Trust Me...I Know What I'm Doing: Recent Episodes
Rukus Avenue Radio
"Conversation offers the antidote to apathy, the catalyst for relationships, and the birth of the next idea!" Abhay Dandekar has spent much of his life in conversation with people from every generation. He is a devoted father and husband, and an avid fan of sharing stories about the South Asian experience. Talented individuals are making progress in every profession, every genre of art, every journey - the South Asian diaspora has folded these into our collective ongoing narrative. We are better off to hear them shared broadly and inform ourselves. "Trust Me...I Know What I'm Doing" presents a snapshot of this ongoing dialogue!
Abhay is a proud American who draws upon deep cultural roots from Maharashtra, India. He was born and raised by his parents and grandparents in Los Angeles, and now lives with his family in the Bay Area.
Abhay has been a physician for over 20 years, and is profoundly committed to medical education, advocating for children, and advancing equitable healthy outcomes in our health systems and communities. Developing trust through dialogue and conversation has been a foundational bedrock in his journey.
Abhay is an enthusiast of all forms of art, takes pop culture and sporting matters seriously, and yearns to be outdoors as much as possible. Most importantly, while Abhay encourages impactful exercises in intellectual rigor and curiosity, he is also someone who isn't afraid to often dance like an uncle.
“Because every story told is a lesson learned. Because every lesson learned is a story waiting to be heard!”
Abhay is joined by Prachi Shevgaonkar, climate activist and the founder of the COOL THE GLOBE app and startup.
If you ask the question, “what can I do about climate change?”, Prachi has an answer for you and her remarkable aim has been to help people set targets, take action, and track progress.
They chatted about unlearning, influencing policy, and personal empowerment.
(0:00 - 2:34) Introduction
(2:34) Part 1 - letting go of norms, capital and carbon
(14:36) Part 2 - combating futility, Prachi's personal journey toward COOL THE GLOBE
(21:40) Part 3 - leading with empathy, individual empowerment
(29:06) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by Pooja Bavishi, the founder and CEO of Malai. They chatted about nostalgia and storytelling, longevity and creativity, and the evolution of the Malai experience.
(0:00 - 3:01) Introduction
(3:01) Part 1 - nostalgia and making MALAI
(16:21) Part 2 - storytelling through ice cream
(34:26) Part 3 - scaling and relationship development, longevity and success
(46:46) Conclusion
SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.
Shila Wattamwar is the founder and CEO of Radiant Global Advisory, helping companies implement foundational strategies to help drive decision making, as well as Sustainable Me! a platform that brings sustainability education to people in the context of their everyday lives. Shila worked for years leading investment research focusing on environmental, social, and governance factors at Sustainalytics which was acquired by Morningstar. She is focused on building a sustainable future by mobilizing investors, companies, and individual consumers
Vocalist, musician, and songwriter Sid Sriram joins Abhay for a conversation about his new album 'Sidharth' and the journey of creating it. They chatted about the power of silence, about different influences, and about the value of healing.
(0:00 - 2:15) Introduction
(2:15) Part 1 - Practice, silence, unlearning
(19:55) Part 2 - 'Americanisms', listening skills
(31:05) Part 3 - Measuring success, healing
(42:22) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Rajul Kadakia, the CEO and co-founder of TechGirl, an innovative social platform empowering female tech entrepreneurs from ideation to funding.
They talked about the often lonely pathway for female founders, integrating being an Indian American into her professional persona, and philanthropy. This episode is part of an ongoing INDIASPORA series of conversations.
(0:00 - 2:34) Introduction
(2:34) Part 1 - starting TechGirl, "unlearning", building confidence
(15:31) Indiaspora
(16:33) Part 2 - Identity and empathy
(28:02) Part 3 - institutional change, giving back, optimism and joy
(40:25) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by Sudhanshu Kaushik, the founder of Young India Foundation and the executive director of the North American Association of Indian Students, to talk about activism for Indian youth. They chatted about advocacy, balancing patience and urgency, Sudhanshu's own personal journey, and many lessons learned.
(0:00 - 3:06) Introduction
(3:06 - 23:48) Part 1 - frustrations, making mistakes, urgency to activate the young voter
(23:48 - 40:18) Part 2 - touchpoints of Sudhanshu's journey, staying young
(40:18 - 54:19) Part 3 - comparing/contrasting Indian youth in India and the US, staying away from cliques, building trust
(54:19) Conclusion
Abhay is joined for a conversation by classical Indian music artist, vocalist, and composer, Kaushiki Chakraborty. They chatted about everything from music during the rainy season to touring to dreaming about music.
