PODCAST · arts
Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri
by Vedant Akhauri
Let’s Talk Media is an interview podcast hosted by media professional and award-winning podcaster, Vedant Akhauri. Expect a blend of personal takes and in-depth interviews with filmmakers, writers, academics, and creators across film, TV, and the wider creative world - delivering real, unfiltered conversations about the craft, careers, and chaos behind making (and appreciating) media.Follow @letstalkmediava on Instagram. New episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Guest submissions open.Disclaimer: Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect my views.
Episodes
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The Organized Actor: Going Pro, 7 Offstage Roles, and Ditching The Starving Artist Myth (ft. Broadway Veteran & Business Coach, Leslie Becker)
How does someone build the courage to close down a successful advertising and PR agency at age 28, move to New York City, and book her first Broadway-caliber show in just three months, building a 25-year career starring in hits like Wicked, Nine (alongside Antonio Banderas), Beauty and the Beast,...
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The Business of Acting (ft. Rob Brownstein, Founder of An Actor's Space)
How does a college saxophonist accidentally switch his major to drama simply by entering the wrong building to catch his bus home, and turn it into a 25-year Hollywood career across TV shows, video games, and films like Argo, Velvet Buzzsaw (2019 film), Last Appeal (2024 film), Grand Theft Auto…
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The Discipline of Acting: From Traditional Sets to Micro-Dramas (ft. Ryan Ray Vincent)
How does a blue-collar worker from Cleveland land acting roles as Uncle Clive in Netflix's Blonde, Henry The Dishwasher in ABC's Stumptown, and Fabrizio in Nickelodeon's Game Shakers, into becoming one of the most sought-after leading men in the exploding world of 9:16 vertical micro-dramas? In...
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Paradox Universe: Building an Independent Studio, Making Horror, and Securing Distribution (ft. Filmmaker, Joseph Mbah)
How do you build a sustainable career as an independent filmmaker outside the major studio system, write compelling supernatural thrillers on a micro-budget, and navigate distribution to major streaming platforms without waiting for Hollywood's permission? In this episode of Let's Talk Media…
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HorrorFix: Championing Indie Horror, Micro-Budget Filmmaking, and Building a Genre Hub (ft. Founder, Ash Hamilton)
How can independent filmmakers break through an oversaturated media market to bring micro-budget horror stories to life? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Ash Hamilton, founder of HorrorFix, an online hub dedicated to giving the "indie-est of indie" horror...
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The Business of Podcasting: Booking Guests, Studio Production, and Fighting Burnout (ft. Richard Wilmore)
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with podcast producer and host Richard Wilmore (founder of Make Your Day Richer LLC) for an unfiltered look into the behind-the-scenes craft of podcast production and guest booking. Inspired as an 11-year-old by the celebratory,...
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Inherited Grief: Being Gen Z in a Post-9/11 World
Marking the 25th anniversary of September 11th, host Vedant Akhauri breaks from the standard interview format of Let's Talk Media for a solemn reflection on how Gen Z carries the weight of 9/11. For those who were infants in cribs or born into the post-9/11 era, the tragedy doesn't exist as a...
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Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom (ft. Co-Author, Robert Wolf)
How does one family survive the brutal Nazi forced labor camps of World War II, only to find themselves trapped under the paranoid surveillance and repression of Stalin’s Soviet regime? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with retired radiologist and co-author Dr....
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Courtroom Realism vs. Fiction Thrillers: How to Write Legal Suspense (ft. Author, Jon Gegenheimer)
How does a former military counterintelligence interrogator and veteran trial lawyer use his high-stakes real-world experience to write authentic, deeply gripping legal suspense, and what does Hollywood get completely wrong about the courtroom? In this episode of the media interview series, Let's...
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Alternative Historical Fiction : The Joel Knight Menace Series (ft. Author, Jeff Kildow)
How does a retired aerospace engineer and Air Force veteran use his technical expertise and family military heritage to write gripping, historically authentic espionage fiction? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Jeff Kildow. Jeff served in the U.S. Air Force...
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World War II: Family Stories Of Courage And Survival (ft. Author, Dr. Caroline Crocker)
In this episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Dr. Caroline Crocker, a scientist turned author who has dedicated her retirement to preserving the raw, personal histories of her parents and grandparents during World War II. Dr. Crocker started...
