TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

"Every one of us needs that connection. And I think when we start parenting, we tend to get into that, 'well, my kid needs to listen to me and I need to be in control.' And we forget that in order for your child to listen to you, they need to feel that you're listening to them." — Dr. Mona Amin

How do we balance the immense pressure of raising successful children with the biological need to simply connect with them? For many in the South Asian diaspora, navigating parenthood means actively unlearning generational cycles of perfectionism, external validation, and the shaming of big emotions.

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with fellow pediatrician, lactation consultant, and mother, Dr. Mona Amin. As the founder of Peds Doc Talk, Dr. Amin reaches millions of parents online, offering a blend of evidence-based guidance and authentic vulnerability.

Dr. Amin opens up about her personal journey as a Gujarati Indian American unlearning the performance anxiety of her immigrant upbringing. She shares how surviving a traumatic, life-threatening ICU delivery transformed her medical empathy, why she identifies as an "uplifting realist," and why it is vital to let our children "be a little weird". She also breaks down her actionable "Acknowledge, Align, Guide" framework for overcoming parental overwhelm and combatting misinformation.

If you are navigating the complexities of modern parenthood or striving to break generational cycles, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to support the channel!

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introductions 
04:00 - The "Recovering Control Freak" & Managing Parental Anxiety 
07:53 - Finding Harmony Between the Pediatrician and Parent Brain 
10:09 - A Traumatic ICU Delivery & Learning from Medical Mistakes 
14:24 - Building Empathy and Trust Through Telehealth 
18:25 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod and Lotus Lane Coffee 
19:22 - Unlearning Indian American Perfectionism & External Validation 
24:56 - The Strengths of South Asian Culture: Work Ethic & Village Support 
29:04 - Growth Charts & The Petite South Asian Curve 
30:05 - The Formula for Misinformation: Acknowledge, Align, Guide 
34:14 - Guiding Principles: Positive Reinforcement & Co-Regulation 
38:26 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest 
39:29 - The Broken Healthcare System & The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media 
47:43 - The "Uplifting Realist" & The Power of a Gratitude Jar 
51:39 - Outro & Community Shout Outs

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Connection Over Control: Why kids need to feel listened to before they will listen to you, and how parental control often masks underlying anxiety. 
• Redefining Success: Shifting away from the traditional immigrant focus on external validation and outcomes, toward praising the process, curiosity, and hard work. 
• The Empathy Shift: How experiencing medical gaslighting firsthand transformed Dr. Amin's approach to listening to her patients. 
• Acknowledge, Align, Guide: A three-step psychological framework for communicating effectively with overwhelmed parents, addressing feeding struggles, and combatting medical misinformation.

GUEST & COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
🌐 Explore Peds Doc Talk: https://pedsdoctalk.com
🧈 Support Maitreyee Ghosh and Suanaya Ghee (Small batch Ayurveda-inspired): https://suanaya.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#DrMonaAmin #PedsDocTalk #IndianParenting #SouthAsianDiaspora #GentleParenting #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AbhayDandekar #PediatricianMom #GenerationalTrauma #ParentingTips

"This third stage of life I do believe is when we're at our highest levels... peak powers. You always believe that the best is ahead." — Arun Paul

How do we gracefully care for our aging parents without stripping away their community, serendipity, and human connection? For the South Asian diaspora, traditional joint-family models are colliding with the individualistic, suburban realities of American life—leading to a public health crisis of loneliness.

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Arun Paul, the founder and CEO of Priya Living. Drawing from his deep background in the resort and hospitality industry, Arun is completely reimagining intergenerational and senior living for the diaspora.

Arun opens up about his personal journey of trying to keep his aging parents close in San Francisco, the viral "game of telephone" that sparked Priya Living, and why their communities are designed around public courtyards to foster organic connection. We also explore the staggering science of loneliness, why young Desi professionals are moving into these communities, and what our culture urgently needs to unlearn about elder care.

