Best Eff The Office Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 46: Elizabeth McCormick, Former US ARMY Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot & Current Inspirational & Motivational Speaker Specializing in Leadership 1:18:49

2M ago1:18:49

1:18:49

Welcome to Episode 46 of More Than a Refresh! Join JD as he sits down with Elizabeth McCormick, a former US ARMY Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot turned Inspirational Speaker specializing in Leadership. In this episode, they explore the power of choice in dissatisfaction, the intricate relationship between confidence and self-worth, and the power of rhi…

1
Episode 45: Montana Low, Founder & CEO @ PostgresML 1:05:28

3M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Welcome to episode 45 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Montana Low, Founder and CEO @ PostgresML. Listen in as they discuss pragmatic perfectionism, why ML should happen in databases, and the difference between "hype beast" AI vs. "get shit done" AI.

1
Episode 44: Lindsey Simon, VP Engineering at Vercel 59:45

3M ago59:45

59:45

Welcome to episode 43 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Lindsey Simon, VP Engineering at Vercel. Listen in as they differentiate between failure and opportunity, discuss the link between advertising and UX, and explain why "the long road" is actually just "the road." Plus, JD finally gets Rickrolled.…

1
Episode 43: Leta Keane, Experienced Front End Engineering Instructor 1:11:38

4M ago1:11:38

1:11:38

Welcome to episode 43 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Leta Keane, Experienced Front End Engineering Instructor. Listen in as they discuss investing in humans, not assets; having a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset; and why "luxury" isn't just another yacht - it's childcare. https://www.linkedin.com/in/letakeane/…

1
Episode 42: Hugh Forrest, Co-President & Chief Programming Officer @ SXSW 1:03:13

4M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Welcome to episode 42 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Hugh Forrest, Co-President & Chief Programming Officer @ SXSW. Listen in as they discuss collaborative problem solving, how humans parse authenticity, and that time Barack Obama back-channeled to nab a speaking slot at SXSW.

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Goodbye, Nehal 24:07

5M ago24:07

24:07

It's the last episode of That Desi Spark with Nehal as a host - but keep your eyes on TDS as it moves forward with Annika. Big things are coming! 5 years. 8 seasons. 130+ episodes. 140+ guests. The end of an era. And the beginning of another. As of January, Nehal will be leaving That Desi Spark to chase her passion of becoming an entertainment-focu…

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Episode 41: Silona Bonewald, Founder & President @ Leadingbit Solutions 1:27:41

5M ago1:27:41

1:27:41

Welcome to episode 41 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with jack of all trades (and master of many), Silona Bonewald, Founder & President @ Leadingbit Solutions. Listen in as they discuss production readiness, "Gutenberg moments," dude bros, and why the OSS community needs to get involved in standards.…

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Episode 40: Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist @ The EFF 1:10:45

5M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

Welcome to episode 40 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist @ The EFF. On Thursday, December 7th, Meta announced the roll out of default end-to-end encryption on all messages on Facebook. Listen into a high-octane discussion of privacy as a human right, mining children for data, and how law enforc…

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Mom Sense | A Conversation with CNN Anchor turned Entrepreneur turned Podcast Host Kanika Chadda Gupta 55:23

5M ago55:23

55:23

Kanika Chadda Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense (a hit podcast with guests like Chelsea Clinton!), joins TDS to talk through the career balance, deciding how to approach parenthood, and all the inspirational stories of incredible mothers across our diaspora and beyond. You can hear her podcast here, and follow her on Instagram! Follow TDS on In…

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Episode 39: Dave Stokes, Technology Evangelist @ Percona 1:03:34

6M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Welcome to episode 39 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Dave Stokes, Technology Evangelist @ Percona. Listen in as they discuss Postgres vs. MySQL, maintaining "boring but vital" OSS projects, and how to save a piece of data for 100+ years.

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'Tis the Season to Light a LAMP! | A Conversation with American India Foundation's CEO Nishant Pandey and Chief Development Office Kalpana Kanthan 49:33

6M ago49:33

49:33

'Tis the season to give, and American India Foundation's NY-based CEO Nishant Pandey and Chief Development Officer Kalpana Kanthan are with That Desi Spark this week to discuss the outcomes for over 17 million people this non-profit has impacted, the social programs it innovates, women in non-profit leadership, and why we all have a stake in shapin…

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Did the Way Our Parents Communicate Eff Us Up? | A Conversation with Psychotherapist Sadaf Siddiqi 48:48

6M ago48:48

48:48

The way parents communicate with each other is HUGE in influencing the way we, as immigrants and children of immigrants, engage with our partners. Psychotherapist and founder of Being, Sadaf Siddiqi, joins us for her second episode with TDS to talk about how we can unlearn some of the toxic behaviors and communication techniques we may have grown u…

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Episode 38: The Enshitification of the Internet with Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist @ The EFF 1:23:59

7M ago1:23:59

1:23:59

Welcome to episode 38 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist at The Electronic Frontier Foundation. Listen in as they discuss the "enshitification" of the internet, including how governments circumvent privacy laws to get to your data, rehabilitation vs. discipline in the legal system, why the Meta…

1
Real Self-Care and the South Asian Woman | A Conversation with Psychiatrist/Novelist Saumya Dave 41:12

7M ago41:12

41:12

Saumya Dave, MD, knows what South Asian women are up against - the psychiatrist and novelist is a staunch advocate for mental health, and explores what self-care really means (spoiler: it's MUCH more than than eating a brownie!) for burnout, anxiety, and societal expectations on this must-listen episode of TDS. *This episode is sponsored by Therapy…

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Episode 37: Tom Michaels, Co-Founder @ Open Source Seed Initiative 1:15:33

8M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

Welcome to episode 37 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Tom Michaels, Co-Founder @ Open Source Seed Initiative and Horticultural Science Professor at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Listen in as they discuss the relationship between soil health and human health, why the food system is flawed, and why we should treat cannabis li…

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Toxic Masculinity | A Conversation with Clinical Psychology Student Paritosh Joshi 41:00

9M ago41:00

41:00

Masculinity and mental health have come under greater scrutiny by the South Asian community in recent years. Clinical Psychology student Paritosh Joshi, a contributor to Brown Girl Magazine, joins TDS to explore how toxic masculinity impacts relationships, upholds patriarchal values, influences mental health, and creates a less inclusive atmosphere…

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Episode 36: Dr. Lauran Star, Workforce DE&I Psychologist, Strategist, & Speaker 1:16:28

9M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

Welcome to Episode 36 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Dr. Lauran Star, Workforce DE&I Psychologist, Strategist, & Speaker. Listen in as they discuss being diverse "enough," white privilege vs. class privilege, and why evidence-based research should guide us into a new phase of IDE.

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Period Poverty | A Conversation with Megha Desai, President of the Desai Foundation Around Menstruation in South Asia 56:48

9M ago56:48

56:48

1 in 5 girls in South Asia will drop out of school after the onset of their period. Period poverty is a global issue with wide-ranging impact. The Desai Foundation's President, Megha Desai, joins TDS to discuss their initiatives to provide access to education, period products, infrastructure, and more - and above all, dignity. The Phoenix King by A…

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Episode 35: Michael Meskes, Senior Director of Cloud Products @ NetApp 1:30:02

9M ago1:30:02

1:30:02

Welcome to Episode 35 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with his old friend, Michael Meskes, Senior Director of Cloud Products @ NetApp. Listen in as they discuss what private companies "owe" Open Source Software, monetizing distribution, and creating a culture of work that's good for employees - and the environment.…

1
Episode 34: Phillip Merrick, CEO @ pgEdge, Serial Entrepreneur, Technologist 1:04:28

10M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Welcome to Episode 34 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Phillip Merrick, CEO @ pgEdge, Serial Entrepreneur, and Technologist. Listen in as they discuss the relationship between latency across geographies and node placement, the role of AI in Postgres deployments, and simplifying vs. "dumbing down" processes.…

1
Episode 33: Ry Walker, Founder at Tembo 1:16:03

10M ago1:16:03

1:16:03

Welcome to Episode 33 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Ry Walker, Founder at Tembo. Listen in as they discuss the benefits of asynchronous work, the under-celebration of Postgres extensions, and why your Open Source competition is actually one of your greatest partners in development.

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Episode 32: Kris Jenkins, Developer Advocate, Podcast Host, Hacker, Speaker, Geek 1:25:19

11M ago1:25:19

1:25:19

Welcome to Episode 32 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Kris Jenkins, Developer Advocate, Podcast Host, Hacker, Speaker, Geek. Listen in as they discuss change management, why you need to understand your end user, and making the London Underground sing with Kafka.

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Sex Trafficking | A Conversation with Activist and Journalist Ruchira Gupta, Founder of Apne Aap 1:03:07

11M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

When journalist Ruchira Gupta traveled across India to find out what was happening to young girls across the country, she stepped into the world of prostitution, sex trafficking, bribes, death threats, and more. Her riveting account of sex trafficking, her founding of Apne Aap - an NGO helping women, girls, and their children in the red light distr…

1
More than a Refresh Presents: Digital Privacy 1:07:29

11M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

The landscape of digital privacy is changing. While cloud adoption and ethical hacking create new opportunities for all, data leaks and proposed legislation introduce new levels of threat to everyone from CTOs to laypeople. But what are these threats and what danger do they pose? Fully understanding the factors that influence digital privacy is abo…

1
Never Have I Ever | An Interview with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Star of Never Have I Ever 43:12

11M ago43:12

43:12

Netflix' Never Have I Ever's central characters, the Vishwakumar family, were trailblazing for South Asians on screen. Star of the series Maitreyi Ramakrishnan joins TDS to discuss her journey on the show, representation as a South Asian, her favorite memories with Devi, and so much more on this engaging episode. This episode is sponsored by Reti S…

1
Islam and Sexual Health | A Conversation with Occupational Therapist Sameera Qureshi 41:43

11M ago41:43

41:43

Sameera Qureshi, MS OTR, joins TDS to discuss her career with sexual health and Islam - what to do when values and lifestyles clash, issues around not exploring sexuality, how she's educated people about sex, and finding peace with sexual health. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient proph…

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Episode 31: Bobbie Carlton, Founder @ Innovation Women + Founder @ Carlton PR & Marketing 1:02:52

12M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Welcome to Episode 31 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with mega multi-hyphenate, Bobbie Carlton, Founder @ Innovation Women + Founder @ Carlton PR & Marketing. Listen in as they discuss day, night, and dream jobs; the reality of technical heckling; and when to rethink panel organization. For more information on Innovation Women, to searc…

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Anti-AAPI Narratives, Book Bans, and More | A Conversation with Activist, Actress, and Author Sheetal Sheth 53:52

12M ago53:52

53:52

Actress from movies like ABCD, bestselling author of "Always Anjali," and "Bravo Anjali," and outspoken activist about all politics but especially those around children, multi-hyphenate Sheetal Sheth joins TDS to discuss anti-AAPI narratives, why book bans are a problem, and how diverse literature changes lives. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is …

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Emotion Management | A Conversation with Clinical Neuropsychology PHD Resident Nawal Mustafa 45:36

12M ago45:36

45:36

Clinical Neuropsychology PHD resident Nawal Mustafa joins TDS to chat through how to recognize emotional triggers and manage emotions to strengthen relationships around you and increase your emotional intelligence. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futu…

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Episode 30: Glenda Sims, Chief Information Accessibility Officer @ Deque Systems, Inc 1:17:23

1y ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Welcome to Episode 30 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Glenda Sims, "the good witch of accessibility" and Chief Information Accessibility Officer at Deque Systems. Listen in as they discuss why independence is the crux of accessibility, social structures vs. brain patterns, and why accessible design is good for all users. Please clic…

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Episode 29: Paul Kochanski, Founder, President, and Keyboardist @ Foreigners Journey 1:21:12

