Are you ready to build a career you'll love? In this insightful podcast, host Jay Thakkar sits down with Iwan Williams, the Director of Careers at the University of Liverpool, to uncover the secrets to a successful career journey. We dive deep into the role of a university in shaping your future, the importance of gaining real-world experience, and why soft skills and confidence are your most powerful assets.Whether you're a student trying to choose your path or a professional looking to grow, this conversation is packed with actionable advice that will help you find your purpose and achieve your goals.Chapters:[00:29] Introduction to Iwan Williams[01:16] The University's Role in Your Career[04:16] Finding Unique Career Opportunities[08:18] The Importance of Experience[09:31] Choosing the Right Career Path[15:02] The Role of Self-Identity in Career Choices[18:50] Boosting Your Employability[23:26] Building Confidence for Success[29:14] Strategies for Career Growth[37:12] Why Soft Skills are a Game-Changer[43:14] A Challenging Decision-Making MomentMusic Rights:"Ghostrifter Official - Resurgence" is under a Free To Use YouTube license / @ghostrifterofficial Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSFSPZ3BcNwWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

Join me on the Jay Thakkar Show for a moving conversation with Dr. Xiaoxiao Hou, a Guzheng virtuoso and PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool. We dive into her extraordinary journey—from mastering piano and Guzheng in China, to performing across the UK, and now pioneering groundbreaking research on music, mental health, and dementia care Credits for Background Music and Small Display of Dr. Hou's performance:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=syoa310FUMw🎧 In this episode, you'll discover:🎼 Early musical roots in China — starting piano at 3, Guzheng at 5, and acing top conservatory-level exams by age 10🌏 Her move to the UK—studying Musicology at Durham, Applied Psychology at Leeds, and now completing a PhD in Liverpool🎤 The challenge and joy of bringing Chinese classical music to iconic UK venues using Guzheng performance🧠 Why she's merging music, psychology, and public health in her doctoral research, specifically using music to help people with dementia and their caregivers.💡 Real-life stories of healing and connection through music—seen in her work and performances across Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and moreWhether you're fascinated by world music, mental health in eldercare, or the transformative power of cultural exchange, this episode offers a powerful blend of artistry and empathy.🔔 Watch now and be inspired by music that heals, travels, and transcends!Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories where culture meets care.🔖 Hashtags#XiaoxiaoHou #Guzheng #ChineseClassicalMusic #MusicAndDementia #MentalHealth #UniversityOfLiverpool #MusicPhD #MusicTherapy #DementiaCare #CulturalExchange #WorldMusic #AcademicPodcast #JayThakkarShow #MusicPsychology #AppliedPsychology #MusicEducation #HealingThroughMusic #Eldercare #MentalWellbeing #PhDResearch #StudyInUK #ChinaToUK #MusicJourney #PodcastReleaseWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

