the SoS podcast

What does it actually take to build something from zero — not in theory, but in the messiest, loneliest years when nothing is working and everyone around you is quitting?Peter Thiel’s Zero to One argues that the world’s most valuable companies aren’t built by copying what works — they’re built by people who see something others don’t, believe in it when most won’t, and stay when everything says stop.Sumit Khandelwal has lived those pages.He co-founded Xoxoday in 2012 from a borrowed desk in Bengaluru — no funding, no product, just four people who barely knew each other and a bet on India’s broken gifting culture. Thirteen years later, Xoxoday is a profitable global SaaS company, Series C funded, serving over 5000 enterprises across 175 countries.In this conversation, Sumit and I go deep on:— How he found the gap that became Xoxoday — and whether there’s a framework anyone can use to find theirs— Why copying isn’t always what Thiel means when he says competition is for losers— The one virtue he believes separates founders who make it from the 80% who don’t— How long-distance running taught him more about perseverance than any book— The one decision that, if gotten wrong, means Xoxoday doesn’t exist todayThe one thing I’m taking from this conversation: the people around you — your co-founders, your partner, your family — are not your support system. They are your foundation. Get that wrong and nothing else matters.This is SoS — where every conversation starts from a book and ends with something you can actually use.

The episode is all about how to building systems to bring significant changes into your own life.00:00:00 – Episode trailer00:00:56 – Guest intro00:05:00 – Leaving a ₹50L job with no plan B00:09:52 – The Jeff Bezos story that changed his mind (regret minimization)00:14:21 - Powerful framework for Deciding your Future00:26:52 – Building the Atomic Habits mindset00:29:2 – How books rewired his thinking00:32:50 – The ‘75 Hard’ challenge00:40:35 – Tracking every hour: discovering he was only doing 3 real hours of work00:51:51 – The valley of latent potential — why nothing seems to work at first00:57:55 – What "1% better" means with real numbers01:00:01 – The one thing: how to start this journey tomorrowIn this episode of The SoS Podcast, I sit down with Naman Sharma to unpack why willpower is the wrong lever entirely — and why the people who seem to "have it together" aren't more motivated, they've just built better defaults. We go deep into the ideas from Atomic Habits and turn them into a practical framework you can actually apply this week: how to design your environment instead of relying on motivation, why most productivity advice fails the moment life gets busy, and the small structural shifts that compound into real output.If you've ever ended a long workday wondering where the time actually went — this one's for you.🎙️ Listen now and subscribe to The SoS Podcast for more conversations on building a life — and a business — that runs on systems, not willpower.#atomichabits #productivity #thepodcast

This time on my podcast, a dear friend for the last 20 years or so. I wanted to speak with someone jisne is pure Financial Independence ke concept ko depth mein samjha hai and rather than going by some so called famous formulas and all, usne actual mein is direction mein conscious and solid steps liye hain to make it possible.Ek honest and fun conversation. Discussion mein bht hi behetreen tareeke se ek aisa secret pata laga jo simple hai and bht effective hai.Do listen and do let me know in the comments if you also thought ki it can actually work.#financialeducation #financialindependence #retirement #retirementplanning #retireearly #finance #savings #savingmoney #FIRE #financialindependence #RetireEarly #PersonalFinanceIndia #financialfreedom #SOSPodcast #hindipodcast #savingsgoals #wealthbuilding #mutualfunds #sipinvestment #moneymindset #financialplanning #PaisaKiAzaadi #indianpodcast

What Would You Do if You Had No Fear?

🔉 Giveaway announcement inside 📢

In this special follow-up episode, we delve deeper into the compelling topic: "How Will You Measure Your Life?" Our previous episode sparked an incredible amount of feedback, reviews, and lively discussions, prompting us to dedicate an entire episode to further explore the what, how, and why of measuring your life.

In our thought-provoking episode, "How will you measure your life?", we delve into the meaningful question of how one should truly measure their life. Shifting away from the common trap of comparing our achievements with others, we explore the more introspective approach of measuring our progress against our past selves. This episode illuminates the pitfalls of external comparison and celebrates the personal growth and fulfillment found through self-reflection and setting personal benchmarks.

Welcome to a special episode that promises to elevate your understanding of the mind's incredible power, both in the wilderness and the world of business. Today, we have the privilege of unlocking transformational secrets with none other than Arjun Majumdar, the visionary founder of Indiahikes, a pioneer in shaping the trekking landscape in India.

- Pays our bills

- Gives a lifestyle and a chance to improve it

- Can afford small/big luxuries

A job is what allows for all of this and more which is why our jobs are so important for us. And for the same reason we dread of losing it, more so when it is not by choice, a layoff.

For the past couple of quarters, the macroeconomic conditions worldwide haven't been so great and we have heard multiple companies laying off people in big numbers, you might have had a few friends or maybe yourself being on the receiving end. It hurts and it is difficult to hear about it. Though we in India have been largely guarded by the layoff winds but not completely. The most important thing to know at such times is that it is 'NOT ABOUT YOU' and that it is in no way a result of your capabilities or the lack of it.

We explore why these big layoff sprees happen and how can you look ahead in life if you have been laid off. Check out the discussion with Arjun Prakash, Founder, PIVOT.

Join us in this exciting episode of SoS|Secrets of Storytellers, as we sit down with a Shark Tank India Season 2 contestant who received funding of 90 lakhs for 7.5% from Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta.

I have always tried to meet and learn from the guests whom I host on my podcast SoS. But I was more than humbled when I had the pleasure of meeting Anand Deshpande, Persistent Systems. I had many questions which were on my mind since long, both about life and career. He was kind to hear some of my ideas and share his valuable inputs. Some of the lessons and wisdom were more than I could have hoped for.

He shares some of it in this interview discussion where we talk everything from how he started his journey to what he does after joining the billionaires club, how the startup and entrepreneur culture in India is maturing and where we are headed as a country.