Reuben's Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Augustine Antony, whom I first met at St. Stephen's in 2010. We talk about life in Canada, sports betting, studying math, career in marketing, buying a house, and more. Recorded in February 2024

In this episode, I speak with Linda Thomas about her life over the last decade. We talk about religion, life in Bombay vs. Sydney, working on PR and Content, the future of OTT in India, Reality TV, Home, MBA, Traveling, and more. Recorded in October 2023

In this episode, I speak with Priyanka D. Saharia about her life over the last decade. We talk about living in London, Community, Legacy, Climate, Culture, Anthropology, Startups, and more. Recorded in September 2023

In this episode, I speak with Anya Thomas about her life over the last decade. We talk about her recent move to the UK, teaching experiences during her time at Teach for India, a decade of working in corporate, managing people, ambition, money, and fun facts. Recorded in September 2023

Urvashi Bahuguna is an Indian poet and essayist who grew up in Goa, India before moving to New Delhi where she lived and worked as a writer for many years. She is currently based in the Bay Area in California. We talk about her journey as a writer and the 2 books she's published, her time working at non-profits and as a freelance, her journey with mental illness, and more. Recorded in June 2023.

In this episode of Reuben's Podcast, I speak with Dhruv Bathla, based in Boston, US, and at the time of recording, is an MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management. We talk about his 8-year career in Consulting - the highlights and lowlights, his decision to pursue an MBA, mental health, life in the US vs India, and the startup he's working on. Recorded in May 2023.

In this episode of Reuben's Podcast, we speak with Jerry T. John, a Technical Game Designer based in Banglore. We explore Jerry's journey over the last decade and talk about game design and why he pursued a career in it, life in the US, and his decision to come back to India. We also discuss the evolution of gaming in India and the role of gaming in the world of crypto. Jerry also shares his love for teaching, why he believes mischief is important and we wrap up discussing our valley of discarded ideas. Recorded in May 2023

In this episode of Reuben's Podcast, we speak with Bhamini Lakshminarayan, co-founder of Bigfatphoenix Interactive, a game design studio behind Fairside Stories, a game about identity created for kids aged 8-12. We explore Bhamini's life over the last decade, including her move to the US, her recognition of privilege, and her exploration of different versions of feminism. We also delve into why Bhamini decided to work at the intersection of education and entertainment, her time working at ed-tech startups and lessons in IP and worldbuilding, how games could be the answer to fixing school and education, and her experience starting a company. Recorded in May 2023

Priyanka and I speak about her journey from science to art over the last decade. We talk about space, the new lunar economy and its hidden side, sci-fi, experiencing near-death and fragility of the body, the importance of art for the scientific world, her focus on art, and plans for her new studio Atelier Arth. Recorded in April 2023

Subhashish Bhadra is currently based in Banglore, India, and is part of the leadership team of Klub, a tech platform where consumer internet start-ups raise growth capital. In our conversation today we talk about his journey with mental health, making decisions between career options, digital identity, government, writing on Linkedin, reflections from time spent across academia, corporate, and startups, and his most recent book - Caged Tiger. Recorded in February 2023. 

Rahul Mathew is currently based in New York City where he works as an Associate Partner at Mckinsey & Company. In this episode, we talk about a series of topics including completing a decade at Mckinsey, building a community in NYC, getting a dog, taking up cycling, his evolving relationship with money, and more. Recorded in February 2023.

Rahul's Socials

Bahuli Sharma is currently based in New Delhi where she's an advocate focusing on criminal justice and litigation. In this episode, we talk about her journey through the world of law over the last decade. We chat about why she decided to pursue a career in law, her experiences as a Rhodes scholar, US vs UK education, child rights, crypto regulation, going independent, and a future in politics. 

Suyash Gabriel is currently based in New Delhi where he's balancing a career in PR and Music. He plays the drums for bands including The Doppler Effect, Kraken, Zokova, October, Komorebi, and The Yellow Bucket GrammyWinning Effort. He was also named as "one of Indian indie's most prolific drummers" by Rolling Stones. I first met Suyash during our time as undergrads at St. Stephen's College. In today's episode, we dive into his journey over the last decade and talk about his career in music, the time he spent working on media, and his focus on health. Recorded in December 2022.

Suyash's Socials

Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/suyashgabriel/

Youtube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@suyashgabriel

Want to show your support for the podcast? Click here ➡️ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn

Like to follow the podcast and hear from me? Subscribe here ➡️ https://reubenspodcast.substack.com/

Minu Philip is currently based in New York City where she is a Ph.D. student. I first met her during our time as undergrads at St. Stephen's College. In today's episode, we dive into her journey over the last decade and talk about pursuing a master's degree, trying out the corporate world, living independently, therapy, making an impact, and aging. Recorded in November 2022. 

Minu's Socials

Twitter ➡️ https://twitter.com/minuphilip3

Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/minu_philip/

Linkedin ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/minu-philip-9b654359/

Want to show your support for the podcast? Click here ➡️ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reubenn

Like to follow the podcast and hear from me? Subscribe here ➡️ https://reubenspodcast.substack.com/

On today’s episode, I’m speaking with Nadeem Afroz. I met Nadeem back in university in 2010 where he was my first roommate. Nadeem graduated with a degree in history and then after giving civils a shot, ended up studying, and now practicing, law. In our conversation today, we talk about our time as roommates, how he decided to pursue a career in law, growing up in Kargil, and being a Muslim

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This conversation contains content about suicide and self-harm, which some listeners may find disturbing.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Karishma. I met Karisha back in 2010 in university. After graduating, she went on to get a master's in mental health and has been working in the space ever for many years now. In our chat today, we talk about her complicated relationship with Stephen's, the things she loved about her time, and the things she didn’t. We also talk a lot about mental health and her everyday experiences and challenges with it. I learned a ton from this conversation and I hope you do too!

On today’s show, I’m speaking with George. I met George back in 2010 in university. In our conversation today, we talk about a bunch of things like his reflections from being the SUS president, why he decided to not pursue civils, and that too in the day on the exam, life in Paris, and his work at UNESCO.

On today’s show, I’m chatting with Ann. I met Ann back in 2010 in university where she graduated with a degree in English. Almost a decade late, she’s taken a full circle and is back in college, but now a professor! In today’s conversation, we chat about how she landed up pursuing a career in teaching and the challenges of being a teacher during the pandemic. We also talk about what all has changed at college over the decade and what it’s like to be on campus during the pandemic

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Marukh. I met Marukh back in 2010 when we were in university. Even though she graduated with a degree in history, Marukh followed her passion for fashion which took her to Italy, where she spent most of the decade. In today’s conversation, she tells me her motivation to move to Italy, the challenges of living and working in a new country with a new language. We also chat about what it’s like working in the world of high fashion, getting married during the pandemic, and how Italians and Indians have a lot in common

On today’s show, I’m chatting with Archishman Pradhan. I met Archishman back in 2010 and while he studied Physics in college, he eventually found his way into the world of gaming. In today's conversation, he tell me about this joinery - how he started out as a streamer and shout caster and how he ended up working at gaming giants like Garena! He also shares his experience of having worked in the industry and the stuff he’s learned along the way

On today’s show, I’m chatting with Pankhuri. I met Pankhuri back in 2010 in college and we were classmates. After we graduated, she continued studying Economics in London and now works in India’s fast-growing financial sector. In our conversation today we chat about her experiences during her time in London, her interests in economic policy, and how she landed up in her current job at CRISIL. We also chat a bit about India’s financial markets, which have been breaking all-time highs despite the pandemic, and what makes her bullish about the future

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Sonakshi. I met Sonakshi back in 2011 at university where she studied English. In our conversation today, we speak about a bunch of different things from starting her career editing for a defense magazine to eventually working in public policy and even a podcast. She also tells me about the work she and her mom’s been doing to help victims of domestic violence and we chat a little about her experiences with that. We speak about her shifts in beliefs and we also discuss the future of Reuben's Podcast

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Jahnavi Sen. Even though we went to university together back in 2010, we hardly crossed paths and this is, for sure, the longest conversation we’ve had in over a decade! We chat about her journey from deciding to study philosophy in college to her first experience of living away from home. We also dive into the world of independent news, its challenges, and why she’s decided to continue in the space.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Sumedha. I met Sumedha back in 2010 in university, where we were classmates and studied economics together. As the title for the show suggests, after a few years in finance, Sumedha decided to pursue her curiosity and end up in the world of data science. She tells me about her time in the world of finance, what sparked her interest in data science, how she taught herself before getting a formal education, and why it’s important that one takes risks in life. But we start off today’s conversation with what she thinks of New York and her most vivid memories of her time in college

On today's show, I'm chatting with Lipsa. Lipsa and I went to university together but we didn’t cross paths much during college. Over the last decade, Lipsa has had an exciting journey, starting off in the world of academia and then transitioning into entrepreneurship and innovation. We chat about a bunch of things including her study in spectroscopy, discovering the new biochemical species, which unfortunately she couldn’t name after herself, starting a company, a podcast, and much more.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Antony. I met Antony back in 2010 when we were classmates in college. Over the last decade, he has pursued a career in insurance and learning how to manage risk. In our conversation today we talk about his long winding journey to becoming an actuary, moving and living in Denmark and his newfound interest in climate change, and why we all need to pay more attention to it.

On today’s show, I’m chatting with Vanshica. I met Vanshika back in 2010 in university. After graduating with a degree in History, she went on to do her master's at Oxford and spent the year following that working at international organizations like the UN and World Economic Forum. In today’s chat talk about why she believes History is the mother of all social sciences, her life in Oxford and it was different from Stephen’s, what working for the UN looks like, and why all the fuss behind Davos.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Tarini Mahajan. I met Tarini in 2010 back in university. Tarini’s had a really interesting decade - after graduating in Philosophy, she worked a bit, got a master's, and decided to spend an entire year in Colombia to practice her Spanish. Instead of continuing down the academic route, she decided to join the family business - manufacturing of hand tools - as industrial as it gets! In today’s conversation, we talk about why she made these decisions and dive into each of these experiences and more!

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Ananya. I met Ananya back in 2010 in university. Over the last decade she’s followed her dream, ever since she was 13, to become an archeologist, which has taken her from the classroom, to dig sites and now to working at a museum. In today’s conversation, she tells me what about digging stuff out of the ground excites her, moving to Paris and the life there, and what an average day at a museum looks like when you’re not a tour guide.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Rishi Sood. I met Rishi back in 2010 - we were classmates and lived in the same residence block during our time in college - Mukh East! In today’s conversation, we start off chatting about his early career and happening life in Ahemdabad and why he decided to study for the civil services but ended up at business school. He tells me about the challenges he’s had to face due to his disability and what’s it like running a truck dealership in UP!

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Aishwarya. I met Aishwarya back in university in 2010. Over the last decade, she has taken a winding path towards her goal of being in politics. We chat about how she started off working at the grassroots in Delhi, then with refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, and her experiences through that, and why she decided to leave it all to come back to India and organize election rallies in the middle of the pandemic! This conversation is broken into 3 parts - each roughly 30 mins - so you can either listen to it all at once or break it up. In Part 1 we chat about her early career working with migrants workers in Delhi and what that thought her, in Part 2 we talk about her life in the Middle East, and in Part 3 she tries to convince me why politics is good!

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Kevin. I met Kevin back in university in 2011 and he was in the same department as I was. After graduating, he went to work in finance and lived the high-flying banker life before realizing he wanted to more than merely increase profits and shareholders returns. He decided to enter impact investing and eventually landed up as employee #3 at a fintech startup. The startup didn’t become a unicorn as he had hoped for, but the experience taught him so much about what it takes to build a company, and we deep dive into that and more in our conversation.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with David. David and I were classmates back in university, which is where we met back in 2010. After graduating he went to work at an alcoholic beverages company and became the youngest manager the company’s ever seen. But after grinding for 6 long years, he realized that he needed a break and spent a year traveling, meditating, and spending time with family. He’s currently in the middle of his MBA and through this conversation, we speak about his journey over the last decade.

1. Why am I doing this podcast and how that’s changed?
2. Observations over 27 different conversations
3. The future of the show

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Ahona. I met Ahona back in university in 2010. She studied English in college and was by far one of the singers I’ve had the chance to listen to in person. Over the last decade, Ahona has followed a path in academia - getting a master's in Anthropology and becoming a teacher, which she absolutely loved. She’s now pursuing a PHD while also trying to find the space music has in her life. In fact, if you wait till the end, there’s a little surprise! But we start off at a rather interesting place - which really got me thinking - why she listens to the podcast and how it’s led to some interesting realizations

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Harshit Maloo. I met Harshit back in university in 2011 and over the last decade, he’s had a great career working at one of the best management consulting companies, McKinsey. He got the job right out of university and rose the ranks quickly. From the outside, it’s what an ideal career would look like, but through our conversation he tells about the ups and downs doing his journey. We chat about his shining career at the firm, why he didn’t go to business school, joining a startup in the midst of the pandemic, and his new view of the world!

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Satyaki. I’ve met Satyaki in university and over the last decade, he’s taken his love for numbers and gone deep into the world of finance. He tells me more about his work which involves helping organizations raise millions, even billions, how he got into crypto and what he thinks about its future and life in London.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Maanasa. She was my classmate back in university where we both studied economics. In our conversation, she tells me about her days as a school teacher and how those years led to some bigger questions that led her down the path of rural development. She explains to me, through her many experiences, what rural development really means and puts it into context on why it’s so important in today’s world. We also speak about how her outlook towards life has changed through these changes and how she views the future. Her passion for her work was fascinating and I’m sure, just like me, it’ll surely leave you thinking.

On today’s show, I’m speaking with Steffi. I met Steffi back in 2011 in university and in our chat today, she shares her journey in the development sector, in which she’s spent most of the last decade. We talk about what keeps her going despite all the challenges and how’s she’s been hustling her way through. We also talk about the pandemic - the good, the bad, and the ugly and how she's thinking about the future

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Shravya. I met her back in university in 2010, where she studied philosophy. Since then, she’s been working in the education sector with amazing organizations like Pratham and the OECD. We chat about her motivation to join and continue working in the sector over the years, how she hit burnout, her new focus on health and the reasons behind her becoming more politically active and vocal, and the consequence of the same.