The Secret Sauce

Mukul Deora

The Secret Sauce Podcast - a thought-provoking show that decodes the science and systems behind better health, performance, and decision-making. Hosted by Oscar-nominated filmmaker and entrepreneur Mukul Deora, it cuts through the noise with depth, intelligence, and conversations that make you think differently. Tune in every Thursday for world-class conversations that sharpen how you think, live, and lead.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 39 min
The Mahabharata on Privilege, Nepotism and Changing the Rules | Devdutt Pattanaik | Mukul Deora | E35
Why do people follow certain rules, question others and make exceptions when circumstances change? Devdutt Pattanaik revisits the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita to explore privilege, nepotism, responsibility and human relationships. Through the lives of Krishna, Arjuna, Karna, Ekalavya, Dronacharya, Bhishma and other central characters, the conversation connects ancient conflicts with modern questions around family loyalty, authority, opportunity, leadership and personal choice. He examines how people create boundaries between “us” and “them,” why rules are often shaped by context, and how dharma asks us to remain aware of both ourselves and others. The discussion covers: • The Mahabharata as a study of human relationships • Privilege, inheritance and access to opportunity • Rules, traditions and changing circumstances • The meaning of dharma, karma and responsibility • How fear, loyalty and attachment influence judgement • Why seeing another person clearly can deepen self-understanding Watch till the end to understand why dharma begins when we move beyond asking only what we want and start considering how our choices affect others. Subscribe to The Secret Sauce Podcast for more conversations on ideas, culture, leadership and modern life.
July 23 · 1 hr 25 min
Trying for a Baby? What an IVF Pioneer Says to Check First | Dr. Firuza Parikh | Mukul Deora | E34
Trying for a baby but unsure whether you need IVF? IVF pioneer Dr. Firuza Parikh explains what couples should check before beginning fertility treatment, why infertility must be investigated in both partners, and why IVF should never be recommended without understanding the real diagnosis. In this conversation, Dr. Parikh explains how long healthy couples should try naturally, how to identify the fertile window, how often to have sex while trying to conceive, and which common conception myths can be ignored. She also breaks down semen analysis, sperm count, motility and morphology, showing why a man can have a normal sex life and still experience a serious fertility problem. The episode explores AMH testing, ovarian reserve, age-related fertility decline and egg freezing in detail. Dr. Parikh explains what a low AMH result actually means, what it cannot predict, when women delaying pregnancy should begin testing, and why freezing eggs earlier may improve future options. The discussion also covers PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, diabetes, repeated miscarriages, failed IVF cycles, embryo testing and IVF success rates. Dr. Parikh shares why stress, depression, poor sleep, lifestyle changes and relationship pressures may also influence fertility outcomes. You will also learn how plastics, perfumes, cosmetics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals and environmental pollutants may affect sperm health, egg quality and reproductive health. Watch the full episode for a clear and practical guide to natural conception, fertility testing, egg freezing and deciding when IVF is truly necessary.
July 16 · 1 hr 11 min
Why Fit-Looking People Get Injured After 40 | John Gloster | Mukul Deora | E33
What does it take to train like a corporate athlete and perform better at work without spending hours in the gym? John Gloster explains how movement, strength training, recovery, hydration and nutrition influence cognitive performance, energy, injury risk and longevity. In this conversation, John breaks down the connection between physical health and professional performance. He explains how prolonged sitting affects the spine, posture, core and glutes, why regular movement can improve focus and communication, and how brisk walking, swimming, mobility work and resistance training can protect the body as it ages. Drawing from his experience in elite cricket and with the Rajasthan Royals, John reveals how athletes are trained according to their age, role, injury history, fitness level, lifestyle and environment. He also explains why the same individualised approach should be applied by founders, executives and professionals trying to improve their health and performance. The conversation explores: Why physical fitness can improve cognitive performance at work How prolonged sitting affects posture, spinal pressure and stability Why resistance training becomes increasingly important after 40 How mobility, grip strength and balance can reveal physical decline Why single-leg strength matters for preventing ankle and knee injuries How to prepare before starting padel, pickleball or another intense sport Why swimming is an effective tool for fitness, recovery and rehabilitation How caffeine, late meals, alcohol and dehydration affect sleep quality What wearable data can reveal about recovery, stress and readiness Why high-performing professionals need deliberate recovery routines How HbA1c and fasting insulin can reveal insulin resistance and metabolic risk Why eating real food matters more than following another extreme diet This episode is for founders, executives, professionals and anyone who wants more energy, sharper focus, better recovery and a stronger body without following an unrealistic fitness routine. Watch till the end for John Gloster’s five practical principles for long-term performance: breathe, move, hydrate, read and stretch.
