Welcome!
Over centuries, people around the world developed perspectives and practices that are widely different than the ones to which we are accustomed. In this podcast, we take a look at the bizarre, outrageous, fascinating and often funny peculiarities and unknown facts that make us, “us”, all while discovering that as unalike as we are, there is more in common between us than that which is different.
A Welcome Message from Your Host
I am honored to spend this time with you. We live such busy lives and the gift of one’s time is, perhaps, one of the most valuable things we can give to one another. Thank you. 
My father had a style of his own but he was a aesthete by all accounts who loved art, music and literature. As a surgeon, he not only saved lives, he changed them. 
My mother. Also a physician, I was in awe of her work ethic, her extraordinary courage and her strength. She was graceful in every way. 
Some of my last memories of my mother are of spending time with her in Italy. Venice. 
She loved the ocean every bit as much as I did. She would often walk to the ocean and spend quiet time there. It grounded her, just as it does me. In hindsight, it was fitting that one of the last trips she made was to the ocean on a freezing, windy afternoon. There were no compromises when it came to that which she loved. Atlantic Highlands, NJ. 
Chris. We met in 1995 and have been together since. Paris 
Chris decided to accompany me and my mother on a trip to India to attend a wedding. I privately wondered what he would think of his visit, but he came back with wonderful memories and I am happy he travelled with us. Agra, India. 
Our beautiful Dylan. He was found at the age of five months wandering the city streets in the poorest parts of Louisiana. No matter how much we give him, my heart always wants to give him more. 
The heart birthmark Dylan has right in the center of his chest. I knew he was meant to be ours the second I noticed it at the shelter. 
I grew up with dogs. This is Jason, who was a pureblood Labrador, registered with the AKC as The Duke of Windsor XXXII. In case you are wondering, we lived on Windsor Drive. 
With Tudor II and my father’s grey Lambretta. The first Tudor (Tudor I) was a black labrador we had who dies when he choked on a bone that was given yo him by staff wile my parents were away in Germany. Even at such a young age, I was devastated and furious. “Mall Road House”, Punjab, India. 
My mother had to keep tight control over what pets we had. This was a stray that a friend had brought over and I begged my mother to let me keep her. At any given time, there was some combination of dogs, fish, hamsters, a parrot, a frog, a wild hare, and lots of rabbits. My poor mother. 
My father took every opportunity he could find to expose my brother and I to different countries, to art and sculpture, literature. I am forever grateful to him for what he gave me. London. 
There were times, I admit, that I became fed up with going to new places. Niagra Falls. 
I was California dreaming since I was 14. I wanted to pursue a career in acting or cinema which led me to the best cinema school in the country, the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. While there, I also fell in love with anthropology and primatology, sociology. communications and photography. 
You will never find me happier than when I am by the ocean. Everywhere I have lived has been in close proximity to the sea. I can’t live without it. 
I will always love cinema and I look back with some sadness that I abandoned it. Back then, we wanted to turn the film industry upside down because so few independent movies were being made. The person who I found most identified with my thinking was Ethan Hawke. He and I conspired wildly while I was in Los Angeles and he was filming in Park City, UT. When “Boyhood” was released, I knew he had reached a level of creative nirvana and I was delighted for him. I am also happy that independent films have finally found a place in Hollywood. I believe small voices often have the loudest impact and need to be heard. Much later, over dinner with Robert Sean Leonard, we discussed Dead Poet’s Society, the direction of Peter Weir and the legacy of Robin Williams, without whom the movie would never have had the same distribution, if it had been made at all. DPS showed the studios that one leading actor could propel a movie that would otherwise have met a different fate. History repeated itself almost ten years later when Williams cut his salary to a flat $5M, as opposed to his asking rate of $20M for Good Will Hunting. A true artist and visionary, it hurts me too much to think of him. Leonard, was looking for niche movies. The artist he is, he was able to work on the right material but eventually went to the screen with House. 
