Best Amit Varma Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 431: Ghazala Wahab and the Hindi Heartland 3:39:18

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12d ago3:39:18

3:39:18

Our Hindi Heartland has more people than the USA and Western Europe combined -- and is arguably more diverse. Ghazala Wahab joins Amit Varma in episode 431 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe her research into those states -- and much else, including being an outspoken Muslim woman in India, and the future of warfare. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES…

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Ep 126: Understanding Human Sexuality 1:18:26

5d ago1:18:26

1:18:26

The most complex part of human nature is our sexuality. What do we want? What do we lust for? Where did these instincts and feelings arise? WTF even? Welcome to Episode 126 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit looks at the cutting-edge literature on the What and Why of human sexuali…

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Ep 125: Understanding Evolution 1:20:30

5d ago1:20:30

1:20:30

Know thyself, goes an Ancient Greek exhortation. And yet, too many of us have little understand of how we are hardwired. To truly know ourselves, we must understand the processes of evolution: natural selection and sexual selection. Welcome to Episode 125 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this epis…

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Ep 124: Gig Work is AWESOME! 55:16

21d ago55:16

55:16

Gig work gets a bad rap. Critics claim that workers are exploited, algorithmic bosses are creepy, it’s capitalism gone bad. But actually, Gig Work = Freedom + Empowerment. Welcome to Episode 124 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay tackle the arguments against gig work — an…

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Ep 123: Beware of the Crisis 49:48

21d ago49:48

49:48

There are people who argue that real reforms can only happen in a crisis. A crisis is a terrible thing to waste, they say. They are wrong. Welcome to Episode 123 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay explains how crises, most of the time, lead to terrible outcomes. Chaos is a ladder.…

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Ep 430: Aneesh Pradhan: A Life in Hindustani Music 4:46:03

26d ago4:46:03

4:46:03

When it comes to Hindustani music, he is both a doer and a thinker. A great tabla player, he has written books about the history and theory of music. Aneesh Pradhan joins Amit Varma in episode 430 of The Seen and the Unseen to chat about his life, his music and this world we inhabit. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out…

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Ep 122: Nationalism Is Bad for the Nation 1:26:15

28d ago1:26:15

1:26:15

The term ‘nationalism’ sounds so benign, almost as if it refers to something that is good for a nation. But it is a deeply toxic concept that tears societies apart. Welcome to Episode 122 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit argues that nationalism is always bad for the nation, and …

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Ep 121: How to Fix Our GST 50:25

1M ago50:25

50:25

The GST was conceptually superb, utterly necessary — and implemented poorly. There are still so many problems with it that it defeats the purpose. How do we think clearly about its problems? How do we fix it? Welcome to Episode 121 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay, one of the au…

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Ep 429: Rudraneil Sengupta is Embedded 3:25:58

1M ago3:25:58

3:25:58

He wrote the definitive history of Indian wrestling. His longform reportage has taken him into strange territories. He embedded himself with the Delhi police and has now come out with his first crime novel. Rudraneil Sengupta joins Amit Varma in episode 429 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about he throws himself into both his life and his work. …

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Ep 120: The Art of Reading 1:27:02

2M ago1:27:02

1:27:02

Everyone wants to read more — but how do we do it? As lifelong readers, our hosts get asked this all the time, and decided to do an exhaustive primer with three parts. 1. Why should we read? 2. How do we build a reading habit? 3. How should we actually read a book? Welcome to Episode 120 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit …

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Ep 428: The Solitary Writer Meets the Impossible Man 4:24:26

2M ago4:24:26

4:24:26

Writing biographies is solitary and difficult -- even when the subject is way more interesting than anything you could make up. Narayani Basu joins Amit Varma in episode 428 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss writing, friendship, hustling, ageing, intentionality and the subject of her latest book, the impossible KM Panikkar. (FOR FULL LINKED SHO…

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Ep 119: Financial Crises: Why They Happen, How They Unfold, What to Do 1:53:35

2M ago1:53:35

1:53:35

Financial crises are an unavoidable part of modern economies — and all of us have skin in the game. Why do they happen, how do they unfold, what can we do? Welcome to Episode 119 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay shares his learnings from a lifetime of studying and tackling finan…

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Ep 118: Inside the Hearts of Men and Women 56:20

2M ago56:20

56:20

Men and women have always struggled to understand each other — and never more so than in these complex, changing times. What can new forms of data reveal about what we really want? A lot! Welcome to Episode 118 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss what anonymised se…

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Ep 117: What Our Genes and Phones Tell Us 1:13:26

2M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

How do we understand the world? Over the last couple of decades, new sources of data have given us great insights into our deep past — and our deep present. Welcome to Episode 117 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss what our genetic data tells us about our prehisto…

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Ep 427: The Boy Who Loved Cricket -- The Vijay Lokapally Story 3:41:11

2M ago3:41:11

3:41:11

Cricket isn't just what happens across 22 yards, and great cricket writers always go beyond the boundary. Vijay Lokapally joins Amit Varma in episode 427 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the joys and heartbreaks of a lifetime of writing about cricket -- and much else. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Vijay …

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Ep 116: The Nighttime Lights of Russia 47:43

3M ago47:43

47:43

Sometimes, the data just ain’t enough. What’s going on in Russia? In fact, what’s going on in Karnataka — and all the rest of the world? Can we glean some insights in alternative sources of data? Yes we can. All hail nighttime lights! Welcome to Episode 116 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this ep…

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Ep 426: The Life and Music of Shubha Mudgal 4:45:55

3M ago4:45:55

4:45:55

She's straddled the worlds of Hindustani classical and popular music, and is a legend in both spaces. Shubha Mudgal joins Amit Varma in episode 426 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss her life, her music and this changing world. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shubha Mudgal on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter, Wik…

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Ep 115: Seeing Like a State 1:09:23

3M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Ideas can often be an engine to think about the world. Seeing Like a State by James C Scott is a great book that has illuminated the world with the power of its frameworks — and both Amit and Ajay are fans. Welcome to Episode 115 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay talks about what…

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Ep 114: What Should India Do? 1:51:04

3M ago1:51:04

1:51:04

The US state has gone rogue. 50% tariffs are crazy. What should India do now? How does one think rationally about an irrational world order? Welcome to Episode 114 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay lays out a roadmap for how India can thrive again despite the madness in the world…

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Ep 425: The Life and Times of Gurcharan Das 7:54:14

3M ago7:54:14

7:54:14

He reached the top of the corporate world -- and then gave it up to become a writer, with books that probed our deepest questions, and influenced millions of people. Gurcharan Das joins Amit Varma in episode 425 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life and learnings. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Gurcha…

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Ep 113: What’s Wrong With the Indian Media? 1:43:35

3M ago1:43:35

1:43:35

The Indian media has lost its way. But how? And why? Well, there have been crises of relevance, purpose, money, quality, trust, power, incentives and attention. Phew! Welcome to Episode 113 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit gives us a lowdown on exactly what’s wrong with the Indi…

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Ep 112: The Future of War 1:39:42

3M ago1:39:42

1:39:42

Human beings remain the same, while technology grows at a mad pace. This means that the face of war has changed forever. Everything we know now is already outdated. Welcome to Episode 112 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay & Amit discuss the future of war. It’s scary. Are we prepa…

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Ep 111: The Wonders of FDI 54:15

4M ago54:15

54:15

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is fully amaze — and also, sometimes, fully a maze. It should be something a country welcomes with open arms — and yet, India has often done fisticuffs with it. This should change. Welcome to Episode 111 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay explains w…

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Ep 424: Gitanjali Babbar and the Didis of GB Road 3:55:28

4M ago3:55:28

3:55:28

Trained as a journalist, but driven by a desire to make a difference, she spent over a decade working with sex workers in Delhi to understand and improve their lives. Gitanjali Babbar joins Amit Varma in episode 424 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss her learnings about GB Road -- and our strange and twisted society. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES,…

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Ep 110: How Much Wealth Do You Need to Retire? 59:27

4M ago59:27

59:27

How does one plan for retirement? What amount of money does one need to be sorted? Can you even arrive at a number? Welcome to Episode 110 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay explains why the question itself is misguided — and the approach one should take towards our future in such…

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Ep 109: Economics in One Lesson 1:18:13

4M ago1:18:13

1:18:13

For almost 80 years, one book has been the go-to book for understanding economics — and the world. Henry Hazlitt wrote that book. Welcome to Episode 109 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt — a book you must read if you want …

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Ep 423: Minar Pimple's Life in Social Work 9:24:54

4M ago9:24:54

9:24:54

He founded the iconic organisation Yuva 50 years ago when he was in his early 20s, pioneered social work in India, and went on to drive change for the UN and Amnesty. Minar Pimple joins Amit Varma in episode 423 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his life, his learnings and the ceaseless tumult in our society. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO …

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Ep 108: Accidental Politicians 1:33:56

4M ago1:33:56

1:33:56

Politics attracts a particular kind of creature — which is why accidental politicians, who never meant to be in that game, are a curious breed. Welcome to Episode 108 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay relate the stories of five inspiring accidental politicians — and disc…

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Ep 422: The Past and Present of Cricket 3:00:19

5M ago3:00:19

3:00:19

Cricket is the most unusual of games with the most unusual of histories -- which can reveal so much about our society and our times. Tim Wigmore joins Amit Varma in episode 422 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the history of Test cricket -- and how the game is changing today. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1…

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Ep 107: What These Labels Mean 1:42:46

5M ago1:42:46

1:42:46

Ideological labels can be damn confusing. What do we mean by liberal, conservative, socialist, nationalist, left, right? They even seem to mean different things to different people! Worry not. We are here to lift the fog! Welcome to Episode 107 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, on pop…

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Ep 106: The World in 2050 1:54:57

5M ago1:54:57

1:54:57

It is difficult to even know what happened in the past, leave alone predicting the future. But one day, when our brave hosts were asked what the world will look like in 2050, they decided to have some fun. Welcome to Episode 106 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay make 15 …

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Ep 105: Is Manufacturing the Answer? 56:42

5M ago56:42

56:42

Last week, we spoke about how manufacturing in India has been hobbled by the state for decades, and continues to be in a bad way. But does that mean the state should now direct its focus on it? No! Welcome to Episode 105 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In the second of a two-parter, Ajay lays out hi…

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Ep 421: Ira Mukhoty's Quest for Unseen Histories 6:04:22

5M ago6:04:22

6:04:22

Too much of our history is looked at through either a colonial lens or a patriarchal one. Ira Mukhoty joins Amit Varma in episode 421 of The Seen and the Unseen to share her gaze on India's history, and all that it has taught her. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Ira Mukhoty on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads and …

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Ep 104: What Ails Indian Manufacturing? 1:12:23

5M ago1:12:23

1:12:23

Manufacturing in India was hobbled by the state for many decades after Independence — and is still not in great shape. Why is this so? How can we move forward? Welcome to Episode 104 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In the first of a two-parter, Ajay lays out the grim reality today, and Amit gives a …

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Ep 420: Siddhartha Basu Is in the Hot Seat 4:10:06

6M ago4:10:06

4:10:06

Circumstance made him a legend of the quizzing world, but Siddhartha Basu is a man of many parts. He joins Amit Varma in episode 420 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about life, India, the art of asking questions and the answers he has found. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Siddhartha Basu on Wikipedia, Twitt…

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Ep 103: You Should Start a Business -- Part 2 1:22:53

6M ago1:22:53

1:22:53

Admit it, our last episode, You Should Start a Business, blew your mind. You couldn’t wait to get going! You wanted more! Welcome to Episode 103 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma & Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit shares more gyan on starting a business. You have no excuse left now! Incorporate! TABLE OF CONTENTS: 0…

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Ep 102: You Should Start a Business 51:19

6M ago51:19

51:19

Welcome to Episode 102 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. There are many good reasons to start a business. In this episode, Amit and Ajay take you through a few of them — and then Amit elaborates on the mindset you need to get started. This is Part 1 of a grand two-parter. If you don’t start a business…

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Ep 101: Metrics for Intervention 43:51

6M ago43:51

43:51

When we think about state intervention, the first principle we consider is whether it is necessary. But we should also think about whether it is possible — and how easy or hard it is. How do we figure this out? Welcome to Episode 101 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay lays out the…