July 9 · 1 hr 11 min
Lisa Ray: I Went Into Menopause At 37, Here's What Women Learn Too Late| Mukul Deora | E32
In this deeply personal episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, Lisa Ray opens up about cancer, chemo-induced menopause, perimenopause, aging, and the silence that still surrounds women’s health. Lisa shares how cancer treatment pushed her into chemo-induced menopause at 37, why she did not speak about it for years, and how that silence reflects a much larger problem: women’s health is still too often dismissed, misunderstood, or hidden. This conversation breaks down what women are rarely told about hormonal health. Perimenopause symptoms can begin earlier than expected, they can feel deeply isolating, and menopause is often treated as decline when it is actually a transition that needs awareness, support, and better medical guidance. Lisa discusses hot flashes, brain fog, rage, joint pain, weight gain, dry skin, libido, sleep, HRT/MHT, thyroid confusion, partner support, and why Indian women need more open, informed conversations around hormonal health. We discuss: Lisa Ray’s early menopause after cancer treatment Why women often suffer in silence during perimenopause The symptoms nobody explains clearly enough Hormones, HRT, MHT and updated medical conversations Why thyroid and perimenopause symptoms can overlap What husbands and partners need to understand Why aging should not be treated as invisibility How women can reclaim this phase of life Watch till the end for one of the most honest conversations on menopause, aging and women’s health.
July 2 · 1 hr 27 min
Former HUL Chairman: How He Built a $76B Company Without Shortcuts | Sanjiv Mehta | Mukul Deora | Ep 31
In this episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, Mukul Deora speaks with the former CEO of Hindustan Unilever about crisis, ambition, failure, ethics and the mindset required to build a high-performance company. Sanjiv shares how his time in the Bhopal crisis team shaped his belief that businesses must serve society, not just shareholders. The conversation covers the hard parts of leadership: taking decisions without complete information, creating a culture where people can talk about failure, choosing the spirit of the law over shortcuts, building teams that speak freely, and staying humble even while chasing big ambition. This is a conversation for anyone who wants to build better companies, better teams and a better leadership mindset. Watch till the end for lessons on performance, ethics and leadership from one of India’s most respected CEOs.
June 25 · 1 hr 23 min
Your Comfortable Life Is Making You Weaker | Dr. Marcus Ranney | Mukul Deora | Ep 30
Stress is not always the problem. The wrong kind of stress, without recovery, is. In this episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, Mukul Deora speaks to Dr. Marcus Ranney, longevity physician and high performance specialist, about why stress is not always the enemy. He explains the difference between eustress and distress, how modern life keeps the body in a constant low-grade distress through emails, deadlines, convenience, poor sleep, noise, overwork and always-on culture. He also tells about how controlled discomfort, like cold showers, fasting, exercise, breathwork and heat exposure, can become good stress that trains the body and mind to become stronger. Dr. Marcus also explains HRV, cortisol, vagal tone, the nervous system, sleep routines and recovery habits in a simple way. He shares what normal professionals can learn from athletes, explorers, Navy SEALs and high performers who prepare their bodies for pressure instead of waiting to break down. This conversation will make you learn how to read your body better, how heart rate variability can reveal hidden stress, why elite performers protect recovery so seriously, and how to know when stress is helping you grow versus pushing you towards burnout. In this episode, you will understand: Why stress is not automatically bad What eustress and distress really mean How to identify whether stress is building you or damaging you Why too much comfort can reduce resilience How HRV can warn you before burnout shows up Why breathwork affects the vagus nerve and recovery state How sleep, nutrition and active recovery improve performance Why corporate professionals need recovery as much as athletes Watch till the end to learn how to use stress intelligently for better health, stronger performance and long-term longevity.
