#142 - Notes on Cafes, Actors and Adulthood
Education Coffee is 2xWeekly Newsletter on People, Ideas and Culture.
In this newsletter, I share five inspiring web resources that I have curated after hours of research to ensure that you have the best education coffee in your inbox. In upcoming editions, I will focus on sharing insights, notes and realizations that I gather from people, ideas, books, films and podcasts.
1. Learning from People
On Episode 62 of #LearningStories we chat with Amin Sheikh about his journey from the streets of Mumbai to becoming a social entrepreneur.
He is a social entrepreneur, writer and founder of the #BombaytoBarcelona #LibraryCafe in Mumbai, India. He was born in Bombay in 1980. He was only five years old when he ran away from home as he could not take the beating of his stepfather and the eight to ten hours work shifts in a street side tea shop. He learnt to survive on the streets of Bombay by begging, polishing shoes, singing and eating out of the garbage. He survived many threats, abuses and bad treatment and lived this way for three years. He was then rescued by the team from the Snehasadan Orphan Home that gave him a home and place to grow.
He wrote a book about his journey and then used the proceeds from the sales of the book and his talks to open a library- café in Mumbai where all the boys and girls employed are youngsters at the risk of social exclusion, coming from slums or orphanages. He wants to help the #streetchildren and youngsters from the streets of Mumbai to avoid social exclusion and to help them achieve a worthy and happy life. You can learn about his story at https://www.iambecauseofyou.com.
You can watch or listen to this episode on Youtube, Jio Saavn, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify. You can also access this episode by clicking the link in the bio or copying this to your browser - bit.ly/learningstoriesepisode62
2. Learning from Ideas and Questions
We often are envious of AI and wonder what life would be like if we had all its powers. But ChatGPT may be envious of us too for more reasons than one. Learn more in this fascinating piece from
’s substack.
3. Learning from Books, Websites and Blog
I really enjoyed this book. It is about the life of Ian Botham, an all rounder who played for England for 15 years from 1977 to 1992.
It helped me see the years of effort and the extended support system needed to build a professional cricketer’s life. The county system (domestic cricket in England) had a pivotal role to play in developing their skillset as athletes. Ian Botham played for Somerset, Worcestershire and Durham in the English domestic cricket setup. He honed and refined his skills in the domestic setup over time.
It also shows you the many sacrifices needed to make it to the top of your field as an athlete. Cricket is an emotional and physical sport. The mental resilience of an athlete is extremely important for long term success as demonstrated in both these athletes lives. When you succeed the media will put you on a pedestal. When you fail they will beat you down at your lowest. Botham showed me that you have to focus on your skill and stay grounded in the good and bad times no matter what people outside say. Also have a strong understanding of your core inner circle.
4. Learning from Films, Videos and Shows
Here is a description and trailer of Big (1988) by Penny Marshall. I loved this film. It made me appreciate the simplicity and complexity of childhood and adulthood.
When a young boy makes a wish at a carnival machine to be big—he wakes up the following morning to find that it has been granted and his body has grown older overnight. But he is still the same 13-year-old boy inside. Now he must learn how to cope with the unfamiliar world of grown-ups including getting a job and having his first romantic encounter with a woman.
5. Learning from Podcasts and Music
In this ‘Take a Pause’ episode, Varun Duggirala (entrepreneur) talks with Shreya Dhanwanthary (actress) about the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, her frustrations with nepostism, the struggles of staying relevant and the constant battle of waiting for the right opportunities. Here is a snippet of what to expect from this episode from the host himself:
We dive deep into the complicated ways our lives—work, personal relationships, and friendships—interconnect. Shreya opens up about her experiences of feeling stuck, the relentless pressure of time, and the emotional cost of living in a demanding city like Bombay. Shreya shared the importance of friendships, the evolving views on gender roles, and the contrast between dreams and reality. This is an honest and personal conversation about not giving up, self-doubt, and the fight to stay true to yourself.
Thank you for reading this edition of #EducationCoffee. I look forward to writing weekly editions of this newsletter this year. I hope to continue to share resources that will add value to your life. You can also review the archive of Education Coffee for free at this link (100+ newsletters here). You can email your thoughts, feedback or recommendations to abhishekashokshetty@gmail.com. I love connecting with other writers and learners on the Internet.
Abhishek
Feel so cool to be included in this ☺️ Thanks Abhishek ✨