Best Divya Sharma Podcasts (2025)

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

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7d 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…

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Design Thinking for Processes w/ Aparna Vinod | EP- 28 2:12:18

8d ago2:12:18

2:12:18

This episode is a peek into how interconnected our world is and a perspective on how design is a tool to impact the very system we’re a part of! We chat with Aparna Vinod, a System Designer, currently leading Organisational Change and Development at Tata Electronics. Aparna’s is a fascinating journey, especially if you’ve met her in one of her avat…

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The Ageless Creative ft. John Mathew | EP 27 | Creative Spark-plug | Hosts - Rajesh & Baashobe 2:08:09

12d ago2:08:09

2:08:09

In this episode, Rajesh Sharma & Baashobe Majumdar sit down with John Mathew—design pioneer, founder of StudioLine and Dovetail Furniture, and educator—to uncover: - How did he design modular retail systems for Levi’s, Marks & Spencer, etc? - Why did he pay workers for 1.5 years during COVID without layoffs? - The dark side of design entrepreneursh…

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Ask anything with Ramsay Health Care 57:15

17d ago57:15

57:15

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work in Australia’s largest private healthcare provider? In this Live Q&A episode of The Graduate Career Launchpad, the team from Ramsay Health Care joins us to answer all your questions—from what they look for in graduate applicants to how they support early-career growth in healthcare and beyond. If you’re p…

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Ask anything with PM&C 1:08:19

17d ago1:08:19

1:08:19

In this Live Q&A episode of Graduate Career Launchpad, we’re joined by the team from The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)—one of the most sought-after graduate employers in Australia. Students asked questions about what it’s really like to launch your career at the heart of government. Whether you're a final-year student, a recen…

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

21d 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…

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

1M 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…

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Blending Art and Soul w/ Smruthi Gargi Eshwar | EP-26 2:10:39

1M ago2:10:39

2:10:39

Join Smruthi Gargi Eshwar on Creative Sparkplug as she shares her journey; how she turned her passion into a career, the challenges she overcame, and the unique balance between artistry and design. Did you know that she’s an artist who draws Indian goddesses and makes tarots cards that are like magic! She even did our tarot reading after the show, …

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

1M 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…

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Beyond the Blueprint w/ Divya Ethirajan | EP 25 1:13:52

2M ago1:13:52

1:13:52

Today, we dive into a candid conversation with Divya Ethirajan, the camera-shy Founding Partner and Principal Architect of BetweenSpaces, whose quick wit and warmth lit up the evening. Recorded in her efficient BetweenSpaces studio in Bengaluru, we had a blast exploring Divya’s fascinating journey. We talked about how she co-founded the architectur…

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

2M 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…

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In BetweenSpaces w/ Pramoad Jaiswall | EP 24 1:53:19

2M ago1:53:19

1:53:19

In our latest episode, we sat down with Pramod Jaiswal, Founding Partner and Principal Architect of BetweenSpaces. We talked about his early days, how he built his design skills, his past experiences, and the challenges he faces today—plus so much more. Between Spaces has won many prestigious awards for their amazing work. Join us as we explore the…

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

2M 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…

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

3M 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…

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Midseason Reflections W/ Rajesh and Baashobe | EP23 39:34

3M ago39:34

39:34

Join hosts Rajesh Sharma and Baasbhobe Majumdar in this special episode of Creative Sparkplug, where they sit down for a candid chat—no guests, just the two of them! Reflecting on the show’s journey, they dive into why they started it, their experiences so far, and how it’s been running. From the highs and lows to what’s next, they tease exciting u…

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

3M 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…

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Where Art Meets Heart w/ Geethica Naidu | EP22 1:07:37

3M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

Geethica is on a mission to uplift India’s rich craft heritage, starting with the intricate world of Pashmina and with plans to embrace other traditional art forms in the future. During our conversation, she shares what Ame stands for and what drives her to champion the craftsmen behind these timeless creations. Geethica opens up about her childhoo…

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Ep 411: Vishal Nevatia Finds His True North 4:46:27

4M ago4:46:27

4:46:27

Business and life can sometimes be seen more as a search for values than a quest for profit. Private equity pioneer Vishal Nevatia joins Amit Varma in episode 411 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe his journey towards finding his true north. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Vishal Nevatia at True North. 2. I…

