TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Samhita Mukhopadhyay, author of "The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning" joins Abhay for a conversation about a range topics from “trickle down feminism” to being the daughter of two Bengali immigrants, to mentoring and leadership. Samhita served as the executive editor of the popular blog Feministing and then for Teen Vogue and in reflecting on her journey, found herself squarely in the messy middle of it all in being a girl boss, questioning the notion that happiness and fulfillment stem from overwork and professional achievement. In “The Myth of Making It”, Samhita questions “hustle culture” and the neo-liberal feminist mantras of leaning in and persevering as seductive and often destructive definitions and methods. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, expert analysis, and the varied experiences of workers, she tackles this paradox of why working success for women can feel deeply important and so unsatisfying at the same time.

(0:00 - 3:30) introduction
(3:30) Part 1 - redemption and liberation, "hustle culture"
(14:20) Part 2 - "trickle down feminism", mentoring and leadership, counseling new women entering the workforce
(31:49) Part 3 - daughter of Bengali immigrants, South Asian modern feminism, exploring and enjoying paradoxes
(46:48) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by writer, director, and producer Vivek Agnihotri to share a broad ranging conversation about his life as a filmmaker.
His films include The Kashmir Files, The Vaccine War, and the upcoming The Delhi Files.  
Believe it or not, the kidneys, Keyser Söze, and cricket all were involved!
(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction
(2:45) Part 1 - Rallying and inspiring, truthseeking, combating the lonely journey
(18:00) Part 2 - unlearning vs additive journey, fear and fearlessness
(36:38) Part 3 - his advertising background, national pride, aging gracefully
(52:53) Conclusion 

Abhay is joined by cricket athlete Saurabh Netravalkar, whose clutch bowler performance led Team USA to a dramatic victory over Pakistan and into the Super 8 competing against Team India in the recent Men's T20 World Cup.  They chatted about everything from his cricket journey to integrating sport with life as a software engineer to growing cricket in the US. 
(0:00 - 2:59) Introduction
(2:59) Part 1 - compartmentalizing cricket and non-cricket life, goal setting, lessons learned
(17:19) Part 2 - staying level, being a leader, an unconventional cricket journey, loyalty to team
(33:58) Part 3 - growing cricket in the US, talents and legacy
(45:34) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Dr. Ami Bera, United States Congressman (D) CA-6, as they share a broad conversation about his experiences and journey as the longest serving Indian American in Congress. 
(0:00 - 3:10) Introduction
(3:10) Part 1 - Doctoring and crossover skills in politics, relationship building and prioritizing
(13:36) Part 2 - Governing and campaigning
(26:01) Part 3 - Foreign affairs, Indian American experiences, Patriotism
(36:16) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Vikas Khanna, the celebrated judge of Master Chef India,  Michelin award-winning chef, author, and filmmaker.  Vikas' new restaurant BUNGALOW, opened this past spring in New York City.  They shared a chat about his journey and bringing people "home" through his food experience.
(0:00 - 2:36)  Introduction
(2:36) Part 1 - first professional meal, how to age gracefully as a culinary artist
(12:00) Part 2 - merging sentiments of other worlds and finding "home", diverse interests, how to prevent cooking boredom
(27:06) Part 3 - cooking when no one's watching, nostalgia
(37:04) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by award-winning actor Kani Kusruti for a conversation about her ongoing work and recent role in the film, "All That We Imagine As Light", which recently won the Grand Prix award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
(0:00 - 3:06) Introduction
(3:06) Part 1 - relationship with the film, awards, working with director Payal Kapadia
(15:17) Part 2 - the acting process, feedback and success, her craft of acting
(33:39) Part 3 - women as storytellers in the industry, discovering Kani
(44:53) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by award-winning filmmaker, Raja Choudhury, whose newest documentary "America's First Guru" is available to stream on PBS, and showcases the story of the young and charismatic Swami Vivekananda’s travels to the US in the late 1800’s to speak at the first World’s Parliament of Religions conference in Chicago, broadly introducing Hindu philosophy and India’s spiritual culture to American audiences.
(0:00 - 2:41) Introduction
(2:41) Part 1 - deciding to make the film, surprises and discoveries
(16:53) Part 2 - unlearnings, journey toward "bliss", American experience
(29:42) Part 3 - trusting in spirituality, Indian and Hindu wisdom, empowering message

National policy expert, Rohini Kosoglu, joins Abhay to talk about everything from building trust with leaders to policy intersections and governance with AI to the imperatives of this upcoming election cycle.  Rohini recently served in the Biden-Harris administration as Deputy Assistant to the President and Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President. 
(0:00 - 3:19) Introduction
(3:19) Part 1 - parenting and relationship development, additive experiences with leaders
(14:29) Part 2 - intersections of A.I. and policy, innovation vs regulation, governing with compromise
(32:44) Part 3 - South Asian American patriotism, election imperatives
(45:37) Conclusion

SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.

Varsha Mathur, J.D., PCC, a certified dating and relationship coach with over seven years of experience, guides clients worldwide to effortlessly find and sustain lasting love with their ideal partners.  Through her personalized coaching approach, Varsha empowers both singles and couples
to cultivate confidence, ignite attraction, and build partnerships that withstand the test oftime. A former practicing lawyer and mediator, Varsha draws on her personal journey, including divorce and remarriage, to help others make decisions untainted by negative influences, propelling them toward their dreams. Varsha’s work is deeply rooted in her belief that people should not be burdened by various cultural and societal
stigmas or taboos that disempower them from living their most authentic and fulfilling life.

Choreographer and dance artist Rohit Gijare joins Abhay to talk about everything from teaching to getting inspired to constantly being a student of dance.  
(0:00 - 2:53) Introduction
(2:53) Part 1 - routine, inspiration, improv
(14:08) Part 2 - how to define "good", being an effective teacher, dance and cultural importance
(32:45) Part 3 - breaking stereotypes and barriers, being a student of dance
(46:58) Conclusion