South Asian Success

South Asian Success

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South Asian Success episodes

  • One story, one idea is all it takes | Welcome to South Asian Success Season 2


                                  #SouthAsianSuccess #SouthAsianPodcast #SuccessStories

    Welcome to Season 2 of South Asian Success. This season, Parul Bhandari is going beyond the surface to explore the real stories behind success, the risks people took, the pivots they made, the doubts they faced, the lessons they learned, and the moments that changed everything. 

    South Asian Success was created to connect people with inspiring creators, founders, writers, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and community builders who are carving their own paths. Season 2 takes those conversations even deeper, bringing in more diverse stories, new perspectives, and topics that often don’t get talked about enough.

    Parul also shares a little of her own journey, including the launch of her new book, Good Brown Girls, and why trying something new often means leaning on community, resources, and the people around us.

    Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, writing a book, building a creative career, exploring a new path, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next step, this season is for you.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    • Why South Asian Success was created and the mission behind the podcast
    • What makes Season 2 different from Season 1
    • Why sharing diverse South Asian stories and experiences matters
    • How community and the right resources can help you take your next step
    • Why success can look completely different for different people
    • What Parul learned while stepping into a new creative journey with Good Brown Girls
    • What to expect from Season 2, including the risks, pivots, doubts, lessons, and stories behind the success
    Timestamps

        00:00 – 00:35 – Opening Hook
        00:35 – 01:25 – South Asian Success Season 2 Intro
        01:25 – 04:25 – Why South Asian Success Was Created & What Season 2 Brings
        04:25 – 05:25 – Going Deeper: Stories, Risks, Pivots & Lessons
        05:25 – 06:35 – Inspiration, Community & Taking Your Next Step
        06:35 – 07:02 – Sponsor Message – CustomerXSuccess
        07:02 – 07:32 – Closing Message & Outro

    This podcast episode is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess. We're building customer experience and building better businesses.

    www.customerxsuccess.com

    Subscribe to South Asian Success and join us as we explore the stories, journeys, and people redefining what success can look like.

    #SouthAsianSuccess #SouthAsianPodcast #SuccessStories #Entrepreneurship #SouthAsianCommunity


    8 min
  • Ep 13 - Infertility, Motherhood and Breaking Generational Trauma | Julie Pandya Patel

     #Infertility #SouthAsianWomen #GenerationalTrauma

    From infertility and motherhood to becoming an author, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s voices, Julie Patel shares the powerful story behind her journey.

    In this episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Julie Patel to talk about infertility, the pressure of silence around difficult conversations in South Asian families, motherhood, writing, representation, entrepreneurship, and breaking generational trauma.

    Julie Bio:-

    Julie opens up about her personal fertility journey, why she decided to share her experience publicly, and how her story eventually inspired her memoir What Will Be. She also shares how her daughter’s experiences inspired their children’s book Dear Friend, and why representation of South Asian characters in books matters.

    Julie Website:-    Website

    Julie Book:-   Amazon

    Julie Instagram:-  Instagram

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Julie Patel’s journey through infertility and motherhood
    • Why infertility was difficult to discuss in South Asian families
    • How sharing personal experiences can help others feel less alone
    • The story behind Julie’s memoir, What Will Be
    • How motherhood inspired her journey as an author
    • The inspiration behind Dear Friend
    • Why representation matters for South Asian children
    • How Julie is working to break generational trauma
    • Her transition from finance to entrepreneurship and fashion
    • Why communication with children is so important
    • Julie’s message for raising confident, kind, and brave girls
    • How creativity, books, and storytelling can create change
    ⏱️ Timestamps:

    00:00 – Introduction
    01:24 – Julie Patel’s Journey Begins
    02:45 – Marriage, Fertility & Starting a Family
    03:37 – Struggling With Infertility
    05:00 – Writing Through Her Fertility Journey
    06:00 – From Journaling to Becoming an Author
    07:22 – The Journey Behind Dear Friend
    08:21 – Talking About Infertility in South Asian Families
    09:03 – Miscarriage, Isolation & Breaking the Silence
    11:25 – Why South Asian Families Avoid Difficult Conversations
    12:12 – The Importance of Sharing Your Story
    13:01 – Breaking Generational Patterns
    13:32 – How Dear Friend Was Born
    16:27 – Helping Children Process Their Emotions
    18:23 – Communication & Raising Emotionally Strong Children
    19:48 – Breaking Generational Trauma
    21:27 – Why South Asian Representation Matters
    23:48 – Julie’s Fashion & Entrepreneurial Journey
    25:31 – Leaving Finance & Following Her Passion
    27:18 – Building Her Fashion Boutique
    28:59 – Honoring Culture Through Fashion
    30:07 – Julie’s Message to the World
    30:23 – Raising the Next Generation
    31:22 – Her Father’s Legacy & Strength
    32:32 – Using Social Media for Purpose
    33:49 – Grief, Growth & Moving Forward
    35:08 – Julie’s Final Thoughts
    35:40 – Where to Find Julie’s Books
    36:03 – Closing

    37 min
  • Ep 12 - From Immigrant Kid to Stanford PhD & Professor with Dr. Vijay Mehrotra

    #FailureToSuccess #Resilience #ImmigrantStory #CareerAdvice


    In this inspiring episode of South Asian Success, Dr. Vijay Mehrotra shares his incredible journey from growing up as one of the few South Asian families in America, facing racism and bullying, to becoming a Stanford PhD, entrepreneur, professor, and founder of the world's first MBA Customer Success program.

    This conversation explores how failure, resilience, mentorship, identity, and courage shaped his life and career. If you're navigating career uncertainty, balancing family expectations, or trying to find your own path, this episode is for you.

    Guest Bio:
    Dr. Vijay Mehrotra is a Professor of Analytics at the University of San Francisco and a globally recognized expert in analytics, AI, and Customer Success Management. A former tech CEO and business analytics executive, he has spent over 20 years helping organizations turn data into real business value. Named one of the Top 100 Customer Success Strategists in 2023, he holds a PhD from Stanford University and has published research in leading journals, including Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.

    Vijay Website:                 Website     Website
    Vijay Linkedin:                    Linkedin 


    What You'll Learn

    ✔️ How racism shaped Dr. Vijay's childhood 

    ✔️ Why failure is the biggest teacher for success 

    ✔️ How immigrant parents influence career choices 

    ✔️ The importance of mentors in your life 

    ✔️ From Stanford PhD to entrepreneur and professor 

    ✔️ Why your career doesn't have to be linear 

    ✔️ Building confidence despite rejection 

    ✔️ How to redefine success on your own terms 

    ✔️ Advice every South Asian student and professional should hear 

    ✔️ Why resilience matters more than perfection

    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction

    00:40 Meet Dr. Vijay Mehrotra

    02:26 His father's immigration journey

    06:15 Growing up with racism in America

    09:04 Finding identity and confidence

    11:30 Choosing an unexpected career path

    15:15 From Stanford PhD to entrepreneurship

    20:18 Building the world's first Customer Success MBA program

    27:30 Challenges and lessons from leadership

    30:10 Why failure is the secret to success

    32:30 Redefining success for the next generation

    34:13 Final thoughts

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at http://www.customerxsuccess.com


    #SouthAsianSuccess #DrVijayMehrotra #SuccessMindset #FailureToSuccess #Resilience #ImmigrantStory #CareerAdvice #Leadership #Entrepreneur #Podcast


    35 min
  • Ep 11 - Modern Medicine plus Ancient Wisdom can Optimize your Health with Dr.Keshav Grover

     #Health #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine

    Discover how to build a healthier, happier life by combining the power of ancient wisdom with modern medicine in this inspiring conversation with Dr. Keshav Grover, an expert in Integrative & Functional Medicine.

    In this episode of South Asian Success, Dr. Keshav Grover shares practical strategies to improve your health, increase longevity, prevent disease, and create sustainable daily habits that actually work. From nutrition and exercise to sleep, mindfulness, wellness routines, and preventive healthcare, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.


    Guest Bio:-

    Dr. Keshav Grover, DO, MS, IFMCP, is the founder of Aesthetica, PLLC d/b/a Grover Health and Aesthetics and Grover Health and Wellness, PLLC. He is a physician, keynote speaker, and champion of functional/integrative medicine and of eating a whole foods, plant-based diet. He has spoken to leading organizations including Penske Automotive, Detroit Athletic Club, Farbman Realty, the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has been featured on CBS and Fox News as a wellness expert.

