What are we really learning?

Is today’s education system helping students grow… or just pushing them to chase marks?

In this episode of BetterNow Podcast, host Anurag Shirahatti sits down with Dr. Prakash Kadakol, a college principal known for his discipline and strong perspective on education. Together, they explore the deeper reality of the system — from strictness, attendance, and authority to mental health, fear vs respect, and the true purpose of learning.

The conversation also dives into important questions like:
– Do marks really define intelligence?
– Is discipline more important than empathy?
– Skills vs degrees — what matters more today?
– Is social media increasing loneliness among students?
– Are we preparing students for life… or just exams?

This episode is a must-listen for students, educators, and anyone questioning how education shapes our future.

👤 Guest: Dr. Prakash Kadakol

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & YouTube

Welcome to the BetterNow Podcast — because your story deserves to win.

In this episode, host Anurag Shirahatti sits down with Akshay Kathariya, Co-Founder of The Tea Toast Co., to talk about life, growth, business, and building something meaningful in your 20s.

Akshay shares:
• How Tea Toast Co. started
• What co-founder partnerships look like behind the scenes
• Why debates and disagreements made the team stronger
• Balancing friendship and business
• Responsibility, risk and tough decisions
• Lessons from failure, growth and challenges
• The mindset young founders need to scale a brand

If you’re into startups, entrepreneurship or personal growth, this episode gives raw, relatable insights you won’t find in typical interviews.

Timestamps

(00:00) – Intro
(01:19) – Who is Akshay Kathariya?
(02:59) – Early family life
(03:31) – College days
(06:18) – First job
(08:23) – Tea Toast origin story
(10:45) – Starting a business in India
(11:44) – Financial backup
(13:17) – Building with limited finances
(14:16) – Financial crisis
(15:37) – Love life
(17:21) – Challenges while building Tea Toast
(18:33) – Early mistakes
(19:06) – What kept him going
(19:31) – Vision & name
(21:31) – Menu creation
(22:54) – Core values
(23:29) – Competing in the market
(24:14) – Ambience design
(25:07) – Breakthrough moment
(25:53) – Do you need a fourth founder?
(26:16) – Handling founder conflicts
(27:26) – Choosing a co-founder
(28:02) – Role of social media
(28:34) – Brand vibe vs promotions
(29:09) – Advice to younger self
(29:28) – Myth about entrepreneurship
(30:01) – Definition of success
(30:27) – Introducing yourself beyond labels
(31:15) – Who are you when no one is watching?
(31:43) – The version he misses
(32:37) – Past wound that shaped him
(33:43) – What love means
(34:26) – Something he misses
(34:44) – Life-changing person
(35:45) – Proudest moment
(36:23) – Lack of closure
(37:01) – Realising he deserved better
(37:27) – Best advice
(38:10) – Worst advice
(38:21) – One thing he stopped caring about
(38:44) – Networking as wealth
(39:43) – Gen Z corporate mindset
(41:50) – Advice for someone starting Tea Toast
(42:50) – Riskiest decision
(43:41) – Starting with ₹10,000?
(44:49) – Success is not fixed
(45:21) – Society killing dreams
(46:02) – Journey in 3 words
(46:15) – Outro

BetterNow Podcast by Anurag Shirahatti
Stories and conversations that help you grow — because your story deserves to win.
Instagram: / the_anurag_shirahatti
Podcast Page: / betternow.podcast_

Akshay Kathariya
Co-Founder, The Tea Toast Co.
Instagram: / akshaykathariya

TimestampsAbout the ShowGuest