Best Prashant Pillai Podcasts (2024)

1
Choosing a favorite child, Babysitting and Friendships, Nick Cave and Finding Enjoyment in Creativity 55:09

9M ago55:09

55:09

00:01:25 "Cartoon series explores wisdom, war, and family dynamics" 00:07:21 Sibling jealousy and bond strengthening over time. 00:11:43 Different actions demand attention differently; Violet acts out when ignored. 00:16:44 Complex family dynamics affect sibling relationships. 00:19:41 Balancing act of showing love to children. 00:25:05 Friends bab…

1
Gabor Mate, Giving Control, Sleep Training, Healing Childhood Trauma, Letting Go of Shame in Parenting 59:15

9M ago59:15

59:15

"On this episode of Aligned Dad, we dive into the topic of giving control, exploring various aspects of parenting and personal growth. We start by discussing the challenges faced by a speaker who lacked knowledge about handling babies due to the absence of grandparents. They share their experience of dealing with sleep issues with their second chil…

1
What Happens Years After a Cyclone Hits? (ft. Ruhie Kumar & Surabhi Gajbhaye) 1:23:30

10M ago1:23:30

1:23:30

Cyclones are a characteristic feature of the Indian coastline and every year we see a few cyclones create severe damage to the east as well as the west coast. As we deal with the havoc left by Cyclone Biparjoy, on this episode of The Big Story, we want to understand what happens to the communities, people, and their livelihoods once they are rehabi…

1
Can AI Revolutionise Mental Healthcare? Experts Answer (ft. Dr. Samir Parikh and Dr. Megha Gupta) 1:12:21

10M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Are AI apps the future of mental health support? Can these applications truly understand and address the complexities of our emotional well-being? What can a user expect when they get on such an application? And perhaps the most provocative question of all—can AI truly replace human therapists? Join us as we unravel the captivating potential of AI …

1
Father's Day Founder, Al Pacino a 83-Year-Old Dad, Mike Tyson Knocked Out by His Daughter, Indians Traveling with Babies, Sense of Humor in Parenting 58:12

11M ago58:12

58:12

"On this episode of Aligned Dad, we cover a wide variety of topics related to fatherhood, including some interesting news stories such as Al Pacino becoming a father at 83 years old and Mike Tyson getting knocked out by his daughter. We also discuss the challenges of traveling with babies, particularly in Indian culture, and how flight authorities …

1
The Truth About HEATWAVES & Climate Change in India (ft. Aditya Pillai) 1:21:52

11M ago1:21:52

1:21:52

Heatwaves. Literally and metaphorically the “hottest” topic in climate change research. While heatwaves are becoming more and more common in India, are they still dismissed without proper knowledge? More than what we can as individuals do to save ourselves, what is being done at national and international levels? Have we understood it enough and ar…

1
Alex Hormozi's Dad, Parenting Styles, Mobile Addiction, Immigrant Experience and Essentialism Approach to a Healthier Lifestyle 53:48

11M ago53:48

53:48

On this episode of Aligned Dad, we dive into a heartwarming story of an older woman who won $2 million in the lottery after spending her life savings caring for her daughter with breast cancer. However, the discussion also raises questions about the healthcare system in the US, compared to Australia, where the speaker had a baby in a public hospita…

1
Living an Unoptimized Life, Dad Reflexes, Teaching Kids to Solve Their Own Problems, Sleepless Nights and Sibling Love 42:07

12M ago42:07

42:07

On this episode of Aligned Dad, the speaker discusses a range of topics from Reddit videos showing extraordinary and amusing feats of fathers to a philosophy of "unoptimized" living. They share stories of adventure and bravery, discussions with fellow parents, and the importance of trusting one's own inner compass rather than obsessing over plans. …

1
Karnataka Results Analysis: Hindutva, Corruption & Local Leaders 37:27

12M ago37:27

37:27

What will be the consequence of Congress’ victory in the Karnataka elections? What are the prominent factors that lead to BJP’s setback in the south? What issues mattered to the voters? We are joined by Fatima Khan, principal correspondent with The Quint who was on the ground in the run-up to the elections, and Aditya Menon, our political editor to…

