Abhay shares a conversation with WNBA coach Sonia Raman, as she shares her journey in coaching, the importance of passion, the evolution of watching basketball, and the significance of player development and relationships. She shares insights on transitioning from college coaching at MIT to being as assistant coach in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies and now to serving as head coach for the Seattle Storm.

Sonia emphasizes the importance of building a positive team culture and the joy of mentoring the next generation of players. She is the first Indian American woman to coach in the NBA and the first woman of Indian descent to be a head coach in the WNBA. A Tufts University alum and Boston College Law School graduate, she transitioned to coaching, becoming MIT's winningest women's basketball coach with 152 victories and two NEWMAC Coach of the Year honors (2016, 2017).

00:00 Intro & Fandom Roots
06:42 Joy, Growth & Handling Losses
12:15 Sponsor Break
13:28 NBA Grizzlies to WNBA Journey
22:06 Data, Instinct & Game Decisions
27:18 Break
28:17 Indian-American Identity
30:57 Seattle Storm Culture & Vision
37:29 Conclusion

TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING is brought to you by TRAVELOPOD, with personalized travel support to help you explore the wonders of the world.  Start your next journey at travelopod.com

This episode is sponsored by RuffRest® , the only dog bed you'll ever need.  Go to www.timberdog.com to learn more

Abhay shares a deep, and engaging conversation with Nitin Bajaj, co-founder of the American South Asian Network, and host of the INDUStry show, the longest-running talk show dedicated to the journeys of South Asian entrepreneurs and executives. They explore themes of immigrant entrepreneurship, personal growth, community building, and the importance of daily rituals. Nitin shares his journey from feeling like he lost his 'superpower' as an immigrant to finding new strengths in building relationships and community. Nitin and Abhay also highlighted the vision behind ASAN and the optimism for the future of the South Asian community in the United States.  Stand up paddleboarding was optional (at least this time).

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 
03:05 The Importance of Daily Rituals
05:55 Immigrant Entrepreneurship: Past and Present
08:48 Personal Growth and Letting Go of Superpowers
11:53 Connecting the Dots: From Pilot Dreams to Entrepreneurial Success
17:59 The Impact of Conversations on Personal Development
20:55 Building Community and Access through ASAN
25:09 The Vision Behind the American South Asian Network
28:12 Balancing Community and Measurable Outcomes
32:05 Optimism for the Future of the South Asian Community
33:59 Who is Nitin Bajaj?

For more information about Nitin please visit https://nitinsbajaj.com/about/
For more information about ASAN please visit https://americansouthasiannetwork.com/

Abhay shares and engaging and deep conversation with Rajiv G. Menon, author and screenwriter. They explore the intricacies of screenwriting, the challenges of engaging modern audiences, and the importance of telling historical stories, particularly through Menon's latest film, 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar as Mjr. Shaitan Singh. They delve into the collaborative nature of filmmaking, the evolution of cinema in the streaming era, and Rajiv's personal reflections on writing and observation. 120 Bahadur revisits the legendary 1962 Battle of Rezang La.

(0:00 - 2:08) Introduction
(2:08) Part 1 - Screenwriting and watching, the 120 Bahadur story
(12:47) Part 2 - Historical storytelling and narratives
(27:19) Part 3 - Collaboration, streaming content, reflections
(35:53) Conclusion

Periodically on Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing, we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a very special topic or a unique endeavor. Now, we live in an era where lessons and memory of the past seems to get crystallized and presented with increasing speed and accuracy. But perhaps now more than ever, it's equally important to actually pause and reflect and synthesize and process our experiences as rich human lessons to share and express to the world.
Vinita Gupta is a pioneering entrepreneur and technology leader who made history as the first woman of Indian origin to take a company public in the US. With over 40 years in Silicon Valley, she's a celebrated leader in engineering and innovation, and a staunch advocate for women in tech. To add to that, Vinita is an internationally recognized bridge champion, an artist, and a writer. And she recently wrote about her multifaceted journey in her memoir, The Woman Indeed: Road to IPO, Bridge Tables, and Beyond, which is available everywhere.

Big shout out to INDIASPORA for sparking this one, to anyone who is sick of the six seven trend, to the American South Asian Network at americansouthasiannetwork.com

It’s Thanksgiving week in the US, so please, find someone in need and consciously practice a random act of kindness!

Abhay chats with actor and artist Sriya Reddy as they explore various themes including the fearlessness required in acting, the importance of discipline, and the celebration of women's achievements in sports and film. Sriya shares her insights on maintaining authenticity in her roles, the significance of personal growth, and the impact of kindness in everyday interactions. They discuss her role as Geetha in the film They Call Him OG and the evolving landscape of the film industry, particularly regarding women's representation and the challenges they face. The conversation emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and the misconceptions surrounding the film industry, while also celebrating diversity and the power of storytelling. Sriya is a powerhouse performer whose journey from acclaimed VJ to standout actress has redefined what it means to bring depth and complexity to every role. Audiences know her for unforgettable films like Salaar and her fierce, nuanced portrayals in They Call Him OG.