If you are navigating the "sandwich generation" or care deeply about building human connection, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to support the channel!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Arun Paul (Priya Living)
04:41 - The "Sandwich Generation" & Starting the Conversation with Aging Parents
10:16 - Individualistic US Suburbs vs. Indian Serendipity & Connection
14:52 - The Viral "Game of Telephone" That Started Priya Living
18:19 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee
18:45 - Physical Design: Courtyards, Public Spaces & Human Connection
22:31 - Why Priya is a "Hospitality Company," Not an Old Age Home
27:42 - How Moving to a Community Can Actually Strengthen Family Bonds
31:12 - Intergenerational Living: Why Young Desis Want to Move In
34:17 - The Science of Loneliness & Speaking 30% Fewer Words Today
37:26 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
37:56 - What the Diaspora Must Unlearn About Senior Care
41:48 - Redefining the Concept of "Home"
44:16 - Building Trust & Reaching Our "Peak Powers" as We Age
46:17 - Outro & Community Resources

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Hospitality, Not Healthcare: Why approaching senior living through the lens of a boutique resort—focusing on joy and connection—changes the entire experience.
• The Loneliness Epidemic: Unpacking the physiological impacts of loneliness and the staggering research that we speak 30% fewer words per day than we did 20 years ago.
• Intergenerational Magic: Why Priya Living attracts young diaspora professionals seeking the wisdom, warmth, and "adoption" of elders.
• A Second Childhood: How allowing parents the autonomy to build their own robust social lives liberates both the senior and the adult child.

GUEST & COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
🌐 Explore Priya Living: https://www.priyaliving.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#ArunPaul #PriyaLiving #SeniorLiving #DesiDiaspora #SouthAsianMentalHealth #ElderCare #LonelinessEpidemic #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AbhayDandekar #IntergenerationalLiving

How do you take traditional regional Indian flavors—from Kolkata street food memories to comfort dishes like Khichdi—and reimagine them for global fine-dining spaces without losing their cultural soul?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Chef Sujan Sarkar, the Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur behind Indienne (Chicago & New York), Baar Baar (LA), Tiya (San Francisco), Nadu and Swadesi Cafe (Chicago) and several others.

Chef Sujan opens up about his journey from first meals at a street food stall during Durga Puja in Kolkata to earning a Michelin star and James Beard Award nomination. He shares his perspective on why he identifies as "an Indian chef cooking in America," how he bridges nostalgia and innovation to unite three generations at one table, and why hospitality and storytelling are just as crucial as what’s on the plate.

If you love conversations exploring food, culture, heritage, mentorship, and modern South Asian identity, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Michelin-Star Chef Sujan Sarkar
02:37 - Durga Puja Kiosk to Culinary School: The Early Days in Kolkata
05:19 - "I'm an Indian Chef Cooking in America": Defining His Culinary Identity
08:54 - Creating Experiences Beyond the Plate: Building Indienne & Baar Baar
12:02 - Learning & Unlearning: The Science of Flavor over Theater
14:42 - Creative Tension: Nostalgia, Heritage & Newness in Food
19:25 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod and Lotus Lane Coffee
19:50 - Beating Kitchen Monotony: Reimagining Khichdi & Hyperlocal Ingredients
22:37 - Mentorship, Leadership & Partnering with Family in San Francisco
27:52 - Is Indian Food Unifying? Regional Diversity & Food Tourism
30:31 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
31:00 - Michelin Stars & James Beard: Cooking with Joy, Not Pressure
34:21 - Changing the Global Narrative: Design, Hospitality & Mocktail Pairings
38:06 - The Guest Journey: Why Service & Warmth Complete the Meal
41:01 - "Complex, Not Complicated": Accessibility & Giving Value to Diners
43:11 - Outro & Community Shoutouts

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Complex, Not Complicated: How Indian food can leverage diverse regional ingredients and modern technique without losing its fundamental comfort.
• Three Generations at One Table: Why the true measure of modern Indian cuisine is creating dishes that resonate with grandparents, parents, and diaspora youth alike.
• An Indian Chef in America: Chef Sujan's distinction between "elevating" food versus bringing a personal, globally informed perspective to Indian heritage recipes.
• Beyond the Plate: Why atmosphere, service, and storytelling are just as vital to a memorable restaurant experience as the food itself.

