TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING
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.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 283
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Shoma Chaudhury...on her compelling arc of journalism in India, on being a fierce defender of free speech, and on the questions she is asking herself these days.
Abhay is joined by award-winning journalist Shoma Chaudhury, the co-founder of Tehelka and the host of ENQUIRY, an online conversation show. They chatted about her experiences in meaningful storytel…
00:59:55 |
Wed 24 Aug 2022
Pooja Phadke-Ghangurde...on the personal impact of public policy, and on building economic strategies around clean energy and transportation
Transportation economist and policy analyst, Pooja Phadke-Ghangurde joins Abhay to chat about building strategies toward decarbonization, about what should motivate us to tackle the climate crisis, a…
00:30:00 |
Wed 17 Aug 2022
Prakash Janakiraman...on his journey in co-founding NEXTDOOR, on building social capital and preventing loneliness, and on what brings him joy
Abhay is joined by Prakash Janakiraman, the co-founder of NEXTDOOR, as they chat about his experience in his own neighborhood growing up in Hayward, about being attentive to diversity, equity, and in…
00:30:01 |
Wed 17 Aug 2022
Bijay Biswaal on appreciating the art of a train platform, on feeling contentment as an artist, and on celebrating his Indian roots through his work.
Self-taught, born in Odisha and based in Nagpur, visual artist Bijay Biswaal joins Abhay to chat about his journey, about the simplicity and contrasts of his subject material, and the concept of "hom…
00:29:59 |
Thu 11 Aug 2022
Raja Kumari on her latest EP H.B.I.C, on feeling empowered and launching her own label, and on thinking about "legacy"
Abhay is joined by rapper and artist Raja Kumari and chat it up about a variety of things, mostly related to her wonderful new E.P - H.B.I.C. They chatted about being an American artist in India, fil…
00:28:56 |
Thu 11 Aug 2022
Simran Jeet Singh...on what it means to be a Sikh American in 2022, and on his new book "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life"
Writer, professor, and religious scholar Simran Jeet Singh joins Abhay again to chat about his new book, and about some of the practical and timeless lessons of Sikh wisdom.
00:29:59 |
Wed 03 Aug 2022
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi...on organizing and not agonizing, on his "Indian-ness", and on what makes him hopeful about America.
Abhay is joined by Raja Krishnamoorthi, US Congressman from Illinois, as part of the ongoing INDIASPORA series. They chatted about what motivates him these days in politics, and about cultivating tr…
00:29:29 |
Wed 03 Aug 2022
Sarthak Saksena, Aneri Vajani, and Utkarsh Kohli... on making "Phase", on falling in love with the song and shooting a video, and on being optimistic
Abhay is joined by the Sarthak Saksena the musician and songwriter behind the indie song "Phase" as well as Aneri Vajani and Utkarsh Kohli, the actors appearing in the terrific video.
00:29:58 |
Wed 20 Jul 2022
Suraj Patel...on political resiliency, on being a "pragmatic progressive", and on running for congress in New York City.
Abhay is joined by attorney, business ethics professor, and congressional candidate from NYC's 12th district Suraj Patel. They talked about his South Asian American journey, about garnering trust as …
00:29:57 |
Wed 20 Jul 2022
Shruti Ganguly...on being guided by sound, on being a global filmmaker to a global audience, and on the collective South Asian excellence in the film industry.
Writer and filmmaker Shruti Ganguly joins Abhay for a conversation, sharing stories about her name, about learning to drive a tractor, and about being informed by her global upbringing.
00:29:59 |
Wed 08 Jun 2022
Sen. Manka Dhingra...on civic engagement as a South Asian American, on campaigning for re-election, and on finding innovations in crisis management.
Abhay is joined by Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra. They talked about Manka's background as an attorney and behavioral health expert, about the challenges of being a woman in politics, and he…
00:29:59 |
Wed 08 Jun 2022
Dr. Priyanka Wali...on her unique passions of medicine, comedy, and storytelling, on learning the art of clowning, and on co-hosting the podcast "Hypochondriactor".
Physician, comedian, and podcaster, Priyanka Wali, joins Abhay for a conversation about merging her passions, about her journey as an extroverted introvert, and on the lessons learned through "Hypoch…
00:30:00 |
Wed 25 May 2022
Vasu Sojitra...on being an adaptive athlete and developing strategies for disability access.
Abhay is joined by adaptive athlete and disability access strategist Vasu Sojitra. They talked about how Vasu is a disrupter, about overcoming fear, and about going beyond empathy when bringing inte…
00:30:01 |
Wed 25 May 2022
Rehana Lew Mirza...on being a bhangra "superfan", her own unique South Asian American experience, and the dance musical "Bhangin It"
Award winning writer and playwright, Rehana Lew Mirza, joins Abhay for a conversation about the dance musical "Bhangin It" , about finding community through bhangra, and about her own unique South As…
00:30:02 |
Wed 11 May 2022
DJ Rekha...on the journey as an artist through Basement Bhangra and the pandemic, and connecting with people on the dance floor.
Abhay is joined by the iconic DJ Rekha. They chatted about the journey of Basement Bhangra, about going back to school after 20 years of DJing, and the responsibility they carry as a musical ambassad…
00:30:02 |
Wed 11 May 2022
Sabaa Tahir...on her new book "ALL MY RAGE", on "relaxed fit" racism, and on the soundtrack of her own personal experiences.
Best selling young adult author, Sabaa Tahir, joins Abhay for a conversation about her newest book "ALL MY RAGE" and about her personal experiences manifesting through her writing. Music and socks w…
00:30:00 |
Wed 04 May 2022
Joseph Patel...on winning an Oscar for "Summer of Soul", and on his ongoing work as a writer, director, and producer.
Abhay is joined by 2022 Oscar winner, Joseph Patel. They chatted about his film "Summer of Soul" and about his ongoing journey as a writer, director, and producer.
00:30:00 |
Wed 04 May 2022
Lilly Singh... on her book 'BE A TRIANGLE', on nurturing endurance as an artist, and on building foundations
Abhay is joined by the superb entertainer, actress, and author, Lilly Singh, as they chatted about her book "Be a Triangle", about the privilege of having fun, and about advancing equity for women. F…
01:02:03 |
Wed 20 Apr 2022
Zakir Hussain...on the reverence of being a tabla artist, musical conversations, and dreaming of tabla beats
Abhay is joined by the world renowned tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain. They chatted about reverence in art, the evolving arc of practice and 'riyaaz', and remembering his first public performanc…
00:57:51 |
Wed 06 Apr 2022
M R Rangaswami...on INDIASPORA, on building networks for the global Indian community, and on cultivating a spirit of giving.
Abhay was joined for a conversation with M R Rangaswami, angel investor, entrepreneur, and the founder of INDIASPORA. They talked about the pathway to developing networks, about the balancing act fa…
00:30:00 |
Wed 23 Mar 2022
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