Are you an NRI, student, or expat living in the USA who feels sluggish, bloated, or heavier despite "eating healthy"?

You are not alone. Millions of Indians move abroad and immediately switch to a diet of salads, cold sandwiches, and protein bars, thinking they are making better choices. Yet, the "Freshman 15" turns into the "expat 20," and gut health issues skyrocket.

In this deep-dive episode, we uncover the uncomfortable truth: The American definition of "healthy" might be destroying your gut.

We explore the concept of Diaspora Nutrition—the bridge between where you live and where you come from. This isn't just about nostalgia; it's about biology. We discuss why your body craves the warm, cooked, spice-rich foods of your ancestors and how the hyper-processed nature of the US food supply chain (even the "organic" stuff) differs vastly from what you grew up with.

We cover everything from the science of the Indian gut to the logistics of finding authentic ingredients in an American city.

If you are tired of feeling lethargic and want to reclaim your energy without giving up the foods you love, this episode is your blueprint.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The "Healthy" Food Trap: Why substituting dal-chawal for cold salads might be wrecking your digestion.

• Sourcing Secrets: How to find authentic, chemical-free Indian ingredients in the US (beyond just the local Patel Brothers).

• The Cost of Nutrition: Breaking down the math—why investing in quality food now is cheaper than healthcare costs later.

• Meal Prep for Busy Professionals: Practical, time-saving tips to cook traditional meals while managing a 9-to-5 or grad school schedule.

• Community & Culture: Why food is about more than calories—it's about identity and community building in a foreign land.

Join the Conversation:Are you team "Salad" or team "Sabzi"? Let us know in the Q&A below! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate us 5 stars and share this with a friend who is struggling with their diet in the US.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background

(03:08) Understanding Traditional Indian Nutrition

(10:21) The Journey of Diaspora Nutrition

(16:52) Sourcing Authentic Indian Foods in the USA

(24:09) Health Benefits of Sourcing Local Foods

(24:55) Cost and Value of Quality Nutrition

(26:52) Nutritional Choices and Their Impact

(29:02) Success Stories in Nutrition

(33:37) Cultural Relevance in Dietary Practices

(37:02) Bridging Traditional and Modern Nutrition

(40:15) Meal Prep Tips for Busy Individuals

(45:56) Vision for Diaspora Nutrition

(47:26) Overcoming Challenges in Building a Community

Most people take trips to relax. Beaches. Cocktails. Photos for Instagram. This conversation is not about that kind of trip. This is about the kind of travel that changes what you think a vacation is for. It is about showing up in a small community somewhere in the world and leaving it a little better than you found it. That idea sits at the center of GlobeAware, a nonprofit that builds one week volunteer programs where anyone can contribute to real projects run by local communities.

My guest today is Kimberly-Haley Coleman, the founder of GlobeAware. Two decades ago she built an organization around a simple question. What if everyday people could experience a new country in an honest way and also serve the people who live there. Not as a savior. Not as a tourist with a camera. Just as a fellow human who is ready to help.

In this episode Kimberly opens up about how GlobeAware started and what it takes to keep an organization like this alive. We get into the practical side of things. How do you choose projects that matter. How do you avoid the trap of voluntourism. What happens when volunteers show up and do not know the culture. What about safety, logistics, and the fact that people are literally paying to do work. We speak about her favorite projects from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. We talk about the program in India where volunteers work shoulder to shoulder with local women. They cook, fix, build, teach, and play with children. That connection is the whole point. You arrive as a stranger and in seven days you feel like part of a family.

There is also a real business challenge here. Running a volunteer organization is not a feel good hobby. There are coordinators on the ground. There are safety rules. There are governments to work with. There is the constant pressure to maintain dignity in the communities you serve. Kimberly shares how she has stayed committed even when it was hard to find funding or when people misunderstood the mission.

If you have ever wondered how to travel with purpose, this will help. If you have thought about taking a week off and giving your time to something bigger, you will hear the truth about what that looks like. It is not glamorous. It can be uncomfortable. It is also deeply joyful. That is why so many volunteers return home feeling different. They learn that a break from routine does not have to be a break from meaning. It can be the most meaningful trip of your life.

Search terms people use to find interviews like this include volunteer abroad, ethical volunteering, meaningful travel, volunteer vacation, GlobeAware review, and community service trips. If you found this episode because of one of those searches, welcome. My goal is that you learn something real, feel something real, and maybe take action after listening.

Listen in. Consider where you might go next. Not to escape. To serve. To connect. To feel alive in a new place while making someone else’s life a little easier. That is what this conversation is about.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + background

01:51 GlobeAware and Its Mission

03:25 The Essence of Meaningful Volunteering

07:14 Kimberly's Journey to Globaware

09:59 Project Examples and Community Engagement

12:58 Challenges in Managing a Volunteer Organization

15:34 Is it fun or like man vs wild?

19:49 Volunteer Experience and Safety Concerns

23:15 Cultural Sensitivity and Practical Advice for Volunteers

26:20 Balancing Work and Free Time in Volunteer Programs

28:48 Global Reach: Exploring Project Locations

30:14 Adapting to Local Needs: Projects in India

32:28 Recruitment Strategies for Volunteer Leaders

35:01 The Future of Globaware: Expanding Awareness

38:57 Finding Joy in Service and Everyday Life

How do you break into one of the most competitive tech careers, navigate interviews at Amazon, and prepare for a future shaped by AI—all while still in school? This episode is packed with insights for aspiring Technical Program Managers (TPMs), international students, and anyone eyeing top-tier roles in tech.

We kick things off with the day-to-day life of a Technical Program Manager—what the role actually looks like beyond the buzzwords. From managing complex projects to aligning cross-functional teams, you’ll get a realistic picture of what makes TPMs so critical inside companies like Amazon.

The conversation then shifts to the skills that define TPM success: communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to turn ambiguity into structured execution. Meri emphasizes what students can start doing from their very first semester to build an edge, including the kinds of projects, internships, and habits that recruiters actually value.

We also talk strategy around academics—choosing electives, writing scholarship essays, and even knowing when it’s okay to drop a course—because success isn’t just about grinding; it’s about smart decision-making that sets you up long term.

The episode gets tactical with job hunting in 2025 and beyond. How do you stand out when applications are skyrocketing? We explore the nuances of shortlisting, what Amazon (and other FAANGs) really look for, and how unconventional paths—like starting as a Business Analyst—can still land you in TPM roles.

A highlight of the discussion is the Amazon loop interview process. We break down behavioral questions, the infamous Bar Raiser round, and practical hacks to stay calm under pressure. You’ll hear why rushing to answer is a mistake, how to pace yourself, and how to prepare stories that resonate with interviewers.

We then pivot to how AI is transforming technical roles. Far from replacing humans, AI is becoming a tool TPMs can leverage—whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or augmenting decision-making. Understanding this shift could be the single biggest differentiator for future TPMs.

Threaded throughout is a bigger theme: adaptability. From facing rejections to reframing career pivots, the episode shows how resilience and perspective can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

This episode is a must-listen for:

• Students aiming for Amazon, Microsoft, or other big tech TPM roles

• International students navigating scholarships, electives, and career prep abroad

• Early professionals curious about career pivots into program management

• Tech aspirants who want to understand how AI will reshape their roles

If you’ve ever wondered how to get from classroom to career, crack Amazon’s toughest interviews, or position yourself for long-term success as a Technical Program Manager, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and an actionable roadmap.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 A Day in the Life of a Technical Program Manager
05:44 Key Skills for Success in TPM Roles
09:06 Start doing this from the FIRST semester for TPM roles
11:10 How to write scholarship essay
12:14 Choosing the right electives
16:04 its okay to bail on electives
17:46 How to get shortlisted for jobs in 2025
23:28 Journey to Amazon: Business Analyst turned TPM?
27:36 Loop Interview Process + Hacks
29:05 How to Answer Behavioral Questions
30:55 The Loop Interview Experience
32:20 Navigating The Bar Raiser
37:12 How to Prepare for Loop Interviews
39:41 Do NOT rush to start answering
41:41 Rejected for Analyst, but offered TPM?
44:40 Leveraging AI in Tech Roles

What does it take to create the largest gathering ever for skilled Indian immigrants in the United States? In this episode, we sit down with the visionary behind the Open Atlas Summit 2025, a groundbreaking event designed to connect, empower, and celebrate the Indian professional diaspora in America.

We start with the origin story—how the idea for the Open Atlas Summit was born, and the gap it aims to fill in the immigrant professional community. From there, our guest walks us through the intricate planning and logistics required to make an event of this scale a reality. You’ll hear firsthand what it’s like to secure high-profile keynote speakers, the strategies behind attracting the right voices, and how to align them with the summit’s mission.

But this isn’t just about big names—it’s about audience engagement. We explore why crafting an interactive, participatory experience is critical for creating lasting impact, and how innovative programming is being woven into the summit to keep attendees involved from start to finish.

The conversation dives into one of the most ambitious parts of the summit: the job fair. We unpack the challenges of designing a job fair that truly serves skilled immigrants, including how to get employers on board, ensure meaningful connections, and navigate visa-related complexities.

Behind the scenes, there’s also a story of team building and volunteer coordination. Our guest shares how she’s assembling a network of passionate contributors—both on the ground and virtually—who believe in the mission and are willing to put in the hours to make it happen.

The summit’s marketing strategy gets a spotlight too, with a discussion on the role of influencers and content creators in amplifying the event’s reach. Learn how strategic partnerships with digital voices can translate into real-world turnout and engagement.

We also highlight the innovative features and experiences planned for attendees—elements designed to make this summit more than just a conference, but an unforgettable milestone in the community’s history. Think immersive networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, and cultural showcases that celebrate identity alongside professional growth.

Of course, none of this happens without financial backing. We dive into the sponsorship model, the realities of fundraising, and the balance between maintaining event integrity and satisfying sponsor expectations.

The conversation closes on a powerful note about community and shared experiences—why this summit is more than an event, but a platform to build connections that will last long after 2025. It’s about creating a space where skilled Indian immigrants can see themselves, their value, and their future reflected on a global stage.

This episode is perfect for:

• Skilled immigrants in the US looking for opportunities and community

• Event organizers curious about large-scale conference planning

• Employers seeking to connect with top Indian talent in America

• Anyone interested in the intersection of culture, career, and community building

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 The Genesis of Open Atlas Summit 2025
04:48 Planning and Logistics of the Event
07:51 Securing Keynote Speakers
10:40 The Importance of Audience Engagement
13:38 Navigating the Job Fair Challenge
16:34 Building a Supportive Team
22:26 Event Planning and Volunteer Coordination
24:16 The Role of Influencers and Creators
26:10 Innovative Conference Features and Experiences
30:11 Financial Insights and Sponsorships
34:01 The Value of Community and Shared Experiences

Ask ChatGPT

Agentic AI isn’t just hype—it’s the future of how intelligent systems will work. In this episode, we dive deep with Meri, an engineer and educator at the forefront of this next-gen paradigm. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually build agentic AI applications—beyond the flashy demos—this is your starting point.

Join Meri's Agentic AI workshop: https://maven.com/agent-lab/agent-engineering-bootcamp?promoCode=EARLY30

Meri kicks off with a refreshing and opinionated take on the current state of AI development. From the over-polished social media demos to the often-misunderstood definition of "agentic," she lays down the truth with clarity and conviction. This episode cuts through the noise, grounding the concept of agentic systems in the real-world practice of software engineering, automation, and modular design.

