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In this very first episode of the new and revamped "The MyndReaders Podcast", hosts Swati and Anima Nair explore not only how anxiety feels, but how books can become powerful companions through its many layers.

Their discussion begins with honest reflections on their own experiences on how anxiety creeps in, how racing thoughts take over, and how the pressure to function perfectly often leaves people feeling overwhelmed and alone. They share small, grounding practices which help them return to calm as well as the big role that books play.

Comforting rereads, slow-paced classics, Buddhist wisdom, and contemporary fiction that mirrors emotional truths, all form part of a reading list that accompanies listeners through different shades of anxiety.

This episode blends personal reflection with literary insight, offering listeners a compassionate understanding of anxiety as well as a set of books that can soothe and help find comfort in words that understand us.

We talk about

• Honest reflections on what anxiety feels like
• Reaching for “anchor books” and why certain stories become lifelines during anxious moments
• Novels that beautifully capture anxiety in its many forms
• Listener-recommended healing fiction and a list of nonfiction books written by mental health professionals
• How stories can reveal the emotional patterns behind anxiety
• A bonus reading list from a Mynd Readers Book Club member

Meet the hosts

Anima is CPD-Certified Neurodiversity Practitioner, TEDx speaker, and advocate. She is dedicated to promoting neuro-inclusive practices in the corporate world. Anima loves to read classics and fantasy, write about neurodiversity and parenting a child who lives with autism, and spend time with her pet dog and cat.

Swati is the co-founder of MyndStories where her mission is to hear more conversations, see more action on mental health. She reads all the time, watches too many movies, and obsesses over her fitness.

Connect with the hosts

Swati | Anima

Resources

• Terry Pratchett's Discworld series
• When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron
• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• Anxious People - Fredrik Backman
• The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
• Barely Functional Adult - Meiji Ng
• Age of Anxiety - Amrita Tripathi
• Anxiety: Overcome It and Live Without Fear - Sonali Gupta
• Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat - Kim Jiyun
• Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-Reum

Credits

• Swati Nair and Anima Nair, hosts and episode planners.
• Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor.

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*Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling.
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