(0:00 - 2:57) Introduction
(2:57 - 21:48) Part 1 - themes, optimism, touring
(21:48 - 35:34) Part 2 - first concert, preparation as an artist, versatility
(35:34 - 46:51) Part 3 - Guru Purnima, parenting and love
(46:51 - 57:40) Part 4 - the relevance of classical Indian music, staying true to who you are
(57:40) Conclusion
SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.
Siddhartha Tiwari is an IT and engineering professional in India who works with startups to build their market and sales, but as someone who grew up in a Tier 2 city in India, realized that while most children and youth are engaged in sports, there is little to accelerate enthusiasm and validity for those who are building a culture of sporting recreation or showcase the development of rich local talent for tier 2 cities and villages in the world’s most populated country. To help address this gap, he collaborated with director Abhishek Sachidanandan to help produce the documentary The Lost Heroes, amplifying the story of sports in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Abhay is joined by producer and the CEO of Hillman Grad, Rishi Rajani, who is advancing the mission to create art that redefines the status quo by amplifying and celebrating the stories and voices of diverse, historically marginalized communities across all industries. They chatted about everything from managing all the expectations to the evolution of his producing to relationship development and mentoring. If you had both Denise Huxtable and Deion Sanders being mentioned on your BINGO card, then, as usual, you're winning!
(0:00 - 3:08) Introduction
(3:08 - 15:36) Part 1: being South Asian American, Rishi's journey and evolution as a producer
(15:36 - 30:38) Part 2: iterative practice and storytelling, connecting the dots of his ongoing work
(30:38 - 40:00) Part 3: The Hillman Grad platform, the diversity movement
(40:00) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by venture capitalist and entrepreneur Shelly Kapoor Collins, a partner at SWAY Ventures and a founding partner at the SHATTER FUND. They chatted about creating pipelines and opportunities for women in the innovation economy, her own journey as a leader, and lessons learned along the way.
(0:00 - 3:08) Introduction
(3:08 - 13:55) Part 1: Maryland, chutes and ladders, empathy, her journey as a mom and an Indian American
(13:55 - 24:32) Part 2: Entrepreneurship, working with women leaders, SHATTER foundation, allyship with men
(24:32 - 33:04) Part 3: global change makers, outlook for future leaders
Abhay is joined by musician and artist, Curtis Waters. They chatted about parties, identity, trust, labels, and seeking fame. Curtis is a Nepali-Canadian-American, spends time in both Los Angeles and North Carolina, and has a new album out called "BAD SON"
(0:00 - 2:32) Introduction
(2:32 - 13:21) Part 1: Parties, authentic characters on "BAD SON", and Abhi vs Curtis
(13:21 - 25:02) Part 2: global listeners, mental health, honesty, and labels
(25:02- 37:35) Part 3: being a better listener, music as therapy, seeking fame
(37:35) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by actor, rapper, producer, writer, and artist Utkarsh Ambudkar, for a conversation about his latest film 'World's Best' on Disney Plus. They chatted about, among other things, sharing South Asian American stories, making a Disney film, and how parenting has changed his outlook. Thankfully, Utkarsh shares some wise and helpful PSA's for everyone!
(0:00 - 2:22) Introduction
(2:22 - 12:04) Part 1: being a South Asian American artist, a different hunger
(12:04 - 23:29) Part 2: connecting the dots of his career so far, World's Best, parenting, making a Disney movie
(23:29 - 34:38) Part 3: urgency and patience, sobriety and versatility, lessons from the past and future
(34:38) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by South Asian American musical artist Samica, whose newest EP is Laurel Canyon. Her music has been described as an organic blend of country, folk, pop, and alternative genres, with even some Hindi filmy music thrown in. They chatted about it all, especially when it's tough to remember a great song from your dreams!
(0:00 - 3:02) Introduction
(3:02 - 15:00) Part 1: her playlist, Nashville vibes, labeling music
(15:00 - 26:09) Part 2: being a South Asian American country music artist, Laurel Canyon and romanticizing the LA experience
(26:09 - 33:49) Part 3: evolution of her persona, Red Ferrari, music as an escape, back to Nashville and global reactions
(33:49) Conclusion
SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.
Sachi Singh is the CEO and founder of ROOTLESS. Sachi brings her decade of experience in international climate change solutions across non-profits, academia, and philanthropy. In seaweed, she found a rare bright spot: a timeless ingredient with transformative potential for health, climate, and local economies. She started Rootless to help build a healthier, more sustainable, seaweed-powered food system of the future.
Abhay is joined by US Congressman Ro Khanna for a wide ranging conversation, offering a snapshot into his progressive vision, his priorities, and why being an Indian American matters. Next time, chai and Indian food will be had!
