Welcome to Sparx, the show that empowers you with the latest research, strategies and tools to help you achieve exponential impact in every aspect of your life. Whether you're looking to advance your career, improve your relationships, leave a mark on the world or simply become the best version of yourself, this is where you need to start.
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Mukesh Bansal Podcasts
A show about the winding journeys the world's most interesting people take to becoming great—and what they do when figuring out a question we all face: What's Next? Because before you launch at Zero, you have to figure out what to launch at Minus One. Hosted by South Park Commons Partner Aditya Agarwal and members of the SPC community.
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Former RBI Governor Exclusive: US Tariff Shock! Raghuram Rajan Calls It A 'Wake-Up Call' For India
1:14:45
1:14:45
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1:14:45In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor) on India’s economic crossroads, tariff wars, shifting geopolitics, AI disruption, and the urgent need for jobs and human capital investment. They discuss: India’s position between the U.S. and China. The real impact of tariffs on trade, GDP, and livelihoods. Wh…
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Building Great Companies, Not Just Good Ones | Mukesh Bansal
1:01:14
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1:01:14What does it take to build great companies? Mukesh Bansal, founder of giants like Myntra and Cure.fit, and now building at the frontier of deep tech with Meraki Labs and Nurix, joins Prateek Mehta in a chat at SPC Bangalore. He shares lessons from his early Silicon Valley “startup MBA”, the pivots that defined his journey, and how culture, trust an…
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Tech Expert: India Did What US & China Couldn’t Do it in decades! | Mukesh Bansal | SparX
1:23:52
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1:23:52In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Sharad Sharma, one of the key minds behind Aadhaar and UPI. Sharad shares why he left a successful corporate career to focus on nation building, and how India can avoid becoming a trade colony of China or a tech colony of the US by doubling down on deep tech and research-driven innovation. They di…
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Inside Early Facebook with Andrew Bosworth: Culture, Ads, and AR Glasses
51:42
51:42
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51:42Facebook’s early culture was chaotic, fun, and fueled by a belief that "you can just do things." Andrew Bosworth, Meta CTO, joins Aditya Agarwal to revisit that foundational energy. He covers the creation of News Feed, the grit behind the pivot to mobile, and how Meta is tackling long-term hardware innovation for the AR/VR future. Apply to SPC memb…
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R&D Scientist : India is 25 years Behind China! We should wake up | SparX
1:15:15
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1:15:15In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). India’s biggest push yet to fund science, research, and deep tech. Shiv explains why India needs to build its own technologies instead of only buying them, and how ANRF will unlock ₹50,000 crore in research grants a…
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The Man Betting on Institutional Reform | Joe Lonsdale and 8VC
38:56
38:56
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38:56After building companies that made their mark, Joe Lonsdale launched 8VC to tackle institutional decay, backing ambitious startups and encouraging the next generation to build what’s missing. Now overseeing $6B+ in assets, he joins Aditya Agarwal to break down where the Valley lost its way, and what real builders must remember. Connect with us here…
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Expert Economist : How America is becoming the world’s arms leader | Neelkanth Mishra | SparX
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33:44In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank, to unpack the chaos behind Trump’s tariff wars and what it means for the global order. They explore why these moves aren’t just about trade, but about four bigger objectives. Covering various topics from stagnant U.S. wages and life expectancy gap…
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How Modi Ji Shaped My Political Journey | Tejasvi Surya on BJP Ideals & Future Plans | SparX
1:15:10
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1:15:10In this episode of Sparx, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Tejasvi Surya, one of India’s youngest Members of Parliament for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, purpose, and building a stronger nation. From his early days as a student activist to becoming a Member of Parliament at 28, Tejasvi shares the defining moments, risks, and unwavering conv…
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Cult.fit Founder - How I Beat Stress in 20 Seconds | Mukesh Bansal | SparX
51:42
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51:42In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal dives deep into something that we do all the time - breathing - one of the most integral part of our lives. He explores all the different styles of breathing and shares actionable steps to master breathing.