We explore how to get started with agentic AI even if you're not at a top-tier research lab. What tools are accessible? What architecture patterns actually scale? And how do you structure projects that simulate autonomy without falling into the trap of overengineering? Meri breaks it all down, with an emphasis on practical projects that help you learn by doing.

Whether you’re fresh out of a bootcamp or already working in data or ML, this conversation is a goldmine. We talk about success stories of those who transitioned from traditional software or data analytics into the AI field, and how agentic thinking reshaped their path. You'll also hear Meri’s honest take on AI coding assistants, how to use them effectively, and when not to.

We also go under the hood on how Meri’s cohort-based programs are structured—from time investment to project outcomes—and why graduates succeed when they focus on long-term thinking, not just flashy outputs. She shares hard truths about career development, the common mistakes people make when trying to break into AI, and what truly matters in your portfolio.

But this isn't just about starting. It’s about sustainability and adaptability. Meri openly talks about her lack of interest in GenAI fads, and instead champions a deeper vision—where multi-modal AI combined with agentic principles unlocks entirely new levels of autonomy, creativity, and problem-solving.

The episode wraps with sharp insights into the importance of adaptability in AI careers, especially in a rapidly changing ecosystem. Whether you're chasing your first AI project or planning to build tools that simulate human agency, this conversation gives you frameworks, mindset shifts, and technical direction to start strong—and keep evolving.

This episode is perfect for:

• Engineers and developers wanting to get into AI

• Bootcamp grads looking for practical project ideas

• Data professionals transitioning into intelligent automation

• Builders tired of GenAI fluff, and ready to create durable systems

• Anyone curious about agentic AI, multi-modal models, and real-world applications of intelligent agents

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background

02:28 Meri's Hot Take on AI Development

04:27 Real-World AI Engineering vs. Social Media Demos

06:23 Understanding Agentic AI

09:09 Getting Started with Agentic AI Development

11:02 The Importance of Practical Projects

14:14 Break Into Data: Success Stories and Bootcamp Insights

17:08 The Role of AI Coding Assistants

19:26 Cohort Structure and Time Investment

21:41 Project Outcomes and Graduate Success

23:04 Common Pitfalls in Career Development

26:58 Meri does not care about GenAI

30:35 Multi-modal AI x Agentic AI = MAGIC

33:37 The Importance of Adaptability in AI Careers

How does studying in Europe prepare you for launching one of the most innovative companies in a country as complex as India? In this dynamic episode, we sit down with Supra, a global strategy professional who helped expand Tesla into new markets, including India. From landing a role at Tesla in the Netherlands to navigating the multifaceted challenge of launching in India, Supra brings a front-row perspective on transformation, compliance, and cultural agility.

We begin with Supra’s journey as an international student in Europe—what sparked the move, how he adapted, and the raw truth behind studying and job-hunting abroad. Spoiler alert: language barriers can be brutal. But buried in that struggle is also a cheat code that Supra reveals for standing out and thriving in the EU job market after your master’s degree.

The conversation then shifts into high gear as we talk about his time at Tesla—how he cracked the role, what “transformation” really means at a company like Tesla, and how he got involved with strategic planning for Tesla’s India entry. Supra breaks down the hidden challenges: navigating India’s compliance ecosystem, dealing with air quality concerns, and balancing global flexibility with local constraints. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to operationalize a global brand in a country with entirely different regulations, expectations, and realities—this section is gold.

We also dig deep into the cultural dynamics that influence the success or failure of international expansions. From the difference in work cultures between the EU and the US to how Tesla had to adapt its internal processes for the Indian market, Supra gives a masterclass on the human side of strategy.

The episode is also a blueprint for international students. Supra doesn’t just share his success—he shares his systems. Whether you’re considering a European master’s, dreaming of working at Tesla, or looking to launch operations in emerging markets, Supra’s final advice offers clarity and confidence. His closing thoughts are especially valuable for students navigating unfamiliar geographies, unsure whether their degree will translate into real impact.

This episode is perfect for:

• International students navigating European education and job markets

• Professionals interested in Tesla, electric vehicles, and emerging market expansion

• Entrepreneurs and operators launching tech products in India

• Anyone exploring cultural agility, compliance, and transformation in business

Tune in for insights that connect the classroom to corporate boardrooms—and European strategy rooms to Indian launchpads.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background

01:58 Journey to Europe: An International Student's Tale

07:31 Naman's B-school experience abroad

12:16 Navigating Finding Jobs in Europe – Languages suck

17:20 The cheatcode to excelling in EU after your MS

22:13 Cracking Tesla role in the Netherlands

24:21 What exactly is transformation?

27:30 Planning for Tesla launch in India

28:51 Navigating Indian Compliance

29:49 Air Quality Challenges in India

33:30 Flexibility in Work Culture

35:30 Tesla Launch: How Culture Dictates Success

38:35 Work culture in EU vs USA

40:43 The Impact of Tesla's Launch in India

43:21 Collaboration Across Cultures

46:05 Supra's tip for international students

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Gurasis Singh, the host of My Thick Accent podcast, to explore the layered experience of being an immigrant navigating identity, voice, and belonging in a new country. Gurasis opens up about his early days in Canada—where his accent often made him feel invisible or misunderstood—and how those challenges shaped his self-perception and personal growth.

We talk candidly about the emotional toll of being judged for how you sound. From microaggressions to internalized self-doubt, Gurasis shares relatable stories of adapting to a new culture while resisting the pressure to completely change who he is. This leads us to a critical question: Should you change your accent to fit in? Gurasis offers a grounded and honest take on this dilemma—one faced by millions of immigrants worldwide.

The episode also traces the origin story of his podcast My Thick Accent—a show born out of a need to reclaim identity and spotlight voices often pushed to the margins. We discuss the podcast's mission, the feedback it's received, and how it’s become a space for healing, empathy, and celebrating accents as a part of one's heritage—not something to fix.

Gurasis reflects on the importance of community and conversations in reshaping public narratives. We discuss how his show challenges preconceived notions and helps listeners find representation and strength in shared stories. These conversations have not only impacted listeners but have also been transformative for Gurasis himself, as he continues to evolve alongside his platform.

For aspiring podcasters and creators, this episode is filled with raw insights on the challenges of growing and scaling a podcast. Gurasis opens up about the behind-the-scenes work—from content burnout and guest management to figuring out the right format and staying true to your voice. He also shares how social media has been a double-edged sword—powerful for growth, yet overwhelming in its demands.

We talk about what it means to trust your gut in content creation, how to navigate tricky guest dynamics, and the art of balancing consistency with experimentation. Gurasis offers real talk about dealing with self-doubt as a creator, why it’s okay to evolve your format, and how to sustain your momentum when you're building something that truly matters.

The episode ends with heartfelt advice for new immigrants—a reflection that ties together everything we’ve discussed: the courage to be yourself, the strength in your story, and the quiet power of owning your accent, your voice, and your space.

If you've ever felt like an outsider, struggled with your accent, or wondered how to amplify underrepresented stories—this episode will resonate deeply. And if you're building something from scratch—be it a podcast, a personal brand, or a new life in a new country—Gurasis’s journey will leave you inspired.

Timestamps:

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:18 Gurasis's anecdotes re: his accent in canada
04:23 Dealing with feeling invisible due to accent
07:23 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Identity
10:23 Should your change your accent to fit in?
13:14 The Birth of 'My Thick Accent' Podcast
16:19 Breaking Stereotypes and Preconceived Notions
19:24 The Role of Community and Conversations in Change
22:09 Listener Impact and Personal Anecdotes
25:15 Challenges with growing and scaling a podcast
31:16 The Power of Social Media
32:11 Navigating Podcast Guest Dynamics
32:11 The Challenges of Content Creation
32:11 Trusting Your Gut in Podcasting
33:38 Evolving Podcast Formats and Seasons
39:03 Advice for New Immigrants

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of Mechatronics Engineering with Shivam, a passionate engineer who stumbled into this interdisciplinary field by accident—but never looked back. Whether you're a student exploring engineering specializations or a tech enthusiast curious about how mechanical systems, electronics, and software come together, this conversation is a must-watch.

Shivam shares how a combination of curiosity and unexpected academic choices led him to pursue Mechatronics—a field that blends mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science into one powerful domain. We break down what mechatronics really means, how it compares to traditional engineering branches like mechanical or electrical, and why it's gaining so much global relevance.

We also dive into Shivam's academic journey at NYU (New York University), where he pursued his Master’s in Mechatronics. He opens up about the challenges of studying abroad as an international student, how NYU’s curriculum blends theory and hands-on practice, and the broader academic culture that shaped his technical and professional growth.

Job prospects for Mechatronics engineers are evolving fast, and Shivam gives us a comprehensive look at the kinds of roles available in today’s job market—from robotics and automation to product development and AI integration. He shares practical advice on how to prepare for job interviews, what employers are really looking for, and how to stand out in a competitive hiring landscape.

We also explore the impact of AI on mechatronics, including how intelligent systems are transforming the field and creating demand for hybrid skill sets. Shivam explains how machine learning and embedded systems are increasingly embedded into the design of modern robotic systems, and why adaptability is the most valuable skill you can develop.

For those wondering what life looks like on the job, Shivam walks us through a typical day in the life of a Mechatronics Engineer. From design meetings to hands-on testing, he illustrates how diverse and dynamic this career path can be. He also emphasizes the importance of real-world experience—internships, projects, and even personal tinkering—as the true differentiator in the field.

Of course, no engineering journey is complete without setbacks. Shivam candidly shares some of the challenges and failures he's encountered, and how they shaped his problem-solving mindset. These moments offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating uncertainty or hitting roadblocks on their technical journey.

We wrap up the episode with actionable, thoughtful advice for aspiring engineers. Whether you're still in high school choosing your path, already in university, or thinking about grad school abroad, Shivam’s perspective offers clarity and motivation.

This episode will resonate with:

• Students curious about mechatronics and robotics

• International students exploring engineering programs abroad

• Engineers navigating career transitions

• Anyone fascinated by the intersection of hardware, software, and intelligence

  
  

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations that explore the real stories behind cutting-edge careers. Your next big decision might just start here.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 How Shivam accidentally got into Mechatronics
04:04 What is mechatronics?
07:01 Experience at NYU
10:01 Job Prospects in Mechatronics
15:51 Interview Process and Expectations
22:03 AI's Impact on Mechatronics
24:23 A Day in the Life of a Mechatronics Engineer
27:56 The Importance of Hands-On Experience
30:39 Challenges and Failures in Engineering
34:28 Advice for Aspiring Engineers

In this episode my guests are Nirmal Budhathoki and Karun Thankachan. Nirmal is a Sr Data & Applied Scientist at Microsoft & Karun is a Sr Data Scientist at Walmart. We go over the incredible life-changing job-landing advice these two have shared with 1000s of mentees around the application process, what to expect, and how to prepare for ML interviews. Also, they've teamed up to write the book Decoding ML Interviews, which is an incredible one-stop shop for 100 expertly curated machine learning questions, and of course, their solutions.

Check out Decoding ML Interviews: https://onlyoneoutlier.gumroad.com/l/decodingML

In the high-stakes world of machine learning interviews, success hinges on more than technical know-how—it’s about showing how you think, adapt, and learn. In this episode of Ready Set Do, I sit down with Nirmal Budhathoki, Senior Data & Applied Scientist at Microsoft, and Karun Thankachan, Senior Data Scientist at Walmart. Between them, they’ve mentored thousands of candidates and distilled their insights into the book Decoding ML Interviews, a one-stop guide to 100 expertly curated machine learning questions and solutions.

