Zero Down

Join Himanshi and Hardik for a conversation that looks beyond the scoreboard. This episode reimagines India’s Women’s World Cup victory as an economic turning point, unpacking women’s cricket through the lenses of sports economics, labour markets and investment theory. From match scarcity and income volatility to market failure and untapped consumer demand, the discussion reveals why women’s cricket is driven by powerful economic logic. Grounded in economic reasoning and attentive to questions of gender and equity, this episode offers a thoughtful lens on how markets, not merit, often determine value in sport and how that dynamic is beginning to shift.

Dive into the world of digital payments with this episode on UPI, as Yana and Sneha explore its transformative journey in India. From its humble beginnings to becoming more than a payment method, UPI is reshaping the way India transacts! Let's unpack Metcalfe’s law behind its rapid growth, the two-sided market dynamics, zero-MDR advantage, and innovations like UPI on feature phones, wearables, and future collaborations with AI. Today, UPI stands as a global benchmark, driving India’s economy toward modern financial development.

Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along.

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in everyday human interactions. From friendships to roommates, group projects, social media, and conflict resolution, we break down how strategic thinking shapes trust, cooperation, and decision-making.

Light, fun, and deeply relatable, this episode connects economics to real life, because sometimes, understanding relationships is just about understanding the game.

Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along.

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in everyday human interactions. From friendships to roommates, group projects, social media, and conflict resolution, we break down how strategic thinking shapes trust, cooperation, and decision-making.

Light, fun, and deeply relatable, this episode connects economics to real life, because sometimes, understanding relationships is just about understanding the game.

Swipe into the chaos of modern romance with Devanshi and Tanvi as they unpack the Economics of Online Dating. From right-swipes to ghosting seasons, they explore how attention became a currency, why some profiles explode in demand while others get buried, and how apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge ended up running an oligopoly on our love lives. They dive into supply-demand curves on attraction, sunk cost fallacies in texting, and how freemium “premium love” became a business model. A fun, sharp look at why dating in 2025 feels more like a marketplace than ever.

Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

Concerts aren’t just about the music anymore! they’re an entire economy of their own. In this episode, Nandinii and Vanshika explore the fascinating economics behind the rise of concert culture, especially in India. From the multiplier effect that fuels local businesses every time a major gig comes to town, to the booming resell culture and parallel ticket economy that fans either hate or can’t escape, we dive deep into the financial ripple effects of live music. We also talk about Coldplay’s much-awaited India show, and how Gen Z views concerts as part of the ‘experience economy’.

Join Bhadra and Kashish as they turn a shopping trip to Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar into a crash course in game theory. From bargaining tricks and price wars to the Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, this episode uncovers the hidden strategies behind every deal.

Witty, sharp, and full of real-world insights, it’s the economic playbook you didn’t know you needed for your next Sarojini haul.

Have you freshly turned into a voter? Are you wondering whom to vote for? 

Before you decide, dive into this podcast and walk with Gargi and Anusmita around the world of politics looked at through the lens of Game Theory. Discover the various kinds of games played by political parties and unveil what goes on in the minds of every voter simultaneously that impacts on the election results.

Yes, this is where Strategy meets Power and Psychology meets Diplomacy.