Conversations with Chai

Harshil Thakker isn’t just another creator — he’s the CEO of Apeiron, a powerhouse brand that bridges the creator economy and nightlife. From shooting for global icons like Steve Aoki to building a business that sells out clubs on the regular, Harshil has mastered what it really means to be a boss in today’s culture.In this episode, we break down:The difference between calling yourself a CEO vs. actually being oneHow community leaders can outshine big brands when it comes to pulling people IRLThe divide between “Old Brown Money” and “New Brown Money” in our cultureWhy Harshil says, “I’m not in the nightlife business — I’m in the business of building emotion at scale”If you want to understand how creators are shaping the future of culture, business, and community, this is the episode for you.

In this episode of Conversations with Chai, I sit down with Hass from My First Kicks to talk all things sneaker culture — from the first pair that got him hooked, to how the game has completely changed in 2025.We break down resellers, the hype machine, sneaker drops to watch, and why podcasting and clipping culture feels like the new hustle. This episode is for sneakerheads, culture lovers, and anyone who’s ever camped out for a pair they had to have.🔑 Episode Highlights & Timestamps:1:17 – What is My First Kicks?3:10 – Hass shares his first kicks story8:10 – How the sneaker market changed in 202013:12 – Why people hate resellers17:15 – Sneaker drops Hass is hyped for this year18:50 – What drives Hass’s sneaker-buying decisions25:29 – Clipping culture & the current podcast game30:30 – Why podcasting is no longer the meta38:10 – Immigrant mentality & building community40:36 – Quick Kick Picks: Hass picks sneakers for real-life scenarios42:10 – King of the Hill sneakers45:24 – Hass’s Sneaker Mount Rushmore47:37 – Has Nike’s time passed? The future of sneaker culture👟 Follow Hass: @myfirstkicks🔥 Follow Conversations with Chai: @lilbabyramram  ⁨@chaibyihram⁩ 

In this episode, DJ and professional chaos agent Eddin joins us to build his dream girl from scratch. From first date rules to red flags, DJ stigma to Love Island hypotheticals, we dive deep and keep it unfiltered.Timestamps3:05 – Why is Eddin single6:45 – What’s Eddin’s type7:50 – Is being a DJ a red flag10:40 – Would he date a bottle service girl15:22 – Defining the dream girl19:09 – Go-to first date rules21:00 – Eddin hates museums24:30 – Are movie dates bad30:02 – Meeting the family on the first date33:43 – Does Eddin believe in soulmates38:57 – This or That: Dating edition43:37 – Love Island final four segment54:34 – Why Brooklyn parties are better than Manhattan partiesSubscribe for new episodes every week.

In this episode, we dive deep into NYC’s underground poker scene — the hidden games happening in penthouses and private rooms all over the city. From massive wins and brutal losses to how to actually manage your money as a gambler, Gary breaks down what it’s really like inside New York’s poker underworld.👉 Chapters:0:55 How I know Gary + NYC poker ecosystem 4:55 Casino poker vs underground poker 6:37 Gary’s poker journey & wild stakes 9:29 Biggest monthly upswing stories 11:03 Are there long term winners in NYC? 13:52 Managing risk as a gambler 15:54 “You don’t play the cards, you play the player”26:13 The fickle poker community 30:25 New gambler advice43:15 The harsh reality of “MAX PAIN” ---🎰 If you’ve ever wondered what really goes down behind closed doors in NYC — this is it. 👍 Like & subscribe for more raw stories on New York’s nightlife, culture, and the people shaping it.#NYC #Poker #Underground

NYC nightlife is changing — fast. And not everyone’s built for it.In this episode, I sit down with Jacob Savocci, owner of The Morgan in Brooklyn, to talk about what it really takes to run a successful business in New York City — without selling your soul.From flipping a busted venue into a culture-first bar, to navigating greed, burnout, and building while raising a family — this is one of the realest convos we’ve had on the pod.🎯 Topics & Key Moments:2:50 – What The Morgan used to look like (rundown Rebel flashback)5:54 – The legends that have played there since7:08 – Is nightlife dead in New York? Saturation, burnout, & reality8:29 – People are drinking less — how do you build a nightlife biz now?8:50 – Why nightlife is dying (and why it’s on us to fix it)10:05 – Parties should be inclusive, not flex rooms10:37 – What NYC is actually about14:10 – The scammy side of nightlife no one talks about16:14 – "Fast money" always comes with a cost17:45 – Greed, shortcuts, and why most people fold19:15–20:52 – Self-fulfilling prophecy: most people don’t build anything real21:30 – Community vs. clout: NYC’s culture problem24:00 – Why men need to build something of their own24:42 – “99% of people wouldn’t do what I do”26:37 – How having a family changed Jacob’s risk tolerance28:39 – Providing security + the pressure to earn more31:10 – The ability to dream31:52 – Why you need to save a little so you can go for it32:32–34:10 – What happens when your back is against the wall35:42 – Self-doubt is part of the process36:10 – It doesn’t happen overnight38:58 – Jacob’s wedding story39:57 – How he shows love to people41:00 – Jacob on finding happiness43:39 – Social credit vs. building real value49:21 – Ownership, equity, and betting on yourself55:05 – “You don’t want everyone’s money”59:40 – You can change your reality1:14:31 – “F*** that noise” — Jacob’s last word on doing it right📍 Follow The Morgan: @themorganbk🎧 More episodes: @conversationswithchai💭 Hosted by Ihram Chowdhury: @lilbabyramram#NYCNightlife #BarBusiness #TheMorganBK #ConversationsWithChai #HospitalityCulture #Entrepreneurship #RealOnesOnly