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The Art of "Lightweight" Writing: From Launching Rowan Atkinson to The New Rock Fantasy Series (ft. Author, Richard Sparks)
How does decades of writing legendary British comedy prepare you to build a fantasy universe? In this episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with English-born, LA-based author, director, and veteran comedy writer Richard Sparks. Richard joins the…
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Child Marriage in America: "The Girl Who Kept Breathing" (ft. Memoirist, Misty Nesbitt)
DISCLAIMER: This episode discusses mature and deeply sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. How does a survivor of the unimaginable reclaim her voice and turn her past into a mission for systemic change? In this deeply moving episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media…
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Playa Dust In My Soul: A Novel On Burning Man (ft. Sarah Marshall)
Welcome back to Let's Talk Media! In this episode, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with veteran Burning Man attendee, military veteran, and debut novelist Sarah Marshall. They explore Sarah’s profound personal journey of self-acceptance, the transformative power of the Black Rock Desert, and the...
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Reinventing Your Craft: Navigating the Career Jungle Gym, Silencing Imposter Syndrome, and Building Identity from the Inside Out (ft. Christian Hurst)
How do you rebuild your entire sense of self when the structures you grew up with completely fall away? As a creative, how do you stop white-knuckling your way through life to meet other people’s expectations, and instead learn to construct your identity from the inside out? In this episode of...
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Tubefreeks: Fusing '70s Sabbath Riffs with ’90s Grunge (ft. Frontman, Paul Van Valkenburgh)
What happens when you fuse the heavy, riff-forward power of ’70s classic rock with the raw, aggressive urgency of ’90s alt-metal and grunge? And how does an independent band manage to write, record, and regional-tour while balancing full-time lives without burning out? In this episode of Let’s…
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Devil by My Side: From Underground Heavy Metal to Sparse Acoustic Americana (ft. Wayward Sparrow)
How does an artist transition from the aggressive, distorted walls of underground heavy metal to the quiet, fragile vulnerability of a single acoustic guitar? And when you decide to handle every single step of your music’s creation yourself, how do you conquer self-doubt and find the discipline…
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Multi-Hyphenated: How Paul Carganilla Thrives as an Actor, Screenwriter, Director, and Podcaster
How do you keep your creative fire burning when balancing a day job, a family, and your own artistic ambitions? Is specialization really the only path to success in Hollywood, or is the modern multi-hyphenate actually holding the master key to creative freedom? In this episode of Let’s Talk…
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SOULM8TE: First Impressions Review
What happens when our deepest psychological craving for human connection is outsourced to a highly advanced, beautifully deceptive piece of coding? Why does the timeless story of a monster turning on its creator feel so much more terrifying when the monster looks exactly like us - and is designed...
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StarScript: The Self-Publishing Creator Network (ft. Co-Founder, Zack James)
Why do so many incredibly talented independent artists fail to build sustainable careers? How does the modern digital landscape quietly turn passionate writers, musicians, and filmmakers into full-time project managers and part-time accountants? In this episode of Let’s Talk Media, the podcast...
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Playing Hogwood in Sinners (ft. Actor, Dave Maldonado)
Why does a character we absolutely love to hate on screen bring us so much collective joy? How does an actor step into the shoes of a detestable historical antagonist to make a story of good versus evil truly land? In this episode of Let’s Talk Media, the podcast exploring the craft, careers, and...
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From Being Bedbound to #1 Best-Selling Poet (ft. Author, Autumn Williams)
What happens when life forces you to slow down? How do you translate the physical confinement of a severe, bedbound chronic illness into a universal work of art that heals both the creator and the reader? In this episode of Let’s Talk Media, the podcast exploring the craft, careers, and chaos of...
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The Math of Music: How Our Brains Predict Melody and Resolve Acoustic Chaos (ft. Retired Pianist, Kurt Ellenberger)
Why does a certain song make us feel happy, excited, or deeply melancholic? How does the human brain instantly translate physical sound waves into raw emotional narratives? In this episode of Let’s Talk Media, the podcast exploring the craft, careers, and chaos of the creative world, host Vedant...
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The Robin Hood of PR: 50 Years of Activism and Winning the Message War (ft. David Fenton)
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the media analysis podcast, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with David Fenton, the legendary public relations pioneer who has been named one of the 100 most influential people in PR and dubbed the "Robin Hood of PR" by the National Journal. Fenton has spent over...
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Writing and Publishing As a Teen Author (ft. Shanti Hershenson)
How does a teenager manage to publish dozens of books before even graduating high school? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the podcast exploring the craft, careers, and chaos of the creative world, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with 18-year-old powerhouse author Shanti Hershenson. Having...
