TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Virginia State Senator and congressional candidate, Suhas Subramanyam, joins Abhay to talk about governing and running a campaign, finding common ground, taking on tough fights, and how he stays energized.  
(0:00 - 238) Introduction
(2:38) Part 1 - energy after a long day, district is a proxy, track record and taking on hard fights
(15:22) Part 2 - staying consistent and getting to the middle, Indian Americans in politics
(27:13) Part 3 - connecting through the political process, lessons learned, and cultivating trust
(37:16) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Dr. Swati Mohan,  aerospace engineer and scientist at NASA/JPL, for a conversation about everything from her inspirations and ongoing journey, to the everyday relatability of her work, to embracing and exploring the unknown.  Of note - Space Camp and Star Trek: The Next Generation were both discussed!
(0:00 - 2:59) Introduction
(2:59) Part 1 - early inspirations, first day at NASA
(12:44) Part 2 - problem solving, proudly Indian American
(23:49) Part 3 - AI, relatability, ambiguity
(36:17) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Krish Ashok, the author of Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking for a wide ranging conversation about everything from food identities in India, to how his time in the US informed him, to irritating misconceptions, to AI and fact checking. 
(0:00 - 2:51) Introduction
(2:51) Part 1 - thinking about questions when he's eating, food identities, the US experience
(17:19) Part 2 - fact finding or myth busting, Indian food misconceptions, AI and Indian food
(35:38) Part 3 - threats to Indian food, integrating many intersections, fact checking
(48:58) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for a conversation about her service as the only Indian American woman in the United States Congress.  They chatted about everything from progressive politics to the filibuster to her identity and love for both the country of her birth and the country she serves. 
(0:00 - 2:33) Introduction
(2:33) Part 1 - Super Bowl enjoyment and largesse, being a progressive
(12:28) Part 2 - Lessons learned on her congressional journey, compromise and filibuster, immigration
(23:57) Part 3 - Indian American identity, cultivating trust
(35:28) Conclusion

Congresswoman Jayapal also introduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, which was passed in the House but needs more support to get through the Senate. Please learn more on how to help here.

Abhay is joined by Anjali Chandrashekar, illustrator and cartoonist for the New Yorker.
The chatted about the anatomy of a cartoon and the creative process, observing the world around her, and storytelling through cartoons. 
(0:00 - 2:56) Introduction
(2:56) Part 1 - New Year's resolutions, observation and creativity
(13:17) Part 2 - the anatomy of a cartoon, inspiration as an Indian cartoonist
(27:52) Part 3 - feedback, lessons and self-reflection

Abhay is joined by Anita Verma-Lallian, the CEO of both Arizona Land Consulting and Camelback Productions. 
They talked about everything from finding value and opportunity to land development in 2024 to launching a South Asian American media production company.  As she definitely should, Anita shared that she likes the word "mogul."
(0:00 - 2:56) Introduction
(2:56) Part 1 -  opportunity and surprises, balancing patience and instinct
(12:12) Part 2 - land development in 2024, launching Camelback productions
(25:53) Part 3 - South Asian American storytelling, leading, cultivating trust
(37:43) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Advait Shinde, the co-founder and CEO of the educational tech company GoGuardian.  They chatted about everything from the value of online learning to the guardrails of technology to the privacy and free speech.
(0:00 - 2:54 ) Introduction
(2:54) Part 1 - starting the journey, applying success to education
(10:43) Part 2 - metrics of learning, human connections, responsible use of technology tools
(24:55) Part 3 - guardrails and limitations of tech, learning and values

Hena Doba joins Abhay to chat about her continuing journey in media journalism as a Pakistani American. They chatted about storytelling, about legacy networks and OTT, and about cultivating trust.
(0:00 - 2:20) Introduction
(2:20) Part 1 - measuring success, storytelling
(12:20) Part 2 - who the story is about, OTT
(26:24) Part 3 - personal identity and journey, building trust
 

Abhay is joined by Grammy nominated musician, business leader, and humanitarian Chandrika Tandon, as they chatted about her journey and motivations, about her newest album "Ammu's Treasures" weaving lessons from the corporate world into the arts, and repeating her mantra of "love, light, and laughter."
(0:00 - 3:09) Introduction
(3:09) Part 1 - structuring through music and art, finding herself through music
(17:46) Part 2 - lessons learned, integrating music and art into her life
(34:51) Part 3 - Ammu's Treasures
(44:03) Conclusion

Abhay shares a conversation with Aditya Kakodkar AKA Marathi Kaka/Brewkenstein as they chatted about everything from observation skills to bad Marathi dad jokes to surprising reactions with those who appreciate his work.  The whole thing was quite "Phantaastic" and void of any creative constipation.
(0:00 - 2:26) Introduction
(2:26) Part 1 - quirky pronunciations and creating online
(14:33) Part 2 - crossover work, Marathi Kaka, connecting through language and cultural evolution
(35:21) Part 3 - surprises and successes
(43:45) Conclusion