Candid Cafe with Raj!

Candid Cafe with Raj!

By Raj Gopal IyerBusiness
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Candid Cafe with Raj! episodes

  • Harry Potter-A Magical Phenomenon

    Step into the magical world of Harry Potter with me on Candid Café with Raj. ✨


    In this special episode, inspired by my daughter Laasya—a proud Potterhead—we explore how J.K. Rowling’s creation became a global phenomenon among kids and teenagers. From the magic of storytelling and the thrill of Hogwarts, to the emotional connection with characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron, we dive into why the wizarding world continues to enchant new generations even after 25 years.


    Whether you’re a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, this episode is for every fan who still believes in a bit of magic. ⚡🪄

    7 min
  • Proud to be an Indian

    This Independence Day, join me on Candid Café with Raj as we revisit the incredible stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped India’s freedom struggle. From legendary revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, and Chandrashekhar Azad to unsung heroes like Matangini Hazra, Usha Mehta, and Alluri Sitarama Raju — their spirit continues to inspire our journey as a nation.


    I also reflect on why I’m proud to be an Indian today and how we, as a country, are making a remarkable impact on the world — in technology, innovation, culture, and unity in diversity.


    This episode is not just a tribute to our past but a reminder of the responsibility we carry to protect and nurture our hard-earned freedom.

    Jai Hind! 🇮🇳


    🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and celebrate the spirit of India.



    4 min
  • The Golden Road:How Ancient India Transformed the World

    🌍✨ India’s Forgotten Superpower Status

    In this episode of Candid Cafe with Raj, I dive into William Dalrymple’s The Golden Road: How India Transformed the World—a fascinating journey through history that reveals how India shaped Asia and beyond through ideas, trade, spirituality, and culture. 🛕📚


    From Nalanda to Angkor Wat, from Sanskrit to Zero, from Buddhist monks to border conflicts over Hindu temples—this is India’s true global legacy.


    🎧 Tune in now to rediscover the India they didn’t teach us about.

    #CandidCafeWithRaj #TheGoldenRoad #WilliamDalrymple #IndianHistory #SpotifyPodcast #AncientIndia #CulturalInfluence #ProudToBeIndian #DalrympleReads #SoftPower #GlobalIndia



    11 min
  • How will you measure your life?

    In this episode of Candid Café with Raj, we explore the timeless lessons from "How Will You Measure Your Life?" by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon.


    Join me as I unpack the big questions this book asks: What truly brings happiness in work and life? How do we build meaningful relationships? And how do our daily choices shape the legacy we leave behind?


    With insights, real-life stories, and a warm thank you to Deepak Jayaraman for recommending the book, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rethink success — not by your salary or title, but by the love, impact, and integrity you live by.

    9 min
  • Serve: Business from the heart - The Shoppers Stop way
    In this heartfelt episode of Candid Cafe with Raj, I dive into the incredible journey of B.S. Nagesh—the man who helped shape modern Indian retail through the iconic Shoppers Stop.
    Inspired by his powerful book “Serve: Business from the Heart – The Shoppers Stop Way”, I reflect on stories of grit, service, leadership, and the real essence of what it means to build a people-first retail brand in India.
    From the early days of organised retail to lessons learned from both successes and failures—this is an episode packed with nostalgia, insights, and a big dose of gratitude. Whether you're in retail, marketing, leadership—or just love a good story—this one’s for you.
    🎧 Tune in to hear:
    How retail in India transformed in the 90s
    The culture of service and ethics at Shoppers Stop
    Leadership lessons from the shopfloor
    📚 Book featured: Serve – Business from the Heart by B.S. Nagesh
    ☕ Grab your coffee and press play!
    8 min
  • From Frontlines to Fortresses : How Invasions Impacted North, East, West & South India.
    In this special episode of Candid Cafe with Raj, I reflect on India's proud moment with Operation Sindoor and the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, before diving into a historical journey across centuries.
    We explore how different parts of India—North, East, South, and West—were impacted by invasions and wars, from Babur to the British, and from Tipu Sultan to the Ahoms of Assam.
    It’s history, but told with heart, humor, and perspective.
    🎧 Listen now and share your thoughts.
    #JaiHind 🇮🇳
    7 min
  • What Sport Do You Play?

    On this week’s Candid Café with Raj, I ask a simple yet powerful question: “What sport do you play?”


    From muddy football fields in Kerala to tennis courts in Mumbai — sports have shaped my journey, made me stronger (physically and mentally), and now… I see it shaping my children too.


    In this episode, I share:

    ✅ Personal stories from my playing days

    ✅ How sports builds resilience, discipline, and mental strength

    ✅ Inspiring examples from legends like Neeraj Chopra, P.V. Sindhu & Milkha Singh

    ✅ Reflections from Chak De! India and Andre Agassi’s brilliant book Open

    ✅ Why playing a sport — at any age — is essential for a better life

    🎧 Tune in, reflect, and maybe pick up that old racket again.


    8 min
  • Unpacking Lilliput Land with a Cuppa!
    Welcome to another episode of Candid Cafe with Raj after a long break! Today, we dive into the sharp and wonderfully thought-provoking world of Rama Bijapurkar's book - Lilliput Land. From the quirks of Lilliputian mindsets to the macro implications for business and policy, I share my takeaways, a few chuckles, and reflections on why this book matters more than ever. So, grab your coffee or chai and join me for a breezy yet insightful ride through a land that feels all too familiar.
    6 min
  • Candid Cafe with Raj. Episode 7. Interview with Rajeev Raja, Co-Founder of Brandmusiq.
    An interesting conversation with Rajeev Raja, Advertising veteran, talented Flautist and Co-Founder of Brandmusiq. He talks about his childhood, his experiments with Cricket, Music and Advertising and how he and his team goes about providing their unique offering to brands through their venture Brandmusiq to help create sonic identities. He played some soothing music for us through his magical flute and gave us a sample of some of his work for brands such as Mastercard, HDFC, Vistara etc. You can also hear few of his tracks in this episode created by his music band Rajeev Raja Combine from their album - Cosmic Chants. Happy listening!!
    1 hr 44 min
  • Candid Cafe with Raj Episode 6. Interview with Kiran More, Former Indian Wicket Keeper.
    Cricket has always been one of my favourite sports. I always had the dream of speaking to some of our leading cricketers, which became a reality when I had this interesting conversation with Kiran More, who spoke at length about how he started off with cricket, how his home town Baroda gifted India so many international cricketers, his experience of playing international cricket, his interactions with leading cricketers, his Plan B in case he hadn't become a cricketer, his current assignment with Mumbai Indians as Wicket Keeping Coach & Talent Scout, his prediction for many nations becoming cricket playing nations in addition to the existing ones, his favourite wicket keepers & his advice to youngsters who want to build a career in cricket and sports in general. Enjoy the conversation!
    47 min

About Candid Cafe with Raj!

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Candid Cafe with Raj! Podcast scripted and produced by Raj Gopal Iyer, featuring interesting stories and interviews with amazing people!