TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Abhay Dandekar
  • 5.0 (49)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Serving as both a reflective mirror and an open window into the global Indian diaspora and South Asian communities. The conversations led by Abhay Dandekar are informal and informative, adding insights and perspective to our evolving expressions of culture, confidence, and trust. New episodes weekly, on Tuesdays (and some Thursdays). Listen or watch anywhere you get your podcasts, and please rate and review if your enjoying it.

  1. 17h ago

    Kashyap Deorah on Startup Exits, VC Buybacks, and Tech Realities

    How do you go from seeing the Google website load for the first time on a campus computer screen in Mumbai to building and exiting three tech ventures, writing The Golden Tap, and buying back your company from VCs — all while navigating the rapid rise of AI? In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and HyperTrack Founder & CEO Kashyap Deorah. Kashyap shares his journey across changing tech cycles, from falling in love with the internet at IIT Bombay to building and exiting three tech ventures, capturing the Indian tech ecosystem in his bestselling book The Golden Tap, and making the bold decision to buy back HyperTrack from venture capital investors to become a management-owned company.  Kashyap also breaks down his philosophy on why "technology accelerates human behavior rather than equalizing opportunity," how startup scaling accelerated from 0-to-1M in 18 months to 0-to-100M in 18 months, why high school dropouts building AI-native tools are outperforming legacy pivots, and why deep emotional connection and empathy remain the core operating system for tech leaders.  If you enjoy deep conversations on entrepreneurship, venture capital, technology, and identity across the global South Asian community, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! -------------------------- ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Teaser: Why Technology Accelerates Human Behavior01:46 - IIT Bombay, Google & Falling in Love with Entrepreneurship06:32 - The Accelerated Startup Pace: AI-Native Founders vs. Legacy Pivots09:53 - Building HyperTrack: Gig Workforce Logistics & Field Automation15:54 - Sponsor Break: TRAVELOPOD and Lotus Lane Coffee16:52 - Capital Concentration & Shifting Venture Capital Dynamics19:53 - Why We Bought Back Our Startup From VCs24:35 - Hard Truths for Founders: M&A Realities, Valuations & Misalignment28:58 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest29:25 - Tech Polarization, Vipassana Meditation & Consciousness36:00 - Reconnecting Feeling with Thinking in Tech Leadership43:32 - Outro & Diaspora Community Shoutouts  -------------------------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:• The Core Operating System: Why human relationship building, empathy, and active listening remain constant anchors despite hyper-accelerating tech cycles.• Buying Back Your Startup: How HyperTrack realigned with investors to buy back VCs/PEs and transition to a profitable, management-owned business.• Tech Accelerates Human Behavior: Why technology doesn't automatically equalize opportunity, but rather accelerates existing human tendencies and polarization.• Leading with Feeling: How Vipassana meditation and connecting at an emotional level help founders make better decisions in an AI-driven world. GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:📖 Read The Golden Tap by Kashyap Deorah🌐 Learn more about HyperTrack: https://www.hypertrack.com🔗 Connect with Kashyap Deorah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdeorah/ Shout outs:• Pia Dandiya — Winning her Democratic primary in Florida• California State Assembly members Darshana Patel & Ash Kalra — Helping California pass its official Diwali resolution• Maharashtra FDA — Banning high fat, salt, and sugar foods in and around schools SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbushttps://lotuslanecoffee.comTimberdog Ruffresthttps://timberdog.com/ Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay DandekarA mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations. For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.com Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/ Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

