Ready Set Do

How does studying in Europe prepare you for launching one of the most innovative companies in a country as complex as India? In this dynamic episode, we sit down with Supra, a global strategy professional who helped expand Tesla into new markets, including India. From landing a role at Tesla in the Netherlands to navigating the multifaceted challenge of launching in India, Supra brings a front-row perspective on transformation, compliance, and cultural agility.

We begin with Supra’s journey as an international student in Europe—what sparked the move, how he adapted, and the raw truth behind studying and job-hunting abroad. Spoiler alert: language barriers can be brutal. But buried in that struggle is also a cheat code that Supra reveals for standing out and thriving in the EU job market after your master’s degree.

The conversation then shifts into high gear as we talk about his time at Tesla—how he cracked the role, what “transformation” really means at a company like Tesla, and how he got involved with strategic planning for Tesla’s India entry. Supra breaks down the hidden challenges: navigating India’s compliance ecosystem, dealing with air quality concerns, and balancing global flexibility with local constraints. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to operationalize a global brand in a country with entirely different regulations, expectations, and realities—this section is gold.

We also dig deep into the cultural dynamics that influence the success or failure of international expansions. From the difference in work cultures between the EU and the US to how Tesla had to adapt its internal processes for the Indian market, Supra gives a masterclass on the human side of strategy.

The episode is also a blueprint for international students. Supra doesn’t just share his success—he shares his systems. Whether you’re considering a European master’s, dreaming of working at Tesla, or looking to launch operations in emerging markets, Supra’s final advice offers clarity and confidence. His closing thoughts are especially valuable for students navigating unfamiliar geographies, unsure whether their degree will translate into real impact.

This episode is perfect for:

• International students navigating European education and job markets

• Professionals interested in Tesla, electric vehicles, and emerging market expansion

• Entrepreneurs and operators launching tech products in India

• Anyone exploring cultural agility, compliance, and transformation in business

Tune in for insights that connect the classroom to corporate boardrooms—and European strategy rooms to Indian launchpads.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background

01:58 Journey to Europe: An International Student's Tale

07:31 Naman's B-school experience abroad

12:16 Navigating Finding Jobs in Europe – Languages suck

17:20 The cheatcode to excelling in EU after your MS

22:13 Cracking Tesla role in the Netherlands

24:21 What exactly is transformation?

27:30 Planning for Tesla launch in India

28:51 Navigating Indian Compliance

29:49 Air Quality Challenges in India

33:30 Flexibility in Work Culture

35:30 Tesla Launch: How Culture Dictates Success

38:35 Work culture in EU vs USA

40:43 The Impact of Tesla's Launch in India

43:21 Collaboration Across Cultures

46:05 Supra's tip for international students

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Gurasis Singh, the host of My Thick Accent podcast, to explore the layered experience of being an immigrant navigating identity, voice, and belonging in a new country. Gurasis opens up about his early days in Canada—where his accent often made him feel invisible or misunderstood—and how those challenges shaped his self-perception and personal growth.

We talk candidly about the emotional toll of being judged for how you sound. From microaggressions to internalized self-doubt, Gurasis shares relatable stories of adapting to a new culture while resisting the pressure to completely change who he is. This leads us to a critical question: Should you change your accent to fit in? Gurasis offers a grounded and honest take on this dilemma—one faced by millions of immigrants worldwide.

The episode also traces the origin story of his podcast My Thick Accent—a show born out of a need to reclaim identity and spotlight voices often pushed to the margins. We discuss the podcast's mission, the feedback it's received, and how it’s become a space for healing, empathy, and celebrating accents as a part of one's heritage—not something to fix.

Gurasis reflects on the importance of community and conversations in reshaping public narratives. We discuss how his show challenges preconceived notions and helps listeners find representation and strength in shared stories. These conversations have not only impacted listeners but have also been transformative for Gurasis himself, as he continues to evolve alongside his platform.

