The Long Game

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Mihir speaks with Raman Pushkar — consultant, executive coach, and speaker — about his journey from credit card debt, personal loans, EMIs, and financial stress to building passive income and a stronger money mindset.Raman shares how EMIs can trap you mentally, why tracking your expenses is the first step toward financial freedom, how salaried professionals can start building assets, and what to do if job loss or career uncertainty hits. We also discuss passive income, lifestyle inflation, peer pressure, real estate decisions, and why financial freedom is more about behavior than income.This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in the salary-to-EMI cycle and wants a practical path toward debt freedom, passive income, and long-term wealth.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

Most people believe their salary will keep growing every year… but what if that’s the biggest financial illusion?In this episode, we break down why your income isn’t as stable as it looks — and how AI, layoffs, and longer lifespans are changing the rules of financial security.Ravi Handa shares practical insights from building, selling, and rebuilding businesses — and explains why relying only on your salary could be one of the biggest risks in today’s world.We cover:Why your salary behaves more like equity than a fixed incomeHow layoffs and AI are changing long-term career stabilityThe real challenges of achieving FIRE in IndiaWhy most people get misled by financial adviceWhether going abroad actually improves your financial futureWhy “passive income” is often misunderstoodIf you’re building towards financial independence, this conversation will change how you think about money, work, and security.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

In this episode, we speak with a seasoned finance leader and CFO who, despite decades of professional experience, only began actively tracking his personal finances in his mid-40s.We explore the turning point that led to this realization and the practical steps he took to gain clarity and control over his financial life.This conversation covers:Why financial knowledge doesn’t always translate to personal wealthThe importance of tracking net worthHow to distinguish between good and bad expensesThe role of discipline in long-term financial successWhat investors and successful founders consistently get rightA thoughtful discussion for anyone looking to build a more structured and intentional approach to personal finance.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

Most people think financial freedom is about earning more, investing better, and hitting a number.But what if that number… doesn’t matter as much as you think?In this episode, Vinayak Sapre (author of Dohanomics) breaks down why behavior, mindset, and clarity of “enough” matter far more than returns.From “10 crore is more than 100 crore” to why retirement may not be your choice, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about money.💡 What you’ll learn:Why behavior matters more than income or returnsThe real meaning of financial freedom (it’s not retirement)Why most people are forced to retire, not choose toHow lifestyle inflation quietly destroys wealthWhy following the crowd leads to lossesThe importance of liquidity (and why real estate can fail you)Simple math mistakes that cost people lakhsWhy investing should feel boring🎯 Key takeaway:Financial freedom is not about how much money you have.It’s about:knowing what is “enough”controlling your behaviorand building a life where money supports your choices👤 About the guest:Vinayak Sapre is a wealth advisor and author of Dohanomics, where he blends personal finance with Indian philosophy (Kabir, Rahim) to simplify how people think about money and life.

Most people think if you don’t start investing in your 20s… you’re already late.But what if you could start at 50 — and still achieve financial freedom in just 7 years?In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, I sit down with Lakshmi Narayan, a wealth and retirement strategist who did exactly that.We break down the exact principles, decisions, and mindset shifts that helped him go from almost zero savings to financial independence — even after facing an 80% market crash early in his journey.This episode is not about shortcuts. It’s about what actually works.🔑 WHAT YOU’LL LEARNHow he saved 60% of his income and accelerated wealth creationWhy an 80% market crash didn’t stop him (and actually helped)The biggest mistake he made — and why you should avoid itWhy most people fail with SIPs (and how to fix it)The correct order: Insurance → Emergency Fund → InvestingWhy jumping between mutual funds destroys your returnsThe concept of “pay yourself first” (especially for founders)How to think about retirement planning realisticallyThe 3 biggest risks people ignore in retirementWhy starting late is still better than not starting at all⚠️ WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORPeople who feel they’ve started investing “too late”Anyone struggling with consistency in investingSalaried professionals & startup foundersBeginners looking for a simple, practical frameworkAnyone serious about financial independence (FIRE)💡 KEY TAKEAWAYSWealth is built through consistency, not timingAutomation beats motivation every timeYour savings rate matters more than stock pickingFinancial planning is a living process, not a one-time decisionStarting late is a disadvantage — but not a death sentence📌 FOLLOW & CONNECTIf you found this helpful, share it with someone who needs to start their investing journey.Follow for more conversations on wealth, investing, and financial independence.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

Most people chase salary. He chased net worth — and it changed everything.In this episode, Harsh shares how he:Invests 80% of his incomeBuilt ₹1 Crore+ in just 3 yearsUsed simple strategies (no trading, no hype)Prepared for a future where AI replaces jobsIf you’re in your 20s or 30s and serious about building wealth — this might change how you think about money.👉 Key takeaways:Why salary won’t make you richHow to think about investing (even as a beginner)The mindset shift that actually builds wealthSubscribe for more real conversations on money, investing, and FIRE.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, we sit down with Navdeep Dalia, who went from earning just ₹22,000/month to achieving financial independence in his 30s — not through shortcuts, but through discipline, consistency, and long-term thinking.Navdeep shares a brutally honest breakdown of his journey — including early mistakes, real estate bets, career growth, and the mindset shifts that actually made the difference.This is not a “get rich quick” story. It’s a real blueprint for building wealth over time.🚀 What You’ll LearnHow Navdeep saved 50% of his ₹22K salary early in his careerWhy his “mistake” of buying real estate early actually built disciplineThe real cost of EMIs and debt that most people ignoreWhy income growth matters more than just investingHow he transitioned from job → business → financial freedomThe exact mindset shift that helped him stay consistent for 16+ yearsWhy most people fail: starting AND exiting investments at the wrong timeThe one word that defines his entire journey: CommitmentIf you found this useful, subscribe for weekly conversations with people who’ve actually built financial freedom — no fluff, just real stories.