(0:00 - 3:06) Introduction
(3:06 - 11:26) Part 1 - economic patriotism and debt negotiations, manufacturing
(11:26 - 21:09) Part 2 - connecting the dots for tech and workers, Indian-American and the Congressional India Caucus, California Senators
(21:09 - 29:40) Part 3 - lessons in leadership, serving on the Biden-Harris 2024 National Advisory Board, reflections from his grandfather
(29:40) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by actress, activist, and author, Sheetal Sheth, whose recent book "Making Happy" reflects her own experience in battling cancer as the parent of young children. Sheetal is an acclaimed South Asian American actor and author of the popular award-winning "Anjali" series of children's books.
Introduction (0:00-2:43)
Part 1 - authoring and "Making Happy" (2:44)
Part 2 - parenting, personal cancer journey, storytelling (13:55)
Part 3 - South Asian American experiences, roles that were ahead of their time, blazing trails (23:13)
Summary - (33:19)
This is a special edition of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING, sharing a series of brief conversations from INDIASPORA's 10th annniversary forum. (A special recording shout out to Spencer Mead)
Segment outline:
Intro (0:00 - 2:49)
Shri Rajan (2:50)
Nalini Saligram (7:23)
Neera Tanden (14:17)
Mohanbir Sawhney (18:37)
Athreya Ramanan and Yuven Sundaramoorthy (25:35)
Anand Deshpande (28:58)
Anil Advani (33:18)
Rohini Chakravarty (38:14)
Suja Viswesan (43:44)
Raju Reddy (47:07)
Vasant Prabhu (51:07)
M.R. Rangaswamy (54:09)
Summary (56:11)
Anto Philip, the CEO and co-founder of the UNDER 25 Universe, shares an exuberant conversation about activating youth and changing paradigms of education, age, and self-discovery. Of note, Abhay instantly became an explorer and an enabler!
2022 US OPEN men's doubles tennis champion Rajeev Ram joins Abhay for a chat about his journey in professional tennis and about longevity and legacy. Dreams and tennis rackets in cars were also discussed.
Oral historian and writer Aanchal Malhotra joins Abhay to talk about her work chronicling stories related to the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. She shares her thoughts about sentimentality, memories, and what she has learned about herself. Aanchal's new fiction novel The Book of Everlasting Things is due in December 2022.
The talented and iconic Madhuri Dixit joins Abhay to chat about reflections on confidence and trust, about exploring all of her talents and diverse roles, and about advocating for women in central storytelling roles. Happy Diwali!
Odissi master artist, teacher, and scholar, Bijayini Satpathy, joins Abhay to chat about surprises learned from her recent experiences as an artist-in-residence at the Met, about dance and discovery, and about her journey as an individual artist.
Neil Makhija, the executive director of Indian American IMPACT, joins Abhay again to chat about prioritizing and building strategy for civic engagement, desisvote.org, fundraising, and political longevity for the Indian American community. Thankfully, Neil is helping to build a large table for all of us.
A part of an ongoing INDIASPORA series, Abhay is joined by the terrific Shalini Govil Pai, the VP of TV at Google to talk about her journey as an Indian American leader in Silicon Valley. They chatted about Bollywood, feeling "only and lonely" as a woman in tech, and the importance of short-lived and long lasting media content.
Actor, musician, and performer Sway Bhatia joins Abhay for a conversation that involved S'mores, accordions, playing Sofi on season 2 of Disney's Mighty Ducks:Game Changers, and the importance of South Asian superheroes!
Sweta Chakraborty, a risk and behavioral scientist whose focus is on climate, joins Abhay to chat about being tagged as an alarmist, about our primitive decision making roots, and how focusing on our humanity can help build climate action.
Abhay is joined by Puma athlete and Peloton yoga/meditation instructor Aditi Shah. They chatted about techniques to deal with frustrations, about understanding foundational philosophies, and feeling 5% more freedom.
Abhay is joined by the wonderful actor and activist, Richa Moorjani. They chatted about a lot: Never Have I Ever, activism and using her platform, and her ongoing explorations she's experienced as an actor. Thankfully, one introvert and one extrovert both survived the show!
Abhay is joined by award-winning journalist Shoma Chaudhury, the co-founder of Tehelka and the host of ENQUIRY, an online conversation show. They chatted about her experiences in meaningful storytelling, about practical listening tips in combating tribalism, about amplifying the role and voice of women in journalism, and about her latest endeavors.
Transportation economist and policy analyst, Pooja Phadke-Ghangurde joins Abhay to chat about building strategies toward decarbonization, about what should motivate us to tackle the climate crisis, and the surprises that she has learned along the way.
Abhay is joined by Prakash Janakiraman, the co-founder of NEXTDOOR, as they chat about his experience in his own neighborhood growing up in Hayward, about being attentive to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and about building social capital.
