When I started  Chai With Ilachi , I thought I was creating a podcast.This year showed me something much bigger I was sitting across from  real people carrying real dreams, real fears, and real battles . Different guests. Different industries. Different journeys. Yet, underneath every conversation, I kept hearing the  same truths repeating in different voices . Here are 10 lessons I learned as a host this year, lessons that stayed with me long after the cameras stopped roll

In a world obsessed with LinkedIn bios, Instagram highlights, and endless to-do lists, it's easy to assume we all have our personal narratives down pat. You know your career milestones, your biggest heartbreaks, your wildest dreams for the future. What if I told you that self-discovery through storytelling isn't about reciting facts it's about peeling back the layers no one's ever dared to touch? That's the magic (and the mess) I've witnessed time and again on  Chai With Ilac

Ankit’s big break came with Rishton Ka Chakravyuh on Star Plus, where he played the male lead. Sitting across from him, I could sense the passion with which he spoke about his debut and the challenges of making it in Indian television without any acting background. His dedication and authenticity quickly made him a household name.