I thought this would be a simple book discussion… it turned into a conversation about who owns our stories.

In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author Alka Joshi and Cai Chengying, Deputy CEO at Pro Bono SG, to unpack The House of Doors—and how storytelling, history, and justice intersect in ways we don’t always see.

We get into how real lives become fiction, the hidden power dynamics in colonial history, and why stories can outlive the people they’re based on.

Alka shares how she builds characters from real experiences, while Chengying brings a legal lens on justice, gender, and bias—then and now.

If you care about storytelling, historical fiction, writing craft, and the deeper meaning behind narratives, this one stays with you.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:30 | This Story Stays With You

03:14 | Why These Voices Matter

04:53 | The Book That Surprised Us

06:24 | You Can Feel This World

10:15 | A Character You Can’t Figure Out

13:17 | Would You Tell Your Story?

16:50 | When Justice Feels Unfair

23:26 | The Gaps No One Talks About

27:50 | Does Money Shape Creativity?

32:23 | Should You Read This Book?

Our guest – Alka Joshi

Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Six Days in Bombay is her fourth novel. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick, an LA Times Bestseller, a Toronto Star and Globe & Mail Bestseller, an Indie Bookstores Bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook, and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and has been translated into 30 languages.

Since its release during the pandemic of 2020, Alka has spoken to over 1000 libraries, bookclubs, bookstores, literary festivals, podcasters, universities and colleges and corporations about persistence, patience and passion and her ten-your journey to overnight success. Because she started her writing career at the age of 62, Forbes selected Alka as one of 50 Women Over 50 who are shattering age and gender norms. 

Alka was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts.

Cai Chengying

Cai Chengying is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Pro Bono SG, where she works to improve access to justice for underserved communities. Trained as a litigation lawyer, she transitioned into the social sector and has been instrumental in developing community-based legal services and pro bono initiatives in Singapore.

Her work focuses on making legal help more accessible through partnerships with social service organisations and outreach efforts. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Merit Award at the Social Service Professional Awards.

Gunjali Singh

I’ve spent over a decade working in the development sector, and a lifetime finding both escape and meaning in good books. Book clubs have been my anchor and helped keep me grounded through many seasons of change.

This podcast brings together two things I care deeply about: powerful stories, and the passionate people working to drive real change in the world. I hope it leaves you with fresh ideas, renewed hope, and a good book recommendation to dive into.

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About The Changemakers Book Club

The Changemakers Book Club is where powerful books meet powerful voices. In each episode, host Gunjali sits down with inspiring changemakers to explore stories that spark reflection and action. It’s part book chat, part deep dive into the world we live in. Come for the books, stay for the bold conversations.