Self-taught, born in Odisha and based in Nagpur, visual artist Bijay Biswaal joins Abhay to chat about his journey, about the simplicity and contrasts of his subject material, and the concept of "home".
Abhay is joined by rapper and artist Raja Kumari and chat it up about a variety of things, mostly related to her wonderful new E.P - H.B.I.C. They chatted about being an American artist in India, filming a video with Madhuri Dixit, and pushing for South Asian American grammy awards!
Writer, professor, and religious scholar Simran Jeet Singh joins Abhay again to chat about his new book, and about some of the practical and timeless lessons of Sikh wisdom.
Abhay is joined by Raja Krishnamoorthi, US Congressman from Illinois, as part of the ongoing INDIASPORA series. They chatted about what motivates him these days in politics, and about cultivating trust through problem solving. One day hopefully, they'll attend a Cubs-Dodgers game...
Abhay is joined by the Sarthak Saksena the musician and songwriter behind the indie song "Phase" as well as Aneri Vajani and Utkarsh Kohli, the actors appearing in the terrific video.
Abhay is joined by attorney, business ethics professor, and congressional candidate from NYC's 12th district Suraj Patel. They talked about his South Asian American journey, about garnering trust as a congressional candidate, and about building an "abundant society".
Writer and filmmaker Shruti Ganguly joins Abhay for a conversation, sharing stories about her name, about learning to drive a tractor, and about being informed by her global upbringing.
Abhay is joined by Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra. They talked about Manka's background as an attorney and behavioral health expert, about the challenges of being a woman in politics, and her advice for those entering public service.
Physician, comedian, and podcaster, Priyanka Wali, joins Abhay for a conversation about merging her passions, about her journey as an extroverted introvert, and on the lessons learned through "Hypochondriactor".
Abhay is joined by adaptive athlete and disability access strategist Vasu Sojitra. They talked about how Vasu is a disrupter, about overcoming fear, and about going beyond empathy when bringing intersectionality to the outdoors.
Award winning writer and playwright, Rehana Lew Mirza, joins Abhay for a conversation about the dance musical "Bhangin It" , about finding community through bhangra, and about her own unique South Asian American Experience.
Abhay is joined by the iconic DJ Rekha. They chatted about the journey of Basement Bhangra, about going back to school after 20 years of DJing, and the responsibility they carry as a musical ambassador.
Best selling young adult author, Sabaa Tahir, joins Abhay for a conversation about her newest book "ALL MY RAGE" and about her personal experiences manifesting through her writing. Music and socks were both discussed!
Abhay is joined by 2022 Oscar winner, Joseph Patel. They chatted about his film "Summer of Soul" and about his journey as a writer, director, and producer.
Abhay is joined by the superb entertainer, actress, and author, Lilly Singh, as they chatted about her new book, about the privilege of having fun, and about advancing equity for women. Fun Fact: combined, Abhay and Lilly have over 40 million social media followers!
Abhay is joined by the world renowned tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain. They chatted about reverence in art, the evolving arc of practice and 'riyaaz', and remembering his first public performance!
Abhay was joined for a conversation with M R Rangaswami, angel investor, entrepreneur, and the founder of INDIASPORA. They talked about the pathway to developing networks, about the balancing act facing many global Indians, and on the challenges and optimism of 2022 for the Indian diaspora.
Abhay is joined by award-winning artist, designer, and architect Suchi Reddy. They chatted about her heritage showing up in her work, about working with Ai Weiwei, and about the importance of trust in her work.
Abhay was joined for a conversation with the members of the contemporary folk fusion band, ABHANGA REPOST. They chatted about how they chose the traditional expression of Marathi saints as a vehicle for their artistic and musical communication.
Abhay is joined by Dr. Dave Chokshi, the 43rd Commissioner of New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygeine. They talked about personal and professional resilience, about how his values helped steer him forward, and about his advice for the next incoming commissioner.
Legal scholar and law professor Meera Deo joined Abhay for a conversation about her pathway to legal scholarship on race and gender. They talked about Long Beach, parenting, and the benefits of a sociology PhD!
Abhay is joined by Priya Desai, a journalist and producer working at the intersection of sports, race, politics, and culture. To both their dismay and delight, there was no cussing involved....for now. Priya is a producer on 'Game Theory with Bomani Jones' on HBO and formerly was a correspondent with Sports Illustrated.
Comedian and sketch-writer Shaan Baig joins Abhay for a conversation about life as an artist and a dentist, and about the value of instincts and training as a comedian.
Abhay is joined by Hrish Lotlikar, the co-founder and CEO of SuperWorld, a real-estate platform in the Metaverse. They chatted about his journey and about what's both exciting and still unknown in this virtual new frontier!