For aspiring podcasters and creators, this episode is filled with raw insights on the challenges of growing and scaling a podcast. Gurasis opens up about the behind-the-scenes work—from content burnout and guest management to figuring out the right format and staying true to your voice. He also shares how social media has been a double-edged sword—powerful for growth, yet overwhelming in its demands.

We talk about what it means to trust your gut in content creation, how to navigate tricky guest dynamics, and the art of balancing consistency with experimentation. Gurasis offers real talk about dealing with self-doubt as a creator, why it’s okay to evolve your format, and how to sustain your momentum when you're building something that truly matters.

The episode ends with heartfelt advice for new immigrants—a reflection that ties together everything we’ve discussed: the courage to be yourself, the strength in your story, and the quiet power of owning your accent, your voice, and your space.

If you've ever felt like an outsider, struggled with your accent, or wondered how to amplify underrepresented stories—this episode will resonate deeply. And if you're building something from scratch—be it a podcast, a personal brand, or a new life in a new country—Gurasis’s journey will leave you inspired.

Timestamps:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:18 Gurasis's anecdotes re: his accent in canada
04:23 Dealing with feeling invisible due to accent
07:23 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Identity
10:23 Should your change your accent to fit in?
13:14 The Birth of 'My Thick Accent' Podcast
16:19 Breaking Stereotypes and Preconceived Notions
19:24 The Role of Community and Conversations in Change
22:09 Listener Impact and Personal Anecdotes
25:15 Challenges with growing and scaling a podcast
31:16 The Power of Social Media
32:11 Navigating Podcast Guest Dynamics
32:11 The Challenges of Content Creation
32:11 Trusting Your Gut in Podcasting
33:38 Evolving Podcast Formats and Seasons
39:03 Advice for New Immigrants

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of Mechatronics Engineering with Shivam, a passionate engineer who stumbled into this interdisciplinary field by accident—but never looked back. Whether you're a student exploring engineering specializations or a tech enthusiast curious about how mechanical systems, electronics, and software come together, this conversation is a must-watch.

Shivam shares how a combination of curiosity and unexpected academic choices led him to pursue Mechatronics—a field that blends mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science into one powerful domain. We break down what mechatronics really means, how it compares to traditional engineering branches like mechanical or electrical, and why it's gaining so much global relevance.

We also dive into Shivam's academic journey at NYU (New York University), where he pursued his Master’s in Mechatronics. He opens up about the challenges of studying abroad as an international student, how NYU’s curriculum blends theory and hands-on practice, and the broader academic culture that shaped his technical and professional growth.

Job prospects for Mechatronics engineers are evolving fast, and Shivam gives us a comprehensive look at the kinds of roles available in today’s job market—from robotics and automation to product development and AI integration. He shares practical advice on how to prepare for job interviews, what employers are really looking for, and how to stand out in a competitive hiring landscape.

We also explore the impact of AI on mechatronics, including how intelligent systems are transforming the field and creating demand for hybrid skill sets. Shivam explains how machine learning and embedded systems are increasingly embedded into the design of modern robotic systems, and why adaptability is the most valuable skill you can develop.

For those wondering what life looks like on the job, Shivam walks us through a typical day in the life of a Mechatronics Engineer. From design meetings to hands-on testing, he illustrates how diverse and dynamic this career path can be. He also emphasizes the importance of real-world experience—internships, projects, and even personal tinkering—as the true differentiator in the field.

Of course, no engineering journey is complete without setbacks. Shivam candidly shares some of the challenges and failures he's encountered, and how they shaped his problem-solving mindset. These moments offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating uncertainty or hitting roadblocks on their technical journey.

We wrap up the episode with actionable, thoughtful advice for aspiring engineers. Whether you're still in high school choosing your path, already in university, or thinking about grad school abroad, Shivam’s perspective offers clarity and motivation.