uhm... I talk about my dad on a pod instead of just going to therapy?

📣 Why This Mayoral Election Could Change American PoliticsIn this solo episode of Conversations with Chai, Ihram Chowdhury dives deep into why Zohran Mamdani isn’t just running for office — he’s redefining what it means to be a politician in America. This isn’t about local politics. It’s about the signal it sends nationally if New York elects someone like Zohran.From Gaza to housing to the future of progressive power, this is a conversation about what’s really at stake in 2025 — and how electing a candidate like Zohran Mamdani could ignite a political shift across the country.🔑 In this episode:Why this mayoral election matters more than people realizeHow NYC has become the testing ground for political changeWhat Zohran represents that mainstream candidates don’tWhy winning here sends a message to WashingtonThis is a call to think bigger, act bolder, and understand the moment we’re in. If you care about the future of politics, you need to hear this.🗳️ Watch, share, and let’s talk about what real leadership looks like.

This week on Conversations with Chai, we’re stepping into the glittering, high-stakes world of New York's Diamond District with none other than Chandan the Jeweler — a go-to name for top Punjabi artists and a rising force in the high-end jewelry space, crafting custom pieces that can hit a $250K price tag.We break down the real difference between TikTok jewelry and true luxury, lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, and the finesse it takes to sell to artists you grew up listening to. From Ihram's wild high-stakes poker stories to Chandan's tales of big-ticket sales and emotional engagements, this episode is full of gems — literally and figuratively.Timestamps include:1:44 – Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds for engagement rings9:33 – TikTok jewelers vs. real high-end craftsmen (Moses and Vookum)12:55 – The most expensive piece Chandan has ever sold18:00 – Selling to Desi artists and repping the culture21:50 – Transactional relationships in the industry33:00 – Why jewelers sell to other jewelers35:27 – Are we all being overcharged?40:00 – The dark side of the Diamond DistrictIf you've ever been curious about how flex culture, cultural pride, and real wealth intersect in the world of jewelry — this one’s for you.

Join me for an in-depth conversation with the multi-talented Mumzy Stranger, where we dive into his journey through the UK South Asian scene, reminisce about the Stranger Family era, and discuss pioneering artists like Rishi Rich and Jay Sean. We explore how collaboration can elevate South Asian music to a global audience, why the communication gap between veterans and new talents is holding the industry back, and the importance of staying on top of trends before you get left behind. Plus, Mumzy shares an exclusive look at working in the studio with DJ Lyan!If you’re passionate about music, culture, and bridging creative generations, this episode is a must-watch. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more interviews and discussions!Timestamps2:22 – Mumzy reflects on the Stranger Family days and the early UK South Asian music scene with Rishi Rich & Jay Sean12:30 – The new South Asian movement and how global collaboration can change the game18:10 – Bridging the gap between OGs and young creatives to push the industry forward37:21 – Staying relevant in the fast-paced music scene46:16 – Mumzy shares about working with DJ Lyan in the studioKeywords: Mumzy Stranger, Stranger Family, Rishi Rich, Jay Sean, UK South Asian Scene, South Asian Music, Collaboration, Creative Industry, Music Industry, DJ LyanSubscribe for More:Click the bell icon to get notifications on future episodes.Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!#MumzyStranger #StrangerFamily #RishiRich #JaySean #SouthAsianMusic #Collaboration #MusicIndustry #Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Nimesh Patel for an in-depth conversation on his journey through comedy and beyond. Starting at 14:52, Nimesh shares his insights on why SNL stands as the greatest sketch comedy show in history. Then, at 22:45, we discuss what truly made him stand out early on and set the stage for his flourishing career.Next, at 28:05, Nimesh offers a candid look into how focusing solely on comedy impacted his other potential paths. Finally, at 37:19, we delve into the behind-the-scenes process of negotiating a special with Netflix.Important Note: During our conversation, we refer to Nimesh’s special as Instant Karma coming to Netflix. According to a recent Variety article, Instant Karma will no longer be released on Netflix and Nimesh will be developing his own show on Netflix!