Development conversations that matter
The logframe is just the official story. The real work happens between the logframes — in the honest conversations after the donor leaves, in the WhatsApp groups where we actually troubleshoot problems, in the admissions that never make it into quarterly reports.
Join Dr. Varna Sri Raman and Vandana Soni for candid discussions about MEAL, Theory of Change, and the messy reality of development work in South Asia.
30-minute episodes exploring the honest reality of development work
We're not going to pretend everything works perfectly. We're going to talk about the messy reality — the funding pressures, the implementation challenges, the gender dynamics, the politics. Because that's where the real learning happens.
"The gap between what the research says and what actually happens in the field is enormous."
Each episode tackles topics that development professionals face every day but rarely discuss openly: When indicators lie. Why your ToC became a tick-box exercise. What happens when community needs don't match donor priorities.
Two perspectives on development — academic rigor meets field reality
Development economist with a PhD, bridging the gap between academic rigor and field practice. Believes evidence matters, but so does context.
Brings the practitioner's perspective with years of hands-on experience navigating the complexities of social impact work.
New episodes dropping soon