This episode will resonate with:

• Students curious about mechatronics and robotics

• International students exploring engineering programs abroad

• Engineers navigating career transitions

• Anyone fascinated by the intersection of hardware, software, and intelligence

  
  

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations that explore the real stories behind cutting-edge careers. Your next big decision might just start here.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 How Shivam accidentally got into Mechatronics
04:04 What is mechatronics?
07:01 Experience at NYU
10:01 Job Prospects in Mechatronics
15:51 Interview Process and Expectations
22:03 AI's Impact on Mechatronics
24:23 A Day in the Life of a Mechatronics Engineer
27:56 The Importance of Hands-On Experience
30:39 Challenges and Failures in Engineering
34:28 Advice for Aspiring Engineers

In this episode my guests are Nirmal Budhathoki and Karun Thankachan. Nirmal is a Sr Data & Applied Scientist at Microsoft & Karun is a Sr Data Scientist at Walmart. We go over the incredible life-changing job-landing advice these two have shared with 1000s of mentees around the application process, what to expect, and how to prepare for ML interviews. Also, they've teamed up to write the book Decoding ML Interviews, which is an incredible one-stop shop for 100 expertly curated machine learning questions, and of course, their solutions.

Check out Decoding ML Interviews: https://onlyoneoutlier.gumroad.com/l/decodingML

In the high-stakes world of machine learning interviews, success hinges on more than technical know-how—it’s about showing how you think, adapt, and learn. In this episode of Ready Set Do, I sit down with Nirmal Budhathoki, Senior Data & Applied Scientist at Microsoft, and Karun Thankachan, Senior Data Scientist at Walmart. Between them, they’ve mentored thousands of candidates and distilled their insights into the book Decoding ML Interviews, a one-stop guide to 100 expertly curated machine learning questions and solutions.

From the first minute, Nirmal and Karun reframed interviews as collaborative problem-solving sessions rather than adversarial tests. They stress that interviewers want to see your analytical process—how you break down a question, communicate trade-offs, and arrive at a solution. Adopting this mindset transforms nervousness into curiosity and helps you engage your interviewer in a genuine dialogue.

A balanced study plan is key. Divide preparation into three pillars: foundational theory (probability, statistics, linear algebra), algorithmic coding (data structures, dynamic programming, graph algorithms), and system design (end-to-end ML pipelines and scalability). By rotating focus among these areas each week, you mirror the multi-stage format used by top tech companies.

Platforms like LeetCode remain indispensable for coding practice. Karun recommends a progressive roadmap: start with easy array and string problems, advance to medium-level tree and two-pointer challenges, then tackle dynamic programming and graph questions. Aim for consistency—solving three to five problems weekly and revisiting past questions to reinforce patterns.

Real-world projects set you apart. Nirmal advises building end-to-end ML applications—whether in NLP, computer vision, or time series forecasting. Document your journey on GitHub or your personal blog, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your narrative. Quantify impact with metrics like accuracy improvements or latency reductions to make your achievements tangible.

Why does Decoding ML Interviews stand out? It categorizes questions into probability, ML theory, coding, system design, and behavioral case studies, each with in-depth walkthroughs. The living code notebooks on GitHub ensure examples stay current, and planned annual updates keep pace with emerging techniques like transformers and diffusion models.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 Structure of Machine Learning Interviews
06:40 Leetcode for Technical Screens
10:03 Building a Strong ML Foundation as a Student
15:24 Relevance of Projects in Interviews
21:06 Types of Qs in Decoding ML Interviews
26:20 Some FAQs in ML Interviews and Their Solutions
30:37 Future-Proofing the Book
33:30 The Importance of Code Examples
35:04 Nirmal & Karun Pick Their Fav ML Questions
38:55 Leveraging AI for Interview Preparation
42:08 Creative Approaches to Using AI Tools
45:44 The Value of Mock Interviews
48:21 Why You Should Get the Book

In this episode featured not-Guru is Jackie Henning. Jackie is a Product Manager at Cylinder and thru her content, has helped hundreds of aspiring PMs break into Product Management. We go over the exact steps anyone willing to break into PM can take, whether you're a student or a working professional - including actionable tools and resources to facilitate your transition.

