Here’s one of my favourite conversations with Palo Alto Networks’ CEO, Nikesh Arora. This episode is a CxO’s playbook where we deep dived into the mindset, strategy, and decision-making frameworks that have shaped Nikesh’s journey across roles at Google, SoftBank, and now leading one of the world’s top cybersecurity firms. This isn’t just business talk. Learn how to think like a CxO when the rules of the game keep changing.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio

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#NikeshArora - CEO, Palo Alto Networks

Twitter: https://x.com/nikesharora

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikesh-arora-02894670/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

Chapter 1: Action vs Inaction

01:51 - Nikesh’s Early Years

04:17 - The Real Threats in Cybersecurity

08:13 - What Will Outlast the Disruptions?

Chapter 2: Can We Ever Be Safe Again?

10:31 - Rethinking Safety in a Changing World

12:44 - How to Look at the Cybersecurity Landscape

14:55 - Where AI is Taking the Industry

23:42 - If Interfaces Don’t Matter, What Does?

25:44 - What Happens When AI is Everywhere?

Chapter 3: Money, Meaning, Maslow

32:15 - Why Language Models Are Just the Starting Point

35:57 - Build the Brain or Protect It?

38:33 - What Founders Should Pay Attention To

41:23 - Lessons from the Evolution of Silicon Valley

42:28 - Should India Build Its Own Model?

46:31 - Are AI Bets Overblown?

50:00 - What’s Holding Innovation Back in India?

54:15 - Education as a Social Experience

59:25 - Moving into Tech and Leadership

1:00:08 - Building vs Leading: What to Choose

1:06:38 - Stories from Google & SoftBank

1:16:11 - How Risk Appetite Evolves

1:20:18 - Closing Reflections

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify

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Watch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify

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In this candid deep dive, I sit down with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to unpack the company’s remarkable journey from a DVD-by-mail service to a global streaming giant. We revisit Netflix's early battle with Blockbuster, the bold pivot to streaming, the company’s plans for India, and how they cracked the code on turning binge-watching into a universal habit.What was interesting for me was how he spots the next phenomenon before the world catches on. For anyone in media, tech, or entrepreneurship, here’s a masterclass in building and scaling in the entertainment space, and a reminder that you don’t always need a long story, just the right one.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #TedSarandos - Co-CEO, NetflixLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedsarandos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedsarandos

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:32 - Ted’s favourite Indian creator

02:15 - Netflix’s journey, pivots & vision08:34 - Netflix’s hiring culture

11:52 - Ted’s journalism roots14:06 - Ted’s childhood & relationship with money

16:39 - Rapid fire & banter

18:17 - How much of the world is narrative?

19:52 - Competing with Blockbuster

25:13 - Content choices, projections & finding tribes

28:05 - What defines success for Netflix

33:56 - How to best serve your story?

37:15 - Career advice & work cultures in India vs. US

41:02 - Will Netflix produce theatrical movies?

42:20 - Future of the theatre business

45:30 - The next big disruption

47:40 - Can AI create movies?

51:42 - Netflix’s tech & what it’s doing right

57:38 - Competing with other distributors

1:02:39 - Netflix’s streaming strategy

1:03:44 - What happens to conventional TV?

1:05:01 - Why people love true crime

1:06:11 - Why Netflix isn’t betting on live sports broadcasting

1:10:24 - India’s subscription model: why it’s a tough sell

1:13:29 - Will Netflix have an ads-only model?

1:16:58 - Married life

1:18:43 - How important is India for Netflix?

1:21:57 - Adapting to country-specific dynamics

1:24:28 - How Netflix greenlights projects

1:24:53 - A founder’s baggage: filling big shoes

1:28:17 - Validation & leadership

1:32:11 - Indian personality who left a lasting impression on Ted

1:34:11 - Ted’s secret to greenlighting hits

1:41:36 - How diversity contributes to Netflix’s success

1:42:42 - Can Netflix be global & local in India?

