

Everything is Everything
Amit Varma and Ajay Shah
A weekly show hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah, in which the hosts bring frames from across disciplines to examine our world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 23, 2025 • 1h 44min
Ep 113: What’s Wrong With the Indian Media?
The Indian media landscape faces a series of crises, from relevance to trust, each affecting journalistic integrity. The shift from print to digital has altered how news is consumed, leading to financial pressures and degraded quality. The discussion delves into the historical resilience of journalists and the ongoing challenges of misinformation. With traditional media struggling, independent creators emerge as key players, highlighting the need for new support structures and innovative approaches in reporting. A critical examination of these dynamics reveals a complex future for journalism.

Aug 16, 2025 • 1h 40min
Ep 112: The Future of War
Human beings remain the same, while technology grows at a mad pace. This means that the face of war has changed forever. Everything we know now is already outdated.Welcome to Episode 112 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay & Amit discuss the future of war. It’s scary. Are we prepared?TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Memory of Cities08:22 Chapter 1: Why Understanding War is Important11:41 Chapter 2: The Evolution of War18:03 Chapter 3: Naval Gazing25:19 Chapter 4: The Hellscape28:55 Chapter 5: Operation Spiderweb34:53 Chapter 6: Operation Rising Lion37:45 Chapter 7: The India-Pakistan Conflict40:11 Chapter 8: The Taiwan Question42:19 Chapter 9: Drone Swarms, Iron Beam and 3D Printers49:36 Chapter 10: Eight Principles1:09:41 Chapter 11: The Implications1:26:57 Chapter 12: Two Fears and One Exhortation1:37:25 Chapter 13: RecommendationsFor full show notes, please click here!

Aug 13, 2025 • 54min
Ep 111: The Wonders of FDI
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is fully amaze — and also, sometimes, fully a maze. It should be something a country welcomes with open arms — and yet, India has often done fisticuffs with it. This should change.Welcome to Episode 111 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay explains why he loves FDI so much — and how India should embrace it and make it work for us.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Many Loves of Ajay Shah’s Life04:09 Chapter 1: What is FDI?08:20 Chapter 2: Measuring FDI11:06 Chapter 3: The Dream of FDI25:08 Chapter 4: What about Foreign Portfolio Investment?34:21 Chapter 5: The Political Economy Around FDI37:40 Chapter 6: Tariff-Jumping FDI40:58 Chapter 7: Building the Right Environment47:47 Chapter 8: Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman52:58 Chapter 9: A Remarkable Opportunity for IndiaFor full show notes, please click here!

11 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 59min
Ep 110: How Much Wealth Do You Need to Retire?
Explore the complexities of retirement planning and why simply calculating a target number might be misguided. Discover the importance of diversification, a probabilistic approach to finances, and how technology is reshaping economic growth. Delve into the unique financial challenges women face and the need for financial independence. Emphasizing global diversification, the hosts advocate for engaging with finances throughout life rather than withdrawing from them in retirement, all served with a dose of humor and insightful analysis.

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 18min
Ep 109: Economics in One Lesson
Dive into the world of economics as the hosts unpack Henry Hazlitt's classic book. They mix humor with enlightening insights about opportunity cost and the intricacies of economic growth versus wealth distribution. Discover how technological advancements reshape society and challenge traditional policies like rent control. Anecdotes from Bombay reveal the real impact of these economic principles on everyday life, emphasizing the necessity of a balanced and informed approach to public policy.

Jul 26, 2025 • 1h 34min
Ep 108: Accidental Politicians
Discover the fascinating world of accidental politicians who never set out for political power. From Mark Carney's shift from central banking to the Prime Minister's office, to Jawaharlal Nehru's contrasting leadership style, the discussion is rich with insights. Explore Václav Havel's remarkable journey from playwright to political figure, and Volodymyr Zelensky's rise amidst chaos in Ukraine. The episode also examines the unique advantages these outsiders bring to governance, shedding light on authenticity, language, and the complexities of leadership.

Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 43min
Ep 107: What These Labels Mean
Dive into the maze of political labels like liberal, conservative, and socialist, as two hosts unravel their meanings and historical roots. Discover how terms have evolved and become distorted, fueling confusion in political discussions. Explore the foundations of ideologies like Marxism and libertarianism, and the implications of nationalism versus patriotism. With thought-provoking critiques and essential readings, this conversation aims for a clearer understanding of today’s political landscape.

16 snips
Jul 6, 2025 • 1h 55min
Ep 106: The World in 2050
The hosts dive into fun predictions for 2050, exploring how AI might create our entertainment and reshape our emotional lives. They discuss the possibilities of gene editing becoming mainstream and lab-grown meat revolutionizing our diets. The conversation touches on the rise of autonomous warfare and the ethics surrounding it. They envision a future where transport systems are automated and relationships are remapped by technology. With a mix of humor and seriousness, they tackle the profound impacts of these changes on society.

Jun 30, 2025 • 57min
Ep 105: Is Manufacturing the Answer?
The hosts dive into a passionate critique of manufacturing, questioning its role in economic growth amidst calls for state intervention. They explore Bombay's aspirations to be a financial hub, uncovering historical challenges and the need for regulatory reform. The discussion shifts to the vital role of agriculture, highlighting innovative successes like the Netherlands. Unexpectedly, they connect sports to economic development, urging a rethink of industrial policies and the importance of entrepreneurship. It's a captivating blend of economics, history, and societal insights!

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ep 104: What Ails Indian Manufacturing?
The podcast dives into the challenges plaguing India's manufacturing sector, linking historical missteps to the current stagnation. It contrasts the struggling manufacturing industry with the booming service sector, revealing crucial regulatory and operational inefficiencies. Listeners learn about the negative impact of outdated labor laws on competitiveness and employment opportunities. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for reforms and innovative frameworks to revitalize manufacturing and ensure sustainable growth in the global market.