Think product management is a velvet-roped lounge guarded by Stanford MBAs and ex-consultants with polished slide decks? Surprise—it’s more like an indie music venue with a bouncer who only checks whether you’ve actually played a set. In this episode I hand you a four-step, field-tested blueprint for cracking the product-management code without prior experience, corporate pedigree, or a single day in “Associate PM” purgatory.

Before recruiters even skim your résumé, they’re hunting for one signal: Have you built and shipped something that solved a real problem? We unpack the mental flip—from “I want a PM title” to “I solve user pain on deadline”—that separates career tourists from true builders. Think of this as the moment Neo sees the Matrix. After the switch flips, networking feels less like begging and more like swapping war stories.

Still juggling lectures, labs, or a 9-to-5 that smells nothing like product? Good. Campus hackathons, low-code Chrome extensions, and weekend API mashups are your new resume bullets. We dig into why a scrappy side-project—even one cobbled together in Notion and Figma—outshines a spotless GPA, and how to spin that story so talent partners at Meta, Microsoft, or the hot new SaaS startup have to call you back.

Generative AI isn’t coming for your job; it’s coming for your excuses. We walk through the exact toolkit—ChatGPT for lightning-fast PRDs, Maze for no-code user tests, Chisel for backlog triage, plus a sprinkle of Zapier and Midjourney for polished mockups—that compresses a month of product grunt work into a single Saturday sprint. Master the stack and you become a one-person product squad, ready for whatever 2025 (and the next algorithm update) throws at you.

We roast the rookie moves that tank otherwise promising candidates: resume buzzword-soup, writing “passionate about innovation” without evidence, and attaching a 42-slide deck no one asked for. We even tackle the awkward truth about AI-generated specs: if ChatGPT can spit out your entire product brief, you’ve written the wrong brief.

Finally, we gaze past the hype cycle. Will LLMs draft every user story? Probably. Will that kill the PM craft? Only if your entire value prop is formatting JIRA tickets. We explore the human skills—storytelling, prioritization under chaos, ethical decision-making—that no model can replicate, and why doubling down on them now will future-proof your career.

Whether you’re an engineering undergrad itching to ship something real, a marketing analyst tired of “report-monkey” purgatory, or a side-hustler angling for your first full-time PM role, this episode is your practical, no-fluff guide to breaking into product management without prior experience—and thriving as AI rewires the playbook.

All my links: readysetdopodcast.comJackie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinehenning/

Timestamps:(00:00) Background + Intro
(02:25) Jackie's Hot Take on Breaking Into PM
(05:26) Advice for Aspiring PMs – The Threshold Concept
(08:20) Gaining Product Experience as a Student
(10:41) Why Hands-On Experience Matters
(13:13) Building Your Own Product
(15:56) Leveraging AI Tools for Product Development
(22:47) Common Pitfalls in Product Management
(25:15) The Future of PM in the Age of AI
(33:40) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode my guest is Subhabrata Debnath. Subho is a co-founder and CTO at Neuralgarage, whose proprietary solution VisualDub provides state-of-the-art LipSync using AI while maintaining exceptionally high visual fidelity. With the hit feature Kesari 2, Neuralgarage also earned the world's first visual dubbing credits.

All my links: readysetdopodcast.comNeuralGarage: visualdub.inSubho: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdebnath1989/

Cut-through AI dubbing, on-device visual translation, and an Indian startup that just might rewrite the language of cinema—that’s the story of NeuralGarage and its flagship product VisualDub, a generative-AI engine that turns raw footage into studio-quality, lip-synced video in any language while keeping user data safely on the device. Over the past year the Bengaluru team has raised venture funding, won the media-tech category at SXSW, and landed more than fifty enterprise clients, positioning itself as the most exciting AI startup in India for film and advertising localization.

The competitive landscape is heating up. Hollywood’s Flawless AI popularized the term visual dubbing after showing Robert De Niro flawlessly mouth German without a reshoot, while European players push “studio grade” dubbing as a service. Yet few rivals combine edge privacy, near-real-time turnaround, and emerging-market price points. That combination is why global brands—from soft-drink giants to sneaker makers—are already running regional ad campaigns through VisualDub, rolling out Hindi, Spanish, and Thai cuts in hours rather than weeks.

