Everything is Everything

The Soviet Union functioned under the delusion that you don't need freedom of any sort to grow as a society. The China model functions under the delusion that economic properity is all you need, and it can be directed from above. The Soviet model broke. The China model is breaking. Freedom matters. Welcome to Episode 16 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay and Amit discuss how economic freedom, social freedom and political freedom must go hand-in-hand for a society to progress. Ajay lays out the cautionary tale of the Soviet Union. He then explains why the China model is broken -- and what we should learn from the way it broke. Amit gives a potted history of the Chinese story -- and then raves about lesbian counterculture. This episode was first published on YouTube on October 13, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

One of the giants of 20th century statistics died a few weeks ago. He was Indian. His name was CR Rao, and he was the finest product of the Bengal Renaissance. Welcome to Episode 15 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay tells us the story of his great hero, CR Rao. The love for statistics is infectious, and so is the storytelling, as Amit follows up with stories about Abraham Wald, PC Mahalanobis, JBS Haldane, the Bharat Sadhu Samaaj and the urbane finance minister who did WHAT to a tree? Magnificent entertainment. Paisa wasool. This episode was first published on YouTube on October 6, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

How is the Ukraine counteroffensive going? Some are disappointed at not seeing the tactical blows they expected -- but Ukraine might just be playing a positional masterpiece. Welcome to Episode 14 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay follows up his cult masterclass on The Seen and the Unseen with an update on where the war stands today. What exactly is going on in Ukraine? Why does it matter? How should we look at Putin? How has the nature of warfare changed? Why is there reason to hope that Ukraine will prevail? This episode was first published on YouTube on September 29, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

He is not just a Rock and Roll star, he is a great artist -- and his work is literature. Happy 74th Birthday, Bruce Springsteen! Welcome to Episode 13 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay describes what Bruce Springsteen's music means to him at a personal level. And Amit talks about the different aspects of Springsteen's work that he admires. This episode was first published on YouTube on September 22, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Most of what we think of as quintessentially Indian originated elsewhere. So what? Culture is a khichdi -- and that's delightful! Welcome to Episode 12 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay talk about the amazing khichdi called culture -- and how food, clothes, language, architecture all evolve in a giant melting pot of influences. Just as salmon sushi is not from Japan, most Indian food is not from India, and that's fine. It doesn't matter where influences come from -- once they get here, they're ours! This episode was first published on YouTube on September 15, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

The road from desire to action is long & painful. How can we make it a smooth journey? Welcome to Episode 11 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit shares his learnings on productivity, beginning with the inspiring story of a young Goan boy, speechless in a grand hall in Lisbon in the 18th century, finding his wits when his father hisses at him -- and at us -- the greatest productivity mantra ever: Kaator Re Bhaaji. Amit explains what this means, and shares a set of productivity tips. Ajay zooms out and talks about the importance of purpose. He also delivers a passionate tribute to Unix! This episode was first published on YouTube on September 8, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Explore how true freedom fuels prosperity in India, highlighting the gap between political independence and personal liberties. Delve into the historical journey of economic reforms since 1947 and the influences of Nehru's ideology. Discover the impact of liberalization on trade and individual consent. Reflect on the importance of seizing opportunities for community growth. Examine the legacy of political discourse and challenges to free speech, while drawing lessons from global examples of resilience in the face of oppression.

Everything that we were taught about nutrition and diabetes back in the day was wrong. Today we know that sugar is poison and fat is fine. And that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed. Welcome to Episode 9 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit talks about how he reversed his Type 2 Diabetes -- and along the way, he tells us the history of how the Sugar Lobby of America shaped a dangerous consensus that led to the Obesity Epidemic. The key part in Amit's understanding what food does to our bodies was using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) -- something that Ajay recommended to him. Ajay discusses his nuanced learnings about food from using the CGM. Their recommendations include essential books about Indian and Soviet politics -- a great diet for the brain! This episode was first published on YouTube on August 25, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

To make the most of your talent, you often need to be in the right place with the right people. Welcome to Episode 8 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit talks about what the Challenger explosion of 1986 teaches us about Bollywood and Silicon Valley. Ajay talks about how a government is exile cannot learn to act like a state by mere play-acting. And there is Orwell, Gandhi and why development economists get so much wrong. This episode was first published on YouTube on August 18, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Isaac Newton was not just a great scientist, but the last of the magicians. Mohandas Gandhi was a black swan event: a flawed, complex man who shaped history. Welcome to Episode 7 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay talks about Isaac Newton, and why he was a product of historical forces. Amit cites Mohandas Gandhi as an example of why historical currents aren't everything, and historical accidents can produce a man like Gandhi who changes everything. Ajay and Amit also recommend some of their favourite books -- and one outstanding bookshop. This episode was first published on YouTube on August 11, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.