Decode This

Zakir Khan, born in Indore in 1987 into a family of classical musicians, carved his own path from sitar lessons and small-town struggles to becoming one of the biggest storytellers in global comedy. He first gained recognition by winning Comedy Central’s India’s Best Stand-Up in 2012 and popularizing the “Sakht Launda” persona, which resonated with young audiences. Unlike punchline-driven comics,...

In early August 2025, the U.S.–India trade relationship hit its most severe rupture in decades after President Trump imposed a blanket 25% tariff on all Indian imports, explicitly linking the move to India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil. Trump has threatened to raise duties further and hinted at secondary sanctions, framing India’s energy trade as aiding Moscow in Ukraine. New Delh...

In this episode, we dive into the growing crisis of youth mental health — and why millions of young people still can’t access the care they need. From the lasting psychological impact of the pandemic to the invisible weight of digital burnout, we explore how today’s social, economic, and geographic barriers are locking vulnerable adolescents out of support systems. With data from India and across...

Samay Raina rose from an engineering student to a national comedy figure after winning Comicstaan 2 . His career exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic when he pivoted to YouTube, creating a cultural phenomenon by streaming chess with a unique blend of humor and chaos that attracted millions of followers and top-tier collaborators. This success led to his popular but controversial show,   India&#39...

Short Summary: Technology has radically transformed how we explore and satisfy our curiosity. On one hand, tools like AI, VR, and instant access to information have expanded the boundaries of what we can question, simulate, and discover. On the other, constant notifications, information overload, and algorithmic shortcuts risk replacing deep inquiry with passive consumption. From virtual classroom...

In this episode of Murder, Myth & Modern Mysteries , we unravel how two of history’s most notorious unsolved cases—Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer—laid the groundwork for our modern obsession with true crime. We explore how these faceless killers weren’t just murderers—they were mythmakers. From the birth of sensationalist journalism in Victorian London to the cryptic ciphers and coded t...

In this wildly entertaining pilot of Meme Therapy & Trend React , we unpack the internet’s most iconic—and most ridiculous—moments of 2025. From the possessed Labubu doll frenzy and Zendaya’s Met Gala “Hat Theory” to WWIII memes that helped Gen Z cope with global anxiety, we break down what made these moments viral, weird, and unforgettable. But not every meme stuck. We also dig into the meme...

Is the era of 24/7 hustle finally over? In this episode of Decode This , we unpack the rise and fall of hustle culture—from its glorification in the “rise and grind” days to the growing movement toward balance, wellness, and the so-called “soft life.” We explore: What hustle culture really meant and why it thrived How the pandemic triggered a cultural reset The quiet quitting wave and the shift to...

In this episode, we explore why deep thinking has become a rare commodity in today’s world and the high cost of ignoring it. From the rise of convenience-driven technology and social media to an education system that prioritizes memorization over critical analysis, society seems to be opting for shortcuts over meaningful thought. We delve into the psychological impact of groupthink and the echo ch...