Announcing the Outliers Book Project

Some walk the well-trodden path, and then there are the Outliers - the mavericks who wander off the beaten track, the contrarians who defy norms, and the free spirits who follow not the path laid out for them but the one they pave for themselves.

Six years ago, I embarked on a journey to travel the length and breadth of India, to meet, talk, and listen to these Outliers and share their amazing stories with the world through a podcast.

The Outliers podcast was born in December 2016 with a simple mission: to embark on a journey of deep, freewheeling conversations, exploring the experiences, trials, and triumphs that define the lives of these trailblazers. This exploration took me from the mountain peaks of Leh, where I encountered the inspiring Sonam Wangchuk, to the bustling cityscape of Mumbai, where I conversed with the likes of Uday Kotak and Harsh Mariwala, among others.?

From Podcast to Print: A New Chapter

I am thrilled to announce that Penguin Random House has signed on to publish a book based on the Outliers podcast. This book will encapsulate the essence of these extraordinary conversations, distilling the wisdom and experiences these outliers share into a form that will inspire and reach an even broader audience.

This association with Penguin Random House India is an honour and a responsibility. It affirms the power of stories, the resilience of individuals, and the collective spirit of those who dare to be different, to be outliers. It's an opportunity to carry these narratives beyond the audio realm, allowing readers to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in the world of outliers at their own pace.

In this era of instant gratification and constant hustle, Outliers offers an intimate exploration of life's nuances, a reflection on the human spirit, and a tribute to those who dared to stand out, to stand alone. Every episode delves into their journey through hope and disillusionment, failures and pitfalls, joy and success, pain and bliss.

This journey of Outliers has been enriched by the wisdom, vulnerability, and resilience of these extraordinary individuals.

AR Rahman once shared, "Your heart gets broken a few times, and then it gets stronger...not insensitive, not apathetic, but it knows how to handle it."

Sonam Wangchuk confessed to having failed in more than half of his ventures, adding, "I wish people more problems, so they learn."

Naval Ravikant observed, "If you're a smart entrepreneur, you will die with money in the bank. What you will keep wanting is more time, not money."

Each episode and conversation has been a treasure trove of life's profound truths and lessons.

Six years ago, the Outliers podcast began as a journey of exploration. Today, it has become a chronicle of courage, resilience, and unconventional wisdom. As we take this leap from the audio medium to the written word, we look forward to sharing these inspiring stories.

I am grateful to Anish Chandy for being relentless in pursuing this book project with me and for all the late-night chai sessions in Delhi.

Thank you, listeners, and believers

Every journey starts with a single step, but the company along the way makes the voyage worthwhile. For the Outliers podcast, the gentle nudge from Avinash Raghava , a cherished friend and mentor, ignited the spark. Avinash encouraged me to capture my conversations and transform them into audio narratives. An idea took root, and the seed of the Outliers podcast was sown.

As the vision of Outliers started to take shape, it was the passionate and imaginative contribution of Anand M. , a colleague and friend, that gave it life. Anand's unwavering commitment to producing these podcasts with the respect and intrigue they warranted was instrumental in their success. The journey was further enriched by the diligent efforts of kanika sood and Sehar Dabur , whose meticulous research and transcript work ensured that each episode was backed by a solid foundation of facts and context. Even today, Sehar's behind-the-scenes assistance remains the backbone of our endeavour.

And let's not forget Rajesh Subramanian , a founding team member of FactorDaily, who was always ready to lend a hand whenever needed. Rajesh's contributions, whether big or small, have left an indelible mark on the fabric of the Outliers journey.

A huge shout out to Abhishek Jha , who is helping with this book project and has also been among the most loyal listeners for Outliers.

However, the real heroes of this story, the true outliers, are you - the listeners. Your relentless curiosity, your appetite for unconventional wisdom, and your unwavering support have been the driving force behind our journey.

When you asked, "When is the next episode dropping?" or pointed out that "I cannot find Naval's podcast episode" or "I cannot access the episodes anymore!", you reminded us of our purpose and our responsibility. Each question, each comment, and each feedback was a nudge, a gentle push to go further, dig deeper, and tell better stories.

There were times when our Soundcloud account was suspended due to non-payment, and we learned about it only when a listener brought it to our attention. Such instances were not setbacks but opportunities, a testament to the strength of our community and the bond we share.

The Outliers podcast is more than just a series of conversations. It is a testament to the power of community, shared passions and curiosity. It is a reminder that the pursuit of the extraordinary often lies in the ordinary, in the quiet moments of reflection, in the questions we dare to ask, and in the stories, we dare to tell.?

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, and here's to the outliers, the dreamers, and the seekers.

You can listen to all the episodes of Outliers here: