Episodes
Published 11/12/24
[Replay] In honor of the recent launch of a Dewali Barbie, dressed in Anita Dongre's designs, listen back to this inspiring conversation between two powerhouses of fashion. Masaba Gupta talks with Anita Dongre about the path to, and secrets of, her success.
Published 10/30/24
Published 10/30/24
In honor of the upcoming release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Vidya Balan's return to the franchise, listen back to this inspiring conversation with Masaba Gupta. The two discussed Vidya’s unique career path, her early. days of navigating fame ("I want to be invisible, but I'm an actor" she remembers thinking); how she prepares for a role, the three questions she asks herself when considering whether or not to do a project and how she feels about regret. Plus, why she thinks movement is life.
Published 10/15/24
Introducing What to eat to avoid osteoporosis from ZOE Science & Nutrition. Follow the show: ZOE Science & Nutrition Every 12 years, our skeletons undergo a complete transformation. Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Cyrus Cooper discuss how to avoid Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile, significantly increases the risk of fractures from minor incidents, often without any noticeable symptoms. Worldwide, it affects one in three women and one in five men over fifty,...
Published 10/15/24
[Encore episode] Legendary publisher Chiki Sarkar, whose dynamic career has shaped the literary landscape in India. From her role as Editor-in-Chief at Random House India to her time as Publisher at Penguin, and now a founder of Juggernaut Books, Chiki has been at the forefront of the industry, bringing groundbreaking authors and stories to readers worldwide. She shares her thoughts on the evolving reading trends in India, the careful decision-making process behind selecting books to publish,...
Published 10/09/24
Introducing In conversation with Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Founder and CEO of GORGIE from Makers Mindset . Follow the show: Makers Mindset Michelle Cordeiro Grant is a serial entrepreneur, brand builder and innovator.  After spending the tenure of her career at household names in the retail industry, she moved into the startup world. In 2016, she founded LIVELY, a Leisurée brand inspiring women to live passionately, purposefully and confidently. In three years, she grew the brand from concept...
Published 10/09/24
[Encore] Chef Garima Aurora recently became the first female Indian chef to have earned two Michelin stars--at her Bangkok restaurant Gaa. (She was also the first female Indian chef to earn one Michelin star.) In this deep and wide-ranging conversation from 2022, Masaba talks to Chef Garima about her forever love of nachos--sometimes washed down with champagne--about her experience working at Noma, and about the specific ways she approaches leadership and culture-building.
Published 10/01/24
Masaba Gupta, who once played professional tennis herself, talks to Sania Mirza about Sania's amazing tennis career, including the sacrifices it took to become the world's number one. Sania muses about her impending retirement, and how motherhood has affected her personal life and her tennis career. She also talks about the life-changing match she played with Serena Williams.
Published 09/24/24
Activism! Sports! Women! Introducing Hoops Off, a show that looks at the latest ways sports is intersecting with women’s issues, culture and society. Liz Lapp and Karen Uyenco are savvy sports fans, keen analysts, and, like Masaba and her mother, hilarious co-hosts with a surplus of hot takes. Sports journalists, athletes, activists, agents, talent, comedians, and more join them to bring additional perspectives to the rollicking discussion. New episodes weekly. Listen here
Published 08/09/24
Masaba Gupta talks to Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan about watching the TV she wants to watch despite what everyone thinks, Hollywood's issue of diversity and representation—and how that's starting to change, an unforgettable "tip" on how to keep your cool when meeting celebrities, and why Hermione Granger was her childhood hero.
Published 12/06/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the legendary publisher Chiki Sarkar about her long and storied career (which included time as editor-in-chief at Random House India, and publisher at Penguin), and about everything from her view on the evolving reading trends in India, her process of deciding which books to publish, her comfort novel, and her favorite writer to collaborate with.
Published 11/27/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the iconic lawyer Mrinalini Deshmukh on navigating one’s emotions while practicing law, changing familial trends of the Indian society, the burden of her perception of being a tough taskmaster, the importance of sensitivity in practicing family law, and her desire to join politics.
Published 11/20/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the globally acclaimed filmmaker, Mira Nair about her path as an artist–including the inspiration she gets from India, how cinema verité informed her filmmaking, and what drives her choice of subjects and actors.  On her eye for spotting, and working with, world-class talent, she says she surrenders to people, which gets them to do what she wants them to do, but “using their spirit that I saw in them.” Nair also talks about her upcoming film on Amrita Sher-gill, who she...
Published 11/13/23
Actor and comedian Mallika Dua talks with Masaba Gupta about her training as an actor, and why she calls herself an accidental comedian. The duo compare notes on the perils of creating content for social media platforms, and the future of the Internet. Plus Mallika shares the importance of mental health in her life, including her approach to dealing with personal loss.
Published 11/06/23
Masaba Gupta talks to her mother and co-star (in the series Masaba, Masaba), Neena Gupta. The iconic actor talks about the journey of her career–from humble beginnings in theatre, to her breakout roles, to succeeding in the film industry without mentors. She reflects on creating a strong sense of purpose in life, and the difference between popularity and success. Plus: Neena Gupta gives her take on the hot button issue of nepotism in Bollywood.
Published 10/30/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the educator, philanthropist, and businesswoman Dr. Neerja Birla about juggling multiple personal and professional roles, her penchant for exploring India by bicycle, her perspectives on raising children, and the important work she does to raise awareness about mental health.
Published 10/23/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the legendary Indian cricketer Mithali Raj about her philosophy on leadership, and why being an empathetic leader is so important. The accomplished athlete describes her admiration for cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and cricket coach Ricky Ponting. Plus, she reflects on the timely topic of equal pay for men and women cricketers. Raj also reveals what she does to calm her nerves in tense moments during a match.
Published 10/16/23
The Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, Megha Kapoor, sits down with Masaba Gupta to discuss how she has been navigating the intertwined worlds of fashion and Bollywood while contributing vision and energy to an amazing brand. They talk about Megha’s passion for being a champion of young creatives, welcoming diverse voices to the table of collaboration, and the myth of networking. Plus: what it’s like working with Anna Wintour (and the seemingly rare expression Megha is able to elicit...
Published 10/09/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the award-winning journalist Faye D’Souza about what it has been like to start an independent news portal, as well as what her relationship with news is–for example her take on trigger warnings, and how she protects herself in the face of disturbing news. She also shares her best practice for getting the most out of an interviewee, and who she has had the most fun interviewing.
Published 09/25/23
Masaba Gupta talks to the sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar about her long and storied career in music, including the thrill of performing live--especially after the pandemic. She also describes what she considers the secret sauce of collaborating with great artists. and recounts a memorable moment and lesson from “Uncle George”, a.k.a The Beatles’ George Harrison.
Published 09/18/23
Masaba Gupta talks to Chef Garima Arora, the first Indian woman to win a Michelin star for her Bangkok restaurant, GAA. Garima speaks about her newfound love of working out (and forever love of nachos), experience working at Noma, and philosophies on leadership and culture-building.
Published 09/04/23