    Wellness bridge Book:               Wellness bridge Book  

    Dr. Keshav Grover Website:         Dr. Keshav Grover Website
    Dr. Keshav Grover Instagram:      Dr. Keshav Grover Instagram

    In the news: 

    http://www.publishersweekly.com/9798891386327

    👇 What You'll Learn:

     The difference between modern medicine and functional medicine

     Why prevention is better than treatment

     Ancient wellness practices backed by science

     The biggest health mistakes people make

     How nutrition becomes medicine

     Daily habits that improve long-term health

     Why movement and exercise matter at every age

     The importance of sleep, mindfulness, and stress management

     How to build a wellness routine you'll actually stick to

     The secret to healthy aging and longevity

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    00:25 Meet Dr. Keshav Grover

    01:00 Why He Wrote Wellness Bridge

    02:45 The Philosophy of Living Well

    05:35 Growing Up with Ancient & Modern Medicine

    13:05 Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Healthcare

    17:58 Fitness & Movement for a Longer Life

    24:08 Food as Medicine

    29:03 Why Dr. Grover Wrote This Book

    34:05 The Biggest Health Misconceptions

    37:20 Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

    —------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

    #Health #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #HealthyLiving #Longevity #Nutrition #FoodAsMedicine #Mindfulness #HealthyHabits #SouthAsianSuccess #DrKeshavGrover #Podcast #HealthPodcast #SelfImprovement 

    39 min
  • Ep 10 - How Culture and Circumstances Met to Build a Business for Kanika Batra

    #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #FounderStory #Startup

    In this inspiring episode of South Asian Success, Kanika Batra, Founder of Sukoon, shares her incredible journey from a corporate career in India to rebuilding her life in America and creating a purpose-driven home and lifestyle brand.

    After moving to the United States, Kanika had to start her career from scratch, adapt to unexpected challenges, and embrace uncertainty. What began as buying handcrafted décor for her own home unexpectedly turned into a thriving business serving customers across the U.S.

    This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, spirituality, purpose, mindset, business growth, and the courage to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, immigrant, small business owner, or someone searching for purpose, this episode is filled with practical lessons and inspiring stories.
    Guest Bio:
    Kanika Batra, Founder of Sukoon After moving to the United States, Kanika had to start her career from scratch, adapt to unexpected challenges, and embrace uncertainty. What began as buying handcrafted décor for her own home unexpectedly turned into a thriving business serving customers across the U.S.

    Visit Website:                
    SUKOON

    Evgenia instagram     Kanika Batra

    👇 What You'll Learn In This Episode:

    ✔️ How to start over in a new country with confidence
    ✔️ Why unexpected setbacks can become your biggest opportunities
    ✔️ Building a purpose-driven business from scratch
    ✔️ Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship
    ✔️ How spirituality influences leadership and decision-making
    ✔️ Lessons from building the Sukoon brand
    ✔️ Finding product-market fit by listening to customers
    ✔️ Balancing career, business, family, and motherhood
    ✔️ The power of meditation and mindfulness for entrepreneurs
    ✔️ How courage, faith, and persistence create long-term success

    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction
    00:26 Meet Kanika Batra & The Story Behind Sukoon
    02:05 Life Before Entrepreneurship
    03:00 Moving From India to America
    05:15 Starting Her Career From Scratch
    06:55 How Sukoon Was Born
    09:20 The First Pop-Up That Changed Everything
    12:45 Growing From Home Décor to a Lifestyle Brand
    15:35 Selling Spiritual Products to Non-Indians
    18:15 Finding Product-Market Fit
    19:50 The Success of Copper Water Bottles
    22:30 Balancing Business, Career & Family
    24:10 Meditation, Mindfulness & Mental Clarity
    26:05 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
    28:20 A Customer Story That Changed Everything
    30:05 Final Thoughts

    —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at
    www.customerxsuccess.com

    #KanikaBatra #Sukoon #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #FounderStory #Startup #BusinessSuccess #SouthAsianSuccess #PurposeDrivenBusiness #ImmigrantSuccess #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Motivation #SuccessStory 


    34 min
  • Ep 9 - Overcoming Postpartum and Mom Guilt | Conscious Motherhood With Urvi Shah

    How I Overcame fertility challenges, Postpartum Anxiety & Mom Guilt | Conscious Motherhood with Urvi Shah

    In this powerful episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Urvi Shah certified coach, spiritual healer, and founder of Inner Serenity Life Coaching. Urvi shares her raw and inspiring journey through a long fertility struggle, IVF, pregnancy pressures, postpartum anxiety & depression, and how she discovered Conscious Motherhood.

