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

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

I’m Naman Pandey — welcome back to Ready Set Do. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by the US visa interview process, this episode is your map. My guest is Duden Freeman: a former U.S. diplomat who served over nine years with the Department of State and now runs Visas 101 — the first education platform built by former visa officers to teach applicants exactly what consular teams look for. Duden tears down the opacity of the visa system and gives clear, no-nonsense advice you can use whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, student visa, work visa (including H-1B), or an extraordinary ability petition.

Why listen? Because most visa advice is hearsay. Duden served on the other side of the glass. She explains what a visa officer is actually assessing, why the default mindset for every application is “rejected until proven otherwise,” and how small changes in preparation can dramatically improve your chances. We walk through real examples — including my own visitor visa rejection — and translate those lessons into actionable steps you can follow.

What you’ll learn from this conversation:
• Exactly what visa officers test for and how to present the truth clearly and concisely.
• How to treat your DS-160 — the form most people rush through — as a central part of your story, not a checkbox.
• Practical techniques for interview framing: how to answer, what to avoid, and when brevity wins.
• A breakdown of visa categories (visitor, student, H/L/O/P, EB), what each officer is focused on, and how to tailor your evidence.
• What to do — and absolutely not do — if your visa is rejected, including next steps that actually work.
• Myths about body language, “tricks” recruiters use, and why transparency beats theatrics in a consular interview.

Duden also pulls back the curtain on training for consular officers and shares the human, sometimes surprising perspective behind decisions — including how institutional pressures and busy caseloads shape outcomes. If you’re preparing for a US visa interview, this episode will give you the confidence to tell your story the right way.

Who should listen: international students, professionals applying for work visas or H-1B interviews, travelers worried about visitor visa denials, and anyone who needs a practical, evidence-based guide to the US consular process.

If this episode helps you, subscribe to Ready Set Do, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who’s filling out a DS-160 right now. Got a visa question after listening? DM me — I’ll pass it along to Duden for future episodes. Press play, take notes, and treat your next visa interview like a product you can design and iterate — because you can.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Background
02:17 — Duden's Journey to US Diplomacy
07:46 — Duden's experience as a visa officer in Spain
09:48 — Training to be a visa consular officer
12:18 — Naman's visitor visa rejection - live retrospection
17:27 — What is the visa officer trying to assess?
21:26 — Every applicant's visa result defaults to rejected
22:39 — Dealing with God complex
26:45 — Navigating H,L,O,P,EB Visa Categories
29:47 — The Visa Officer's Unheard Perspective
34:14 — Does body language really matter?
36:05 — The DS160 should not be taken lightly
40:18 — Navigating H1B Visa Interviews
45:04 — Success Stories from Visas 101 and Lessons Learned
49:33 — Visa acceptance after multiple rejections

I’m Naman Pandey — welcome back to Ready Set Do. If you want to break into product management from a totally different career, this two-part jam with Jackie Henning is everything you need. In Part 2 Jackie walks us through the exact pivot she made — from medicine to product management — and the surprising, simple moves that opened the first PM door for her. This episode is practical, honest, and short on buzzwords: if you’re an aspiring PM working in a different industry (medicine, finance, design, teaching — whatever), you’ll leave with a clear, actionable roadmap.

Why this episode matters
Most career advice about “breaking into PM” feels theoretical. Jackie’s story proves the opposite: real transitions are tactical and repeatable. She shares the mindset shifts, the micro-skills, and the concrete projects that signaled product credibility to hiring teams. We break down what hiring managers actually look for, how to translate non-PM experience into product language, and which early wins accelerate your path from applicant to hire.

What you’ll get from listening
• A step-by-step recount of Jackie’s pivot from the medical field into health-tech PM — the decisions, mistakes, and small experiments that worked.
• Actionable tips you can implement this week: how to reframe your resume, build a PM-style project, and run mini-experiments to prove product impact.
• Clear differences between health-tech PM and general PM roles — what to emphasize when applying to clinical or regulated products.
• Practical advice on stakeholder management in healthcare environments — a must if you want to ship responsibly and quickly.
• The “threshold concept” Jackie uses to get unstuck — a mental model that turns vague career change goals into daily habits and measurable progress.

Who this episode is for
Aspiring product managers who aren’t currently in product, career pivoters curious about health-tech, and anyone who prefers blueprints over pep talks. If you want a direct playbook — not theory — press play.

How to use this episode
Treat it like a mini workshop. Listen with a notebook, pick one micro-project Jackie suggests, and run a two-week experiment. Share your results with me — I love seeing people ship things inspired by the show.

If you liked this, check Part 1 for Jackie's tactical tips and frameworks. Subscribe, leave a rating, and tell me which non-PM background you want us to break down next. Build something — then tell us about it.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Background

02:16 — Breaking into Product Management: Misconceptions and Realities
04:51 — Jackie’s Journey: From Medicine to Product Management
07:49 — The Evolution of Product Management: Learning by Doing
10:54 — Health Tech vs. General Product Management
13:51 — Navigating Stakeholder Relationships in Health Tech
16:43 — Advice for Aspiring Product Managers: The Threshold Concept

I’m Naman Pandey — welcome back to the Ready Set Do Podcast. This episode is a goldmine for builders: my guest is VJ Swaminathan, a serial entrepreneur you probably already know from Pathfinders and Authentic Hustle. VJ does something rare on this show — he literally pops the hood on his AI recruiting product, Recruitt.ai, and walks us through the exact tool stack, architecture decisions, and development trade-offs that got him from idea to demo. If you’re building voice-powered AI, hiring tech, or just curious how modern recruitment tooling is assembled, this conversation will save you months of guesswork.

Why listen? Because VJ doesn’t do vague platitudes. He shows the demo, explains where voice helps (and where it doesn’t), and breaks down the metrics that matter when you’re trying to make hiring both faster and fairer. We get into practical topics like: how voice naturally fits into candidate screening, how analytics shape recruiter workflows, and which parts of the pipeline you should optimize first to move the needle without overengineering.

I love this episode because it’s both tactical and inspiring. VJ shares the actual stack — the APIs, model choices, orchestration patterns, and third-party tools — plus why he made those choices. He talks through latency, cost, and user experience trade-offs; how to instrument the system for recruiting analytics; and how to iterate on an MVP that actually gets adoption inside hiring teams. If you’ve ever wanted a blueprint for a voice-first product or wondered how to stitch together modern LLMs, speech-to-text, and recruitment systems, this is the blueprint.

Beyond tech, VJ’s energy is contagious. You’ll pick up mindset hacks for staying productive, approaches to rapid experimentation, and a founder’s lens on building for long-term product-market fit. We also talk about staying current in the fast-moving AI landscape — how to evaluate new model releases, when to swap providers, and how to protect your product from brittle dependencies.

Resources: if you want more of VJ’s thinking, I’ve been on his show — check my Pathfinders episode here: https://youtu.be/Lh2JnM9Xxt8?si=P9nNqeWnI34b6WeC — and show his podcasts some love.

Who this episode is for: founders building voice-enabled products, engineers exploring AI stacks, recruiting leaders curious about automation, and anyone who likes practical, no-fluff product conversations. Expect concrete takeaways you can apply the next day.

If you like deep-dive founder conversations, hit subscribe, leave a rating, and tell me what product you want us to break down next. Press play, take notes, and if you build something inspired by this episode, ping me — I want to see it.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Background
03:59 — Recruitt AI Demo and Its Applications
07:51 — AI in Recruitment: Efficiency and Analytics
14:17 — Building the AI System: Tools and Technologies
19:26 — Staying Updated in the Fast-Paced AI Landscape

Why Astrology is More Than Fortune-Telling — A Raw Conversation with Poonam Dutta

What happens when you put a professional astrologer and spiritual scientist in the hot seat and ask the hard questions? In this episode of the Ready Set Do Podcast I sit down with Poonam Dutta — an expert in the Vedas, Sanatan Dharma, and Vedic astrology — for a multi-faceted, super-raw conversation that cuts past clichés and goes straight to the reasoning behind belief.

We start by unpacking what it means to call astrology a “science.” Poonam walks us through the logic, observational roots, and traditions that, to her, make it a disciplined way of understanding human patterns. From there we move into birth charts — not as mystical black boxes, but as layered maps that point to strengths, blind spots, and life timing. If you’ve ever wondered whether your chart is destiny or data, this episode gives you practical thinking, not platitudes.

We don’t shy away from controversy. I pressed Poonam on common myths around Hinduism — including how the caste system originated and how historical practice diverged from spiritual intent. We contrast Eastern and Western approaches to astrology, showing how context, language, and culture shape interpretation. You’ll get thoughtful, no-spin answers about daily sun-sign horoscopes too — why they persist, what they can (and can’t) tell you, and how to read them with nuance rather than superstition.

This conversation also explores the cosmic connection in Vedic thought and whether Hinduism could exist without astrology — a question that surprised me with its depth and subtlety. Poonam’s perspective is at once scholarly and immediate: she blends scripture, lived practice, and a scientist’s insistence on clarity. My favorite moment? When she debunked the endless stream of daily predictions and explained the real value (and limits) of sun-sign forecasting. Don’t skip that one.

If you’re curious about Vedic astrology, spiritual frameworks, or want an honest, critical take on traditions everyone talks about but few explain well — this episode is for you. It’s part myth-busting, part primer, and wholly human.

Listen, reflect, and decide for yourself. Full episode and links at readysetdopodcast.com.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction + Background

02:25 What is a Spiritual Scientist?

04:07 Is Astrology Real?

09:32 The Role of Birth Charts in Determining Potential

11:32 Contrasting Eastern and Western Astrology

14:54 Daily Predictions: Truth or Myth?

18:15 Can Hinduism Exist Without Astrology?

21:12 The Cosmic Connection in Vedic Astrology

24:42 Understanding Sanatana Dharma

28:05 The Caste System and Its Misinterpretations

34:36 Astrology Predictions for 2025 and Shocking Anecdotes

38:39 How to Practice Sanatana Dharma

39:00 Outro + Conclusion

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
03:57 A Day in the Life of a Technical Program Manager
07:30 Key Skills for Success in TPM Roles
10:52 Start doing this from the FIRST semester for TPM roles
12:56 How to write scholarship essay
14:00 Choosing the right electives
17:50 It’s okay to bail on electives
19:32 How to get shortlisted for jobs in 2025
25:14 Journey to Amazon: Business Analyst turned TPM?
29:22 Loop Interview Process + Hacks
30:51 How to Answer Behavioral Questions
32:41 The Loop Interview Experience
34:06 Navigating The Bar Raiser
38:58 How to Prepare for Loop Interviews
41:27 Do NOT rush to start answering
43:27 Rejected for Analyst, but offered TPM?
46:26 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.

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, 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 featured not-expert is Farah Fallah Toosi. Today's discussion is a bit of a crossover episode between the podcast and my youtube series build your own app, where we showcase the cutting edge of AI tools in an attempt to make these technologies accessible for the masses. Today we go over the many different ways one can build a fully customizable personal portfolio site to showcase their skills and get noticed by recruiters. This includes a complete start-to-end demo on how to use lovable to build and host your site for free. We also go over Webflow, some back-end tools, and end with a thorough comparitive analysis of the most prominent AI tools that exist today, as of mid-May 2025.

All my socials: readysetdopodcast.com

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

Timestamps:00:00 Intro + Background02:54 Why is a portfolio site a MUST HAVE to get hired?05:42 Overview of AI tools14:48 Intro to Lovable20:25 Generating first version of portfolio site30:31 Making updates to the site and deploying!33:57 Webflow overview37:05 Comparative analysis of AI tools as of May 202543:12 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