Beyond film and streaming, the technology is already reshaping marketing strategy. Agencies now A/B-test entire voice tracks by region, swapping humor in Mexico for straight facts in Japan and watching engagement metrics climb. Ed-tech platforms are experimenting with lecture translation, and gaming studios are exploring real-time NPC dialogue localization. These use cases create a surge in demand for AI-savvy hardware engineers, speech scientists, and MLOps specialists—roles that remain chronically understaffed in India’s fast-growing deep-tech ecosystem.

NeuralGarage’s path from seed round to SXSW spotlight also shows how Indian founders can out-innovate better-funded Western peers by combining frugal engineering with sharp storytelling. The company’s advice to would-be AI builders is straightforward: curate your training data before you worry about model parameters, own a single vertical use case rather than chasing generic hype, and ship a field-tested product as fast as possible—because real customer feedback is the only benchmark that counts.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background
(02:14) The Reality of AI Startups
(05:08) The Evolution of AI Solutions
(07:26) What is NeuralGarage
(09:14) Competitive Landscape in Dubbing Technology
(14:16) The Technical Challenges of NeuralGarage
(16:28) How VisualDub Actually Works
(19:52) Unexpected Developmental Hurdles
(22:21) When the Whole Operation Almost Collapsed—And How They Fixed It
(25:08) Over 50 Brands Using VisualDub
(28:23) Transforming Marketing Strategies with Technology
(30:18) Is It Even Acting Anymore after Visual Dubbing?
(33:58) Navigating the Bollywood Landscape
(37:07) Building a Startup in the Media Industry
(41:00) Experiencing SXSW: A Global Stage
(46:07) Comparing Founders: India vs. the West
(49:33) Advice for AI Innovators
(51:05) Future Endeavors of NeuralGarage

Why do 99% of robot vacuums still get stuck on cables, smear dog poop, and require you to "pre-clean" your house before they run? We were promised the Jetsons, but we got dumb bumper cars that eat your phone charger.

In this episode, we sit down with Anshuman Kumar, the Head of Hardware at Matic Robots, to uncover how they built the first robot vacuum that actually works like a human.

Anshuman isn't just a vacuum guy. He is an ex-Tesla Engineer who worked on the traction inverters for the Model S and Model 3. He took the same "First Principles" engineering mindset used to build self-driving cars and applied it to the most annoying appliance in your home.

If you are a hardware engineer, a product designer, or just a tech enthusiast tired of cleaning your floors, this conversation is a masterclass in Product Design & Engineering.

We break down the "Counterintuitive" design choices that make Matic different. Why is it Square instead of round? Why is it Tall when everyone else is trying to go slim? And why did they choose Cameras (Computer Vision) over LiDAR, even though it’s infinitely harder to build?

In this video, we cover:

The "Dumb Disc" Problem:Most robot vacuums today are commodity hardware wrapped in marketing. Anshuman explains why the industry settled on the "Puck" shape (hint: it’s cheap to manufacture, not good at cleaning) and why Matic broke the mold to prioritize physics over convention.

Tesla Tech in Your Living Room:Matic isn't just a vacuum; it's an autonomous vehicle for your home. We discuss how they leveraged Occupancy Networks (similar to Tesla FSD) to allow the robot to "see" and understand the difference between a toy, a shoe, and a spill—processing everything locally on the device without ever sending video to the cloud.

Hardware is Hard (But Worth It):We dive deep into the supply chain wars. How do you build a consumer hardware startup in a world dominated by massive incumbents like iRobot and Roborock? Anshuman shares the gritty reality of prototyping, tooling, and manufacturing a complex electromechanical device from scratch.

Privacy as a Feature:With cameras inside your home, privacy is the #1 concern. We discuss the engineering challenges of doing Edge Computing (On-Device AI) so that no data ever leaves your house. This isn't just a policy; it's a hardware constraint that forces better engineering.