Content creator, author, and influencer Jyoti Chand ('MamaJotes') joined Abhay for a conversation about being an LA transplant in Chicago, being a South Asian American 'cool mom friend', and adding labels
Abhay is joined by Bollywood actors Ananya Panday and Dhairya Karwa, two of the co-stars of the film 'GEHRAIYAAN'. They talked about developing chemistry and trust on a movie set and learning through the eyes of an actor as well as a viewer
Actor, Podcaster, Writer, and Producer Aasif Mandvi joins Abhay for a conversation about his journey as an actor, about growing up in Britain and how it's informed him, about lessons from The Daily Show, and embarking on new skills. Abhay in no way promotes ageism, and is grateful for peers who are about the same age as he is.
Abhay is joined again by talented actor and director Sujata Day, whose debut feature movie DEFINITION PLEASE is now on Netflix. They chatted about the patience required to be a filmmaker, about forming a network of peers among women South Asian American filmmakers, and about what barriers need to be removed to see more South Asian American content in Hollywood. Some Bengali may have been spoken and Sujata shares her one word description for her debut film.
Abhay is joined by Mandar Apte, a leader in creating a culture of non-violence, healing, and compassionate collaboration. They chatted about Mandar's documentary "From India With Love", which followed 6 Americans impacted by violence on a journey through India inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1959 trip there to study non-violence, and Mandar's transformational efforts with Cities4Peace.
Award winning children's book author and illustrator joins Abhay to talk about her work, about how her own South Asian American experience informs her writing, and about the diversity of her audience.
Abhay was joined by NY Times best-selling author and food reporter , Priya Krishna. They chatted about gaining confidence in the kitchen and as an author, about why we need to have more food-basec conversations with our parents, and on considering more representation in the food writing world. Stainless steel foodware, kadhi, and tacos were all mentioned.
Abhay shared a conversation with Cincinnati's newly elected mayor, Aftab Pureval, about the importance of getting things done and bridging divides. Aftab talked about his Punjabi/Sikh and Tibeten heritage, learning from other leaders, and coming to terms with being tall (6'3") and having a good sense of humor!
Abhay is joined by former PepsiCo CEO and chair, Indra Nooyi, as she reflects on her journey and her book "My Life in Full: Work, Family, and our Future". They enjoyed chatting about a variety of topics...despite sitting on opposite sides of the Yankee-Dodger rivalry!
Abhay is joined by writer and director, Geeta Malik, whose latest film is called INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES. They talked about Geeta's journey as a filmmaker, about the challenges and joys of storytelling, and what it means to her to be an Indian-American filmmaker.
Abhay is joined by actor Melanie Chandra, as they chatted about her film HOT MESS HOLIDAY , about the foundational effect of her generation of South Asian American actors, and about cultivating trust in her work.
Reena Puri joins Abhay for a conversation about her journey as the chief editor of Amar Chitra Katha, about addressing storytelling through a modern and equitable lens, and about the joy of leading through learning.
Abhay is joined by Rooshy Roy, the co-founder and CEO of AAVRANI, and Indian-inspired beauty brand. They chatted about Detroit and how Rooshy's roots in Michigan have informed her, about the role of imperfections, and about self-care and the activation of beauty.
Abhay is joined for a post-Divali conversation by Jyoti Pande Lavakare, the co-founder of CARE for AIR, and the author of the powerful memoir, "Breathing Here is Injurious to Your Health". Jyoti is a writer, columnist, and clean air missionary.
Abhay is joined by the founder and CEO of AAPI Victory Fund, Shekar Narasimhan, as they chatted about building power through planning and policy, about the deep tethered roots to Indian politics and what it means in the US, and sharing personal insights as a business leader and political activist.
Hitha Palepu, pharmaceutical CEO, content creator, and the author of the book "We're Speaking", a collection of inspirations and lessons learned from Kamala Harris, joins Abhay to talk about her journey of empowerment, about the backdrop of what has informed her, and about finding her own personal licensure to create and share. They also together celebrated their mutual enthusiasm for Taco Bell.
Abhay is joined by British comedian Ahir Shah, showcased in HBO Max's DOTS and his new tour DRESS, for a conversation about developing his career journey, accelerating trust through his style and range of content, and the therapeutic comfort of performance.
Fashion designer and style icon Tan France shares a conversation with Abhay about preparing for parenthood, being an effective listener, his South Asian identity, and gracefully accepting the aging process. The LEGO Tan France figure was indeed discussed!
Abhay is joined by 9 year old child prodigy and professor of math and science, Soborno Isaac Bari. They chatted about his book called "The Love", his love for history, learning at two different grade levels, and even the Vygotsky philosophy. He even left Abhay with the joke to end all science jokes.
Abhay is joined by fellow physician, Sanjay Gupta MD, author of "World War C", and CNN chief medical correspondent. They chatted about Sanjay's experiences during his career and during the pandemic, how his Indian American identity informs him, and the rewards of being a practicing and teaching neurosurgeon. episode note - Steve Gupta was nowhere to be found.
Janani Ramachandran, an Oakland social justice attorney who recently ran for a California State Assembly joins Abhay to chat about running for office, some of the unwritten rules of politics, and continuing her local grassroots movement as a civically engaged South Asian American.
Abhay is joined by composer and musician, Raashi Kulkarni, who was recently selected to be a part of the 2021-2023 Universal Composers Initiative. They chatted about her journey, playing the DDLJ song on the harmonium, and her outlook as seen through her current work.
Abhay is joined for a chat by Sarina Siddhanti, the co-founder of RIYA collective, a company whose mission is to preserve and promote sustainable South Asian fashion consumption in the US through access and inclusion of designers in improving circular fashion.
Abhay is joined by the founders of BHANGRA EMPIRE, Puneet and Omer Mirza, as they talk about how to pronounce "bhangra", building a movement from a dance, and creating world-wide relationships through dance.
Abhay is joined for a journey through the experiences of Pinto and Billo Naravane, the brothers behind Rasa Vineyards. They share their journey as wine makers and the value of storytelling and relationship building through their wine.
Abhay is joined by Omkar Ranade, an attorney and USMC captain whose last combat service was in Afghanistan. They chatted about his experiences and journey in the military as a South Asian American.
Raj Girn, media entrepreneur, coach, and founder of ANOKHI life and OPEN CHEST ACADEMY joins Abhay for a wide ranging chat about developing relationships, building confidence, and their mutual love for intelligent conversation!
Abhay is joined by the superb fashion house founder Payal Singhal for a conversation about her journey through fashion design and the range of storytelling that informs her art. They chatted about blending tradition and contemporary fashion and were even joined briefly by Payal's dad!
Singer-songwriter Abhilasha Sinha joins Abhay for a chat about writing music in both Hindi and Englis h, about the value of absence or presence in her music, and what she's optimistic about!
Abhay was joined by bamboo flute virtuoso Rakesh Chaurasia to chat about playing for 24 hours straight during Janmasthami, continuously learning in music, and the spiritual and therapeutic role of music. We were also so grateful that he brought his flute to the show!
Award-winning Marathi and Hindi actor Priya Bapat joined Abhay for a conversation about her journey, preparing for various roles, and being bold,confident, and extremely positive! Priya is currently starring in two current web series - City of Dreams Season 2 (Disney Hot Star) and Aani Kay Hava Season 2 (MX Player).
Comedian Zarna Garg joined Abhay for a ride through her journey into comedy, presenting "clean" content, and the rigor of creating online content. By the way, oversized baggage is available to be claimed on the side of the carousel.
Kabir Akhtar joined Abhay to chat about his journey as a director and editor, working on projects with Mindy Kaling, and developing a pipeline for other South Asians. Of note, no Philly sports topics were reviewed.
Abhay is joined by Rukus Avenue artist Adi to chat about New York, lessons from the pandemic translating to his music, and the release of his EP, Heat of the Moment, as a new 23 year old.
12 year old Abhimanyu Mishra joined Abhay to chat about his journey to becoming the youngest ever chess grandmaster, on what advice he has for future chess grandmasters, and lessons he and his family have learned along the way.
Abhay is joined by the versatile actor, producer, director, musician, and artist, Farhan Akhtar to talk about his latest movie Toofan, lessons from the pandemic, being a responsible professional, the challenge of various roles, and... confidence!
Manan Khurma, the CEO and founder of Cuemath, a global math education platform, joined Abhay to talk about disrupting learning styles, math as a life skill, and how he has developed more empathy as an educational leader.
Ravi Chaudhary, a retired Air Force pilot and former presidential AAPI commissioner joined Abhay to talk about South Asian American patriotism, cultivating empathy and leadership, and what his mom has in common with the legendary Gen. Patton.
Media educator, podcaster, and engineering doctorate holder Dr. Shini Somara chats with Abhay about She joined Abhay to chat about her enthusiasm for education and her journey through science, engineering, and media.
Megha Rajagopalan is a reporter for Buzzfeed News, winning the 2021 Pulitzer Prize Award for her reporting exposing the scale of internment of Uighur Muslims in China. She joined Abhay to chat about her reporting, about her journey, and about her recent award.
Fashion Designer and stylist Soniya Saanchi joined Abhay for a conversation about her journey through the creative process, about the artisans and craft behind her designs, and what she's optimistic about.
Neha Dewan, the national director of South Asians for America, joined Abhay to talk about her journey in political advocacy and civic engagement.
Abhay chatted about reflection and authentic connections with Robina Dhindsa, an expert in bridging spirituality and inner transformation/realization to individuals and teams everywhere.
Comedian and host Rajiv Satyal joined Abhay to talk about comedy, politics, the "Indian accent", and everything in between.
Actor, producer, and comedian Pritesh Shah joins Abhay to talk about his Hollywood experience, "The Invisible Brown Man", and concepts of tokenism and representation in the entertainment industry.
Dr. Naik-Mathuria, a pediatric trauma surgeon from Houston, TX joins Abhay to talk about her ongoing research and experience with gun-violence prevention. She recently was awarded a CDC grant to better understand how to target intervention strategies against community gun-violence.
Singer/Songwriter Shalmali and producer Sunny M.R. joined Abhay for a conversation about the debut album "2X - Side A" . They talked about their journey through making this collection of songs.
Anita is a public relations expert and the founder/CEO of A-Game Public Relations. She joined Abhay to chat about PR during a pandemic, growing her passion into a business, and representing female founders.
Nora, a former anchor at Cheddar, the business and tech-focused news network, joined Abhay for a chat about being Bangladeshi from Minnesota, the critical importance of racial equity, music, and what she is optimistic about.
Devika is the co-deputy editor at Film Comment Magazine and a writer for the NY Times. They chatted about her journey through film and about life as a film critic.
The NFL's first Indian-American coordinator joined the podcast to chat about his approach to coaching, developing trust, and helping Abhay instill the 3-4 defense with 2 high safeties
Abhay is joined by Vaishali Patel, the founder of SanskarTeaching.com and shares her journey of teaching Desi language and culture to a wide audience, and her thoughts on developing relationships within multiple generations
The versatile series, film, and theater actor Ankur Rathee joined Abhay to chat about his work , the value of meditation, and as an Indian American artist, does one need to "pick a lane"?
Two of the founders of BhaDiPa (Bharatiya Digital Party), Paula McGlynn and Sarang Sathaye, share a fun conversation with Abhay about their journey as Marathi content creators.
Abhay is joined by productivity strategist, Mridu Parikh, who specializes in helping people get organized and gain clarity in their busy lives. She is the founder of Life is Organized and the best selling author of "Accomplish It". They chatted about finding clarity through organizing during and after the pandemic culture.
The wonderful Maneet Chauhan joined Abhay for a chat about ...(wait for it...)...food! She is an internationally known and award-winning chef, author, and television personality. She has a new book out called "Chaat" and recently won Food Network's Tournament of Champions II.
Abhay chatted with the very cool Kevin Negandhi, who is a sports broadcaster and an anchor on ESPN's Sportscenter. He was the first Indian American to be featured on a national sports network. They talked about Kevin's journey and the impact of his representation. They left the Kobe/Iverson chat for next time.
Sanjena Sethian joined Abhay to talk about her debut novel called Gold Diggers, offering a magical and satirical coming of age story about the South Asian American experience. The book is being developed for television by Mindy Kaling's Kaling International.
Trisha Sakhuja-Walia is the co-founder and CEO of Brown Girl Magazine and she joined Abhay for a wonderful chat about capturing the pulse of the community, cultivating trust, and what it means to be a Brown Girl in 2021.
Abhay was joined by Asha Rangappa for a great chat. Asha is a lawyer, former FBI special agent, and CNN legal and national security analyst. They talked about her journey, the pace and volume of info in today's news world, and how far we've come from the "Temple of Doom".
Aditi is an integrative medicine physician specialist who has become an expert in resiliency and facilitating great outcomes for individuals and communities. Her work has been highly recognized and is driven by evidence, compassion, and storytelling. She shared her thoughts about resiliency in a pandemic culture, how to cultivate it, and how we can build community.
Abhay was joined by Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code. Reshma is a lawyer and an activist who has been helping empower women and mothers through her courage and bold vision, including a proposed #MarshallPlanForMoms. The conversation included Reshma talking about her journey, empowering mothers, raising her boys, and garnering trust.
Abhay is joined by his cousin, the wonderfully talented and authentic Shibani Dandekar, the Mumbai based Indian-Australian artist, singer, host/anchor, model, and actor. She is soon to be launching a production house. They chatted about family, life in a pandemic, Shibani's journey, and her thoughts on success and longevity in the entertainment industry.
Vick Krishna is a New York based actor, director, editor, photographer, and writer. As a digital creator, his smart, clever, and funny content has made him a tiktok favorite. He joined Abhay to talk about his work and his journey, and primarily why he is so hot.