1y ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Welcome to Episode 29 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Paul Kochanski, Founder, President, and Keyboardist @ Foreigners Journey. Listen in as they discuss how a career in channel sales set up our guest to succeed in the music industry, advice on how to pivot your career, and the striking similarities between software sales and runnin…

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AAPI in Media: A Conversation with Founder and CEO of Marginal Mediaworks Sanjay Sharma and Nielsen VP of Global Communications Patricia Ratulangi 1:01:08

1y ago1:01:08

1:01:08

What does representation on television and streaming REALLY mean? VP of Global Communications at Nielsen, Patricia Ratulangi, and CEO and Founder of Marginal Mediaworks, Sanjay Sharma, join TDS to discuss statistics found on Nielsen's recent study of television around women and AAPI representation, whether there's been progress made, how and why AA…

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Parental Boundaries | A Conversation with Psychotherapist Sadaf Siddiqi on Healthy Boundaries 54:45

1y ago54:45

54:45

Psychotherapist Sadaf Siddiqi (@your.being) joins TDS to discuss inner child healing, parental boundaries, learning to set limits, attachments, and why South Asian children of immigrants may feel difficulty in speaking up for themselves. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in w…

1
Episode 28: Dr. Lauran Star, Workforce DE&I Psychologist, Strategist, & Speaker 1:11:37

1y ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Welcome to Episode 28 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Dr. Lauran Star, Workforce DE&I Psychologist, Strategist, & Speaker. Listen in as they discuss equality vs. equity, the magic of blue paper, and why the core value of diversity is diverse perspectives. Plus, a challenge to "the glass ceiling." For more information, or to get in t…

1
The Bridge Between Identities | An Interview with Performer Raja Kumari 40:09

1y ago40:09

40:09

From working with Fall Out Boy and being nominated for a Grammy to 2023's Coachella, Raja Kumari talks to That Desi Spark about her album, The Bridge, how she broke into music, her classical Indian dance background, remaining true, and so much more. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient pr…

1
Colorism and Caste | A Conversation with Non-binary and Avarna Activist Seema Hari 51:06

1y ago51:06

51:06

Seema Hari joins TDS to discuss how colorism and caste are deeply intertwined and how colorism in the South Asian diaspora (and the globe) is a much bigger intersectional issue than we realize. You can follow Seema, her activism, and her writings on Instagram. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and…

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Episode 27: Ravi Murthy, Senior Director of Engineering at Google 1:05:07

1y ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Welcome to Episode 27 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Ravi Murthy, Senior Director of Engineering at Google. Listen in as they discuss products vs. projects, the responsibility of cloud providers, and why Google is betting on Postgres.

1
Bad Moms Club | A Conversation with Jyoti Chand on South Asian Motherhood 50:16

1y ago50:16

50:16

Influencer, writer, and comedian Jyoti Chand joins TDS to discuss motherhood in the spotlight, what she'd do differently from her own parents, what she loves about South Asian families, and more on this episode of That Desi Spark. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which th…

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The Light We Give | A Conversation on Sikhism and Compassion with Social Justice Activist and Author Simran Jeet Singh 49:27

1y ago49:27

49:27

Simran Jeet Singh's bestselling book, "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life," is a testament to why he was named one of Time Magazine's "sixteen people fighting for a more equal America" and is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Program on Religion & Society. His compassion, pride in his faith, storytelling, and a…

1
Triangulation 433: The Father of Modern Genomics - George Church 1:00:24

1y ago1:00:24

1:00:24

In a wide-ranging conversation, Leo Laporte talks with Dr. George Church about the history and future of genome sequencing. Dr. Church explains why he is very excited about how they made an organism resistant to all viruses- both known and unknown. They also talk about: How Dr. Church made sequencing affordable (from $3BN to $600) Where are we on s…

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Episode 26: Laura DiBenedetto, Chief Executive Officer @ Sovereign Ammo 59:05

1y ago59:05

59:05

Welcome to episode 26 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Laura DiBenedetto, Chief Executive Officer @ Sovereign Ammo. Listen in as they discuss why sovereignty is freedom + responsibility, what happy people have in common, and the problem with treating the symptom instead of the root cause. Editor's Note The opinions expressed in this …

1
Gender Socialization in South Asians | A Conversation with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Shanta Kanukollu 47:34

1y ago47:34

47:34

South Asian communities have a longstanding habit of celebrating boys' births, assigning responsibilities to people because of gender, and creating roles and expectations that can result in mental health struggles later in life. Dr. Shanta Kanokollu joins TDS to discuss the impact of gender socialization, how it presents itself in the ways people c…

1
Triangulation 432: Daniel Suarez: Critical Mass - Daniel Suarez on his latest book 'Critical Mass' 1:18:34

1y ago1:18:34

1:18:34

New York Times bestselling author Daniel Suarez returns to talk with Leo Laporte about the second book in his 'Delta-v' novel series, 'Critical Mass,' where a group of pioneering astropreneurs must overcome never-before-attempted engineering challenges to rescue colleagues stranded at a distant asteroid—kicking off a new space race in which Earth's…

1
Sexuality & Religion | A Conversation with Dr. Sarika Persaud on the Intersection of Vedanta, Tantra, and Psychology 43:52

1+ y ago43:52

43:52

When religion and sex come together, particularly in South Asian communities, guilt, shame, patriarchy, and talks of honor and cleanliness aren't far behind. Dr. Sarika Persaud, a PsyD who specializes in issues of sexuality, Tantra, and Vedanta joins TDS to break down those misconceptions, have a meaningful conversation on how the two can coexist, …

1
PCOS and Nutrition | A Conversation with MS, RD, CDN Anita Mirchandani about South Asian Women, Diet, and PCOS Management 42:21

1+ y ago42:21

42:21

1 in 5 South Asian women experience PCOS, a reproductive disorder of the ovaries that can cause a number of symptoms - so many, that diagnosis can often be challenging or confused with other comorbid diseases. South Asian women also see a higher incidence of PCOS than other ethnicities. Anita Mirchandani, MS, RD, and CDN, joins TDS on the Season 8 …

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Boundaries with Families | A Conversation with Therapist Divya Robin on Establishing and Setting Boundaries within South Asian Families 46:15

1+ y ago46:15

46:15

Home for the holidays and in need of boundaries with family? TDS has got you covered, alongside Divya Robin, LMHC (@mindmatterswithdiv) who specializes in mental health with South Asian populations and offers an episode full of tips on how to decide if a boundary is right for you, how you should speak up, when you should draw a line, and tips to ma…

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Episode 25: Ajay Kulkarni, Co-Founder and CEO @ Timescale 1:05:20

1+ y ago1:05:20

1:05:20

Welcome to episode 25 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Ajay Kulkarni, Co-Founder and CEO @ Timescale. Listen in as they discuss the intersection of cutting edge technology and the marketplace, open source vs. open standards, and the cloud as the reinvention of the wheel.

1
Episode 24: Peter Zaitsev, Founder @ Percona 1:02:12

1+ y ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Welcome to episode 24 of More than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Peter Zaitsev, Founder @ Percona. Listen in as they discuss the value of long-term partnership, data automation & legacy planning, and why OSS is the best.

1
Egg Freezing | A Conversation with Ranika Kejriwal on freezing eggs at age 30 30:39

1+ y ago30:39

30:39

Ranika is a product manager in tech and got her eggs frozen earlier this year at the age of 30. Conversations around fertility are still stigmatized in the South Asian community and Ranika navigated this short but intense process on her own. Now she is passionate about sharing her journey, normalizing the conversation, and encouraging women to take…

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Episode 23: Divya Bhargov, Senior Director Of Engineering, Greenplum R&D, VMware 1:12:10

1+ y ago1:12:10

1:12:10

Welcome to episode 23 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Divya Bhargov, Senior Director Of Engineering, Greenplum R&D, VMware. Listen in as they discuss finding a tribe, maintaining company culture in the face of M&A, and the Goldilocks Rule of communication.

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Eff The Office Podcasts

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