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Robinhood, Space, and the American Dream | Baiju Bhatt
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44:07Baiju Bhatt helped millions learn to invest through Robinhood. He’s since taken the leap to aerospace with his new company Aetherflux. Baiju joins Aditya Agarwal to cover what building from first principles looks like the second time around, the true meaning of the American Dream, and how he aims to make space a functional layer of the global energ…
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How Cult Plans to Scale India’s Fitness Revolution | Naresh Krishnaswamy | SparX
1:02:33
1:02:33
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1:02:33In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Naresh Krishnaswamy, CEO of Cult and longtime business partner, to explore the future of fitness, health, and AI-powered transformation in India. They reflect on Cult’s near-death experiences, why crisis builds culture, and how fitness in India remains massively under-penetrated. Naresh shares …
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What the Smartest People in AI Are Missing | Gary Vaynerchuk
52:31
52:31
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52:31How do brands like PepsiCo and Chanel convert consumer attention into real business growth? Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia and multiple New York Times Bestselling Author, joins Dylan Itzikowitz to share how his agency helps these brands turn culture, AI, and data into measurable impact. Apply for the SPC Founder Fellowship by August 3rd: https…
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Will AI Replace Coders? Future of Software, SaaS & Jobs | Shamik Sharma | SparX
1:10:59
1:10:59
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1:10:59In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Shamik Sharma, SVP Product at Atlassian and former Head of Technology at Myntra, to explore how AI is radically transforming software development, programming, and enterprise workflows. They unpack how natural language is becoming the new code, how tools like Lovable are reshaping developer pro…
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Google, Facebook, Then Sierra | Bret Taylor
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1:00:02“If there's one lesson I wish I could give my younger self, it's to focus less on the technology and more on the customer need.” Bret Taylor has helped shape how billions interact with the internet, and now with Sierra, he’s rethinking customer interactions through AI that feels more human. Apply for the SPC Founder Fellowship by August 3rd: https:…
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In this powerful solo episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal - founder of Myntra, CureFit, and Nurix breaks down the seismic shifts AI is bringing to our world. From exponential improvements in capability and cost, to real-world demos of voice AI and autonomous enterprise workflows, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone still on the sidelines of the A…
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The Man Behind India's First Unicorn | Naveen Tewari of InMobi
56:59
56:59
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56:59What does it take to build a global ad-tech company from India? In this episode, Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO of InMobi and Glance, gets candid about his early failures and the grit it took to bet on mobile before India was ready. He’s now reimagining commerce on lock screens through AI-powered platform Glance. Connect with us here: Prateek Mehta-…
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India’s New Fitness Revolution Explained | SparX
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45:53In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal explores the fast-growing world of Pilates with Rishabh Telang, Business Head at CULT, and Kavitha Srinivasan, one of India’s foremost Pilates educators. Together, they dive into how this century-old practice is becoming a modern-day fitness essential. Rishabh shares why CULT is going all-in on Pilates, the i…
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India’s Kingmaker VC - Man Behind Flipkart & More | Subrata Mitra | SparX
1:08:49
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1:08:49In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Subrata Mitra, legendary venture capitalist and Partner at Accel, to unpack what it really takes to back iconic startups from day zero. From being the first institutional investor in Flipkart to shaping India’s startup DNA over two decades, Subrata shares rare insights on pattern recognition, f…
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The Physics of Good Judgment | Rana Adhikari
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47:34Rana Adhikari, winner of the 2019 New Horizons in Physics Breakthrough Prize, joins Aditya Agarwal to discuss his 'minus one' journey as an experimental physicist, the current state of LLMs, and the vision that led to the creation of India’s own LIGO facility. Connect with us here: 1. Rana Adhikari- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-adhikari-26bb731…
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I Tried Fasting For 10 Weeks and… | Solo Episode | Sparx
1:00:43