    She shares her tools and techniques, including a book and podcast, which she uses to coach other women like her.

    Guest Bio:

    Urvi Shah is  a certified mindfulness coach and spiritual healer supporting women who are on their motherhood journey (from fertility to postpartum). I have been running my coaching practice for 5 years now - evolving over time as I evolve spiritually and expand my consciousness. I also am a mindfulness teacher - certified in teaching meditation, breathwork, and EFT tapping. I also have other certifications for spiritual healing like Reiki, energy healing,

    👉 Follow Urvi Shah:        Linkedin

    • Website:                           Inner Serenity Life Coaching

    • Instagram:                        Urvi Shah

    • Book on Amazon:           Soul Diaries Urvi Shah

    🔥 What You'll Learn:

    • The real emotional struggles of IVF and pregnancy in South Asian culture

    • How to regulate your nervous system as a new mom

    • Practical ways to overcome mom guilt and perfection pressure

    • The power of intuition and self-advocacy in the medical system

    • Why "chapters" in motherhood are the secret to not burning out

    • How to reframe guilt and be present for yourself and your children

    ⏱ Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

    00:44 - Urvi Shah's Journey into Conscious Motherhood

    02:10 - The Pivotal Moment: Long IVF Journey & Feeling Alone

    03:35 - Postpartum Anxiety & Depression Struggles

    04:32 - Cultural Pressures on South Asian Moms

    06:10 - What Does Success Look Like After Motherhood?

    07:45 - The Power of "Chapters" in Life as a Mom

    09:40 - Nervous System Regulation Explained (Must Watch)

    13:08 - How to Handle Mom Guilt & Emotional Outbursts

    15:52 - Reframing Guilt & Apologizing to Your Kids

    18:57 - Urvi's Podcast "Soul Diaries" & Her Book Story

    23:22 - Advocating for Yourself in the Medical System

    26:13 - Trusting Your Intuition as a Mother

    29:22 - 3 Daily Questions to Design Your Best Life

    Subscribe for more inspiring South Asian success stories 

    —-------------------------------------------------------------

    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

    29 min
  • Ep 8 - From Corporate Overachiever To Building a 10M Reach Community With Ash Grewal

    In this powerful episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Ash Grewal, a high growth tech strategist and founder of The OverachieveHers, a thriving community for ambitious women.

    Ash shares her inspiring journey from growing up as one of the only South Asian kids in small-town Nashville to building a 10 million reach community that’s empowering high-achieving women across the world.

    Many women are ambitious, but struggle to build the career and community they want.  Ash is building this in her career and helping others build theirs, one OverachiveHer at a time. 

    Guest Bio:-

    Ash Grewal is the founder and CEO of The OverachieveHers, a community and media platform for ambitious women that reached 10 million people within its first six months. Born from her own experience rising through the ranks as an ambitious woman of color, it has become a leading resource for women finding balance between power and pause. Ash brings over 15 years of experience across adtech, marketing, and executive leadership, having played pivotal roles scaling high-growth tech companies to billion-dollar valuations and most recently leading the buildout of a creator economy ad network spanning more than 32 billion annual impressions. That career gave her a sharp understanding of how brands and individuals capture attention at scale, and she now channels that into building a movement that reflects the lives and ambitions of women like her.

    Visit Website:                 Website
    Ash Linkedin:                    Linkedin 

    Follow on Instagram:     Instagram

    What You’ll Learn
    • How Ash built a community that reached 10 million people in just 6 months
    • The real challenges of being a South Asian woman in corporate tech
    • Moving from burnout and identity crisis to building a purpose-driven portfolio career
    • Why community > competition for high achieving women
    • Navigating cultural identity, mentorship, and the “young brown woman” bucket
    • Practical advice on balance, somatic practices, and making aligned decisions
    • The importance of persistence and follow-up in your career
    Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

    01:30 - Ash Grewal’s Background & Career Journey

    03:00 - Growing Up South Asian in Small-Town Nashville

    06:30 - Identity Struggles & Feeling “International”

    10:45 - Founding The Overachievers & The 10M Reach Story

    13:50 - Who are The Overachievers For?

    17:20 - Getting Laid Off & Choosing Entrepreneurship

    22:40 - Mentoring Young South Asian Women

    28:30 - Career Advice for Burnout & Boredom

    32:00 - Balance, Somatic Practices & Self-Awareness

    35:00 - Closing Thoughts

    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

    34 min
  • Ep - 7 Exploring Multi Hyphenate Path of Growth Evolution & Mental Health Taboos With Mrinal Gokhale

    In this powerful episode, Parul Bhandari sits down with Mrinal Gokhale a true multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, author, business analyst, and mental health advocate. Mrinal shares her inspiring journey from marketing and journalism to becoming a full-time Business Analyst while running a successful side business in digital marketing, writing, and editing.

    She opens up about her two bestselling books on South Asian mental health raw, real anthologies filled with true stories of trauma, neurodiversity, intergenerational stigma, model minority myth, domestic violence, and breaking silence in the diaspora.

    Guest Bio:

    Mrinal Gokhale is the author of two anthologies on South Asian mental health, a full time Business Analyst, and the founder of a boutique digital marketing, writing & editing service. She is a passionate advocate for mental health, neurodiversity, and breaking cultural taboos.

    Links:

    Buy Mrinal’s Books → https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09PJQ9YZY

    Mrinal Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrinal-gokhale-14a19b46

    Follow Mrinal on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mrinalg_/


    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to embrace a multi-hyphenate career without guilt or imposter syndrome
    • The reality of entrepreneurship vs full-time job (honest pros & cons)
    • Why South Asian mental health conversations are finally changing
    • How writing and storytelling can become powerful tools for healing and advocacy
    • Practical advice for budding authors and entrepreneurs
    • Overcoming fear, stigma, and family pressure

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

    00:35 - Mrinal Gokhale’s Journey

    01:05 - From Marketing to Business Analyst

    02:05 - Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

    03:26 - Her Two Books on South Asian Mental Health

    04:44 - The Story Behind "Taboo"

    06:59 - Common Struggles in South Asian Families

    09:31 - Self-Stigma & Generational Trauma

    10:45 - Community Reception & Feedback

    14:05 - Upcoming Events & Future Plans

    18:23 - Her Digital Marketing Business

    19:37 - Honest Advice for New Entrepreneurs

    24:28 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Mrinal





    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

    #MultiHyphenate #SouthAsianMentalHealth #BreakingTaboos #MentalHealthMatters #MrinalGokhale #SouthAsianSuccess #WomenEntrepreneurs #GenerationalTrauma #ImposterSyndrome #Entrepreneurship #TabooBook #DesiMentalHealth #MultiHyphenateLife #Podcast #SouthAsianPodcast


    23 min
  • Episode 6 - Culture Led Fashion with Neetika Gupta of Kaira Kollection

    Join Parul Bhandari in this episode as she sits down with Neetika Gupta, founder of Kaira Kollection, for an inspiring conversation on building a culture rooted fashion brand while balancing a tech career and family life.

    Neetika shares how her daughter Kaira inspired the brand name and vision modern, stylish, and deeply connected to South Asian roots. From starting as a multi-designer store to pivoting to original designs, made-to-order pieces, and block-print fusion wear, this episode is full of real talk on small business challenges, production in India, customer expectations, tariffs, and community building.

    Whether you're a fashion lover, aspiring designer, or South Asian entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights and beautiful fusion fashion inspiration.

    👗 What You'll Learn:

    • How Kaira Kollection was born from family passion
    • Transition from sourcing to original design & made to order model
    • Balancing pop ups, production timelines & customization
    • Finding the right audience (millennials & Gen Z who want fusion wear)
    • Handling tariffs, shipping delays & difficult customers
    • Power of community, networking & influencer collaborations
    • Future plans with big retailers like Nordstrom

    Guest Details:

    Neetika Gupta is the founder of Kaira Kollection, a Chicago based South Asian fusion fashion brand. A tech professional by day, she co-created the brand with her Masi in India. Her designs focus on modern silhouettes with traditional Indian crafts like block printing, perfect for everyday wear, vacations, and special occasions.

