
SparX by Mukesh Bansal
Welcome to Sparx, the show that empowers you with the latest research, strategies and tools to help you achieve exponential impact in every aspect of your life. Whether you're looking to advance your career, improve your relationships, leave a mark on the world or simply become the best version of yourself, this is where you need to start.
Latest episodes

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 8min
The Double-Slit Experiment: The Mind-Bending Experiment That Challenges Reality with Anil Ananthaswamy
We are joined by author and science journalist, Anil Ananthaswamy. Anil Ananthaswamy's "Through Two Doors at Once" looks at the mysteries of quantum mechanics, revealing its profound impact on our understanding of reality.
Through his book, Ananthaswamy sheds light on the strange implications of quantum mechanics, from superposition to entanglement.
By examining the latest experiments and theories, here’s another insightful episode that offers a fascinating glimpse into the quantum world and its potential to transform our understanding of the universe.

Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 8min
Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind AI with Anil Ananthaswamy | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
Anil Ananthaswamy is a renowned science writer and journalist who has written extensively on various scientific topics. In his latest book "Why Machines Learn", Anil explores the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and machine learning. He reveals the intricate mechanisms and complex algorithms that underlie these cutting-edge technologies. Join us for a fascinating conversation with science writer Anil Ananthaswamy as he shares insights from his book and sheds light on the rapidly evolving field of AI. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how these machines work at a basic mathematics level.
Resource List -
Why Machines Learn, book by Anil Ananthaswamy - https://amzn.in/d/bmirU45
Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence - https://home.dartmouth.edu/about/artificial-intelligence-ai-coined-dartmouth
What is the Perceptron artificial neural network? - https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-perceptron-the-simplest-artificial-neural-network/
Read about the McCulloch-Pitts Artificial Neuron - https://towardsdatascience.com/mcculloch-pitts-model-5fdf65ac5dd1
Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2024/press-release/
What is the Hopfield Neural Network? - https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/hopfield-neural-network/
Read about Backpropagation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpropagation
“Learning representations by back-propagating errors”, paper by Geoffrey Hinton, David Rumelhart and Ronald Williams - https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0
AlexNet by Geoffery Hinton and team - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlexNet
What is ImageNet? - https://www.image-net.org/about.php
‘Attention Is All You Need’, transformer architecture paper - https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2017/file/3f5ee243547dee91fbd053c1c4a845aa-Paper.pdf
What are Neural Scaling Laws? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_scaling_law
NeuroAI - https://neuro-ai.com/
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Jan 14, 2025 • 57min
The Rise and Expansion of the East India Company with William Dalrymple | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
William Dalrymple's "The Anarchy" is a historical account of the rise of the East India Company in India. The book explores how the EIC's ruthless pursuit of power and wealth led to the downfall of the Mughal Empire.
In this episode, William shares some interesting stories about the East India Company with some lesser known facts about this corporation that grew powerful. Tune in for a wonderful episode on Indian and British history.
Resource List -
The Company Quartet, by William Dalrymple - https://amzn.in/d/eiBRXBy
William Dalrymple Website - https://williamdalrymple.com/
Mongol Invasions of India - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasions_of_India
Read more about the Red Dragon ship - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dragon_(1595)
Charles II and Catherine of Braganza - https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/charles-ii-and-catherine-of-braganza-a-loveless-marriage/
Read more about the First Carnatic War - https://www.pw.live/exams/ssc/first-carnatic-war/
Who were the Jagat Seths? - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/meet-jagat-seths-an-indian-family-so-rich-they-lent-money-to-the-british/articleshow/102916190.cms?from=mdr
Read more about the Battle of Plassey - https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Plassey
Read more about the Battle of Buxar -
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Buxar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buxar
https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/6264/1/thedailystar.net-The%20battle%20of%20plassey%20A%20Tale%20of%20Triumph%20and%20Betrayal.pdf
What are Sepoys? - https://www.worldhistory.org/Sepoy/
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
India's Rich Trade History and the Silk Road with William Dalrymple
There is so much of India’s rich heritage and past that is yet to be discovered. But we have great historians like William Dalrymple who spend years researching on India’s history to bring us the most interesting and captivating stories about the country.
In today’s episode, William Dalrymple discusses the stories and contents from his book "The Golden Road" which explores India's 1,500-year history as a hub of cultural and intellectual exchange.