1
Are We Spending More Money Because of UPI? (ft. Ateesh Tankha) 1:21:51

12M ago1:21:51

1:21:51

In this episode of The Big Story, our hosts Anjali and Prateek talk about money. Now, we don't have a lot of money, but we do have a lot of questions about money. About UPI, precisely. Are we spending more money because of UPI? How does UPI make money? And is UPI just another startup that'll eventually flop? Because it used to give us so many freeb…

1
Understanding the Problems with the Indian Education System (ft. Ratna Vishwanathan and Neeti Bhalla Saini) 1:27:53

1y ago1:27:53

1:27:53

Do you sometimes look back at your schooling years and wonder if its changed at all? Do you wish you were taught differently? Have you ever considered the role a child’s environment plays in their education? And how different really are government schools from a private school? We know, education has become such a dynamic phenomenon that it’s hard …

1
Will Microplastics Enter the Human Brain? (ft. Shreya Sharma & Sadhika Tiwari) 55:26

1y ago55:26

55:26

Did you know microplastics are intentionally added in our products? Or the fact that neither non- vegetarians nor vegetarians are safe from microplastics being found in their food? And why did we discuss Plankton from SpongeBob SquarePants? We bet you’re curious! So, on this episode of The Big Story, we attempt to uncover the truth about microplast…

1
Jaggery, Keto, and Other Food Myths Debunked (feat. Krish Ashok & Dr. Priyanka) 1:18:37

1y ago1:18:37

1:18:37

Have you been wondering if you should switch from white sugar to jaggery? Is fast food actually harmful? Do diets like Keto and Paleo work? In this episode of The Big Story, we try to find the answers. We discuss the changing food habits of young people in India with special guests Krish Ashok, a food influencer and author of 'Masala Lab', and Dr. …

1
How Media Trials Weaken Journalism & Judiciary (feat. Satish Maneshinde & Manisha Pande) 1:04:14

1y ago1:04:14

1:04:14

In the second episode of The Big Story, our hosts, Anjali and Prateek discuss media trials with Manisha Pande, the Executive Editor of Newslaundry, and Satish Maneshinde, a lawyer with more than forty years of experience. Media trials involve using the press and television to create a public opinion about an accused individual, which may influence …

1
We Are Worried About The Wrong AI (feat. Shamim Mokles & Anupam Guha) 1:02:53

1y ago1:02:53

1:02:53

If you've spoken to a friend or a colleague for over an hour in the past month, it is highly likely that the words Artificial Intelligence (AI) have come up. While we have been hearing about these technologies for a while, there are some new AI tools which have blown up in the social media world. Cases in point – Chat GPT, DALL-E, Mid Journey and m…

1
The Big Story 2.0 (Trailer) - New Hosts, New Formats, Bigger Stories 1:04

1y ago1:04

1:04

The Big Story is back with a second season! The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discuss…

1
Nikhat Zareen's Journey to Gold and What it Means for Indian Boxing 16:28

2y ago16:28

16:28

After the marvelous Thomas cup win, India has another reason to celebrate as Telangana-born boxer Nikhat Zareen bagged the gold medal in the 52-kg category at the Women's World Boxing Championship after defeating Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the fly-weight final in Istanbul. With this, the 25-year-old became only the fifth Indian woman to bag a go…

1
How Can Hardik Patel & Sunil Jakhar's Exit Impact The Congress? 21:33

2y ago21:33

21:33

On 18 May, Hardik Patel who gained popularity during the Patidar agitation, quit the party. Taking swipes at senior leaders, he accused the party of lacking strong leadership both at the state and central levels. He said that Congress only plays the role of a “roadblock” when it comes to serious issues — be it about Ram Mandir, abrogation of Articl…

1
India's Rationale Behind Banning Wheat Exports & Its Impact On Markets 19:42

2y ago19:42

19:42

After enforcing a ban on wheat exports, India announced some relaxations on 18 May. The surprise decision had led to a lot of chaos as hundreds of thousands of tonnes of wheat were reportedly left stranded at Gujarat’s Kandla Port after the ban was announced. But the new notification from the Ministry of Commerce has said, "It has been decided that…

1
Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath Dispute: How It Started & Where It Stands Now 20:22

2y ago20:22

20:22

The decades-old Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute has sprung back in the news once again. While there are several chapters to this long-drawn dispute, which goes back as far as 1991, let's look at the recent developments first. On Monday, 16 May, a Varanasi court directed for a spot within the mosque complex to be sealed after a court-appoin…

1
Underdogs to Winning Thomas Cup — How Indian Men's Badminton Team Made History 14:20

2y ago14:20

14:20

15th May was not just any Sunday, it was a historic Sunday for Indian sports as the Indian men's Badminton team defeated 14-time winners – Indonesia, to clinch their first ever Thomas Cup title in Bangkok. Praise is still pouring in for the players who together helped India win the prestigious tournament for the first time in its 73 year history. S…

1
Inflation at 8-Year High of 7.79 Percent – Who Will It Hurt the Most? 11:42

2y ago11:42

11:42

The RBI’s unscheduled hike in repo rates on 5 May confirmed that the central bank was behind the curve in controlling inflation and now new data released by the National Statistical Office on 12 May shows exactly how behind. Retail inflation in India soared to its highest since May 2014 to 7.79 percent in April, almost double the RBI’s mandate of 4…

1
Marital Rape Case: What Next After Delhi High Court Split Verdict? 15:24

2y ago15:24

15:24

On the long-standing question of criminalising marital rape, the Delhi High Court on 11 May delivered a split verdict in a batch of petitions challenging the exception provided to marital rape in the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Justice Rajiv Shakdher of the two-judge bench held that Exception 2 under Section 375, which says that any sexual acts by a h…

1
IndiGo Incident Shows Why We Need To Raise Awareness Around Disabilities 20:10

2y ago20:10

20:10

Are we as a society practicing inclusivity and showing sensitivity towards people with disabilities? A video from Ranchi airport that went viral on social media platforms recently is raising this question. This said video captured an incident where a teenage boy with disability was purportedly mistreated by IndiGo airlines. This incident took place…

1
Girls Out of School - The Faces Behind The Stark Numbers on School Dropouts 27:07

2y ago27:07

27:07

This time around marks a year to the deadly second wave of Covid. While officially 5.42 lakh people lost their lives to the virus in India since 2020, there have been many repercussions of the pandemic. This episode of The Big Story is not going to be about the headline making news, it's going to be about an issue which is very close to us here at …

1
Unpacking the Main Takeaways From PM Modi's Europe Visit 12:52

2y ago12:52

12:52

In the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his first foreign visit of the year to Europe on 5 May with visits to Germany, Denmark, and France. PM Modi’s first port of call was Berlin, where he met the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government has decided to make economic sacrifices by r…

1
What Explains RBI's Sudden Hike in Repo Rate? Rising Inflation or Catch Up? 15:09

2y ago15:09

15:09

In a surprise move on Wednesday, 4 May, the Reserve Bank of India hiked the benchmark repo rate for the first time in four years by 40 basis points to 4.4 percent. Alongside this, the central bank also raised the cash reserve ratio or CRR by 50 basis points to 4.50 percent. Unveiling the new policy on Wednesday, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said th…

1
LIC IPO Listing: What Are The Pros and Cons of Investing? 13:55

2y ago13:55

13:55

The wait is over! India’s biggest ever Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) kicked off for subscription for retail institutional investors today, that is on 4 May. Since it's completely an offer for sale, all the proceedings will directly go to the government which is expecting to raise Rs 21,000 crores by sell…

1
Unpacking the State of Freedom of Press in India 20:26

2y ago20:26

20:26

A month after taking office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India's "democracy will not sustain if we can't guarantee freedom of speech and expression". However, 8 years on, the freedom of one of the fundamental pillars of democracy – the press – has taken a nosedive. In 2015, the World Press Freedom Index, which is compiled annually by …

1
'Hoping for More': Fans Speak on MI, CSK, KKR Performance in IPL 2022 23:37

2y ago23:37

23:37

The IPL 2022 saw quite a few overhauls- two new teams being added, the mega auction where teams splurged close to Rs 550 crore for 204 players to construct some new squads. We also saw iconic names going missing and some new captains being announced. There seems to be a lot of change this season and a quick glance at the points table tells the same…

1
Explainer: Why India Is Witnessing Power Outages in a Heatwave 12:01

2y ago12:01

12:01

If you, like me, have caught yourself multiple times a day complaining about how this year is hotter than the last, you are not alone. March 2022 has been India’s third warmest March since 1901 and there have been at least 26 heat waves since the start of March, which can last for anywhere between 4-10 days. On 11 April, Delhi broke a 72-year-old r…

1
Looking at Virat Kohli's IPL 2022 Dry Spell Through a Mental Health Lens 18:17

2y ago18:17

18:17

Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Virat Kohli as his poor performance continues to haunt him in the ongoing IPL 2022 as he got out on the first ball for the second straight match and scored less than 10 runs in the match subsequent to it. The former Indian captain, who has scored over 23,500 international runs for India, was out on the …

1
Is Elon Musk’s Idea of 'Freedom of Speech' Right for Twitter? 13:41

2y ago13:41

13:41

Only a few days ago, Elon Musk's bid to buy Twitter was thought to be long shot but his offer has ben accepted by the social media platform. The billionaire will now pay a cool $44 billion to take the company private. In his statement on Tuesday, 26 April Musk said he wants to "make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new feature…

1
What Does Macron's Close Win Say About France's Changing Political Landscape? 17:48

2y ago17:48

17:48

Assured of another five years in office, French President Emmanuel Macron made history on Monday, 25 April, by beating his far-right rival Marine Le Pen. This was the second straight fight between the two politicians and Le Pen’s third shot at presidency. But there is something deeply unsettling about these results — how close Le Pen, a long-time s…

1
India-UK Relations: Unpacking Main Takeaways from Boris Johnson's India Visit 13:10

2y ago13:10

13:10

In his first visit to India since being elected United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson on 22 April said the relationship between the two countries is stronger than ever. It has taken three attempts for Johnson to finally arrive in India, having cancelled his earlier trips as the chief guest of the 2021 Republic Day and then calling his trip…

1
How Jahangirpuri Demolitions Went On Despite Supreme Court Orders 15:20

2y ago15:20

15:20

Hit by communal violence just days before, Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on 20 April saw seven bulldozers roll into the neighbourhood accompanied by heavy police deployments as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation razed parts of shops, carts, tin sheds, homes, and the gate of a mosque. The demolition, which started around 1…

1
Will Congress Give Prashant Kishor The Mandate Over Election Strategy? 14:55

2y ago14:55

14:55

It’s been a busy few days at 10 Janpath with political strategist Prashant Kishor meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other senior party leaders, with the former reportedly looking to join the party full time. With three high level meetings since 16 April, Kishor reportedly gave a detailed presentation on the roadmap to the 2024 Lok Sabha e…

1
COVID-19 Cases Rise in Delhi: Should the Mask Mandate Return? 14:22

2y ago14:22

14:22

After close to a two-month decline in COVID-19 cases, as we were getting back to our pre-pandemic lives with state governments lifting restrictions, the rise in COVID-19 cases in the national capital has started to sound alarm bells once again. Since 11 April, Delhi has witnessed a whopping 265.69 percent surge in daily new cases, according to data…

1
What Led to Communal Tensions in Northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri? 13:56

2y ago13:56

13:56

On Saturday, 16 April, violence broke out in Northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri following a Shobha Yatra organised to mark Hanuman Jayanti. The Delhi Police have so far arrested 24 people and apprehended two juveniles in connection with communal clashes that broke out in North Delhi’s Jahangirpuri after a religious Hindu procession allegedly attempted …

1
Karnataka Politics: Unpacking KS Eshwarappa's Surprise Resignation from Office 14:07

2y ago14:07

14:07

In a big development in Karnataka politics, State Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj KS Eshwarappa announced his resignation from office on Thursday, 14 April, after allegations of corruption and his alleged role in the suicide of a contractor surfaced. The news of Eshwarappa’s resignation is huge given that it was not expected in the …

1
Unpacking the Big Takeaways From India-United States 2+2 Dialogues 13:28

2y ago13:28

13:28

In the backdrop of big geopolitical developments in Ukraine, the United States and India held their fourth 2+2 dialogue on 12 April in Washington DC. These focused discussions between two countries' foreign and defence counterparts have become a regular affair since the inaugural dialogue in 2018. However, Tuesday became noteworthy since it was als…

1
As Shehbaz Sharif Becomes the New Pakistani PM, What Does It Mean for India? 11:24

2y ago11:24

11:24

On 11 April, Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan after his predecessor Imran Khan was booted off unceremoniously through a no-confidence vote. After 3 years and 8 months in office and a lot of attempts to stay in power, Khan ultimately shared the same fate as the 21 Pakistan PMs before him, none of whom were able to complete a…

1
Understanding Why the Occasion of Ram Navami Has Turned Communal 12:10

2y ago12:10

12:10

Several instances of violence, stone pelting, and arson rocked many states of India on the occasion of Ram Navami on 10 April. Reports of unrest and violence emerged from Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat West Bengal, Goa, Mumbai, and New Delhi, where students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University were allegedly attacked by students affiliated with r…

1
What’s Next for Imran Khan if Ousted as Pakistan's Prime Minister? 21:49

2y ago21:49

21:49

All is not well for Imran Khan as he faces an unprecedented no-confidence motion against him in the Pakistan National Assembly on 9 April The chess pieces were set for what seemed like a sure ouster by the country’s Opposition on 29 March, who had collected 197 votes—25 more than the required 172— for winning the vote in the 342 member house. But K…

1
How SDMC Mayor’s Attempt To Shut Meat Shops Did Nothing but Create Confusion 17:40

2y ago17:40

17:40

In an unprecedented move on 4 April, the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) proposed to shut meat shops under his jurisdiction during the Navratri festival, which will last till 11 April. In a letter to the South Delhi commissioner, Mayor Mukkesh Suryaan – a Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader – argued that “in view of the sentimen…

1
Will the Atrocities in Bucha Be a Turning Point in the Russia-Ukraine War? 28:04

2y ago28:04

28:04

In a scathing speech at the United Nations on 5 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of a litany of horrors and atrocities and challenged the UN to act immediately or dissolve itself altogether. This outrage comes in the aftermath of the alleged massacre in towns in and around Kyiv, where the bodies of 410 civilians were di…

1
What Does the Merger of HDFC, HDFC Bank Mean for the Financial Sector? 12:12

2y ago12:12

12:12

In a big announcement on Monday, 4 April, the board of HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank announced the biggest merger in Indian corporate history, with a combined balance sheet of a whopping Rs 17.87 trillion. The merger, which is expected to conclude over the next 18 months, has been speculated for more than a decade and it was a question of when and not…

1
Unpacking the 'Hindu Mahapanchayat' Event and Attacks on Journalists 24:06

2y ago24:06

24:06

Less than three months after getting arrested for making Islamophobic remarks and instigating violence at the Haridwar 'Dharma Sansad' in December 2021, controversial Hindu leader Yati Narsinghanand is at it again. On 3 April, an event called the 'Hindu Mahapanchayat' was organised at North Delhi's Burari Grounds. Here, Narsinghanand, who was relea…

1
Understanding Significance of AFSPA Being Lifted & Assam-Meghalaya Peace Pact 19:04

2y ago19:04

19:04

In a significant move, the Centre on 31 March reduced the footprint of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from several parts of Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. This decision is significant as the calls for repealing the Act have been growing louder over the past decade. The Act, which has been termed draconian and unconstitutio…

1
Unpacking the Recent Developments in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict 19:35

2y ago19:35

19:35

It's Day 36 of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and a lot has happened in just the past week. This includes Russia and Ukraine coming to the negotiating table in Istanbul, Russia announcing for the first time that it would reduce military presence in Kyiv and surrounding regions, and Ukraine pitching the idea of declaring itself a neutral nation to e…

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Prashant Pillai Podcasts

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