GUEST & RESTAURANT RESOURCES:
🍽️ Explore Indienne (Chicago & NYC): https://www.indiennechicago.com
🍽️ Explore Tiya (San Francisco): https://www.tiyasf.com
🍽️ Explore Baar Baar (Los Angeles / New York): https://www.baarbaarlosangeles.com
🔗 Connect with Chef Sujan Sarkar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sujansarkar1/

SHOUT OUTS:
• Everyone at KASH Cafe in Berkeley, CA https://www.bykashco.com/
• Koolfi Creamery in San Francisco, CA (Try their Mysore Pak ice cream!) https://koolficreamery.com/
• Everyone standing up against Indian and South Asian racism and hate

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#ChefSujanSarkar #Indienne #ModernIndianCuisine #MichelinStarChef #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #DesiDiaspora #IndianFineDining #IndianFood #BaarBaar

How do we break the silence around youth mental health in South Asian and Indian American communities? Why do so many high-achieving youth suffer from internal burnout, and how can parents identify subtle warning signs before a situation becomes a crisis?

In this vital episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Dr. Apurva Bhatt, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Stanford Medicine. Dr. Bhatt specializes in early identification of psychosis, suicide prevention strategies, school mental health integration, and culturally responsive care for South Asian diaspora families.

Dr. Bhatt breaks down the "model minority myth," unpacks the intergenerational trauma and communication gaps between immigrant parents and second/third-generation youth, challenges the pervasive fear of "what will people say?" (Log Kya Kahenge), and shares practical tools for families—including digital media wellness plans, gamifying mental hygiene, and building community-based support systems.

If this conversation helps you or someone you love, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to support mental health awareness across our global community!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Dr. Apurva Bhatt (Stanford Medicine)
03:21 - Growing Up Indian-American: Navigating Identity & Complexity
06:19 - Subtle Red Flags vs. Labeling Kids "Lazy" or "Spoiled"
09:11 - Why Families Wait Until Crisis & Intergenerational Trauma
11:24 - High-Achieving Youth, Bay Area Pressure & Internal Burnout
14:43 - Actionable Steps for Parents: Modeling Breaks & Checking In
17:55 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod  & Lotus Lane Coffee
18:20 - Immigrant Parents & Diaspora Youth: Bridging the Cultural Gap
25:24 - Deconstructing the Model Minority Myth & Digital Isolation
28:16 - Digital Wellness Plans, Sports,  & Gamifying Mental Hygiene
31:36 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
32:06 - Overcoming Stigma & "What Will People Say?"
35:20 - Community Action, Storytelling (RCOZ) & Culturally Responsive Care
39:50 - Key Takeaways: "Mental Health IS Health" & Hope for Recovery
42:50 - Building Trust with Families & Empowering Youth Advocacy
46:58 - Outro, Crisis Resources (988) & Community Shoutouts

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Mental Health IS Health: Why shifting our foundational belief from viewing mental illness as a flaw to treating it like physical health changes everything.
• Recognizing Early Red Flags: Moving beyond labels like "lazy" or "burnt out" to spot subtle behavioral, mood, and sleep changes early.
• Deconstructing the Model Minority Myth: Why high achievement does not protect youth from internal anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
• Actionable Prevention: Utilizing the AAP Family Digital Plan, encouraging real-world movement (sports, Garba, Bhangra, dance), and creating open check-in routines at home.

CRISIS & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
If you or someone you know is in distress or experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for immediate support:
🇺🇸 USA: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
🇮🇳 INDIA: Call Tele-MANAS at 14416 or 1-800-891-4416
🇬🇧 UK: Call 111

Recommended South Asian Mental Health Organizations:
🌐 RCOZ : https://www.rcoz.org
🌐 Mental Health Initiative for South Asians (MHISA): https://www.mhisa.org
🌐 South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network (SAMHIN): https://samhin.org
🌐 South Asian Therapists Directory: https://www.southasiantherapists.org

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#ApurvaBhatt #YouthMentalHealth #SouthAsianMentalHealth #DrApurvaBhatt #StanfordMedicine #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #MentalHealthAwareness #DesiDiaspora #ParentingInTheDiaspora

"When you're creating, you can be fearless. But fear is what makes your pieces more interesting." — Abhay Sehgal

How do you go from studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to building a global surreal art brand, launching the streetwear label Code BRWN, and capturing modern Indian identity through memory and chaos?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with contemporary surreal artist, SAIC alumnus, and Code BRWN founder Abhay Sehgal. Abhay shares his journey from experimenting with darker art and Salvador Dalí-inspired surrealism to returning to Delhi, where he weaves memory, psychology, and Indian culture into a globally recognized aesthetic.