(0:00 - 2:16) Introduction
(2:16) Part 1 - Sports and its impact, discipline and balance
(16:42) Part 2 - anchors and buoys, adapting to change, women in film
(33:12) Part 3 - film industry, activism, legacy
(46:45) Conclusion

For anyone interested in the Hanuman Chalisa, here is a great outline of the lyrics and meaning:
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/culture/reads/hanuman-chalisa-lyrics-meaning

Abhay shares a wonderful conversation with Tejal Rao, the chief restaurant critic for the New York Times.  They chatted about her journey through food writing, discussing the nuances of restaurant reviews, the balance between nostalgia and new experiences, and the impact of her cultural identity on her work. Tejal reflected on food rituals, the challenges of writing reviews, and even the value of repeat dining experiences. She emphasized the need for authenticity in criticism and the role of personal experiences in shaping her perspective.

(0:00 - 2:28) Introduction
(2:28) Part 1 - food rituals, the art of the restaurant review
(13:02) Part 2 - defining excellence as a critic, nostalgia, cultural identity
(27:40) Part 3 - lessons learned, aspirational dinner
(37:52) Conclusion

Shout outs to the Indian National Women's Cricket Team and to my LA Dodgers for being world champions.
Thank you to the American South Asian Network for their terrific ongoing work in empowering and uniting.

Abhay chats with Gayatri Chouhan, an online craft artist, as she shares her journey from a childhood hobby to a thriving online community. She emphasizes the importance of simplicity and affordability in crafting, making it accessible for everyone. Gayatri discusses the significance of storytelling in her crafts, the role of mistakes in the creative process, and how she caters to various skill levels. She also touches on the balance between crafting and managing a business, and her desire to explore new materials and share. 

(0:00 - 2:01) Introduction
(2:01) Part 1 - First crafting experiences, simplicity in art, making mistakes and affordability
(11:54) Part 2 - Motion and change, crafting for all occasions
(24:15) Conclusion

Abhay shares a conversation with actor Paras Patel, best known for his standout role as Matthew in the global series "The Chosen."

They chatted about his journey from growing up in Florida to acting,  emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's roots, the significance of mental hygeine, and the responsibility through his portrayals he feels as an ambassador for the neurodivergent community. Paras also reflects on the evolving landscape for Indian American artists and the importance of self-worth over external validation. 

(0:00 - 2:30) Introduction
(2:30) Part 1 - the acting journey, slowly building a sense of purpose
(15:18) Part 2 - lessons learned, identity and being an Indian American actor
(27:36) Part 3 - empowerment in Hollywood, cultivating trust, staying in the moment
(38:50) Conclusion

Happy Diwali to everyone!

Abhay engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed and award-winning Indian lawyer, child rights activist, and founder of Just Rights For Children, Bhuwan Ribhu. They discuss the evolution of child protection laws in India, the challenges of child marriage and trafficking, and the importance of building trust and accountability in advocacy efforts. Bhuwan shares insights on the systemic changes needed for effective child protection and the motivation that drives his work. Their chat highlights the significance of community engagement and the role of justice in preventing child exploitation. Over two decades, Ribhu has championed major legal reforms in India to combat child labor, child marriage, trafficking, and child sexual exploitation, filing more than 60 strategic cases before the Supreme Court and High Courts. His efforts have shaped national policy, triggered landmark Supreme Court judgments, and, in 2025, earned him the Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association—the first Indian lawyer to receive this global recognition for advancing justice and protection for children.
At the 2025 UNGA meeting in New York, Bhuwan and the Just Rights For Children team were invited to spotlight global leadership and call urgent, justice driven commitments to build a Child Marriage Free World.

(0:00 - 2:43) Introduction
(2:43) Part 1 - Evolution of child protection laws, scaling globally
(10:04) Part 2 - Building trust, securing the role of justice
(23:22) Part 3 - Lessons learned in activism, motivations for the future
(30:41) Conclusion

Learn more about this important work and how to get involved at:
https://www.justrightsforchildren.org/
https://www.justrights.international/

Abhay is joined by Aditi Kinkhabwala, an NFL on CBS sideline reporter, sharing her journey into sports journalism, discussing her unique experiences, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges faced in the industry. She emphasizes the significance and evolution of preparation, and the impact of her identity as an Indian American woman. Aditi also reflects on the role of parenting in her career and the importance of representation in sports media. For you QB's out there, "Kem Cho" or "Chalo Chalo" may be the new "Omaha" or "Here We Go".

(0:00 - 1:43) Introduction
(1:43) Part 1 - First NFL memories, preparation on the sidelines
(13:48) Part 2 - NFL Pundit, controversial takes, halftime interview
(28:00) Part 3 - Parenting and cultivating relationships, representation
(41:25) Conclusion

Shout out to anyone who may be facing an upswing of Indian American hate right now - you’re not alone and check out some of the resources here:
https://stopaapihate.org/