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Zepparella: The Led Zepellin All-Female Tribute Band (ft. Drummer, Clementine Moss)
How do you take on the monumental task of recreating the sacred music of Led Zeppelin? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the podcast about the careers and chaos in media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Clementine Moss, the founder and drummer of the legendary all-female Led Zeppelin…
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Silent Ranks, Loud Burdens: Book on The Realities and Identity Erosion of a Military Spouse (ft. Author, Allison Burton)
What is the reality of being a military spouse when the polished brochure fades away? In this sister episode to our interview with veteran Annie Emprima, we explore the flip side of the military lifestyle. Host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Allison Burton - a military spouse of nearly 20 years, a...
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Trauma Whispers Before It Roars: A Veteran's Guide to Reconnecting the Mind, Body, and Soul (ft. Veteran and Author, Annie Emprima)
What happens when the battlefield follows you home, and the injuries aren't just physical? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the podcast about the careers and chaos in media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with US Army National Guard veteran and trauma educator, Annie Emprima. Following a...
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Sufi-Inspired Indie Rock: Ammar Farooki On Finding His Voice in the NYC Music Scene
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Ammar Farooki to explore the gritty, unpolished realities of the indie music hustle. Leaving behind a secure, decade-long career in corporate banking and marketing in Pakistan, Ammar took a...
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What Are Vertical Dramas? Decoding the 1-Minute Shows Taking Over Your Phones (ft. Actress, Delaney Hathaway)
Have you noticed those dramatic, minute-long shows flooding your social media feeds? They aren't just a niche internet trend - they are the foundation of a massive new "parallel economy" in Hollywood. In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with actress, director, and...
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Too Many Miles: Advice from 150 Shows a Year as an Indie Artist (ft. Bobbo Byrnes)
Welcome back to Let's Talk Media! In this episode of the media deep-dive podcast, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Bobbo Byrnes, an award-winning Americana singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and author based in Southern California. Known as a true "road warrior," Bobbo has spent over…
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ADHD Creatives: The Perfectionism Trap, Navigating Burnout, and Finding Support Systems (ft. ADHD & Creative Coach, Sarah DeGrave)
Welcome back to Let's Talk Media! In this episode of the media analysis podcast, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Sarah Grave. Sarah is a theatre artist and ADHD Coach, passionate about helping fellow creatives (especially women, queer, and neurodivergent artists) clarify their goals, release...
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No Permission Needed: 50 Years of True Independence in the Music Industry (ft. Legendary Singer-Songwriter, Denise Marsa)
Imagine being the voice of a massive 1978 hit song and getting no credit... until fans asked the label put your name on the record. In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with music industry veteran Denise Marsa. Over a 50-year career, she has gone from performing in…
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Is Tremors Scientifically Accurate? And How Wrigglebrew's Worm Fertilizer is Saving Ecoysytems (ft. Founder, Sam Baker)
Are the giant monster worms in Tremors actually realistic? 🪱🎬 Welcome back to the media analysis show, Let's Talk Media! This week, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Sam Baker, CEO of Wrigglebrew, a worm fertilizer company based in Lake Mary, Florida. They deconstruct the campy 1990 cult…
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Reclaiming The Fantasy Genre's Dark, Psychological Roots (ft. Author, Richard Spegal)
Has the fantasy genre become too tame? In this episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with medically retired 82nd Airborne Division veteran and author Richard Spegal. Richard discusses his mission to rescue the fantasy genre from the shadow of young...
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AI Writing in Education: When Does a Tool Become a Crutch for Students? (ft. Educator, Dr. Meghan Waldron)
Are students losing their ability to think critically in the age of Generative AI tools like ChatGPT? In this episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri dives into one of the most hotly debated topics in academia today: The intersection of generative AI and...
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The SNL Retrospective: Inside 30 Rock and 5 Decades of Comedy (ft. Clayton Davis)
Ever wonder what it actually takes to get into a Saturday Night Live dress rehearsal? In this episode of the media interview series, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri reunites with returning guest Clayton "Clay" Davis for a massive deep dive into 50 years of SNL history! They explore the…
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What Reality Dating Shows Can Teach Us About Red Flags (ft. Therapist, Kate Mageau)
CONTENT WARNING for discussions of toxic relationships and abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Why are we so captivated by toxic relationships on reality dating shows? In this episode of the media analysis podcast, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with licensed therapist,...
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Writer's Block? It May Not Be Your Story That's Stopping You (ft. Book Coach, Elyse Seal)
Are your WIPs (works in progress) stuck in the drafts forever? In this podcast about the careers and chaos in media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with book coach Elyse Seal to unpack exactly why your novel is stalling and how to finally cross the finish line. Her insights are actionable to other...
