AmBika 'B' Sanjana, a premier Los Angeles–based South Asian American stylist and creative director, joins Abhay to talk about what it means to “author” your own style. From styling Hollywood’s elite and NBA All-Stars to serving as the CEO and founder of the impactful nonprofit SEVASPHERE, Ambika shares how fashion is a narrative tool that bridges cultural heritage with modern identity while centering community service.

In this deep dive, Ambika chats about her style‑based “social experiment” involving labels vs fit, the power of comfort as a baseline for confidence, and how she’s combating food and housing insecurity in Los Angeles with dignity and community. Whether creating an ongoing blueprint for style and fashion or living a more meaningful life, this conversation explores how to leave a “sparkle” in every space you enter through inspiration.

Chapters/Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to AmBika
03:09 – Style as Authorship: Telling Your Story 
05:47 – The Philosophy of Comfort and Confidence 
07:42 – The Label Experiment: Brands vs. Personal Taste 
12:17 – Evolving Through Eras: Styling for Life’s Seasons 
16:09  – Sponsor Break: Travelopod
16:42 – Effort and Effortless Style 
20:34 – Redefining Success Beyond Fame and Money 
25:18 – Sevasphere: Bringing Dignity to Community Service 
35:07 – Sponsor Break: Timberdog
35:45 – Rapid Fire: AI in Fashion & Celebrating Heritage
37:47 – Red Carpet Thoughts and Inspiration

Learn more at:
https://www.styledbyambika.com/
https://www.sevasphere.org/

Big shout outs this week to 2026 Oscar nominee and previous guest Geeta Gandhbir for her film The Perfect Neighbor which is on Netflix now, to T20 cricket and spring training, and to everyone who hopefully enjoyed a safe and happy holi.

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

Actor and theatre artist Girija Oak Godbole (Taare Zameen Par, Jawan, Vaccine War, Quarter) joins Abhay Dandekar for an in‑depth podcast interview about acting, Marathi theatre, motherhood, and Indian cinema. She talks about staying authentic in an industry obsessed with virality (yes, the blue sari!), why she rejects the “switch on–switch off” myth of acting, and how live theatre keeps her grounded and connected to audiences.
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They explore the joy and pain of working across Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati, the toxicity of language chauvinism, and why she believes translators always lose “a little something” in adaptation. Girija opens up about growing up as the daughter of an artist, choosing a full life over a never-ending race of exams and roles, and why she wants her biggest “success” to be the freedom to stop and smell the flowers.
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As a mother, she reflects on the surreal love she feels for her son, how parenting cracked open new emotional depths in her acting. She also shares her big dream: producing world‑class Indian live musicals so that people from around the world come here to watch them, not just to Broadway or the West End.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Girija Oak, nostalgia, and connecting art to real life
03:45 – The myth of “switch on–off” acting & the magic of live theatre
10:30 – Language, Gujarati–Marathi backlash, and the beauty (and politics) of words
17:15 – Sponsor Break - Travelopod
17:49 – Exams, moving finish lines & redefining success beyond the hustle
26:55 – Playing nurses, systems, and building empathy through roles
31:20 – Aging gracefully on screen, relevance, and bridging “massy” and “meaningful” cinema
38:20 – Producing dreams: why India deserves iconic live musicals
43:50 – Parenting, unconditional love, and Rasik Maibap humility toward audiences

Special shout outs this week to everyone at Dhanashree Foods and Boonlife for their wonderfully healthy  and delicious foods and snacks, and to anyone out there trying their best to learn and speak Marathi - there is an online conversational Marathi language training class through Bruhan Maharasthra Mandal.
https://dhanashreefoods.com/
https://www.boonlife.in/
https://bmmonline.org/languages/

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 https://vacation.travelopod.com/

