TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Abhay is joined by actor, rapper, producer, writer, and artist Utkarsh Ambudkar, for a conversation about his latest film 'World's Best' on Disney Plus.  They chatted about, among other things, sharing South Asian American stories, making a Disney film, and how parenting has changed his outlook.  Thankfully, Utkarsh shares some wise and helpful PSA's for everyone! 
(0:00 - 2:22) Introduction
(2:22 - 12:04) Part 1: being a South Asian American artist, a different hunger
(12:04 - 23:29) Part 2: connecting the dots of his career so far, World's Best, parenting, making a Disney movie
(23:29 - 34:38) Part 3: urgency and patience, sobriety and versatility, lessons from the past and future
(34:38) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by South Asian American musical artist Samica, whose newest EP is Laurel Canyon. Her music has been described as an organic blend of country, folk, pop, and alternative genres, with even some Hindi filmy music thrown in. They chatted about it all, especially when it's tough to remember a great song from your dreams! 
(0:00 - 3:02) Introduction
(3:02 - 15:00) Part 1: her playlist, Nashville vibes, labeling music
(15:00 - 26:09) Part 2: being a South Asian American country music artist, Laurel Canyon and romanticizing the LA experience
(26:09 - 33:49) Part 3: evolution of her persona, Red Ferrari, music as an escape, back to Nashville and global reactions
(33:49) Conclusion

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

Sachi Singh is the CEO and founder of ROOTLESS. Sachi brings her decade of experience in international climate change solutions across non-profits, academia, and philanthropy. In seaweed, she found a rare bright spot: a timeless ingredient with transformative potential for health, climate, and local economies. She started Rootless to help build a healthier, more sustainable, seaweed-powered food system of the future.

Abhay is joined by the co-founder and CEO of CloudChef, Nikhil Abraham, who wants everybody to have access to whatever they want to eat, whenever they want. CloudChef enables consumers to eat from their favorite restaurants and chefs from across the world, locally, by using AI to codify recipes from any chef and reproducing them across the world in automated cooking facilities. 
(0:00 - 3:41) Introduction
(3:41 - 17:34) Part 1: measuring art by purity, nostalgia, what is food for the cosumer
(17:34 - 30:40) Part 2: mistakes and learning while cooking, creativity and user choices, variability with food
(30:40 - 44:06) Part 3: creator and consumer relationships, the role of AI
(44:06 - 54:26) Part 4: distinguishing versions of a dish, building trust as founder of CloudChef
(54:26) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Neha Ruch, the founder of MOTHER UNTITLED for a conversation about her work to update the perception of stay-at-home motherhood in America - infusing it with ambition, dignity, growth, and potential. She is currently authoring a book called "The Power Pause" and shared her thoughts on reframing career pauses, stigma and optimism, and the perceptions of her own parents.  
(0:00 - 2:50) Introduction
(2:50 - 14:24) Part 1 - parenting, choices, and feminism
(14:24 - 29:26) Part 2 - her own parents, blind spots, patience and letting go
(29:26 - 40:05) Part 3 - structural change, roles of allies, global reactions, ongoing lessons

Abhay is joined by US Congressman Ro Khanna for a wide ranging conversation, offering a snapshot into his progressive vision, his priorities, and why being an Indian American matters. Next time, chai and Indian food will be had!
(0:00 - 3:06) Introduction
(3:06 - 11:26) Part 1 - economic patriotism and debt negotiations, manufacturing
(11:26 - 21:09) Part 2 - connecting the dots for tech and workers, Indian-American and the Congressional India Caucus, California Senators
(21:09 - 29:40) Part 3 - lessons in leadership, serving on the Biden-Harris 2024 National Advisory Board, reflections from his grandfather
(29:40) Conclusion

Actor, director, and producer Karan Brar joins Abhay for a conversation about his acting and artistic experiences, about his skills as a listener, about mental health, about the lessons learned, and enjoying his own personal and professional journey as a work in progress. Karan was the Disney Channel's first ever series regular Indian character, portraying Ravi on "Jessie" and "Bunk'd".  He has had numerous recent voice and acting roles and serves as an advisory board member for the Cameron Boyce Foundation. 
(0:00 - 2:49) Introduction
(2:49 - 9:57) Part 1: Behaviors around pronouncing his name
(9:57 - 24:45) Part 2: Initial Hollywood and LA experiences, being a South Asian American professional, first days on set, lessons and discoveries
(24:45 - 37:21) Part 2: Privacy as an artist, listening and introspection, working as a director, learning to be a leader
(37:21 - 48:25) Part 3: on embracing the "work in progress", sparking conversations in audiences
(48:25) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Chef Ranveer Brar for a broad conversation that started with mangoes and ended with how we need to constantly motivate ourselves. They chatted about nostalgia, how we think about food, storytelling, and the power of vulnerability.
Ranveer is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, painter, actor, and judge on Master Chef India. 

(0:00 - 2:33) Introduction
(2:33 - 12:47) Part 1 - local and seasonal, thinking of food, tradition and innovation
(12:48 - 26:17) Part 2 - reflecting on when he was 25, Ranveer's hierarchy of food and cooking, storytelling
(26:18 - 36:39) Part 3 - (in)consistency in cooking, acting, parenting, sanctuary and motivation
(36:39) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Jay Kapoor, a founding partner of VSC Ventures, venture capital fund that invests in early stage companies with the support on PR, go-to-market and media strategy. The chatted about the power of storytelling, about immigrant founders and resilience, and the importance of living in a variety of intersections. 
(0:00 - 2:54) Introduction
(2:54 - 17:59) Part 1: storytelling with clarity and brevity, raising funds, content and clarity
(17:59 - 33: 06) Part 2: empathy and identity, resilience
(33:06 - 45:59) Part 3: intersectionality, being a podcaster, deconstructing success
(45:59) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by Paraag Marathe, from the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.  He serves as the President of 49ers Enterprises and Executive Vice President of Football Operations.  They chatted about springtime in the NFL, living a life filled with data, his persona as a negotiator, the responsibility of being a South Asian sports executive, USA Cricket, mental health awareness, and longevity in the NFL.  
(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction
(2:45 - 11:55) Part 1 - restorative kindness in the NFL?, financial tetris, remaining steady
(11:55 - 26:44) Part 2 - nostalgia, affable but tough, developing empathy, being a South Asian American in the NFL
(26:44 - 38:02) Part 3 - USA Cricket, mental health awareness, lessons from longevity with the 49ers in the NFL