Traditional careers may promise a modicum of stability, but creative souls crave freedom and self-expression. Kalyani Somani knows this firsthand — not just as a former Chartered Accountant, but as an independent podcaster. In an exclusive interview with Mahevash Muses, she talks about her leap from auditing to storytelling, her embrace of generalism, and how her work on The NonExpert is reshaping the podcasting landscape.
1. You went from balancing spreadsheets to hosting conversations. What inspired your switch from Chartered Accountancy to podcasting?
During my Chartered Accounting (CA) course, I worked mainly as a statutory auditor. As an auditor, I got the opportunity to visit different places like factories and banks. I also met a lot of people who live in different parts of our country and I realized that I love talking to people!
Chartered Accountancy is highly methodical work that demands structured thinking. Accountants bear the responsibility of protecting public interests when they audit financial records. The work was rewarding, but my creative spirit struggled.
Podcasting came very naturally to me. I have long consumed information through podcasts. Even today, when I have my own show, I listen to various podcasts for two hours a day!
2. We live in a world that celebrates specialists, yet your podcast, The NonExpert, embraces being a generalist. Why are you pro-generalism?
I am sure you have heard the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” This is actually incomplete! The full saying goes like this: Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one. It suggests that while a jack of all trades might not be an expert in a single area, their broad skill set is valuable.
Humans have always been curious creatures and our ability to learn multiple things has shaped our species into the most powerful species on this planet. With The NonExpert podcast, we don’t want you to become an expert on everything. We bring an expert on the show and offer a glimpse into their world. It’s like when you travel to a country and the locals show you around, you get to see the best views and come back happy!
3. Since you explore a variety of topics, how do you decide which to pursue and which to avoid?
Since it is a new podcast, I take full liberty while picking topics. I go for what I like and what I am genuinely curious about! I am open to everything as I am still in the stage of building a community. However, this podcast will always be a community for open-minded people who love to explore various ideas.
4. You help people launch their podcasts within a week in exchange for coffee. How does this work?
When I started a podcast (this is my third one), I was approached by many people on how to start theirs. It became overwhelming at one point. Although I am open to sharing my experiences, I only invest my time in those who are serious about podcasting.
If you want to do everything yourself, I will help you create a blueprint for your show. If you want me to help you with everything, like research, guest outreach, podcast design, and post-production, hit me up!
5. As a podcast creator and strategist, what excites you most about this field? What does the future of podcasting look like?
Traditional media is regulated by investors and governments. With podcasts, our world has become more democratized. One can get unfiltered and uncensored information from authentic sources in multiple languages. Podcasts have helped me reach out to people I otherwise had no access to. If you have a story to tell, you should have started your podcast yesterday!
I feel that the Indian education system does not do justice to our potential. Podcasts will fill the gaps and make us smarter and more proficient. But the success of podcasts in our country depends on what we choose to click on. If, as a listener, you hold us podcasters accountable to a higher standard, we will all win.
Kalyani Somani is the host of The NonExpert, a podcast for the endlessly curious. If you need her expert advice to launch your dream podcast, drop her an email at kalyanisomani9@gmail.com.