🎙️ In this episode of the Jay Thakkar Show, we dive deep into Advaita Vedanta with Dr. Gary Donnelly, a brilliant philosophy scholar from the University of Liverpool. We break down non-duality (Advaita) for beginners, and explore how it’s understood, taught, and even misinterpreted by famous Indian spiritual gurus like Osho, Sadhguru, Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), and Premanand Maharaj.✨ What you'll discover in this podcast:🔸 What is Advaita Vedanta, and why is it called the philosophy of non-duality?🔸 How does Shankara’s classical Advaita differ from modern interpretations?🔸 How do gurus like Osho, Sadhguru, Amma, and Premanand Maharaj teach non-duality today?🔸 Is there a difference between traditional Advaita Vedanta and popular spirituality?🔸 Book recommendations & simple ways to start your own exploration of Advaita.Whether you're curious about Indian philosophy, modern spirituality, or just want to understand how non-dual teachings apply to daily life, this episode is for you.💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Which guru or perspective on Advaita inspires (or confuses) you the most?📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more deep conversations on philosophy, spirituality, and culture.#AdvaitaVedanta, #NonDuality ,#IndianPhilosophy ,#Osho ,#Sadhguru ,#Amma, #PremanandMaharaj ,#JayThakkarShow, #SpiritualAwakening ,#VedantaForBeginners ,#EasternPhilosophy ,#ModernGurus, #Podcast, #UniversityOfLiverpool, #DrGaryDonnelly ,#SpiritualJourney ,#InnerPeace, #SankaraChapters;0:00 – 0:49 – Introduction & Overview of Indian Spiritual Gurus0:49 – 2:19 – What is Advaita Vedanta? Core Concepts Simplified2:19 – 3:06 – Advaita vs Buddhism: What's the Difference?3:06 – 5:34 – Nature of Indian Texts & Shankara’s Views on Rituals.5:34 – 6:54 – Shankara’s Philosophical Contributions.6:54 – 8:38 – Describing Brahman: The “Neti Neti” Approach.8:38 – 12:33 – Understanding Brahman, Atman & Knowledge12:33 – 16:49 – Maya, Leela & the Cosmic Game of Reality16:49 – 20:06 – Can Mystical Truths Be Rationalized? Big Bang & Brahman20:06 – 21:24 – Can Brahman Define Itself? Satchitananda Explained.21:24 – 23:05 – Why Definitions Matter in Daily Spiritual Practice23:05 – 25:06 – Advaita and Modern Narratives: Is It Being Co-opted?25:06 – 30:31 – Capitalism, Renunciation & Ethical Responsibility Today30:31 – 32:19 – Religious Hypocrisy: Monks, Money & Expectations32:19 – 35:19 – Osho: Humor, Rebellion & Spiritual Liberation35:19 – 36:45 – Evolving Religion: Keeping It Relevant in Modern Life36:45 – 43:17 – Religion, Politics & Justification of Violence43:17 – 46:49 – Questioning Scripture Without Losing Faith46:49 – 50:49 – Sadhguru's Approach: Modernization of Tradition50:49 – 52:44 – Sadhguru’s Devotion vs Classical Advaita’s Detachment53:03 – 55:42 – Premanand Maharaj: Rooted in Tradition with a Progressive Touch55:42 – 1:00:44 – LGBTQ, Brahman & the Illusion of Duality1:00:44 – 1:03:28 – Modern Social Challenges Need Contemporary Spiritual Voices1:05:52 – 1:09:59 – Amma’s Real-World Compassion & Service1:09:59 – 1:11:28 – Why Philosophy Needs Food, Shelter & Stability1:11:41 – 1:15:53 – Books to Explore Advaita, Vedanta & Indian Thought Welcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.

Join me on the Jay Thakkar Show as I sit down with Dr. Nikhil Mande, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Liverpool, to explore his inspiring journey — from coding in India to cubing in international competitions!🎓 In this episode, we discuss:How Dr. Mande moved from TIFR Mumbai to University of Liverpool and what motivated his academic path His work researching computational complexity, quantum computing, and the surprising crossover with puzzles like the Rubik’s CubeHow speed‑cubing inspired his teaching methods in modules like Fun with Algorithms, problem-solving, and outreach to next-gen codersFun stories from his cubing career — from competing in the Indian Nationals to the World Cube ChampionshipAdvice for international students wanting to balance academic ambition, creative hobbies, and community engagementWhether you're into computer science, puzzle fun, or cross-cultural journeys, this episode showcases passion, curiosity, and how personal interests can enrich academic life.🎧 Hit play now and enjoy a conversation about learning, teaching, and solving big problems — one cube at a time.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from academia!🔖 Hashtags:#NikhilMande, #UniversityOfLiverpool, #ComputerScience, #RubiksCube, #SpeedCubing, #ComputationalComplexity, #QuantumComputing, #InternationalStudent, #Algorithmds, #CampusLife, #JayThakkarShow, #AcademicJourney, #PuzzleLovers, #STEMOutreach, #TeachingInnovationWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

Dive into a fascinating discussion on the modern power of political memes in this episode of the Jay Thakkar Show! I’m joined by Dr. Liam McLoughlin, Lecturer in Digital Politics at the University of Liverpool, to explore how internet culture is reshaping political communication, civic engagement, and democracy.🔍 What We Cover Today:How memes evolved from jokes to impactful political messages during the 2017 UK general electionThe difference between grassroots memes vs. campaign-driven contentCan a quick meme change public opinion—without nuanced policy info?The rise of AI-generated political memes in elections Memes as “small political acts” that spark civic participation 💬 Whether you're a political junkie, social media creator, or democracy advocate, this episode unveils the surprising power and limits of memes in today's digital age.🎧 Hit play now to uncover how a meme might just change your mind—or even an election.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into political innovation and culture.Hashtags:#PoliticalMemes, #DigitalPolitics, #MemesInPolitics, #AIinElections, #CivicEngagement, #JayThakkarShow, #LiamMcLoughlin, #PoliticalCommunication, #SocialMediaPolitics, #GrassrootsMemes, #digitaldemocracy Welcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