Quiet vs. Loud:Why do we associate "Loudness" with "Power"? Anshuman explains the psycho-acoustics of cleaning and how they designed Matic to be whisper-quiet while still out-cleaning industrial vacuums.

This is not a sponsored review. This is a technical deep dive into what it takes to reinvent a product category that has been stagnant for 20 years.

Connect with Anshuman:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshuman-kumar/

• Check out Matic: https://maticrobots.com/

#RobotVacuum #MaticRobots #HardwareEngineering #ProductDesign #TeslaAlumni #ComputerVision #Robotics #SmartHome #ConsumerTech #EngineeringPodcast #DeepTech #StartupJourney

Timestamps:

In this episode, our featured not-expert is Varun Negandhi — founder of Beyond Grad, where he has coached 1,000+ experienced professionals into top-tier roles worldwide.

Varun shares exclusive interview-coaching insights from his 21-Day Interview Mastery cohorts. We cover practical frameworks for every interview-question type and the psychology of endearing yourself to any interviewer, no matter the industry, role, or career stage.

All my links
readysetdopodcast.com

Resources
Varun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vnegandhi/
Beyond Grad: https://beyondgrad.com

Timestamps

00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 The ONLY interview question you can prepare for and nail every time
04:24 Naman answers “Tell Me About Yourself”
06:26 Varun critiques (roasts) Naman’s response
09:53 The Three-Act Structure for “Tell Me About Yourself”
13:31 How to communicate the “fit” even when it isn’t obvious
16:06 Beginner frameworks for answering behavioral questions
20:28 Can you just “wing” behavioral questions?
23:15 The simply GENIUS framework for answering behavioral questions
27:26 Common interview pitfalls: navigating experience and anxiety
32:46 Why conclusions for ALL your responses are so underrated
35:10 Is my Indian accent holding me back in interviews?
39:19 Leveraging AI for interview preparation
43:25 Psychological tricks to endear yourself to interviewers
48:55 Battling anxiety before and during interviews
52:20 Overcoming overwhelm: the journey to interview mastery

In this episode, our featured not-expert is Farah Fallah Toosi.
This is a special crossover between the podcast and my YouTube series Build Your Own App, where we spotlight cutting-edge AI tools for everyday creators. Farah and I walk through multiple ways to build a fully customizable personal portfolio site that helps you stand out to recruiters. You’ll see a complete start-to-end demo using Lovable (host your site for free!), a quick tour of Webflow, back-end options, and a side-by-side comparison of today’s most prominent AI site-building tools (mid-May 2025).

All my socials
readysetdopodcast.com

Farah on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahenley/

Timestamps

00:00 Intro + Background
02:54 Why a portfolio site is a must-have to get hired
05:42 Overview of AI tools
14:48 Intro to Lovable
20:25 Generating the first version of the portfolio site
30:31 Making updates and deploying
33:57 Webflow overview
37:05 Comparative analysis of AI tools (May 2025)
43:12 Outro + subscribe for more vibe-coding demos!

In this episode featured not-expert is ... it's me. In this episode, my nephew, Akshansh who has been a featured not-expert on this show in the past asks me questions about how he can walk a path similar to the one I walked when I started my Masters from the US about 5 years ago from Purdue University before moving to Chicago for work, where I've been living for the past 3 years now.All my links/socials: campsite.bio/readysetdoTimestamps:00:00 Introduction + Background03:44 Key Components of a Strong Student Profile05:47 GRE is optional but take it anyway?06:45 Understanding GPA and Its Importance09:28 What is a safe tier 2 college GPA?11:06 Why Study Abroad? Benefits and ROI14:45 Differences in Educational Approaches17:27 Why Naman went for MS in US and not MBA/GATE20:56 Play games you're good at25:22 How eng students can figure out which course is best for them32:06 You can never run away from tech if you pick MS in USA37:11 Passion is overrated, optimize for practicality39:43 Is America still the premier study abroad destination?44:06 Crafting a Standout Application49:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections