The Let's chat with GB Podcast

Gaurav Bhagat

"Welcome to 'Let's Chat with GB' — a melting pot of ideas, passions, and inspirations. Join us as we dive deep with entrepreneurs charting new frontiers, fitness influencers reshaping our health narratives, chefs tantalizing our taste buds, sports personalities defining perseverance, and many more trailblazers. Each conversation is a journey, each story a lesson. Tune in and uncover the myriad facets of life, success, and the pursuit of passion with GB."

  1. JAN 10

    Ghosts, Jinns & Forgotten Souls: The Delhi You’ve Never Met | Eric Chopra | EP 29

    In this deeply engaging episode of Let’s Chat with GB, host Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Eric Chopra — author, historian, podcaster, and the mind behind the acclaimed book Ghosted — for a conversation that blends history, memory, mythology, and storytelling.Eric takes us through his unconventional journey into history, from a non-academic childhood to becoming a storyteller who views the past with nuance, empathy, and imagination. Together, they explore how history is not just a collection of dates, but a living repository of stories — some celebrated, some forgotten, and some haunting.🎙️ Host: Gaurav Bhagat🎧 Guest: Eric Chopra00:00 Intro: Ghosted, history & haunting Delhi02:18 How Eric’s love for history began (studying “backwards”)04:53 Growing up in an Air Force family: moving cities & identity08:02 Does history repeat itself? Politics, patterns & context11:35 Why Eric wrote Ghosted: heritage walks + horror obsession17:01 Why Mehrauli feels mystical (saints, “Purani Dilli” & geography)21:27 Qutub Minar, the 1981 stampede & the “haunted backyard”22:16 The Iron Pillar wish story + why it was cordoned off23:43 Legend: How Delhi got its name from the Iron Pillar25:36 Ashoka pillars, Firoz Shah Tughlaq & moving monuments to Delhi28:57 Firoz Shah Kotla’s “Latal Baba” & Jinn darbar lore32:01 Jinn vs ghosts: classifications & why they “choose” behavior34:13 British/1857 ghosts, Northern Ridge tales & headless phantom myths36:13 Jamali-Kamali: why it’s a secret gem + picnic-era nostalgia37:22 Who was Kamali? lover / student / mystery & queer history lens43:34 Khooni Darwaza: what happened in 1857 (Zafar’s sons)48:21 Dara Shikoh head story—myth vs records51:13 After-effects: heaviness, lucid dreams & “residual” history55:49 Malcha Mahal: the “Queen of Oudh” story & tragedy1:02:43 Rapid fire: influencers, biopics, empires & live-streamed history1:10:41 Ghalib quote: “Delhi is the soul”1:12:16 What Itihaasology does: walks, journal, musicals & podcast1:16:50 Ghosted walk launch at Jamali-Kamali + upcoming reruns1:18:40 Possession, belief & respecting people’s experiences1:22:33 Goodies + closing moments

    1h 25m

  2. 11/03/2025

    35 Years Inside Tihar, But not as a Prisoner | Ft. Ex-Jailer Sunil Gupta | Part 2 | EP 27

    What really happens behind prison walls? In this gripping conclusion of our two-part series, Sunil Gupta, former Tihar Jail officer and author of Black Warrant, takes us deep inside India’s most notorious prison, revealing stories that have never been shared so openly.From encounters with Charles Sobhraj, Subrata Roy, and Afzal Guru, to the moral and legal dilemmas surrounding death row, Gupta shares the realities of power, redemption, and reform inside one of the world’s largest prison systems.In this episode:1. How India’s judicial system and black warrant process really work2. The truth about women’s prisons and how gender bias affects inmates3. What it’s like to manage foreign prisoners, from Nigerians to Europeans4. The evolution of open prisons and rehabilitation programs in India5. Behind-the-scenes of Netflix’s “Black Warrant” and its real-life accuracy6. Sunil Gupta’s reflections on justice, mercy, and leadership from his decades in serviceWhether you’re fascinated by criminal justice, social reform, or true stories of courage from inside the system, this conversation offers a rare, unfiltered look into India’s prisons, straight from the man who ran them.Watch now to discover the human stories, moral conflicts, and surprising lessons from the other side of the bars.Timestamp:00:00 – Recap & Part 2 intro00:25 – Manu Sharma: conduct & Tihar Bakery revamp01:18 – “Sell in Courts” idea; outlets & perception shift03:37 – Inmate-run restaurant05:03 – Philanthropy for prisoners’ children06:44 – Why write “Black Warrant”07:10 – why judges break the pen08:38 – Death sentence pathway11:21 – 15-day protocol, solitary, religious texts; execution-day myths15:20 – Stance on death penalty27:04 – Rapid-fire34:30 – Netflix series production37:34 – Legal advocacy: women semi-open prisons & half-way homes42:53 – Foreign inmates & contraband52:09 – Personal toll & family life57:41 – 1986 Charles Sobhraj escape memory

    1h 2m

  3. 10/27/2025

    35 Years Inside Tihar, But not as a Prisoner | Ft. Ex-Jailer Sunil Gupta | Part 1 | EP 26

    37 views Oct 26, 2025From Jailer to Reformer: The Untold Story Behind “Black Warrant” | Real-Life Stories from India’s PrisonWhat does it take to transform from a young jail officer into one of India’s leading voices for prison reform? In this gripping conversation, we sit down with Sunil Gupta author of Black Warrant, a man who spent over 35 years inside India’s prison system not as an inmate, but as someone who shaped it from within.Discover untold stories from behind the bars:The truth about Charles Sobhraj, one of India’s most infamous inmatesLife inside Tihar Jail and how prison culture has evolvedThe emotional and moral dilemmas of signing a black warrantHow yoga, meditation, and vocational training became tools for real rehabilitationThe fine line between punishment and reformThis episode dives deep into crime, redemption, and humanity exploring the real stories that inspired the Netflix series “Black Warrant”.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful conversations on law, justice, and life beyond the cell walls. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letschatwit...________________________________________________________________________________Gaurav BhagatFacebook = https://gauravbhagat.academy/38lgjVjInstagram = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3lKnSIhLinkedin = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3LTEFDb

    1h 7m

  4. 10/18/2025

    You Can Make it Happen with Anil Swarup | Let's Chat With GB

    In this episode of “Let’s Chat with GB”, we sit down with one of India’s most respected civil servants Anil Swarup, former IAS officer, author of “You Can Make It Happen”, and the visionary behind some of India’s most transformative government reforms.From handling national crises during the 1984 riots, to leading the coal sector turnaround, and shaping India’s health insurance policy (RSBY → Ayushman Bharat) — Anil Swarup has seen governance at its toughest and most inspiring. Highlights of this episode:His early life and the story behind choosing the IAS dream 💭Lessons from the 1984 riots and political pressures in bureaucracy 🧠How he convinced ministers, Chief Ministers, and even the Prime Minister 🇮🇳The real story behind Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and Ayushman Bharat 🏥What bureaucrats and politicians can learn from AI, attitude, and adaptability 💡His honest take on education corruption, reforms, and what India must fix today 📚“Artificial intelligence is not the problem — it’s our attitude,” says Anil Swarup in one of the most insightful discussions on governance and change.

    1h 8m

  5. 09/20/2025

    Mastering Pressure: The Mindset of Champions with Nikita Luther | Lets chat with GB | EP-24

    In this episode GB is in conversation with Nikita Luther, India's number one woman poker player and master strategist. Together they delve into poker strategy and how it applies for life, work and business. Watch to get insights on risk management, reading people, managing money and so much more. The conversation revolved around her poker journey and the ups and downs of playing in some of the biggest poker tournaments in the world and also her recent stint on the show Traitors. Do share your feedback and your thoughts and do remember to like, share and subscribe.

    1h 15m

  6. 09/06/2025

    The Hustle Behind Hospitality: Amit Bagga on Building Daryaganj | Let's Chat With GB | EP-23

    What does it take to turn a family legacy into a modern-day empire? In this episode, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Amit Bagga, co-founder of Daryaganj – By the Inventors of Butter Chicken & Dal Makhani.Amit’s story is filled with resilience, bold decisions, and lessons that every entrepreneur can learn from.Highlights from this conversation:The real origin story of Butter Chicken and how it shaped India’s food culture.Amit’s bold vision to expand beyond India and take Indian cuisine global.Behind-the-scenes insights from Shark Tank India and the opportunities it unlocked.How Daryaganj scaled to multiple outlets while preserving authentic taste & customer trust.The mindset shifts needed to thrive in an industry where 70% of restaurants fail.This isn’t just a podcast about food — it’s about dreams, perseverance, and building something timeless. Whether you’re a food lover, a startup enthusiast, or someone looking for motivation, Amit’s journey offers wisdom you won’t find in business textbooks.Hit play now and discover how passion, patience, and persistence can transform challenges into triumphs.Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories from founders and creators shaping the future.If you enjoyed this episode, like, share, and comment your biggest learning — we’d love to hear your thoughts!________________________________________________________________________________Timestamp:2:03 - How’s Bangkok been going for you guys?3:22 - Do you have other cities planned—UAE on the cards?4:02 - Where did the idea really start?5:24 - Can you walk us through how butter chicken was invented?7:34 - Walk us through the pre-ideation stage—where did the ideation happen?10:08 - What is the fragrance?12:19 - Over the last 6 years, has the menu changed much?13:06 - What kind of break-even did a 50–60 seat outlet achieve?15:23 - How many outlets were functional coming into the pandemic?17:51 - What advice do you have for people entering the food business (pitfalls, etc.)?20:06 - Are most of your restaurants owned & operated (not franchised)?23:32 - When does a restaurant get a liquor license—and how long does it take?25:11 - Do you see different audience mixes across locations (family vs. corporate)?25:47 - In a new city, what are the top factors you look for before choosing a site?26:54 - What was the Shark Tank experience like—and what changed after?31:03 - Was your Shark Tank deal the best/highest at the time?31:46 - Did investor/franchise interest spike after the show?33:11 - How do you retain staff—cooks, servers, managers?34:14 - How much revenue comes from delivery/aggregators?35:02 - Are aggregators pushing too hard on restaurant margins?36:01 - Malls vs. high street—how do the dynamics differ?37:11 - What’s your marketing approach today—offline vs. online?38:36 - What’s happening with food influencers now?39:26 - Rapid-fire round42:51 - What does the future look like over the next few months/quarters?43:51 - What’s the secret sauce to smooth investor/partner relations?Gaurav BhagatFacebook = https://gauravbhagat.academy/38lgjVjInstagram = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3lKnSIhLinkedin = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3LTEFDb ___________________________________________________Gaurav Bhagat Academy Facebook = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3MSfkuXInstagram = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3sTZlo4Twitter = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3z12jLwLinkedin = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3PJhfUo________________________________________________________________________________WebsiteGaurav Bhagat Academy = http://bit.ly/38Pyez3​

    47 min

  7. 08/11/2025

    Cracking the D2C Code: Strategy, Scale & Sustainability with Dinika | Let's Chat With GB | EP - 22

    What does it take to turn a 140-year-old family legacy into a modern, thriving consumer brand? In this episode of Let’s Chat with GB, we sit down with Dinika, sixth-generation entrepreneur and founder of The Nutty Gritties, to uncover her decade-long journey of building one of India’s most innovative healthy snacking brands.From crafting a business plan at USC to disrupting the way India consumes nuts, Dinika shares:How she transformed nuts from a seasonal gift into an everyday snack loved nationwideThe retail and distribution strategies that put Nutty Gritties ahead of the curveLessons in brand building, product innovation, and financial discipline for D2C foundersWhy authenticity, focus, and profitability matter more than vanity metricsInsights into India’s emerging markets and quick commerce boomWhether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a D2C brand owner, or someone curious about scaling a business without losing your core values, this conversation is your playbook for building a lasting brand.Watch now for an inspiring, insight-packed chat—and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of business.

    51 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    Foodies to Influencers: Siblings Who Went Viral with Honest Flavour | Let's Chat With GB | EP - 21

    From kitchen laughs to viral fame! Meet the sibling duo behind the food content that's taking the internet by storm. They turned passion into purpose—living to eat, filming to inspire. Watch their journey from home cooks to foodie phenoms unfold in this flavourful episode of Let's Chat With GB!Hit play to hear their behind-the-scenes secrets, viral video moments, and how family + food = unstoppable content.Don’t miss this bite of real talk, big dreams, and even bigger appetites. Do also check out their instagram channel on https://www.instagram.com/spoonofflavours/ ________________________________________________________________________________Gaurav BhagatFacebook = https://gauravbhagat.academy/38lgjVjInstagram = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3lKnSIhLinkedin = https://gauravbhagat.academy/3LTEFDb

    49 min
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About

"Welcome to 'Let's Chat with GB' — a melting pot of ideas, passions, and inspirations. Join us as we dive deep with entrepreneurs charting new frontiers, fitness influencers reshaping our health narratives, chefs tantalizing our taste buds, sports personalities defining perseverance, and many more trailblazers. Each conversation is a journey, each story a lesson. Tune in and uncover the myriad facets of life, success, and the pursuit of passion with GB."

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