June 18 · 1 hr 47 min
India's Top Dermatologist Reveals What's Aging Your Skin | Dr. Jaishree Sharad | Mukul Deora | Ep 29
India’s top dermatologist Dr. Jaishree Sharad breaks down what is really aging your skin, from sugar and collagen loss to hormones, sunscreen, acne, dark circles and the skincare mistakes Indians are making every day. In this episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, we go beyond beauty tips and look at skin as a reflection of health. Dr. Jaishree explains why Indian skin is different, why Korean skincare may not work for everyone, how sugar affects collagen, why sunscreen is non-negotiable, and how lifestyle, PCOD, thyroid, insulin resistance, stress, smoking and pollution can show up on your face. This episode covers: Why sugar can damage collagen and speed up skin aging What Indian skin actually needs compared to Western or Korean skincare The truth about sunscreen, SPF, PA ratings and blue light protection Why dark circles, acne and pigmentation may be linked to internal health What to know before choosing Botox, fillers, lasers or skin boosters Watch till the end if you care about better skin, skin longevity, anti-aging, Indian skincare, and understanding what your skin may be trying to tell you. Tags: skin aging, dermatologist, Dr Jaishree Sharad, Indian skincare, sugar collagen, sugar kills collagen, collagen loss, skin longevity, anti aging, sunscreen, acne, dark circles, hyperpigmentation, Korean skincare, Indian skin, skincare mistakes, hormones skin, PCOD acne, insulin resistance, skincare podcast, health podcast, The Secret Sauce Podcast
June 11 · 1 hr 2 min
The Woman Who Built Apollo Beyond Hospitals | Shobana Kamineni | Mukul Deora | E28
Shobana Kamineni is the force behind Apollo HealthCo, a triple-unicorn healthcare business built across Apollo 24|7, Keimed, and Apollo Pharmacy. In this episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, Mukul Deora speaks with Shobana Kamineni about what it takes to build and scale healthcare businesses inside one of India’s most respected healthcare groups. She shares the story behind Apollo Pharmacy, the creation of Keimed’s medicine distribution network, and the rise of Apollo 24|7 as a digital healthcare platform built for modern India. The conversation explores how Apollo transitioned from being hospital-led to becoming an integrated healthcare ecosystem covering medicine delivery, doctor consultations, diagnostics, health records, AI, and preventive healthcare. Shobana also explains why the biggest opportunity in healthcare is not only treating illness, but also helping people detect risks early and manage their health better over time. From building teams and handling failure to selling Apollo Munich, scaling during COVID-19, and aligning Apollo’s businesses into a single ecosystem, this episode offers a rare look into how a triple-unicorn healthcare business is built. This episode covers: How Apollo HealthCo became a triple-unicorn healthcare business The story behind Apollo 24|7, Keimed and Apollo Pharmacy Why 80% of healthcare happens outside the hospital How digital health records can change patient care Why AI in healthcare will support doctors, not replace them The importance of preventive healthcare, whole body MRI and genetic testing How early detection can reduce the cost of disease What India’s healthcare future could look like Watch this episode to understand the future of healthcare in India.
June 5 · 1 hr 17 min
A Top Radiologist Reveals What Your Health Checkup Misses | Dr. Anirudh Kohli | Mukul Deora | E27
Most people wait for symptoms before taking their health seriously. But some of the biggest risks, heart disease, fatty liver, visceral fat, aneurysms and metabolic syndrome, can build silently for years. In this episode Dr. Anirudh Kohli, radiologist and CEO of Breach Candy Hospital, to understand how preventive imaging can help detect hidden health risks before they become serious. Dr. Kohli breaks down the scans and tests that matter, from CT angio, calcium score and photon-counting CT to MRI, DEXA scan, ultrasound, brain MRI angiography and liver elastography. He explains why blood tests alone may not give the full picture, why Indians are at higher risk for early cardiovascular disease, and why visceral fat is one of the most important health markers to track. This conversation also explores the reality of executive health checkups, the fear around CT scan radiation, the rise of fatty liver due to metabolic syndrome, the limits of full body MRI, and why even fit people, runners and gym-goers can still carry serious hidden risks. We also discuss: • Why heart disease can be silent until it becomes dangerous • What calcium score actually reveals about your heart • When CT angio may be more useful than a basic checkup • Why visceral fat matters more than visible weight • How fatty liver can progress into liver damage • Whether full body MRI is truly worth doing • Why a brain MRI angiography may help detect aneurysm risk • What health scans to consider in your 30s, 40s and 50s • Why executive health checkups need to go beyond blood tests • How AI is changing radiology, diagnosis and medical imaging • Why self-diagnosis through Google or AI can create unnecessary panic This episode is for anyone who wants to understand preventive health, early detection, medical imaging, heart disease risk, metabolic syndrome and the tests that can help people make better health decisions before symptoms appear. Watch till the end for a practical, age-wise understanding of preventive scans and what modern medicine can reveal before disease becomes urgent. Subscribe to The Secret Sauce for more conversations with doctors, experts, leaders and thinkers who decode health, longevity, performance, decision-making and the systems that shape our lives.
May 28 · 1 hr 41 min
India's Top Divorce Lawyer: Reveals What Actually Ends Marriages| Adv. Mrunalini Deshmukh | Mukul Deora| E26
Divorce in India is often seen as the end of a marriage, but the reality is far more complicated. From emotional infidelity and family interference to legal delays, alimony, child custody, and social pressure, separation in India is rarely just about two people walking away. In this episode India's Top divorce lawyer Mrunalini Deshmukh explains why Indian marriages fail, why divorce cases are rising in urban India, and how divorce law in India can make the process emotionally and legally difficult. The conversation explores love marriage vs arranged marriage, cheating, open marriages, intimacy issues, ignored red flags before marriage, misuse of divorce laws, maintenance, child custody, and why some contested divorces can drag on for years. A deep, practical, and honest conversation on modern Indian marriages, divorce, and the hidden cracks that often appear long before a couple enters court.
May 21 · 1 hr 16 min
The Sleep Signs Every Parent Should Know| Dr. Indu Khosla| Mukul Deora| E25
A child’s sleep problem doesn’t always look like a sleep problem. Sometimes it looks like poor focus, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, bedwetting, mouth breathing, snoring, or a child who wakes up tired despite “sleeping enough.” In this episode, Dr. Indu Khosla explains why children’s sleep health is deeply connected to growth, immunity, learning, hormones, behaviour, breathing, and long-term development. She breaks down how child sleep problems change from infancy to teenage years, what parents often get wrong about bedtime, and why screens, overstimulation, routines, and delayed sleep cycles are affecting children more than ever. The conversation also covers sleep apnea in children, REM and non-REM sleep, melatonin, baby sleep training, toddler sleep habits, teenage sleep deprivation, parasomnia, sleepwalking, mouth breathing, snoring, and ADHD-like symptoms linked to poor sleep. If you’re a parent trying to understand what healthy sleep really looks like, this episode gives you a clear framework for what is normal, what is not, and what signs should never be ignored. Topics covered: How sleep needs change from infancy to teenage years Why screens and overstimulation affect children’s sleep Baby sleep training and common bedtime mistakes Toddler sleep habits and the importance of routine Teenage sleep deprivation and delayed sleep cycles REM sleep, non-REM sleep, melatonin, and circadian rhythm Snoring, mouth breathing, bedwetting, and sleepwalking Sleep apnea in children and why it can be missed How poor sleep can look like ADHD-like symptoms or anxiety
May 14 · 1 hr 21 min
Top neurosurgeon: A man couldn't stop laughing at his brother's funeral. Here's what we found inside his head. Dr. Mazda Turel | Mukul Deora | E24
Your brain is not just where you think. It is where your memory, sleep, behaviour, movement, judgement, personality and identity are being built every day. In this episode, neurosurgeon Dr. Mazda Turel takes us inside the human brain from awake brain surgery and brain tumour cases to sleep, alcohol, smoking, screen addiction, dopamine detox, AI, neuroplasticity and spine health. He explains what actually happens inside the brain when we sleep less, drink more, sit for too long, outsource thinking to AI, or ignore early neurological symptoms. This conversation also explores the surprising ways brain tumours can change a person’s humour, appetite, smell, emotions and personality and why the brain remains one of the most powerful, fragile and mysterious organs in the body. You’ll learn about: Awake brain surgery and how surgeons protect speech and movement The 10% brain myth and how much of the brain we really use Sleep, the glymphatic system and brain detox Alcohol, smoking and their effect on brain health Text neck, spine pain and posture damage Dopamine detox, screen overstimulation and AI’s effect on thinking Neuroplasticity, ageing and how to keep the brain active Watch this episode if you care about brain health, neuroscience, sleep, focus, ageing, and what modern life is quietly doing to your mind.
