Can stories really save a city? Ecologist, author, and professor Harini Nagendra believes they can; and Bengaluru needs them now more than ever.Once a city of a thousand lakes, today Bengaluru struggles with traffic gridlock, water shortages, and extreme heat. In this conversation, Harini takes us through the city’s forgotten ecological history, the science behind urban resilience, and why collaboration and storytelling could hold the key to its future.Dr. Harini Nagendra is the Director of the School of Climate Change and Sustainability at Azim Premji University, and Director of the University’s Research Centre. (https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/p...)An internationally recognised scholar and a proud Bengalurean, she combines a career in urban sustainability research with a passion for storytelling. (https://harininagendra.com)For over two decades, her work has explored the intertwined histories of Bengaluru’s lakes, trees, and communities, documenting their transformation through books, teaching, and on-ground engagement. She is the author of several acclaimed non-fiction works on ecology and urban change, as well as the popular Bangalore Detectives Club mystery series, which blends historical fiction with the city’s vibrant past.On the global front, she served as a Lead Author on the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and served on the Steering Committee of the programme for Ecosystem Change and Society and Future Earth’s urban advisory network. Dr. Nagendra’s approach bridges science, history, and culture, making complex ideas accessible while inspiring conversations on how cities can grow sustainably without losing their ecological and cultural heritage.We talk about:✔ The rise and fall of Bengaluru’s iconic lakes✔ Why restoring them isn’t just nostalgia, it’s survival✔ The hidden role of community action in saving nature✔ How a single illustrated story sparked state-wide policy change✔ What the next generation needs to build sustainable cities✔ Beloved fiction series The Bangalore Detectives ClubThis episode is for everyone who loves Bengaluru, and everyone wondering what it takes to make a city livable again.00:00 – Why this conversation matters01:45 – Meet Harini: Beyond the job title05:20 – Early career choices & big pivots13:40 – The turning point that changed everything18:00 – Mentors, networks & lessons learned28:10 – Leadership truths & navigating self-doubt38:00 – What success looks like today42:15 – Advice to your 25-year-old self--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)