Secrets to Win Big With Arjun Sen

When I first met Ahilya Bamroo in the sets of the movie, I was trying to find my daughter in her. Very soon I realized why Shoojit Sircar chose her to play the role of Reya in the movie I Want to Talk. It was fascinating to see how she processed the evolving relationship with her on-screen dad, who was going through every possible life challenge, while holding on to her unique personality. When I sat down with her for this conversation, I really wished my daughter Raka was there in the conversation too. It would have been fascinating to see Raka and Reya talk. Here is my conversation with my movie daughter Ahilya. I am excited to see her career evolve and blossom in her journey ahead.

It started on August 20th, 2020. Shoojit Sircar was my VIP guest on my podcast. 1,537 days later, on November 4th, 2024 we sat down together for the follow-up episode. A lot has changed for us. He is now my Shoojit and a baby brother to me. I am his Arjunda (da in Bengali means older brother). And we are connected forever by the movie I Want to Talk. We have hundreds of hours of Zoom recordings for our conversations and huge amount of WhatsApp messages and phone calls. Here is our November 4th, 2024 conversation. It is a celebration of our journey together, our friendship, and the movie.

Abhishek Bachchan's first podcast ever! When the movie, I Want to Talk was being filmed in Hemet California, I always wanted to ask Abhishek Bachchan (the Movie Arjun) how he felt being Arjun. As I got to know him, I was more intrigued by his level of professionalism and dedication. The filming ended and we never got a chance to have that Arjun to Arjun conversation. In my healing journey, I had marked 100 days, 1,000 days, 5,000 days and 10,000 days. The 10,000th day was February 5th, 2024. That night I was up all night. As I browsing the net, I realized February 5th was Abhishek’s birthday. I reached out to him to wish him a happy birthday and both of us realized it was destiny that our paths crossed. Now, just before the launch of the movie we finally had the Arjun to Arjun conversation. It was simply from his heart. So here it is. Please do not miss the end of the conversation when Abhishek shared his wish for me. All I can say is that his words left me speechless. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode #arjunsenbrandzen #arjunsen #brandzen #unquitforever #keepyourselfinthegame #iwanttotalk #iwanttotalkthemovie #RisingSunFilms #RSF #KinoWorks #AbhishekBachchan #bachchan

Welcome to the 9th season of Secrets to Win Big. Over 8 seasons, after nearly 200 episodes, I have learned from all of you. I have evolved, but more importantly I have fallen in love with these conversations. When I reflect, I realize that no two people share the same thing; everybody's path and journey is different. It has been a fascinating journey. The 9th season will different. The Movie I Want to Talk, is now a reality. Experiencing the movie being made on my life’s journey, and getting an amazing 50,000 feet view of my life; gave me an amazing opportunity to appreciate everyone in my life. I start this journey, empowered by the reflection that also has resulted in a new book, Unquit Forever: Keep yourself in the game®. So here we are, ready to celebrate the amazing connections from the past and new ones ahead. Let’s go. Thank you for being with me on this journey. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode #arjunsenbrandzen #arjunsen #brandzen #unquitforever #keepyourselfinthegame #iwanttotalk #iwanttotalkthemovie #RisingSunFilms #RSF #KinoWorks

Brian Stevens is a tech veteran and chief executive officer at Neural Magic. In this role he aims to democratize Generative AI for enterprises and make it open and accessible to all. Previously Brian was the VP of Product and CTO of Google Cloud and before that the EVP & CTO of Red Hat. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Align towards how we make an impact to create transformative change. - Getting people motivated and excited towards a vision and mission is one of the most difficult things to do. - When something that is incredibly important is kept out of reach, we keep it from making an impact. - Validation isn’t vision. It's clients acknowledging that you are valuable to them. - We often get hung up on internal obstacles instead of looking at a way to prevent them. - We would be bored to tears in life if we didn’t have obstacles and challenges to energize us. - Surround yourself with great people, and then collaboratively iterate. - Sometimes, change at a large scale takes time. - Vision is easy, executing it is the hard. - Have fun along the journey to making an impact. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

