In this episode of The Golden Hour, we welcome renowned classical dancer Malavika Sarukkai for a thoughtful conversation on discipline, courage, and lifelong renewal. Drawing from decades of artistic practice, Malavika reflects on challenging convention, deepening one’s craft, and staying anchored to an inner voice while evolving with time.

She shares how faith in one’s vision, guidance from trusted mentors, and the willingness to push beyond boundaries can shape a life of purpose and expression. This episode is a reminder that the journey you begin—and the work you commit to—are only the beginning of what’s possible.

In this episode of “The Golden Hour,” our hosts are joined by Lila Poonawalla, recipient of India’s Padma Shri award and founder of the organization that bears her name. Lila talks about her trajectory from engineering apprentice to chairperson of multiple companies. 

Learn about gaining confidence in the face of challenging situations, taking a holistic vantage point when making decisions and understanding the importance of mentorship. 

In this episode of “The Golden Hour,” Anuradha Das Mathur reflects on a life shaped by leadership, learning and reinvention. She joins Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri to share what an antifragility mindset really looks like, how financial independence fuels dignity and why experience is the most liberating teacher.

From her formative years at The Economist to cofounding 9.9 Media and launching initiatives that empower women, Anuradha offers insights with warmth, clarity and conviction.

'The Golden Hour’ welcomes Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath

On this episode of “The Golden Hour,” hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri sit down with Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath, author, former principal of Lady Shri Ram College and the first woman appointed to the Indian National Security Advisory Board. 

She discusses the importance of cultivating a spirit of abundance, the role that true authenticity plays in communication and more. 

In this episode of “The Golden Hour,” hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri are joined by Geetika Mehta, managing director of NIVEA India. Geetika discusses taking career risks, the importance of mentors in making bold moves and running your own race. 

In the Season 2 premiere of “The Golden Hour,” hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri welcome tech leader Kamolika Gupta Peres. Kamolika discusses her storied career that spans multiple major tech companies. She talks about the impact that being open to opportunities can have on your career, how overplanning can hold us back and much more.

Our hosts sit down with Dr. Urvashi Sahni—founder of the Study Hall Education Foundation and the driving force behind Prerna Girls School, Suraksha, and DiDi. Together, they explore how education builds the capacity to aspire, uplift, and empower — and much more. 

 Leadership goes beyond just holding a title—it’s about attitude, skills, knowledge, and competencies. In this episode of The Golden Hour, hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri sit down with Vinita Bali, a global business leader whose career has spanned continents and major companies like Cadbury and Coca-Cola. Vinita shares her insights on what truly defines a leader and why addressing gender disparity must start at the top. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, impact, and driving change.

Writing the story of your career. In this episode of “The Golden Hour,” hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri sit down with Anuradha Aggarwal, director, user growth, and CMO, Amazon Pay, to talk about her journey across industries and the key lessons she’s taken with her along the way. From the first principals you learn in the workforce that stick to the role organizations play in creating strong male allies for women, watch the episode here:

How do we get more women into leadership? In this episode of “The Golden Hour,” hosts Apoorva Aggarwal and Arun Shastri sit down with Shanai Ghosh, managing director and CEO at Zuno General Insurance. They talk about the courage-over-comfort approach to career growth and the policies that make a difference for women in the workplace.