    📌 Timestamps:

    • 00:00 - Intro & Neetika’s Outfit Reveal
    • 00:41 - Journey of Kaira Kollection & Inspiration from Daughter Kyra
    • 02:36 - From Sourcing Designs to Creating Originals
    • 03:11 - Made to Order Model & Pop up Strategy
    • 06:00 - Plans for Big Retailers (Nordstrom & more)
    • 07:50 - Production, Timelines & Scaling Team
    • 09:39 - Customization Process & Customer Expectations
    • 11:32 - Challenges with Festivals, Delays & Communication
    • 15:09 - Handling Tariffs & Absorbing Extra Costs
    • 19:10 - Finding the Right Audience & Shifting from Indian Melas to Fusion Events
    • 25:33 - Community, Collaborations & Influencer Love (Nisha from Love Mirch, Mama Jot’s, etc.)
    • 28:40 - Advice for New Designers & Small Brands
    • 33:45 - Upcoming Events & Closing

    🔗 Shop Kaira Kollection:

    Website: https://kairakollection.com/

    Follow Neetika & Kaira Kollection:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kairakollection.in/


    —------------------------------------------------------------


    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com


    #SouthAsianFashion #KairaKollection #FusionWear #IndianFashionDesigner #BlockPrintFashion #DesiFashion #CultureLedFashion #SouthAsianSuccess #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessStory #DesiEntrepreneur #MadeToOrderFashion #ChicagoFashion #IndianBlockPrint #ModernIndianWear #NeetikaGupta #ParulBhandari


    32 min
  • Special Ep - AI in Tech: Adoption, Risks & Leadership Lessons | an AAPINH Heritage Month Special

    AI is everywhere but are companies actually adopting it effectively, or just chasing the hype and risking costly mistakes?

    In this special AAPINH Heritage Month episode of South Asian Success, host Parul Bhandari brings together an incredible panel of South Asian tech leaders for a raw, practical, and insightful conversation on AI in 2026.

    Featuring:

    • Nehal Patel: Chief Customer Officer at BrandLight (AI-powered brand visibility platform)
    • Munish Gandhi: CEO at Statisfy (AI for Customer Success workflows)
    • Kajal Jain: AI Instructor at Purdue University, Product Marketing Leader & Fractional Executive

    They dive deep into the real challenges: biggest barriers to adoption, hidden risks (hallucinations, legal issues, privacy, competitive blind spots), new roles emerging (AI governance, AI operators, Go-to-Market Engineers), practical ways to move from skeptic to power user, and leadership lessons on driving meaningful change from the top down.

    Whether you’re a founder building AI tools, an executive trying to scale adoption, or a professional navigating the AI shift in your role this episode gives you clarity, real-world strategies, and inspiration from leaders who are living and breathing AI every single day.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Welcome & AAPINH Heritage Month Special

    01:24 – Panel Introductions & Morning Routines (Chai vs Coffee)

    04:04 – Biggest Barriers to AI Adoption in Companies

    09:27 – Practical Steps: From Skeptic to Confident AI User

    12:01 – New Roles & Skill Sets Emerging in the AI Era

    18:56 – Risks of Building Your Own AI Tools vs Using Purpose-Built Solutions

    23:18 – Organizational Trends & How Executives Are Driving AI Engagement

    27:41 – Internal AI Adoption Examples, Workshops & Talent Shows

    39:57 – Final Leadership Lessons & Actionable Advice for 2026


    —--------------------------------------------------------

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    —---------------------------------------------------------


    This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com


    #AIinTech #AIAdoption #AAPINH #SouthAsianSuccess #AILeadership #TechLeadership #AI2026 #AIPanel #SouthAsianTech #LeadershipLessons #AIGovernance #AIForBusiness #WomenInAI #LeadershipLessons #HeritageMonth #AIRisks #AILeadership 


    46 min

About South Asian Success

From the publisher's feed

South Asian Success is a podcast celebrating the stories, experiences, and journeys of South Asian professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and changemakers who are building meaningful…