Claim OwnershipTRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING
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My name is Abhay Dandekar and I share conversations with talented and interesting individuals linked to the global Indian and South Asian community. It’s informal and informative, adding insights and perspective to our evolving cultural expressions, where each person can proudly say “TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’m DOING.” New episodes weekly, on Tuesdays/Thursdays. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts, and please rate and review if your enjoying it.
225 Episodes
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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
Abhay is joined by award-winning filmmaker, Raja Choudhury, whose newest documentary "America's First Guru" is available to stream on PBS, and showcases the story of the young and charismatic Swami Vivekananda’s travels to the US in the late 1800’s to speak at the first World’s Parliament of Religions conference in Chicago, broadly introducing Hindu philosophy and India’s spiritual culture to American audiences.(0:00 - 2:41) Introduction(2:41) Part 1 - deciding to make the film, surprises and discoveries(16:53) Part 2 - unlearnings, journey toward "bliss", American experience(29:42) Part 3 - trusting in spirituality, Indian and Hindu wisdom, empowering message
National policy expert, Rohini Kosoglu, joins Abhay to talk about everything from building trust with leaders to policy intersections and governance with AI to the imperatives of this upcoming election cycle. Rohini recently served in the Biden-Harris administration as Deputy Assistant to the President and Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President. (0:00 - 3:19) Introduction(3:19) Part 1 - parenting and relationship development, additive experiences with leaders(14:29) Part 2 - intersections of A.I. and policy, innovation vs regulation, governing with compromise(32:44) Part 3 - South Asian American patriotism, election imperatives(45:37) Conclusion
SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.Varsha Mathur, J.D., PCC, a certified dating and relationship coach with over seven years of experience, guides clients worldwide to effortlessly find and sustain lasting love with their ideal partners. Through her personalized coaching approach, Varsha empowers both singles and couplesto cultivate confidence, ignite attraction, and build partnerships that withstand the test oftime. A former practicing lawyer and mediator, Varsha draws on her personal journey, including divorce and remarriage, to help others make decisions untainted by negative influences, propelling them toward their dreams. Varsha’s work is deeply rooted in her belief that people should not be burdened by various cultural and societalstigmas or taboos that disempower them from living their most authentic and fulfilling life.
Choreographer and dance artist Rohit Gijare joins Abhay to talk about everything from teaching to getting inspired to constantly being a student of dance. (0:00 - 2:53) Introduction(2:53) Part 1 - routine, inspiration, improv(14:08) Part 2 - how to define "good", being an effective teacher, dance and cultural importance(32:45) Part 3 - breaking stereotypes and barriers, being a student of dance(46:58) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by Raj Lulla, author of the novel "The Caring House", to talk about writing about grief, mental health and empathy, and "metabolizing" grief. Their mutual love of the West Wing definitely also came up. (0:00 - 2:53) Introduction(2:53) Part 1 - ignition and inspiration to write the book, children grieving(13:75) Part 2 - inconsistencies, "metabolizing" grief, personal journeys(28:31) Part 3 - hope, immigrant mental health experiences(39:59) ConclusionIf you or someone you know is need of support for a mental health, suicide, or emotional distress crisis in the US, please call/text 988 For worldwide resources, please visit https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm
Abhay is joined by Priyanka Kamath, the founder and CEO of 100 Girls in Blockch(AI)n.They chatted about build skill equity in tech for emerging economies and provide solutions for grassroots projects, with girls and women leading at the forefront. Of note, on May 4, 2024, Priyanka is showcasing the 100 GIGA demo day, the result of a 3 month bootcamp of girls building software solutions with AI innovations in healthcare, finance, agriculture, and education.(0:00 - 3:16) Introduction(3:16) Part 1 - blockchain and generative AI, building skill equity(15:24) Part 2 - building cohorts of girls and women, Priyanka's "why", trust ladders(29:43) Part 3 - creating capital and investing, finding peace, advise and lessons(41:40) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by the Indian pop music group W.i.S.H. ...Ri, Zo, Sim, and Suchi (Riya Duggal, Zoe Siddarth, Simran Duggal, and Suchita Shirke) share their experiences as they aim to be India's next big pop music group and the first all female group to catch fire in nearly 2 decades. They talked about dynamics as a group and as individuals, longevity, and learning outside of their comfort zones(0:00 - 2:44) Introduction(2:44) Part 1 - Empowerment and what Gen-Z wants from them(12:39) Part 2 - reverse mentoring lessons, girl bosses, and their "Indianness"(27:39) Part 3 - longevity, group improvement, and comfort zones(41:18) part 4 - early learning and how it matters(47:44) Conclusion
Abhay chats with award-winning documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja about everything from the impact of her Academy Award and Peabody Award nominated film To Kill a Tiger, to processing past experiences and trauma, to holistic filmmaking without judgment.(0:00 - 3:09) Introduction(3:09) Part 1 - after the Oscars, instincts, building trust with Ranjit's family(15:13) Part 2 - seeking out the gray, leading a team, mapping boundaries(29:42) Part 3 - making films as a diasporic Indian, structural change, audience impact
SPOTLIGHT episodes of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING feature brief chats about a unique topic or cause.Neha Assar has been adorning brides across the nation with bespoke ornate mehndi and body art since 1994 and is now opening doors to many opportunities that are leading to creative collaborations and ground breaking projects. The concepts used are original and the designs are expertly applied freehand, through inspired improvisation and alacrity. Neha Assar has become a celebrated and much sought after figure in the industry. Her artwork has been recognized via various media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Buzzfeed and many more. Neha Assar’s artwork has also been exhibited at LA Fashion Week, The Oscar Awards, The Emmy Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and The Grammy Awards. Her list of celebrity clients is ever-growing, already consisting of such names as SZA, Kylie Jenner, Drake, G-Eazy, Lebron James & Family, Shaquille O'Neal, to name a few.
Abhay chats with bureaucrat, educator, and ex-Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) in Japan, Yogendra Puranik.Known also as "Yogi-San", the native of Maharashtra was the first Indian born elected official in Japan and now serves as the first-ever foreign-origin principal of a public (government) school, and the first-ever Indian-origin Civil/Gazetted officer in Japan.(0:00 - 2:44) Introduction(2:44) Part 1 - adjusting to Japanese life after 25 years, evolving responsibilities, running for elected office(16:05) Part 2 - comparing campaigning in Japan to the US and India, cultural barriers and friction(30:53) Part 3 - navigating Japan as an immigrant, raising his son in Japan, cultivating trust(44:01) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by comedian Nimesh Patel to chat about his latest tour, the journey of his comedy life and everything in between.(0:00 - 2:42) Introduction(2:42) Part 1 - watching comedy, latest tour, structure to his shows(12:53) Part 2 - pre-show routines, when Indians are in the audience, mirrors and windows(26:29) Part 3 - anatomy of a good joke, being irreverent, success and lasting impressions(35:46) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by "Master Pastelist", artist Sangita Phadke for a conversation about her journey in art, her work with still life and realism, and the storytelling from both sides of her paintings.(0:00 - 2:26) Introduction(2:26) Part 1 - first memory of artistic expressions, being self-taught, the "eye" for art(16:52) Part 2 - realism, being a "Master Pastelist", still life and motion, background and calling(33:18) Part 3 - intersections, community, art and its rewards(46:34) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by the founder, chairman, and managing director of Persistent Systems, Anand Deshpande, for a conversation about everything from learning new skills to creating jobs to the transition away from being a CEO to legacy.(0:00 - 3:10) Introduction(3:10) Part 1 - learning new skills, helping build a biotech ecosystem(18:01) Part 2 - Anand's US journey, lessons from transitions away from being CEO(30:02) Part 3 - the thrill of giving, creating jobs, AI in mentorship(43:56) Part 4 - motivating a population, the identity of the Indian entrepreneur, legacy(55:08) Conclusion
Abhay chats with singer and songwriter Raveena Mehta about everything from dreams of music to her artistic journey and collaborating to her own playlist.(0:00 - 2:18) Introduction(2:18) Part 1 - dreaming and feeling at "home"(14:18) Part 2 - spirituality of music, versatility, collaborating(23:44) Part 3 - listening and playlists, aesthetics and disposability, how her listeners feel(35:54) Conclusion
Virginia State Senator and congressional candidate, Suhas Subramanyam, joins Abhay to talk about governing and running a campaign, finding common ground, taking on tough fights, and how he stays energized. (0:00 - 238) Introduction(2:38) Part 1 - energy after a long day, district is a proxy, track record and taking on hard fights(15:22) Part 2 - staying consistent and getting to the middle, Indian Americans in politics(27:13) Part 3 - connecting through the political process, lessons learned, and cultivating trust(37:16) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by Dr. Swati Mohan, aerospace engineer and scientist at NASA/JPL, for a conversation about everything from her inspirations and ongoing journey, to the everyday relatability of her work, to embracing and exploring the unknown. Of note - Space Camp and Star Trek: The Next Generation were both discussed!(0:00 - 2:59) Introduction(2:59) Part 1 - early inspirations, first day at NASA(12:44) Part 2 - problem solving, proudly Indian American(23:49) Part 3 - AI, relatability, ambiguity(36:17) Conclusion
Abhay is joined by Krish Ashok, the author of Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking for a wide ranging conversation about everything from food identities in India, to how his time in the US informed him, to irritating misconceptions, to AI and fact checking. (0:00 - 2:51) Introduction(2:51) Part 1 - thinking about questions when he's eating, food identities, the US experience(17:19) Part 2 - fact finding or myth busting, Indian food misconceptions, AI and Indian food(35:38) Part 3 - threats to Indian food, integrating many intersections, fact checking(48:58) Conclusion
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