Abhay chats with award-winning documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja about everything from the impact of her Academy 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 ..read more

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 bound 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 suc ..read more

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 barrier ..read more

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 ..read more

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 - intersetions, community, art and its rewards (46:34) Conclusion ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more