    Kashyap Deorah on Startup Exits, VC Buybacks, and Tech Realities

  2. Aug 18

    Aditya Suhas Jambhale on Directing Article 370 and Disrupting Indian Cinema

    How do you go from an introverted engineering student in Goa to winning two back-to-back National Film Awards and directing hit films like Article 370 and Baramulla — all without ever working as an assistant director? In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with acclaimed writer and director Aditya Suhas Jambhale. Aditya shares his incredible journey of disruptive self-belief, turning down an associate director offer on a 400-crore film (Ashwathama) to bet on his own voice, overcoming the "blame game" in engineering school, and entering the directing space from Marathi theater to short films to feature films. Aditya also breaks down his philosophy on why "doing a project in the industry is easy, but doing cinema is tough," how he crafted high-stakes emotional storytelling in Article 370 and Baramulla, and why artists have a responsibility to make art valuable. If you enjoy deep conversations on cinema, storytelling, resilience, and identity across the global South Asian community, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! -------------------------- CHAPTERS:00:00 - Teaser: "To do a project is easy, to do cinema is tough"01:16 - Welcome to Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing01:35 - Introducing Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale03:02 - Falling in Love with Cinema: Watching Titanic in Goa05:13 - The Cricket & Engineering Detour07:44 - The Mentorship Mirror: Stopping the Blame Game10:04 - An Introvert's Journey: Becoming an Accidental Director12:13 - Self-Taught Vision: The large Audience Spectacle of 'Vande Mataram'14:45 - Back-to-Back National Awards & Meeting Aditya Dhar15:42 - Turning Down Ashwathama: The Audacity to Bet on Himself21:30 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee22:15 - Crafting High-Stakes Storytelling in 'Article 370' & 'Baramulla'30:11 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest35:40 - Cinema vs. Industry: Why Emotional Connection is Everything42:15 — Navigating Scale & Budget48:10 — The Artist’s Responsibility56:20 — Uncompromising Self-Belief: Maintaining creative independence  1:05:10 — Building Evolving Narratives: How theater roots in Goa shaped Aditya's visual and audio storytelling style.  1:12:21 — Closing Reflections -------------------------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:• The Mentorship Mirror: How stopping the "blame game" in engineering school transformed Aditya's career.• Betting on Yourself: Why Aditya turned down an associate director position on a 400-crore film to direct his own vision.• The Disruptor's Responsibility: How independent theater and short films built a bold, uncompromising directorial voice.• Cinema vs. Industry: Why true filmmaking relies on audience empathy and emotional value over massive production budgets. GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:🎬 Watch Article 370 & Baramulla on Netflixhttps://www.instagram.com/adityasuhasjambhale/?hl=en Shout outs:• Happy Independance Day to India! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus https://lotuslanecoffee.comTimberdog Ruffesthttps://timberdog.com/ Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay DandekarA mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations. For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.com Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/ Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AdityaJambhale #Article370 #Baramulla #IndianCinema #BollywoodDirector #NationalAward #AbhayDandekar #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #SouthAsianFilmmakers #DesiDiaspora

