Best Amit Varma And Ajay Shah Podcasts (2025)

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

Play Pause

9h 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 …

1
Ep 428: The Solitary Writer Meets the Impossible Man 4:24:26

5d 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…

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

8d 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…

1
Ep 118: Inside the Hearts of Men and Women 56:20

15d 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…

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

19d 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…

1
Ep 427: The Boy Who Loved Cricket -- The Vijay Lokapally Story 3:41:11

19d 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 …

1
Ep 116: The Nighttime Lights of Russia 47:43

28d 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…

1
Ep 426: The Life and Music of Shubha Mudgal 4:45:55

1M 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…

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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…

1
Ep 425: The Life and Times of Gurcharan Das 7:54:14

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

1
Ep 111: The Wonders of FDI 54:15

2M 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…

1
Ep 424: Gitanjali Babbar and the Didis of GB Road 3:55:28

2M 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,…

1
Ep 110: How Much Wealth Do You Need to Retire? 59:27

2M 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…

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

2M 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 …

1
Ep 423: Minar Pimple's Life in Social Work 9:24:54

3M 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 …

1
Ep 108: Accidental Politicians 1:33:56

3M 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…

1
Ep 422: The Past and Present of Cricket 3:00:19

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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 …

1
Ep 105: Is Manufacturing the Answer? 56:42

3M 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…

1
Ep 421: Ira Mukhoty's Quest for Unseen Histories 6:04:22

3M 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 …

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

4M 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 …

1
Ep 420: Siddhartha Basu Is in the Hot Seat 4:10:06

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

1
Ep 102: You Should Start a Business 51:19

4M 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…

1
Ep 101: Metrics for Intervention 43:51

4M 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…

1
Ep 419: India's MSME Landscape -- Some Useful Frameworks 4:40:23

4M ago4:40:23

4:40:23

Firms are the means of economic progress. India's micro, small and medium enterprises have been hobbled for decades, and flounder even today. Sudhir Sarnobat and Narendra Shenoy join Amit Varma in episode 419 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss this landscape -- and Sudhir's brilliant new venture that aims to tackle this. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NO…

1
Ep 100: Ask me EVERYTHING! 1:42:18

5M ago1:42:18

1:42:18

We’ve reached episode 100 — HURRAY! — and it’s time for another session of Ask Me Anything. Amit and Ajay take questions from gentle readers about a variety of subjects, from Ajay’s love of suffering to Amit’s (dubious) haircare. (The two are not related.) Mad fun, watch! TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: Under the Banyan Tree03:38 The…

1
Ep 99: Where Indian Regulation Went Wrong 1:20:45

5M ago1:20:45

1:20:45

Regulation always has the potential to go wrong. But in India, it’s been worse than in much of the world. It has become a tool of oppression of the worst kind. Welcome to Episode 99 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit talks about the theory of regulation in general — and Ajay deliv…

1
Ep 418: What Just Happened Between India & Pakistan? 2:29:46

5M ago2:29:46

2:29:46

Why did the attacks in Pahalgam happen? What took place in the skirmishes after that? What have we learnt about geopolitics and our military preparedness? Pranay Kotasthane and Aditya Ramanathan join Amit Varma in episode 418 of The Seen and the Unseen to try to clear some of the fog of war. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also c…

1
Ep 98: Is Your State Legitimate? 58:42

5M ago58:42

58:42

We define a state as the entity that has a monopoly on violence. But does political authority lead to political legitimacy? How do we define legitimacy? What happens without it? How should we approach it as citizens. Welcome to Episode 98 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay draws f…

1
Ep 417: Caste and the Census 2:15:39

5M ago2:15:39

2:15:39

Data is apolitical and always useful, right? Then why is the caste census so controversial? Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S Jaitley join Amit Varma in episode 417 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss its history, context and implications. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Pranay Kotasthane on Twitter, LinkedIn, Am…

1
Ep 97: The Light in Winter 1:06:36

5M ago1:06:36

1:06:36

We often assume that art and genius are the playground of the youth. Well, while giving himself an education in art during a vacation in Spain, Amit realised that all the great Spanish masters did their most powerful work in old age, when thehraav met mastery. The light in winter is different. Welcome to Episode 97 of Everything is Everything, a we…

1
Ep 416: Kavitha Rao Chases Chatto and Roy 2:55:15

6M ago2:55:15

2:55:15

The most astonishing men lie in the far, forgotten corners of history. Kavitha Rao joins Amit Varma in episode 416 of The Seen and the Unseen to shed light on the life and times of two magnificent failures, Chatto and Roy. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Kavitha Rao on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and her own web…

1
Ep 96: Is Globalization Doomed? 1:33:45

6M ago1:33:45

1:33:45

Last week, we went through a 101 of globalisation: the first principles, why it rocks, why tariffs are terrible. We also did a potted history of how it spread and almost unravelled. Now, it’s time to come to these current times. Is globalisation doomed? Welcome to Episode 96 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Aja…

1
Ep 95: The Globalisation Episode 1:10:23

6M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

Globalisation is great. Tariffs are terrible. But why? What is the history of trade? What is the history of the ideas around it? Today, more than ever, it is important to understand. Welcome to Episode 95 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay give a 101 masterclass on why gl…

1
Ep 94: Good Gyan 2 1:09:13

6M ago1:09:13

1:09:13

For all the toxicity of social media, it is also a source of much Good Gyan, as every day the best minds in the world think aloud for our benefit. Here’s another conversation about some more wisdom that we have gathered! Welcome to Episode 94 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 …

1
Ep 93: The Good Gyan Episode 59:01

6M ago59:01

59:01

Social media may be addictive, even sometimes toxic, but it is almost magical in one gift it gives us: every day, the best minds in the world think aloud for our benefit. And some of us, gentle readers, are listening & taking notes. Welcome to Episode 93 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episo…

1
Ep 92: Rules, Not Discretion 1:19:49

6M ago1:19:49

1:19:49

Too often, we think a Strong Man will solve all our problems, and that decisive leadership is all a nation needs. This could not be more wrong. We need strong rules, not strong rulers — and we need those strong rules to restrain the state. The secret to prosperity lies in rules, not discretion. Welcome to Episode 92 of Everything is Everything, a w…

1
Ep 415: Ramki and the Ocean of Stories 4:49:24

6M ago4:49:24

4:49:24

He observed our society from up close as an advertising man -- and then became an iconic storyteller on Twitter. Ramakrishna Desiraju aka Ramki joins Amit Varma in episode 415 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his journey, and all that it taught him. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Ramakrishna Desiraju a…

1
Ep 414 : The Spectacular Life of Prahlad Kakar 3:37:11

6M ago3:37:11

3:37:11

He learnt his craft from Shyam Benegal, became a pioneer & a legend of advertising filmmaking, learnt & taught scuba diving, started the Prithvi Cafe, and lived every moment to the full in a million different ways. Prahlad Kakar joins Amit Varma in episode 414 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his long and wondrous life. (FOR FULL LINKED SHO…

1
Ep 91: Separation of Powers 1:01:26

7M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

We think of the state as a monolithic beast -- but it should be anything but monolithic. The state exists to serve us, not rule us, and for that, we must have checks and balances -- and the best kind is the separation of powers. Welcome to Episode 91 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, …

1
Ep 413: Shaheen Mistri Goes to School 3:12:53

7M ago3:12:53

3:12:53

One of India's tragedies lies in the schooling of our children. We have let our kids down. Can we fix this problem? Shaheen Mistri joins Amit Varma in episode 413 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe her journey -- and what she has learnt about education. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shaheen Mistri on Inst…

1
Ep 90: Constraints & Creativity 55:54

7M ago55:54

55:54

All of us suffer from constraints in our life. Some are small -- and some can be huge. We should take inspiration from people who have fought huge constraints and broken barriers despite the obstacles in their way -- and sometimes because of them. Welcome to Episode 90 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah…

1
Ep 89: Beware of Industrial Policy 1:27:25

7M ago1:27:25

1:27:25

There are few things a government can do to harm society more than Industrial policy. It sounds well-intentioned, but is born out of hubris and results in disaster. Welcome to Episode 89 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay breaks down the thinking behind industrial policy, the prac…

1
Ep 88: Why I Am a Free Speech Absolutist 1:04:25

7M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

Society needs free speech. Democracy needs free speech. For our lives to have meaning and purpose, WE need free speech. Welcome to Episode 88 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit lays out the case for free speech absolutism -- and also, the troubled history of free speech in India. …

1
Ep 412: Probal DasGupta Goes to the Himalayas With Books in His Bag 6:03:17

7M ago6:03:17

6:03:17

So much in history never made it to the popular imagination -- such as the battles of 1967 in which India beat China. Probal DasGupta joins Amit Varma in episode 412 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his time in the Indian army -- and his fascinating discoveries as a military historian. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also ch…