Two Founders Walk Into

Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti
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One got fired. The other nearly went bankrupt. Naturally, they did the most illogical thing—built one of India’s fastest-growing Change Movements with 37,000 changemakers. On this podcast, Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti spill the secrets of leadership—sharp insights, harsh truths, and enough jokes to make HR nervous. Because great leadership isn’t built in boardrooms. It’s built in moments when everything goes spectacularly wrong.

  1. FEB 3

    Why Young Indians Are Choosing Volunteering Today | Ajit & Satish | Podcast

    Volunteering in India is evolving and so is what it means to give back.In this episode, we explore why volunteering matters more than ever, especially for young people navigating purpose, identity and community in a rapidly changing world. From moving beyond a survival mindset to building meaningful connections, volunteering today is as much about personal growth as it is about social impact. Our guests share their journeys, unpack what truly sustains long-term volunteering and reflect on how service shapes leadership, belonging and agency. If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why should I volunteer?”, this episode is a great place to start. Subscribe to our YouTubechannel and never miss the latest episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@UCPichWEo9gwkwpABT8kgk9Q About Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti - They are the co-founders of U&I Trust and Change+. About U&I - U&I is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives through education and community engagement. Our two core programs are U&I Teach and U&I Empower. U&I Teach provides after-school tutoring and mentorship to underprivileged children across India, helping bridge the education gap. U&I Empower creates volunteering opportunities for corporate employees, enabling them to give back through meaningful, impact-driven experiences. At the heart of U&I are our core values: #bethechange #bigaudaciousimpact and #inthistogether About Change+ - The organization helps people become the leaders they’re meant to be. The leadership training journeys blend self-awareness, real-world practice, and people-first thinking, helping teams lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. From emerging managers to senior leaders, Change+ designs learning experiences that teach leadership. Follow them on LinkedIn: Ajit Sivaram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/ Satish Manchikanti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/ Visit our Website: https://uandi.org.in/ Volunteer With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/volunteer Partner With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/csr Work With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/hiring Donate to our Cause: https://ui.danamojo.org/ Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uandi.org.in/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/u&i-charity/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uanditv Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04ZaR7HIvmqL5iG9wAAdV4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-founders-walk-into/id1806002327 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0a5b4559-645c-4b99-a556-adef1fab97c7/two-founders-walk-into Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:15 – From Survival to Agency03:40 – Rameez's Journey: From Privilege to Purpose06:00 – Suchet’s Journey: When Service Became Identity07:45 – Why Volunteering Sticks 11:30 – The Evolution of Volunteering in India12:00 – Why Volunteers Say Yes12:50 – Making Volunteering Accessible13:30 – Psychological Safety & Support14:05 – Community and Belonging15:00 – Contribution, Connection, Co-Creation18:55 – How Nonprofits Can Start With Volunteers22:00 – I’ve Never Volunteered. Where Do I Start?26:00 – Final Reflections

    26 min

  2. JAN 20

    Raising Changemakers: The Shared Role of Schools and Parents.

    Can schools go beyond marks, exams and rote learning to truly prepare children for life?In this episode, we sit down with Sreeja Iyer, Founder of Sparkling Mindz Global School, to explore what it really means to design education around the whole child. Drawing from over 15 years of experience, Sreeja shares her journey from engineering and corporate roles to building a school rooted in agency, autonomy, and community-driven learning.The conversation unpacks child-centric education, Reggio Emilia philosophy, learning sprints, experiential rigor, and why syllabus should be a tool—not the goal. We also dive deep into parenting, unconditional love, discipline, and how families and schools can work together to raise confident, compassionate change-makers.Subscribe to our channel and never miss the latest episodes:    / @twofounderswalktinto   About Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti - They are the co-founders of U&I Trust and Change+. About U&I - U&I is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives through education and community engagement. Our two core programs are U&I Teach and U&I Empower. U&I Teach provides after-school tutoring and mentorship to underprivileged children across India, helping bridge the education gap. U&I Empower creates volunteering opportunities for corporate employees, enabling them to give back through meaningful, impact-driven experiences. At the heart of U&I are our core values: #bethechange #bigaudaciousimpact and #inthistogether About Change+ - The organization helps people become the leaders they’re meant to be. The leadership training journeys blend self-awareness, real-world practice, and people-first thinking, helping teams lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. From emerging managers to senior leaders, Change+ designs learning experiences that teach leadership. Follow them on LinkedIn: Ajit Sivaram -   / ajit4949   Satish Manchikanti -   / satish-manchikanti   Visit our Website: https://uandi.org.in/ Volunteer With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/volunteer Partner With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/csr Work With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/hiring Donate to our Cause: https://ui.danamojo.org/ Follow Us: Instagram:   / uandi.org.in   LinkedIn:   / u&i-charity   YouTube:    / uanditv   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04ZaR7H... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0a5... #podcast #genz #leadership #ngo #entrepreneur #managementTimestamps:00:00 – Intro01:45 – Sreeja’s Journey03:45 – Why Education Must Change06:30 – Birth of Sparkling Mindz09:30 – Child-Centric Learning14:00 – Learning Through Curiosity20:00 – Academic rigour without context27:30 – Parents as Partners34:30 – Unconditional Love42:30 – Final Takeaway for Schools, Parents and Educators

    51 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    The One Question That Changes How You Reflect on Your Year | 2025 | Ajit & Satish

    As the year comes to an end, it’s easy to label it as good, bad, or somewhere in between. But that kind of reflection is often shallow and misleading.In this conversation, we explore a more meaningful way to look back at the year gone by: your relationships.Think of every relationship as an investment account.Did you deposit into it this year or mostly withdraw?This video is for anyone who wants to reflect more honestly, lead better in their personal and professional life, and enter the next year with greater clarity and intention.If you’re looking for a grounded, thoughtful way to review your year beyond goals and achievements this is a good place to start.

    12 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    Why Ultra Leaders Scale Faster :Apple, Amazon & McDonald's Explained | Leadership Lessons | Ajit & Satish

    Growth isn’t just about moving faster or getting bigger. At some point, every organisation faces a choice:Do we keep optimising what already works, or do we take the harder path of reinventing ourselves? In this conversation, we explore why real growth demands exponential thinking — building systems and people that can scale, creating space for experimentation, and normalising failure as a source of learning rather than fear. From Apple’s supply chain mastery to Google’s culture of curiosity and SpaceX’s approach to failing well, the common thread is clear: growth lives on the other side of discomfort. For leaders and teams navigating constant change, the question isn’t whether the river will get rough — it’s whether we’re willing to learn how to ride it.

    10 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    You're Working Fast in the Wrong Direction | Lessons on Company Strategies | Ajit & Satish | Season 2

    Strategy isn’t just planning, it’s choosing the right direction and having the courage to change when the world changes.In this episode, we explore how some of the world’s most successful companies stay relevant by understanding their market, knowing their customer, and adapting before they're forced to.

    11 min
  6. Steve Jobs didn't build the iPhone. The Hidden Team Did | Ajit & Satish | Podcast

    11/25/2025

    Steve Jobs didn't build the iPhone. The Hidden Team Did | Ajit & Satish | Podcast

    What if one of the world’s most iconic innovations wasn’t sparked by a lone genius but by a team learning to collaborate?In the early 2000s, Steve Jobs brought hardware, software, and design teams together under a secret mission called Project Purple. They clashed, they debated, and they pushed each other — until they created something the world had never seen before: the iPhone.This episode dives into:• Why cross-functional collaboration isn’t optional in innovation• How teams move from zero-sum thinking to shared success• The untold story behind Project PurpleSubscribe to our channel and never miss the latest episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@UCPichWEo9gwkwpABT8kgk9Q About Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti - They are the co-founders of U&I Trust and Change+. About U&I - U&I is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives through education and community engagement. Our two core programs are U&I Teach and U&I Empower. U&I Teach provides after-school tutoring and mentorship to underprivileged children across India, helping bridge the education gap. U&I Empower creates volunteering opportunities for corporate employees, enabling them to give back through meaningful, impact-driven experiences. At the heart of U&I are our core values: #bethechange #bigaudaciousimpact and #inthistogether About Change+ - The organization helps people become the leaders they’re meant to be. The leadership training journeys blend self-awareness, real-world practice, and people-first thinking, helping teams lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. From emerging managers to senior leaders, Change+ designs learning experiences that teach leadership. Follow them on LinkedIn: Ajit Sivaram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/ Satish Manchikanti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/ Visit our Website: https://uandi.org.in/ Volunteer With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/volunteer Partner With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/csr Work With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/hiring Donate to our Cause: https://ui.danamojo.org/ Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uandi.org.in/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/u&i-charity/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uanditv Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04ZaR7HIvmqL5iG9wAAdV4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-founders-walk-into/id1806002327 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0a5b4559-645c-4b99-a556-adef1fab97c7/two-founders-walk-into #podcast #genz #leadership #ngo #entrepreneur #managementTimestamps00:20 – Shifting from competition to collaboration00:45 – The birth of Project Purple01:05 – Why the iPhone was a team win, not a solo genius act01:30 – The hidden lesson behind iconic innovation#podcast #genz #leadership #ngo #entrepreneur #management

    14 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    The Secret Behind Google’s Best Managers | Ajit & Satish | Season 2 | Podcast

    This episode dives into what it truly means to lead people not through authority, pressure, or targets, but through responsibility, care and clarity.Drawing inspiration from Simon Sinek’s well-known idea that leaders aren’t responsible for the results themselves, but for the people who produce those results, the conversation explores the shift from “command and conquer” to “support and empower.”It has reflections on:• Why leaders must create environments where teams can thrive• How clarity, safety, and trust drive performance• The difference between managing tasks and developing people• What it takes to guide a team through uncertainty• Why true leadership is measured by who your team becomes, not just what they deliverIf you’re thinking about leadership in a changing world or you’re simply trying to bring out the best in your people, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded perspective on leading with intention and empathy.Subscribe to our channel and never miss the latest episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@UCPichWEo9gwkwpABT8kgk9Q About Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti - They are the co-founders of U&I Trust and Change+. About U&I - U&I is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives through education and community engagement. Our two core programs are U&I Teach and U&I Empower. U&I Teach provides after-school tutoring and mentorship to underprivileged children across India, helping bridge the education gap. U&I Empower creates volunteering opportunities for corporate employees, enabling them to give back through meaningful, impact-driven experiences. At the heart of U&I are our core values: #bethechange #bigaudaciousimpact and #inthistogether About Change+ - The organization helps people become the leaders they’re meant to be. The leadership training journeys blend self-awareness, real-world practice, and people-first thinking, helping teams lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. From emerging managers to senior leaders, Change+ designs learning experiences that teach leadership. Follow them on LinkedIn: Ajit Sivaram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/ Satish Manchikanti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/ Visit our Website: https://uandi.org.in/ Volunteer With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/volunteer Partner With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/csr Work With U&I: https://uandi.org.in/hiring Donate to our Cause: https://ui.danamojo.org/ Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uandi.org.in/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/u&i-charity/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uanditv Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04ZaR7HIvmqL5iG9wAAdV4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-founders-walk-into/id1806002327 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0a5b4559-645c-4b99-a556-adef1fab97c7/two-founders-walk-into Time Stamps:00:36–01:12 - Breaking the myths of leadership01:48–02:22 - Trust as the foundation of leadership02:50–03:18 - Project Aristotle: Google’s psychological safety03:36–04:05 - Why leaders must show vulnerability

    11 min
  8. The One Thing Great Leaders Do Differently (Wipro, Slack, Spanx) | Ajit & Satish | Season 2 | Podcast

    11/10/2025

    The One Thing Great Leaders Do Differently (Wipro, Slack, Spanx) | Ajit & Satish | Season 2 | Podcast

    Self-leadership is the foundation of every form of leadership. In this episode, we explore why understanding our blind spots, recognising our biases, and practising honest self-reflection matter far more than experience or technical skill.Drawing on Daniel Goleman’s research on emotional intelligence, this conversation breaks down how self-awareness, self-regulation, and intentional growth directly influence the way we lead, communicate, and show up for others.If you’ve ever wondered what truly differentiates an “ultra leader,” or how to build the discipline of holding the mirror up to yourself, this episode offers a clear, practical pathway.

    11 min
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About

One got fired. The other nearly went bankrupt. Naturally, they did the most illogical thing—built one of India’s fastest-growing Change Movements with 37,000 changemakers. On this podcast, Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti spill the secrets of leadership—sharp insights, harsh truths, and enough jokes to make HR nervous. Because great leadership isn’t built in boardrooms. It’s built in moments when everything goes spectacularly wrong.

Information

  • Creator
    Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti
  • Show Website
    Two Founders Walk Into