Join Himanshi and Hardik for a conversation that looks beyond the scoreboard. This episode reimagines India’s Women’s World Cup victory as an economic turning point, unpacking women’s cricket through the lenses of sports economics, labour markets and investment theory. From match scarcity and income volatility to market failure and untapped consumer demand, the discussion reveals why women’s cricket is driven by powerful economic logic. Grounded in economic reasoning and attentive to questions of gender and equity, this episode offers a thoughtful lens on how markets, not merit, often determine value in sport and how that dynamic is beginning to shift.

Join Himanshi and Hardik for a conversation that looks beyond the scoreboard. This episode reimagines India’s Women’s World Cup victory as an economic turning point, unpacking women’s cricket through the lenses of sports economics, labour markets and investment theory. From match scarcity and income volatility to market failure and untapped consumer demand, the discussion reveals why women’s cricket is driven by powerful economic logic. Grounded in economic reasoning and attentive to questions of gender and equity, this episode offers a thoughtful lens on how markets, not merit, often determine value in sport and how that dynamic is beginning to shift.

Zero Down

79. ZDP Shots: Breaking the Boundary: Gender Economics of Cricket

Dive into the world of digital payments with this episode on UPI, as Yana and Sneha explore its transformative journey in India. From its humble beginnings to becoming more than a payment method, UPI is reshaping the way India transacts! Let's unpack Metcalfe’s law behind its rapid growth, the two-sided market dynamics, zero-MDR advantage, and innovations like UPI on feature phones, wearables, and future collaborations with AI. Today, UPI stands as a global benchmark, driving India’s economy toward modern financial development.

Dive into the world of digital payments with this episode on UPI, as Yana and Sneha explore its transformative journey in India. From its humble beginnings to becoming more than a payment method, UPI is reshaping the way India transacts! Let's unpack Metcalfe’s law behind its rapid growth, the two-sided market dynamics, zero-MDR advantage, and innovations like UPI on feature phones, wearables, and future collaborations with AI. Today, UPI stands as a global benchmark, driving India’s economy toward modern financial development.

78. ZDP Shots: UPI: India's Silent Economic Revolution

Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along. In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in everyday human interactions. From friendships to roommates, group projects, social media, and conflict resolution, we break down how strategic thinking shapes trust, cooperation, and decision-making. Light, fun, and deeply relatable, this episode connects economics to real life, because sometimes, understanding relationships is just about understanding the game.

Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along.In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in everyday human interactions. From friendships to roommates, group projects, social media, and conflict resolution, we break down how strategic thinking shapes trust, cooperation, and decision-making.Light, fun, and deeply relatable, this episode connects economics to real life, because sometimes, understanding relationships is just about understanding the game.

77. ZDP Shots : Game Theory in Relationships & Friendships: Strategic Choices in Everyday Human Interaction

Swipe into the chaos of modern romance with Devanshi and Tanvi as they unpack the Economics of Online Dating. From right-swipes to ghosting seasons, they explore how attention became a currency, why some profiles explode in demand while others get buried, and how apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge ended up running an oligopoly on our love lives. They dive into supply-demand curves on attraction, sunk cost fallacies in texting, and how freemium “premium love” became a business model. A fun, sharp look at why dating in 2025 feels more like a marketplace than ever.

Swipe into the chaos of modern romance with Devanshi and Tanvi as they unpack the Economics of Online Dating. From right-swipes to ghosting seasons, they explore how attention became a currency, why some profiles explode in demand while others get buried, and how apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge ended up running an oligopoly on our love lives. They dive into supply-demand curves on attraction, sunk cost fallacies in texting, and how freemium “premium love” became a business model. A fun, sharp look at why dating in 2025 feels more like a marketplace than ever.

