What it takes to get into one of the best colleges in India? (feat. IITian Zeba Karkhanawala)

What it takes to get into one of the best colleges in India? (feat. IITian Zeba Karkhanawala)

In this episode, ⁠Krish Palaniappan⁠ interviews ⁠Zeba Karkhanawala⁠, an AI engineer and master’s student at the University of Maryland. Zeba shares her journey from dreading programming in her early days at IIT Jodhpur to thriving in the AI field. The conversation delves into the challenges of preparing for the IIT entrance exams, the unique concept of dummy schools in India, and the importance of self-discipline and independence in academic success. Zeba’s insights provide a comprehensive look at the rigorous journey of aspiring IIT students and the strategies that can lead to success.

Takeaways

• Zeba discovered her potential for IIT in 9th grade.

• The preparation for IIT is highly competitive and challenging.

• Dummy schools allow students to focus on IIT preparation without regular classes.

• Self-discipline is crucial for success in IIT preparation.

• Zeba’s daily routine included waking up at 5 AM to study.

• The IIT entrance exams require a deep understanding of physics, chemistry, and math.

• Zeba’s journey emphasizes the importance of perseverance and commitment.

• Coaching classes play a significant role in IIT preparation.

• Balancing schoolwork and IIT preparation is essential for success.

• Zeba’s experience highlights the need for independence in academic pursuits.

• The journey to IIT requires immense dedication and effort.

• Self-study is crucial for understanding and retaining concepts.

• Balancing study with personal time is essential for mental health.

• Parental support can influence a student’s academic path.

• The structure of study has evolved, but the challenges remain similar.

• Entertainment and relaxation are important for maintaining focus.

• Students often underestimate the amount of work involved in preparation.

• Peer support can enhance the study experience.

• Preparation for IIT is a common goal among many students.

• The education system is highly competitive, requiring immense dedication.

• Cultural expectations can heavily influence personal choices in education.

• It’s important to recognize personal limits when preparing for competitive exams.

• Listening to your instincts can guide you in making the right choices.

• Taking breaks during intense study is essential for mental health.

• Finding motivation is key to enduring the challenges of competitive exams.

• Small victories should be celebrated to maintain morale during studies.

• The journey of self-discovery is crucial in education and career choices.

• Guilt can manifest when taking breaks, but it’s important to manage it.

• Reflecting on past experiences can provide valuable insights for the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zeba's Journey 03:09 The IIT Experience: Challenges and Triumphs 06:04 Preparation Strategies for IIT 09:07 A Day in the Life of an IIT Aspirant 11:58 The Role of Dummy Schools in IIT Preparation 15:01 Independence and Self-Discipline in Preparation 18:00 Balancing Academics and IIT Preparation 26:12 The Rigorous Journey to IIT 30:06 Understanding the Study Structure 37:11 The Importance of Self-Study 44:12 Balancing Study and Entertainment 49:06 Parental Influence and Personal Motivation 54:18 The Competitive Landscape of Education 57:09 Cultural Expectations and Personal Choices 01:00:01 Recognizing Personal Limits in Competitive Exams 01:05:59 Listening to Your Instincts 01:12:23 The Guilt of Taking Breaks 01:18:43 Finding Your Motivation and Compromises 01:23:35 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Aspirations

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What AI Is Forcing Every Founder to Rethink (feat. Suri Nagarajan)

What AI Is Forcing Every Founder to Rethink (feat. Suri Nagarajan)

In this engaging conversation, Krish Palaniappan and Suri Nagarajan delve into the intricacies of investing, particularly in the tech sector versus non-tech industries. They discuss the importance of financial literacy, the risks associated with high-risk investments, and the significance of diversification for new investors. Suri shares insights on industry allocation for a hypothetical $100 investment, emphasizing stable sectors like healthcare and energy. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of markets, the risks of entrepreneurship versus employment, and personal reflections on career choices and cultural opportunities in the US. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passions and the unique educational experiences available in America.

4 Tammi 1h 57min

Happy New Year 2026: The Boring Path to an Interesting Life

Happy New Year 2026: The Boring Path to an Interesting Life

Only take vacations you can afford—debt and relaxation should never meet. If it needs installments and isn’t food or medicine, you don’t need it. Credit card debt is just regret charging interest—kill it first. Don’t enroll in college by muscle memory; 2026 doesn’t care about tradition. If you switch careers, pick a role that actually matters—vibes don’t pay rent. Skipping AI in 2026 is like skipping email in 1999—bold, but stupid. Invest real money if you can, fake money if you can’t, ignorance is not an option. Park far away—walking is free cardio and cheaper than therapy. Eat because you’re hungry, not because the fridge made eye contact. There is no perfect time—there’s only now and a lot of excuses. Build a side hustle so layoffs don’t decide your personality. If every year feels the same, congratulations—you’re on career autopilot. Social media isn’t real life—it’s a heavily filtered lie with Wi-Fi. Comparison kills joy, and titles won’t fix insecurity. Everything important takes longer than promised—welcome to reality. Ignore naysayers—they’re deeply committed to being comfortable. One focused person with AI can now replace a small team—choose wisely. If your car works, keep it—nobody’s impressed by your loan balance. Be selfish enough to protect your time, energy, and sanity. Nothing is saturated—most people just quit early.

2 Tammi 31min

What Paper Trading Teaches You About Risk and Discipline: Practice First, Profit Later

What Paper Trading Teaches You About Risk and Discipline: Practice First, Profit Later

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect, experiment, and learn—especially if you’re interested in investing, trading, or building fintech products. On the final trading day of the year, I spent some time walking through live paper trades using a desktop trading platform, sharing practical insights along the way. This article distills those lessons into a beginner-friendly guide for anyone curious about trading, risk, and tools.

31 Joulu 202534min

Why We’re Building Our Next API in FinTech — And Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

Why We’re Building Our Next API in FinTech — And Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

At Snowpal, we’ve spent years building and running production-grade software products across multiple domains. Most recently, our focus has been on B2B APIs — tools designed to help teams move faster, build reliably, and scale without reinventing the wheel. As we head into 2026, we’re starting work on our next API product. It will begin life as an API, but over time, it will grow into something broader — firmly rooted in the fintech space.

30 Joulu 202514min

Understanding the Infrastructure That Powers AI: Data Centers, Chips, and the New Energy Reality

Understanding the Infrastructure That Powers AI: Data Centers, Chips, and the New Energy Reality

Unless you’ve been completely disconnected from the news cycle, it’s impossible to ignore the explosion of conversation around data centers, energy demand, and AI infrastructure. These topics aren’t abstract anymore—they’re reshaping local communities, capital markets, and the future of technology itself. Living in Northern Virginia, particularly Loudoun County, makes this reality impossible to miss. This region is now the largest data center market in the United States by capacity, with more than 3,000 megawatts of installed power—roughly six times larger than the next biggest market, the Dallas–Fort Worth area. That concentration alone tells a powerful story about where the digital backbone of the modern economy is being built.

30 Joulu 202522min

The Hidden Moat in Institutional Research (feat. Greg Irwin)

The Hidden Moat in Institutional Research (feat. Greg Irwin)

In this conversation, Greg Irwin, co-founder of BWG Global, discusses the role of his company in providing fundamental research for institutional investors. He emphasizes the importance of community and networking in the tech industry, the logistics of organizing expert discussions, and the balance between art and science in research methodologies. The conversation also explores the transformative impact of AI on research and enterprise software, the geopolitical implications of technology, and the evolving landscape of investing in AI and technology stocks. Greg shares insights on lock-in strategies in technology and the role of AI coding tools in modern development, concluding with reflections on the future of enterprise software.

30 Joulu 20251h 37min

You Can’t Debug the Stock Market (feat. Dr. Adam Link)

You Can’t Debug the Stock Market (feat. Dr. Adam Link)

In this episode of the Snowpal podcast, Dr. Adam Link, founder of Fireweed Capital, shares his unique journey from software engineering to wealth management. He discusses common financial mistakes engineers make, the differences between active and passive investment strategies, and the importance of personality in financial decision-making. Dr. Link also highlights the tools and technologies used in wealth management and explores the future of trading in the context of AI and 24/7 markets. The conversation concludes with insights on how individuals should approach investing based on their personal circumstances.

30 Joulu 202550min

AI Writes Code, Engineers Build Systems (feat. Ran Aroussi)

AI Writes Code, Engineers Build Systems (feat. Ran Aroussi)

In this conversation, Krish Palaniappan interviews Ran Aroussi, founder of AutoMaze, discussing the transformative impact of AI on software development and the training of junior developers. Ran shares insights on how AI tools are reshaping coding practices, the importance of understanding software architecture over syntax, and the evolving role of non-developers in the coding process. The discussion also touches on the future of consulting in the age of AI and the reimagining of user interfaces to enhance user experience.

22 Joulu 20251h