A photograph of a portion (one quarter) of the exterior of one of my ancestral homes. The house was built in 1900 and is five stories high with intricately carved architectural elements, fireplaces and ballrooms. It formed a perfect square that had balconies that ran from end to end on every floor, overlooking a courtyard. Of the other homes, this was built to impress guests by the family’s power, wealth and status. It is one of five houses the family had in Punjab as well as a summer home in Dalhousie named”Sunnyside”. Of the houses I have ever lived in, this was my least favorite. Although still standing, it has suffered from neglect over the years and is in need of restoration. Dark, cavernous and imposing it didn’t feel like a home. I preferred Sunnyside and the massive wild blue hydrangeas that surrounded it. Punjab, India.
I am Vipin Davessar and I am the host of this podcast, “What on Earth?”.
It means a lot to me that you have stopped here. Thank you, and I hope you will visit often.
There were a number of reasons I wanted to create this podcast and website, the foremost of which is my belief that we have more in common as a human race than the differences among us. Learning about other cultures and history has so enriched my life, adding dimensions and depth that I otherwise would lack.
I majored in Communications and Social Sciences with a minor in anthropology at the University of Southern California. My interests were well defined even back then. Different cultures intrigued me and I wanted to dive deeply and immerse myself in their study.
Add to this the reason I had decided to go to USC in the first place, my love of film. But there is so much to be said about the intersection of film and anthropology. Visual anthropology come with a bias, something that is referred to as “cinematic gaze”. The filmmaker’s choices of what to film and what to leave out, deliberately or unconsciously, transform cultural reality into a curated narrative. We don’t get the full picture, we see what the filmmaker wants us to see. While visual anthropology is a powerful means of introducing a society and culture, especially ones that are obscure or less widely known, they can unintentionally misrepresent the truth by omitting details that complete the picture. I was drawn to this connection betwen the two studies.
Another reason I wanted to work on this podcast is because of a feeling of sadness over our society increasing intolerance of other cultures and people, much of it due to a lack of understanding and exposure. I see a shocking uptick in what I viewed was an antiquated belief that there is superiority among people. There isn’t. I think the first step to cultural tolerance and appreciation is an understanding of others.
I also feel that I was given a great privilege in that I was exposed, at such an early age, to so such a variety of cultures. With technology, the world is at the fingertips and so much can be learned in the luxury of one’s home. But, its not the same. I can read all the ingredients and the cooking instructions to make beef bourguignon but I would not know what it tastes like until I try it.
And, on a very basic level, I wanted a podcast and website to entertain. Because there is so much interesting about our past, about everyday things that make up our lives and the many silly things that people do.
We live in a world that has become so taxing. Our minds are not far from one thought before another comes crashing in. World events and politics seem to overwhelm and rattle even the most unshakable of personalities. I don’t know about you, but I need to occupy myself with something else in order to stay sane. I do it by writing poetry, writing content for this podcast and website, talking (not texting) to someone I haven’t been in touch with for a while, listening to music, going for a quiet drive, reading, sketching or spending time with our dog, Dylan. I hope this podcast and website serves as a short escape to momentarily reset or refresh your mind and spirit.
Now, if you indulge me, I would like to share a little bit about myself and my hope is that you will too, but way of connecting with me during live broadcasts and through your comments and feedback on this website. I’ve included a small photo album that I hope you will like.
I have learned, though it took time, to fully appreciate what we have in our lives and not dismiss it or take it for granted.
The DNA of this podcast and website, is a mix of “Did you know?” and “Would you believe”.
The opportunity to share my passion with you is a privilege. In my eyes, you have invited me to share time with you, time which is cherished and scarce for most of us who live busy lives. But, whether this podcast is something you tune in to during your commute to work or something you listen to as you end your day, my hope is to always keep things interesting and fun.
I hope you enjoy the shows and this website!
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- Germany: Recently, Fatou, the world’s oldest gorilla celebrated her 69th birthday at the Berlin Zoo. Her birthday cake consisted of tomatoes, leeks and lettuce.
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Love it! Love it all!!
Christian Durand
★★★★★
Wonderful. Entertaining. Thought provoking.
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Thank you. Finally, a podcast and website that is truly worth my time.
Elizabeth OlipHant