The Signal Daily
The Signal
Join journalist and host Kudrat Wadhwa for your weekly look at the stories shaping how Indians live, work and spend. Every Friday.
Join journalist and host Kudrat Wadhwa for your weekly look at the stories shaping how Indians live, work and spend. Every Friday.
The Business Of Funding Lawsuits
एपिसोड
Third-party funding is already a mature market in the US worth several billion dollars, and it's now beginning to pick up in India too. So how do funders decide which lawsuits to invest in, and what happens if a lawsuit fails? To find out and to hear from lawyers and experts, tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Note: No new episode next week. We’ll be back on October 30! Many Indians are now buying their meat online. But running such a business is very challenging. So has online meat delivery changed how India buys meat? To find out, tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Estimates show that people are putting anywhere from 1500-2000 crore a month in corporate bonds. But although it's much easier to buy bonds, do investors really know what they're getting into? To hear from experts and retail investors on this, tune into the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favorite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
A PIL in the Supreme Court argues that airfares in India have become too high and too unpredictable. It asks for more government oversight. So what's going on? Why are flight prices so high? And what, if anything, can the government do about it? Tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief to learn more. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
We'll be pausing the Tuesday episodes from now, but do tune in to our Friday episodes, which you can find on all streaming platforms. Today's guest is Sooraj Nair, Director, Safety Operations at Uber. We spoke about the challenge of women's safety in cabs and what Uber is doing to fix them. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
A few weeks ago, Apple launched its foldable phone: the iPhone Duo. It costs almost three lakh in India. But, foldables have been around for years. The ones by Samsung, Google and Motorola are expensive too. So why buy a foldable? What do you really get for that money? And what are its downsides? The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief’s Tuesday special, we feature insider interviews with leaders shaping modern consumption. Today’s guest is Neha Kirpal. Neha is the co-founder of Amaha and IMHA or the India Mental Health Alliance. Neha and I spoke about the challenges that women face in accessing mental health care in India today. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Every year, thousands of Indian nurses leave the country to go abroad. That's at a time when India needs more nurses. Healthcare is expanding and the country is ageing. So why are young nurses leaving, and what can India do to get them to stay? To learn more and to hear from experts, tune into the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief’s Tuesday special, we feature insider interviews with leaders shaping modern consumption. Today’s guest is Srivatsan Sridhar, founder and CEO of Skydo. Skydo's mission is to make global transactions as seamless as local ones. We spoke about why cross-border payments are so hard and how Skydo is innovating in that space. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
For years, health advocates have been advocating for the FSSAI to help make labels simpler. And now, after the Supreme Court directed it, the food regulator has acted. It has proposed front-of-the-pack warning labels for foods that are high in sugar, salt or fat. So can these labels really have an impact? Tune in to find out. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief’s Tuesday special, we feature insider interviews with leaders shaping modern consumption. Today’s guest is Surya Khurana. He’s the MD of FlixBus India, a travel tech company. We spoke about FlixBus’s USP in the Indian bus market and how it is trying to make bus travel a more attractive option for Indian consumers. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
India is a country of walkers. In many major cities, over 30% of people travel by foot. In Mumbai, that number is above 50%. And yet, our footpaths are unusable. And now the Supreme Court has intervened. In June, it said that the right to walk is a fundamental right. So what's it gonna take for India's footpaths to become usable? Tune into the latest episode of The Signal Brief to find out. The Core produces The Signal Brief. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
You're listening to The Signal Brief's Tuesday special, where we feature insider interviews with leaders shaping modern consumption. Today's guest is Vinay Kumar Swamy. He’s the country head at Pearson India. We spoke about how AI is changing entry-level jobs and how freshers could distinguish themselves. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Last month, people from around the country participated in the Cockroach Janata Party-led protests. But as we all discussed paper leaks, we missed one thing: coaching. In India, this market is worth 14.8 billion dollars. Several NEET aspirants say they couldn't have cracked NEET without coaching. But coaching comes with costs. So what happens when an industry builds around exams? The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief's Tuesday special, we interview experts from across industries. Today's guest is Richa Dwivedi Saklani. She just published a book titled ‘Jobs 2.0: The Ultimate Guide To AI Proof Your Career’. Richa and I spoke about how AI is changing careers and what young people should do to stay ahead of the curve. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Nearly two-thirds of Indian consumers now use AI as a part of their shopping journey, according to Boston Consulting Group. It saves time, the results are more personalised, and you could potentially find a better deal. But there are trade-offs. Tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief to find out. AI Agents episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ioqCokpJy6WP8X7fFk1Gl The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief's Tuesday special, I sit down with an expert from across industries. Today's guest is Ameera Shah. She’s the executive chairperson at Metropolis Healthcare, a leading diagnostic chain with presence in India and Africa. We spoke about the massive rise in preventative testing that India is currently seeing. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Today, 'energy drinks' are everywhere--at paan shops, kiranas, and even at college canteens. But now, India's food regulator is cracking down. In July, the FSSAI asked six brands to remove the term ‘energy drink’ from their label. Why? And what's really in these so-called ‘energy drinks’? To find out, tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief's Tuesday special, I sit down with an expert from across industries. Today's guest is Sneha Singh. She's the managing director at The Good Food Institute India. Sneha and I spoke about a recent research paper by The Good Food Institute India on the importance of doing more R&D on smart proteins and indigenous crops to fulfil India's unmet nutritional needs. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
This year has been brutal for many credit card users. Banks have been announcing devaluations one after another. For instance, American Express raised its spending threshold required to unlock its special Taj voucher. SBI cuts its cashback limits. So what's going on here? To learn more and to hear from consumers and experts, tune into the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
In The Signal Brief's Tuesday special, I sit down with an expert from across industries. Our focus remains the same: helping you understand the trends shaping India. We're simply bringing you more of the conversations behind those stories. Today's guest is Kanchi Gandhi, the MD of Kotak Mahindra Trusteeship Limited. We spoke about gray divorces, meaning couples over 50 who are splitting up, what that looks like, and how both parties divide assets. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Hiring a caregiver in India can feel like a leap of faith. There's little standardisation and limited regulation. Prices can vary wildly, and from the caregiver's perspective, conditions can be less than ideal, too. India needs caregiving--our population is getting older. By 2036, people over 60 could number over 230 million. So what's it gonna take to build a caregiving workforce to take care of India's elders? That's what we explore in the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Starting today, July 28th, The Signal Brief is introducing a new weekly segment. Every Tuesday, I'll sit down with a leader or expert from across industries. Our focus remains the same: helping you understand the ideas and trends shaping India. We're simply bringing you more of the conversations behind those stories. Today's guest is Aakash Kandoi, the MD of Jagdish Farsan, an 87-year-old farsan brand. We spoke about the trend toward premiumisation and better-for-you snacks. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
About a year ago, Sourya got a blood test. It showed low vitamin D. He took supplements, felt better, but soon started getting tested every couple months. Just for the sake of it. Many more people are getting tested now, even when their doctors didn't ask them to. India's diagnostics industry is already worth over one lakh crore rupees and is growing at around 12% annually. So what's behind this shift? In the latest episode of The Signal Brief, I spoke to diagnostics companies, consumers, as well as psychologists to understand this. The Core produces The Signal Brief. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Most people buy a car and then think about accessories. But Ravi refused to drive his brand-new vehicle until installing a dashcam. In fact, more and more Indians are now treating dashcams as essential. This sector is zooming at a CAGR of 21%. Why? For starters, driving on Indian roads is risky. For drivers, dashcams provide a sense of security. But, do dashcams really help when you’re in trouble? Hear from drivers on why they’re buying dashcams and from lawyers on whether it really helps. Tune in! The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
A, a 25, has an elaborate AI system to apply to jobs. One AI agent finds openings. The other rewrites her resume. And a third writes her cover letters. Now, candidates like A are not the only ones using AI. Recruiters are using it too. To go through applications, to rank candidates as well as to conduct interviews using AI avatars. So, if both recruiters and candidates are using AI, how has that changed hiring? To hear from recruiters and candidates on this, tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
More people are turning to AI for emotional support. The appeal is obvious. It's available 24x7. It's free. And unlike humans, it never tells you it's too busy to talk. But critics say there's a darker side. Chatbots can be sycophantic. They can reinforce unhealthy beliefs. They can hallucinate. And in some cases, they may even cause harm. So, can AI really be your therapist? Or are we turning to technology to solve a deeply human problem? To learn, tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Why don't more Indians carpool? On paper, it seems obvious. Our cities are congested, fuel prices are volatile and pollution remains a major problem. But, despite repeated pushes, carpooling never really took off in India. For this week's episode of The Signal Brief, I spoke to commuters who loved carpooling, commuters who swore never to do it again, and experts who believe shared mobility is the future. So, if carpooling makes so much sense, why don't more Indians do it? Tune in to this week's episode to find out. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Mihir Joshi, a singer and talk show host, showed me his sneaker collection over video. More than a 100 pairs. Some Indian sneakers too. But most of his collection consists of global heavyweights like Air Jordans, Onitsuka Tigers and ASICS. Some other sneakerheads I spoke to don't own a single Indian sneaker. That’s surprising, because right now, there’s a real sneaker wave in India. So, why’s that? And what's going on in India's Rs 33,000 crore worth sneaker market? Tune into the latest episode of The Signal Brief to learn more. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Today, almost all of us have some form of a digital presence. But have we thought about what happens to our instagram profile, our youtube account or our crypto assets when we are no more? Experts say most people are unprepared. In fact, less than 10% of Indians even have a regular will. So, what happens to our digital lives when we die? To find out, I spoke to a will-making expert, a tech lawyer and a crypto entrepreneur. Tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief to learn more. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Last week, I walked into an aesthetic clinic in South Delhi for a consultation. Now, I walked in a pretty secure person, but walked out wondering about my “masculine jaw,” as the person-in-charge pointed out. She suggested that I get botox to fix it. India’s medical aesthetics market, that includes injectables like botox and fillers, is booming. So, what’s behind this growth? Hear from consumers and industry experts on this in the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Artificial sweeteners took off in India in the mid-2010s, driven by rising diabetes rates as well as people wanting to become fitter. Now, Indian consumers are consuming sugar-free biscuits, sugar-free cookies and even diet sodas. However, recent research suggests that these compounds might be harming our gut microbiome and impacting insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health. So what’s the verdict? Are artificial sweeteners better for you, or are we just switching one problem with another? Hear from consumers and experts on this in the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Joseph’s two sons, aged 11 and 9, were doing well in school. Until COVID hit. Their grades started plummeting. Then, Joseph brought up an unusual idea: homeschooling. And Joseph is not alone. More Indian parents are choosing to take charge of their children’s education. According to the Ministry of Education, 72,000 Indian families homeschooled their children in 2023-24. But homeschooling can come with its own risks. Can every family do it? And what are the real emotional costs? To learn more, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Kunal’s uncle paid his health insurance premiums for decades. But during COVID, when serious complications from his diabetes struck, his insurance refused to pay a single rupee. Today, the health insurance industry in India is booming. In FY25, it was worth over 1.2 lakh crore rupees. Premiums are rising but so are complaints. So how does health insurance really work? And what can you do to protect yourself? Tune in to the latest episode of The Signal Brief where you’ll hear from consumers and experts. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
More people in their 50s and 60s are making living wills. These are documents that essentially communicate what you want when you can no longer speak. One such person is Sarita, a 62-year old retired corporate professional. Her son Anmol supports her choice to make a living will. So what are living wills? Why are more people getting them and what is the process of getting a living will? To learn more and to hear directly from consumers, lawyers and doctors, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
India has an abundance of sunlight. In fact, the government said that by March 2027, it wants a crore homes to go solar. But, by March 2026, we were only about a quarter of the way there. What’s going on here? To learn more about installing solar and why some consumers may or may not want solar, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Today, 1 in 68 children in India are likely on the spectrum, according to studies. Awareness around neurodivergence and autism has grown. There are even schools that accommodate. And yet, many parents feel alone. Support and infrastructure has not adequately kept up. What does it really cost–financially and emotionally–to raise a child on the spectrum? Hear from parents, experts and doctors on this in the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
One time when I was 23, I was hanging out with my friends. One of the guys said, “Hey, don’t get too late, find someone to marry soon.” I was stunned. I thought I was young. But was my time already running out? Yes, the biological clock is real. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, fertility declines meaningfully in your mid-30s. And now, this modern tension has a modern option. Egg freezing. In India, this is still a relatively niche space, but it’s growing fast. To hear from women who got the procedure done and from doctors on its costs, benefits and limitations, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Back in 2018, a wave of Indian brands bet big on mock meat. GoodDot launched its vegan mutton. Then Blue Tribe followed, bringing on Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli as investors and ambassadors. Even mainstream companies like ITC, Tata and Licious jumped on this bandwagon. This was supposed to be the plant-based meat revolution. But, years later, it seems that this revolution has stayed on the supermarket shelf. So, what went wrong? And now, with brands rebranding shifting from “fake meat” to “plant protein,” can this segment make a comeback? To hear from consumers and industry insiders on this, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
On Wednesday, March 25th, the Delhi Police seized over 20,000 counterfeit books from a printing press in Rohini. Soon after, Penguin Random House India published a statement saying that it had helped the cops with information. Online, the reaction was mixed. Some appreciated this step, calling it a necessary crackdown on piracy. Others, however, had a totally different opinion. They said that buying pirated books is often the only way many in India can read. So who’s right? The publishers protecting authors.. or readers just trying to to read? To find out, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Normally, the line outside the UAE embassy in Delhi is long, and stretches all the way to the main road. But these days, there are a lot fewer people. That’s because the US-Israel war on Iran has been impacting Gulf countries like the UAE too. Flights there are getting cancelled and there’s just a lot more uncertainty. Recruitment agents say that they are seeing business as usual. Only a small dip. That’s because migrants feel they don’t really have a choice, said one agent. So how has the Iran war impacted migration, if at all? To learn more and to hear from migrants and experts, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Last year, over 2 lakh people attended Coldplay’s Ahmedabad show. This year, even more global stars are coming to India. There’s Shakira, Kanye West and Calvin Harris. Estimates peg the live events organised market as between Rs 12,000 and Rs 20,000 crore. In short, India’s concert economy is booming. But, we don’t have the infrastructure to support shows of this scale. Fewer than ten venues across the country can host more than 10,000 people. Fans often complain of issues with traffic control, crowd management, toilets and parking. In the latest episode of The Signal Brief, we hear from consumers and industry professionals on what’s behind this growing concert economy—and where it’s falling short. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
India is minting millionaires faster than any other country on Earth. Today, roughly 86,000 individuals have over Rs 80 crore in investable assets. Ultra-high-net-worth people? Growing by 50% by the end of the decade. All this new wealth needs managing. Enter: India’s booming wealth management industry—it’s already worth over a trillion dollars, set to double in the next five years. These young advisors are managing portfolios, yes, but they’re also doing a lot more. They are delivering fruit baskets on random Tuesdays, they’re tagging along to car showrooms with their clients and even handing over their car keys at poker tables. To hear from wealth managers, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
If you live in India, you probably get two or three spam calls a day. A credit card you didn’t apply for. An investment opportunity you’re not interested in. In fact, Truecaller’s reports consistently rank India one of the highest countries for spam. That’s despite the fact that we actually have regulation to stop spam. In fact, early this year, the TRAI or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India fined operators Rs 150 crore for failing to curb spam traffic. And yet, the calls keep coming. Experts say that now, with AI, consumers could actually see many more spam calls. So why don’t these calls stop? And what can you actually do about them? To learn more, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Last December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for users under 16. Now, reports suggest that in India too the central government and some states are considering banning social media for teenagers. The concerns are simple: endless scrolling, addictive design, online bullying, depression as well as rising anxiety. India has over 460 million social media users. Many of them are teenagers. So, the question is simple. Is banning the solution? In the latest episode of The Signal Brief, we hear on this from child psychologists, journalists and digital rights advocates. As well as from the people most affected: teenagers themselves. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
India ranks one of the highest in the world for antibiotic resistance--meaning when bacteria learn to outsmart the drugs designed to kill them. And, modern medicine depends heavily on antibiotics. Doctors use them to cure everything from UTIs to even more serious illnesses like pneumonia. If antibiotics stop working, modern medicine regresses. So what exactly is antibiotic resistance? Why is this problem severe in India? And what does all this mean for you as a consumer? To learn more and to hear from experts directly, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Nikhil, who The Signal Brief spoke to, started losing his hair at 24. He says it damaged his confidence and changed how he showed up on camera. He tried oils, treatments and medication like Minoxidil, but nothing worked. After months of deliberation, he chose a hair transplant. He paid around Rs three lakh and says he does not regret it. But hair transplants carry real risks. Poorly regulated clinics have caused serious complications and, in some cases, even deaths. In January, the government proposed stricter rules and plans to treat hair transplants as surgery. But, why are so many people signing up in the first place? To find out, listen to the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
After the December 31st strike by gig workers, India’s labour ministry asked platform companies to stop promoting the 10 minute delivery deadline. These companies have, on paper, complied. On the side though, another version of the quick commerce economy has been growing–instant house help. Need someone to help you cook? Need someone to help you clean you home? Tap a button. And a worker arrives within minutes. Here’s the surprising part, though. The workers we spoke to said that they like their jobs. They get paid on time. There’s a manager that they can contact in case something goes wrong. So what’s going on here? And how long can this model last? Find out on The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal recently went viral for wearing a device called ‘Temple', which measures blood flow. That’s an example of ‘biohacking’. Biohacking involves using lifestyle changes, supplements and wearables to take control of one's health. In India, the biohacking market was worth over a billion dollars in 2024 and could triple by the end of the decade. But, doctors are skeptical. They point to weak regulation and minimal accountability in this segment. So, why are so many Indians turning to biohacking anyway? And what exactly do doctors say? To find out, check out the latest episode of The Signal Brief. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. To check out the rest of our work, go to www.thecore.in India's Supplement Frenzy Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin
According to IRDAI, almost a crore Indians bought travel insurance in FY 2025. That’s a 91% jump from FY 2019. But although many more people are buying travel insurance, they’re actually not getting their claims approved. The ICR, or the incurred claim ratio, in this segment is particularly low. Just about 45% in the overseas segment and about 10% in the domestic segment. This means that for every 100 rupees an insurer earns in premiums, it pays out just about 10 rupees in claims in domestic travel insurance. What’s really going on here? In this episode, we deep dive into why many more consumers are buying travel insurance, and why they often end up disappointed. The Core produces The Signal Brief. Follow us wherever you get your favourite podcasts. To check out the rest of our work, go to www.thecore.in Register for India Energy Week 2026 The Core and The Signal Brief are ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage, check out thecore.in Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin