The Indianness Podcast | Insights from Indian Business Leaders, Indian Founders & High-Performing Indian Americans

Sanjay Puri
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The Indianness podcast enables leaders of Indian origin to tell their stories to inspire the next generation. Guests include leaders in business, health care, education, NGO’s, politics and various other fields.

  1. Overcoming Self-Doubt & Building Leadership: Parinda Gandhi’s Story | Indianness Podcast

    3 OCT

    Overcoming Self-Doubt & Building Leadership: Parinda Gandhi’s Story | Indianness Podcast

    What does it take to rise from an average student to becoming a visionary CFO in healthcare? In this in-depth conversation, Parinda Gandhi opens up about her extraordinary journey on the Indianness Podcast.  Early struggles & immigrant family life in Cleveland. The importance of parental influence on spirituality, culture, and education. How she turned setbacks—like being underestimated academically—into opportunities for growth. Why embracing networking and adaptability transformed her career path. Her perspective on imposter syndrome, failures, and trusting instincts as a leader.  💡 This is a must-watch for aspiring professionals, leaders balancing cultural identities, and anyone chasing meaningful growth.  Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/parindagandhi/

    46 min
  2. Mapping the Invisible Universe with Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan | TIME100 Astrophysicist

    22 AGO

    Mapping the Invisible Universe with Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan | TIME100 Astrophysicist

    Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan joins the Indianness Podcast for a cosmic conversation on science, curiosity, and the invisible universe.  In this powerful episode:  Learn how Priyamvada mapped the first dark matter models and studied black hole formation Discover her journey from a curious child in Coimbatore to Chair of Astronomy at Yale Understand the deeper meaning behind scientific mastery and personal growth Explore her powerful reflections on humility, cultural context, and mentorship Named to TIME100 in 2024, hear why she believes luck + preparation = magic 🛰️ A must-watch for science lovers, aspiring change-makers, and anyone fascinated by the universe.  👉 Subscribe and hit the bell icon for more stories of global Indian excellence.  📺 Watch Now and get inspired.  Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-natarajan-66b0215/

    1 h y 7 min
  3. Alok Sama on Luck, Legacy & Life Lessons: From President & CFO at SoftBank to Author of ‘The Money Trap’ | Indianness Podcast

    23 JUL

    Alok Sama on Luck, Legacy & Life Lessons: From President & CFO at SoftBank to Author of ‘The Money Trap’ | Indianness Podcast

    Join us on the Indianness Podcast with Alok Sama as he revisits:  A life of 17-hour workdays, massive mergers, and global finance Deep personal reflections on mortality, regret, and missed phone calls How a cadaver at age 10 turned him away from medicine forever Lessons in failure—from cricket to startups—and how they shaped his resilience The moment he realized his son thought he was cool again 📘 This is not just a career story—it's an emotional reckoning.  Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloksama?    ⏱️ Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction and Setup  04:30 - Welcome to the Podcast  06:30 - Childhood and Family Background  11:50 - The Influence of His Father  15:00 - The Cadaver Incident  18:30 - Luck, Serendipity & Career  21:00 - Schooling and Rejection  24:50 - Cricket, Sports and Resilience  29:00 - Friendships and Long-term Bonds  31:30 - Decision to Study Abroad  36:50 - Cultural Shock in America  40:00 - Wharton and Academics  42:40 - Career at Morgan Stanley  45:00 - Mentorship and Role Models  48:00 - Joining SoftBank  51:00 - Staying After Nikesh Left  52:30 - Pivot to Writing  56:20 - The Money Trap Book  58:00 - New Writing Focus  1:02:00 - Life After Loss  1:05:40 - Redefining Success  1:10:20 - Most Influential Person

    1 h y 14 min
  4. Rooted in the Past, Transforming the Future: Sonia Vora on Identity, Empathy, and Leadership | Indianness Podcast

    25 JUN

    Rooted in the Past, Transforming the Future: Sonia Vora on Identity, Empathy, and Leadership | Indianness Podcast

    Join us in this episode of the Indianness Podcast as we explore Sonia Vora's inspiring journey—from her immigrant upbringing in Detroit to becoming the Chief Strategy Officer of a mental wellness company and CHRO of the Gates Foundation.  💡 What you’ll learn:  How Sonia’s parents shaped her values through resilience and empathy Her pivot from finance to HR, integrating AI and human-centric leadership The power of intrinsic motivation and how to unlock it in yourself and others Stories of cultural duality, name changes, and identity 🔔 Subscribe for more stories of Indian origin change makers 📺 Watch now and be inspired.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniavora/

    1 h y 10 min
  5. Indianness Podcast: Harini Gopalakrishnan on Learning, Integrity, and Career Growth – Lessons from the CTO for Life Sciences at Snowflake

    12 ABR

    Indianness Podcast: Harini Gopalakrishnan on Learning, Integrity, and Career Growth – Lessons from the CTO for Life Sciences at Snowflake

    Indianness Podcast: Harini Gopalakrishnan on Learning, Integrity, and Career Growth  🎧 How does integrity and a strong foundation shape career success? In this engaging episode of the Indianness Podcast, Sanjay Puri interviews Harini Gopalakrishnan, CTO for Life Sciences at Snowflake. Harini reflects on her career journey, from her early days in Chennai to becoming a leader in healthcare technology.  📌 Topics Covered:  The impact of growing up in a joint family How her grandmother’s lessons on integrity shaped her career The value of foundational knowledge in professional success Why saying "no" can build more trust than saying "yes" How continuous learning and adaptability are key to career longevity 🚀 Watch now to learn how Harini’s approach to integrity and learning drives her success!    Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinigopalakrishnan/    ⏱️ Timestamps:  0:00 - Podcast Episode Highlights    1:05 - Harini’s early life: Born in Kerala, raised in Chennai, bilingual roots, and joint family upbringing.    2:05 - Emphasis on education and gender equality in her family.    3:03 - Memories of grandparents and their influence (moral values, music lessons).    4:03 - Learning veena and lifelong lessons from foundational skills.    5:15 - Career advice: Importance of foundational knowledge and adaptability.    7:34 - Balancing passion vs. practicality in career choices.    10:14 - Transition to college: Networking, curiosity, and cultural adaptability.    13:05 - Discussing integrity and saying "no" in professional settings.    17:38 - Choosing computer science: Pragmatism and societal expectations.    20:07 - Undergrad experience: Fun vs. academic rigor, soft skills.    24:27 - First job at Cognizant: Corporate challenges and self-discovery.    30:01 - Pursuing a master’s in bioinformatics: Risk-taking and career pivots.    34:06 - Career inflection points: Moving to tech, international exposure.    39:56 - Working in Europe and cultural adaptability lessons.    46:04 - Leadership style influenced by Indian values (integrity, customer focus).    50:10 - Failures and resilience: Returning to India post-master’s.    53:44 - Role of mentors: Grandmother, professors, and customer guidance.    55:34 - Lightning round: Coffee lover, remote work preference, intuition over data.

    1 h y 1 min
  6. Breaking Barriers & Driving Digital Transformation | Indianness Podcast ft. Anjana Harve, EVP & CIO, BJ’s Wholesale Club

    14 MAR

    Breaking Barriers & Driving Digital Transformation | Indianness Podcast ft. Anjana Harve, EVP & CIO, BJ’s Wholesale Club

    In this episode of the Indianness Podcast, we sit down with Anjana Harve, EVP & CIO at BJ’s Wholesale Club, to explore the intersection of leadership, innovation, and digital transformation. With a career spanning multiple industries, she shares insights on navigating AI advancements, leading global teams, and fostering an inclusive tech culture.  💡 Key Takeaways:  ✔ How to drive large-scale digital transformation across diverse industries.  ✔ The future of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making.  ✔ Lessons from leading Fortune 500 companies through technological shifts.  ✔ The importance of mentorship and diverse leadership in tech.  🚀 This episode is a must-watch for aspiring leaders, tech professionals, and innovators!    Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjanaharve/    ⏱️ Timestamps:  00:00 - Episode Highlights  01:05 - Early Life & Roots in India  03:46 - Father’s Influence: Integrity & Perception  08:11 - Leadership Lessons from a Judge  13:23 - Mother’s Role: Curiosity & Self-Improvement  17:00 - Adapting to Change & Building Connections  20:14 - Work-Life Balance & Family Feedback  25:39 - Career Journey: From India to the U.S.  30:27 - Defining Indianness in Leadership  36:09 - Mentorship & Inflection Points  44:47 - Lightning Round Q&A  52:55 - Final Takeaways

    58 min
  7. Leadership, Innovation, and Indianness: A Conversation with Dr. Pradeep Khosla

    3 FEB

    Leadership, Innovation, and Indianness: A Conversation with Dr. Pradeep Khosla

    In this episode, Dr. Pradeep Khosla reflects on his career, the role of mentorship, and the importance of embracing challenges. Learn how his Indian roots influenced his approach to leadership and innovation in the U.S. education system.  Resources Mentioned:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeepkhosla/  https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pradeep_Khosla

    59 min
  8. Transforming Education and Leadership with Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, ​​Founder & Trustee of Ashoka University, Founding Dean of ISB, Founder of Harappa Education and President at upGrad

    04/12/2024

    Transforming Education and Leadership with Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, ​​Founder & Trustee of Ashoka University, Founding Dean of ISB, Founder of Harappa Education and President at upGrad

    On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Trustee at Ashoka University, Founding Dean of ISB, Founder of Harappa Education and President at upGrad. Dr. Sinha is a visionary leader in education and entrepreneurship. He has reshaped higher education in India and is now setting his sights on the entire world. Dr. Sinha shares how his upbringing, his father and his sisters’ resilience inspired and motivated him. He discusses his views on India’s educational system, the skills educational leaders should possess and how even introverts can learn them. Key Takeaways: (02:18) Dr. Sinha’s upbringing in Patna and his father’s influence. (03:54) Leadership lessons that shaped Dr. Sinha’s career. (10:22) How mentorship impacted his career and life.  (20:16) Dr. Sinha’s sister’s challenges and resilience.  (39:02) On the straitjacketed Indian education system. (54:17) On creating a plan for Malaysia’s economic growth. (57:28) Learning from the best universities and applying it to the Indian context.  (58:06) The importance of giving students a choice. (01:00:29) Developing tribe and leadership skills online. (1:03:06) The importance of solving the right problems in entrepreneurship. (1:07:19) Introverts can develop people skills and be effective leaders. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pramathsinha/ Ashoka University | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/ashoka-university/ Ashoka University | Website - https://www.ashoka.edu.in upGrad LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ueducation/ upGrad | Website - https://www.upgrad.com Indian School of Business (ISB) - https://www.isb.edu Harappa Education - https://harappa.education Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show. #Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

    1 h y 15 min
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The Indianness podcast enables leaders of Indian origin to tell their stories to inspire the next generation. Guests include leaders in business, health care, education, NGO’s, politics and various other fields.

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