Trust Me...I Know What I'm Doing

Abhay is joined by comedian Amit Tandon for a broad conversation sharing insights into his journey in comedy, discussing the importance of relatability, the art of writing jokes, and the challenges of maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing industry. He reflects on the evolution of his craft, the significance of audience observation, and the balance between content creation and innovation. Amit also talks about the guardrails he sets for himself in comedy, the anatomy of a good performance, and the importance of continuous improvement in his work. Try and catch his show Halwa  which he he showcasing currently on tour across the globe.(0:00- 2:33) Introduction(2:33) Part 1 - keywords, being relatable, being a better listener/observer(12:30) Part 2 - storytelling and timelines, pushing boundaries, anatomy of a good show(30:55) Part 3 - delivering intelligent comedy consistently, life before and after stand-up comedy, satisfaction vs ambition(42:56) ConclusionIntro:So if I were on stage delivering stand up comedy, I'd likely be petrified both as a performer and also in trying to create material that someone other than me would find funny.  But as an audience member, maybe the best characteristic that I seek out in a comic artist would be honesty, manifesting in such a way that it builds connection through laughter and shared experiences. Now recently, I was able to catch up with comedian Amit Tandon, who is currently touring across the world with his latest show called Halwa.  Amit is a veteran performer who is known for his clean, relatable, and honest content - which allows him to constantly evolve and hone his well-crafted art.  He went from life as a successful  engineer and entrepreneur, to being the first to have a Hindi solo stand up show on Netflix appropriately called “Family Tandoncies”. Amit's writing and observational style of humor have drawn audience and critic praise alike, especially with relating personal experiences of marriage, family relationships, and the sometimes awkward and surprising truths that govern our own internal reflections. His style is definitely friendly, intelligent, sharp, and in a way bonding- and not just because of the relatability factor with Amit, but also the compelling and connected joy that you're left to seamlessly realize with the people in your own orbit. So when we caught up, we chatted about the nuances of his comedy and storytelling craft, balancing guardrails and pushing boundaries, AI (of course), and even straddling ambition and satisfaction as an artist.  But of course, as I was searching through some of his work, the recurring popups on YouTube were showing online orders for chaat and food snacks, and real estate in Pleasanton, which is heavily populated with Indian families here in the Bay Area - a clear sign I guess that the algorithmic key words and cookies are working well. So… I asked him to reflect a bit on what he thinks those Amit Tandon key words… might be?

Actor, director, and producer, Karan Soni joins Abhay to talk about his latest film A Nice Indian Boy (directed by Roshan Sethi), share lessons from his journey, and some of  the cultural nuances of being an Indian American in Hollywood. He reflects on the importance of versatility in acting, the duality of creative roles, and the significance of downtime for personal growth. Soni emphasizes the need for authentic representation in media and the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. He also touches on the challenges and rewards of navigating the entertainment industry, ultimately expressing a desire to create work that uplifts and resonates with diverse audiences. Of note: proper name pronunciation was celebrated, and no blood tests were ordered.  (0:00 - 2:50) Introduction(2:50) Part 1 - being an endearing artist, life on both sides of the camera, learning and un-learning(19:50) Part 2 - letting go from each role, craft and practice, downtime and privacy, from Delhi to LA(40:24) Part 3 - empowerment from A Nice Indian Boy, working with Roshan Sethi, labels, audience take aways(52:51) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by pioneering seed-stage venture capitalist Vani Kola, founder and managing director of Kolaari Capital. They talked about rituals and routines, dealing with ambiguity and guardrails, and how accelerate closing the equity gap for women entrepreneurs in tech.(0:00 - 3:04) Introduction(3:04) Rituals, basic skills and values, anchors(19:01) Dealing with ambiguity as an founder or funder, navigating guardrails(36:07) India as a governance leader in tech, accelerating pathways for women, nostalgia, building trust(55:30) ConclusionSo I'm always eager to learn from leaders who more often than not are able to manage contrasts.  Now contrasts come in all different shapes and forms and they are literally all around us in every professional and personal environment and my hypothesis is that successful leaders find a way maybe through their own journey to manage small and large contrasts with progressively increasing clarity, patience, and purpose. So it was really a treat to share a conversation with Vani Kola, the founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital, an early stage venture capital firm in India.  Vani is originally from Hyderabad, and after an engineering degree, came to the US to complete her Masters and went on to a career as a serial entrepreneur in Silicon Valley for over two decades.  She then returned to India to pioneer among the first homegrown Indian seed-stage venture firms with Kalaari Capital, using a philosophy that includes recognizing ambitious first-time entrepreneurs and helping them to scale up. Now mind you, she started this at a time in the mid-2000's when opportunities for growth and scale for ecommerce, tech, healthcare and many other sectors in India were at the ripening stage.  Vani has navigated and executed successfully through the endless contrasts of an evolving seed-stage venture ecosystem: new vs old, disruptive revolutions vs steady institutions, profiteering innovation vs collective responsibility, and skepticism vs trust… they're at the core of the face to face conversations that investors and entrepreneurs are having everyday.  Vani has been mentoring, and developing some of India's top founders and unicorn companies, with not just a keen eye on returns, but on the responsibility too to accelerate women as leaders in entrepreneurship, doing it all with a meditative sense of purpose and a growth mindset of sharing (by the way, you really have to check out her great newsletter called Kolaidoscope on LinkedIn). I had met her briefly once when she spoke at a panel discussion on tech and India's future, and it was great to catch up with her again to talk about everything from ambiguity and nostalgia, to the guardrails of tech, policy making, and even what she misses about Silicon Valley.  But we started by chatting about the basics of daily skills and anchors, and especially if she had any self- driving and governing rituals or routines?Thanks again and if you're enjoying these, please don't forget to share this with a friend, take a moment to write a kind review, or drop a line to us at info@abhaydandekar.com.  Again, a big shout out to Indiaspora for being that one of a kind gathering ground for doing good. Remember that conversation is the antidote to apathy and the catalyst for relationship building. 