76. ZDP Shots: Cupid's Market: The Price of a Perfect Match

Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

75. Unboxing the Economics Of Labubus

Concerts aren’t just about the music anymore! they’re an entire economy of their own. In this episode, Nandinii and Vanshika explore the fascinating economics behind the rise of concert culture, especially in India. From the multiplier effect that fuels local businesses every time a major gig comes to town, to the booming resell culture and parallel ticket economy that fans either hate or can’t escape, we dive deep into the financial ripple effects of live music. We also talk about Coldplay’s much-awaited India show, and how Gen Z views concerts as part of the ‘experience economy’.

Concerts aren’t just about the music anymore! they’re an entire economy of their own. In this episode, Nandinii and Vanshika explore the fascinating economics behind the rise of concert culture, especially in India. From the multiplier effect that fuels local businesses every time a major gig comes to town, to the booming resell culture and parallel ticket economy that fans either hate or can’t escape, we dive deep into the financial ripple effects of live music. We also talk about Coldplay’s much-awaited India show, and how Gen Z views concerts as part of the ‘experience economy’.

74. Concert-o-nomics

Join Bhadra and Kashish as they turn a shopping trip to Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar into a crash course in game theory. From bargaining tricks and price wars to the Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, this episode uncovers the hidden strategies behind every deal. Witty, sharp, and full of real-world insights, it’s the economic playbook you didn’t know you needed for your next Sarojini haul.

Join Bhadra and Kashish as they turn a shopping trip to Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar into a crash course in game theory. From bargaining tricks and price wars to the Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, this episode uncovers the hidden strategies behind every deal.Witty, sharp, and full of real-world insights, it’s the economic playbook you didn’t know you needed for your next Sarojini haul.

73. The Sarojini Playbook

Have you freshly turned into a voter? Are you wondering whom to vote for? Before you decide, dive into this podcast and walk with Gargi and Anusmita around the world of politics looked at through the lens of Game Theory. Discover the various kinds of games played by political parties and unveil what goes on in the minds of every voter simultaneously that impacts on the election results.Yes, this is where Strategy meets Power and Psychology meets Diplomacy.

Have you freshly turned into a voter? Are you wondering whom to vote for? Before you decide, dive into this podcast and walk with Gargi and Anusmita around the world of politics looked at through the lens of Game Theory. Discover the various kinds of games played by political parties and unveil what goes on in the minds of every voter simultaneously that impacts on the election results.Yes, this is where Strategy meets Power and Psychology meets Diplomacy.

72. Moves, Counter-Moves and Alliances

In this episode, Nandinii and Manya use game theory to unpack India and Pakistan's nuclear strategies. Through the classic Prisoner's Dilemma experiment, they explore how strategic decisions, mutual distrust, and historical tensions direct the prospect of peace and conflict in one of the most volatile nuclear flashpoints - and what it would take to break the cycle

In this episode, Nandinii and Manya use game theory to unpack India and Pakistan's nuclear strategies. Through the classic Prisoner's Dilemma experiment, they explore how strategic decisions, mutual distrust, and historical tensions direct the prospect of peace and conflict in one of the most volatile nuclear flashpoints - and what it would take to break the cycle

71. Game Theory and South Asia's Nuclear Strategy: India and Pakistan in focus

Is China helping countries grow or trapping them in debt? In this episode of Zero Down, Priyadarshini and Manya explore the geopolitical motives and economic impacts behind unsustainable debt practices. From ports in Sri Lanka to railways in Africa, we look who's gaining, who's slipping, and what it means for global power dynamics.

Is China helping countries grow or trapping them in debt? In this episode of Zero Down, Priyadarshini and Manya explore the geopolitical motives and economic impacts behind unsustainable debt practices. From ports in Sri Lanka to railways in Africa, we look who's gaining, who's slipping, and what it means for global power dynamics.

70. Debt Trap Diplomacy – Is China Really to Blame?

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, join the heads, Tanya and Prapti for a discussion on international trade, reciprocal tariffs and the impact on the current economic and geopolitical scenario.