In this episode, I sit down with Jay Sharma, who spent over 20 years building tech products at companies like Amazon before walking away from corporate life in 2025.Instead of chasing a bigger paycheck, Jay decided to design a life around financial independence, freedom, and purpose.We talk about:• Why chasing a FIRE number can be a mistake • How to design the life you want before calculating money • His real portfolio allocation (Index Funds, Real Estate, Bitcoin) • Why he doesn’t believe in gold or bonds anymore • The investing mistakes he made early in his career • How option selling generates income • Why Bitcoin solves the problems of traditional money • How AI might reshape the future of jobs and companies • What people should build before quitting their jobsJay also shares how he and his wife aligned their goals before leaving corporate life and what they’re building now.If you're interested in FIRE, investing, financial independence, or building a life outside the corporate grind, this conversation is packed with insights.

In this episode of The Long Game, Mihir Shah speaks with Sunil Shah, whose path to financial independence was shaped not just by money, but by a deep shift in how he understood life, fear, and freedom.Sunil shares how his journey began early, growing up in a middle-class family and realizing as a child that money created access and opportunity. From data entry and software work to a role in the US, he built confidence around earning — but his biggest turning point was not financial. After returning to Pune, a long period of silence and introspection changed the way he thought about money, work, and life itself.He explains why he chose not to keep chasing more income, how he structured a simple life around fixed deposits and rental income, and why he believes true financial independence is about removing fear rather than hitting a perfect number.Toward the end, Sunil also shares a very different message for today’s younger generation: instead of obsessing over FIRE formulas, invest in yourself and learn AI deeply.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

In this episode of The Long Game, Mihir Shah speaks with Jayant Kumar, former CTO at Indian Express, former SVP at DBS Bank, and now a mutual fund specialist.Jayant shares his journey from a long career in technology leadership to achieving financial independence. He explains how he first discovered the concept of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and how that changed the way he approached saving, investing, and planning for the future.We discuss the importance of building a strong financial plan, avoiding common investing mistakes, and why many people misunderstand the FIRE movement. Jayant also shares the strategy he used to build his retirement corpus, including the 35x rule, asset allocation strategies, and lessons learned from real estate and mutual fund investing.He also talks about life after financial independence — including the surprising challenges of having too much free time and the importance of finding purpose beyond work.If you’re interested in financial independence, investing, mutual funds, or early retirement, this episode offers practical insights and lessons from someone who has successfully made that transition.If you'd like to share your story with us, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected] Jayant Kumar at https://www.youtube.com/@fireby45

In this episode of The Long Game, we see A.V's journey who achieved Barista FIRE before turning 40.Barista FIRE is a version of financial independence where your investments cover most of your expenses, while a smaller income stream or part-time work covers the rest.In this conversation, A.V. shares his journey from starting his career in India to moving to the United States for an MBA, working in tech companies, and ultimately reaching financial independence.We discuss how disciplined saving, investing in equities, and avoiding lifestyle inflation helped him build wealth over time. A.V. also talks about the role RSUs played in accelerating his journey and how aligning financial values with his partner made a huge difference.He also shares one financial mistake that cost him what could have been hundreds of thousands of dollars—and the lessons he learned from it.This episode is a great look at what the path to financial independence actually looks like in real life.Topics discussed• What Barista FIRE actually means • Moving from India to the US for an MBA • Working in tech and growing income through RSUs • Paying off an education loan quickly • The role of discipline and saving early • Lifestyle inflation and spending choices • A costly car purchase mistake • How financial independence changes your outlook on work • Advice for people in their 20s and 30s pursuing FIREIf you'd like to share your story with us, please fill this out: https://forms.gle/Ha9nEbXyJWm3ow4x7 If you would like to connect with us and share your feedback, please drop an email at [email protected]

Welcome to the very first episode of The Long Game.In this short introduction, Mihir Shah shares the purpose behind the podcast and what listeners can expect from future conversations.There is no shortage of advice about money and investing today, but what often gets missed are the real stories behind financial independence — the decisions people made, the mistakes they learned from, and the lessons they discovered along the way.The Long Game is a podcast focused on exploring how people actually build wealth and financial freedom over time. Each episode features conversations with individuals who are on the path to financial independence or who have already achieved it.Through these discussions, we’ll explore topics like:• Financial Independence (FIRE) • Investing and long-term wealth building • Major financial decisions that shaped people’s journeys • Lessons learned from mistakes • Mindset shifts around money and freedomIf you're interested in financial independence, investing, and learning from real experiences rather than theory, this podcast is for you.New episodes will feature thoughtful conversations with people who are playing the long game with their finances.