Isabella Sreyashii Sen, co-CEO of Hazelnut Media, joins Abhay to share her journey of finding home in Singapore and how her background informs her storytelling approach. She discusses the importance of empathy in media, the challenges of independent film production, and the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping global narratives. Isabella highlights the need for patience, gender equity, and the power of community. (0:00 - 2:33) Introduction(2:33) Part 1 - Singapore, foundational background(14:48) Part 2 - ladders and challenges, social causes, gender equity(29:47) Part 3 - levers of power, connections in the diaspora(41:00) ConclusionsThank you to INDIASPORA!

Abhay shares a conversation with Satyajit Hange, co-founding farmer of Two Brothers Organic Farms, located in Bhodani, a rural village in Maharasthra.  They chatted about generational influences on his journey, grappling with the challenges of running an eco-conscious enterprise,  and even the impact of his Vedic philosophy on his mission, vision, and values.(0:00 - 3:10) Introduction(3:10) Part 1 - nostalgia, typical farming day, tensions and purpose(19:29) Part 2 - combating forces, leaving the corporate world for farming, competition (35:37) Part 3 - suprises from visitors, Vedic literature and "swadharma", conversations with previous generations(49:04) ConclusionOK - so in my book and in my mind, earth day really is everyday and lately, with each successive day, it seems like when it comes to the earth and climate, retro is actually quite innovative. So I've been asking myself the following almost “time machine” question. And here it is:  How would our foremothers and forefathers from a few generations ago react if they saw a slice of our current world and enviroment? I know they would be fascinated with so many improvements and major advances, but it seems that we would have a lot to learn from them to maybe urgently integrate into our practices today of how we preserve and conserve, treat the land we inhabit, and live consciously with engagement.  It's certainly a question that was top of mind, as I shared a conversation with Satyajit Hange, one of the co-founding farmers of Two Brothers Organic Farms.  Satyajit is a 4th generation farmer in Bhodani (भोडणी), which is about ½ way between Pune and Solapur in Maharashtra. After going away to boarding school and then starting his post-MBA career in the marketing, banking, and education sectors, Satyajit felt his purpose was meant to be elsewhere, and so he, along with his brother Ajinkya, started Two Brothers Organic Farms to make a difference in sustainable rural agriculture.  Foundationally, they've been committed to 100% organic nutrition, humane indigenous animal welfare and farming practices using intercropping, heirloom seeding, and a superb focus on soil health and even bee pollination.  But one of the more amazing by-products of this has been the galvanizing effect on the community with training and education not only for their own teams, but for thousands of local farmers.  I particularly would also call out a spirit of activism, advocating for food labeling transparency and even the tech to monitor a traceable pathway back to the origin of each product. It's a pretty 2025 way of respecting practices that were likely quite normal back several generations ago, and while Satyajit and Two Brothers Organic Farms have come a long way from sharing delicious papayas at local fruit stands to now distributing food across the globe, when I caught up with him to chat about it all, I first wanted to know how much of his ongoing journey has been driven by that inherent nostalgia for farming life that has run so deep for many generations in his family?Learn more about Satyajit, his brother Ajinkya, and their work at twobrothersfood.com

Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor. So it's springtime in a lot of our global areas, where traditionally, things everywhere are starting to bloom. And with melting snow and healthy rains it also means that water is flowing freely to activate dormant soil and nurture the land so that communities and villages can thrive.  Or at least that's the idea, but in today's reality, more and more rural land is suffering at the hands of a climate in crisis.  This is especially true in rural India, where the cyclic pressures of growth, urbanization, social exodus to the cities, and drained resources, have made yesterday's once fertile land turn into today's eroded dry deserts.  So I was intrigued to learn more about one group's mission to try and bend the narrative away from that erosion to one of holistic abundance and empowerment, and it was absolutely wonderful to share some time catching up with Sagar Dharia, one of the trustees of Vanarai, an organization deeply committed to rural grass roots conservation and sustainable land restoration.  Vanarai was started nearly 40 years ago by Sagar's grandfather, the late Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mohan Dharia, whose vision was to bring together stakeholders and make villages more self-reliant through education, watershed management, health, sanitation, and farming.  Working with over 250 villages across Maharashtra and other states, Vanarai has succeeded in integrating a strong rural development strategy by rejuvenating water and soil, reviving farming practices and economies, and stimulating social change through education and community building.  I have to tell you that it is an inspiring design of community activism and energy that's based on climate science, thoughtful planning, social science, and a modern strategy that doesn't ignore the challenges of rural development in a rapidly evolving India.  Ultimately, cultivating relationships and trust are at the core of this very  eco- conscious people movement, and so I asked Sagar why he believes that rural villages are so relevant to India's successful future?You can learn more about Vanarai's ongoing work at VANARAI.ORG or get in touch with them at contact@vanarai.org

Comedian, writer, and actor Sindhu Vee joins Abhay for a broad conversation about her new comedy special Alphabet, how her journey has informed her comedy, and the way she measures success.  Mangoes, Amitabh Bachchan, and love letters were all of course included!(0:00 - 2:49) Introduction(2:49) Part 1 - consuming comedy, South Asian roots(15:00) Part 2 - integrating and enduring, love letters, mothering(33:20) Part 3 - brand and mission, "I kick you and you hug me", measuring success(48:08) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by the creator of the Hulu series Deli Boys, Abdullah Saeed, to chat about everything from vulnerability and courage with storytelling, to cultivating trust on this project, to weaving partition into the show, to finding comfort and humor in the absurd.  Simpsons and Tan France references were part of the overall gentle charm of this conversation.(0:00 - 2:54) Introduction(2:54) Part 1 - Underachieving, Courage and vulnerability(15:02) Part 2 - Comedy juxtapositions, South Asian cultural approaches in American storytelling(34:45) Part 3 - Explosive turns, Building trust, Mirrors and windows, longevity(46:52) Conclusion

Author, writer, and journalist Sanjena Sathian rejoins TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING to chat about her new novel Goddess Complex, and the state of South Asian American millennial adulthood with attention to procreation, pregnancy, and parenting. Abhay was thrilled once again to step into the Sanjenaverse!(0:00 - 2:53) Introduction(2:53) Part 1 - the birth of a new book, narrative speed, tormented writing(15:45) Part 2 - taking risks, regret or not, take aways for men, reproduction and the immigrant experience(32:52) Part 3 - Balance and privilege, unlearning, frenemies and changes(44:25) Conclusion

Abhay shares a chat with Nima Sherpa, the youngest human in the world to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8000m. Nima shares his journey through the world of climbing, the lessons learned, and the importance of mentorship. He discusses the unique perspective that youth brings to risk-taking and humility, the significance of Sherpa culture in mountaineering, and the evolving landscape of climbing as a profession. Nima emphasizes the need for environmental responsibility and the balance between tourism and conservation, while also reflecting on his personal growth and the aspirations for future generations of Nepali climbers.(0:00 - 2:40) Introduction(2:40) Part 1 - learning from an unsuccessful climb, taking risks(15:15) Part 2 - growing as a leader, focus while climbing, Nepali mountaineering(30:37) Part 3 - climate impact, favorites and injuries, staying peaceful and strong(43:37) Conclusion

Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor. So ok, a while back , I had to think about making a will and living trust, and not to be morose or sad, but  it was a good exercise that forced me to think about things that are family heirlooms, or even the more basic question of what we find precious or beautiful and even enduring?  For a lot of people, tangible things like jewelry come to mind, and it's likely no newsflash that India has a fairly strong heritage and history with jewels and diamonds. Now,  in the 2025 that we live in,  technology is bending the curve and offering alternatives for everyone to be conscious of sustainable affordability, ethical choices, time, and rapidly evolving definitions of elegance and fashionable beauty in almost every corner of every consumer market. So, I was actually really curious to learn more about lab grown jewelry, and it was really great to share a Spotlight conversation with Ricky Vasandani.  Ricky grew up all over the world in a family that successfully scaled a legacy diamond jewellery business over decades. With a background in marketing and entrepreneurship,  and success in both the sports and Food and Beverage domains, he turned his attention to co-found Solitario as an emerging Indian lab grown diamond producer with an expanding domestic and international retail footprint.  In fact, just recently, Solitario finished a round of pre-ipo funding - a solid positioning in a market that's expected to skyrocket in the next few years.  We caught up to talk about his global journey and experiences, about lab-grown jewelry and the storytelling that it deserves when making choices, but I first asked him to share the obvious, which was to tell me more about the jewelry he was currently wearing…

Abhay is joined by Sree Sreenivasan journalist and CEO/Co-Founder of Digimentors, for a broad conversation from August of 2024 about his experiences in journalism and media.  He is also the co-founder and current president of the South Asian Journalists Association. Sree is a passionate, talented, and humble soul and tells some amazing stories  - apologies in advance to any avid fans of Leonid Brezhnev.(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction(2:45) Part 1 - global citizenship, first feeling like a journalist(17:58) Part 2 - journalistic objectivity, cultivating relationships(38:20) Part 3 - media and institutions, unlearning(49:53) ConclusionsSree Sreenivasan shares his journey as a journalist and digital consultant, reflecting on his diverse background and the importance of storytelling in media. He discusses the challenges facing journalism today, particularly in representing the rich diversity of society, and the need for media to adapt in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Sree emphasizes the significance of community, the role of digital immigrants, and the necessity of unlearning to stay relevant in the field. The discussion also touches on the impact of social media and the evolving nature of communication in our lives.