PETA International President Poorva Joshipura unpacks Survival at Stake, linking animal cruelty to pandemics, antibiotic resistance, climate change, and pollution. Abhay and Poorva chat about her journey—from a "chicken burger" awakening to driving global change—and practical roadmaps for vegan living that protect humanity. They discuss the role of empathy, cultural heritage, and the impact of technology in advancing animal rights. Poorva shares insights on the compassion economy and how businesses can align with ethical practices. The conversation also touches on the challenges and controversies faced by PETA, emphasizing the need for awareness and action in the fight against animal cruelty.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Abhay and Poorva
02:30 Poorva's Journey into Animal Rights
06:54 The Importance of Empathy and Awareness
10:50 Strategies for Animal Advocacy
14:07 Sponsor Break - Travelopod
15:27 Unlearning and Building Compassion
19:46 The Accessibility of Veganism Today
21:33 Channeling Anger into Positive Change
25:13 Cultural Practices and Animal Rights in India
28:48 Sponsor Break - Timberdog
30:03 The Role of the Compassion Economy
32:36 Leveraging Technology for Animal Advocacy
35:41 Understanding PETA's Controversial Tactics
39:53 Euthanized Animals and Ethical Considerations
43:53 Staying Optimistic in Animal Activism
45:58 Conclusion and Shout Outs

Big shout out this week to previous guest, Neal Katyal for always bringing his constitutional A game, to Paul McCartney for being one of my favorite vegans of all time and for starting Meat Free Mondays and to Kashi, the inspiration behind RuffRest by Timber Dog.

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

Electric motors without rare earths, a hardware-first climate tech startup, and a mission to replace 1 billion gas engines in a decade. In this SPOTLIGHT episode, Abhay speaks with Ankit Somani, CEO and cofounder of Conifer, about redesigning electric motors and powertrains with simple, widely available materials so electrification can actually scale.

They break down what rare earth materials really are, why they’re so toxic and geopolitically fragile, and how that impacts everything from EVs and data centers to humanoid robots and everyday devices. Ankit explains why Conifer is betting on hardware in a software-obsessed world, what it takes to raise capital for hard tech, and how to tell a big, unconventional story that still feels real to customers and investors.

The conversation also dives into affordability, why consumers choose “cool and fun” products long before they care about emissions, and how things like e‑bikes and cleaner small machines (like leaf blowers) can change daily life and local air quality. Ankit reflects on what he had to unlearn from big companies like Google, why patience and brutal feedback define startup culture, and how his Indian American journey, parenting, and the Bhagavad Gita shape his views on action, success, and legacy.

00:00 – Introduction and why reimagining how we do things matters
01:47 – Conifer’s mission to replace 1 billion gas engines
03:39 – Engines, electric motors, and rare earth materials 101 (toxicity, supply chains, and climate)
12:32 – Building a hardware-first climate tech startup in a software-obsessed world
15:36 – Raising capital for hard tech and telling an unconventional, big vision story
18:13 – Sposor Break: Travelopod
18:48 – Selling electrification: cool, fun, and affordable vs. abstract climate consciousness
25:08 – From big tech to startups: patience, humility, and real-world feedback loops
33:08 – Indian American founder, education, parenting, and the Bhagavad Gita on action and legacy
39:09 – What Ankit wants Conifer to stand for: trust, honesty, and long-term impact

Shout out to ASAN (American South Asian Network) for everything they are doing, to Neesha for turning 30, to Farhan Akhtar for the upcoming sitar lessons, and to Akshay Bhatia for the effort and almost bringing it home at Pebble Beach!

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 vacation.travelopod.com

Wisdom historian Deepak Ramola shares a conversation with Abhay how he collects life lessons through lived experiences and art.  Deepak reveals why trauma doesn't guarantee wisdom, why procrastination uncovers your deepest values, why deep questions truly matter, and why poetry is peace's love language.  He is a Stanford Life Design Fellow, MIT collaborator, TEDx speaker, and founder of Project FUEL. His innovative FUEL methodology—centered on turning personal and social experiences into interactive programs using creative arts—has earned recognition as one of the world's top 100 innovations in education, implemented across five continents. Since age 17, he has shaped this approach through heuristic design, including the Wise Wall Project launched in 2017 to amplify rural and marginalized voices via art and outreach.
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:48 Procrastination Reveals Values and as a Science
05:50 Productivity Syndrome Trap
08:14 Good vs Bad Morality Myth
11:44 Sponsor Break - TRAVELOPOD
12:42 We Are Each Other's Alarm Clocks
16:14 Unlearning for Wisdom
20:02 Pain ≠ Automatic Wisdom
23:28 Wisdom in Unexpected Places
26:19 Sponsor Break - Timberdog
27:12 Poetry as Peace Language
33:23 Asking Growth Questions
37:54 Embody Wisdom Daily
38:19 Conclusion

Check out
Ash Gondhalekar's authentic and incredibly tasty pizza wizardry for catering and private events in the Bay Area  
Neil Dandekar creating amazing food experiences with Sea and Sky at Hotel La Jolla

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

Abhay chats with Mayur Chaudhuri, NFL assistant linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers, about the emotional journey of coaching, the importance of mental health for all, and the impact of his Indian American cultural identity on coaching. They discuss the significance of routines, the role of data and analytics in coaching, and how success is measured beyond just wins and losses. Mayur shares personal insights and experiences that highlight the importance of building relationships with players and the challenges faced in the high-pressure environment of professional football. 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:01 The Emotional Journey of a Football Season
05:34 Mental Health and Self-Care in Coaching
08:28 Communication Styles, the Appeal of Defense and Special Teams
13:55 Sponsor Break - Travelopod
14:29 Signature Moments in Coaching Career
16:53 Cultural Identity and Coaching Dynamics
21:49 Leadership and Coaching Philosophy
24:32 Navigating Ambition and Expectations
34:46 Sponsor Break - Timberdog
35:16 Grounding in Identity and Inner Voice
34:43 Influential Coaches and Personal Heroes
40:27 Quirks of Coaching and Referee Relationships
43:23 The Role of Data and Analytics in Coaching
46:34 Measuring Success and Conclusions

A huge shout out to one of the first Ram fans I ever knew in Deepa Macpherson who along with her husband Bob helps make and deliver free custom homemade birthday cakes to at-risk and underserved youth. 
This is through cake4kids and you can go to cake4kids.org to learn more and get involved!

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

Abhay shares a chat with pioneering polar explorer Preet Chandi.  Born and raised in Derby in England, Preet is a British Army officer, a physiotherapist, and a record‑breaking adventure athlete who became the first woman of color to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole. She has since gone on to break multiple Guinness World Records for solo, unsupported Antarctic ski expeditions, using her journeys to challenge perceived norms about who belongs in extreme adventure environments and to inspire others to push their own boundaries. Preet shares her journey of adventure, the importance of discipline over motivation, and how her cultural heritage and community support fuel her expeditions. She discusses the challenges of preparation, facing fears, and the vulnerability that comes with pushing boundaries. Preet emphasizes the significance of learning from failures and the need for self-acceptance in achieving success. Preet encourages all of us to take our first steps in finding and realizing our own adventures, no matter how daunting they may seem.

(0:00 - 2:34) Introduction
(2:34) Part 1 - Everyday rituals and adventures, Training and resilience
(13:02) Sponsor break: Travelopod
(13:37) Part 2 - Dealing with miscues and fear, Ambition and humility,  Identity and Fundraising
(29:45) Sponsor break: Timberdog
(30:16) Part 3 - Fragility on a Polar Expedition, The meaning of Adventure and Exploring
(38:35) Conclusion

Please help support Preet on her next journey to become the first woman to travel solo to the North Pole: https://www.gofundme.com/f/next-expedition

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

Abhay shares a conversation with Asmita Satyarthi, the CEO of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion. They explore the pressing global issues of conflict, inequality, and indifference, emphasizing the transformative power of compassion as a solution. Asmita shares her insights on how compassion can redefine problem-solving, urging listeners to connect deeply with the suffering of others and take mindful action. She reflects on her upbringing in a household dedicated to social justice, inspired by her father, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, and discusses the importance of grassroots movements in driving systemic change.  They also chatted about practical and actionable steps for everyone to embrace compassion as a vital tool for personal and societal change.
Please also check out the new book Karuna: The Power of Compassion, by Kailash Satyarthi

(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction
(2:45) Part 1 - Journey of Compassion, Mindful Problem Solving, Compassion Quotient
(14:55) Break and Sponsor message
(16:09) Part 2 - Justice and Corporate Responsibility and Equity, Leading with Compassion, Personal Tips
(29:25) Break and Sponsor message
(30:34) Part 3 - Sympathy vs. Empathy vs. Compassion, Activism for Everyone
(41:00) Conclusions

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the US and if you or someone you know is being victimized,
please call 888-373-7888
visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en or https://www.iom.int/counter-trafficking

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 vacation.travelopod.com

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

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/