We're talking sports people!  And not just any sport....the worlds most popular sport...SOCCER!  Or American football.  Or soccer.

Akash Jain is a global business development and strategy executive with experience growing sports properties and establishing international operations across markets for leading organizations, including the United States Tennis Association (USTA), National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA).  He is currently the VP of Strategy and Planning at Major League Soccer. 

We talk about why historically soccer hasn't been as popular in the US, what has changed for US fans in the past 25 years,  the relationship with FIFA and The National Women's Soccer League,  what we can expect from the 2026 World Cup returning to North America, and why it will be the perfect (hopefully) post-pandemic celebration.

Akash also talks about his journey opening up the first NBA offices in India,  how he feels about his 5 years in Bombay growing the NBA, and we of course exchange a few India stories that may include a white tiger, Dwight Howard, and a 3 Idiots moment.

Akash Jain Talks MLS and FIFA World Cup 2026

A podcast interviewing South Asian trailblazers, experts, and prominent voices around the world. We discuss the messiness of growing up brown, have honest conversations about personal and professional journeys, talk about projects that currently fulfill our souls, and discuss topics we could never talk about in front of those aunties we grew up with. 

Uncle jokes included.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Comedy

News

News Commentary

Comedy Interviews

Utkarsh Ambudkar, aka UTK, is an actor, rapper, and singer and is featured in the CBS hit show Ghosts. He is also known for his roles in Pitch Perfect, The Mindy Project, and Never Have I Ever. 

Kaly, aka Kunal Patel, is a highly-respected rapper who has collaborated with artists such as Indian musical composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. As a side hustle, he also happens to be an attorney.

These guys have been friends forever, but they've never really worked together. Now, in collaboration with their producer, Shankar Tucker, they have released their independent seven-track EP titled Too Grown Men, exploring themes of heartbreak and struggle and defying stereotypes.

In this episode, we dive into the familiar theme of growing up on the fence between American and South Asian cultures, their own personal growth and experiences as artists, what they each bring to their music, and their plans for the future.

Utkarsh discusses his early years in the music scene with MTV Desi, the BTS of his epic Oscar Performance with Questlove,  why he hasn't been to an ashram in India to find himself yet, and the potential plans for going on tour.  Kaly tells me about growing up Jersey without any brown people around him, why he is a rappers rapper,  how he still keeps his east coast roots living in LA, and what  it has been like working with the legendary A.R. Rahman.

Utkarsh and Kaly: Blazing The Trail for South Asian Rappers

Maryanne J. George is a Grammy Award-winning artist and a clinical mental health therapist. With five Grammy wins and nine nominations attributed to her collaborations with Maverick City Music, her impact on the music industry is undeniable. Together with Maverick City Music, she has helped redefine the boundaries of contemporary Christian music (CCM) earning critical acclaim, widespread recognition, and a dedicated fan base. 

Maryanne has released a brand new independent track called Labor, just in time for Mother's Day, and this song really captures the journey not just of motherhood but womanhood and personal growth.

In this episode, we talk about motherhood and the journey we thought it would be,  the journey that it is, and all the beauty and ugliness of it. We talk about how motherhood is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and the most rewarding. Finally, we go deep into how we navigate the expectations of being South Asian, career, and motherhood, and how they shape the lessons we teach our children.

Maryanne J.George is Celebrating Life, Music, and Motherhood

In this episode, Zarrar delves deep into the process of creating In Flames and its subsequent controversy, and the importance of portraying Pakistan in all its complexity. He passionately expresses the importance of telling stories of Pakistani women at a time of worldwide crisis for women’s rights. He shares his thoughts on the state of Pakistani cinema. Finally, he shares his insights into living as both a Canadian and a Pakistani and learning to fall in love with all of Pakistani culture.

Zarrar Khan is Shining A Fresh Light on Pakistan

Anu Seghal is a children's author and the founder of The Culture Tree, a cultural literacy and language education company that celebrates South Asian culture. Priya Krishna is a food reporter and video host for the New York Times and the best-selling author of multiple cookbooks, including Indian-Ish and Cooking at Home. Her latest book is Priya's Kitchen Adventures. 

The Culture Tree will be hosting their first annual AAPI Children's Literary Festival in collaboration with the Asia Society. This is a unique gathering place for writers, illustrators, publishers, and fans of AAPI literary works. It features readings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors like Priya, illustrators, panel discussions, and writing workshops, engaging the youth with the full diversity of South Asian culture.

Anu and Priya delve deep into how The Culture Tree and the AAPI Children's Literary Fest will help immerse children in South Asian culture through the love of reading and food . We talk about the importance of food in our culture and what comfort food we still love, Anu shares her journey with The Culture Tree , and Priya discusses how her dad gets stopped at Costco to discuss his recipes that are now shared worldwide.

The AAPI Children’s Literary Festival will be in person Saturday, May 11th from 1 to 5 p.m. at 725 Park Avenue, New York City.

Anu Seghal and Priya Krishna Discuss Culture and Cooking

Rochelle Pinto is the head of editorial content for Vogue India. She has had quite a career and is exactly how you think a Vogue head would be-poised, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, and as a bonus,  she’s totally down to earth. In case you were also wondering if  she does gets to work with and receive advice from Anna Wintour, the answer is yes.  Yes she does.

Rochelle shares her insights into what is currently happening in Indian fashion, content, beauty,  and all things Vogue. She speaks frankly about the challenges of representing India in all its diversity and richness and describes growing up in Goa free of gender stereotypes, how her parents keep her grounded,  and the ways Vogue India is currently uncovering untold and fascinating stories all over the country.

Akash Jain Talks MLS and FIFA World Cup 2026

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