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1:00:43n this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal dives deep into the science of fasting - one of the most powerful tools for improving health, focus and longevity. Drawing from personal experience and cutting-edge research, Mukesh shares how a 10-week fasting journey transformed his energy, blood markers and mental clarity. He explores the benefits of interm…
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The Designer Who 'Liked' Everything | Soleio
48:35
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48:35In this episode of Minus One, Facebook’s second designer, Soleio shares how he helped build the emotional layer of the internet and is now backing tools like Figma and Framer to push it further. Connect with us here: Soleio Aditya Agarwal South Park Commons 00:00 Trailer 01:00 Introduction 01:41 Early days 07:37 Paradigm shift and the moments 13:45…
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Uber India’s President - Leadership, Culture & Discipline | Prabhjeet Singh | SparX
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59:35In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India, to unpack what it takes to build for a diverse and complex market like India. From theater to tech, Prabhjeet shares how empathy, culture, and hands-on leadership have shaped his journey. They dive into Uber's driver ecosystem, AI innovations, and the f…
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Silicon Valley, Capital & Globalization | Balaji Srinivasan
40:17
40:17
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40:17Balaji Srinivasan, angel investor and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Network State, joins Aditya Agarwal on Minus One to challenge prevailing assumptions about global tech and opportunity. Connect with us here: 1. Balaji Srinivasan- https://x.com/balajis 2. Aditya Agarwal- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaagarwal3/ 3. South Park Com…
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India’s AI Opportunity in 2025: Peeyush Ranjan on Startups, Talent & Innovation | SparX
1:20:32
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1:20:32In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with tech veteran and former Google and Flipkart leader Peeyush Ranjan to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping work, expertise, and entrepreneurship. From replacing human expertise in fields like medicine, law, and education to building AI-native startups, Peeyush dives deep into the promises a…
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India’s Top Heart Surgeon & Founder of NARAYANA HOSPITAL Dr Shetty on SparX
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1:00:34In this deeply moving episode of SparX, Dr. Devi Shetty—renowned cardiac surgeon and founder of Narayana Health—opens up about his life, purpose, and groundbreaking journey in making healthcare accessible for all. From treating Mother Teresa early in his career to pioneering India’s most affordable heart surgeries, Dr. Shetty shares how simplicity,…
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David Baszucki: Roblox, Minus One, Digital Economy, & the Metaverse
58:02
58:02
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58:02In this episode of Minus One, host Dylan Itzikowitz sits down with Roblox’s chief blocksmith to trace a minus one to zero prototype that evolved into a full blown digital economy, now serving more than 100M DAUs. Connect with us here: 1. David Baszucki- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbaszucki/ 2. Dylan Itzikowitz- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyla…
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How Can India Win AI Race? Top AI Expert Dr. Pratyush Kumar Explains | SparX
1:16:12
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1:16:12In this thought-provoking episode of SparX, we speak with Pratyush Kumar, co-founder of Sarvam AI, about India's bold journey to build its own large language models (LLMs) and establish true AI sovereignty. Pratyush shares insights into the launch of Sarvam, a homegrown multilingual model capable of handling math, programming, and Indic languages w…
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What You Eat Is Slowly KILLING You - Foodpharmer Exposed Food Industry | SparX
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50:17In this compelling episode of SparX, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Revant Himatsingka, popularly known as "Food Pharmer." A former McKinsey consultant and Wharton MBA, Revant left a high-profile corporate career to champion health literacy in India. He unpacks how misleading marketing and hidden ingredients are silently harming…
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AGI, Sci-Fi, and Storytelling | Neal Stephenson, Ken Liu, & more
1:14:48
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1:14:48What unfolds when those who imagine the future sit across from those building it? In this special SPC panel, worlds converge. Sci-fi legends Neal Stephenson and Ken Liu join visionary investor Cyan Banister and researcher Joscha Bach to explore how narratives shape reality, how fiction becomes a roadmap, and how builders and dreamers influence each…
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World War 3 Coming? Ind-Pak Conflict Breakdown | Operation Sindoor | Suhasini Haidar
1:03:05
