The Brand Called You

After a thriving corporate career, Sejal Desai found her “midlife clarity moment” — shifting from profit to purpose. As Executive Director of the Akanksha Education Fund, she empowers children in India to break the cycle of poverty through transformative education. Her journey proves that meaning, not money, drives lasting impact.

00:34- About Sejal Desai

• Sejal is the executive director of the Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

Unlock the secrets to writing and publishing your book with renowned literary agent and author, Sarah Bullen! In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Sarah to discuss her two-decade journey in publishing, strategies for commercial success, and her unique "Write Your Book in 100 Days" system. Whether you’re an aspiring author, a thought leader, or simply passionate about storytelling, this conversation is packed with actionable advice, myth-busting truths, and inspiration for your journey from blank page to published book.

Sarah shares candid lessons from her career, explores the rise of self-publishing and hybrid models, and reveals what separates those who finish their books from those who don’t. Dive into the world of drafts, discover how technology is (and isn’t) shaping creativity, and learn how discipline and tenacity can overcome the notorious writer’s block!

Welcome to another episode of TBCY! In this insightful interview, Ashutosh Garg sits down with Kajol Bheda, Founder of Scribbld—an independent strategy-first marketing agency with a footprint across India and the UAE. Kajol shares her entrepreneurial journey, from media production in the UK to launching Scribbld during the pandemic, and unpacks her leadership lessons from working with global brands like Harrods, Amazon Prime, and Nykaa.

Dive deep into how the marketing landscape has evolved post-2020, why a personal touch makes all the difference, and how AI and automation are shaping but not replacing human creativity in campaigns. Kajol also discusses challenges and opportunities in international expansion, breaking gender biases in hiring, and the power of consumer insights and trend-driven strategies such as memeification and hook-first content.

Whether you're passionate about entrepreneurship, marketing innovation, or looking for inspiration on building an agency from scratch—this episode has plenty to offer!

In this inspiring episode of TBCY, host Ashutosh Garg is joined by Pete Wiley, accomplished author and respected blogger from Maryland, USA. Pete shares his unique perspective on intentional living, meaningful relationships, and the "building blocks of life" that shape our journeys. Discover how self-reflection, openness, and the balance between ambition and contentment can help us design lives of purpose and meaning.

Pete talks about the origins of his popular blog, "Blocks of Life", and the metaphor of life's building blocks—connections, adventures, and life's work. He provides actionable advice on navigating distractions, reinventing oneself, nurturing magic in relationships, and coping with blocks that don’t fit. Whether you're seeking personal growth or trying to move from coping to creating the life you want, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips.

Tune in for empowering insights and explore why intentional living is accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstances.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Brand Called You! In this conversation, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Atul Gupta, Founder and CEO of Bonvie Snacks, to explore his remarkable journey from finance and energy to healthy food entrepreneurship. Discover the innovative freeze-drying technology Bonvie is using, how they’re bridging the gap between taste and health, and their commitment to sustainability and empowering farmers.

Atul Gupta shares the challenges of building a food brand in India’s competitive snacking market, how Bonvie differentiates itself, and what it takes to scale quickly both online and offline. Gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of healthy snacking, supply chain tech, and the future of consumer behavior. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a health-conscious consumer, this episode offers valuable lessons and an inside look at the booming snacking industry!

Discover how Sandeep Ranade—engineer, classical singer, and creator of the award-winning Naad Sadhana app—blends music, technology, and mindfulness. From artistic intelligence to Naad Yoga, he’s redefining how innovation and tradition can sing in sync.

00:35- About Sandeep Ranade

• Sandeep Ranade is a geek, gaayak and guru.

• He is a software engineer, a Hindustani classical singer and composer. 

• He's an educator, and he's the creator of the Naad Sadhana app. 

Discover how Steve Marchese, CEO of LightStim, transformed LED technology into life-changing red light therapy. From strict FDA challenges to creating the world’s first FDA-cleared full-body LED bed, this story shines with innovation, resilience, and purpose.

00:35- About Steve Marchese

• Steve Marchese is a distinguished business leader with a passion for innovation in the beauty and wellness industry. 

• Serving as the CEO at LightStim, he has transformed the company into a prominent name recognized for its advanced LED technology and its contributions to both skincare and health.

Inspired by science fiction and driven by curiosity, MIT’s Pat explores the fusion of biology, AI, and digital design — from wearable wisdom devices that channel mentorship to biotech wearables that help astronauts self-heal in space. His journey reveals how imagination, art, and science merge to shape humanity’s next frontier.

01:05- About Pat Pataranutaporn

• Pat Pataranutaporn is a technologist, scientist, and artist at the MIT Media Lab, exploring the intersection of AI, synthetic biology, and wearable computing.

• His projects fuse art, science, and technology — from AI “wisdom wearables” to bio-digital tools that enable self-healing and space medicine.

• Inspired by science fiction and ethics, Pat designs technology that expands human imagination and potential.

A powerful journey through Kathleen’s pioneering contributions to NLP, disaster-response tech, medical research, and social-good AI. From mentors to students, from early breakthroughs to large-scale societal impact, her work bridges innovation, ethics, equity, and global collaboration—while championing women in STEM and building inclusive ecosystems for future generations.

00:09- About Kathleen R McKeown

• Kathleen R. McKeown is the Henry and Gertrude Rothschild Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University and is also the Founding Director of the Data Science Institute at Columbia. 

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Brand Called You featuring Divakar Vijayasarathy, creator of the Tax as Profit Framework and founder/CEO of DVS Advisory Group. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this episode dives deep into the psychology of tax and wealth creation, exploring how entrepreneurs can leverage international taxation to align business goals with national priorities, turning taxes from a cost into a profit.

Discover Divakar Vijayasarathy’s journey from banking to building global tax strategies, and learn what mistakes founders must avoid when scaling internationally. Get actionable advice on protecting wealth, designing tax structures, and shifting from reactive compliance to proactive opportunity mapping.

Whether you’re a startup founder, seasoned entrepreneur, or finance enthusiast, this episode reveals the hidden opportunities within taxation and how technology will shape its future. Tune in for leadership lessons, practical frameworks, and global perspectives you won’t find anywhere else!