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Mai Whelan is a philanthropist, author, and the first winner of Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge, where she won the $4.56 million prize in 2023.

Mai was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. as a refugee when she was eight years old. She served 20 years in the U.S. Navy before becoming an immigration adjudicator for the Department of Homeland Security.

After winning Squid Game: The Challenge, Mai decided to use her newfound platform to highlight non-profits through her YouTube series, “Mother Mai”, focusing on causes such as animal welfare and community support. She continues to raise awareness for important causes and inspire others to make a positive impact on the world.

Topics we covered in the podcast include:
- Arriving in the US as an immigrant
- Joining the Navy and overcoming adversity
- Working as an Immigration Adjudicator
- Applying and winning Squid Game: The Challenge
- Philanthropy efforts and growth
- Advice to future reality TV show contestants and her younger self

How to get in touch with Mai:
Mai's Website: https://mothermai.com/
Mai's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammai287/
Mai's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iammai287

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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David Meikle is an author, consultant, keynote speaker, and trainer supporting brands and advertising agencies in the UK and beyond.

Since 2009, David has helped brands and agencies create and maintain value and lasting relationships through agency selection, marketing transformation, improved ways of work, and cultural change. He’s helped agencies like Ogilvy, BBDO, McCann, and 7Stars.

David worked in advertising agencies for nearly twenty years, culminating in four years in Moscow as Head of Country for Ogilvy. He also wrote the book ‘How to Buy a Gorilla’, the ultimate guide for marketers and brands to get better-value advertising ideas from their agencies.

In 2025, David co-founded The Pimlico Group, focused on working collaboratively to solve agency business challenges.

Topics we covered in the podcast include:
- From wine bar to advertising
- Climbing the corporate ladder
- Navigating fear and transitioning to entrepreneurship
- Creating solutions: How to Buy a Gorilla
- The Meikle Matrix: Balancing responsibility and control
- Future aspirations: Writing and new ventures

How to get in touch with David:
David’s Email address: david@htbag.co.uk
David’s Website: htbag.co.uk
David’s LinkedIn: David Meikle

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Anushka Purohit is the CEO and Co-Founder of Breer, a food upcycling startup which turns bread into beer. Breer addresses the prominent problem of bread waste in Hong Kong, hence aims to reduce food waste.

Anushka also launched StayK (a travel app, an end-to-end vacation planning platform) during COVID-19 and most recently launched a cosmetics brand called Ssome Cosmetics and a side hustle to bring Bollywood movies to Hong Kong. Anushka is also working on a tech side hustle at the moment.

Along with being a young entrepreneur, Anushka is a polyglot, being able to speak five languages, and is passionate about making an impact and representing underrepresented communities globally.

She has received various awards and recognition for her work including Forbes 30U30 Asia List and being featured on CNBC, Tatler and Lifestyle Asia.

Topics we covered in the podcast include:
- Growing up in Hong Kong
- University life and early career experiences
- The birth of Breer and navigating entrepreneurship as a young adult
- Exploring new ventures within travel, cosmetics, tech and Bollywood
- Time management and balancing multiple projects
- Future aspirations and personal insights

How to get in touch with Anushka:
Anushkha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nushickles/?hl=en

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube and follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify and Apple Podcast. You can also stay updated with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Krishana Agarwal is the founder of Kasa Café, where coffee meets community in the heart of Fitzrovia, London. Kasa Café opened in September 2023 and hosts everything from networking events and startup socials to creative workshops and wellness sessions - anything that brings people together and sparks fresh energy.

Krishana has lived in Lagos, Mumbai, California, and now lives in London. She attended boarding school in the UK and has two business degrees. Before starting her own business, Krishana worked at PwC as a Tax Consultant and in roles in bartending, investment banking, and business development.

Building on her diverse experiences, Krishana has developed a key interest in the startup world and is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. More recently, Krishana launched Kasa Connect, a podcast where she interviews founders and creatives about the journeys behind their work.

We covered a lot of different topics in the podcast, this included:
- Early experiences (ages 18-21)
- Transition from university to corporate life
- Returning to education and the leap to entrepreneurship
- The birth of Kasa Café, challenges, and lessons learnt
- Launching Kasa Connect, building a community, and personal growth
- Future aspirations and advice to 18-year-old self

How to get in touch with Krishana:
Krishana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krishhanaagarwal/?hl=en
Krishana’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishana-m-agarwal/
Kasa Cafe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasacafelondon/?hl=en
Kasa Connect: https://linktr.ee/kasa.connect

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Jeffrey Reddick is a screenwriter and film director best known for creating the Final Destination film franchise.

At the age of 14, Jeffrey wrote a prequel idea for A Nightmare on Elm Street and sent it to Robert Shaye, then Chairman of New Line Cinema. Later, when Jeffrey was 19, he was offered an internship at New Line Cinema, where he worked for 11 years.

In 2000, New Line Cinema produced Jeffrey’s first studio project Final Destination. He also co-wrote and served as an executive producer for Final Destination 2 (2003).

With the success of the Final Destination film franchise, Jeffrey has written numerous horror films and has been directing movies since the 2010s. He is now based in Los Angeles and continues to write and produce horror movies while promoting the latest Final Destination movie, Final Destination Bloodlines, which was released in May 2025. This also marked the 25th anniversary of the original Final Destination film.

We covered a lot of different topics in the podcast, this included:
- Early inspirations, navigating rejection and the road to success
- Creating Final Destination from script to screen
- Moving from New York City to Los Angeles
- Revisiting the Final Destination film franchise
- The evolution of storytelling in horror
- Perseverance and advice for aspiring filmmakers
- Reflections on personal growth and future projects

How to get in touch with Jeffrey:
Jeffrey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyareddick/?hl=en
Jeffrey's X: https://x.com/jeffreyareddick?lang=en

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Natasha Moor is a world-renowned makeup artist, visionary entrepreneur and brand architect. Through her beauty empire, she spreads confidence and fosters positive change globally.

Natasha is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning Natasha Moor Cosmetics, dedicated to simplifying beauty through dependable, approachable and educational products, which are now sold in Sephora, Macy’s, Amazon, Nykaa, Nysaa and more.

Natasha began her career in TV and Fashion PR before fully dedicating herself to her passion for makeup. She has empowered over 150 brides worldwide to feel their most confident. Natasha is a global citizen hailing from India, Hong Kong and the Philippines. She is now based in Los Angeles.

Natasha is also a philanthropist with "DO MOOR", an initiative tackling issues such as human trafficking and homelessness.

In the podcast, we discussed:
- Early career and transition to makeup
- Navigating criticism, personal growth and overcoming challenges
- Building Natasha Moor Cosmetics and developing its purpose
- Taking risks and embracing fearlessness
- The emotional journey as a CEO
- Advice for the younger generation
- Empowering others through branding

How to get in touch with Natasha:
Natasha's Website: https://natashamoor.com/en-ae
Natasha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natasha.moor/?hl=en
Natasha Moor Cosmetics' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashamoorcosmetics/

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Ash Bhardwaj is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author based in London. He appears as a travel expert on BBC One’s Morning Live, Channel 5 and Sky News.

Before becoming a travel writer, Ash was a ski instructor and science teacher. He is a captain in the British Army Reserve and completed his studies at the University of Nottingham (BA in Philosophy) and King’s College London (MA in Strategic Communications).

His debut book, ‘Why We Travel’, is framed from 20 years of his travel experiences and explores 12 motivations for travel. It was awarded Best Travel Book of 2024 by The Independent. Ash regularly delivers talks and workshops around the themes of the book.

He also produces and presents The First Mile and The Human Advantage podcasts, hosts The Moth storytelling events in London and delivers workshops and keynote talks on leadership, influence, career strategy, storytelling and motivation.

In the podcast, we discussed:
- Falling in love with travel after a rugby trip to New Zealand
- Starting out in writing and journalism
- Writing the first book, 'Why We Travel'
- Reflections on fatherhood and career highlights
- Putting yourself out there and navigating modern media
- Future aspirations and advice to 18-year-old self

How to get in touch with Ash:
Ash’s Website: https://www.ashbhardwaj.com/
Ash’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashbhardwaj/?hl=en
Ash’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwinbhardwaj/?originalSubdomain=uk

Buy Ash's book 'Why We Travel' at Blackwells or Stanfords

Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Why-We-Travel-by-Ash-Bhardwaj/9781915798787#:~:text=Publisher's%20Synopsis&text=Why%20We%20Travel%20is%20a,conversation%2C%20advice%20and%20big%20ideas

Stanfords: https://www.stanfords.co.uk/why-we-travel-9781915798787#:~:text=''Ash%20is%20a%20great,venturing%20out%20into%20the%20world

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.

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Ria is the CEO and Founder of Matriarch, the business on a mission to help people tackle life’s toughest moments with less fear through education.

Ria’s business developed from a solo blog which covered topics ranging from lifestyle to culture. Her goal is to help at least one person a day, making the world a better, more inclusive place in the process. Now, through game-changing workshops, Matriarch helps schools and companies tackle taboo topics and leave with practical skills to face them.

Ria has two English degrees focused on colonial histories, immigrant narratives, decolonisation and critical race theory. Her knowledge helped her to set up Matriarch along with her first job experience in the Learning & Development industry and her own lived experience.

Ria works with schools, corporate companies and individuals from the ages of 11+. She has also worked with the likes of Verizon, Amazon and FTI. Ria has facilitated workshops to over +400 participants.

In the podcast, we discussed:
- Childhood and early influences
- Navigating grief
- The birth of Matriarch and 2022 being a pivotal year
- Balancing work and passion, making sacrifices
- Lessons on patience and burnout
- Future aspirations for Matriarch and advice to younger self

How to get in touch with Ria:
Company Email address: team@mtrrch.com
Personal Email address: riamtrrch@gmail.com
Company Website: https://www.mtrrch.com/
Work with Matriarch: https://www.mtrrch.com/work-with-us
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtrrch/?hl=en
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mtrrch/
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riakalsi/?hl=en
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ria-kalsi/

Do not forget to subscribe to @OnTheGoWithManav on YouTube & follow 'On The Go With Manav' on Spotify & Apple Podcast. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news and upcoming episodes by following @manavhartono on Instagram and Manav Hartono on LinkedIn.