From the first minute, Nirmal and Karun reframed interviews as collaborative problem-solving sessions rather than adversarial tests. They stress that interviewers want to see your analytical process—how you break down a question, communicate trade-offs, and arrive at a solution. Adopting this mindset transforms nervousness into curiosity and helps you engage your interviewer in a genuine dialogue.

A balanced study plan is key. Divide preparation into three pillars: foundational theory (probability, statistics, linear algebra), algorithmic coding (data structures, dynamic programming, graph algorithms), and system design (end-to-end ML pipelines and scalability). By rotating focus among these areas each week, you mirror the multi-stage format used by top tech companies.

Platforms like LeetCode remain indispensable for coding practice. Karun recommends a progressive roadmap: start with easy array and string problems, advance to medium-level tree and two-pointer challenges, then tackle dynamic programming and graph questions. Aim for consistency—solving three to five problems weekly and revisiting past questions to reinforce patterns.

Real-world projects set you apart. Nirmal advises building end-to-end ML applications—whether in NLP, computer vision, or time series forecasting. Document your journey on GitHub or your personal blog, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your narrative. Quantify impact with metrics like accuracy improvements or latency reductions to make your achievements tangible.

Why does Decoding ML Interviews stand out? It categorizes questions into probability, ML theory, coding, system design, and behavioral case studies, each with in-depth walkthroughs. The living code notebooks on GitHub ensure examples stay current, and planned annual updates keep pace with emerging techniques like transformers and diffusion models.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 Structure of Machine Learning Interviews
06:40 Leetcode for Technical Screens
10:03 Building a Strong ML Foundation as a Student
15:24 Relevance of Projects in Interviews
21:06 Types of Qs in Decoding ML Interviews
26:20 Some FAQs in ML Interviews and Their Solutions
30:37 Future-Proofing the Book
33:30 The Importance of Code Examples
35:04 Nirmal & Karun Pick Their Fav ML Questions
38:55 Leveraging AI for Interview Preparation
42:08 Creative Approaches to Using AI Tools
45:44 The Value of Mock Interviews
48:21 Why You Should Get the Book

In this episode featured not-Guru is Jackie Henning. Jackie is a Product Manager at Cylinder and thru her content, has helped hundreds of aspiring PMs break into Product Management. We go over the exact steps anyone willing to break into PM can take, whether you're a student or a working professional - including actionable tools and resources to facilitate your transition.

Think product management is a velvet-roped lounge guarded by Stanford MBAs and ex-consultants with polished slide decks? Surprise—it’s more like an indie music venue with a bouncer who only checks whether you’ve actually played a set. In this episode I hand you a four-step, field-tested blueprint for cracking the product-management code without prior experience, corporate pedigree, or a single day in “Associate PM” purgatory.

Before recruiters even skim your résumé, they’re hunting for one signal: Have you built and shipped something that solved a real problem? We unpack the mental flip—from “I want a PM title” to “I solve user pain on deadline”—that separates career tourists from true builders. Think of this as the moment Neo sees the Matrix. After the switch flips, networking feels less like begging and more like swapping war stories.

Still juggling lectures, labs, or a 9-to-5 that smells nothing like product? Good. Campus hackathons, low-code Chrome extensions, and weekend API mashups are your new resume bullets. We dig into why a scrappy side-project—even one cobbled together in Notion and Figma—outshines a spotless GPA, and how to spin that story so talent partners at Meta, Microsoft, or the hot new SaaS startup have to call you back.

Generative AI isn’t coming for your job; it’s coming for your excuses. We walk through the exact toolkit—ChatGPT for lightning-fast PRDs, Maze for no-code user tests, Chisel for backlog triage, plus a sprinkle of Zapier and Midjourney for polished mockups—that compresses a month of product grunt work into a single Saturday sprint. Master the stack and you become a one-person product squad, ready for whatever 2025 (and the next algorithm update) throws at you.

We roast the rookie moves that tank otherwise promising candidates: resume buzzword-soup, writing “passionate about innovation” without evidence, and attaching a 42-slide deck no one asked for. We even tackle the awkward truth about AI-generated specs: if ChatGPT can spit out your entire product brief, you’ve written the wrong brief.

Finally, we gaze past the hype cycle. Will LLMs draft every user story? Probably. Will that kill the PM craft? Only if your entire value prop is formatting JIRA tickets. We explore the human skills—storytelling, prioritization under chaos, ethical decision-making—that no model can replicate, and why doubling down on them now will future-proof your career.

Whether you’re an engineering undergrad itching to ship something real, a marketing analyst tired of “report-monkey” purgatory, or a side-hustler angling for your first full-time PM role, this episode is your practical, no-fluff guide to breaking into product management without prior experience—and thriving as AI rewires the playbook.

All my links: readysetdopodcast.comJackie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinehenning/

Timestamps:(00:00) Background + Intro
(02:25) Jackie's Hot Take on Breaking Into PM
(05:26) Advice for Aspiring PMs – The Threshold Concept
(08:20) Gaining Product Experience as a Student
(10:41) Why Hands-On Experience Matters
(13:13) Building Your Own Product
(15:56) Leveraging AI Tools for Product Development
(22:47) Common Pitfalls in Product Management
(25:15) The Future of PM in the Age of AI
(33:40) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode my guest is Subhabrata Debnath. Subho is a co-founder and CTO at Neuralgarage, whose proprietary solution VisualDub provides state-of-the-art LipSync using AI while maintaining exceptionally high visual fidelity. With the hit feature Kesari 2, Neuralgarage also earned the world's first visual dubbing credits.

All my links: readysetdopodcast.comNeuralGarage: visualdub.inSubho: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdebnath1989/

Cut-through AI dubbing, on-device visual translation, and an Indian startup that just might rewrite the language of cinema—that’s the story of NeuralGarage and its flagship product VisualDub, a generative-AI engine that turns raw footage into studio-quality, lip-synced video in any language while keeping user data safely on the device. Over the past year the Bengaluru team has raised venture funding, won the media-tech category at SXSW, and landed more than fifty enterprise clients, positioning itself as the most exciting AI startup in India for film and advertising localization.

The competitive landscape is heating up. Hollywood’s Flawless AI popularized the term visual dubbing after showing Robert De Niro flawlessly mouth German without a reshoot, while European players push “studio grade” dubbing as a service. Yet few rivals combine edge privacy, near-real-time turnaround, and emerging-market price points. That combination is why global brands—from soft-drink giants to sneaker makers—are already running regional ad campaigns through VisualDub, rolling out Hindi, Spanish, and Thai cuts in hours rather than weeks.

Beyond film and streaming, the technology is already reshaping marketing strategy. Agencies now A/B-test entire voice tracks by region, swapping humor in Mexico for straight facts in Japan and watching engagement metrics climb. Ed-tech platforms are experimenting with lecture translation, and gaming studios are exploring real-time NPC dialogue localization. These use cases create a surge in demand for AI-savvy hardware engineers, speech scientists, and MLOps specialists—roles that remain chronically understaffed in India’s fast-growing deep-tech ecosystem.

NeuralGarage’s path from seed round to SXSW spotlight also shows how Indian founders can out-innovate better-funded Western peers by combining frugal engineering with sharp storytelling. The company’s advice to would-be AI builders is straightforward: curate your training data before you worry about model parameters, own a single vertical use case rather than chasing generic hype, and ship a field-tested product as fast as possible—because real customer feedback is the only benchmark that counts.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background
(02:14) The Reality of AI Startups
(05:08) The Evolution of AI Solutions
(07:26) What is NeuralGarage
(09:14) Competitive Landscape in Dubbing Technology
(14:16) The Technical Challenges of NeuralGarage
(16:28) How VisualDub Actually Works
(19:52) Unexpected Developmental Hurdles
(22:21) When the Whole Operation Almost Collapsed—And How They Fixed It
(25:08) Over 50 Brands Using VisualDub
(28:23) Transforming Marketing Strategies with Technology
(30:18) Is It Even Acting Anymore after Visual Dubbing?
(33:58) Navigating the Bollywood Landscape
(37:07) Building a Startup in the Media Industry
(41:00) Experiencing SXSW: A Global Stage
(46:07) Comparing Founders: India vs. the West
(49:33) Advice for AI Innovators
(51:05) Future Endeavors of NeuralGarage

In this episode of the Ready Set Do podcast w/ Naman Pandey, featured not-expert is Anshuman Kumar. Anshuman is the head of hardware at Matic Robots - whose $1100 smart home robot has been rated by Wired magazine as the best robot vacuum they've ever tested.

All my links: readysetdopodcast.com

What does it really take to build the best robot vacuum in the world—the one that Wired Magazine called “the most impressive cleaner we’ve ever tested”? In this episode I sit down with Anshuman Kumar, Head of Hardware at Matic Robots, to pull back the curtain on seven years of engineering decisions, failures, and counter-intuitive bets that turned a side-project into a category-redefining $1,100 smart-home robot.

Around the ten-minute mark you’ll hear Anshuman roast the entire robot-vacuum industry: he argues current machines “suck” not because suction is weak, but because their perception is worse than a toddler’s. That discussion tees up Matic’s first “aha” moment: teaching the robot to understand rooms the way people do. Leveraging semantic segmentation and a hefty NVIDIA Orin on board, Matic can remember that the “kitchen” is a grease-prone area, or that the dog’s food bowl is an immovable obstacle, and then generate the right cleaning plan without constant app babysitting.

Of course, a smarter robot raises thorny privacy questions. Mid-episode Anshuman outlines the team’s decision to keep all vision processing on the robot, never in the cloud—no images leave your home, period. That choice forced some brutal trade-offs in PCB layout, battery mass, and thermal engineering, but it paid dividends in user trust and latency-free autonomy. He also details how on-device compute enables features like “clean my bedroom before 7 am but skip the nursery,” entirely offline.

Then we get into the juicy stuff: the four most counter-intuitive hardware decisions Matic made and why each one broke conventional wisdom but unlocked breakthrough performance:

1. Sacrificing sheer suction for airflow geometry—because debris intake angle matters more than raw Pascals.

2. Discarding low-profile design; the robot stands noticeably taller to house a larger optical assembly and lift its camera above clutter, boosting coverage accuracy by 30 %.

3. Choosing a louder motor profile at specific frequencies that human ears quickly ignore, trading “whisper-quiet but high-pitch” for a hum that blends into background HVAC noise.

In this episode of Ready Set Do, my guest is Umang Chaudhary, a Machine Learning Engineer at TikTok and former Applied Scientist at Amazon. Umang’s story is one of momentum — a reminder that you don’t need decades of experience to reach the top tiers of tech. What matters more is the mindset: continuously learning, adapting fast, and being ready to leap when opportunity strikes.

We dive deep into how Umang built his way into machine learning roles in Big Tech without prior ML experience, and the exact principles that helped him accelerate his career both internally at Amazon and externally to TikTok. His path shows that success in tech isn’t about luck — it’s about strategic preparation, deliberate skill-building, and understanding where the industry is heading next.

Umang breaks down his early struggles, from navigating graduate school in the U.S. to handling the uncertainty of job hunting as an international student. He explains how to find leverage in every stage of your journey — whether that’s converting an internship into a full-time offer, pitching yourself for roles outside your comfort zone, or developing credibility in a field as competitive as machine learning.

We also talk about the hidden truth of career acceleration: the importance of consistency over intensity. Umang shares how he prepared for months before landing interviews, why most people give up too early, and what separates those who get rejected once from those who eventually break into elite teams. His advice on managing rejections, reframing failures, and staying mentally sharp during transitions is refreshingly real and actionable.

Another major insight from this episode is Umang’s perspective on risk and adaptability inside Big Tech. At Amazon, he learned how scientific rigor meets business impact — and how every algorithm, no matter how elegant, must tie back to measurable outcomes. Moving to TikTok introduced a whole new dimension of risk management, scale, and data culture. We discuss how these environments differ, what machine learning looks like behind the scenes in companies like TikTok, and how engineers can future-proof their skill sets as AI continues to evolve.

For anyone eyeing a transition from software development to machine learning, this conversation is a masterclass in how to position yourself for that leap. Umang breaks down what kind of projects actually stand out on a resume, how to build a real portfolio even without official ML job titles, and how to think like an applied scientist before you even become one.

Whether you’re a student preparing for your first ML interview, a software engineer exploring a move into AI, or a professional stuck wondering what your “next big jump” could be — this episode will give you a framework to act, not just plan.

It’s a story about breaking inertia, not waiting for permission, and redefining what “ready” really means.

🎧 Listen now to learn how Umang built his way from Amazon to TikTok, how he approaches learning as a lifelong system, and how you can apply the same principles to build a faster, more intentional career in tech.

Follow Umang on Instagram: @umangabroad
Explore all links and episodes: readysetdopodcast.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
04:36 Controversial Opinions on Moving to the US
07:03 Opportunities in the US for Future Students
10:55 Master's Journey and Lessons Learned
16:15 Internship Experience at Amazon
25:31 Transitioning Roles at Amazon and Career Growth
30:36 Navigating the TikTok Interview Process
32:27 Prioritizing Preparation for Interviews
35:03 Learning from Rejection: The Journey to Success
37:12 The Importance of Consistent Preparation
39:41 Motivation Behind Career Transitions
41:23 Understanding TikTok's Role in Risk Management
43:20 Future Aspirations and Mentorship in ML

In this episode, our featured not-expert is Varun Negandhi — founder of Beyond Grad, where he has coached 1,000+ experienced professionals into top-tier roles worldwide.

Varun shares exclusive interview-coaching insights from his 21-Day Interview Mastery cohorts. We cover practical frameworks for every interview-question type and the psychology of endearing yourself to any interviewer, no matter the industry, role, or career stage.

All my links
readysetdopodcast.com

Resources
Varun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vnegandhi/
Beyond Grad: https://beyondgrad.com

Timestamps

00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 The ONLY interview question you can prepare for and nail every time
04:24 Naman answers “Tell Me About Yourself”
06:26 Varun critiques (roasts) Naman’s response
09:53 The Three-Act Structure for “Tell Me About Yourself”
13:31 How to communicate the “fit” even when it isn’t obvious
16:06 Beginner frameworks for answering behavioral questions
20:28 Can you just “wing” behavioral questions?
23:15 The simply GENIUS framework for answering behavioral questions
27:26 Common interview pitfalls: navigating experience and anxiety
32:46 Why conclusions for ALL your responses are so underrated
35:10 Is my Indian accent holding me back in interviews?
39:19 Leveraging AI for interview preparation
43:25 Psychological tricks to endear yourself to interviewers
48:55 Battling anxiety before and during interviews
52:20 Overcoming overwhelm: the journey to interview mastery

In this episode, our featured not-expert is Farah Fallah Toosi.
This is a special crossover between the podcast and my YouTube series Build Your Own App, where we spotlight cutting-edge AI tools for everyday creators. Farah and I walk through multiple ways to build a fully customizable personal portfolio site that helps you stand out to recruiters. You’ll see a complete start-to-end demo using Lovable (host your site for free!), a quick tour of Webflow, back-end options, and a side-by-side comparison of today’s most prominent AI site-building tools (mid-May 2025).

All my socials
readysetdopodcast.com

Farah on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahenley/

Timestamps

00:00 Intro + Background
02:54 Why a portfolio site is a must-have to get hired
05:42 Overview of AI tools
14:48 Intro to Lovable
20:25 Generating the first version of the portfolio site
30:31 Making updates and deploying
33:57 Webflow overview
37:05 Comparative analysis of AI tools (May 2025)
43:12 Outro + subscribe for more vibe-coding demos!

In this episode featured not-expert is ... it's me. In this episode, my nephew, Akshansh who has been a featured not-expert on this show in the past asks me questions about how he can walk a path similar to the one I walked when I started my Masters from the US about 5 years ago from Purdue University before moving to Chicago for work, where I've been living for the past 3 years now.All my links/socials: campsite.bio/readysetdoTimestamps:00:00 Introduction + Background03:44 Key Components of a Strong Student Profile05:47 GRE is optional but take it anyway?06:45 Understanding GPA and Its Importance09:28 What is a safe tier 2 college GPA?11:06 Why Study Abroad? Benefits and ROI14:45 Differences in Educational Approaches17:27 Why Naman went for MS in US and not MBA/GATE20:56 Play games you're good at25:22 How eng students can figure out which course is best for them32:06 You can never run away from tech if you pick MS in USA37:11 Passion is overrated, optimize for practicality39:43 Is America still the premier study abroad destination?44:06 Crafting a Standout Application49:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode featured not-expert is Beni Wilson. Our discussion today centers around Beni's first visit to India, and we explore his experiences thru the perspective of an American traveling to India for the first time. We start with the similarities between America and India, which might surprise you actually, and then move on to covering the differences, starting with the smaller ones all the way to the largest. Some of the topics we cover, esp around religion can be slightly uncomfortable for certain people, so viewer discretion is advised.Support the Ready Set Do podcast across various social media:campsite.bio/readysetdoTimestamps:00:00:00 Background + Introduction00:03:16 Similarity 1 - Airports00:05:09 similarity 2 - withheld lol00:06:59 similarity 3 - church00:10:39 differences overview00:13:09 languages of india00:15:54 street and home-cooked foods of india00:21:31 people of india are friendlier than americans?00:23:52 shoutout to raghav, girl on a plane and wedding parade00:25:49 being asked for selfies and aggressive sales-y Kolkata people00:29:00 on safety and being alone in a deserted Howrah back alley00:32:19 on touristy sites and tourism experience in Kolkata and Udaipur00:38:19 heidi00:39:26 pollution00:43:17 why is there littering?00:45:34 gratefulness for what america has00:49:10 cheap manual labor & life in general00:51:14 religiosity, spirituality & hinduism aesthetics00:59:03 the ideal trip length to india01:00:51 critical things every american visiting india must know01:05:02 special mention - food

In this episode, featured not-expert is Suchit Sikaria. Suchit is the founder of Crucible Institute, a business school that is seeking to completely revamp higher business education in India - by optimizing for practical skills needed for digital first businesses (which the world (including india of course) is currently seeing a boom of) instead of outdated theory taught by industry professionals and with a fee structure that's super unique.

Support/connect with me: campsite.bio/readysetdo

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background

02:06 The State of MBA Education in India

03:31 Identifying Core Issues in MBA Programs

07:53 The Disconnect Between Education and Industry Needs

11:10 Curriculum Relevance and Evolution

13:16 The Role of Faculty in MBA Education

16:12 The Admission Process and Its Implications

20:12 Case-Based Learning Is Broken Too

22:07 Teaching Methodologies and Practical Applications

25:29 Industry Collaboration and Student Outcomes

26:41 The Crucible Model: A New Approach to Education

28:59 What Makes Crucible Different

31:36 Optimizing Curriculum for Digital-First Businesses

33:06 Innovative Course Offerings for Job Readiness

34:50 Course Duration

37:26 Solution to “Who Is Going to Teach?”

40:40 Content Is King—even While Designing a B-School

41:29 Learning Design and Course Structure

43:14 Tuition Fee Depends on Your Salary

49:17 Challenges and Pitfalls of the Fee Model

53:35 Core Values and Brand Purpose

n this episode, featured not-expert is Shifra Isaacs. Shifra is a Developer Relations Advocate at Ascend.io and this is part 2 of my 2-part conversation with her. the topic of this discussion is how professionals in any industry can and should be leveraging LinkedIn to grow their careers and networks, pivot to better toles, and build their personal brands. All my socials: campsite.bio/readysetdoSupport the podcast: campsite.bio/readysetdoTimestamps:00:00 Intro + Background01:47 Why must linkedin suck so much03:30 benefits of posting on linkedin?07:16 How and WHAT to post on linkedin10:19 how to battle the cringe12:59 standing out is actually easy15:03 Leveraging AI on linkedin and elsewhere

in this episode, featured not-expert is Shifra Isaacs. Shifra is a Developer Relations Advocate at Ascend.io and this is part 1 of my 2-part conversation with her. the topic of our discussion is how to switch to a career in tech - esp if you come from a non technical background - like Shifra, who had a background in music before becoming a data scientist and finally pivoting to the DevRel role.All my links: campsite.bio/readysetdoSupport the Ready Set Do podcast: campsite.bio/readysetdo

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + background01:45 Teaching about tech despite not coming "from" tech04:02 From Music to Data: A Career Transition06:41 Do what you like... not what you love08:49 "Finding" data science10:23 Dipping toes into the world of tech13:18 Breaking into Tech: Advice for Career Switchers16:31 Understanding the Field: Skills and Tools19:19 Finding Your Niche: Industry Insights22:32 Current Role: Developer Relations Advocate25:20 Technical Documentation and Community Building26:28 The Role of Mentorship in Learning29:16 Crafting Educational Content

In this episode featured not-expert is Matt Williams.

Matt is the Founder of the Approachable app, which helps people find friends to explore their city or go to events with - in a day and age where adults are lonelier than ever in AmericaPlease support the podcast by subscribing on Spotify/Apple Podcasts/any of your favorite podcast apps

All my links: campsite.bio/readysetdo

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + background02:34  Why did Matt build Approachable05:18  On pivoting away from the original AR platform idea08:24  If decent alternatives exist, should founders not build?11:07  Build process for the app14:09  “Do not hire US Engineers to build your apps”18:10  When do you know app is good enough to ship?19:59  What was the near‑term plan POST launch?22:36  Pitch decks and pitching for investment24:21  Revenue & making $18 K on launch party26:53  Individual people posting events is not the focus anymore29:14  Learnings about human psychology from user behavior data31:07  Security concerns arising from people meeting in‑person33:17  Conducting regular user interviews34:30  Differences in how both sexes behave on the app36:39  Leveraging Apple iOS Store data to drive UI/UX decisions41:27  Finding a unique niche amongst other in‑person social apps44:07  Outro + gratitude ​

In this episode featured not-expert is Sam LaFell. Sam is a Solutions Architect at Snowflake and has extensive past experience as a data engineer, which is the subject of our conversation today.

All the links to support me:

campsite.bio/readysetdo

campsite.bio/readysetdo

campsite.bio/readysetdo

Resources:

Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlafell/

Timestamps:00:00 - Background + Introduction01:39 - Sam's hot take on Data Engineering 03:26 - Delineating the three data fields - science, analytics + engineering 06:48 - The Lifecycle of Data Pipelines 08:12 - Why are data pipelines not a one-and-done? 11:36 - Switching into a tech career from comms background 16:21 - Getting A Masters in Analytics 17:15 - Switching to Data Engineering position 19:21 - Teaching oneself Python without any background 21:13 - WHY Data Engineering? 24:26 - Skills, resources and tools required for switching to data engineering 26:03 - Example of a GOOD data engineering project 28:36 - BUILD THIS PROJECT TO GET HIRED! 33:36 - Must-know TOOLS for data engineering and for your resume 35:13 - The Role of a Solutions Architect 38:52 - Story-telling is a key skill for solution architects 40:31 - AI's Impact on Data Engineering 43:21 - Outro + Gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Abhay Marda. For over the past five years, Abhay has been working out consistently - at first at home, and then in an actual gym. The question Abhay and myself have tried to answer here today is "Why should someone that has never worked out start working out and how can they do so?"

Beginner-friendly workout plan:

https://splendorous-flan-1dfe7d.netlify.app/

Abhay: https://www.instagram.com/abhaymarda/

All my social links: campsite.bio/readysetdo

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction + Background02:20 Tool- Health SIP Every Month05:20 Why should someone that has never worked out work out09:50 Why movement is important13:20 How Abhay started moving during Covid lockdown16:30 Hidden & underrated effects of working out 20:00 Nutrition34:18 Consistency over intensity38:00 Cardio sucks but so does your heart dying39:20 Abhay roasts Naman's workout plan...Fr tho its good enough to start!53:00 How to not quit & stay consistent58:00 Gratitude + Support me

I’m Naman Pandey — this is the Ready Set Do Podcast — and in this episode I talk with Hrohaan Malhotra, a Data Scientist at Wells Fargo who actually landed his role through a career fair. If that sounds lucky, it isn’t. Hrohaan rewired the usual career-fair playbook: he didn’t show up to collect business cards — he showed up to build one great, memorable interaction. That single idea changed everything.

Here’s the distilled playbook we unpacked — practical, no-fluff, and proven.

Start with a 30–60 second elevator pitch that does one job: communicate your unique value. Treat the pitch like a headline for your future self — name, current focus, one concrete win, and the role you want. Practice it until it sounds like a normal sentence, not a scripted announcement. Career centers and recruiters recommend short, targeted pitches that tie your skills to employer needs. Center for Career Development

Research before you show up. Don’t wander booth-to-booth. Make a short list of companies you actually want to talk to, learn one recent thing about each, and tailor your opening line. Recruiters notice curiosity that’s informed, not generic. Harvard career services calls this deliberate preparation a game-changer. careerservices.fas.harvard.edu

When a recruiter seems uninterested, don’t freeze or plead. Use the signal. If they’re distracted, ask one smart, specific question about their team’s current priorities or a recent announcement — that tiny pivot can flip boredom into engagement. And if it doesn’t, move on quickly and follow up later by email with a short note and a one-line reminder of what you discussed — timely follow-up often outperforms a long on-floor conversation. Remote-First Coaching+1

Charisma matters — but not in the fake, theatrical sense. Warmth, confidence, and curiosity make you memorable. Show energy, listen actively, and mirror small signals (eye contact, brief smiles). Research shows charisma helps form quick rapport and increases the chance a recruiter keeps your name after the fair. PMC

If you’re an international student: be prepared and transparent about your visa status. Employers legally evaluate work authorization, so learn your options, bring clear answers, and use campus career services to surface employers who sponsor. NACE and university career centers offer practical guidance so you’re not blindsiding recruiters or yourself. Default+1

Finally — the tactic Hrohaan swears by: convert means creating one memorable reason for the recruiter to follow up. It could be a specific project you’d add value to, a concise idea to improve a product, or a thoughtful question that only someone with your background would ask. Leave them with one clear next step: a time to talk again, a referral name, or a direct ask to apply to a particular opening. Small clarity, big results.

If you want the full conversation (real examples, exact phrases Hrohaan used, and the “rizz” moment that seals the deal), tune in to the episode. You’ll walk away with concrete lines to practice, and a mindset that treats career fairs like conversion labs — one focused, prepared interaction at a time.

Listen, try one tactic at your next fair, and tell me how it goes. Full episode and links at readysetdopodcast.com.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background
(01:55) How Hrohaan Got his Job at a Career Fair
(04:31) Crafting the Perfect Elevator Pitch
(07:19) How To CONVERT At A Career Fair
(11:05) When Recruiters Aren't Interested in Talking To You
(16:25) Rizz Will Get You Very Far
(20:56) Re-defining Success Criteria for Career Fairs
(26:13) Navigating Conversations and Selling Yourself
(29:05) Advice for Intl Students

In this episode featured not-expert is Anugrah Agnihotri. Anugrah is the founder of Dot - which as you'll see, is a very unique take on online journalism. Anugrah quit his job as a consultant at BCG after his MBA to dive into his founder journey full-time.

All my social links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Support the Ready Set Do podcast:

1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971

2. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779

3. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5

4. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false

5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background01:45 Anugrah's hot take on news media industry 04:12 Introducing DOT: A New Approach to Journalism 09:04 What problem does DOT solve? 11:16 Background story on how Anugrah started and scaled DOT 16:27 A clean and minimalist news website??? SHOCKING 19:48 EVERY detail on the site adds VALUE to Dot's value proposition 23:12 Why not just start a YouTube channel? 27:13 Business model/pricing for DOT 30:02 Feedback Mechanisms in Media 32:35 Democratizing Media and News Councils 34:02 Navigating Truth VS Facts in Journalism 37:38 The Art of Writing Engaging Content 40:51 The Role of AI in Writing 43:40 Marketing Strategies for News Platforms 48:22 Not all experts are created equal 49:50 Future Plans for DOT 54:12 Lessons from Solopreneurship 59:06 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Sara Gomez. Sara is a forensic science graduate from University College London with experience as a Forensic Biology Research Intern at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

campsite.bio/readysetdoAll my social links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo

campsite.bio/readysetdo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=449712. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=37187987793. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF54. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background01:57 Covid quarantine made her watch a lot of true crime shows and04:36 Transitioning from Neuroscience to Forensic Science06:46 Choosing the Right Forensic Science Program10:53 Curriculum Insights: Courses and Practical Experiences13:34 The Role of Forensic Scientists in Crime Investigations (Deductions)15:08 Case Studies and Their Impact on Forensic Science18:57 Who does what at a crime scene?21:39 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations in Forensics23:33 Exploring Career Opportunities in Forensic Science25:49 The Reality of Forensic Science Job Market27:26 Debunking Forensic Myths from Pop Culture29:36 The Emotional Toll of Forensic Work32:52 Innovative Technologies in Forensic Science37:58 The Impact of Real-Life Forensics on Personal Perspective40:36 Forensics will reshape your entire world-view42:52 Navigating Challenges as a Non-Native English Speaker44:00 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Bhoomika Jaggi. Bhoomika is a data scientist who pivoted to a career in data science after a masters in economics and econometrics.

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhoomika-jaggi/

campsite.bio/readysetdoAll my social links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:

1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971

2. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779

3. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5

4. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false

5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background01:51 Bhoomika's message to all econ students everywhere 04:02 Economics Is NOT JUST Finance 05:43 How To Begin Learning Economics (Self Learning) 08:03 Bhoomika's background - 3 degrees in economics 11:07 Out of context and suddenly super technical Master's degree 13:47 PhD in Economics: Structure and Challenges 16:35 Development Economics: Understanding Inequality 20:10 The shocking truth about research in PhD econ 21:36 What is a MS in Econometrics all about? 25:43 The Limitations of Economic Models - Game Theory 28:43 Navigating Data and Economics 33:23 Exploring Poverty and Financial Inclusion 40:23 Is socialism or capitalism better according to Economics Theory? 42:04 Bridging the Gap: Academia and Industry 46:01 Challenges with transitioning to data science 48:37 Tips for landing internships! 51:08 Career Opportunities for Economics PhD Students 54:52 Abundant opps for PhD economics in industry!!

In this episode featured not-expert is Rishika Chatterjee.

Rishika is an assistant manager at Invest India, which is The National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of the Government of India.

Resources:

Rishika: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishika-chatterjee/

Invest India Jobs: https://www.investindia.gov.in/careers

Startup India: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/

BHASKAR: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/bhaskarcampsite.bio/readysetdoAll my social links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=449712. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=37187987793. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF54. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background02:00 Coming back to India after Masters in Paris04:41 How to get into Invest India/startup India type offices?08:13 What are some other "private" govt orgs like startup india?09:47 Invest India vs Startup India11:18 A day in the life working at Startup India12:54 Benchmarking startups in ALL Indian states15:03 Why did Startup India only start in 2016? SOOO LATE!!16:58 The exciting recent vibe shift around startups19:25 Navigating Funding and Foreign VC Relationships23:34 Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship25:27 How did Entrepreneurs become celebrities in India?27:10 Working on BHASKAR - AKA complete game-changer!!31:40 Where does the MONEY come from?33:52 Accountability in Spending tax-payer money...35:01 Navigating Startup Selection37:13 Challenges with FRAUD Startups39:50 Changing Perceptions of India Abroad43:16 UPI being India's crown jewel45:43 How can YOU contribute to the India Growth Story?49:45 Geographical Impact Within India on Entrepreneurship54:03 Can a startup fix Delhi's air pollution crisis?57:57 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is... me

Survey form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Mvg14N8Cgr4TYua6l_sab9Rwu7qcSdZo6F0lBUWOKq8

Use my affiliate link for Riverside:https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=naman

campsite.bio/readysetdo

All my social links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:

1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971

2. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779

3. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5

4. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false

5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction + Background02:00 Chapter 1 : Motivation03:26 Why Ready Set Do?04:44 Chapter 2 - Identifying Your Theme05:27 Entertainment Vs Informative Podcasts06:23 On Niches08:34 How To Do Initial Research Using YouTube And Tools Like VidIQ12:21 Chapter 3: Essential Tools #1- Studio Quality Audio For Free!!13:40 Essential Tool #2 - Riverside.Fm16:08 Chapter 4: Crafting Your Podcast Identity17:13 Logo - How To Iterate And Land On The Final Version20:57 Using Claude For Logo Ideas22:35 Chapter 5: Post Production & Publishing Your Podcast23:16 Spotify Vs YouTube24:34 Chapter 6: Creators.Spotify.Com25:16 Which Platforms Should You Market Your Content On?26:41 Generating And Uploading Clips28:39 Titles & SEO Tags For YouTube30:24 How To Make Good Thumbnails For YouTube33:24 Chapter 7: How To Own Your Podcast34:50 How To Iterate Effectively35:55 Chapter 8: How To Find Guests37:00 In-Person Recordings37:30 Outro + Conclusion

In this episode, featured not-expert is Gaurav Khanna. We go over Gaurav's incredible weight loss journey and share how you can eat home cooked meals as busy bachelors to meet your fitness goals. All my links!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!campsite.bio/readysetdo-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:1. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=449712. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=37187987793. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF54. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false5. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Resources:Time Ferriss's 4 Hour Body: https://fourhourbody.com/Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background01:39 Gaurav's hot take on healthy eating02:58 On dropping 23 kgs/ 50 lbs03:51 Gaurav's Weight Loss Journey04:12 What made Gaurav start thinking about eating healthy07:37 Coming up with a plan11:08 Why tracking calories is important12:49 Understanding the Importance of Balanced Diet12:49 Why balanced diets matter (for some)17:27 Discussion on Tim Ferriss's Four Hour Body Rules20:26 Don't drink your calories!22:16 Sustainability of Crash Diets24:13 Brian Johnson's Dietary Approach24:13 Gaurav's Daily Meal Routine28:18 Lunch + Dinner plans for weight loss + healthy yummy food32:48 Protein Intake for weight loss35:49 Download Yuka to know how healthy FMCG products are37:25 Nutritional Strategies for Weight Management37:44 Intensive Workouts and Their Impact on Diet37:45 Probiotics are a CHEATCODE39:11 Naman's diet for gaining muscle47:35 Covfefe49:45 On how to eat the same meals every time50:00 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Aman Goyal.

Resources:

Aman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amangoyal99/

Articles and Resume Keywords, Template -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QaBsCwkIUXxEVqXioFZUSP_djXqHZufbhv0ft2teHpg/edit?usp=drive_link

Product Design prep https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OGekPplaTWcjRLY6OcNtB436cbIt64PurhXztU0HJ2Y/edit?usp=drive_link

Behavioral prep https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WfxAXkpuHYtKV1FzyfdNGv3m0cJg0E3Fe9b1ixqsio8/edit?usp=drive_link

Product Execution https://docs.google.com/document/d/15KY-i_Q2cdlHTLvoSxXEMIZAQkEAeATlfUcacaDrLkE/edit?usp=sharing

Guesstimateshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1tsFbB7QnBP9SmoU_-WtM0-AaomO5m2eaJe5t7z1nhNY/edit?usp=sharing

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:16 On AI replacing APM and Jr PM roles (and eventually PM)
04:35 Even TPM/EPM roles are probably not safe
07:35 Aman Goyal's Journey to Product Management
10:15 Project to detect triply riders on two wheelers
12:12 Why product management?
13:47 Transitioning from Technical Roles to Product Management
15:39 Product breakdowns to prepare for PM roles
19:43 Upskilling for (AI)PM roles
23:34 Reading suggestions for PM (Why Cracking the PM Interview sucks)
25:54 How to get people to agree to coffee chats on LinkedIn
29:20 How are AIPM roles different from generic PM roles?
32:37 Without technical ML experience, are you doomed?
35:26 The Importance of Experience and Projects
36:09 Job Application Insights for US Students
37:49 Networking Strategies for Success
41:10 Mastering Mock Interviews
43:50 Lewis Lin's community is a GAME CHANGER for mock interviews
46:27 Naman's Google TPM interview experience
48:04 How mock interviews helped Aman crack first US internship
51:29 How to prep for Product Design Questions
53:11 How to answer behavioral interview questions
58:36 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Jasprit Kaur. Jasprit is a climate change advisor at GIZ and a master's degree holder from LSE in climate regulation and policy.

Find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasprit-kaur/

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background02:07 What made Jasprit take interest in climate action?04:55 Undergrad project with UNICEF06:50 Urban Planning and Its Impact on Climate Resilience08:32 Taking responsibility in group projects made ALL the difference12:25 Urban planning facts that will SURPRISE you15:10 Learning about Environmental Policy at LSE18:50 Understanding key policy frameworks23:33 Application Process for Environmental Planning program at LSE26:21 Journey after graduating from LSE28:30 Global Fellowship and Waste Management Initiatives31:05 Understanding Circular Economies33:59 Waste Management and Climate Action35:32 The Reality of Landfills37:57 The CORE Idea of circular economies - THIS IS IMPORTANT!40:43 Misconceptions About Climate Change in India42:51 Climate action affects EVERYONE46:21 What can young people do to contribute towards climate action48:46 Carbon lock-ins and overhauling existing systems49:35 A Day in the Life at GIZ52:41 Working with international and national governments and startups on climate action55:20 Call to Action for EVERYONE listening57:32 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Ved Pandey.In keeping with our theme of learning from somebody that’s just two steps ahead instead of an expert, my goal with this episode is to explore the mind and musings of a young boy - and how the timeless optimism of childhood can indeed be discovered by anyone of any age. By the end of this episode, you will walk away with a perspective on why the child-like curiosity is the greatest treasure we possess, and yet something we all discard as we grow up.In this episode we also witness the Conventional Mind in action.In Robert Greene's Mastery, the concept of the Conventional Mind describes how societal pressures, practical demands, and conformity erode the innate openness and curiosity we possess as children. Greene contrasts this with the Dimensional Mind, which retains childlike wonder while integrating disciplined expertise.

Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction and Background(02:30) A message for the whole world(03:30) On school(05:30) On bullies(06:20) On technology(09:20) On YouTube and YouTuber aspirations(12:30) What is Ved a not-expert at?(14:10) On coding (and being amazing at it)(15:30) What does Ved want to be when he's older(18:10) On focus and hard work(19:20) On Harry Potter(21:45) On sports(23:00) Ved asks me questions(28:20) On inventing a gadget(29:03) Most important lesson Ved has learnt in 8 years of existence(31:00) Messages for future Ved

In this episode, featured not-expert is Guru Pashupati AKA Ashwin Chekava. Guru Pashupati is the Parampara Adhikari or the lineage authority of Trilok Akhada, which is a school of Nath yoga - established by none of other than the father of Yoga, Shankarnath, over 17,000 years ago.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to being a unique bridge to ancient Hindu spiritual knowledge, the guru is also a martial arts virtuoso trained and certified in various forms of martial arts making him a true paragon of physical and spiritual discipline.

We explore themes of the role of religion in 2025, the westernization and rebranding of hindu yogic practices - and so much more.

Resources:  @gurupashupati  https://chamundigurukulam.in/founders/

Timestamps: 00:00 Journey of Awakening: Guru Pashupati's Early Life 02:26 Meeting Goddess Kali as a kid and going to the graveyard 04:23 Mahavtaar Babaji coming back in Guru's life 07:12 On hitting rock bottom 09:31 What are the "services" of Guru Pashupatinath 11:15 Process of induction of new disciples 13:55 Western "Science" Proves What Yoga Already Knows 16:11 Spirituality being a coping mechanism - only truth is religion 18:57 Yoga IS A Religion 20:23 How can we return to Hinduism? 24:01 Why the West hates Gurus - but they're core of Hinduism 26:01 Where can you find a guru? (Things got kinda heated here) 27:53 Guru Pashupati's advice to budding gurus (Ready Set Do theme lol) 29:40 Disciples need "tough love" aka SLAPPING from gurus sometimes 32:31 Simulating situations in disciples' lives to train them 33:31 Understanding Hinduism and the Caste System 37:13 Guru on being from all four castes 38:35 The Evolution of Caste and Moral Corruption 41:00 Daily Practice 1 - Chanting OM 43:18 Daily practice 2 - Antaryam 45:39 On the perceived merit of ancient practices 46:54 Leveraging Social Media for Spiritual Outreach 50:05 On Yogis as not-experts.. 51:55 Outro + Gratitude

Moving abroad for studies often gets reduced to a checklist: applications, visas, internships, and landing that first good job. In this episode of Ready Set Do I sit down with Bhushan Chougule, a graduate student at Purdue University studying Engineering Management, to talk about what most study-abroad advice misses — the small, human things that actually make your time overseas feel like living instead of surviving.

We start with the practical moves: how to move to a new city for an internship or job without burning cash, how to scout housing that balances convenience and safety, and simple rent-optimization tactics that make a real difference to your monthly budget. Bhushan and I dig into cost-of-living trade-offs and everyday money hacks — from grocery strategies to budgeting apps — that compound into meaningful savings over a semester. We also cover safety in a non-alarmist way: neighborhood research, campus resources, transit awareness, and routines that keep you secure while giving you freedom.

Beyond logistics, the episode is about people. We talk about building social connections from scratch — how to find activities, meet people beyond class groups, and make genuine friendships that last. Bhushan shares candid stories about embracing solo dining, showing up to events alone, and how those small, awkward choices open doors to a city’s social life. We dig into the importance of intent when socializing: being curious, generous, and consistent beats clever networking hacks every time.

Work culture differences come up honestly — the practical expectations around punctuality, initiative, and feedback that often separate success in India from success in the US. Bhushan’s perspective as a Purdue student makes these contrasts real and actionable: how to adapt quickly without losing your identity, how to ask the right questions at work, and how to translate academic experience into career currency.

Dating, relationships, and boundaries are part of the conversation too. We talk consent culture, online dating norms, and how to balance romance with personal growth while you’re focused on studies. Mental health and homesickness are treated with empathy; we discuss campus counseling, peer groups, and tiny habits that rebuild routine and resilience when home feels far away.

Quick housing tips: find reliable roommates, when to sublet, landlord questions that matter, and why transit proximity saves money. Bhushan points to campus boards, local groups, and budgeting apps. We cover part-time work and mental health resources.

If you’re moving abroad, this episode gives practical moves you can use. Visit readysetdopodcast.com

All links and resources are on readysetdopodcast.com — tune in, share with a friend who’s planning a move, and try one small habit from the episode this week. Small decisions — the routes you take, the people you show up for, the questions you ask — shape the quality of your time abroad far more than any single internship or paycheck.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 Navigating the International Student Experience
05:08 Housing Strategies for International Students
08:09 Rent Optimization and Cost of Living
11:19 Safety Considerations in New Environments
14:04 Building Social Connections in a New City
17:12 Work Culture Differences India vs US
26:12 Building Connections in a New City
29:43 Finding Activities to Meet People
31:48 The Importance of Intent in Socializing
33:55 Embracing Solo Dining Experiences
38:15 Navigating Dating and Relationships
41:53 The Value of Diverse Connections
47:35 Genuine Conversations and Building Friendships

In this episode, featured not-expert is Karun Thankachan. Karun is a Sr Data Scientist at Walmart and a past data scientist at Amazon. Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karunt/

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction + Background 01:56 Completing 18k bookings on TopMate 04:03 Common Pitfalls in Job Applicants/Mentees 07:59 Breaking into Data Science 10:22 HOW To Use LinkedIn for Networking and Building a Portfolio 12:18 Karun's journey and background thus far 15:58 MS in Data Science from CMU - experience + learnings 20:06 Example of a CMU MS in DS assignment (level: HARD) 24:28 Applying for internships + building resume DURING your masters 26:47 Tech upskilling on LeetCode + DS interview prep 28:57 Solve these Leetcode playlists to get hired!! 31:19 Technical knowledge needed in ADDITION to Leetcode 33:01 Prep strategies for product data science roles 35:57 Distinguishing Data Science, Data Engineering, and ML Engineering 40:13 Machine Learning Engineering 43:06 Mid-level Job Market for Data Science 47:35 A Day in the Life of a Data Scientist 50:49 Tools/frameworks used daily in data science jobs 54:47 Will AI replace data science engineers? 57:25 Final advice for data science enthusiasts

In this episode, featured not-expert is Atal Agarwal.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support the Ready Set Do podcast:2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysetdopodcast3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Resources: https://opensphere.ai/https://www.linkedin.com/in/atalovesyou/Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background01:36 Introduction and Recent Experiences02:53 Discussion on Birthright Citizenship and Immigration Rights06:22 The Impact of Executive Orders on Immigrant Families09:11 Merit-Based Immigration and Employment Visas12:08 Challenges in the H1B Visa System14:43 Divisions Within the Republican Party on Immigration17:30 The Argument for Staying in One's Home Country19:15 The Pursuit of Knowledge vs. Escape20:36 Consumer Mindset and Nationalism22:15 The Role of Talent in Economic Growth23:07 Advocacy for India and America25:05 OpenSphere.ai: Empowering Immigrants28:20 Navigating Criticism and Embracing Learning33:33 A Message for Indian Immigrants

In this episode, featured not-expert is  @TheAJSound .

Arjun is an IT-professional turned singer/producer/songwriter known for his hit indie songs. Join us for an intimate journey through the life of a musician who traded corporate stability for artistic passion. From navigating YouTube and original music creation to channeling heartbreak into creativity, our guest shares their breakthrough journey and practical insights into brand building in the digital age. The conversation explores love, relationships, and finding purpose through music, offering both inspiration and actionable wisdom for anyone looking to turn their artistic dreams into reality.

Resources: https://www.instagram.com/theajsound/?hl=en https://theajsound.com/

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro + Background 02:02 The Journey Begins: Quitting for Passion 05:28 Navigating the Music Industry & YouTube: From Covers to Originals 08:39 The Art of Creation: Finding Your Unique Voice 10:45 The Breakthrough: Teri Hasi and Its Impact 13:06 Making music after a BAD breakup 13:27 Motivation and Healing: The Power of Music 16:26 Building a Brand: From Digital to Live Performances 19:20 Marketing Strategies: Fueling the Fire 24:32 The Importance of Brand Awareness 25:26 Balancing Passion and Stability: The Job Dilemma 28:21 Comfort vs. Passion: The Real Trade-off 33:30 The Role of Self-Confidence in Success 37:28 A Love Story: From Fans to Partners 42:25 The Sacred Nature of Love and Relationships 46:57 Guiding the Next Generation of Artists 51:02 Finding Your Purpose Through Exploration 55:47 The Journey of Music and Childhood Influences 59:34 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Emma Jackson. Emma is the creative director at The Idea Farm - https://www.youtube.com/@thejourney-tif, which is a marketing consultancy with over 50 years of history that seeks to help businesses crack the code of digital marketing in today's privacy-first world.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: https://www.theideafarm.net/about Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction + Background 02:32 Digital Marketing and Idea Farm 05:41 Evolution of Digital Marketing Landscape: 2019 vs 2025 07:57 "Ask app not to track" WRECKED digital marketing 10:09 Framework: Visual - Copy - Offer 12:37 Tailoring Marketing Approaches for Different Businesses 16:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Marketing 18:45 When a dentist's selfies BEAT professional video content 21:25 Tracking client lists and noting WHAT worked historically 24:26 How to get started with a digital marketing company 27:56 The Importance of Local Presence in Marketing 31:13 This popular marketing strategy does NOT work 32:53 Don't be at the mercy of social media algorithms - podcast growth tips 37:03 Understanding Algorithms and Engagement 39:17 Tool: ALWAYS use new features of various social media sites to ride the wave 42:16 Leveraging Cultural Nuances in Marketing 43:58 Marketing in-person events 47:23 Combining Online and Offline Strategies 49:07 When are paid ads ALWAYS better than organic growth? 52:25 Challenges with Client Expectations 54:22 Outro + Gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Supreeth Reddy. Supreeth is the co-founder of Serene AI, which is an sleep-tech startup.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We discuss two tightly coupled themes in today’s discussion - primarily how Supreeth built this start-up and secured investment for it; but also the fact that he did this WHILE being a Master’s student on an F-1 visa. For those uninitiated, this is fairly rare as the F-1 isn’t exactly the ideal visa status to be able to start a company on. We go over the exact problem that Serene AI solves, the tech behind it, and Supreeth’s journey thru finding mentorship, shipping the first version, building in stealth mode and collaborating with lawyers and regulatory bodies and think-tanks in Silicon Valley to finally go public. Any person who is interested in starting a company will find a lot of value in this episode. Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supreeth-reddy-738808120/ https://sereneai.org/ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:16) What is Serene AI? (05:24) Original vision of Serene AI before pivots and iterations (07:59) Building the MVP: From Concept to Reality (11:10) User Feedback and Iteration (14:01) The NABC Framework and Market Positioning (16:52) Understanding User Sleep Patterns (20:10) Real-World Testing @ Stanford Research Institute (22:58) Finding an unexpected user-base in veterans (25:45) Balancing Complex Features and User Experience (29:52) Challenges in Development and Future Vision (31:45) Navigating the Investor Landscape (35:30) Leveraging Legal Resources (38:01) The Stealth Mode Strategy (39:51) Utilizing University Networks (40:49) The DUNS Number Process (42:41) Preparing for Public Launch (43:46) Balancing Work and Startup (46:58) Comparing Startup Ecosystems: India vs. USA (49:22) The Art of Customer Empathy (50:26) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Zhanna Biletska. Zhanna is a Chicago-based artist whose work has been featured on many prominent galleries and art conferences. The topic for today’s discussion is how to sustain a comfortable livelihood thru the pursuit of art. If you’re like me, you’ve definitely marveled at some of the exquisite beauty artists and painters can produce, but at the same time have probably scratched your head about “where is the money?”

As the old meme goes, “Born to make art, forced to produce content” - we discuss Zhanna’s experience at art school, why she’s drawn to the impressionist style and what that even means, how art galleries work, building an online presence, and how she’s carved out a hidden niche for herself with painting people’s houses and her thoughts on AI art.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timestamps: (00:00) Intro + Background (02:53) Early life - Growing up in Ukraine (06:39) What EXACTLY is taught in art schools? (It's not just art…) (10:31) Painting with different types of colors - acrylics, oil, water + which is hardest? (14:25) Moving to the US + how to monetize art & photography talent? (17:48) Creating a hidden niche that didn't exist before (19:58) Art exhibits + how to land a spot in them + commission fees :( (22:53) Painting chicago skylines for sale on art site (25:20) Strategies to convert sales + build a following online (28:23) Born to make art, forced to produce content (29:38) what's so special about the impressionist style of art (32:38) Using colors to portray emotions, life and moods (34:57) Challenges while painting a building in impressionist style over several days (38:11) Artist goals - do they make sense? (39:45) Zhanna's Artist inspirations (current famous artists trivia) (41:08) What makes a painting a masterful work of art? (41:53) Where does improvement come from for an artist's work? (42:49) Will AI end artists' careers forever? (45:15) Outro + gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Aashka Patel. Aashka is the founder of various initiatives all focused on AI regulation, including her podcast  @onairwithaashka , while also being a freelance bug bounty hunter for Anthropic. The topic for today’s discussion is AI Safety and Regulation - what exactly it means, why its important and what the average person of the world can do to play their part. We also go over some of the most critical risks that are already becoming prevalent, including the tragic incident of a florida teenager who tragically ended his life in connection with a character.ai bot and steps that can be taken to prevent such instances to the degree possible. We also go over potential career paths in this space that are going to blow up in upcoming years and user responsibility with AI interactions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: https://www.anthropic.com/research/constitutional-ai-harmlessness-from-ai-feedback https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashkapatel608/ Chatbot hints at suggesting k*lling parents: https://www.npr.org/2024/12/10/nx-s1-5222574/kids-character-ai-lawsuit

Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:42) On AGI & Regulation (04:35) Aashka's Journey into AI Safety (08:10) Understanding Anthropic and Constitutional AI (12:00) How did ChatGPT ship before Claude AI (14:53) AI Prompt Jailbreaking as a starting point (21:05) Most Critical Risks of AI Tools (27:01) On Florida teenager incident linked to character.ai bots (29:12) How to setup guard-rails to prevent AI mishaps? (32:45) Career Paths in AI Safety and Regulation (37:40) The Need for AI Education and Awareness (39:39) AI in classrooms - genius or dangerous? (44:03) The Role of Nonprofits in AI Safety (47:09) User Responsibility in AI Interactions (49:44) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode, featured not-expert is Farah Fallah Toosi. Farah is an Engineering Mgmt student at Purdue with extensive experience as a program slash project manager professional in organizations such as Apple and Capital One bank - having many coveted certifications in her belt including Scrum, Safe and Agile Product Mgmt. Our discussion today is centered around the PM roles - product, project and program management. We go over exactly what each of them entail, the overlaps and differences, and how one can break into each of the above in great detail. Indeed, Farah takes us thru all the skillsets that one has to cultivate for their PM role of choice as well as why, and spoiler alert, those can look very different depending on which “PM” you’re aiming for. Finally, we top it all off by discussing some common criticisms around Agile and whether or not they’re justified, and some amazing resources which I have linked in the description for you to get a strong grip on Agile.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: https://agilemanifesto.org/ PEAK book: https://a.co/d/10zNJw2 The PHOENIX Project: https://a.co/d/66VvfIP Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:23) Farah's Career Snapshot (04:18) Apple AI/ML EPM Internship + Naman's Brush with Google TPM (07:04) Interviewing for PM Positions (10:47) Understanding Product, Project, and Program Management (14:03) Product Management Deep-Dive (17:46) How Much Tech Expertise Do Product Managers Need? (19:37) PM Roles Analogies to CXOs - WATCH THIS PART!! (21:51) Importance of CSM Certification for Product Managers (23:54) Farah's Passion for PM + Purdue MEM (26:55) Program Management Deep-Dive (29:17) Tools for Program Management (31:48) The Art of Escalation (35:00) It's All About Proactive Communication (37:23) Navigating Change and Adaptability (41:14) Project Management Deep-Dive (44:19) The Future of Individual Contributor PM Roles (47:55) Agile Methodology Criticisms + Farah's PM Certifications Journey (51:53) Agile Resources + Book Recs (Also Linked in Bio) (57:05) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Vishwas Shanbhag. Vishwas is the head of Revenue Strategy at VerSe. The subject of today’s discussion is AdTech. Vishwas takes us thru the fascinating and cash-strapped world of ad tech and the engineering marvels it takes to serve personalized ads to users within 200 ms. We also go over some innocent and otherwise things companies do to track and store your data, exactly how cookies and tracking pixels work and why it can be risky to allow third party cookies, and a lot of best practices on how we can best secure our data online while also not degrading our search experience.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resources: Vishwas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishwas-shanbhag/ Timestamps: (00:00) Background + Introduction (02:35) Vishwas's Journey into Ad Tech (07:45) Understanding the Basics of Ad Tech (10:02) InMobi's Role in the Ad Tech Ecosystem (13:24) Real-Time Ad Serving Mechanism (16:06) Data Collection and User Privacy (19:00) Skills for Aspiring Ad Tech Professionals (21:39) User Data and Targeting in Ad Tech (25:16) Privacy Concerns in Ad Tech (28:40) Understanding Cookies and Privacy (31:38) Quality experience on the internet comes with loss of privacy? (36:54) Are Ads Really That Bad? (41:13) Data Privacy and Public Wi-Fi Risks (46:01) Ads shown for what you watch on Netflix (49:25) Alexa & Siri are ALWAYS listening? (51:59) Are they listening to what you talk about to suggest ads? (55:10) Do NOT allow all permissions (photos etc) to random apps (57:46) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Rohan Gautam.

Rohan is the author of the book Romeo, Juliet and Hitler; an up-and-coming stand-up comic and is about to drop his first non-fiction venture as well. We discuss Rohan’s adventure of writing his first fiction book with over 50k words, and he takes us through his bias to action philosophy that got him there.