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Putting By The Numbers: Updated Episode (ft. Author, Bob Labbe)
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the creator-focused interview podcast, host Vedant Akhauri welcomes back engineer, entrepreneur, and author Bob Labbe for a definitive update of his groundbreaking book, Putting by the Numbers. For decades, golfers have relied on intuition for lag putting. Bob...
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From a Biomedical PhD to Writing Medical Thrillers (ft. Author, Devan Greene)
How do you transition from a 20-year career as a practicing pathologist to writing medical thrillers? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, the podcast about the careers and chaos in media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with author Devan Greene. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of hands-on...
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From a 30-Year Hiatus to Working With The Rolling Stones' Producer (ft. Garrett Anthony Rice)
Are your dreams ever past their expiration date? For Dublin-based singer-songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice, the answer is a resounding no. In this episode of the creator-focused podcast, Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Rice to uncover one of the most unbelievable underdog…
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The Bystander: A Thriller About Crimes Gone Viral (ft. Author, John David)
Welcome to Let's Talk Media, the podcast series with conversations from the media and entertainment industry! Today, host Vedant Akhauri interviews crisis PR veteran turned debut author, John David, about his brand-new investigative thriller, The Bystander. If you're obsessed with true crime…
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The Class of '74: A Serialized Fiction Podcast (ft. Laura Van Wormer)
Did teenagers in the 1970s really not have supervision? What darker secrets were hiding behind the nostalgic peace, love, and unsupervised drive-in keg parties? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with best-selling novelist Laura Van Wormer. She's best known as the...
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The Brutal Truth About Record Deals, Embracing Life's "Road Rash," and the Secret of Motorcycle Zen (ft. Scot "Little Bihlman")
Are record deals a gamble? How do you survive the realities of the music industry without losing your soul? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Emmy-winning musician, songwriter, and SAG actor Scot "Little Bihlman" to expose the gritty, unpolished realities of...
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Teri M. Brown on "Peg, Unhinged": A Humorous Beach Read on Midlife Womanhood
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with award-winning author Teri M. Brown to discuss her upcoming midlife fiction novel, Peg Unhinged, releasing on April 21st. Teri shares her deeply inspiring personal journey of reinvention (TRIGGER WARNING). After leaving a...
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Bob Labbe on "Putting by the Numbers": How to Shave 4 to 5 Strokes Off Your Golf Game
In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with engineer and author Bob Labbe to discuss his book, Putting by the Numbers. For decades, golf has relied on the traditional "touch and feel" method for putting, a skill often dominated by touring pros. But what if lowering…
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Interview with Stan Lai - The World's Best Chinese-Language Playwright and Director
In this special episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with a true cultural architect: Stan Lai . Dubbed by BBC as the “the best Chinese language playwright and director in the world," Lai has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of modern Chinese-language performance. In this...
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Walter Schlinger's Romeo and Juliet: Navigating the Fringe Theater Scene (ft. Sean Gordon)
Host and former theater kid Vedant Akhauri sits down with actor and writer Sean Gordon to dive into the beautiful, chaotic world of independent theater. Sean is the brains and performer behind Walter Schlinger's Romeo and Juliet. He also played Aaron in the YouTube web-series, Why Try, written…
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Curving Dyslexia: Making Reading Accessible Using Tech (ft. Hillary Summerbell)
What if dyslexia isn't a neurological deficit, but a visionary superpower? In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with Hillary Summerbell, CEO of the literary technology company Summerbell, to discuss a groundbreaking innovation in media accessibility. After struggling...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Let’s Talk Media is an interview podcast hosted by media professional and award-winning podcaster, Vedant Akhauri. Expect a blend of personal takes and in-depth interviews with filmmakers, writers, academics, and creators across film, TV, and the wider creative world - delivering real, unfiltered conversations about the craft, careers, and chaos behind making (and appreciating) media.Follow @letstalkmediava on Instagram. New episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Guest submissions open.Disclaimer: Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect my views.
HOSTED BY
Vedant Akhauri
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri have?
Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri currently has 153 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri about?
Let’s Talk Media is an interview podcast hosted by media professional and award-winning podcaster, Vedant Akhauri. Expect a blend of personal takes and in-depth interviews with filmmakers, writers, academics, and creators across film, TV, and the wider creative world - delivering real, unfiltered...
How often does Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri release new episodes?
Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri publishes regularly with 153 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri?
You can listen to Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri?
Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri is created and hosted by Vedant Akhauri.
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