Suresh Shenoy is a Senior business executive and philanthropist. He is a Founder Director and current Vice Chairman of WHEELS Global Foundation that provides technology driven solutions for potable Water, affordable Healthcare, renewable Energy, Education, Livelihoods and Sustainability. He served as Chairman of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, was inducted as a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay, and into the new Science Museum Board of advisors that is under construction in Virginia. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: Constantly staying relevant is a key motivator to keep one going. When we give time and talent, we make a huge difference. Apply technology for transformation to accelerate the scaling of philanthropy. For any philanthropy to sustain its success, the recipient must have an economic interest in the success of that project. When you ask for the time, you don't want to know how the watch is made. Learn to be content without losing your ambition. Impact every part of a community, as the whole world is wide canvas.

Stacey Yudin is Chief Executive Officer of NEP Services. A tech leader, Stacey is known for her unstoppable drive and creating transformative technology to advance non-profits and build strong communities. She is passionate about the industrial 4.0 and believes tech is the bridge to building a better future for non-profits. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Non-Profits are businesses too, they just give back their profits. - Leadership is a team sport; play, lead and win like a team. - ⁠Your business is a reflection of the individuals you hire. - ⁠The goal of a business should be to deliver the best. - Always keep an eye out for gaps in the marketplace. - Have high energy and a high tolerance to build a world the way you see it. - Being flexible and resilient is the key to success. - Failure is an opportunity to reflect, be curious, and ask questions to overcome. - ⁠Life is a winding journey. ⁠Learn to enjoy the little moments. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/0UVfsVqZiQ4

Lifelong friends Sahil Rahman and Rahul Vinod said they opened RASA, a growing Indian fast-casual eatery, to make Indian food more accessible and to be a “bright spot” in people’s days. Sahil and Rahul grew up in the restaurant industry and witnessed the way that food impacted our community and spread joy. RASA, today, has expanded to 5 locations. Founded by second generation restaurateurs, RASA has been named a Breakout Brand by Nation's Restaurant News, Best Concept Mid-Atlantic by Starchefs, highlighted in the Washington Post Fall Dining Guide, and featured on the cover of QSR Magazine's 40/40 list, which highlights emerging restaurant brands nationwide. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Just take the leap. We often regret the leaps we don’t take. - New products start with authenticity and maintain consistency. - Create an environment where everyone feels welcome. - Service starts with the mindset of a tour guide. - How we introduce new products defines them. - Partnerships need positive intent, conscious effort, and commitment. - Always be your authentic self. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/5hsg7ToFwEg

Craig Woolridge excels in building and managing relationships, developing long-term business strategies, and delivering innovative client solutions. He prioritizes business growth and innovation and has exceptional skills in operations management and sales strategy development. With extensive experience working for notable companies like Cantor Fitzgerald, Morgan Stanley, LibertyView Capital Management, Blacklock & Partners, Toronto Dominion, Microsoft, and BNP Paribas, Craig is well-positioned to implement cutting-edge solutions and continue driving success. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Work ethic and empathy are the building blocks for success. - ⁠Leverage something that you are strong at in order to succeed. - Don’t let your blind spots get in the way of your success. - Failures are opportunities to learn. - Some things just don’t work out. That’s just the way life is. - Always chasing perfection can lead to an unhappy life. - Take a balanced approach towards the highs and lows in life. - ⁠Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/BapbR3wmiUs

Stacy Pederson is a Funny Motivational Keynote Speaker. After failing in every conceivable way (including life itself-literally-) Stacy chose to reinvent herself. She is now a sought-after Keynote Motivational Speaker who gives audiences fun—yet practical actions on how to overcome stress, handle change, be more resilient, and live a life that matters. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - People know when you are not being authentic. - Find more joy by being open to different ideas. - Give hope and joy to someone who is struggling. It is one of the best feelings. - We make different choices when we aren’t afraid of failure. - When we look at failure differently, the world seems bigger and better. - Hardships make us better people. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/SrTzc1sNnIU

