Episodes

  • Evolution on Trial Again

    Evolution on Trial Again
    Jul 3 2025
    In this episode of The Fascination Station, we dive into the 1999 remake of Inherit the Wind, the powerful courtroom drama inspired by the real-life Scopes "Monkey" Trial. Starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott, this version revisits the clash between science and religion, freedom of thought, and the ever-relevant debate over evolution in the classroom. Join us as we explore how this adaptation stands apart from its predecessors, what it says about the era in which it was made, and why its themes still resonate today.
    Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • A Voice Lighting the World Stage - B'day Special!

    A Voice Lighting the World Stage - B'day Special!
    Jun 27 2025
    It’s Episode 27… releasing on June 27… which also just so happens to be my birthday!
    In this birthday edition of Fascination Station, we’re diving into Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq—the first-ever Kannada-language book to win the International Booker Prize. Translated with bold brilliance by Deepa Bhasthi, this collection of 12 short stories illuminates the lives of Muslim women in southern India with honesty, wit, and quiet rebellion. So light a candle (or a lamp), grab some cake, and join us for a story that’s lighting up the world—on the host’s birthday, no less!
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • Bite Back: Fighting Dengue with Mosquitoes

    Bite Back: Fighting Dengue with Mosquitoes
    Jun 22 2025
    What if the solution to a deadly disease... was more mosquitoes? Welcome to Colombia, where scientists are turning the tables on dengue fever by breeding and releasing special mozzies with a mission. In this episode, we buzz into the world of high-tech mosquito matchmaking, discover how bacteria are making bugs less deadly, and ask the big question: can these tiny winged warriors really save lives? Grab your bug spray (just in case), because things are about to get weird—in a good way.
    Show more Show less
    5 mins
  • Sun, Sand, and Scandinavian Angst

    Sun, Sand, and Scandinavian Angst
    Jun 17 2025
    Pack your bags and prepare for a detour—this week on The Fascination Station, we're getting wonderfully lost in La Palma, the sun-soaked Norwegian film that fakes a vacation but delivers an emotional layover. Join us as we unpack the impulsive getaway of Kristina and Harald, a couple whose spontaneous trip to the Canary Islands turns into an unexpected odyssey of mistaken identity, existential musings, and maybe a bit too much Sangria. We talk about the film’s disarming blend of indie whimsy and Nordic melancholy, the bizarre beauty of finding yourself by pretending to be someone else, and why this low-budget gem deserves a stamp in your cinematic passport. Is it a comedy? A drama? A travelogue for emotionally stranded millennials? Tune in to find out.
    Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • The Jackfruit Manifesto

    The Jackfruit Manifesto
    May 29 2025
    What’s bigger than a toddler, smells like the tropics, and might just save the planet? Meet the jackfruit—a culinary chameleon, sustainability superstar, and cultural icon. In this episode, we explore the surprising history, versatility, and quiet power of the world’s largest tree-borne fruit.
    Created & Produced by Catiko Producitons.
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Temple Trials & Stone Triumphs: Karnataka’s Best-Kept Secret

    Temple Trials & Stone Triumphs: Karnataka’s Best-Kept Secret
    May 25 2025
    Everyone's heard of Ellora and Ajanta—but what if we told you there’s a trio of ancient temple sites in Karnataka that are just as awe-inspiring, yet blissfully under the radar? In this episode, we journey to Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal—three historic gems that chart the evolution of Indian temple architecture. From Badami’s dramatic red sandstone caves to Aihole’s bold experiments and Pattadakal’s architectural masterpieces, discover how the Chalukyas carved their legacy into stone—and why it’s high time these unsung wonders got the spotlight they deserve.
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • Gold Beneath the Silicon

    Gold Beneath the Silicon
    May 15 2025
    Beneath the bustling streets of Bengaluru lies a history far richer than you might imagine—literally! From ancient gold hoards to mysterious hidden chambers, the city has revealed some astonishing secrets over the years. Could more treasures still be buried beneath our feet? Tune in to uncover a golden past that might just change the way you see Bengaluru forever!
    Created & Produced by Catiko Productions.
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Tagore - The Man Beyond the Poem

    Tagore - The Man Beyond the Poem
    May 7 2025
    Join me in this episode of The Fascination Station as we uncover the lesser-known layers of one of history's most intriguing figures. From poetry to philosophy, from music to social reform, I explore the complexities of a man whose influence continues to shape the world in unexpected ways. Get ready for a journey through brilliance, contradictions, and creativity—Tagore like you’ve never 'seen' him before.
    Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
    Show more Show less
    9 mins