EP01: Social Distancing and Its Sides of The Coin Artwork

NKATA: Dots of Thoughts

I often wake up in the morning with thoughts reeling in my head. Thoughts inspired by a conversation with someone; something I read, heard, listened to (music/podcasts), a film I saw, a photograph I made, an essay/poem I wrote, or in broad terms, an impactful encounter. They exist as disjointed, scattered particles I often refer to as dots of thoughts.Thus, this podcast show is an attempt to articulate, to converse and to put in relation these floating thoughts. While it relies on random impulses, the podcast is structured by thought-prompts focusing on everyday issues across space, time and works of life. Though it is not a live podcast, it somewhat mimics this approach in that for every episode, the conversation, which begins as a monologue, evolves into a dialogue through a phone conversation with someone else in another part of the world (a friend, a colleague, relative, expert in a subject, creator of a work, originator of an idea). This ensures a broadening of the thematic and locational context of the conversation as a way of demystifying distances. It is a weekly show intended to be spontaneous (as much as technical requirements and logistics allow). Future episodes will feature intro/excerpts of new music tracks made by me. Other times, it will reference aural materials sourced from different corners of everyday life. It will be freshly served – nothing preserved in the freezer! Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation by leaving a comment on the episode in their preferred platform of listening. Selected comments will be addressed in a subsequent episode.Emeka Okereke (host)Available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Overcast, etc.

All Episodes

NKATA: Dots of Thoughts

EP01: Social Distancing and Its Sides of The Coin

April 07, 2020 • Emeka Okereke / Mathangi Krishnamurthy • Season 1 • Episode 1

Send us a text

This debut episode of Dots of Thoughts takes as a prompt an essay I wrote in reference to the notion of social distancing and its many undertones especially in the context of Berlin, Europe where I am currently observing the lockdown. Invited to join the conversation, through a phone call, is Mathangi Krishnamurthy, a colleague and a dear friend based in Chennai, South of India. We ruminated on the nature of social distancing in a densely populated city such as Chennai; a city where tactile communal interaction is not only important but central to existence. How are people making sense of the viability of social distancing? What does it mean beyond the “one-line mantra for the entire world” as she calls it? How is social distancing understood across lines of class and privilege?

What do we do with our time now that we have been forced, albeit for a few weeks, to live in it in ways contrary to our habitual routine?

Furthermore, will the world grasp the most needful lesson this crisis presents to us?

Join the conversation by leaving a comment on the episode in their preferred platform of listening. Selected comments will be addressed in a subsequent episode.

Listen to the podcast on our website, nkatapodcast.com. Also available on Apple podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Overcast and more.

To read the essay from which this conversation sprang, see here

Emeka Okereke

Support the show

Hi, amazing listeners! Emeka Okereke here. I am the founder and host of this show. If you’ve enjoyed the stories, insights, and creativity we bring to this podcast series, I invite you to join my Patreon community at patreon.com/EmekaOkereke. 🎉

By becoming a patron, you’ll gain exclusive access to my artistic world, including:

• Behind-the-scenes content from my photography projects.

• Sneak peeks of upcoming films, vlogs, and video podcasts.

• Exclusive DJ playlists curated just for you.

• Bonus podcast episodes and a chance to contribute to future topics.

Whether you’re a fan of the podcast, my visual storytelling, or simply love art and creativity, there’s a tier for you. Your support helps me continue creating high-quality content, and it truly means the world to me.

Thank you for listening. Follow Nkata Podcast Station on Instagram @nkatapodcast and Twitter.

See the website for extensive materials: nkatapodcast.com

People on this episode

Emeka Okereke

Host