Curiouser & Curiouser: Recent Episodes
Sarayu Srinivasan
A variety show delving into all the things: people, history, culture, trends & tech. Inspired by insatiable curiosity, a thirst for knowledge and your host’s diverse interests and background, every episode digs into the captivating and the compelling. Here, curiosity will definitely not kill you.
A retreat. A university. A rich historical site. A yoga center. An oasis. We chat with CEO Robert Mulhall about the magical place that is Kripalu (www.Kripalu.org). Set on a 100 acres of forests, gardens, trails, wilderness, lakes and lawns in the Berkshires, Kripalu offers a range of yoga, health, outdoors, retreat, spiritual, mindfulness, nutrition and wellness programming. The center occupies spiritually and historically significant land once sacred to Native Americans who participated in vision quests on it, housed the Gilded Age estates of industrialists including Andrew Carnegie, and served at various times as a yoga retreat, Hindu ashram and Jesuit novitiate. In an age where wellness experiences are out of reach of the ordinary man, Kripalu is notable for how it makes high quality programming, cuisine, resources and nature available to all. We talk to Robert about Kripalu, its history, the extraordinary land it sits on and its future.
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We continue our chat with special guest Dr. Srinivasan touching upon the ironic Silicon Valley and business pioneers that are household names today that were born out of the California counter culture. Our conversation winds through memorable moments in Dr Srinivasan’s career and life as an advisor to Indian PM Indira Gandhi, attending the non-aligned summit lunch seated next to Fidel Castro who insisted on sitting next to her as the only civilian and only other woman besides Mme Gandhi, advising the Taiwanese government in the 1980s (where we were the first American children to visit there), journeying to Bhutan as the guest of HRH the King of Bhutan in the 1980s and more. An academic, Dr. Srinivasan has held international faculty & research appointments including at Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Northeastern, University of Madras, American University & UC Berkeley, and has served on global corporate & advisory boards, as an S&T advisor to Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi & was one of the first distinguished female fellows invited to Harvard (CFIA) in the 1970s. In addition to academia, she has either worked (often as the first woman) or served on the Boards of national and international organizations as diverse as the World Bank, Wells Fargo, Arthur D. Little, United Nations, the Forsythe Institue, National Academy Of Sciences, NSF, State Bank of India (first woman) and several notable technology companies from the 1960s on. She has listed companies on the NYSE, Nasdaq, Euronext & the BSE, and hAs also served as an advisor to heads of states, governments and apex scientific, corporate and academic institutions in various capacities. She seems to be everywhere something happened much like Forrest Gump. Finally, Dr. Srinivasan also happens to be my Mother. (Pause for laughter), in the seins part or our conversation we’re going to chat about some of her experiences.
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Football. Soccer. The game. We talk to ex-PSG professional soccer player, Jonathan Famery-Mariani about life in the big leagues playing for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. France’s most successful football club. Jon played the role of the “creator” after which he pursued a career in the business world working in tech and finance. Join us for a wide ranging conversation where we’ll talk about all aspects of life and the game playing at elite levels. Bring your questions. And your A game.
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Texas should be proud. Part Texas blues, part boogie, part experimental, all weird, ZZ Top is simultaneously both local and alien, tough rock and synth, camp and genuine, raw talent and humorous show. Basically they’re everything. Just like this show. And I just love them. We’re going to talk about the indomitable sons of Texas, ZZ Top.
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William Shakespeare is not only one the greatest dramatists of the Western world, he also is one of its best psychologists. An astute observer of the human condition, Shakespeare was a prolific purveyor of timeless wisdom which he embedded in his plays. He was a master psychologist with insight so effective it ranks with Rilke and Rumi. Though written almost 400 years ago, his advice is modern and applicable today. In fact, we consume his words often emblazoned on coffee cups, via common quotes or delivered through daily inspirational apps and we don’t even know it’s him.. So join us as we examine and dole out Shakespeare’s life advice; you just may not need to go to therapy this week. (You’re welcome)
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As the totems of disco, the Bee Gees have been the butt of many decades long jokes but they have also had an extraordinary impact on music and culture with their unique sound making them one of the most successful musical acts of all time. They occupy a rarified position in a small pantheon alongside Michael Jackson, Elvis, & the Beatles as one of the best selling acts of all time. Their instantly recognizable sound is joyful, stirring and timeless, offering a lingua franca understood everywhere people are dancing, singing & happy. Join us as we dig into the wonderful worlds of Barry, Robin & Maurice… The BeeGees 🔥
NOTE: we had a few technical difficulties at the start so a bit of unfortunate wonkiness with the first song To Love Somebody
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We chat with novelist-author, financial journalist (Barrons) & all around decent guy Ed Lin about his latest novel “Death Doesn’t Forget” number 4 in the beautifully titled “Taipei Night Market” series. Ed is the first author to win three Asian American Literary Awards and we’re also going to touch upon his love for (and collection of live-recorded) punk and alt shows, financial journalism, New York City as we knew it back when and if I was a good neighbor when we lived across the dorm hall from each other at Columbia University. Stay tuned; it’s going to be wild.
