Abhay is joined by Dr. Ritu Raman, MIT engineering professor and author of the book "Biofabrication", for a conversation about personal and professional lessons learned from her journey, the tethers of science fiction and pop culture, and the possibilities and limits of her work.
(0:00 - 2:58) Introduction
(2:58) Part 1 - setting the stage and defining the work, popular science fiction
(16:39) Part 2 - robotic applications, ethical considerations, priorities, extension of herself
(32:01) Part 3 - achieving in the academic world, scientific literacy and mentoring, finding joy
(47:34 Conclusion

Entrepreneur, journalist, and podcaster Ginni Saraswati joins Abhay for a conversation that touched upon everything from storytelling to mythbusting to wedding planning! Ginni is the founder and CEO of Ginni Media and hosts "The Ginni Show".
(0:00 - 2:40) Introduction
(2:40) Part 1 - wedding planning, storytelling  and building relationships
(12:24) Part 2 - the weight or lightness of identity, the biggest myths about podcasting
(24:19) Part 3 - media mogul, AI and the optimism
(30:02) Conclusion

Chef, content creator, and author Sanjana Modha joins Abhay to talk about everything from lunchtime food, to cooking as a parent, to her go-to dessert, to writing her new book "Sanjana's Feasts", which is due out this fall 2024. 
(0:00 - 3:01) Introduction
(3:01) Part 1 - lunchtime, cooking as a parent
(11:14) Part 2 - cooking as a way to connect the dots, vegetarian cooking, local specificities
(25:28) Part 3 - making a great recipe, hospitality, single dish expression
(35:32) Conclusion

It’s hopefully obvious to many that the AI revolution has not only begun but it’s in full swing. Now since I’m in healthcare and well a wee bit older than those entering the workforce right now, I wanted to get the perspective of someone who has not only grown up with AI as a digital tool and familiar science but also has developed a relationship in researching AI and using it to tackle problems at scale.  So it was wonderful to connect and share a brief chat with machine learning technology researcher and entrepreneur, Dhruv Kulkarni.  Dhruv is both a current college student at Berkeley (GO BEARS!)and a tech startup founder - someone who grew comfortable with machine learning and AI early on in his formative years.  It’s that same comfort and ease that fueled a spirit of innovation and utility to use these tools and help solve problems, particularly of interest for me in the healthcare space, where so far Dhruv has tackled the administrative problem of accelerating the prior authorization process in small clinics and now is serving as AI director at Forta Health and helping to tackle chronic conditions and problems like helping parents in caring for autistic children.  If you’re keeping score, Dhruv has already along the way, served as an entrepreneurial peer resource and mentor for other students, founded two startup companies that were acquired, developed an emerging expertise at the intersection of fintech and AI, and has already gained investor experience as a venture partner. We chatted and I wanted to learn a bit more about his work and journey, but we started by talking about when Dhruv first discovered that AI and machine learning was something he could harness and actually control…

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