TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Abhay is joined by Raj Lulla, author of the novel "The Caring House", to talk about writing about grief, mental health and empathy, and "metabolizing" grief. Their mutual love of the West Wing definitely also came up.
(0:00 - 2:53) Introduction
(2:53) Part 1 - ignition and inspiration to write the book, children grieving
(13:75) Part 2 - inconsistencies, "metabolizing" grief, personal journeys
(28:31) Part 3 - hope, immigrant mental health experiences
(39:59) Conclusion

If you or someone you know is need of support for a mental health, suicide, or emotional distress crisis in the US, please call/text 988
For worldwide resources, please visit https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

Abhay is joined by Priyanka Kamath, the founder and CEO of 100 Girls in Blockch(AI)n.
They chatted about build skill equity in tech for emerging economies and provide solutions for grassroots projects, with girls and women leading at the forefront.
Of note, on May 4, 2024, Priyanka is showcasing the 100 GIGA demo day, the result of a 3 month bootcamp of girls building software solutions with  AI innovations in healthcare, finance, agriculture, and education.

(0:00 - 3:16) Introduction
(3:16) Part 1 - blockchain and generative AI, building skill equity
(15:24) Part 2 - building cohorts of girls and women, Priyanka's "why", trust ladders
(29:43) Part 3 - creating capital and investing, finding peace, advise and lessons
(41:40) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by the Indian pop music group W.i.S.H. ...

Ri, Zo, Sim, and Suchi (Riya Duggal, Zoe Siddarth, Simran Duggal, and Suchita Shirke) share their experiences as they aim to be India's next big pop music group and the first all female group to catch fire in nearly 2 decades.  They talked about dynamics as a group and as individuals, longevity, and learning outside of their comfort zones
(0:00 - 2:44) Introduction
(2:44) Part 1 - Empowerment and what Gen-Z wants from them
(12:39) Part 2 - reverse mentoring lessons, girl bosses, and their "Indianness"
(27:39) Part 3 - longevity, group improvement, and comfort zones
(41:18) part 4 - early learning and how it matters
(47:44) Conclusion

Abhay chats with award-winning documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja about everything from the impact of her Academy Award and Peabody Award nominated film To Kill a Tiger, to processing past experiences and trauma, to holistic filmmaking without judgment.
(0:00 - 3:09) Introduction
(3:09) Part 1 - after the Oscars, instincts, building trust with Ranjit's family
(15:13) Part 2 - seeking out the gray, leading a team, mapping boundaries
(29:42) Part 3 - making films as a diasporic Indian, structural change, audience impact

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

Neha Assar has been adorning brides across the nation with bespoke ornate mehndi and body art since 1994 and is now opening doors to many opportunities that are leading to creative collaborations and ground breaking projects. 

The concepts used are original and the designs are expertly applied freehand, through inspired improvisation and alacrity. Neha Assar has become a celebrated and much sought after figure in the industry. Her artwork has been recognized via various media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Buzzfeed and many more. Neha Assar’s artwork has also been exhibited at LA Fashion Week, The Oscar Awards, The Emmy Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and The Grammy Awards. Her list of celebrity clients is ever-growing, already consisting of such names as SZA, Kylie Jenner, Drake, G-Eazy, Lebron James & Family, Shaquille O'Neal, to name a few.

Abhay chats with bureaucrat, educator, and ex-Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) in Japan, Yogendra Puranik.
Known also as "Yogi-San", the native of Maharashtra was the first Indian born elected official in Japan and now serves as the first-ever foreign-origin principal of a public (government) school, and the first-ever Indian-origin Civil/Gazetted officer in Japan.

(0:00 - 2:44) Introduction
(2:44) Part 1 - adjusting to Japanese life after 25 years, evolving responsibilities, running for elected office
(16:05) Part 2 - comparing campaigning in Japan to the US and India, cultural barriers and friction
(30:53) Part 3 - navigating Japan as an immigrant, raising his son in Japan, cultivating trust
(44:01) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by comedian Nimesh Patel to chat about his latest tour, the journey of his comedy life and everything in between.
(0:00 - 2:42) Introduction
(2:42) Part 1 - watching comedy, latest tour, structure to his shows
(12:53) Part 2 - pre-show routines, when Indians are in the audience, mirrors and windows
(26:29) Part 3 - anatomy of a good joke, being irreverent, success and lasting impressions
(35:46) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by "Master Pastelist", artist Sangita Phadke for a conversation about her journey in art, her work with still life and realism, and the storytelling from both sides of her paintings.
(0:00 - 2:26) Introduction
(2:26) Part 1 - first memory of artistic expressions, being self-taught, the "eye" for art
(16:52) Part 2 - realism, being a "Master Pastelist", still life and motion, background and calling
(33:18) Part 3 - intersections, community, art and its rewards
(46:34) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by the founder, chairman, and managing director of Persistent Systems, Anand Deshpande, for a conversation about everything from learning new skills to creating jobs to the transition away from being a CEO to legacy.
(0:00 - 3:10) Introduction
(3:10) Part 1 - learning new skills, helping build a biotech ecosystem
(18:01) Part 2 - Anand's US journey, lessons from transitions away from being CEO
(30:02) Part 3 - the thrill of giving, creating jobs, AI in mentorship
(43:56) Part 4 - motivating a population, the identity of the Indian entrepreneur, legacy
(55:08) Conclusion

Abhay chats with singer and songwriter Raveena Mehta about everything from dreams of music to her artistic journey and collaborating to her own playlist.
(0:00 - 2:18) Introduction
(2:18) Part 1 - dreaming and feeling at "home"
(14:18) Part 2 - spirituality of music, versatility, collaborating
(23:44) Part 3 - listening and playlists, aesthetics and disposability, how her listeners feel
(35:54) Conclusion