📍 Are you an international student struggling to find a part-time job in the UK? You’re not alone — I’ve been there.In this solo episode of the Jay Thakkar Show, I share my first-hand experience of job hunting in the UK as an international student:The real challenges no one tells you aboutWhy applying to 100+ jobs didn’t guarantee successLessons from warehouse shifts, rejection emails, and awkward interviewsHow I finally found a job that values my skills and personalityAnd most importantly — how you can do it too 🔑Whether you're new to the UK or just feeling stuck, this episode is packed with real stories, tips, and encouragement to help you navigate part-time job hunting while balancing student life.🎧 Subscribe for more content on student life, international experience, and personal growth.💬 Drop your questions or experiences in the comments!#JayThakkarShow, #InternationalStudentUK, #PartTimeJobsUK, #StudentLifeUK, #WorkInUK, #StudyAbroad, #UKJobHunt, #JobSearchTips, #StudentJobsUK, #PostgraduateLife, #UniversityOfLiverpool, #RealTalkPodcast, #SoloPodcastWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

In this enlightening episode of the Jay Thakkar Show, we delve into the provocative question: Should children have the right to vote? Joining us is Dr. Nicolas Brando, a distinguished scholar from the University of Liverpool, renowned for his work on children's rights within liberal political theory.Key Discussion Points:The foundations of children's rights in liberal democraciesDr. Brando's Adaptive Model for understanding childhood and rightsThe ethical and political implications of extending voting rights to childrenHow reimagining childhood can inform more inclusive policiesPolitics and Rights ReviewThe GuardianDr. Brando challenges conventional notions of childhood, advocating for a nuanced approach that considers children's capacities and societal roles. His insights prompt us to reconsider the boundaries of political participation and the principles of justice in our societies.#ChildrensRights, #VotingAgeDebate, #LiberalDemocracy, #NicolasBrando, #JayThakkarShow, #AdaptiveModel, #PoliticalParticipation, #ChildhoodStudies, #EthicsInPolitics, #YouthInDemocracyWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

In this enlightening episode of the Jay Thakkar Show, we sit down with Dr. Gary Donnelly from Manchester University to delve into the rich tapestry of Indian philosophy and its resonance in the modern world.Topics Covered:Bridging Eastern and Western philosophical thoughtComparative analysis: Shankara's Advaita Vedanta vs. Buddhist philosophiesThe relevance of Indian philosophical principles in contemporary spiritualityHow religious studies can offer solutions to modern existential challengesJoin us as we explore how ancient wisdom can illuminate our understanding of today's complex world.Chapters:0:00 - 1:28 - Introduction1:28 - 6:30 - How Indian Philosophy is introduced to students in West6:30 - 14:01 - Similarities in Indian and Western thoughts14:01 - 17:15 - Shankara vs Buddhist Philosophy17:15 - 17:56 - Indian School of thought17:56 - 19:45 - Jainism19:45 - 21:00 - Beauty of Indian Religion & Culture21:00 - 21:26 - Shared Cultural Heritage21:26 - 23:00 - Indian Culture a Mix of Multiple Philosophies23:00 - 24:39 - Who is a real Hindu, Buddhist, etc.?24:39-28:23: Dualism vs. Non-dualism28:23-30:31 - Ancient Wisdom understanding throuhg Science30:31 - 36:30 - Is Indian philosophy under-represented or misrepresented in the West?36:30 - 38:37 - Is religion an answer to modern problems?38:37 - 41:40 - What is Spirituality?41:40 - 43:45 - Toxic Individualism in West43:45 - 47:15 - Religion as solution to mental health crisis47:15 - 47:48 - Conclusion🔖 Hashtags:#IndianPhilosophy, #Shankara, #Buddhism, #Spirituality, #ModernSpirituality, #EasternPhilosophy, #WesternPhilosophy, #ReligiousStudies, #JayThakkarShow, #GaryDonnelly, #AdvaitaVedanta, #ComparativePhilosophyWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.