Mike Domitrz, Hall-of-Fame Speaker, Author, Subject Matter Expert, Educator, and Certified Speaking Professional, is the Founder of The Center for Respect, Inc. He has devoted his life to the mission of creating a culture of respect for ALL. You may have seen Mike quoted in NBC Dateline, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and other renowned publications. In 2022, Mike was inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and was the first expert focused on respect in the workplace to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Tiny cracks in respect become bigger over time and changes everything. - When one has to earn your respect, it becomes a game of power. - People are way more productive when they feel respected. - Respect often gets ignored because it’s considered a soft skill. - People shut down when they do not feel respected. - When somebody feels they are living a life of choice, they feel respected. - A great test for a leader is how many people can say no to them. - Empower people to really have a choice in the workplace. - The failure in most organizations is to not really learn about their people. - Empathy is one of the most important traits of a great leader. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/AxZ7buxSK3I

Bruce Somers, Jr. is the Chief Storyteller at Sincbox, a company Bruce founded after a decade in the direct response TV field. He pioneered the brand response category and, to date, has directed and produced over 500 campaigns for clients such as DIRECTV, VISA, Microsoft, Citibank, United Airlines, Starbucks, Dell, Bounce, Cascade, Dawn, CoverGirl, Hamilton Beach, Epson, Disney, Whirlpool, Weber Grills, Omaha Steaks,... to name a few. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: Every person has a brand. You need to build it and guard it with everything you have. Brand power starts with authenticity, as brands can’t be something they are not. When a brand makes a mistake, admit it with transparency, sincerity, and authenticity. This can increase brand loyalty. Hurdles are thrown in our way to give us an opportunity to think harder and improve what we are trying to accomplish. A winner is a loser who tried one more time. All we are, are our stories; it is our stories that get us to where we are today. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/B8MAM0RaJnk

Liz Weber is a strategic leadership advisor and works with C-Suite leaders and boards on strategic and succession planning to simplify the process, accelerate implementation, and enhance impact organization wide. Liz has written leadership books, has supervised business activities in 129 countries, and has consulted in over 20 countries. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Start with goal clarity, which leads to cultural clarity. - To drive growth, understand what needs to be focused on and in what order. - Gaining confidence and credibility leads to earning trust. - First ask questions; then stop talking and listen; then rephrase the questions. - Understand how the pieces connect for the domino effect to go in the right direction and not the wrong direction. - Think, behave, and lead differently in different positions of leadership. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/yeCFxLaYqVQ

Peter Voss, a Pioneer in AI who coined the term ‘Artificial General Intelligence’ and the CEO and Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai. For the past 15 years, Voss and his team at Aigo have been perfecting an industry disruptive, highly intelligent and hyper-personalized Chatbot, with a brain, for large enterprise customers. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Unlike AI, for humans, reasoning is an evolutionary afterthought. Data can direct but not decide. - Flowcharts don’t often cover the way people actually want their problems solved. - Studying human intelligence can be a powerful tool to improve AI. - AI needs infusion of common sense. - When software starts to think, learn and reason, it can lead to a better life for everyone. - The ultimate goal is to have technology benefit humanity. - A fundamental limitation of current AI systems is that they cannot learn in real time and cannot think about their own cognitive abilities. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/2GTv_QhwChQ

Professor Ravikumar Bhaskaran is a legendary figure for IIT Kharagpur alumni who graduated between 1982 and 2005 when he was the Professor in Charge of Training and Placement. He was responsible for making IIT Kharagpur the nation most sought after IIT campus for recruitment, a position the Institute enjoys even today. I graduated from IIT Kharagpur in 1986 and was fortunate to benefit from the vision and leadership of the genius and leadership of Prof. Bhaskaran. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - The excitement to face a challenge and the intent to deliver is enough to get the ball rolling. - Learn to grab the opportunities that come your way. - Make an impact by living up to the trust that others place in you. - Discipline and standards can make one stand out in a crowd. - The smallest of small details matter to put up the best show. - Building bonds plays a major role in earning trust. - There is no place for discrimination when you’re fully committed to serve. - Not imposing conditions and graciously accepting results can sometimes work better than persuasion in the long run. - Self-evaluation leads to figuring out your true passion, which in turn leads you in the direction where you shine and blossom. - Human emotions are very tricky. Hesitation and panic can often lead to desperation. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/C7f7lW-TMss