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Frown Upside Down w/Björn Dahlman | EP21 1:43:24

4M ago1:43:24

1:43:24

Some conversations change you. This was one of them. Björn Dahlman is more than just a clown—he is a storyteller, a healer, and a force of compassion. From bringing joy to Syrian refugee children to performing for the kids of sex workers in Kamathipura, his journey is a witness to the power of laughter in the darkest places. As the first profession…

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Ep 410: Shruti Rajagopalan Remembers the Angle of the Light 6:48:00

4M ago6:48:00

6:48:00

She's an economist, an institution-builder, an ecosystem-nurturer and one of our finest thinkers. Shruti Rajagopalan joins Amit Varma in episode 410 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about her life & times -- and her remarkable work. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shruti Rajagopalan on Twitter, Substack, Inst…

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Building with Heart: Amaresh Anand’s Journey in Architecture | EP20 1:57:30

4M ago1:57:30

1:57:30

In this episode of "Creative Spark Plug," we have the privilege of conversing with Mr. Amaresh Anand, Partner and Principal Architect at Khosla and Anand Associates, a leading architecture and interior design firm based in Bangalore. With over 30 national and international awards, including the Inside Outside Designer of the Year Award in 2010, Kho…

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Ep 409: Salil Tripathi and the Gujaratis 6:13:50

5M ago6:13:50

6:13:50

He's lived a rich life as a journalist, a human rights activist, an author, a columnist -- and now he's written a great book on Gujaratis. Salil Tripathi joins Amit Varma in episode 409 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, his learnings, these times we live in -- and the times that came before. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSE…

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From Fashion to Clay w/ Puja Rao | EP19 1:48:15

5M ago1:48:15

1:48:15

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, hosts Rajesh and Baashobe sit down with the incredibly versatile Pooja Rao, from studying fashion design at one of India's top institutions to exploring landscape design, gardening, and eventually embracing her true passion as a ceramic sculptor, Pooja’s career reflects a deep commitment to self-expression an…

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Ep 408: Amitava Kumar Finds His Gulmohar Tree 2:49:35

5M ago2:49:35

2:49:35

His earlier episodes on this show have been huge hits, and as he completes a trilogy of books, he returns to complete a trilogy of episodes. Amitava Kumar joins Amit Varma in episode 408 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about writing, noticing, painting, travelling, trees, and unfulfilled train journeys. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNS…

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Boundless Creativity: A Journey w/ Seema Sameith | EP18 1:48:02

5M ago1:48:02

1:48:02

In today's episode of Creative Spark Plug, we sat with Seema Sameith, also known as Somala, who is an architect but also a set designer, clothing designer, writer, entrepreneur, painter, farmer, and a spiritually inclined individual. This conversation was truly an eye-opener as she discussed concepts like detachment, how to be limitless, and her un…

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Ep 407: Sarbpreet Singh Finds His Sikhism 4:31:56

6M ago4:31:56

4:31:56

He was born in Sikkim and lives in the USA, and in the course of engaging with his identity, has written powerful books of Sikh history, and revived its music. Sarbpreet Singh joins Amit Varma in episode 407 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, his writing, his music and the lessons of Sikhism. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSE…

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The Story Behind "Story Studio" w/ Shikha and Kristel | EP17 2:19:38

6M ago2:19:38

2:19:38

Today, we bring you an inspiring conversation with Shikha Gupta and Kristel Sequeira, the co-founders of StoryStudio, a boutique spatial design firm based in Bangalore, India. With a shared passion for storytelling through design, they have carved a niche by creating spaces that blend character, context, and functionality. Shikha and Kristel take u…

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Ep 406: Sathya Saran and the Shaping of the Indian Woman 3:30:54

6M ago3:30:54

3:30:54

She worked with Femina for 26 years, 12 of them as editor. And she wrote numerous biographies after that. Sathya Saran joins Amit Varma in episode 406 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss Indian society, feminism, femininity, her life as a journalist and the art of the biography. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1…

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Life Behind The Lens w/ Robin Darius Cons | EP16 2:36:18