Abhay chats about his philosophy on why emotional tension and fear give art its depth, how disruption and travel spark his best conceptual work, why he prefers keeping his personal identity separate from his art, and the idea of fine art accessible to a new generation across India and the diaspora. We touched also on the challenges of this past year through allegations of plagiarism, mimicry, and AI art, and how he has grown tremendously as an artist

If you enjoy deep conversations on art, culture, identity, creative risk, and South Asian storytelling, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Teaser: "Fear is what makes your pieces more interesting"
01:05 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod
01:24 - Welcome & Introducing Contemporary Surrealist Abhay Sehgal
02:49 - The Meaning of "Abhay": Fearlessness in Creative Expression
04:22 - Dark Art, Mental Health & Balancing Cheerfulness with Tension
06:21 - Personality vs. Art: Why Keeping Identity Secondary Matters
10:16 - From SAIC Chicago to Delhi: Falling in Love with Surrealism
12:23 - Nostalgia, Heritage & Memory as Creative Anchors
16:12 - Sponsor Break: TRAVELOPOD and Lotus Lane Coffee
16:37 - Routine vs. Disruption: Why Chaos Multiplies Creativity
19:36 - Bridging Two Worlds: Why Diaspora Audiences Connect with Surreal Art
24:35 - Code BRWN & Streetwear: Making Fine Art Accessible
27:19 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
27:48 - Redefining Trust, Inspiration & Growth After a Year of Creative Challenges
33:09 - Fine Art, Public Spaces & The Power of Community Art
36:20 - Redefining Success, Social Media & Staying Authentic
41:01 - "Walk Ten Miles in My Shoes": Triggering Nostalgia in Viewers
42:37 - Outro & Community Shoutouts

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Fear as Tension: Why true creativity requires fearlessness in execution, but emotional tension to make visual art compelling.
• Nostalgia & Identity: How living in Chicago and Delhi shaped Abhay's surrealist lens on modern Indian identity and heritage.
• Navigating Chaos: Why breaking away from mundane routines and embracing disruption sparks new artistic breakthroughs.

GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
🎨 Explore Abhay Sehgal's Art & Code BRWN:
https://artbysehgal.com/
https://www.codebrwn.com
Riyaaz and Rebirth showing in the SF Bay Area Sept 18th-19th

Shout outs:
• Artists everywhere creating boldly
• South Asian and Indian-origin students in Texas
• Former guest Rajeev Ram for a legendary career of tennis excellence
• Better food labeling standards in Indian and everywhere

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#AbhaySehgal #CodeBRWN #Surrealism #IndianContemporaryArt #SAICChicago #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #DesiDiaspora #IndianStreetwear #ModernIndianIdentity

"If my child is going to break the mold and not be a statistic, the number one quality that I had to embed in him was a belief system in himself. If you can take ownership of what makes you different, then you are unstoppable." — Shireen Hafeez

How do you go from receiving a late hearing loss diagnosis for your child and fighting insurance companies to founding an international movement that empowers tens of thousands of deaf youth through computer science?

In this SPOTLIGHT episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Shireen Hafeez, Founder of Deaf Kids Code. Shireen shares her powerful journey from parent advocate lobbying state legislatures for hearing aid coverage to building a zero-barrier, completely free global program that transforms visual-spatial talent into high-demand STEM, coding, and design thinking skills.

Shireen helps us confront the shocking statistic that 75% of people with disabilities remain out of the job market, tackles the cultural taboos around disability within South Asian communities, discusses embedding AI literacy into special education, and explains why true accessibility means building WITH the community, not FOR them.

If you believe in bridging equity gaps, empowering marginalized youth, and expanding human potential, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
03:46 - The Diagnosis & Fighting Insurance "Cosmetic Device" Labels
07:42 - Legislative Advocacy & The 75% Disability Unemployment Statistic
12:06 - Founding Deaf Kids Code: Defiance, Scale & Zero-Barrier Access
14:29 - Sponsor Break: TRAVELOPOD, Lotus Lane Coffee,  & Timberdog Ruffrest
15:24 - Overcoming Apathy, Human Arrogance & Building Belief Systems
20:06 - Micro-Impacts, Deaf Role Models & Evangelizing Greatness
24:35 - South Asian Cultural Stigma, Unlearning Silence & True Allyship
29:20 - AI Literacy, Accessibility Coalitions & "Build WITH the Community"
32:24 - A Message for Parents & Educators: Unlocking Human Potential
36:20 - Conclusions, Deaf Awareness Month & Community Shoutouts

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Defying the 75% Statistic: How Deaf Kids Code is actively countering workforce exclusion by preparing deaf and hard-of-hearing youth for modern STEM careers.
• Zero-Barrier Access: Why Deaf Kids Code provides its coding, robotics, and hardware workshops entirely free to schools, educators, and families.
• Overcoming Cultural Stigma: Breaking down the shame, silence, and "otherness" surrounding disability within South Asian and global communities.
• AI & Accessibility: Why disabled leaders must sit at the forefront of AI development to prevent algorithmic bias and unleash accessible innovation.

GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
🌐 Learn more & get involved with Deaf Kids Code: https://www.deafkidscode.org
🔗 Connect with Shireen Hafeez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireenhafeez/

Shout outs:
• September is Deaf Awareness Month — Learn, grow, and foster inclusion in your local communities!
• Varsha Dandekar — For a lifetime dedicated to working with children with special needs.
• Tanuja Sheth — For sparking this episode.
• Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi — For his ongoing efforts to combat hate crimes against South Asians.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus: https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping: https://timberdog.com/

#ShireenHafeez #DeafKidsCode #DeafAwareness #STEMeducation #DisabilityInclusion #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AccessibilityInTech #DeafCommunity #SouthAsianAdvocates

How do you go from anchoring primetime news on NDTV to leaving mainstream television, co-founding India's first short-form digital news platform, and bringing old-school editorial rigor to Gen Z — all while fighting algorithms and online polarization?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with award-winning independent journalist, former NDTV primetime anchor, and PEEK TV Co-Founder Priyanshi Sharma. Priyanshi shares her journey from mainstream television newsrooms to corporate business school at ISB, and her decision to build a new media model focused on unbiased, unsensational, fact-based reporting for global digital audiences.

Priyanshi also breaks down her philosophy on why "every generation deserves old-school journalism," how the definition of the "informed Indian youth" shifted from apolitical to deeply engaged, why the boundaries between journalism, activism, and social media influencers must remain distinct, and how PEEK TV is detoxing online discourse to keep the global Indian diaspora connected to true ground realities.

If you enjoy deep conversations on journalism, digital media, Indian democracy, technology, and identity across the global South Asian community, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introductions and welcoming Priyanshi
03:43 - The Journalist's Detox & Managing 24/7 News FOMO
09:54 - The Informed Indian Youth: From Apolitical to Deeply Engaged
15:15 - Delusion vs. Hope: How Youth Protests Re-Energized Indian Citizenship
18:28 - Sponsor Break: TRAVELOPOD
20:28 - Journalism vs. Activism & Influencers: Why Credibility Matters
24:31 - Building PEEK TV: Short-Form Digital News Beyond Mainstream TV
28:13 - Sponsor Break: Lotus Lane Coffee & Timberdog Ruffrest
29:28 - Storytelling, Misinformation & "Detoxing the Discourse"
37:52 - Algorithmic Polarization & Unlearning the "TV Anchor Tone"
45:03 - Connecting the Global Indian Diaspora to Ground Realities
48:01 - Hope, Dissent, and the Future of Independent Indian Media
52:29 - Outro & Diaspora Community Shoutouts

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Old-School Journalism in Short-Form: How PEEK TV brings rigorous editorial standards and fact-based reporting to short-form digital video platforms.
• Journalism vs. Activism: Why maintaining strict independence and objectivity is vital for stories to retain public credibility.
• Detoxing the Discourse: Overcoming algorithmic polarization, echo chambers, and sensationalism to deliver balanced perspectives.
• The Diaspora Connection: How independent digital media bridges the gap for global Indians seeking reliable, unvarnished news from the ground.

GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
📰 Follow PEEK TV: India's first short-form digital news video platform
https://www.peektv.in/
🔗 Connect with Priyanshi Sharma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyanshis/

Shout outs:
• Rakshabandhan — Celebrating siblings everywhere
• Dr. Pramod Varma — Celebrating 10 years of India's UPI revolution
• World Alzheimer's Month — Raising awareness and challenging stigma around Alzheimer's and dementia at
https://www.alzint.org/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month/
• Nepal Flood Relief — Sending support to everyone recovering from the recent floods in Nepal. Please help by visiting:
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#PriyanshiSharma #PEEKTV #IndependentJournalism #NDTV #IndianMedia #DigitalNews #Journalism #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #SouthAsianJournalists #DesiDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi

How do you go from seeing the Google website load for the first time on a campus computer screen in Mumbai to building and exiting three tech ventures, writing The Golden Tap, and buying back your company from VCs — all while navigating the rapid rise of AI?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and HyperTrack Founder & CEO Kashyap Deorah. Kashyap shares his journey across changing tech cycles, from falling in love with the internet at IIT Bombay to building and exiting three tech ventures, capturing the Indian tech ecosystem in his bestselling book The Golden Tap, and making the bold decision to buy back HyperTrack from venture capital investors to become a management-owned company. 

Kashyap also breaks down his philosophy on why "technology accelerates human behavior rather than equalizing opportunity," how startup scaling accelerated from 0-to-1M in 18 months to 0-to-100M in 18 months, why high school dropouts building AI-native tools are outperforming legacy pivots, and why deep emotional connection and empathy remain the core operating system for tech leaders. 

If you enjoy deep conversations on entrepreneurship, venture capital, technology, and identity across the global South Asian community, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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

⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Teaser: Why Technology Accelerates Human Behavior
01:46 - IIT Bombay, Google & Falling in Love with Entrepreneurship
06:32 - The Accelerated Startup Pace: AI-Native Founders vs. Legacy Pivots
09:53 - Building HyperTrack: Gig Workforce Logistics & Field Automation
15:54 - Sponsor Break: TRAVELOPOD and Lotus Lane Coffee
16:52 - Capital Concentration & Shifting Venture Capital Dynamics
19:53 - Why We Bought Back Our Startup From VCs
24:35 - Hard Truths for Founders: M&A Realities, Valuations & Misalignment
28:58 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
29:25 - Tech Polarization, Vipassana Meditation & Consciousness
36:00 - Reconnecting Feeling with Thinking in Tech Leadership
43:32 - Outro & Diaspora Community Shoutouts 

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

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• The Core Operating System: Why human relationship building, empathy, and active listening remain constant anchors despite hyper-accelerating tech cycles.
• Buying Back Your Startup: How HyperTrack realigned with investors to buy back VCs/PEs and transition to a profitable, management-owned business.
• Tech Accelerates Human Behavior: Why technology doesn't automatically equalize opportunity, but rather accelerates existing human tendencies and polarization.
• Leading with Feeling: How Vipassana meditation and connecting at an emotional level help founders make better decisions in an AI-driven world.

GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
📖 Read The Golden Tap by Kashyap Deorah
🌐 Learn more about HyperTrack: https://www.hypertrack.com
🔗 Connect with Kashyap Deorah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdeorah/

Shout outs:
• Pia Dandiya — Winning her Democratic primary in Florida
• California State Assembly members Darshana Patel & Ash Kalra — Helping California pass its official Diwali resolution
• Maharashtra FDA — Banning high fat, salt, and sugar foods in and around schools

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
Timberdog Ruffrest
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

How do you go from an introverted engineering student in Goa to winning two back-to-back National Film Awards and directing hit films like Article 370 and Baramulla — all without ever working as an assistant director?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with acclaimed writer and director Aditya Suhas Jambhale. Aditya shares his incredible journey of disruptive self-belief, turning down an associate director offer on a 400-crore film (Ashwathama) to bet on his own voice, overcoming the "blame game" in engineering school, and entering the directing space from Marathi theater to short films to feature films.

Aditya also breaks down his philosophy on why "doing a project in the industry is easy, but doing cinema is tough," how he crafted high-stakes emotional storytelling in Article 370 and Baramulla, and why artists have a responsibility to make art valuable.

If you enjoy deep conversations on cinema, storytelling, resilience, and identity across the global South Asian community, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

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

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Teaser: "To do a project is easy, to do cinema is tough"
01:16 - Welcome to Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing
01:35 - Introducing Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale
03:02 - Falling in Love with Cinema: Watching Titanic in Goa
05:13 - The Cricket & Engineering Detour
07:44 - The Mentorship Mirror: Stopping the Blame Game
10:04 - An Introvert's Journey: Becoming an Accidental Director
12:13 - Self-Taught Vision: The large Audience Spectacle of 'Vande Mataram'
14:45 - Back-to-Back National Awards & Meeting Aditya Dhar
15:42 - Turning Down Ashwathama: The Audacity to Bet on Himself
21:30 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee
22:15 - Crafting High-Stakes Storytelling in 'Article 370' & 'Baramulla'
30:11 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
35:40 - Cinema vs. Industry: Why Emotional Connection is Everything
42:15 — Navigating Scale & Budget
48:10 — The Artist’s Responsibility
56:20 — Uncompromising Self-Belief: Maintaining creative independence 
1:05:10 — Building Evolving Narratives: How theater roots in Goa shaped Aditya's visual and audio storytelling style. 
1:12:21 — Closing Reflections