May 7 · 1 hr 34 min
India's top art auctioneer: I couldn't sell this painting for 4 lakh. It just crossed 40 crore| Mallika Sagar| Mukul Deora | E23.
A painting sells for ₹100 crore. But how does that number actually happen? In this conversation with Mallika Saagar, India’s top art auctioneer, we demystify the Indian art market from how artworks move from artists to galleries, to how they enter auctions, to what really happens when collectors start bidding against each other. Mallika breaks down the difference between the primary and secondary art market, how auction houses work, what buyer’s premium means, why the hammer price is not the final price, and how terms like reserve price, provenance, rarity, medium, condition, and quality shape the value of Indian paintings. The conversation also goes deeper into the psychology of auctions: why people overbid, why some collectors hide their bids, why bidding can become emotional, and why patience matters if you’re looking at art as an investment. For anyone curious about Indian art, art auctions, collecting, luxury markets, or alternative asset classes, this episode is a sharp introduction to a world that is growing fast but still widely misunderstood. This episode covers: How artworks move from artists to galleries to collectors What happens inside a live art auction Primary market vs secondary market in art Buyer’s premium, GST, hammer price, and hidden costs Reserve price, estimates, and how bidding starts How provenance, rarity, medium, and condition affect value Why collectors sometimes overbid or hide their bids The psychology, ego, and adrenaline behind auctions Indian art as an investment and asset class How India’s art market compares with global markets
April 30 · 1 hr 20 min
This what reading can do to your brain | Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta | Mukul Deora | E22
What does reading actually do to your brain, your stress levels, your focus, and the way you live? In this conversation, Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta Asia’s 1st Reading Coach tells us why reading still matters in the age of endless scrolling, short-form content, screens, and constant stimulation. The discussion goes beyond “reading is good for you” and looks at what actually happens inside the brain when we read, why books activate deeper thinking, and how reading can shape the way we learn, respond, create, communicate, and understand other people. A major part of the conversation also looks at children, families, and the culture of reading at home. What do children learn when they are handed screens instead of stories? Why do conversations, books, and shared reading matter for a child’s development? And how can parents create an environment where curiosity, thinking, and learning are rewarded? This episode also explores the therapeutic side of reading how the right book can help someone process anger, anxiety, grief, identity, conflict, and emotional blocks. Books can become mirrors, mentors, interventions, and tools for self-mastery when chosen with the right context. In this conversation, you will learn: →Why reading is brain training, not just entertainment →How screens and scrolling affect focus, attention, and deep thinking →What reading does for stress, creativity, memory, and emotional control →Why paper reading and digital consumption affect the mind differently →How books help build empathy, patience, and cognitive flexibility →Why reading matters for children, families, and learning cultures →How stories can help us understand ourselves and others better →Why successful people often use reading as a tool for clarity and growth →How the right book can help change the way you think, respond, and live If you struggle to read, feel addicted to scrolling, want to build a sharper mind, or want to understand why books still matter in the modern world, this episode will give you a deeper reason to return to reading.
April 23 · 1 hr 27 min
The Best Formula For Longevity ⁠ | Dr. Vishakha Shivdasani| Mukul Deora| E21
Why do so many Indians struggle with metabolic health, sugar cravings, and rising diabetes risk even when they feel “fine”? In this conversation with Dr. Vishakha Shivdasani, Physician practicing metabolic health, longevity and disease reversal breaks down the real problem behind modern Indian health. This episode explores how the typical Indian diet, hidden insulin resistance, and everyday habits are quietly driving conditions like diabetes, fatty liver, and metabolic dysfunction. More importantly, it explains why most people only focus on treatment after disease shows up and what you can do to stay healthy before it’s too late. Dr. Shivdasani shares a practical, science-backed approach to metabolic health, including how to read your body beyond standard blood tests, why sugar cravings happen, and how small changes in nutrition, movement, and lifestyle can help reverse early-stage metabolic issues. In this episode, we cover: Why “normal” blood reports can still hide underlying problems The truth about sugar cravings and what actually drives them How the Indian plate contributes to metabolic dysfunction Why medication often manages symptoms but doesn’t fix the root cause Simple daily habits that improve blood sugar and overall health If you care about improving your health, preventing disease, and understanding how your body really works, this conversation offers a clear starting point. Watch till the end for a deeper understanding of how to move from treating illness to truly staying well.
April 16 · 1 hr 24 min
The Doctor Every Indian Doctor Looks Up To Finally Speaks | Dr. Farokh E. Udwadia| Mukul Deora| E20
When to let patients go is one of the hardest decisions in medicine, but it’s only one part of a much deeper conversation. In this episode, Dr. Farokh Udwadia, Padma Bhushan awardee and one of India’s most respected physicians, reflects on how medicine has evolved and what it may have lost along the way. From building critical care in India to decades at the bedside, he brings a rare perspective on science, judgment, and the human side of healing. The conversation explores how modern medicine, despite its advances, often risks becoming mechanized, prioritizing reports, tests, and intervention over understanding the patient as a whole. He shares why clinical judgment, intuition, and empathy cannot be replaced by technology and how emotional distress often manifests as physical illness. It also dives into some of the most difficult realities doctors face: over-medicalisation, unnecessary procedures, and the ethical dilemmas around end-of-life care. From ventilators and resuscitation to euthanasia and living wills, this episode examines when treatment stops being care and becomes prolonged suffering. In this conversation, you’ll understand: ● Why medicine may be losing its human touch ● The difference between curing a disease and healing a patient ● How judgment and experience shape better decisions than data alone ● When life-saving treatment becomes prolonged suffering ● What it means to practise medicine with integrity and compassion Watch till the end to rethink what medicine can do and what it should do
April 2 · 1 hr 27 min
India's Leading Cardiologist: This Is How You Avoid A Heart Attack | Dr. Kirti Punamiya | Mukul Deora | E19
Most people think heart attacks happen because of age, weight, or obvious symptoms. This conversation challenges that assumption by examining heart attack causes and prevention, revealing why young, thin, and “healthy-looking” individuals remain at risk and what truly drives heart disease today. From the confusion around COVID and heart attacks to the role of inflammation and cholesterol, this episode breaks down the real causes of heart attacks and why early heart attack symptoms are often misunderstood or ignored. It offers a clearer understanding of how cardiovascular risk develops silently over time. Modern risk factors are explored in depth, including poor sleep, chronic stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, high-carbohydrate diets, and over-exercising. The discussion also addresses common assumptions about “healthy” living, showing that being vegetarian, lean, or physically active does not necessarily reduce heart disease risk and that internal damage can remain undetected. Key topics covered: Difference between heart attack, cardiac arrest, and artery blockage Rising incidence of heart attacks in younger age groups Role of inflammation alongside cholesterol in heart disease Impact of smoking, including occasional and passive exposure Limitations of vegetarian and carb-heavy diets for heart health Effects of sleep deprivation, stress, and post-party workouts Importance of early detection and understanding silent symptoms This episode provides a structured, evidence-led perspective on heart attack causes, symptoms, and prevention and how long-term cardiovascular health is shaped by everyday decisions. Watch till the end to understand how risk builds silently and what factors influence it over time.
March 26 · 1 hr 38 min
Ex HSBC Chairperson: How I Forced Every Indian Bank to Change the Work Week | Naina Lal Kidwai | Mukul Deora | E18
Naina Lal Kidwai didn't just survive Indian banking — she built it. In this conversation, the former HSBC India Chairman walks through the decisions, the crises, and the costs behind one of the most consequential careers in Indian financial history. She was in the room when NSE was conceptualised — because BSE refused to change. She was CEO of HSBC India during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, managing hostages, bullet wounds, and panicking families from her office while keeping every single one of her employees alive. She introduced the 5-day work week to Indian banking when the RBI called to question her judgment. She was FICCI President the year Nirbhaya happened and had to represent India to the world at its worst moment. This is also the story behind the story — the first Indian woman at Harvard Business School, the first woman hired by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the first woman to head a foreign bank anywhere in the world. What it took to walk into every room that had never seen a woman. What it cost to be first at everything, every single time. In this episode: The 26/11 night she made life and death calls using a secret code from the DG of Police, and got every employee out alive How she received her husband's cancer diagnosis mid-town hall, composed herself in seconds, and finished the speech How she introduced India's 5-day work week to banking when the RBI called to question her about it Why she was the first woman at Harvard, PwC, and HSBC, and found out about each one after the fact What it meant to be first, and why one failure would have shut the door for every woman who came after her How she helped write India's insider trading laws before SEBI even existed Why she was FICCI president when Nirbhaya happened and had to defend India to every foreign delegation that year How anger, not ambition, was the real engine behind every barrier she broke The one networking principle that saved a life during 26/11 What success quietly took from her, and whether she would do it all again Watch till the end for what she says success quietly took from her, and whether she would do it all again.
March 19 · 1 hr 13 min
Everything You Think About Hypnosis Is Wrong - A Psychiatrist Explains | Dr. Swati Kashyap | Mukul Deora | E17
What do anxiety, depression, narcissism, and addiction actually mean and how do you know when they become something more serious? In this episode of The Secret Sauce Podcast, Dr. Swati Kashyap a psychiatrist, psychologist, addictionologist, hypnotherapist, and family physician known for her integrative approach to mental health- to unpack the psychology behind anxiety disorders, clinical depression, personality traits like narcissism, addiction, and trauma. The conversation breaks down these terms in a clear, practical way explaining how they present through symptoms, how they differ from normal emotional experiences, and when they cross the line into diagnosable mental health conditions. Dr. Kashyap also explains the underlying mechanisms that shape these conditions, including how biological predispositions, environmental triggers, and individual responses to stress interact over time. It highlights how patterns like chronic worry, avoidance, emotional dysregulation, and reinforcement cycles contribute to the persistence of these issues. In addition, the conversation explores a range of modern therapeutic approaches - including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), hypnotherapy, and behavioral medicine explaining how they work, what they are used for, and how they help create change at both conscious and unconscious levels. Whether it’s understanding the difference between stress and anxiety, recognising the symptoms of depression, identifying personality traits, or learning how therapy works this episode offers a structured and practical lens into mental health. Topics covered: Anxiety vs stress vs anxiety disorder Clinical depression: symptoms, duration, and diagnosis Narcissism and personality traits vs personality disorders Addiction, trauma, and their psychological impact How CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, and behavioral therapies work Subscribe for more thoughtful and insightful conversations.
March 12 · 1 hr 39 min
India's Car Revolution Started With A Mother's Grief | R. C. Bhargava | Mukul Deora | E16
How was Maruti built when almost nobody believed it would succeed? In this conversation, R.C. Bhargava shares the inside story of how Maruti was built against skepticism, political pressure, and the rigid realities of India’s controlled economy. He explains why most foreign companies refused to invest, how Suzuki saw India’s future before others did, and what it took to build a modern automobile company from scratch. The episode also explores the deeper operating principles behind Maruti’s rise: consumer insight, Japanese manufacturing discipline, supply chain thinking, radical workplace equality, and leadership through learning. He also reflects on integrity, frugality, and the 20-year legal battle he faced while protecting the company’s interests.