6M ago2:36:18

2:36:18

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we discuss the adventurous life of Robin Darius Conz, an award-winning photographer, mountain biking enthusiast, and passionate advocate for adventure sports. Robin, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) 60 Urban Wildlife Winner, has worked with global icons like NatGeo, BBC, Netflix, and Canon, capturi…

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Ep 405: The Forces That Shaped Hinduism 5:53:01

7M ago5:53:01

5:53:01

Every simple story about it is wrong: Hinduism contains multitudes. And it went into the directions it did for specific reasons. Manu Pillai joins Amit Varma in episode 405 of The Seen and the Unseen to describe the role of history in the shaping of Hinduism -- and Hindu nationalism. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out…

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Creativity and Career Lessons w/ Rahul Bhojraj | EP15 2:03:08

7M ago2:03:08

2:03:08

Our guest today on Creative Spark Plug is Rahul Bhojraj, an accomplished Creative Director with a rich background in integrated media and e-commerce. His impressive career includes stints at Noise, JWT, Ogilvy, DDB Mudra, and Publicis. The conversation with him is a captivating blend of insights and vivid explanations. Rahul's analogies, often draw…

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Ep 404: Part 2: Devdutt Pattanaik and the Stories That Shape Us 6:09:30

7M ago6:09:30

6:09:30

Our societies, our norms, our values are all shaped by stories from the past. Devdutt Pattanaik joins Amit Varma in episode 404 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, our society and why we should take mythology seriously. Note: This is Part 2 of a 12-hour episode, being uploaded in two parts now because Spotify and YouTube don't allow upl…

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Ep 404: Part 1: Devdutt Pattanaik and the Stories That Shape Us 5:59:59

7M ago5:59:59

5:59:59

Our societies, our norms, our values are all shaped by stories from the past. Devdutt Pattanaik joins Amit Varma in episode 404 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, our society and why we should take mythology seriously. Note: This is Part 1 of a 12-hour episode, being uploaded in two parts now because Spotify and YouTube don't allow upl…

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Ep 404: Devdutt Pattanaik and the Stories That Shape Us 12:08:38

7M ago12:08:38

12:08:38

Our societies, our norms, our values are all shaped by stories from the past. Devdutt Pattanaik joins Amit Varma in episode 404 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, our society and why we should take mythology seriously. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out 1. Devdutt Pattanaik on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn…

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Nurturing Creativity for Tomorrow w/ Spatica Ramanujam | EP.14 1:48:41

7M ago1:48:41

1:48:41

Today, we dive into a rich discussion with Spatica Ramanujam, a professor and accomplished performing artist who has brought her talents to audiences both in India and internationally. Known for her roles in theater and academia, Spatica brings a rare perspective, exploring how the arts can remain vibrant and relevant in today’s rapidly changing wo…

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Ep 403: Shikha Dalmia Is the Unpopulist 3:08:22

7M ago3:08:22

3:08:22

Populism is on the rise everywhere, and the long arc of history has bent away from freedom. Shikha Dalmia joins Amit Varma in episode 403 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the derangements of our modern times -- and the threat that Donald Trump poses. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shikha Dalmia on Twitter…

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Breaking through the Clutter w/ Manoj Choudhury | EP 13 1:31:47

8M ago1:31:47

1:31:47

Today, we sit down with Manoj Choudhury, a seasoned advertising veteran with nearly three decades of experience. From his work with top ad agencies to his entrepreneurial ventures, Manoj has navigated the ever-evolving landscape of marketing with finesse. Join us as he unveils his new mission to cut through the clutter in the digital marketing spac…

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Ep 402: Ajay Shah Brings the Dreams of the 20th Century 10:26:59

8M ago10:26:59

10:26:59

He's a polymath who cares deeply about the world, tries to understand it, and straddles many fields. He's played a key role over the last few decades in India's journey towards development. Ajay Shah joins Amit Varma in episode 402 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his life and times. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also c…

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Retelling the Retail Story w/ Juhi Santani | EP 12 1:44:57

8M ago1:44:57

1:44:57

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, hosts Baashobe Majumdar and Rajesh Sharma sit down with Juhi Santani, a seasoned design consultant with over 20 years of experience, primarily in retail interiors. Juhi has worked extensively with a range of clients, from global brands to startups, crafting innovative and efficient retail environments. Her ex…