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1:03:05(Disclaimer - This podcast was recorded prior to the ceasefire announcement made on the evening of May 10, 2025. All discussions reflect the situation as it stood before that development. Viewers are advised to keep this context in mind while watching the episode.) In this gripping episode of SparX, journalist Suhasini Haidar joins us to decode the…
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World Trade War US vs China Explained | Neelkanth M | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
38:13
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38:13For the latest episode of SparX, we are joined by Neelkanth Mishra, Economic advisor to the Government of India, Chairman of UIDAI, and Chief Economist at Axis Bank. In this episode, Neelkanth dives into the unraveling of the post-WWII global order and what might replace it. From the fading influence of institutions like the UN, WHO, and NATO to th…
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The Origin Story of Facebook, Quora & OpenAI | Adam D’Angelo
55:43
55:43
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55:43In conversation with Aditya Agarwal, Adam D’Angelo reflects on his early days at Facebook, the founding of Quora, his early conviction in OpenAI, and why he believes the recursive nature of AI is grounded in a first-principles approach. Connect with us here: 1. Adam D’Angelo- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangelo/ 2. Aditya Agarwal- https://www.linke…
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The Man Behind Infosys - REAL Success Story | Kris Gopalakrishnan | SparX
1:08:03
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1:08:03Join us for an insightful conversation with Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and one of India’s foremost technology entrepreneurs. In this episode, we explore his remarkable journey — from the early days of building Infosys to his ongoing contributions to deep-tech research, innovation, and philanthropy. Mr. Gopalakrishnan shares his thou…
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From ZERO to ₹10,000 Cr: Razorpay’s Untold Story | Harshil Mathur | SparX
1:10:15
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1:10:15What does it take to build one of India’s most important fintech companies from scratch? In this candid and deeply insightful conversation, Razorpay co-founder Harshil Mathur walks us through his journey, from coding at IIT Roorkee and working on oil rigs at Schlumberger to co-creating Razorpay, a company that has redefined digital payments in Indi…
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Why India NEEDS Savarkar in 2025 - Untold Indian History With Vikram S | SparX
1:21:16
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1:21:16In this in-depth conversation, historian and author Vikram Sampath discusses his comprehensive two-volume biography on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of India's most debated and influential political thinkers. Tracing Savarkar's journey from a young revolutionary in Maharashtra to his years at India House in London, and eventually to his imprisonmen…
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History, AI & Technology’s Shared Trajectory | Niall Ferguson
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46:16During his three-decade career in academia, Niall Ferguson has explored the critical inflection points that have shaped the course of history — and the future it continues to inform. In this conversation, hosted by Aditya Agarwal and Jonathan Brebner, he delves into why we may be living through a civilizational minus one, how history leaves subtle …
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The Longevity Podcast - Healthy Habits & Guidelines | Expert Dr. Satchin Panda | SparX
1:25:31
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1:25:31What if the secret to better health isn’t just what you eat, but when you eat? In this episode, we sit down with renowned circadian biology expert Dr. Satchin Panda to explore the science behind time-restricted eating, body clocks, and how your daily routines can transform your metabolism, sleep, and overall well-being. From groundbreaking mouse st…
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Why Tipu Sultan LOST It All... | Real Truth Behind Indian History | Vikram Sampath | SparX
1:14:11
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1:14:11Description - In the latest episode of SparX, your host, Mukesh Bansal, welcomes author and historian Vikram Sampath to discuss the contents of his book “Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum.” He shares stories not only from Tipu Sultan’s reign and but also a background about his father Hyder Ali. We hear some unheard stories where Vikram …
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Why I Backed OpenAI, AGI, & the Zero to One Team | Vinod Khosla
56:20
56:20
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56:20In this episode of Minus One, Vinod Khosla joins Aditya Agarwal to reflect on his four-decade journey shaping Silicon Valley. They discuss making high-conviction bets, why the team you build becomes the company you build, Khosla’s first investment in OpenAI, and why he is convinced that AGI sits among us now. Connect with us here: Vinod Khosla- htt…
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Money Podcast For Indians In Their 20s – Money, Inflation, Illusion & Economy | Neelkanth M | SparX
55:37