We then discuss Rohan’s foray into the nerve-wracking world of stand-up comedy, what to expect at your first open mic, how to improve and conclude with Rohan sharing insights on publishing, editing and honestly everything you need to know to drop your first book - having done it twice now. Resources: Romeo, Juliet & Hitler: https://www.amazon.com/Romeo-Juliet-Hitler-Rohan-Gautam/dp/9382665056

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:19) Contrasting between writing comedy and “serious” material (04:63) Writing "Romeo, Juliet and Hitler" (09:19) Writing Advice: Nobody Cares, Just Improve 1% Daily (14:29) Continuous Progress in Book Writing (17:19) Crafting Standup Comedy Material (19:12) First Open Mic Experience (21:52) Starting Standup: Common Challenges (25:37) Importance of Relatability in Comedy (27:14) Open Mic Logistics & Behind-the-Scenes (30:15) YouTube Journey for Comics/Commentators (33:06) Non-Fiction Writing: Human Potential (37:11) Book Publishing and Editing Process (42:21) Author vs. Editor: Book Editing Dynamics (45:21) Outro + Gratitude

I’m Naman Pandey — welcome to Ready Set Do. If you want a ruthless, recruiter-grade breakdown of how to actually get hired in 2025, press play. This episode features Shreya Mehta — professional growth coach and former recruiter at Microsoft, Amazon, and TikTok — and she does something rare: she publicly evaluates (nay, lovingly roasts) my podcast producer Deep’s LinkedIn profile and uses that teardown to teach every listener the exact moves that win interviews and offers.

Why this episode matters
Most job-search advice is vague. Shreya gives tactical, field-tested playbooks recruiters use to judge candidates in sixty seconds. From application strategy to interview answers, from ATS hacks to sponsorship questions — this is the kind of inside view you won’t find in generic career blogs. If you’re job hunting, switching industries, or nervous about sponsorship, these are the specific changes that move your profile from “meh” to “hireable.”

What you’ll get (real, usable takeaways)
• A recruiter’s POV on LinkedIn: what to keep, what to delete, and how to build a headline and about section that actually convert views into messages.
• Resume tailoring that passes ATS and wins human readers: format rules, keyword placement, and what recruiters actually scan for.
• Networking that works: scripts for outreach, timing, and how to turn a cold message into a coffee chat.
• Application strategy: how to pick roles to apply to, when to use referrals, and when “easy apply” is sabotaging you.
• Sponsorship advice: how to answer “Do you require sponsorship?” without tanking your chances.
• Interview prep: high-impact answers, de-risking techniques, and the tiny habits that remove interview anxiety.
• Live diagnosis: Deep’s profile teardown — watch us fix errors in real time and model the changes for your own profile.

Who this episode is for
Early-career professionals, mid-career pivoters, international applicants who need sponsorship, and anyone who’s tired of ghosting and wants predictable results. If you’re applying for roles at FAANG, startups, or corporate teams, these frameworks scale.

How to use this episode
Listen with your LinkedIn and resume open. Pause after each section and implement one change immediately. Pick one outreach script and send three messages today. Run a two-week experiment: apply to five roles using these techniques and track responses.

Quick promise
Do this work, and you’ll see a measurable difference in recruiter replies, interview invites, and the quality of interviews you get. The job market is unforgiving — but predictable. This episode hands you the predictability.

If this helped, subscribe to Ready Set Do, leave a rating, and tell me which profile you want us to roast next. Ship the micro-changes. Get the offer. Then DM me — I want to hear your wins.

00:00 — Intro + Background
01:45 — Avoid these Pitfalls that most job-seekers make
04:55 — NON-generic advice for struggling job-seekers
08:23 — Effective Networking Strategies
11:01 — Understanding Recruiter Dynamics
14:25 — Building a Strong LinkedIn Profile
16:43 — Live LinkedIn Profile Review
21:51 — How to write a good about me
26:36 — The Importance of Portfolios and Featured Sections
29:38 — Maximizing LinkedIn Skills and Experience Sections
33:19 — The Role of Education in Job Applications
37:11 — Understanding the Recruitment Process and ATS
41:23 — Stop making these resume mistakes!!
43:15 — Does easy apply work?
44:37 — Navigating Sponsorship Questions
48:15 — Preparing for Screening Calls
54:48 — The Role of Career Coaches in Job Search
58:30 — The Fulfillment of Mentorship

In this episode, featured not-expert is Nikhil Pentapalli. Nikhil is a Sr Machine Learning Engineer at Adobe, working with building cutting-edge Generative AI features on Adobe Acrobat. Nikhil references his experiences and learnings from working with document intelligence for almost 5 years to walk us thru the best ways for current students and professionals to get hired for their first job as machine learning engineers. We also deep-dive into the best strategies to set oneself apart by building projects implementing Machine Learning and interview process for most MLE positions. Nikhil also takes us thru a day in the life at Adobe and what the future holds for Gen AI capabilities for Adobe Acrobat, the most popular PDF tool in the world - and his take on the impact of AI in the not-so-distant future.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resources: ML / DS / GENAI Complete Roadmap https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/e/2PACX-1vRvrcbJ06_L89mk2vtxXUBcbB__1LpJw5PNGOmUoy-Wa1PJlgtMUwiYXTMp_fSYEnaW1KPzGUreTt4i/pub RAG / LLMs Roadmap with prereq's https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsmNuMVSHP8rqQTEli2H1GqzBi4d0IBqd-McRFvp-KE/edit?gid=0#gid=0 E2E - Rags https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsmNuMVSHP8rqQTEli2H1GqzBi4d0IBqd-McRFvp-KE/edit?gid=0#gid=0 Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:16) Build projects or practice algorithms for breaking into MLE roles? (04:38) Importance of building ML projects (08:24) Starting career as an MLE at Reliance (13:29) Transitioning to the US for Masters (16:52) US Internship Experience & Early Projects (20:04) What EXACTLY did OpenAI do to take the world by storm? (24:30) Starting at Adobe - 1 application, 1 offer letter (27:11) How to prep for MLE interviews (resources in video description) (30:28) Working at Adobe (33:59) Innovations in Adobe Acrobat (37:49) Generative AI in Creative Applications (43:28) Designing UI/UX for Generative AI apps (47:07) Future of Adobe Acrobat with GenAI capabilities (51:26) How to correctly use ChatGPT (56:11) $300k/year prompt engineers (58:47) Outro + Gratitude

In this episode featured not-expert is Ratik Dutta. Ratik is a Marketing Ops Assistant Manager at SEED Global Education, which is a role he recently started after returning to India - having finished his Masters in Marketing degree from Purdue University in the US. Ratik takes us through the realities of a move back to India after a Master’s in the US - the reverse culture shock, prospects of getting jobs and perception of foreign grads, and somewhat paradoxically, settling back into one’s home. This is a topic that almost every international Indian student has wondered about - and we leave no stone unturned in terms of covering all the logistical and mental preparations that must go into this decision. We also contrast MBAs in India vs Masters in the US, and what Ratik thinks about the India growth story. If you are someone that is considering going back, please do reach out ad/or let us know in the comments.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: Ratik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratik-datta-a9856074/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Background + Introduction

(02:37) Masters degree experience in the US
(06:39) Situation after graduation in the US - final months
(10:34) Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita
(12:38) Status of Ratik's graduating cohort + Ways to stop OPT clock
(18:35) Logistics of leaving the US - please do all these!
(21:53) First two weeks in India immediately after returning
(23:48) Differences between the US and India - what did Ratik miss the most?
(29:13) Lifestyle Differences: US vs. India
(32:02) Pollution - no escape?
(34:12) Perception of foreign grads in India (SHOCKING!)
(39:45) Job situation in India
(40:48) MS in USA vs MBA in India - Which is better?
(45:38) Are extra-curriculars in foreign schools THAT important?
(47:13) Feeling like an outsider in your own country :(
(50:44) Does Ratik believe in the India Growth Story?
(53:31) Advice for current students

In this episode, featured not-expert is Tom Shannon. Tom is a co-founder at Omnia, which is a one stop-shop for deploying XR content at scale. Another way to think of Omnia is simply the YouTube for XR creators and brands. Tom walks us thru the specific problem Omnia solves, and showcases some stunning use-cases of Omnia that is currently used by realtors in Chicago.

We also discuss what the next era looks like with devices such as Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest and how Omnia makes it possible to bypass the problem of manually installing SDKs into individual headsets that companies have to do currently for XR training simulations and a bunch of other use-cases.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: https://www.theomnia.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-patrick-shannon/

Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction + Background (02:17) First time experience wearing the Apple Vision Pro (02:47) Why build for AR/VR (XR)- Tom’s journey (04:47) What problem does Omnia solve? (06:57) How to develop content for XR/Spatial Compute (09:00) Are XR apps strictly limited to AR/VR devices? (10:22) Hardware as the final frontier (11:37) Truck driving simulation use-case (Go-to market plan!) (13:47) Omnia as the new YouTube (everybody is a customer) (16:14) Public-facing Omnia web browser (18:37) Building for AR/VR - tech stack? (21:10) What made Web-XR deployment possible? (23:10) How to create a great XR experience? (24:22) Dedicated content boom for XR (25:55) “Smelling” the future - all senses utilized (27:07) The future is now (27:53) Omnia - Full Demo (30:07) Outro + Gratitude

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode, my guest is Sanjeev Sharma. Sanjeev is a principle engineer at SpaceX and perhaps one of the most illuminative flag bearers of what the American Dream looks like in practice.

We begin with Sanjeev’s time with the Indian Railways in the early 90s, and he walks us thru the extremely socialist hangover India was just beginning to recover from at the time and exactly what that was like on the ground-level. During his decade with the Indian Railways, Sanjeev contributed to some of the most cutting edge design work and laid the cornerstone for high-speed rails, and then went to Uni of Boulder, CO for his master’s degree in Mech Engineering to deepen his engineering systems design expertise. While he had plans to come back and continue, fate saw him do cutting edge work at Seagate Technology followed by eventually ending up at SpaceX.

This journey from the Indian Railways to SpaceX is a fascinating snapshot in demonstrating exactly why the American Dream attracts tens of thousands of people towards itself, almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Ready Set Do podcast: 1. Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/AJpppY42zy 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ready.set.do 3. Twitter: https://x.com/ReadySetDo_ 4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namanpandey0796/ 5. Get cashback EVERY time you buy anything online: https://www.rakuten.com/r/YOURSS30?eeid=44971 6. Get $100 With Discover Credit Card (Student Friendly, no Credit History required): https://refer.discover.com/s/namanpandey07966?advocate.partner_share_id=3718798779 7. Get 60k Bonus Points (~$600) with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19P/4D173KLQF5 8. Get $25 On SoFi 4.2% High-Yield Savings Account: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=76a5cd36-026a-4d9e-acd0-b0d252d2238e&isAliasGcp=false 9. Free Stock On Robinhood: https://join.robinhood.com/namanp-e93ca04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources:

Sanjeev - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeev-sharma-21b17b5/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background (02:34) Starting career with the Indian Railways (06:29) Why pick Railways Institute over IIT Roorkee? (Hint: Gormint) (10:09) What was socialist India REALLY like? (12:45) Driving design and manufacturing in a world-class govt factory in mid 90s (16:47) Exactly WHAT was Sanjeev working on at the Rail Factory? (18:45) Dealing with bureaucracy and corruption (24:22) Problem with IAS and administrative roles in India (26:37) Why MS in US? (29:26) Did experience at Railways help during MS in UC Boulder? (32:50) Making THE biggest life decision - choosing between US and India (38:18) Path to US Citizenship (40:16) Impact of 9/11 (Unreal) (43:37) STRUGGLE of returning to academia after 10 years and being the oldest student (46:02) Going from designing trains to solid-state mini hard-drives at Seagate (49:16) SpaceX (51:37) Interview experience with Elon Musk, the man himself (53:58) On almost not joining SpaceX (55:40) Sanjeev’s advice on advice (and also the philosophy of Ready Set Do) (57:34) Role at SpaceX currently and the road ahead (58:24) The three I’s framework (01:00:53) Outro + Gratitude