Resource List -
William Dalrymple Website - https://williamdalrymple.com/
Empire Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0sBh58hSTReUQiK4axYUVx?si=388684fdbe8f49a5
The Rest is History Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7Cvsbcjhtur7nplC148TWy?si=09f97df360c1418e
What are frescoes? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresco
More about the Silk Road - https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/silk-road/
Who was Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_von_Richthofen#:~:text=Ferdinand%20Freiherr%20von%20Richthofen%20
The travels of Marco Polo - https://silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Travels_of_Marco_Polo
Read about the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea - https://www.worldhistory.org/Periplus_of_the_Erythraean_Sea/
What is the Muziris Papyrus? - https://historicalleys.blogspot.com/2010/06/introducing-muziris-papyrus.html
Read about the Suvarnabhumi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suvarnabhumi
What is the Mes Aynak - https://archeologie.culture.gouv.fr/afghanistan/en/a-propos/ainak
Who was Xuanzang? - https://asiasociety.org/xuanzang-monk-who-brought-buddhism-east
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/travels-of-xuanzang-629-645-ce-xuanzang-memorial-nava-nalanda-mahavihara/9gVR3GyICUOmKg?hl=en
China’s only female empress, Wu Zetian - https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-first-and-only-woman-emperor-of-china/PQWR-NRltC6QFA?hl=en
More about Angkor Wat - https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668/
What was the Islamic Golden Age? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Age
Al-Khwarizmi’s book on Algebra - https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666184/
What is the Fibonacci sequence? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_sequence

Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 5min
How Christianity Shaped Hinduism’s Identity with Manu S Pillai
Manu S. Pillai returns to SparX for another fascinating episode on history to give us a sneak peek into his latest book– "Gods, Guns and Missionaries". It shows us how how colonialism, religion, and identity have interacted in India over the past many years. Through 15 essays, Pillai shows how European missionaries and colonial powers changed Hinduism and its modern forms, revealing a more complex history than often told. The book also explores how these historical forces still shape Indian politics and society today.
Resource List -
Gods, Guns, and Missionaries - Book by Manu S. Pillai https://amzn.in/d/6njkWSc
H-Pop - Book by Kunal Purohit https://amzn.in/d/26KnoHw
What is Protestantism? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism
What was the Protestant Reformation https://www.britannica.com/event/Reformation
Read more about Francis Xavier https://www.jesuits.global/saint-blessed/saint-francis-xavier/
Read more about Roberto de Nobili https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_de_Nobili
Read about Thomas Munro’s donation to Tirupati temple https://vocal.media/fyi/soldier-to-governor-of-madras-thomas-munro-who-captured-the-hearts-of-the-people
Read about Rous Peter’s donation to Meenakshi temple https://indroyc.com/2024/04/12/unveiling-the-legends-of-madurai-the-tale-of-peter-pandian/#:~:text=In%20a%20gesture%20of%20gratitude,to%20adorn%20her%20celestial%20feet.
Charles Wilkins translating the Gita https://www.mvnadkarni.com/files/Introduction%20to%20Charles%20Wilkins%20Gita.pdf
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Dec 24, 2024 • 57min
Are Quantum Computers a Hype or Reality? With physicist Joel Moore
What's driving the current surge of interest in quantum computing? What are the main obstacles to scaling up quantum computing systems? What's the current state of investment in quantum research and development?
For the latest episode of SparX, we are joined by theoretical physicist, Joel Moore. Joel's research has greatly improved our understanding of quantum materials and their unique properties. His work on condensed matter physics has led to important advances in the field, shedding new light on the behavior of complex systems. Join us as we discuss the field of quantum mechanics and understand the progress of quantum computing.
Resource List -
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity - https://www.space.com/36273-theory-special-relativity.html
What is String Theory? - https://www.space.com/17594-string-theory.html
What is a super conductor? - https://builtin.com/hardware/superconductor
Superconductivity - https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainssuperconductivity#:~:text=Superconductivity%20is%20the%20property%20of,transition%20to%20the%20superconducting%20state.
Read about EPR Paradox Paper - https://cds.cern.ch/record/405662/files/PhysRev.47.777.pdf
What is Entanglement? - https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/entanglement#:~:text=Entanglement%20is%20at%20the%20heart,scientists%20call%20an%20emergent%20property.
More on SQUID - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQUID
What is a tokamak? - https://www.iter.org/machine/what-tokamak#:~:text=The%20tokamak%20is%20an%20experimental,the%20walls%20of%20the%20vessel.
What is a stellarator - https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsstellarators
What is the ITER? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITER#:~:text=Construction%20of%20the%20ITER%20complex,figures%20are%20disputed%20by%20ITER.
For more on Quantum Computing - https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/quantum-computing/#:~:text=Quantum%20computing%20is%20a%20multidisciplinary,hardware%20research%20and%20application%20development.
Google Quantum AI - https://quantumai.google/
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Dec 18, 2024 • 1h
Bryan Johnson on Reverse Aging and Achieving Longevity | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
Did you know Bryan Johnson spends over $2 million per year in his personal health and longevity experiments?
Bryan Johnson took the internet by storm in 2023 when it was reported that he spends approximately $2 million annually on his health regimen aimed at reversing aging. His extreme lifestyle choices and practices, including a strict diet, extensive supplement intake, and unique medical procedures, sparked widespread discussions in various news articles and platforms throughout that year.
Join us today as we sit down for a conversation with Bryan to learn more about his journey, experiences, habits and routines he follows that helped him successfully reverse his age.
Resource List -
Read about Bryan Johnson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Johnson
Who is Terry Grossman? - https://transcend.me/pages/about-terry-grossman
More on Terry Grossman - https://youtu.be/_2rjnGCdlJI?feature=shared
Blueprint Website - https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.com/
Blueprint Protocol Website - https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/
What are DNA Methylation Clocks? - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6520108/
Paper by Dario Amodei - https://darioamodei.com/machines-of-loving-grace
Fantastic Voyage, book by Ray Kurzweil - https://amzn.in/d/diSBypa
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Dec 10, 2024 • 41min
Silicon Valley's Top VC on AI, Healthcare and India's Market | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
What makes General Catalyst a unique VC firm? How does Hemant identify companies and founders full of potential? What advice does Hemant have for companies, founders, and startups?
We are joined by CEO and managing director of General Catalyst, a prominent American venture capital firm. General Catalyst's combination of investment expertise, strong network, and collaborative culture has established the firm as a respected and influential player in the venture capital industry. And Hemant Taneja's influential work at General Catalyst has been instrumental in shaping the firm's investment strategy and cultivating a strong network of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Resource List -
General Catalyst Website - https://www.generalcatalyst.com/
General Catalyst Institute Website - https://www.generalcatalyst.com/stories/introducing-gc-institute
Read more about Livongo - https://ecorner.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/03/the-story-of-livongo-transcript-3.pdf
What is the Power Law? - https://thevcfactory.com/power-law-venture-capital/
What is Exit Time Horizon? - https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/timehorizon.asp
What is a Financial Bubble? - https://www.gartner.com/en/finance/glossary/financial-bubble#:~:text=A%20financial%20bubble%20is%20an,euphoria%2C%20profit%20taking%20and%20bust.
What is Leapfrogging? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leapfrogging#:~:text=Leapfrogging%20is%20a%20concept%20used,dominant%20firm%20to%20stay%20ahead.
Books by Hemant Taneja -
Unscaled - https://amzn.in/d/edOsD0V
UnHealthcare: A Manifesto for Health Assurance - https://amzn.in/d/91TKyVi
Intended Consequences - https://amzn.in/d/2EmhPrJ
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 21min
Mental Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, and More with Dr. Shyam Bhat
Are you struggling to manage stress and anxiety? Are you new to the practise of meditation? Want to learn how to meditate the right way?
Join Dr. Shyam Bhat on SparX as we dive into the world of mental health and wellness. In this episode, we explore the benefits of meditation and debunk common myths surrounding this powerful practice. Discover how meditation can transform your life and improve your mental wellbeing. Don't miss this enlightening episode!
Resource List -
Videos by Dr. Shyam Bhat - https://www.youtube.com/@drshyambhat
Free will experiment by Benjamin Libet - https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/resources/Faraday%20Papers/Faraday%20Paper%2017%20Clarke_EN.pdf
Alan Watts - Free Will is an Illusion - https://youtu.be/OOjQScg0VeI?feature=shared
Read more on the types of meditation - https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/types-of-meditation
Who was Jiddu Krishnamurthi? - https://jkrishnamurti.org/biography
Jiddu Krishnamurthi website - https://jkrishnamurti.org/
More about Tonglen meditation - https://mindworks.org/blog/tonglen-meditation-how-to-practice/
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
Habits To Hack Your Health and Optimise Your Health Span | SparX by Mukesh Bansal
We're back with another solo episode of SparX and today we bring to you a topic that is personal to Mukesh. Today, we're talking about the simple yet powerful habits that can transform your health and wellbeing. From sleep to eating habits, we'll explore practical tips you can start using today to feel your best. Join us for a conversation that will inspire you to take control of your health.
Resource List -
Hacking Health, by Mukesh Bansal - https://amzn.in/d/g7AqZLI
The Circadian Code, by Dr. Satchin Panda - https://amzn.in/d/bBKIh7i
The Circadian Diabetes Code, by Dr. Satchin Panda - https://amzn.in/d/7cMTaif
Read about the ‘13 Hallmarks of Aging’ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36599349/
More about Michael Pollan - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/24192/michael-pollan/
Read more about Ozempic - https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Sunday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com