Today we’d like to introduce you to Ami Thakkar.
Hi Ami, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you had told me twenty years ago that I’d be leading The Podcast Academy, I never would have believed you. My career has been anything but linear!
I grew up in Texas, studied economics and business at the University of Texas, started my career at Enron, earned my law degree from DePaul University in Chicago. Along the way, I worked in corporate America, lived and worked in places like New York, India, Dubai, and Arkansas, and explored opportunities across a wide range of industries, including freelance writing, working in radio, and even a short stint as a backup Bollywood dancer.
In 2017, I launched my podcast, Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar, as a passion project. What started as a creative outlet became something much bigger. Through hundreds of conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, entertainers, and changemakers, I discovered the incredible power of audio to create connection and community. Podcasting gave me a way to combine my love of storytelling, business, and relationship-building.
Over time, I became more involved in the broader podcast industry, serving as a mentor, speaker, moderator, and advocate for creators. Those experiences eventually led me to The Podcast Academy, where I now serve as Executive Director. It’s a role that feels like the culmination of so many different chapters of my life. I get to work with some of the most talented people in audio while helping shape the future of an industry I care deeply about.
What excites me most is that we’re still in the early days of what podcasting can become. At The Podcast Academy, we’re focused on supporting creators, fostering meaningful connections, providing education and mentorship, and celebrating excellence through The Ambies. As a nonprofit organization, we have a unique opportunity to serve as a trusted, neutral voice for the industry, and my goal is to help establish The Podcast Academy as a true thought leader while creating opportunities for the next generation of storytellers.
The common thread through all of my experiences has been a willingness to take chances, embrace change, and follow my curiosity. None of it was planned, but every step taught me something that ultimately led me here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I’ve changed industries multiple times, moved across cities and even countries, started over professionally more than once, and taken risks that didn’t always have a clear outcome. There were moments when I left stable situations because I felt pulled toward something new, even when it wasn’t the obvious or safest choice.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to trust my own path when it didn’t look like anyone else’s. As someone who studied economics and law, worked in corporate environments, and then eventually found my way into media and podcasting, there were plenty of times when I questioned whether I was making the right decisions. It’s easy to compare yourself to people who seem to have a perfectly mapped-out career.
Building my podcast was another lesson in persistence. Like many creators, I started with no roadmap, no large audience, and no guarantees that anyone would listen. Which for awhile, they weren’t. It required a lot of consistency, patience, and belief in the process. Most people only see the finished product, not the countless hours behind the scenes.
Personally, I’ve also learned how challenging it can be to balance ambition, family, and personal growth. As a working parent, there are always competing priorities, and I’ve had to accept that perfection isn’t possible.
What I’ve come to realize is that the setbacks, pivots, and unexpected detours were often the experiences that taught me the most. They helped me become more adaptable, more empathetic, and more willing to embrace uncertainty. Looking back, I’ve come to appreciate that the struggles were the journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of my work, I’m a builder of communities and relationships.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director of The Podcast Academy, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, advancing, and celebrating the podcast industry. We are best known for The Ambies, podcasting’s premier awards program, but our work extends far beyond awards. We provide education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources that help creators and industry professionals grow throughout their careers.
What I specialize in is bringing people together. Throughout my career, whether I working in law, working in business, hosting my own podcast, or leading a nonprofit, I’ve found myself in roles where I connect ideas, industries, and people who might not otherwise find each other. I genuinely enjoy creating opportunities, opening doors, and helping others succeed.
I’m probably best known for being a relationship builder and someone who isn’t afraid to take an unconventional path. My career has crossed business, law, entrepreneurship, media, and nonprofit leadership, and each experience has given me a different perspective on how organizations grow and how communities thrive.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific title or accomplishment. It’s the opportunity to help elevate an industry that has given so much to me. Through my own podcast, I’ve had meaningful conversations with incredible people from around the world. Through The Podcast Academy, I now have the privilege of helping support creators, storytellers, and industry leaders at a much larger scale.
What sets me apart is that I understand podcasting from multiple angles. I’ve been a creator sitting behind the microphone, an entrepreneur building something from scratch, and now an executive working to support an entire industry. That perspective allows me to appreciate both the creative and business sides of the work.
As podcasting continues to evolve, my goal is to help ensure that The Podcast Academy remains a trusted, neutral, nonprofit voice for the industry while serving as a place where creators, companies, and innovators can come together to learn, connect, and shape the future of audio. If there’s one thing I hope people know me for, it’s that I care deeply about people, community, and creating opportunities that leave an industry stronger than I found it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a curious kid who was interested in a little bit of everything and loved making people laugh.
Growing up in Texas as the daughter of Indian immigrants, I was raised with a strong emphasis on education, hard work, and making the most of opportunities. At the same time, I was always drawn to people, stories, and experiences beyond my own. I loved learning about different cultures, meeting new people, and understanding what made them tick.
Personality-wise, I was independent, social, and probably a little restless. I’ve never been someone who was content staying in one lane for too long. Looking back, that explains a lot about my career. I’ve always been energized by trying new things, taking on challenges, and stepping into unfamiliar environments.
My interests were all over the place. I loved music, tennis, cultural events, travel (I was an exchange student in France) and anything that exposed me to different perspectives. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak and was fascinated by how people build careers, companies, and communities. At the same time, I was equally interested in creativity and self-expression, which eventually led me to podcasting.
What stands out to me now is that I was never afraid to reinvent myself. Whether it was moving to a new city, pursuing a different career path, or putting myself in situations where I didn’t know anyone, I was usually willing to take the leap. That willingness to embrace change has probably been one of the most defining traits of my life.
The funny thing is that while my career has taken some unexpected turns, the core of who I was as a kid hasn’t changed much. I’m still curious, I still ask a lot of questions, I still love meeting interesting people, and I’m still excited by the possibility of what might happen when you say yes to something new.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepodcastacademy.com
- Instagram: @thepodcastacademy, @theambies
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPAThePodcastAcademy/
- Twitter: https://x.com/podcastacademy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepodcastacademy
