Google Guests with Aman Verma

Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford, who also served as the former First Minister of Wales, joined Google Guest with Aman Verma. And trust me—it was certainly a thought-provoking conversation about his initial journey in politics, his mentor Rhodri Morgan, the challenges of leadership, and the future of Welsh-Indian relations.Starting from his early days in the lecture halls of Cardiff University to his role as a special adviser, he reflected on how his experience working with Rhodri Morgan shaped his political career. We discussed it all—his leadership, governance, and key decisions.During our discussion, we also touched on the responsibility of managing the NHS. Known for his commitment to social justice, he spoke about the constant balancing act between progressive ideals and the practical realities of governing a diverse nation.Trade with India was another key topic. He addressed concerns over job losses at Tata Steel and discussed how the Welsh government could support workers while reassuring Indian investors.In short, many important issues were covered. Check out the episode—you’re definitely going to like it!

Hey hey hey, you know what? I used to get bullied in school. I was in hospitality, but I hated it because I always wanted to be in journalism. So, I jumped into it, and honestly, I feel better now. I wish I had told my parents back then, "Come on, I don’t want to do this." And I really wish I had told the people at school, "Better you don’t bully me." But I didn’t.And now, well, I’m not the only one here again—, upayan is back with me! If you don’t know who he is, go check out my previous episode. You’ll find a strong boy with so much to say. So here we are again, watch out for a conversation on many things. I promise, this episode will be amazing.

Well, what more do I need to say? It was a trulyfascinating conversation with Dr. Mariano Errichiello. Hang on—I'll tell you everything we discussed, but first, let me introduce Dr. Errichiello.Born in Naples, Dr. Errichiello is a scholarspecializing in Zoroastrianism, with a focus on its history, rituals, texts, and modern communities. He serves as the Shapoorji Pallonji Lecturer in Zoroastrianism and is the Co-Chair and Executive Director of the ShapoorjiPallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies at SOAS University of London. His academic journey includes a BA from the University of Naples, followed by an MAand PhD from SOAS.Before entering academia, he held leadership roles atPwC in Latin America and the UK. His research explores modern Zoroastrian esotericism, funerary practices, and ritual performances among Parsis in India, where he has conducted extensive fieldwork, working with primary sources in Parsi Gujarati. Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Errichiello has received honors from the Ancient India & Iran Trust of Cambridge and the Early Career Prize 2023 from the Association for the Study of Persianate Societies and the Journal of Persianate Studies. He has also held fellowships at the Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations and Spiritualities at Fondazione Giorgio Cini and the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies at the University of Copenhagen.For me, it was a privilege to talk with him about awide range of topics. We covered Parsi evolution, rituals, cultural practices, demographics, and why Dokhmenashini (sky burials) is no longer widely practiced. We also discussed why Parsis do not promote conversion. So many fascinating insights came to light!

Peeps it's all here!!! Graham Brady political career started as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1997 when he was elected as the Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West. Over the years, Brady built a reputation as a reliable figure within the party. And then came a big turn when he became a chairman of the 1922 Committee and held the Conservative government together many times, especially when things were not going well within the camp. He was certainly a key figure behind the scenes of the Conservative Party for over 14 years. The prestigious 1922 Committee, representing backbench MPs, is one of the most influential groups within the party, and Brady played a significant role in ensuring that the voices of these MPs were heard. Not just a figurehead; he was a mediator, a sounding board, and often the person who helped navigate the tricky waters between the party leadership and its members. Now here on the show he is all set to reveal tons of secrets that he wrote in his new book Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers. In it, he shares many secrets, offering insights from his early life to working with five former UK Prime Ministers. Do listen to the episode, and certainly read Brady’s book—you won't find a better way to understand the UK political scene. Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers https://www.amazon.in/Kingmaker-Secrets-Truth-about-Ministers-ebook/dp/B0DLF27YHY

Over 80,000 cases. This might sound like the plot of a thriller, but it’s also a challenging and dangerous reality. Today, we have with us India’s first female detective, Rajani Pandit. For me on a perosnal level episode holds special personal significance for me. Throughout her career, she has been involved in solving major criminal cases, from financial fraud to murder investigations and entire country is aware of her ability to uncover truths hidden in the most complex situations, which has made her a respected figure in the world of private detectives. Ms. Pandit is also a prolific author, having written books where she shares her unique experiences in the world of crime and investigation. From playing different characters to identifying culprits, and even meeting Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister Balasaheb Thackeray—Rajani opens up about it all

Introduction What more could anyone ask for in the first episode of The AM Show, where we hosted Republican Congressman Don Bacon, certainly a big name in U.S. politics? And why not—his contributions to Nebraska are evident to all. With Republican now all set to get into the White House, there couldn’t be a better time to ask him about his views on U.S.-India relations. We got into a wide range of topics, including strengthening trade ties in technology and agriculture, leveraging the Quad alliance for Indo-Pacific stability, and fostering energy collaboration across traditional and renewable sectors. Congressman Bacon also shared insights on defense mechanisms, the role of the Quad panel, and more. There's much to uncover in this engaging episode! Republican Congressman representing Nebraska's 2nd District since 2017. Bacon is a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, known for his strong stance on national security and as a neutral, understanding leader who emphasizes bipartisanship and fostering international alliances.

There are quite a few interviews I want to frame on my wall, and as a guest show host, I believe you never get satisfied with your project because you always want more—from fine editing to the perfect picture—everything! But believe me, when I was talking to Catherine Natalie and Peter Papageorgiou, an amazing husband and wife duo, extremely senior in Hollywood theatre and web series—I knew this was something I was going to enjoy. And I did! Now, if you’re wondering who Catherine Natalie and Peter Papageorgiou are, as mentioned, they are wonderful Hollywood talents who have been in the industry for the past 30 years. On one hand, Catherine is all over with her web series, including her recent TV show project All About Manos (you should go see it). She now has her own production house, Maxpetals Production, where she’s the writer, producer—everything! On the other hand, Peter Papageorgiou is a fantastic editor, writer, and actor. You can find him in films like Late Bloomers (2013), If You Want, and Netherland. He’s also worked on Big Man on Mulberry Street, where his writer-producer talent shines. Ah, enough said! Just enjoy the interview—there’s a lot here for you all! Catherine Natale Bio Catherine Natale was born in Jersey City N.J. She continues to study in New York and Los Angeles. In New York, she trained with Curt Dempster, Uta Hagen, and Austin Pendleton. Catherine started acting in New York on stage appearing Off-Broadway and doing original plays and musicals down in the West Village and Theatre Row. Later on, she would study at Second City and The Groundlings in Los Angeles where she got the writing bug.Presently, she continues to work in film and TV in Los Angeles and New York. Catherine Natale now has her own production company called Maxpetals Productions. She is now writing and creating, producing, and collaborating with the entertainment industry on new exciting projects as a writer and actress. Catherine Natale's comedy projects have been nominated, semi-finalists, and awarded in writing and acting in film festivals around the world.Catherine follows her first love: "acting" and loves to create characters that stir up emotion and give a lot of levity to this world. She is also an accomplished artist and has been drawing since the age of five years old. Peter Papageorgiou Bio A native New Yorker from Queens, this multi-talented creator channels the vibrant characters and rich experiences of city life into stories across film, television, and digital media. Known for an authentic storytelling style that blends comedy and drama, they have built an impressive portfolio. Their short film credits include "Big Man on Mulberry Street," which captures the essence of Manhattan’s Little Italy and debuted at New York’s Vortex Theatre. Their foray into British humor with "Toothpicks" further demonstrated versatility, gaining recognition at various film festivals. In television, they have developed promising projects like "Late Bloomers," a character-driven pilot exploring second chances, and "Sexton Heights," a horror-comedy feature showcasing genre-blending abilities. Their digital ventures have made an impact on the web series scene as well. As host and producer of "Webseriesonfire.com," they've conducted in-depth interviews with 63 pioneering creators, documenting digital storytelling's evolution. Their work on the award-winning web series "All About Manos," alongside Catherine Natale and Eden Young, highlights their commitment to elevating independent content. His latest television pilot, "Urban Underdogs," continues the tradition of authentic New York storytelling.

Introduction Few days back, I called one of my closest friends, and we were planning for a Diwali function. Suddenly, she popped up with an idea and said, Dude, let's do a show! I was initially confused and, in a very subtle tone, replied, Okay... but what will we discuss? She said, “Just the Northeast, just Mizoram, and just Aizawl!” So, Aishna Victor Singh, the founder of Eastern Sky Podcast, who is doing a fantastic job with her niche, is now joining us for this episode. And trust me, we did a crazy episode! Before we finished, we felt it needed more fun , or let’s say, puns , so the "resourceful" guy from our IIMC Aizawl college, Namit Bathla, is here as well. For peeps who doesn’t know Namit, beware of his poor jokes (okay, okay, even I make PJs too!). Enough said – come on, jump into the show! You’ll experience just magical sounds, our stories, our experiences in the Northeast, and why other parts of the country or media are still not giving the Northeast the attention it deserves. We’ve spiced it all up, so let’s jump in now!

Introduction We often face situations where we want to put our best foot forward and not hide our emotions, saying what we have in mind. For example, I used to get bullied in school but didn’t have the courage to speak up against it. As a result, school never gave me any joy; I used to hate going. Now, looking back, I realise it was my mistake—I should have told someone about what I was going through. Anyway, today I’m talking to one of the best psychiatrists, Cees Baees. I believe many people are like me; they need help and want to express themselves but lack the courage to do so. Cees and I had a wonderful conversation, touching on various issues, from ADHD and the use of caffeine to the rising divorce rates and whether we are living life the way we truly want to. This episode is one where I've truly put my heart into the most. I encourage you to listen, as I believe it could resonate with many. Also, before we press the start button, let’s get to know more about Cees Baees. He is one of the best in the field of psychiatry, although he modestly claims otherwise. Living in the Netherlands, Cees has been practising for over 20 years and has written some of the best documentary scripts, which is why he often says, "I’m a psychiatrist who's winning writing awards."

Privileged, blessed, & loss for words When I first texted John Martin to invite him to my guest show, I was a bit nervous. But very gracefully, the legend accepted my request and agreed to come on the show. And then, what happened? He came and charmed the show just like he does on a comedy stage. For those who aren't aware of who John Martin is, his name is in the Guinness World Record for telling jokes for 101 hours and 39 minutes straight. He was also the UK's first government-sponsored comedian. Not only that, his prolific writing has been praised by many. Also the author of some amazing books, including I Want To Be A Comedian, Mr. Tarbuck, which is partly an autobiography also based on his time with Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd, another legendary UK comedian. But he didn’t stop there. His book, The Mirror Caught the Sun: Operation Anthropoid 1942, released in 2009 and still the talk of the town, takes you through the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the chief of the Reich Security Main Office, who was killed by Czech agents. Well, as mentioned earlier, John graciously accepted my invitation, and it was truly an honour to host him. Do listen to my episode with John Martin, where he talks about how comedy has evolved over the years and how to be a comedian in a‘politically correct’ world.

Introduction: And we are here again. We're really sorry for not being on time, but as we know, it's never too late to discuss sports. When it comes to Indian cricket, or the current champions, we are not going to get bored. Let's check who is here today: Rupayan Samanatha. Here is an interesting fact: he is currently the assistant sports editor and sports radio anchor. Rupayan uses "ABS" as his middle name, but why? I'm not going to tell you; let's find out from him on this guest show. Well, after we won the World Cup, I know there is going to be a long celebration. But we are here to discuss the future of Indian cricket and, most especially, the new rockstar in town: USA cricket. Let's check out some funny things, and we will discuss cricket. He will also give me a subtle Bengali lesson.

Hell yeah! We are here again. This long, one-month T20 World Cup is about to end, and we've seen many things. We've witnessed tournament debutants beating Test-playing nations, and not-so-minnows Afghanistan qualifying for the T20 World Cup semifinals. Ah, geez man, such good things have happened to them, or should I say, they deserved it. Now, let's wind up and present Arnav Sarkar. Arnav and I had a podcast back in February to discuss USA cricket, and now if you see, the cricket team is surely not one to take lightly. So I thought, why not review it with the best in the business? Although I would love to see Rupyan soon—hey bud, hope you're listening to this—I would love to see you. But for now, let's talk to Arnav and see what he thinks about the USA cricket team.

Introduction- Okay, I'm here once again after a long 2-month break. I'm sure no one cares, but I counted, so it's pretty accurate. Now, I'm here with a new season, a new name, and most importantly, with good guests. You know, it's a blessing sometimes that when you're launching your season back, you call up friends who live almost more than a thousand miles away with hell of a lot of different time zones, but they say yes. And indeed, they said yes once again. Today, I'm privileged to chat with Regan Spear, who is doing a crazy job as the host of the DR1 podcast along with his mate Josh. We talked about cricket, obviously you can't get that streak out, but more importantly, we talked about the joy of being in the sports arena. Listen to the interview, which will make you do nothing but subtly laugh. https://open.spotify.com/show/1PzaMd8K3Qs5XpPIABcjgX?si=3bce9434fd0e4f8f - DRN1 Podcast

In a recent podcast , I interviewed former Scotland international cricketer Qasim Sheikh, He has represented Scotland on many occasions, including the ICC World Twenty20 Championships in South Africa (2007) and England (2009).  he also hosts a show named Sheikhy's Sports Journeys & Life on the Ground Pod, where he interviews lots of sports personalities. Topics- Discussion on Scottish cricket setup, including ground issues and financial structure. Racism in cricket and how the ICC could support associate nations. Sustainability of test matches, including thoughts on four-day test cricket.Sheikh's Insights on mental health issues faced by athletes at all levels, from juniors to international players.Emphasis on the importance of addressing stress, anxiety, and performance issues in athletes.Advocacy for increased awareness and discussion of mental health challenges in sports.Recognition of the need for greater support systems for athletes' mental well-being. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAtkloFPRES99R2EYWczBnw - Sheikhy’s Sports Journeys & Life on the Ground Pod.

Topics covered : West Indies selectors West Indies selection policies Performances in the test formatReasons behind the inability to enforce a reservation system with the collaboration of different Caribbean islands.Areas where teams like India and South Africa are lackingAnalysis of how the pitch is expected to play in the West Indies during the upcoming T20 World Cup.Expectations from the Caribbean team in the tournament Introduction So, when I was starting my audio chat show, I took lots of inspiration from different top-notch shows around the globe. Honestly, if you ask any chat show host, they have a list of dream guests whom they want to bring on the show, and I am no different in this case. I have a dream bucket list of guests, and there is a reason: they are my experts. They know better than me, and understanding them, the mechanism is going to nurture me and my listeners' knowledge in many ways. So, today, I am sure you saw that logo, which is already clear for lots of listeners that I did a podcast with the Caribbean cricket podcast host, Machel St. Patrick Hewitt. I am sure every cricket fan around must have heard this name, and why not? Caribbean Cricket podcast is something that I looked up to, and his podcast actually, in the true sense, encouraged me to start my own. So, why is he here today? Well, lots of reasons. First, I am lucky that he came to my show. Secondly, we are here to discuss the Caribbean way of playing cricket, their selection process, the West Indies team in the past, and how they were different than now. Is West Indies the true dark horse for this T20 World Cup? Hmm, okay, I'll stop my commentary and listen to what Machel is talking. ⁠Caribbean Cricket Podcast⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/2vseYQXRRe614G84eNydM7

Topics Covered : Australian Open 2024 Novak Djokovic & Nick Kyrgios Future Aryna Sabalenka Playing Style Indian Tennis Culture Sports Betting In Australia Introduction: As I said earlier in my previous podcasts,  that there's nothing better than pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, learning from the experts, and earning their opinion. So, growing up, two sports to which I was really drawn were cricket, obviously, and tennis then. Maybe it's because my father likes the game and we play it every now and then, or maybe it's because this is the game that has lots and lots of lessons. I'm sure a lot of people look up to Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and in the past, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, among others. I look up to them for their work ethics and their joy for playing. So, for me, today's podcast, which I recorded with Christian, was a joy in many ways. He recently covered the Australian Open, attending lots of press conferences, which I'm sure was a joyful moment for him. Christian Monetgan, who is associated with The First Serve and The Inner Sanctum as a sports journalist covering many sports, as I said, got the privilege to cover the Australian Open. So ,Dive into this conversation, and I'm sure you'll have the privilege of getting to know athletes a little more deeply, which Chris is sharing with us.

Topics Covered : Sports Gambling Sports Corruption T20 World Cup 2024 How Kieron Pollard could help the England team as a batting consultant? etc.... Introduction - So, when I started recording the conversation with Enrique, I said to him, 'Why not just discuss everything?' It's a fact that in this whole conversation, we discussed almost everything which could favor sports lovers around the globe. And why not? I mean, we discussed lots of topics, such as sports immigrants and their contributions. We shared our thoughts on sports gambling and why it is illegal in India, and how lottery money helped the England rowing team. We also had a discussion on West Indies and Indian cricket, as Enrique thinks that West Indies is a slightly underrated team in world cricket, and India is overrated. Ahh, subjective, right? And nothing better than earning opinions from around the globe. So, without wasting time, Enrique, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, the place of Brian Lara, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo, he is working as a freelance sports journalist, having an exotic family background. I'm sure you are going to like this one or our conversation. So Check it out. Now

Covering - Jamaican Cricket Unequal distribution of facilities in sports Jamaican Premier League Introduction: Well, sometimes there's nothing better than expanding your horizons. That's what today's lesson is all about. Sometimes it's better to love your sport but also appreciate other sports as well. There's so much to learn and so many experiences to gain. That's what I did. Today's guest on my show is Gregory Bryce, a Sports Journalist at The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited. When I was reading about G's work, the idea struck me: why not expand the boundaries and listen to those sports journalists who bring value? Yes, we cover cricket because it's something I've always loved, but sometimes others can add value. Gregory did just that, covering the Jamaican Premier League and speaking to track and field coaches who are suffering due to a lack of support. Why are you listening to me? It's not a monologue, don't worry. Let's welcome Gregory to the show.

I have a bucket list as a sports podcaster, and one of the items on it is to explore a few regions that have always attracted me since I was a kid. One of these regions is the West Indies or the Caribbean. I'm sure people who love reading cricket history know about the legendary West Indies team, from Vivian Richards to the Whispering Death, Michael Holding, and Courtney Walsh. In the last two decades, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell. well, the list goes on. Here's a fact that few people may know,West Indies is not a country, it's a group of beautiful islands, each with its own traditions of producing fantastic players. Just out of curiosity, or maybe because I was craving deeper knowledge about West Indies cricket, it is a privilege for me to have interviewed Jerome Foster. Jerome is from Jamaica and was awardee of Jamaica Sports Journalist of the Year in 2022. currently working as a Sports Reporter/Producer at Television Jamaica. For me personally, it was also a very insightful conversation that we had, from cricket to interviewing skills techniques. We discussed almost all the main aspects of how Jamaica cricket works and how any Caribbean youth can get into the international team, West Indies' chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, and Shamar Joseph's future. We talked about why West Indies cricket suffered, especially in the last few years, not only this, but we also discussed our mutual favorites Curtly Ambrose, Sir Vivian Richards, and Brian Lara. Enough said, the conversation was quite deeper than just superficial, so make sure to check out the podcast.

You know, there is something about South Africa - their culture, their hospitality, everything. Everyone knows the contribution of Nelson Mandela to South Africa, but what a lot of people don't know is that he was the biggest sports lover. From rugby to cricket, he once said "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does," and it's a fact that sports always works as a bridge builder. So, I thought, why not just expand the horizon and talk to those amazing people who are living every moment and observing every sporting activity of this beautiful rainbow nation? I was fortunate to host Athenkosi Tsotsi, Athen is a Vodacom Sports Journalist of the Year 2021 Eastern Cape awardee, who has done a lot of fascinating work in sports journalism. So, Athen and I had a fascinating conversation covering a lot of things, from cricket to rugby, from rugby sports stars to cricket sports stars, and why athletes stretch their careers. Enough to say, we discussed a lot, so stick with this episode, and I promise you this 1-hour conversation will help you to understand the sporting culture of the rainbow nation. Athenkosi Tsotsi Work Links- https://www.linkedin.com/in/athenkosi-tsotsi-11948417b/