on a weekend city break in Barcelona.
The yellow-green gradient of the cover evokes memories of Notting Hill carnival.
The Socratic segment (thoughts/ideas):
Last week's Sunday Snapshot was an homage to the ladies. I went rogue and only shared one item on the inspirational Suleika Jaouad in the Socratic segment. If you missed it, check it out here.
Growing Your Grit by Hannah Harrison
This week, I'm starting off with a talk given at work on International Women’s Day by Hannah Harrison. I first heard Hannah speak a few months ago, and I was impressed by how she juggles being an Olympic-level hockey referee while having a demanding corporate job. Her talk for IWD was largely focused on GRIT and growth mindset.
When I was a teacher, I constantly reminded my students about the importance of a growth mindset. I spoke about it so much that if that’s all they remember about me, I’ll be proud. Although I'm familiar with the topic, it was still good to hear about it again. Hannah spoke about GRIT, a concept explored by Angela Duckworth in her book. If you want to find out how much GRIT you have, you can take this questionnaire - GRIT Scale.
Sanjeev Bhaskar on the Louis Theroux Podcast
I’m a huge Louis Theroux fan, but this is actually my first time listening to his podcast.
This episode with Sanjeev Bhaskar was comical yet enlightening. Sanjeev is a fellow West Londoner - I’m not sure how long I can keep claiming that 😂. He came to fame through the series Goodness Gracious Me and was the star of the sitcom The Kumars at No. 42, which apparently the Queen watched - go Sanjeev!
I’ve always been a fan of Louis' interviewing skills, and he didn’t disappoint in this episode. They spoke about brown face/black face comedies that were on TV a few decades ago. I found it interesting that when Louis asked Sanjeev if he took offense to a show like ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum,’ which featured a white actor playing a South Asian character, his response was no. Because the character spoke the language and was the hero of the story, especially in a time when there wasn’t any South Asian representation on TV.
I also found his theory on why a large proportion of Asians voted for Brexit interesting. The most shocking part of the interview was when he discussed the sacrifice a man made when faced with the threat of death by an angry mob during the India/Pakistan terror.
A really fascinating episode - listen here: The Louis Theroux Podcast - Episode with Sanjeev Bhaskar
Dr Alok Kanojia on DOAC
I really enjoyed Steven’s interview with psychiatrist Dr. Alok Kanojia. It's easy to assume that psychiatrists have their act together, and you sometimes forget they might experience mental health struggles too. Dr. Alok spoke about overcoming his gaming addiction to study at Harvard. He emphasised the importance of meditation and how it gives you the ability to overcome impulses. He also discussed rising suicide rates in men and how the toxic masculinity rhetoric alienates those in society who need connection the most. I loved the point he made about each and every person taking individual responsibility to connect with others, or else we won’t solve the loneliness epidemic.
If you’re interested in mental health, I'd recommend giving this a listen, as it provided perspectives I hadn’t considered.
Listen here: The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett - Episode with Dr. Alok Kanojia
Seeing (images I’ve taken/from the archives/photographs I’ve found):
That’s all for this week folks - carpe diem!