Abhay is joined by Major League Baseball executive Farhan Zaidi to chat about everything from the culture of being a front-facing leader in sports, to his journey in baseball, to his insights on starting pitching, to who he thinks is the smartest player he's ever been around. After spending time with the A's and Giants, Farhan is back again with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers as a special advisor.(0:00 - 3:01) Introduction(3:01) Part 1 - being a "free agent", learned lessons from previous roles, what it's like to be an executive(13:13) Part 2 - baseball culture, his own multicultural background(26:03) Part 3 - unlearning, pitching in 2025, cultivating teams, legacy(38:04) ConclusionA big shout out to Nick and Brad and all the humans and canines over at Al's Barbershop in Alameda - where everyone leaves a little smarter, a little happier, and with a little less hair.

Abhay is joined by peace activist Nitin Sonawane as he embarks on a cross-country Gandhian walking journey for peace across America, from San Francisco to Washington DC.(0:00 - 2:56) Introduction(2:56) Part 1 - starting out and mapping, typical walk day, growing up (15:11) Part 2 - peace and conflict, getting to actuation, surprises(29:00) Part 3 - grassroots peace activism, combating fatigue, walking shoes, why his walking matters(39:51) ConclusionAs begrudgingly as I can say it, congrats to any Eagles fans out there - there… I said it, OK?I'm a fan of feedback, so if you have thoughts or suggestions, send em over to info@abhaydandekar.com

Abhay is joined by filmmaker Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, whose debut feature  Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic competition.  Sabar Bonda is the first ever Marathi feature film to be presented at the festival.(0:00 - 2:38 ) Introduction(2:38) Part 1 - Sundance, patience as a filmmaker, mourning and grieving as a backdrop(15:02) Part 2 - making films with important themes, one-word descriptors, lessons(26:32) ConclusionLike many, my heart and soul go out to those who are struggling as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.Please help contribute to the American Red Cross, Mutual Aid LA Network, various Go FundMe efforts, Save the Children, and Baby2Baby. Hoping for a safe, peaceful, and supportive recovery for everyone.

Abhay is joined by Kinsu Kumar and Varsha, two leaders from the Satyarthi Global Movement for Compassion, which is dedicated to globalise compassion to restore justice, peace, equity and sustainability in the world.   Kinsu and Varsha are part of the movement's Bal Ashram and Bal Mitra initiatives, which exemplify these efforts at the grass roots level in India, addressing child labor, sex trafficking, and child marriage through rehabilitation efforts in urban and rural areas.(0:00 - 3:40) Introduction(3:40) Part 1 - stories of entry, stories of trust, helping to manage trauma(21:32) Part 2 - using compasion as a vehicle, maintaining and sustaining gains, how to promote needed changePlease visit Satyarthimovement.org and satyarthi.org to learn more about their global work.  If you are listening in the US and may be aware of someone who is a victim of humantrafficking, please call 888-373-7888.

Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor. In this spotlight episode, Aki Kumar shares his journey as a blues musician, discussing the universality of blues themes, the importance of being a lifelong student of the genre, and how his Desi identity influences his music. He reflects on the emotional outlet that blues provides and the lessons learned from performing. Aki also explores the relationship between art and identity, expressing optimism for the future of music and his upcoming album. Check out his website (akikumar.com) for news and details about upcoming shows!Now there are lots of people who  love Bollywood music, and there are certainly a lot of people who love American blues music. But what happens when those two worlds meet?  And that's what set the stage for a conversation I shared with Aki Kumar, a musician and singer who for over the past decade has been trying to ensure that the intersection of these two musical genres is a space that you need to pay attention to.  Aki was born and raised in Mumbai and came to the US to study computer science - ok that part isn't without a playbook or blueprint.  But with a passion for Indian music and a deep new embrace for American blues history and local blues performances, Aki set about to express himself by blending melodies from Hindi films with blues music, garnering a buzz for his performances everywhere, many local awards along the way, and the title of “San Jose's king of Bollywood Blues”.  Now I have to tell you, that I caught one of his shows here in the Bay Area, and from experiencing Aki on stage, his singing, his killer harmonica style, and his superb band,  I could not have asked for a more entertaining way to enjoy both true Americana mixed with some soulful imaginations of Indian music.  Now for me this was all a pleasant surprise because I had made some natural assumptions about what Bollywood Blues might be, so as we   began chatting, I asked him if he also made assumptions about persona or expectations when it came to his unique brand of making music?Like many, my heart and soul go out to those who are struggling as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.Please help contribute to the American Red Cross, Mutual Aid LA Network, various Go FundMe efforts, Save the Children, and Baby2Baby. Hoping for a safe, peaceful, and supportive recovery for everyone.

Abhay is joined by Melissa Mahtani, journalist and the executive producer of CBS Confirmed.  Over two decades, she's been a reporter, a blogger, a moderator, and an anchor covering stories about human rights, gender equity, global affairs, and breaking news.  They talked about verified journalism, empowering audiences, and more.(0:00 - 2:45) Introduction(2:45) Part 1 - Cultivating trust, democratization of information(13:45) Part 2 - Anatomy of a news story, A.I.disruption, South Asian background(29:28) Part 3 - Combating disinformation, unlearning, joy and optimism(41:30) ConclusionLike many, my heart and soul go out to those who are struggling as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.Please help contribute to the American Red Cross, Mutual Aid LA Network, various Go FundMe efforts, Save the Children, and Baby2Baby. Hoping for a safe, peaceful, and supportive recovery for everyone.