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, join the heads, Tanya and Prapti for a discussion on international trade, reciprocal tariffs and the impact on the current economic and geopolitical scenario.

69. An Analysis of Reciprocal Tariffs

In this episode of Zero Down Podcast's non member series, ZDP Shots, Devika, Bhadra, and Diya spill the tea (from the Stanley Cup) about why we feel the urge to buy things that we do not necessarily need. From engineered scarcity, sunk cost fallacy, to herd mentality and other concepts, join them as they explore different behavioural economics theories manipulating consumer demand - and why it works so well. Are we really choosing what we buy, or are brands choosing for us?

In this episode of Zero Down Podcast's non member series, ZDP Shots, Devika, Bhadra, and Diya spill the tea (from the Stanley Cup) about why we feel the urge to buy things that we do not necessarily need. From engineered scarcity, sunk cost fallacy, to herd mentality and other concepts, join them as they explore different behavioural economics theories manipulating consumer demand - and why it works so well. Are we really choosing what we buy, or are brands choosing for us?

68. ZDP Shots: Statistics Behind the Stanley Cup: Pop Culture, Economics, and the Psychology Behind Overconsumption

Women have been locked out of the literary arena - not because they weren't writing, but because they weren't being published, read, or remembered, Joanna Russ said. Through Virginia Woolf, Betty Friedan, Emily Dickinson, the Bronte sisters and others, this episode delves into the works and lives of women who almost got lost in time. Join Gargi and Manya as they explore the economics behind this phenomenon and tribute the forgotten.

Women have been locked out of the literary arena - not because they weren't writing, but because they weren't being published, read, or remembered, Joanna Russ said. Through Virginia Woolf, Betty Friedan, Emily Dickinson, the Bronte sisters and others, this episode delves into the works and lives of women who almost got lost in time. Join Gargi and Manya as they explore the economics behind this phenomenon and tribute the forgotten.

67. Economics of the woman poet - how great voices (almost) got lost in time

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, Tanya, Usheer, and Vanshika explore "The Great Indian Brain Drain." While the news of someone of Indian origin becoming the CEO of a major global company often fills us with pride, it also raises an important question: does this reflect a significant loss of talent for India? Tune in for a deep dive into the causes behind this phenomenon and examine various government initiatives aimed at converting brain drain into brain gain.

In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast, Tanya, Usheer, and Vanshika explore "The Great Indian Brain Drain." While the news of someone of Indian origin becoming the CEO of a major global company often fills us with pride, it also raises an important question: does this reflect a significant loss of talent for India? Tune in for a deep dive into the causes behind this phenomenon and examine various government initiatives aimed at converting brain drain into brain gain.

66. The Great Brain Drain

In this episode of Zero Down, Join Kashish and Prapti piecing together the what-why-hows of labour migration in India. Using the Harris-Todaro model as a framework, we break down how migrants weigh expected income against the risks of unemployment in cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Why do millions leave their hometowns? What role does the informal sector play? And how does migration reshape India’s urban economy? From slums and political exclusion to the impact of COVID-19, we examine both the numbers and the human stories behind India’s migration wave. Tune in for a deep dive into one of the country’s most defining economic phenomena.

In this episode of Zero Down, Join Kashish and Prapti piecing together the what-why-hows of labour migration in India. Using the Harris-Todaro model as a framework, we break down how migrants weigh expected income against the risks of unemployment in cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Why do millions leave their hometowns? What role does the informal sector play? And how does migration reshape India’s urban economy? From slums and political exclusion to the impact of COVID-19, we examine both the numbers and the human stories behind India’s migration wave. Tune in for a deep dive into one of the country’s most defining economic phenomena.

65. Gamble for a Better Life : Rural Push, Urban Pull

A space aimed at exploring the world through the eyes of an economist, and making concepts fun, relatable, and real.

A space aimed at exploring the world through the eyes of an economist, and making concepts fun, relatable, and real.

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