The Brand Called You

Join us for an insightful conversation with Professor Salvatore Babones, acclaimed author and professor at the University of Sydney, as he discusses his latest book, Dharma Democracy: How India Built the World’s First Third World Democracy. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg on TBCY (The Brand Called You), this episode dives deep into the unique foundations of India's democracy, the role of Hindu civil society, the differences between Western and Indian democratic thinking, and the global misconceptions about India’s political landscape.Professor Babones shares his motivation behind writing the book, reveals eye-opening discoveries from his five years of research, and offers his perspective on the integration of religious pluralism, freedom of expression, and the evolution of political parties in India. He also addresses why Western academics often misunderstand Indian democracy, debunks myths about declining freedoms, and explores lessons that developing democracies worldwide can draw from India’s journey.Whether you're a student of politics, an India enthusiast, or just curious about democracy in the 21st century, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss!

Join us on this inspiring episode of TBCY as host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Kurian Jacob—a retired international banker turned gold medalist at the World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan. From his humble beginnings in a village by the river in Kerala to becoming an international master swimmer and wellness enthusiast, Kurian shares his unique journey, his passion for fitness and swimming, and the secrets behind his success at an age where most slow down.Discover how he overcame unique challenges as a senior athlete, his insights on India’s national sports policy, strategies for mental strength, his daily wellness and intermittent fasting routines, and his thoughts on gut health. Kurian’s story proves it’s never too late to chase excellence—whether in sports or wellness.

In this inspiring episode of TBCY, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Bhavna Toor, Founder and CEO of Shenomics and author of "The Conscious Choice: 100 Ideas for Living and Leading Mindfully." Join us as Bhavna shares her fascinating transition from Wall Street to conscious leadership, her experiences living in eight different countries, and the founding vision behind Shenomics—a mindful leadership platform that has empowered over 100,000 women across Asia and beyond.Discover how Bhavna integrates Eastern mindfulness with modern leadership frameworks, tackles systemic challenges in women's leadership, and the powerful ideas from her latest book. Whether you're passionate about leadership, personal growth, or gender equity, this episode will leave you with practical, mindful strategies for leading authentically and making conscious choices every day.

In this inspiring episode of TBCY, Ashutosh Garg sits down with Ingrid Hu Dahl—Founder and CEO of Ingrid Hu Dahl LLC, leadership coach, musician, filmmaker, and author of Sun Shining on Morning Snow. Ingrid opens up about her experience growing up as a mixed-race, queer woman and how her identity has shaped her perspectives on belonging, resilience, and leadership. We dive deep into her creative journey, the stories behind her acclaimed memoir, and the transformative lessons she learned from her multicultural family and her mother’s legacy.Ingrid also shares powerful insights on navigating imposter syndrome, the importance of empathy and courage for emerging leaders, and how her memoir aims to spark authentic conversations about race, identity, and healing. Whether you’re a leader, an aspiring author, or someone passionate about identity and social change, this episode will leave you moved and motivated!

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Steve Walsh — FinTech entrepreneur, investor, and author of Make the 10X Leap shares his journey, the 3C framework (Clarity, Confidence, Clairvoyance), and how entrepreneurs can break through stalls, raise the right capital, and scale fearlessly.00:54- About Steve WalshSteve is the founder of Bison Equity Group, which is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and investors in achieving success with high potential companies.He's an author of a book titled Make the 10X Leap.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rieki Crins-Rubinstein, author and anthropologist, unveils her decades-long connection with Bhutan. From pioneering hospitality education to challenging the global perception of Gross National Happiness, her journey reveals truth, resilience, and the untold realities behind Bhutan’s Shangri-La image.00:36- About Dr Rieki Crins-RubinsteinRieki is the author of two books.Her first book, The Truth About GNH, explores the concept of Gross National Happiness. Her second book is Blacklisted in Bhutan. 

In this powerful episode of The Brand Called You, Prof. Rajat Ganguly, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, shares deep insights into India’s internal security challenges—from ethnic diversity and Kashmir to radicalization and Punjab’s insurgency shadows. A must-listen for anyone interested in India’s stability and future.00:40- About Rajat GangulyRajat is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs (Sage).He is the author of several books and has published numerous papers.His latest paper, Internal Security Challenges in India, was published on 16th June 2025.

Join us in this inspiring episode of TBCY as host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Maria A Dahrieh, Founder & CEO of Earth05. Discover Maria's journey from a background in wealth management and business development to becoming a driving force in climate impact and sustainable innovation. Maria shares pivotal moments that shaped her compassionate leadership, her experiences accelerating tech startups, and the origins of Earth05—a platform that champions global co-creation for innovative solutions in water, food, and energy security.Learn about the unique "Return on Lives" metric, how cross-functional teams of startups are collaborating for maximum impact, and Earth05's global recognition at events like Davos and South by Southwest. Maria also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book and a new climate-resilient infrastructure software project.If you're passionate about tech for good, sustainability, or fostering global impact through collaboration, this episode is for you!

Ever wondered what it really takes to become a bestselling author—or how to leverage your book to boost your business and personal brand? In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Melanie Johnson, Founder of Elite Online Publishing, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author, and media mogul.Melanie shares her incredible journey from Miss Michigan to launching a thriving book publishing company, breaking down the misconceptions authors have, the publishing process, and exactly how Elite Online Publishing guarantees #1 bestseller status for every author. She also explains the critical role of personal branding, the impact of AI and new technologies on publishing, and how authors can truly monetize their work well beyond book sales.Whether you’re a first-time author, entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by the evolving world of publishing, this episode is packed with valuable strategies and real-world examples that will inspire you to amplify your story and reach new heights.

Join Dr. Ola Brown, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria and Healthcap Africa, as she shares her journey from medicine to impact investing, the future of healthcare in Africa, and why venture capital can transform lives.00:25- About Dr Ola BrownDr. Ola Brown is the founder and general partner at Healthcap Africa, an investment firm specializing in early-stage investments within the healthtech and fintech sectors, along with infrastructure investments.