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• The Mentorship Mirror: How stopping the "blame game" in engineering school transformed Aditya's career.
• Betting on Yourself: Why Aditya turned down an associate director position on a 400-crore film to direct his own vision.
• The Disruptor's Responsibility: How independent theater and short films built a bold, uncompromising directorial voice.
• Cinema vs. Industry: Why true filmmaking relies on audience empathy and emotional value over massive production budgets.

GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
🎬 Watch Article 370 & Baramulla on Netflix
https://www.instagram.com/adityasuhasjambhale/?hl=en

Shout outs:
• Happy Independance Day to India!

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
Timberdog Ruffest
https://timberdog.com/

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

#AdityaJambhale #Article370 #Baramulla #IndianCinema #BollywoodDirector #NationalAward #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #SouthAsianFilmmakers #DesiDiaspora

How do you carry the monumental weight of one of Indian classical music’s most revered lineages while fearlessly forging your own contemporary artistic voice?

In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Grammy-nominated Sarod master, composer, and performer Alam Khan. As the son of legendary maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Alam inherited the keys to the iconic Maihar Gharana tradition. In this deep and intimate conversation, Alam reflects on performance rituals and perfectionism, taking the Sarod into modern landscapes, navigating the "Jedi-like" responsibility of preserving legacy, and why true music must always serve as the "sound of unconditional love."

If you enjoy deep dives into culture, identity, and artistic excellence within the South Asian diaspora, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to join our growing community!

--------------------------
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
03:02 - Overcoming Stage Fright & Performance Anxiety
05:44 - Breaking Free from Perfectionism: "Perfectly Imperfect"
08:48 - Maintaining a Growth Mindset in High-Stakes Artistry
11:22 - Evolving Relationship with the Sarod: Classical vs. Contemporary
15:01 - Meaningful Collaboration vs. "Confusion" Music
16:07 - Classical Music as a Spiritual "Lighthouse"
18:28 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod and Lotus Lane Coffee
19:28 - Preserving Ali Akbar Khan's Legacy & Finding Space
22:55 - The Anatomy of Musical Storytelling & Emotion
25:15 - Listening to Ali Akbar Khan’s Music Over Time
28:44 - Teaching at the Ali Akbar College of Music
32:17 - The "Jedi Order" Responsibility & Personal Legacy
35:27 - Creating from a "World Between Worlds"
38:35 - Connecting Audiences to Peace, Power, and Solace
40:33 - Episode Outro & Community Shoutouts

--------------------------
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Embracing the "Perfectly Imperfect": How to quiet physiological anxiety on stage and get out of your own way.
• The Classical Lighthouse: Why classical foundation provides the creative anchor when exploring contemporary genres.
• True Collaboration: Avoiding superficial fusion by ensuring projects resonate deeply and create timeless art.
• Spreading the Sonic Gospel: Interpreting teachings for new generations at the Ali Akbar College of Music.

--------------------------
GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:
🌐 Alam Khan Official Website: https://alamkhan.com
🌐 Ali Akbar College of Music (AACM): https://aacm.org

Shout outs to:
Dr. Amish Shah for winning the AZ primary
Nini for starting Optometry school at UC Berkeley - GO BEARS!
NAFA and BMM Seattle for great events
Sameer Gupta for all he's building at RootStockArts in Oakland

--------------------------
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus: https://lotuslanecoffee.com

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

Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.

Support our sponsors: Start your journey with personalized travel support at https://vacation.travelopod.com/

For enquiries 📧 Email : [email protected]
About TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING:
My name is Abhay Dandekar and I share conversations with talented and interesting individuals linked to the global Indian and South Asian community. It’s informal and informative, adding insights and perspective to our evolving cultural expressions, where each person can proudly say “TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’m DOING.” New episodes weekly!

Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing