Does befriending uncertainty brings emotional well being ? Can we unlock the secret to find the space of sustained equanimity? In this episode of 'The Ultimate Inquiry', Marketing professor and happiness researcher Raj Raghunathan explores with Pracheta Budhwar what truly drives emotional well-being at work and in life.

He explains how emotions shape decisions, why uncertainty and even negative feelings are vital to fulfilment, and how conscious choices and not societal expectations - lead to real happiness. Raj also shares practical insights on workplace well-being and the books that have shaped his understanding of personal growth.Books referred in the episode :

• If you're so smart, why aren't you happy? by Raj Raghunathan
• Breath by James Nestor
• Outlive by Peter Attia

Chapters :

00:00 Introduction to Raj Raghunathan

01:11 Happiness in Academia

02:47 The Journey from Engineering to Happiness Research

05:29 The PhD Experience and Its Impact on Happiness

08:42 Influences and Inspirations in Psychology

11:24 The Pursuit of Happiness: A Personal Journey

14:06 Understanding Happiness: A Psychological Perspective

16:52 The Role of Emotions in Happiness

19:23 Collective Happiness vs. Individual Pursuits

22:01 The Misconceptions of Prioritizing Happiness

24:47 The Irony of Happiness in Modern Society

27:52 Cultivating Happiness: A Choice or a State of Mind?

41:10 Cultivating Happiness vs. Pursuing It

48:24 The Underlying Currents of Our Lives

53:09 Values: Constant and Overrated

58:28 Understanding Happiness: Joy, Contentment, and Beyond

01:04:33 Befriending Uncertainty

01:10:45 Workplace Well-being and Employee Happiness

01:15:19 Influential Reads and Closing Thoughts

What if who you think you are has nothing to do with who you truly are? What if you don’t need to fix yourself—just stop identifying with your thoughts?

In this powerful conversation, host Pracheta Budhwar sitsdown with spiritual teacher Jacqueline Maria Longstaff to explore what it truly means to awaken beyond the mind. Jacqueline shares her journey through Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, and how tools like meditation, astrology, and emotional integration can support inner transformation.

This episode dives deep into themes like self-acceptance, surrender, suffering as growth, ego identity, and preparing for a conscious death. If you're on a path of healing, self-inquiry, or spiritual growth - this conversation is a grounded andheart-opening guide.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline Maria Longstaff

02:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery

05:15 The Role of Gurus in Spiritual Growth

07:48 Astrology and Free Will

10:26 The Necessity of Suffering for Growth

12:34 Balancing Reality and Spirituality

15:07 Experiences Beyond the Physical Realm

18:10 Eastern vs. Western Approaches to Self-Realization

20:49 Understanding Projections in Relationships

23:35 Embracing Emotions as Part of the Journey

26:00 The Dangers of Spiritual Ego

29:12 Meeting U.G. Krishnamurti

31:36 The Nature of Surrender

33:57 Understanding Astrology and Emotions

36:36 Consciousness and Death

44:56 The Heart as the Center of Spirituality

46:47 The Importance of Consistent Practice

50:43 The Journey of Self-Acceptance

54:00 Awareness and Spiritual Growth

54:49 Understanding Our Roles in Life

57:04 The Role of a Teacher in Spirituality

01:00:00 Tools for Awakening and Meditation

01:02:46 Balancing Solitude and Community

01:04:20 Navigating Life Lessons and Awareness

01:07:37 The Importance of Not Taking Things Personally

01:08:45 Finding Your Own Path to Awakening

In the age of noise, truth has become the quietest voice.What if finding truth in the post-truth era begins with just humility & common sense ?

In this episode of The Ultimate Inquiry, host Pracheta Budhwar sits down with journalist and author Syed Zaigham Murtaza for a deeply reflective conversation on truth, culture, and the evolving role of media.

From his childhood in Amroha to his journey throughjournalism, Murtaza opens up about how community, literature, and lived experiences shaped his worldview.

• This episode is an invitation to question — how do we tellstories responsibly, and what does it mean to seek truth when everyone has their own?

• 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful dialogue on journalism, ethics, and the human spirit.

• Chapters :

• 00:00 Introduction to Syed Zaigham Murtaza

  01:41 Growing Up in Amroha: A Cultural Mosaic

  04:46 Influences and Inspirations: Family and Education

  11:02 The Pull of Home: Returning to Amroha

  14:36 The Journey to Journalism: A Conscious Choice

  18:55 Books that Shaped a Mind: Early Literary Influences

  22:52 Reflections on Identity and Community

  24:17 The Impact of the 90s on Social Dynamics

  24:57 The Evolution of Religious and Communal Identity

  27:13 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Narratives

  31:46 Maintaining Objectivity in Journalism

  36:25 The Loss of Dignity in Public Discourse

  41:23 The Changing Nature of Community and Responsibility

  45:46 The Essence of Journalism

  47:07 Challenges in Modern Journalism

  49:21 The Need for Ethical Journalism

  51:30 The Impact of Reporting on Society

  59:00 The Complexity of Truth

  01:06:58 Inquiring into Human Nature and Conflict

• 🎧 Tune in for athoughtful dialogue on journalism, ethics, and the human spirit.