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We go on a “Journey through America: 1960s & 1970s” with our special guest Dr. Srinivasan who arrived in the 1960s US as a young Fulbright. An academic, Dr. Srinivasan has held international faculty & research appointments including at Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Northeastern, University of Madras, American University & UC Berkeley. She has served on global corporate & advisory boards, as an S&T advisor to Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi & was one of the first distinguished female fellows invited to Harvard (CFIA) in the 1970s. In addition to academia, she has either worked (often as the first woman) or served on the Boards of national and international organizations as diverse as the World Bank, Wells Fargo, Arthur D. Little, United Nations, the Forsythe Institue, National Academy Of Sciences, NSF, State Bank of India (first woman) from the 1960s on and has listed companies on the NYSE, Nasdaq, Euronext & the BSE. She is an author, performing artist, classical Indian (Bharatnatyam) dancer and a sharpshooter with degrees in Mathematics, Physics, English literature, Technology Assessment & Business/Management. She taught and lived in Berkeley during the tumultuous 60s and 70s witnessing the times and rubbing elbows with icons of the day. She also served as an advisor to heads of states, governments and apex scientific, corporate and academic institutions in various capacities through to the present. She seems to be everywhere something happened much like Forrest Gump. Finally, Dr. Srinivasan also happens to be my Mother. (Pause for laughter) We’re going to chat about America with her starting with the 1960s and 70s. Welcome.
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We speak to Craig Barrett who served as CEO, President & Board Chair of the Intel Corporation. Dr. Barrett successfully led Intel through several challenges including the dot com bust and recession. Today Dr. Barrett focuses on American education serving as the President & Chairman of Basis School, a charter school group. He and his wife, Barbara Barrett, former Secretary of the Air Force, endowed ASU with $10 Million creating the Barrett Honors College. Lastly, he’s my former boss, investor and a good friend. We speak to Dr. Barrett about the state of US education and why he believes charter schools are a critical solution.
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This fourth of July we honor the institution that is Dolly. Its going to be all Dolly all show. Join us to discuss this living legend. This show changed me; I went from admirer to super fan. Because there’s basically nothing as American or as good as Dolly Parton.
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What’s more American than apple pie, amusement parks & baseball? Hardcore punk. Many US cities had underground punk, metal, indie and alt scenes that had profound impacts on the broader musical landscape. I grew up in the DC hardcore scene of the mid-late 80s & early 90s that spawned legendary bands like Bad Brains, Scream, Dag Nasty, Beefeater, Marginal Man & Minor Threat, but there were other scenes and other cities. From the Palm Desert Generator scene to the legendary NYC punk scene and CBGBs, this Fourth of July eve we’re going punk and indie, scenes & music. Join me and special guests to talk, share your stories or just listen. It’s American hardcore on C&C 🇺🇸🤘🏼
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We talk with Neuroscientist and entrepreneur Michael Nestor about his work as a scientific founder and his entrepreneurial journey. We may also touch upon our common roots in the DMV hardcore scene, love of punk and alt, and Michael’s other entrepreneurial stint running an indie rock label.
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NYC socialites Mamie Fish & Harry Lehr were the trolls of the Gilded Age. This terrible twosome gossiped, trolled & insulted everyone in the New York high society that they were fixtures of. They threw outrageous parties, dressed in drag, spent obscene amounts of money, insulted people and disrupted social occasions . Trolling started way before the internet. Let’s join Mamie & Harry for an evening.
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We talk about the life and music of singer, musician, songwriter & visionary Bob Marley. Considered by many to be a wise man and mystic, Marley made observations, that like Shakespeare, provided deep insight into the human condition, and pursued causes that were well ahead of their time.
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From his rise with the Jackson Five to the groundbreaking, genre-shattering, controversial Thriller to the never-ending scandals & his tragic death we dig into the life of the King of Pop, his genius and the record that changed everything.
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From twice applying to and once getting rejected from the famed IITs to working on a U.S. shop floor and getting an antagonistic union head to write his Harvard Business school reference to running & revitalizing Microsoft India and leading Infosys through challenges, we explore Ravi’s fascinating life and career leading large, complex organizations including Microsoft, Hitachi, Infosys, & Bank of Baroda as well as his current pursuits in energy & philanthropy. Ravi’s latest book is the best selling “What the heck do I do with my life?”.
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We pay homage to the exalted, ethereal, timeless Stevie Nicks. From Fleetwood to her solo work Stevie has had a major cross-generational cultural & musical influence. She also prevailed. We examine this Southwestern girl, this rockstar to rock stars, the one in gossamer who wouldn’t crumble, the tiny one who dabbled in big magic and the one I wish would send me a moon, a portrait of the artist, Stevie Nicks.
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We talk fundraising, finance & females with Sharon, the longtime CEO of Astia & now Astia fund which advises, invests and partners with women owned and run companies.
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We dive headfirst into all that is Taylor. Whether you are a Swiftie or not, we examine the woman who is an undeniable force in music. And we want to hear from you. This is serious.
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We’re talking TikTok. Why is it so addictive? How are we using it? What are the cultural, social and national security Implications? There is also a lovely bird in the background and I drank a giant flask of coffee beforehand. Consider yourself warned.
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Disco playlist, anecdotes & notes honoring Studio 54. Our companion episode to our Studio 54 show offering a taste of the music and ambience of the dance floors of the disco era. In two parts.
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Disco playlist, anecdotes & notes honoring Studio 54. Our companion episode to our Studio 54 show offering a taste of the music and ambience of the dance floors of the disco era. In two parts.
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We celebrate the iconic disco nightclub Studio 54 on its 45th anniversary. Get out your glitter, velvet and faux fur b/c tonight you’ll definitely get in!
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Our inaugural show dives into the phenomenon that is TikTok. We’re talking content.
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