Abhay is joined by singer Dhee, as they both shared a conversation about making music and loving the process.Dhee is a Sri Lankan born, Australian raised, Tamil-rooted artist whose music is available everywhere.(0:00 - 2:21) Introduction(2:21) Part 1 - loving the process, completing a song (11:05) Part 2 - singing in various languages, exploration vs. comfort, versatility in her music(27:43) Part 3 - collaborations and learning, "connecting the dots", legacy on listeners(38:00) ConclusionLike many, my heart and soul go out to those who are struggling as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.Please help contribute to the American Red Cross, Mutual Aid LA Network, various Go FundMe efforts, Save the Children, and Baby2Baby. Hoping for a safe, peaceful, and supportive recovery for everyone.

Abhay chats with nutritional psychiatrist, Dr. Uma Naidoo, author of the books "Calm Your Mind With Food" and "This Is Your Brain On Food".They chatted about a range of things, reviewing the many connections between mood and food. Check out the 6 Pillars of Nutritional Psychiatry and more of her work at umanaidoomd.com. (0:00 - 2:29) Introduction(2:29) Part 1 - mythbusting, moments of celebration, how Uma found her way to nutritional psychiatry(16:23) Part 2 - unlearnings, South Asian themes(31:24) Part 3 - nutrition and anxiety in youth and teens, gut microbiome, rituals and routines to build upon(44:39) ConclusionAlso please note that the content here should not be taken as medical advice, and is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your own healthcare professional team for any medical questions or concerns.Lastly, Dr. Naidoo has many fans out there of her books ... even Tom Brady!

Abhay chats with performance psychologist and sports scientist, Shayamal Vallabhjee to chat about everything from setting goals and empowering individuals to sustaining performance and cultivating trust in your achievements. Shayamal's expertise is sought after by everyone from elite sports teams, global leaders and executives, and Indian cricket athletes like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.(0:00 - 3:00) Introduction(3:00) Part 1 - competitiveness, performance mindset, defining goals and excellence(17:23) Part 2 - surprises in working with athletes, Indian heritage, lessons learned, unhealthy wins and healthy losses(43:03) Part 3 - the aging athlete, finding peace and cultivating trust(57:15) Conclusion

Abhay is joined by the founders of the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour, Barnali Ghosh and Anirvan Chatterjee, to talk about activism, unearthing local South Asian American history, and suprises from their experiences.(0:00 - 3:23) Introduction(3:23) Part 1 - reflecting on the first tour, South Asian American history as a "secret"(14:57) Part 2 - identity as historians and activists, amplifying stories, temperament of an activist, racial intersections and interrogations(36:48) Part 3 - unlearnings as activists, "3D activism", lasting impressions(47:40) ConclusionContact info@berkeleysouthasian.org to get updatesLocal Bay Area photography shout out to George Nixon - the ultimate pro!

Abhay is joined by gender fluid singer, actor, model, performer and activist, Sushant Divigikar AKA Rani KoHEnur.They chatted about everything from art and comfort on stage to parenting and gratitude. Listen to and watch  BAWLA , Sushant's latest work (collaborating with Mikey McCleary and others)(0:00 - 2:44) Introduction(2:44) Part 1 - feeling most comfortable with singing, gratitude from parents, the stage as a safe place(19:01) Part 2 - introversion/extroversion, feeling humble, feeling empowered(39:41) Part 3 - the basics of "unlearning", dreams, lasting impressions on new audiences(52:07) Conclusion Special shout out to KDC Performing Arts in Phoenix - if you somehow ever need dance in your life, please check them out!

Abhay shares a conversation with United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy.  They chatted about some of the imperatives of doctoring, serving youth and parents, and promoting health through human connection. And of course, mangoes were definitely discussed!(0:00 - 3:06) Introduction(3:06) Part 1 - Prioritizing and keeping the population healthy, kindling connection, parenting(17:59) Part 2 - Gun violence and safety, building community, Indian American background, gifts from his parents(32:58) Part 3 - Combating disinformation, finding joy and optimism in each other(42:31) ConclusionShout out to Alivia Irwin and please help her in her fight to honor her grandfather and end Alzheimer's disease

Abhay catches up with actor, Adi Roy, lead actor for the Broadway hit musical Aladdin.They chatted about actor life, Alanis Morissette songs, South Asians in theater, and much more...(0:00 - 2:20) Introduction(2:20) Part 1 - pre-show routines, transition from touring to Broadway(13:47) Part 2 - Jagged Little Pill experiences, auditions and feeling content, resilience as an actor(24:53) Part 3 - South Asians on Broadway(34:57) Conclusion

Abhay chats with Israa Nasir, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of the book "Toxic Productivity",.They chatted about everything from habits and rituals to her South Asian background to steering toward healthy productivity.(0:00 - 2:57) Introduction(2:57) Part 1 - Slow mornings, rituals and reminders(16:23) Part 2 - Quieting the critic, cultural background accelerating her work, managing emotions(30:15) Part 3  - Epiphanies with productivity, writing the book, masks and parents(48:23) Conclusion

It's election week here in the US, so onTRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we're sharing Lotus for POTUS conversations, hearing insights from leading edge voices to help inform us and get out that vote!  A few months ago, I created a meme with a photo of Vice President Harris that went “In Sanskrit, Kamala means Lotus… In America, Kamala means POTUS” and for me and many others, that sentiment sums up the urgent choice we're making at the highest level, being thoughtful about our past, present, and future.  Not just for our community, but for every community of voters of any age in the US, what it all comes down to is showing up and exercising the ultimate demonstration of trust and individual power in a democracy - which is casting your vote in a free and fair election. Indian Americans and South Asian Americans are the fastest growing voter bloc in the US, having the power to be the true margin of victory in many places, and as civic engagement continues to grow and foundationally expand, the work of organizing and mobilizing and activating at local and national levels become more complex and genuinely imperative.  With over 60 endorsed candidates across the country, Indian American IMPACT is doing just that - making a difference with a thoughtful and action oriented approach. And as the last push is upon all of us after such a long and incredibly grueling road, it was great to catch up with Executive Director Chintan Patel. And getting right to it after traveling to many battleground states recently,  as Chintan introduced himself and his work, I also asked him to describe the tone and temperature of what he's seeing and feeling out there in the community…Remember, conversation is truly the antidote to apathy… Go to Iwillvote.com for information about voting resources, to desipresident.com, iaimpact.org, southasiansforharris2024.org, and to kamalaharris.com to get engaged and learn directly about the Harris-Walz campaign. Please get involved, get active, and get informed about all your local issues and candidates up and down the ballot, and most importantly GO VOTE.  Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar.

Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor. And I guess there is no more celebrated or more special a topic than Diwali.  It's a centering feeling of home for so many, and as a growing global spotlight shines  brightly on this lit up tradition, there remain great opportunities to help support more excitement and meet an eager curiosity.  In a way, as equally fulfilling and festive as it is to recognize and celebrate Diwali just because you and your family and your neighbors and your community have always done so, there also needs to be great simplicity and understanding for those who are just getting to know Diwali and its significance or those who are refreshing or reaquainting themselves or even those who are hoping to to help create new Diwali traditions.  Thankfully, entrepre neur and author Chhavi Bhargava has written a new book called “A Kids Book About Diwali” to help start and continue these conversations. Chhavi is an Indian American, and was an elementary school teacher in Canada for over a decade.  Her deep experiences in building curriculum, especially organizing learners around diversity and inclusion, informed her to write a book about Diwali, to showcase the timeless Hindu festival as an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming experience for everyone. As more and more school districts in the United States  are observing Diwali, A Kids Book About Diwali may serve as an entry point for more open discussions among neighbors, teachers, and administrators to not just learn more about Diwali, but about respectful curiosity and empathy for our differences. Chhavi and I caught up recently to chat about the book and I started by asking her particularly about that centering feeling of “home”The book is available everywhere and please visit bookaboutdiwali.com for more.  Shubha Dipaavali and a peaceful, healthy, and Happy Diwali to everyone.  Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar

In partnership with DOCTORS for HARRIS, Abhay shares conversations with leading doctors from around the country on the imperative healthcare choices Americans are facing in the 2024 election and compelling reasons to vote for Kamala Harris(0:00) Introduction(1:15) Congressman Raul Ruiz (D) CA-25(10:40) Alice Chen (17:30) Anita Somani(24:34) Annie Andrews(31:55) Mark Lopatin(39:09) Micah Ernst(47:08) Lalita Abhyankar(52:35) Owais Durrani(59:20) Nina Agrawal(1:04:30) Alicia Christy(1:11:00) Suhas Gondi(1:17:05) ConclusionPlease visit IWILLVOTE.COM , DOCTORSFORHARRIS.COM , and KAMALAHARRIS.COM 

In this episode, Neil Katyal discusses the current election cycle, focusing on Kamala Harris's centrist approach and her empathetic leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of voting rights and electoral integrity, while also addressing the challenges of misinformation and trust in institutions like the Supreme Court. Neal reflects on his identity as an Indian American and how Kamala Harris' candidacy resonates with that experience, urging listeners to recognize the constitutional implications of the upcoming election.We're almost at election day here in the US, so these next few weeks on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we're sharing a series of Lotus for POTUS conversations, hearing insights from leading edge voices to help inform and get out the vote!  A few months ago, I created a meme with a photo of Vice President Harris that went “In Sanskrit, Kamala means Lotus… In America, Kamala means POTUS” and for me and many others, that sentiment sums up the urgent choice we're making at the highest level, being thoughtful about our past, present, and future.  As the question of “what's at stake” is such an important one to keep asking ourselves, we also know that from the beginning there's been a swirl of tangled questions surrounding the “what ifs” in a very close race and also involving a convicted felon who has used the legal system as a vindictive bludgeoning tool against the free and safe  election process.  So particularly to help clarify some of these thoughts on the imperatives that we face, it was simply wonderful to chat with Neal Katyal, the former acting solicitor general of the United States.  Neal is an attorney with expertise in constitutional, criminal, and intellectual property law, and along with his prior experiences in the Justice Department as a National Security Advisor, he has argued 51 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, more than any other minority lawyer in history.  He's had deep experiences in some of the most significant trials in our country's history over the past 25 years, including the George Floyd murder trial, defending the voting rights act of 1965, the Trump travel ban, military trials at Guantanamo, and the election dispute in 2000, just to name a few. Neal is a law professor at Georgetown, and along with being a respected scholar and prolific author, he seems to have won nearly every major legal award out there and thankfully is a frequent news commentator.  He also hosts a great podcast called Courtside, designed help inform the public and help explain a variety of court cases.  So in that spirit, it was great to catch up with him and talk about the upcoming election from his unique and superb perspective on Kamala Harris, and since he has mentioned in the past how he is an ardent believer in “extreme centrism”, I first wanted to know with this in mind what was making him feel optimistic about the Harris-Walz campaign.Remember, conversation is the antidote to apathy. Go to Iwillvote.com for information about resources, to desipresident.com and southasiansforharris2024.org, and to kamalaharris.com to learn directly about the Harris-Walz campaign. Please get involved, get engaged, and get informed about all your local issues and candidates up and down the ballot. Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar.