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Ep 401: Finding Love in Modern India 6:26:04

8M ago6:26:04

6:26:04

Bloody hell. The world has changed, society looks different, and men and women have to find new ways of relating to each other. We're not equipped for this. Sanjana Ramachandran and Samarth Bansal join Amit Varma in episode 401 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss how meeting and mating are both easier and, well, harder. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTE…

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Ep 400: Life Lessons That Are Priceless 2:12:55

9M ago2:12:55

2:12:55

It's episode 400, and on this special and unlikely occasion, Shruti Rajagopalan gets Amit Varma to chat about all the life lessons he has learnt during these eight years -- and favourite books, films, music and poetry. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Amit Varma on Twitter, India Uncut, Substack, The Art of Clea…

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Ep 399: Divya Prakash Dubey: Ek Jeevani 6:40:03

9M ago6:40:03

6:40:03

He's a bestselling writer who's brought Hindi literature into a modern age -- and he also writes films and tells stories. Divya Prakash Dubey joins Amit Varma in episode 399 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, his language, his society and his art. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out:1. Divya Prakash Dubey …

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Wildlife by Design w/ Angad Achappa | EP 11 1:40:28

9M ago1:40:28

1:40:28

Today, we sit down with Angad Achappa, a renowned wildlife, product, and fashion photographer based in Bangalore. Angad’s self-taught journey in photography spans over a decade, with his work recognized by National Geographic and BBC Wildlife. His wildlife photography, particularly of big cats, is known for its striking composition and design eleme…

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Ep 398: Eve Fairbanks Examines a Fractured Society 4:21:42

9M ago4:21:42

4:21:42

She learnt journalism in America and spent many years in South Africa writing a portrait of their troubled society, where everything is complicated and nothing is settled -- much like anywhere else. Eve Fairbanks joins Amit Varma in episode 398 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about her life, her work, her craft and the world around her. (FOR FUL…

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Ep 397: Larry White and the First Principles of Money 4:04:59

9M ago4:04:59

4:04:59

We take money and banking and finance for granted -- but the way they exist in the world is not the only way they could exist. Lawrence H White joins Amit Varma in episode 397 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss ideas, ideologies, money, crypto and the field he pioneered, free banking. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check…

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Talking Desi Design w/ Abhijit Bansod | EP 10 2:11:26

9M ago2:11:26

2:11:26

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Abhijit Bansod, a trailblazer in the Indian design world, With decades of experience, Abhijit has profoundly influenced the Indian product design landscape, merging timeless fluidity with innovative functionality. Abhijit’s journey began in Nagpur, where his passion for design was first ignited. From his e…

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Ep 396: Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha Are Fighting for Us 5:20:50

10M ago5:20:50

5:20:50

They started out busting misinformation. Then, as fake news became weaponized at an industrial scale, they become warriors not just for truth, but for a better society. Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha join Amit Varma in episode 396 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about their life, their work and their country. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO…

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Ep 395: Tanvi Madan Is the Kid Who Asked Why 4:15:13

10M ago4:15:13

4:15:13

She's an authority in the field of foreign policy -- and what makes her such a force is her deep curiosity about, well, everything. Tanvi Madan joins Amit Varma in episode 395 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about her life, her learnings and this changing world. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Tanvi Madan at…

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Innovation, Branding & Leadership; The Tina Mansukhani Garg Way! EP 09 1:49:01

10M ago1:49:01

1:49:01

In this episode of Creative Spark Plug, we are joined by Tina Mansukhani Garg, a visionary entrepreneur with a proven knack for spotting trends early and turning them into successful ventures. From launching her first dot.com in 1998 to founding Pink Lemonade, a leading integrated marketing agency in Bangalore, Tina’s journey is nothing short of in…

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Ep 394: Arnold Kling and the Four Languages of Politics 2:54:26

10M ago2:54:26

2:54:26

Why is our political discourse so polarised? Why do we shout past each other instead of talking to each other? Arnold Kling joins Amit Varma in episode 394 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, the state of the world and how a fourth language has joined the three he mentioned in his seminal book on political discourse. (FOR FULL LINKED SH…