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55:37Is money real, or is it just an illusion we all believe in? In this episode, Neelkanth Mishra takes us through his journey with studying and understanding money. We explore the concept of money—how it started, why it holds value, and why it might not be as real as we think. Neelkanth challenges everything we assume about wealth, explaining how infl…
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The REAL Truth Of Indian Economy - Stock Market, GDP & Trump Effect | Neelkanth M | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
1:12:48
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1:12:48In this episode of SparX, we dive deep into the complexities of the global economy, India's growth trajectory, and the impact of Trump's return to power. Neelkanth Mishra breaks down why forecasting the economy is as tough as predicting the weather, how crowd behavior shapes policy, and why AI is disrupting global markets. We discuss India’s econom…
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How Blake Scholl Went to Mach Speeds: The Boom Supersonic Story
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48:37In this episode of Minus One, Aditya Agarwal and Jonathan Brebner sit down with Blake Scholl, who went from Groupon product leader to founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic, to discuss his pursuit of reviving supersonic travel. With a vision to make high-speed air travel accessible to millions, Scholl is working to bring back a capability many believed w…
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The Money Trap: Masayoshi Son & SoftBank Insights with Alok Sama
1:13:13
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1:13:13Welcome back to another episode of SparX by Mukesh Bansal. Today our host Mukesh, founder of Myntra and Cure.fit is in conversation with Alok Sama, the former President and CFO of SoftBank Group International. In this episode, we dive into the concept of the "money trap" and how one can avoid its pitfalls. Alok discusses his latest book, "The Money…
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How Ajai Chowdhry Co-Founded HCL and Shaped India’s Tech Industry
1:21:59
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1:21:59We are back with Ajai Chowdhry as he launches his latest book, 'Just Aspire', a thought-provoking account of his entrepreneurial journey and insights on technology, innovation, and the future. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of HCL's rise to success, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global IT leader. Join us…
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While he hardly needs an introduction, few leaders have shaped the future of technology quite like Satya Nadella. He stepped into Microsoft’s top job at a catalytic moment—making bold bets on the cloud, embedding AI into the fabric of computing, all while staying true to Microsoft’s vision of becoming a “software factory.” In this conversation with…
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How Ancient India Shaped Modern Science and Math with Sanjay Anandram
1:05:49
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1:05:49Join us as we explore the fascinating world of ancient India's scientific and cultural legacy with Sanjay Anandaram, a visionary entrepreneur-turned-researcher. Driven by a passion to uncover the hidden treasures of India's rich heritage, Anandaram's research reveals the profound influence of ancient Indian innovations on modern mathematics, scienc…
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ISRO’s Former Chairman Dr. Somanath on The Future of India’s Space Programs
1:06:53
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1:06:53ISRO has made remarkable strides in space technology, with multiple world records and milestones that prove time-and-again that ISRO is one of the leading space research institutions of the world. These achievements demonstrate ISRO's capabilities and commitment to advancing space research. And at the frontier of some of the great milestones is Dr.…
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Kirsten Green, founder of Forerunner Ventures and 8-time Midas List investor, sees the next wave of breakout brands emerging at the intersection of shifting consumer behavior, novel business models, and technological inflection points. In this conversation with Ruchi Sanghvi, she unpacks the investment frameworks behind early bets on companies like…
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Wicked Problems: How to Engineer a Better World by Guru Madhavan
1:04:55
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1:04:55Join us as we explore the complex challenges of "wicked problems" with Guru Madhavan, renowned engineer and author of "Wicked Problems: How to Engineer a Better World.” We uncover the fascinating story of Edwin Link, a pioneer who revolutionised aviation engineering with the invention of the first mechanical flight simulator. Guru Madhavan shares h…
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India’s G20 Success Story & $30 Trillion Dream with Amitabh Kant
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57:30Join us on the latest episode of SparX as we sit down with bureaucrat Amitabh Kant to discuss his experiences and insights on India's rise to global prominence. We'll take a behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 G20 Summit, exploring how India's presidency influenced its global relationships and positioned the country as a leader in international coop…
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