    Aditya Suhas Jambhale on Directing Article 370 and Disrupting Indian Cinema

  3. Aug 11

    Alam Khan on Legacy and the Modern Sarod

    How do you carry the monumental weight of one of Indian classical music’s most revered lineages while fearlessly forging your own contemporary artistic voice? In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Grammy-nominated Sarod master, composer, and performer Alam Khan. As the son of legendary maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Alam inherited the keys to the iconic Maihar Gharana tradition. In this deep and intimate conversation, Alam reflects on performance rituals and perfectionism, taking the Sarod into modern landscapes, navigating the "Jedi-like" responsibility of preserving legacy, and why true music must always serve as the "sound of unconditional love." If you enjoy deep dives into culture, identity, and artistic excellence within the South Asian diaspora, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to join our growing community! --------------------------CHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction03:02 - Overcoming Stage Fright & Performance Anxiety05:44 - Breaking Free from Perfectionism: "Perfectly Imperfect"08:48 - Maintaining a Growth Mindset in High-Stakes Artistry11:22 - Evolving Relationship with the Sarod: Classical vs. Contemporary15:01 - Meaningful Collaboration vs. "Confusion" Music16:07 - Classical Music as a Spiritual "Lighthouse"18:28 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod and Lotus Lane Coffee19:28 - Preserving Ali Akbar Khan's Legacy & Finding Space22:55 - The Anatomy of Musical Storytelling & Emotion25:15 - Listening to Ali Akbar Khan’s Music Over Time28:44 - Teaching at the Ali Akbar College of Music32:17 - The "Jedi Order" Responsibility & Personal Legacy35:27 - Creating from a "World Between Worlds"38:35 - Connecting Audiences to Peace, Power, and Solace40:33 - Episode Outro & Community Shoutouts --------------------------EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Embracing the "Perfectly Imperfect": How to quiet physiological anxiety on stage and get out of your own way.• The Classical Lighthouse: Why classical foundation provides the creative anchor when exploring contemporary genres.• True Collaboration: Avoiding superficial fusion by ensuring projects resonate deeply and create timeless art.• Spreading the Sonic Gospel: Interpreting teachings for new generations at the Ali Akbar College of Music. --------------------------GUEST & HOST RESOURCES:🌐 Alam Khan Official Website: https://alamkhan.com🌐 Ali Akbar College of Music (AACM): https://aacm.org Shout outs to:Dr. Amish Shah for winning the AZ primaryNini for starting Optometry school at UC Berkeley - GO BEARS!NAFA and BMM Seattle for great events Sameer Gupta for all he's building at RootStockArts in Oakland --------------------------SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus: https://lotuslanecoffee.com -------------------------- Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay DandekarA mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations. Support our sponsors: Start your journey with personalized travel support at https://vacation.travelopod.com/ For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.comAbout 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! Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/ Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing

    Alam Khan on Legacy and the Modern Sarod

  4. Aug 4

    Vishal Joshi on Building Joy to Reimagine Event Planning

    How do you transform high-stress event planning into a joyful, seamless experience? Vishal Joshi joins the podcast to explore wedding and event orchestration, scaling Joy from an initial demo project into a platform serving over 50 million people across 150 countries. In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Joy co-founder and CEO Vishal Joshi to discuss the intersection of design, software engineering, and human emotion. Vishal shares his journey from a modest background in India to building Microsoft Azure, before leaving corporate life to solve the chaotic experience of planning life's biggest celebrations. Instead of treating event tech as a cold utility, Vishal describes Joy's mission using "Amy's wedding" as the compass — leveraging technology to reduce friction while preserving deep human connection. We talk about rising from modest roots, turning chaotic friction into clean software, building for deep human emotion, and how AI is changing the startup playbook—from customer feedback to product strategy. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, product strategist, student, or tech enthusiast, this conversation is packed with grounded wisdom and actionable takeaways. -------------------------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introductions 01:46 - Welcome Vishal Joshi, Co-Founder & CEO of Joy03:38 - Guest list diplomacy & solving wedding drama with tech04:59 - The founding ethos of Joy: Planning for "Amy's Wedding"07:37 - Cultural dynamics & handling 10x event complexity12:34 - Modest beginnings, hard work, and unlearning corporate norms14:03 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod & Lotus Lane Coffee18:21 - AI vs. human emotion in event planning20:15 - Introducing the world’s first AI event planner23:29 - Expanding beyond weddings: Birthdays, corporate retreats & dissertations26:08 - Seismic shifts in wedding trends: Digital save-the-dates & cash registries31:46 - Cultivating empathy & lessons in long-term relationships35:36 - Outro & where to find Joy -------------------------- 🔗 CONNECT WITH VISHAL JOSHI:https://withjoy.com #Joy #VishalJoshi #EventPlanning #AIEventPlanner #StartupGrowth #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing 👉 Subscribe to @TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing for weekly inspiring conversations with leaders, artists, and innovators across the global Indian diaspora! -------------------------- ABOUT TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING | Dr. Abhay DandekarEvery week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from home and the diaspora—sharing their journeys, motivations, and cultural expressions. If you enjoyed this conversation, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with someone seeking conversations that serve as a mirror and window into the global Indian and South Asian experience. OUR SPONSORS:✈️ TRAVELOPOD - Start your journey with personalized travel support: https://vacation.travelopod.com/☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus: https://lotuslanecoffee.com/ CONNECT WITH DR. ABHAY DANDEKAR:📧 Email: info@abhaydandekar.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/https://www.youtube.com/@UChOdSAsCtN0quqOZ0mDUV0w  LISTEN ON AUDIO PODCAST PLATFORMS:🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5

    Vishal Joshi on Building Joy to Reimagine Event Planning

  5. Jul 21

    Snigdha Sur on Smart Context over Shallow Representation

    How do we move beyond shallow representation to capture the deep, fluid, and beautifully complex realities of the global South Asian diaspora? Snigdha Sur, Founder & CEO of The Juggernaut, joins us again to share how her media tech company operates as a "smart best friend" providing essential context, investigative reporting, and nuanced storytelling for a dynamic global community. If you want to catch more deep dives into the global Indian and South Asian diaspora experience, hit the Subscribe button to join our community! In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Snigdha to catch up on the cultural zeitgeist of 2026. From her personal obsession with the National Spelling Bee to her background and experiences as a founder , Snigdha challenges us to demand deeper specificity in journalism and the stories offered by The Juggernaut. She also opens up about the rigorous realities of investigative journalism and leading a media company, why she chose to learn video editing to out-innovate aggregators, navigating social media shadowbans, and her hard-earned Y Combinator lesson on filtering out internet noise to focus exclusively on serving paying subscribers. In this episode, we cover:• Nuanced Subcontinental Identity: Why geographical specificity matters over broad-brush labels.• Smart Context vs. Representation: Moving past surface-level media tropes to deliver real depth.• The Barbell Effect of AI in Media: Why deep-dive human creation will become increasingly priceless.• Founder Wisdom & Burnout: Learning whose feedback to value and when to mute the noise. Chapters:00:00 Introducing Snigdha Sur & The Fluidity of the Diaspora03:19 The National Spelling Bee: Passion, Tropes, and Community Anchors06:55 Identity, Borders, and Subcontinental History in 202610:47 The Juggernaut Strategy: Serving Smart Context Over Shallow Representation15:16 Sponsor Break - TRAVELOPOD and LOTUS LANE COFFEE16:16 Investigative Journalism: Pushing Boundaries, Data Truths, and Backlash23:37 The Barbell Effect of AI, Founder Burnout, and Protecting Your Creative Well33:04 Y Combinator Lessons: Filtering Negative Commentary to Focus on Subscribers35:28 Democratizing Media Spaces & Designing Radically Inclusive Communities36:56 Conclusions and Shout Outs Connect with Snigdha Sur & The Juggernaut:• Website: https://thejuggernaut.com/• Newsletter: https://thejuggernaut.com/newsletter Shout outs this week:• Sheela Bhat, Preety Kalra, Aarti Kohli, Latika Malkani, and Dharini Rasiah (Editors of Our Feet Walk the Sky: Women of South Asian Diaspora )• World Cup ¡Shabbas! to España• Hydrogen Trains & the teams behind Vikram One• Astronaut Anil Menon • Desi Me Dating and the PopShift team #TheJuggernaut #SnigdhaSur #SouthAsianMedia #DiasporaStories #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #StartupFounder Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay DandekarA mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora — sharing their journeys and motivations. Support our sponsors: Personalized travel journey to destinations like Africa, India, Japan, Antarctica, or the Northern Lights regions with Travelopod at:https://vacation.travelopod.com/ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus.https://lotuslanecoffee.com/ For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.comAbout 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! Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/https://abhaydandekar.transistor.fm/ Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5

    Snigdha Sur on Smart Context over Shallow Representation

  6. Jul 14

    Ritesh Batra on The Lunchbox and Leaving Your Fingerprints

    What happens to intimacy, nostalgia, and creative power when a world-class filmmaker decides to step away from the camera and help reimagine their masterpiece for the live stage?  In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, I sit down with award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director Ritesh Batra. Celebrated globally for his masterpiece debut feature film, The Lunchbox, Ritesh has spent the last decade crafting incredibly delicate, human-centered stories. Now, he has brought that same quiet magic to the theater stage, serving as the book writer and co-lyricist for the highly successful musical adaptation of The Lunchbox. Ritesh shares unique process of rewriting a beloved indie film for a live theatrical medium. He shares why he deliberately avoided rewatching his own movie to allow a fresh, organic confluence of creative energy to take over with his collaborators. He also shares his personal philosophy on "artistic fingerprints"—explaining why true success in any creative field requires leaving your own distinct, irreplaceable mark rather than chasing past commercial formulas or letting executive gatekeepers dictate the narrative.  Ritesh shares insights on: • Nostalgia & Friction: Why he prefers focusing his storytelling on the compelling friction of characters "left behind" by rapid societal changes rather than those keeping up with them.  • Stage vs. Screen Intimacy: How the live stage provides a unique canvas to showcase unspoken connection and stillness in ways the cinema camera cannot.  • The Fingerprint Philosophy: Why elite artists must own their distinct perspective, and how to protect your creative power in a system obsessed with past commercial formulas.  • Songs Hidden in the Seams: The organic process of discovering musical numbers hidden in the quiet, empty spaces between film scenes.  • Overcoming the Fear of Collapse: Navigating the intense vulnerability of a production's first week and learning to trust your internal compass.  Whether you’re a filmmaker, a theater lover, a creative professional navigating a highly public career, or someone looking to practice deeper mindfulness and trust in your everyday life, Ritesh’s thoughts on artistic conviction provides an invaluable blueprint.  If you enjoyed this, please hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and share this video with someone looking to realize and transform their own vision! -------------------------- Chapters- 00:00 Introductions02:40 Nostalgia, Change, and Telling Stories of Those Left Behind05:41 Translating the Intimacy of The Lunchbox to the Stage08:04 An Organic Transformation: Working with the Lazours10:09 Finding Songs in Between the Seams of the Story11:43 The Writer's Medium: Curating the Confluence of Creative Energy14:35 Discovering New Skills and Instincts in Musical Theater16:32 Sponsor Breaks - TRAVELOPOD and LOTUS LANE COFFEE17:31 Managing a Public Career: Owning Successes and Failures21:14 Leaving Your Fingerprints Over Everything You Create25:10 Wielding Artistic Power and Collaborating with Actors27:56 Thriving on the Unknown: Ritesh's Operating Mantra29:55 Lessons from Parenting and the Cost of Creative Focus31:42 Quick Hitters: Greatest Fears, Mingling, and Hamnet33:07 Cultivating Trust in Yourself and the Unseen End Goal35:18 Conclusions & Shoutouts #RiteshBatra #TheLunchbox #IndieFilmmaking #SouthAsianRepresentation #Storytelling #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing Shoutouts:✉️ Mitra Kalita for making this incredible connection happen!🪔 My cousin Hrishikesh Joshi for bringing chemical-free agarbatti to more homes in India!🏈 Vinod Khosla for buying the Seahawks!🎵 Celebrating the timeless and beautiful singing legacy of S. Janaki!❤️ Lots of love and big hugs to Camille and Alpa—Usha Aunty lives strong through the both of you! About TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING:Hosted by Dr. Abhay Dandekar, this show serves as a mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation. Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora—sharing their journeys and motivations.   Sponsors:Personalized travel journey to destinations like Africa, India, Japan, Antarctica, or the Northern Lights regions with Travelopod at:👉 https://vacation.travelopod.com/ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus.👉 https://lotuslanecoffee.com/ Connect with Us:📧 Email: info@abhaydandekar.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/🎙️ Podcast Platforms: https://abhaydandekar.transistor.fm/  Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform:🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5

    Ritesh Batra on The Lunchbox and Leaving Your Fingerprints

  7. Jul 7 ·  Bonus

    Coach Amit Tailor on Winning Hoops with People and Analytics

    What happens to elite sports analytics, player development, and leadership when the data-driven games of the NBA and NCAA are purposed for human relationship building?  In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, I sit down with Queens University of Charlotte Assistant Men's Basketball Coach and Game Plan Strategy Coordinator, Amit Tailor. As a prominent South Asian coach pioneering the integration of data analytics, video film, and AI workflows in hoops, Amit has spent years developing world-class talent at every level, including milestone coaching stints with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, USA Basketball, and Clemson University.  Amit opens up on high-stakes scouting, detailing how modern tools use AI to manage recruitment pipelines and why his guiding operational principle is "if everything is important, then nothing is important".  Representing a new wave of Indian Americans in professional sports, Amit challenges traditional cultural archetypes within the South Asian diaspora and outlines a powerful blueprint for true resilience, sports leadership, and South Asian representation. Amit shares insights on: • The Schemes vs. People Paradigm: Why elite coaches compete with basketball schemes but ultimately win games with authentic human connections.  • The Data & Video Marriage: How pairing performance metrics with positive visual reinforcement accelerates split-second adjustments behind the bench.  • Overcoming 17 Rejections:  Why long-term perseverance and optimism are vital • The South Asian Sports Box: Why families need to unlearn strict career boxes tied to traditional earning potential and empower their kids to dream bigger.  •  Be Seen, Not Heard: Crucial professional positioning advice received from Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault while working under legend Billy Donovan.  Whether you’re a coach seeking to optimize your team's tactical strategy, a professional navigating a highly competitive industry, or someone looking for the mental armor to overcome career rejections, Amit’s sports career journey is key listening. If you enjoyed this deep dive, please hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and share this video with someone looking to scale their own vision! -------------------------- Chapters 00:00 Introduction & The Data-Driven Game01:35 Welcoming Queens University Coach Amit Tailor02:57 Game Planning the Unexpected Blowouts of New Parenting04:04 The Culture Shift: Tech, Data, and AI in Relationship Building06:36 Translating Game Plans & Identifying Player Superpowers08:58 Real-Time Video Analysis & Giving Feedback Behind the Bench12:29 What Casual Basketball Fans Miss: Spacing & Floor Balance15:24 Sponsor Break - Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee, Timberdog16:54 Leading India Rising: Managing Egos, Drama, and Adversity19:03 Core Philosophy: If Everything Is Important, Nothing Is Important21:16 Modern Athlete Reinforcement: Positive Clips vs. 1988 Michael Jordan23:50 Overcoming Stereotypes & Navigating 17 Job Rejections25:28 Unboxing Diaspora Families: Earning Potential vs. Dreaming Bigger31:46 Quick Hitters: Chicago Bulls Heyday, MJ, and Coaching Idols34:12 Final Advice for Future Coaches: Opportunity Is Not a Lengthy Visitor ------------------------- #AmitTailor #BasketballAnalytics #CoachingStrategy #BrownBallers #NCAABasketball #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing Shoutouts:🏀 Brown Ballers for empowering and inspiring future generations through sport!  🌧️ Monsoon rains and the FIFA Gully in Kolkata!  🐻 Huge shoutout to former Cal Bear Jaylen Brown—Go Bears!  🏏 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's cricket bat!  Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay DandekarA mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations. TRAVELOPOD - Start your journey with personalized travel support at https://vacation.travelopod.com/Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus. https://lotuslanecoffee.com/RuffRest by Timberdog - https://timberdog.com/ For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.comMy 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! Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/https://abhaydandekar.transistor.fm/ Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5

    Coach Amit Tailor on Winning Hoops with People and Analytics

  8. Jun 30

    Rashmeet Kaur on Finding the Divine Note, Making Music, and Detachment

    What happens to tradition, personal identity, and creative freedom when an artist decides to completely rewrite the rules of the musical game in real time?  In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, I sit down with the phenomenal award-winning Indian singer and musician, Rashmeet Kaur. Known widely for her boundary-pushing fluid artistry, Rashmeet has carved out a completely unique sonic footprint by effortlessly bridging centuries-old traditional Punjabi root music with contemporary house, techno, hip-hop, and Afro beats.  Rashmeet pulls back the curtain on her creative philosophy and what keeps her deeply in love with the limitless nature of music. She explains why she actively practices spiritual detachment from her studio work to protect her creative sanity, and why chasing safe commercial "hit records" is a dangerous trap that completely kills artistic experimentation.  We also dive deep into what the modern music industry must urgently unlearn to create safe and empowering spaces for independent creators, the divine raga-driven origin story behind her debut hit "Kahaan," and how she is fiercely connecting with her live audiences to genuinely live in the moment.  Rashmeet shares insights on: • The Power of Detachment: The harsh realities of Bollywood playback singing and why learning to let go of creative attachments anchors her independent career.  • The "Hit Song" Trap: Why she refuses requests for sequels to hits like "Ishq Nachaawe" or "Bajre Da Sitta" in order to keep her artistic intimacy fresh.  • The Divine Roots of "Kahaan": How she channelizes Sarang Raag to build an emotional environment that transforms a deeply personal journey into a live pop community.  • Vocal Cord Preservation: Bouncing between high-energy stage extroversion and entering a strict, isolated "mute mode" to protect her instrument.  • Unlearning the Hustle Trap: Why industry gatekeepers need to stop replicating past hardships and instead build safe, accessible community spaces for the next generation.  Whether you’re an aspiring artist trying to navigate the modern digital music landscape, a fan of cutting-edge global fusion, or someone looking to practice deep mindfulness in a hyper-connected world, Rashmeet’s masterclass in creative conviction provides an invaluable blueprint.  If you enjoyed this deep dive, please hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and share this video with someone looking to scale their own vision!  -------------------------- Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome02:35 Backstage Rituals and Introversion/Extroversion05:29 The Early Training: Learning from the Gurus and Finding Endless Limits07:55 Unlearning Playback Attachments & Finding Independence in Songwriting10:17 What the Music Industry Must Unlearn to Provide Free, Safe Spaces12:11 Escaping the "Hit Song" Trap: Embracing Imperfection and Experimentation15:02 Sponsor Break: Lotus Lane Coffee and Travelopod16:01 Preserving Musical  Intimacy 21:12 Storytelling, On-Stage Comedy, and the Heavy-Light Balance22:46 The "What's Next" Mindset & Reimagining the Kaura Live Sessions23:32 Singing for Her Pets: The Eager Listeners and Longest Companions24:52 Allowing Your Audience to Live in the Moment26:51 Conclusions and Shout Outs 🌐 Guest Info: Check out Rashmeet’s tour dates and updates on her official social media platforms.  #RashmeetKaur #IndependentArtist #PunjabiFusion #IndianMusic  #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing Shoutouts from this episode:🎂 Happy 50th birthday to Supriya!🇺🇸 Happy 250th birthday to America!🇨🇦 Shoutout to the Malhotras for "Canucking" as a pioneering father and son duo in Vancouver!🏏 Better luck next time to the incredible Indian men's and women's national cricket teams!  -------------------------- About TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING:Hosted by Dr. Abhay Dandekar, this show serves as a mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation. Every week, we share informal and informative chats with talented artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change-makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora—sharing their journeys, motivations, and evolving cultural expressions.  Support Our Sponsors:Start your personalized travel journey to destinations like Africa, India, Japan, Antarctica, or the Northern Lights regions with Travelopod at https://vacation.travelopod.com/Lotus Lane Coffee — rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus. https://lotuslanecoffee.com/ Connect with Us:📧 Email: info@abhaydandekar.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/🎙️ Podcast Platforms: https://abhaydandekar.transistor.fm/

    Rashmeet Kaur on Finding the Divine Note, Making Music, and Detachment
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Serving as both a reflective mirror and an open window into the global Indian diaspora and South Asian communities. The conversations led by Abhay Dandekar are informal and informative, adding insights and perspective to our evolving expressions of culture, confidence, and trust. New episodes weekly, on Tuesdays (and some Thursdays). Listen or watch anywhere you get your podcasts, and please rate and review if your enjoying it.

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