Abhay is joined by Subah and Harshvardhan Saraf, the founders of Satvic Movement and authors of the book "The Satvic Revolution". They chatted about their ongoing journey and lessons along the way.(0:00- 3:41) Introduction(3:41) Part 1 - Satvic lifestyle and ritual adherance, awakening and evidence(23:22) Part 2 - Guardrails against extremism, practical experiences(43:31) Part 3 - Patience and practice, building trust(57:43) Conclusion

With the election upon us here in the US, these next few weeks on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we're sharing a series of Lotus for POTUS conversations, hearing insights from leading edge voices to help inform and get out the vote!  A few months ago, I created a meme with a photo of Vice President Harris that went “In Sanskrit, Kamala means Lotus… In America, Kamala means POTUS” and for me and many others, that sentiment sums up the imperative choice we're making at the highest level, being thoughtful about our past, present, and future.  With liberty and justice for all - it's the last part of our national pledge and being an empowered voter in an American democracy means finding this implemented through our elected leaders.  So it was great to catch up with Anurima Bhargava, who has been a leader in promoting dignity and justice both at home and abroad,  and advancing civil rights for many stakeholders. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, she's an experienced attorney who has worked to litigate cases on diversity and segregation with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, led civil rights enforcement in schools and educational institutions at the US Department of Justice, and served as Chair and Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which documents and makes recommendations on religious persecution and violence abroad. Anurima's incredible commitment to advancing human dignity through justice shines also as a seasoned storyteller, as she's been a producer and advisor to numerous documentary films and projects.  Along with being the founder and president of Anthem of Us, a strategic advisory and consulting firm for strengthening equity, belonging, and trust in workplaces, schools, and communities, Anurima has long been active as an advisor and organizer for numerous political campaigns, marshaling resources and information for action, especially noted these past few months in co-organizing the impressive and ongoing South Asian Women for Harris movement.  We chatted recently about all the compelling highlights that are drawing voters to Kamala Harris, but I first wanted to know if similar to herself in her own work, whether it is safe to say that Kamala Harris is a “Justice Ninja” ? Remember, conversation is the antidote to apathy. Now this is all in the shownotes, but I'll share here too… Go to Iwillvote.com for information about resources, to southasiansforharris2024.org, and to kamalaharris.com to learn about the Harris-Walz campaign. Please get involved, get engaged, and get informed about all your local issues and candidates up and down the ballot. Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar.

With the election upon us here in the US, these next few weeks on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we're sharing a series of Lotus for POTUS conversations, hearing insights from leading edge voices to help inform and get out the vote!  A few months ago, I created a meme with a photo of Vice President Harris that went “In Sanskrit, Kamala means Lotus… In America, Kamala means POTUS” and for me and many others, that sentiment sums up the imperative choice we're making at the highest level, being thoughtful about our past, present, and future.  Now a big part of amplifying our voice for more representation in 2024 comes from engaging, educating, and mobilizing the South Asian American community to show up and frankly be heard through our vote.  And especially with our growing significance in the past several elections, South Asians for Harris has been accelerating, strategizing, coalition building, and supporting voters as a national, grassroots, and volunteer organization dedicated to securing a victory for Kamala Harris. So it was terrific to share a conversation together with Neha Dewan, co-national director for South Asians for Harris, and Sonjui Kumar, national legal director for South Asians for Harris.  Neha is an attorney with a wealth of experiences who has long been active in politics and advocacy for the South Asian community at the local and national level and Sonjui is also an attorney a former President of the South Asian Bar Association of North America and a key leader and organizer in the Georgia South Asian community. They both, along with many many other leaders,  have been tirelessly working to build and grow the effort to help voters register, combat disinformation, get resources out there in many languages, and strengthen collaboration among other voter blocs. Whether canvassing or rallying or phonebanking or cultivating relationships, the movement has been gaining support and momentum and still has much work to do. I caught up recently with Neha and Sonjui as we hit the home stretch here about the work that's in front of all of us, but I also wanted to quickly reflect on the exciting and transformative whirlwind that the Harris campaign has already been, and asked them both when reflecting on the past few months, what words came to mind to describe it… Here's Neha first…Remember, conversation is the antidote to apathy. Go to Iwillvote.com for information about resources, to southasiansforharris2024.org, and to kamalaharris.com to learn about the Harris-Walz campaign. Please get involved, get engaged, and get informed about all your local issues and candidates up and down the ballot. Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar.

With the election upon us here in the US, these next few weeks on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING , we're sharing a series of Lotus for POTUS conversations, hearing insights from leading edge voices to help inform and get out the vote!  A few months ago, I created a meme with a photo of Vice President Harris that went “In Sanskrit, Kamala means Lotus… In America, Kamala means POTUS” and for me and many others, that sentiment sums up the imperative choice we're making at the highest level, being thoughtful about our past, present, and future.  Now, Neera Tanden is someone who has had a front row seat at both the campaign and policy level, with decades of experience as an advisor and leader.  She currently serves as Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, which drives the development and implementation of President Biden's domestic policy agenda. Previously, she was Senior Advisor and Staff Secretary in the White House, where she was responsible for Presidential decision-making. Prior to her roles in the Biden-Harris Administration, Neera was the President and CEO of the Center for American Progress, one of the largest think tanks in the country. She has served in both the Obama and Clinton administrations, and Neera has also been a policy advisor to Hillary Clinton in the White House, the Senate, and her campaigns. So it was great to catch up with her about the campaign, and what's resonating for her, as I was particularly curious about hearing what was both compelling and unique about Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate. Remember, conversation is the antidote to apathy. Go to vote.gov for information about registering, and to kamalaharris.com to learn about the Harris-Walz campaign. Please get involved, get engaged, and get informed about all your local issues and candidates up and down the ballot. 

Abhay is joined by professor, advisor, and author, Gautam Mukunda.He is the author of Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter and Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World, and has served as a professor at Harvard, Yale, and Tufts. By cultivating expertise as an advisor on leadership and strategy problems,  with publishing widely on innovation, security issues, and synthetic biology, in being on the board of the UPAKAR FOUNDATION (a national non-profit devoted to providing college scholarships to underprivileged students of South Asian descent), and in being a former Jeopardy champion, Gautam is well on his way to achieving his life's goal: to have the world's most confusing resumé !(0:00 - 2:40) Introduction(2:40) Part 1 - Systems, dispensability, seduced by unfiltered leaders(18:53) Part 2 - "Standing down", Kamala Harris, risk mitigation(41:59) Part 3 - Unlearnings and lessons, leadership style, advise for voters(1:03:18) Conclusion

So I thought that today we would focus on the world of puzzles.  As kids, young and old, we are fascinated and curious about putting together random pieces of cardboard to make a picture, or take numbers or scenes or words and fit them together to make something whole, craving that satisfaction to find the answer and all the frustrations and exhilarations that come with it! Whether you're doing sudoku or playing a game or proving online that we're human and not a robot, puzzles keep our minds focused on solving problems.  For many across the world, crossword puzzles are part of a daily routine, trying to find different ways to use and frame words from clues that playfully speak to everyday culture, trivia, knowledge, and even local or global nuances.  So it was really fun to catch up with crossword puzzle constructor, Mangesh Ghogre, first India-based crossword constructor for the Los Angeles Times in 2010 and The New York Times in 2013.  Mangesh is an investment banker and a writer, and has had a true passion as a crossword puzzle solver and constructor since his college days.  His expertise has developed over decades and his work and writing have been featured in The New Yorker, The Times of India, and The Economic Times, among others. Mangesh is currently the editor and constructor for the Mini Crossword in The Forbes India magazine. Some of his marquee NYT crosswords include a Fourth of July-themed crossword in 2017, a Mahatma Gandhi-themed crossword in 2019 to celebrate Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary and Taj Mahal-themed crossword in 2023 to celebrate Indian independence day.  I was able to chat with him this summer, and in true puzzle solving fashion, we started out with the basics…

Abhay shares a conversation with Los Angeles based art gallerist and curator, Rajiv Menon, to talk about his ongoing work, about art and race and the global South Asian, and even some of the barriers and accelerators he's encountered along the way.Rajiv's latest exhibition is titled "Three Steps of Land", as an artistic ode to Onam and Kerala.(0:00 - 2:46) Introduction(2:46) Part 1 - Mobilizing art, making art relevant, trusting relationship with visual arts(19:54) Part 2 - Nostalgia and Whiteness, connecting the dots of his exhibits, misconceptions(32:23) Part 3 - Unlearning, finding harmony with art in a digital world, Los Angeles and beyond, "how can I get involved"(44:59) ConclusionRemember that it's National Suicide Prevention Month in the US - if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 9-8-8 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Abhay shares a conversation with social entrepreneur and recent Harvard University graduate, Shruthi Kumar.They talked about her commencement speech, college activism, being a South Asian student, and now entering life after graduation(0:00 - 3:32) Introduction(3:32) Part 1 - "The Power of Not Knowing", harmonizing empathy with action(17:22) Part 2 - Nebraska and Harvard, complacency, South Asian student life(32:45) Part 3 - Power and Peace, unlearning, optimism going forward(48:24) Conclusion

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…