1:44:47 - Hollywood vs. Netflix

1:45:49 - Netflix’s role in podcasting’s future

1:47:16 - Youth & attention span

1:48:44 - Netflix’s future in gaming

1:51:56 - Closing thoughts

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4eznWatch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th#WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF #WTFOnline

I sat down with Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, for a no-holds-barred chat. From what’s really disrupting the entertainment industry, how Netflix greenlights projects, and India’s potential, we covered it all. Full episode drops soon.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcioLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #TedSarandos - Co-CEO, NetflixLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedsarandos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedsarandos

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4eznWatch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th#WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF #WTFOnline

Here’s a glimpse into my chat with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. We talk about the future of the platform to the masks we wear, and what happens when we take them off. Stay tuned for the episode

#NikhilKamath - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #NealMohan - CEO, YouTubeTwitter: https://x.com/nealmohan LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-mohan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neal_mohan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NealMohanCEO/ Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4ezn

Watch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th#WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF #WTFOnline

In this episode, I speak with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan about what defines the platform today and where it’s headed. We discuss why audiences now trust podcasters over traditional news, and what the next decade of content consumption might look like. For me, this wasn’t just a chat. It was a chance to question the shifting boundaries between passion, talent, identity, and influence. We also dug into how algorithms shape what people see. If you’ve ever wondered what drives YouTube behind the screen, this conversation peels back the curtain.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #NealMohan - CEO, YouTubeTwitter: https://x.com/nealmohanLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-mohan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neal_mohanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NealMohanCEO/

00:00 - Intro

01:25 - Defining WAVES’ vision for the creative industry

3:10 - Creators & politics: More linked than ever?

04:50 - Did YouTube shape the US election?

08:49 - Are podcasts replacing traditional news?

13:12 - Defining YouTube

17:21 - The future of content consumption

22:50 - YouTube movie releases: Fighting piracy

24:53 - Influencer vs Entrepreneur

28:19 - Tips to crack YouTube’s algorithm

31:15 - Neal on passion: Input vs output

36:54 - Growing up between cross-cultural content

41:16 - Navigating identity & Indian market

46:33 - Where should investors bet?

50:54 - Building YouTube’s competitor

53:54 - Who owns the most data?

57:16 - Attention spans: Shrinking or growing?

59:05 - Learning: YouTube’s core use case

1:04:37 - Final thoughts: The rise of India’s creator economy

I’ve always been curious to know why people are the way they are. After reading Bill’s memoir, Source Code, it felt more like peeling back layers than simply asking questions. Part 2 of our chat, I got to know him in a way I haven’t before.

In this episode of People by WTF, Bill talks about the drive and curiosity that keeps him active, playing ‘Crennis’ with Sachin Tendulkar, his childhood, how AI can reshape capitalism, and many more.

Is success in today’s capitalistic world bred by some form of adversity in childhood? Ten years from now, will a huge population be a boon or a bane from this capitalistic lens?

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

01:12 - Bill’s frequent visits to India

02:22 - Bill’s memoir Source Code, childhood and family dynamics

07:51 - Success in today’s capitalistic world

09:28 - What's the secret to Bill’s focus?

11:58 - Is vulnerability the new heroic trait?

14:50 - How tough is Bill on himself?

17:33 - Huge population: burden or advantage with AI?

20:55 - What would we do if we didn't have to work?

24:35 - Insights from being the world’s richest

29:05 - Money: Motivation to make it v/s be Altruistic?

34:25 - How Bill relates to the youth

39:15 - Nikhil's attempt to pitch for a job in the A.I world (he's serious)

#NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha and Gruhas Host of 'WTF is' & 'People By WTF' Podcast

Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/

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#BillGates Co-founder of Microsoft , Co-chair The Gates Foundation

Twitter : https://twitter.com/BillGates

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamhgates/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@billgates

#PeopleByWTF #WTFiswithnikhilkamath #WTFOnline

A conversation that veers from unexpected childhood confessions to what still drives him after decades at the top. Stay tuned for Part 2 of my conversation with Bill Gates.

#NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha and Gruhas Host of 'WTF is' & 'People By WTF' Podcast Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/#BillGates Co-founder of Microsoft , Co-chair The Gates FoundationTwitter : https://twitter.com/BillGatesLinkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamhgates/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/thisisbillgates/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BillGates/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@billgates

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4eznWatch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th #PeopleByWTF #WTFiswithnikhilkamath #WTFOnline