In this episode of the Decentered Media podcast, I sit down with Kajal Nisha Patel to explore how creativity, care, and communication intersect in meaningful and unexpected ways. We talk not only about Kajal’s long-standing work as a visual artist and community practitioner but also about what it means to resist the pressures of productivity in favour of something slower, more embodied, and socially rooted.

Kajal reflects on her journey from street photography to socially engaged art, describing how her work with Leicester’s Indian communities led her to think differently about wellbeing, belonging, and the stories that shape our understanding of place and identity. We discuss her project Ways to Wellbeing, which challenges both the individualism of mainstream self-care culture and the tokenistic use of co-creation in funded arts contexts. Instead, Kajal foregrounds a model of practice grounded in empathy, deep listening, and shared agency—especially when working with elders and navigating complex issues like neurodiversity and intergenerational trauma.

Our conversation takes a wide path, from the crumbling textile factories of Leicester’s industrial past to the curated perfection of family life on social media. We consider how media, at its best, should help us be more present—not more distracted—and ask what forms of creative expression can support a more grounded, care-centred approach to life. Kajal’s account of how photography helped her find stillness and connection offers a powerful reminder of how artistic tools can help us reclaim agency and make sense of our environments, particularly in the face of capitalist systems that prioritise performance over meaning.

At the heart of this episode is a call to re-centre communication as a process of mutual recognition, not as a means of extraction or branding. Kajal’s experiences—as an artist, a yoga teacher, and a former communications officer—bring insight into how media can either deepen disconnection or become a tool for healing and solidarity.

If you’re interested in the ethics of care, the politics of representation, and the everyday acts of cultural stewardship that help build resilient communities, this conversation offers a thoughtful and nourishing space to reflect.

You can find out more about Kajal’s work at kajalpatel.com. To support Decentered Media, visit decentered.co.uk.

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