Ashwani Jain is a candidate for Maryland Governor in the 2022 Primary. If elected, he would serve as the nation’s first millennial Governor and Maryland’s first Governor of color. He joined Abhay for a conversation about his work, how is journey has shaped his thoughts on policy, and the importance of connectivity and inclusion among generations.
Pranay is a is a veteran of the California Air National Guard, and serves full time as a firefighter with CAL FIRE. He joined Abhay for a conversation about his journey, about the deep challenges of racism, trauma, and mental health, and about his rich career fulfillment.
Abhay chats with Sandhya about the importance and evolution of culture and arts as part of the South Asian American experience. Sandhya Jain-Patel is a cultural producer and an internationally known art and culture expert, who sharpened her skills as the Vice President and Department Head of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art at Christie’s New York.
Sona is an inspiring doctor and author of the critically acclaimed book "Grief Healed", a physician's guide to dealing with grief and thriving, written to share how she navigated through despair in the aftermath of personal tragedy to ultimately find peace, joy, and fulfillment.
The multi-talented Broadway performer in offerings like Aladdin and Wicked joins Abhay to talk about her pathway to success, the surprising intersections of classical Bharatnatyam and Hamilton, and representing South Asians on Broadway through her performance and leadership. A brief amount of singing may or may not happen at the end...
Abhay is joined by the sister and brother duo behind the hit "Meet the Patels". They chatted about representation, the ability to create with balance, and the challenge of Identity.
Geeta is an Emmy nominated writer and director, most recently directing episodes for "The Great" a Hulu based comedy/drama. Ravi is an actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, most recently with Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness on HBO MAX and Bhaag Beanie Bhaag on Neftlix.
Abhay is joined by artist and entrepreneur, Rajendra Vaishampayan, as they chat about growing to love Indian classical music, developing his skills to launch a tech and media company, and successfully promoting art and culture through his work.
The CEO and founder of the Juggernaut, a South Asian news publication that focuses on "smart journalism" for the diaspora, joins Abhay for a conversation about the importance of our names, telling the diaspora's stories through a "brown gaze", and her own personal mission statement.
Chef Sri Gopinath, who is arguably the most decorated Indian chef in the US today, garnering two Michelin stars for his work at Taj Campton Place in San Francisco, joins Abhay for a conversation about his roots and nostalgia in food, his cooking philosophy, and the trust and role of creating amazing food experiences. His new restaurant in Palo Alto is called Ettan.
The versatile and talented singer and songwriter from Mumbai, who performs in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, and English, chats with Abhay about the craft of singing, about finding her identity as a vocalist, and the joy of being an everyday artist
A teen innovator from Tiruvannamalai, in southern India, Vinisha won the 2020 Children's Climate Prize for her wonderful project- the solar ironing cart. She joins Abhay to chat about her innovative work and the importance of talking to grandparents!
The NY Times NBA and culture writer, author, and comedian, joins Abhay to discuss what he is grateful for, to reflect on his book Missed Translations, and to share his thoughts as a South Asian journalist. Sopan's new fiction novel The Elm Tree is due out in 2022.
Join us for a chat with this Pakistani American Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, who is the co-founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, a political action committee that has galvanized the national community with representation and coalition building. We talk about the importance of civic engagement, reflect on the pathways behind and ahead of us, and compare the emotional outcome of this recent presidential election with how he had felt in 2008.
The intrepid White House correspondent for HuffPost who famously confronted Trump about lying, and is the author of the book The Useful Idiot joins us to talk about reflections after the election, his professional journey, and the concept of being a South Asian journalist
Abhay is joined by digital creator and lifestyle influencer Ami Desai. They chatted about the journey of the pandemic as a creator and a parent, about convincing her parents that she has a real job, and about infusing her South Asian heritage into her work.
Teen climate activist, Aditya Mukarji, joined Abhay to chat about eliminating single use plastics in home town of Gurgaon, near New Delhi. They also chatted about the imperatives of climate change awareness and activating others to become more socially responsible.
Professor Simran Jeet Singh joined Abhay for a wide ranging conversation and about his children's book "Fauja Singh Keeps Going". They chatted about empathy, race, and what makes Simran optimistic.
Abhay is joined by Shilpa Shah, the co-founder of the global fashion brand, CUYANA. They chatted about journeying through the pandemic, about integrating many roles as a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, and the meaning of "fewer, better things". They both celebrated the incredible glamour of appearing on the show!
Abhay is joined by the terrific Mahesh Kale, a talented artist, teacher, and ambassador of classical Indian music, in a conversation from March 2020. Mahesh talks about the joy of musical performance, his foundation, and the balance of commercialism and art in the modern presentation of Indian classical music.