A Strong Dose

Summary

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Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend – “A Strong Dose”

November 13, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose
This episode of Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend dives into the energetic, loving—but spreadsheet-driven—world of Ankur, a devoted Indian superfan who ropes his marriage, life, and adoration for Conan into a hilarious on-air conversation. Conan, Sona Movsesian, and Matt Gourley explore cross-cultural connection, talk about balancing relationships and work, and riff on Ankur's unique approach to quantifying his marriage—all with Conan’s trademark blend of affection and absurdity.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meeting Ankur (01:22 – 04:04)

• Cultural Greetings & Name Meanings
  • Ankur opens with a respectful “Namaste,” explains “Sona” means gold in Hindi, and showers the hosts with playful titles (“podcast genius and trash can expert” for Matt).
• Conan Feels Left Out
  • Conan jokingly whines about waiting his turn:
    • “That's okay. Yes, yes. I'm waiting for you to get to me. That's okay. I'll just wait.” (01:37)

2. Ankur’s Life & Conan Fandom (04:04 – 07:10)

• Ankur’s Background
  • Ankur shares his move from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and his job in IT.
• Conan’s Unintentional Third Wheel
  • Ankur explains Conan’s podcasts were initially a “cause of friction” in his marriage as his wife Priya didn’t appreciate the obsession.
    • “She listened to one of your podcasts as well. Not great reviews.” (05:42)
  • Conan: “Wait a minute, we moved from disdain to indifference, and that's improvement. If I can get her to mild contempt, I think we're getting somewhere, don't you?” (06:14)

3. Marriage, Energy, and Spreadsheets (07:10 – 13:26)

• Playful Comparison of Marriages
  • Ankur likens his dynamic with Priya to Conan and Liza’s, noting how Priya grounds his wild energy.
• Weekly Relationship Spreadsheet
  • Ankur details his Excel-based weekly marriage “check-in,” charting health, finances, career, love, family, and hobbies (09:31).
  • Sona summarizes: “You're trying to quantify the unquantifiable, and that's admirable and insane.” (10:55)
  • Priya dislikes the technical approach, preferring more “organic” conversation.
• Hosts’ Take
  • Gentle ribbing ensues:
    • Conan: “I have to say, Ankur, you...You’re an intense fellow, you’re a strong dose.” (12:37)

4. Cultural Exchange & Manifesting Friendship (17:38 – 20:46)

• If Conan Visited India…
  • Ankur requests they dance to “Naatu Naatu” (Oscar-winning song) as a symbol of friendship:
    • “If you come to India, I really want to perform and…do that performance.” (17:38)
• Ankur’s Dream
  • He humorously recounts a dream: invited by Conan to the US, only to be jailed on arrival and joined by Matt and Sona. (19:14)
  • Conan cracks, “Do not invoke my name. If the authorities hear…harsher punishment.” (19:36)

5. Inventing a Podcast Relationship Spreadsheet (20:46 – 23:32)

• Hosts Play Along
  • Sona jokes about making a spreadsheet for the show: “categories like comedy, guests, chemistry…and downloads.” (21:05)
  • Gift-giving and endless apologies debated as columns.
  • Sona: “Portals” as a category, referencing Conan’s rant on screenwriting laziness:
    • “When a portal opens, screenwriters are killed.” (22:19)
  • Conan: “I’d like to take the joy away from children everywhere. Children have too much joy.” (23:04)

6. Parenthood, Guilt, and Joy (24:55 – 29:54)

• Ankur’s Big Question
  • Concerns about balancing a tech career and being a present father—he admires Conan’s dedication to his kids despite fame and schedule (25:56).
• Conan’s Honest Response
  • “Having children is just one of the greatest joys you can have on this earth. It's amazing…Everything that I've achieved professionally is meaningless compared to…having kids.” (26:16)
• Co-Host Reflections
  • Matt shares Conan never missed important family moments.
  • Sona describes willingly saying ‘no’ to work for family time:
    • “I just simply did not want to be away from my daughter.” (29:11)
  • All agree: joy outweighs any professional guilt or tradeoff.

7. Final Words & Farewell (29:54 – 31:28)

• Conan’s Parting Words
  • Conan affectionately calls Ankur a “lost relative,” an “insane energy,” and possibly his “brother”—Ankur retorts: “I would say a father figure, but okay. Brother.”
  • Ankur: “Thank you so much, Conan…I love you so much. So much happiness. All the team members you have…The dreams are good enough. That's what this is all about.” (30:54)
• Invitation to India
  • Ankur pleads for Team Coco to visit. Sona and Matt promise attendance in jest:
    • Conan: “Yeah, it's never gonna happen.” (31:22, jokingly)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Conan (on winning Priya over):

  “If I can get her to mild contempt, I think we're getting somewhere, don't you?” (06:14)

• Sona (on relationship spreadsheets):

  “You're trying to quantify the unquantifiable, and that's admirable and insane.” (10:55)

• Conan (on portals in movies):

  “When a portal opens, screenwriters are killed...They can make anything happen without any kind of discipline.” (22:19)

• Conan (on children having too much joy):

  “I'd like to take the joy away from children everywhere. Children have too much joy. They need to have less joy.” (23:04)

• Conan (on kids vs. career):

  “Everything that I've achieved professionally is meaningless compared to…having kids.” (26:16)

• Sona (on saying no to work):

  “Not out of obligation, but because I just simply did not want to be away from my daughter.” (29:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:19 – Ankur joins, greetings and cultural nods
• 04:04 – Ankur’s background & marriage introduction
• 05:41 – Priya’s “bad reviews” of Conan
• 09:31 – Weekly marriage spreadsheet explained
• 12:37 – “Strong dose” personalities compared
• 17:38 – “Naatu Naatu” dance & Indian friendship
• 19:14 – Ankur’s Conan-invite US-detention dream
• 21:05 – Podcast spreadsheet bit
• 22:19 – Conan’s portals rant
• 24:55 – Ankur asks about parenting and guilt
• 26:16 – Conan’s heartfelt answer on family
• 29:11 – Sona on family-first choices
• 30:54 – Ankur’s effusive thanks
• 31:20 – Plea for Team Coco to visit India

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Tone & Atmosphere

Consistently playful, quick-witted, self-deprecating, and affectionate—a spirited cultural exchange laced with honest life reflections and the signature warmth and absurdity of the Team Coco trio. Ankur’s earnest yet intense approach melds seamlessly with Conan’s and the team’s willingness to go wherever the moment takes them, from spreadsheets-as-love to the joys and anxieties of parenthood.

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Transcript

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Matt Gourley]

Conan o' Brien needs a fan. Want to talk to Conan? Visit teamcoco.com callkonan okay, let's get started.

[Conan O'Brien]

Hi.

[Sona Movsesian]

Encore. Welcome to Conan O' Brien needs a Fan.

[Ankur]

Hello, first of all, Namaste, Sona.

[Matt Gourley]

Namaste.

[Ankur]

As someone who is a speaker of Hindi language, sona indeed means gold, which is the most precious metal worshiped like you are in this podcast.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's okay. Yes, yes. I'm waiting for you to get to me. That's okay. I'll just wait.

[Ankur]

Namaste, Matt.

[Sona Movsesian]

Namaste.

[Ankur]

So, the podcast genius and trash can expert.

[Conan O'Brien]

I didn't hear it. Yes, yes.

[Ankur]

Hi.

[Conan O'Brien]

Love this guy.

[Matt Gourley]

I love him.

[Ankur]

I have something to get off my chest if. Please, if you allow.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, yes. I mean, Ankur, clearly you have the floor, so take it away.

[Ankur]

Yes. So see, it was a huge proud moment for all Conan fans when you got, you know, nominated in the Oscars and you won the, you know, Mark Twain prize. Not award prize.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yep, yep.

[Ankur]

Right. But I was. I really want to know who greenlit the invitation address that you gave in Hindi to Indian people when you were inviting us to watch because you butchered every line in that address. Do you remember?

[Conan O'Brien]

Do I get any points for trying for the attempts to reach out to another culture? Why don't we focus on that and not on the fact that I butchered your beautiful language?

[Ankur]

No, because I say this because I know you are so careful in pronouncing the correct name. And your ad of American Express you did way back was top notch.

[Conan O'Brien]

Thank you.

[Ankur]

So I want to know it's not your fault, but who greenlighted? You need to question them.

[Conan O'Brien]

I will. I will find out. I did it. It was Matt Gorley. Matt Gorley is in charge of everything that happens or doesn't happen on the Oscars. And that was his call. And he said sounds. He said, sounds perfect to me. Encore. Am I saying your name correctly? Encore.

[Ankur]

Yes, you are.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay. Encore. You are from right now you're in Hyderabad, India. Is that right? Where is Hyderabad?

[Ankur]

Correct. So it's in the southern part of the country. It's one of the biggest IT hubs of the country after Bangalore.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ankur]

So, yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay. And tell me a little bit about yourself. Hyderabad. Clearly you seem to be aware of. Of my work, my oeuvre. Tell me about yourself. Tell me about yourself and why you've called into the show.

[Ankur]

Yeah, so I would say my name is Ankur. I'm. I actually lived in Chandigarh for which is in the northern part of the country for, you know, 28 years of my life. But then I got married and then I moved with my wife to Bangalore and there I started working, and now I'm working as the senior solution consultant for a product based IT company.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, wow, Terrific. And tell me a little bit, congratulations on your. On your marriage. How long have you been married for?

[Ankur]

It's almost two and a half years.

[Conan O'Brien]

Good for you. I like that. I like young people getting married.

[Sona Movsesian]

Thanks, granddad.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I'm sorry, but I like it. I tell you, I like it. I do. I'm happy for you. Tell me a little bit about your marriage. What's your wife's name and how's the marriage going?

[Ankur]

My wife's name is Priya and the marriage is going great. The relationship with you, that is, you know, a cause of sometimes a bit of a. Oh, you know.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Ankur]

You're saying that understanding.

[Conan O'Brien]

How am I a cause of friction in your marriage? Encore.

[Ankur]

Well, I mean, it has come a long way. You have to pay me. I've been a great advocate for you, but at the start when I used to listen to you with my headphones on and, you know, laughing. So my wife would you, you know, ask me, like, who is this guy? And you're constantly listening to him and it's not good at the start of your marriage. Right. So actually she listened to one of your podcasts as well.

[Conan O'Brien]

Right.

[Ankur]

Not great reviews.

[Conan O'Brien]

So. Encore. Let me get to the crux of the matter here, okay?

[Ankur]

Not great reviews.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay? I have a thick skin. I've been in this business a long time.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, you do.

[Conan O'Brien]

Encore. To summarize, you are recently married, you're a newlywed, you're a big fan of my podcast, your wife, Priya, not so much not a fan. Is that correct?

[Ankur]

Yeah. I mean, it started with the disdain, and now it's okay. Whatever.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, so wait a minute. Wait a minute. Encore. We moved from disdain to indifference, and that's improvement if I can get her to mild contempt. I think we're getting somewhere, don't you?

[Sona Movsesian]

It sounds like she views you as a third wheel in the relationship.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. Does she feel. I think, what's. I know what's happening here, Priya. I think she feels threatened because you and I have a very close relationship. You're a big fan of my comedy. You're there. You're glued to every word I say, and she feels threatened by this Conan figure. Is that possible?

[Ankur]

No, that's not true. The only reason that you are right now at okay, whatever State is because she loves me. So I love you. So I initially thought, you know, A is equal to B, B is equal to C. So A should be equal to C, but not that case here. So you need to do some work, Conan, as if you have very less fans already.

[Conan O'Brien]

I will do what I can. This is now going to be my mission in life. Encore. To improve my comedy or tailor it more towards Priya so that Priya's happy. Okay. Does that make you. Does that please you?

[Ankur]

Absolutely.

[Conan O'Brien]

So would you say that you guys have a. You guys have a good relationship? Other than her disdain for this Conan o' Brien fellow that you're constantly listening to, Everything's good.

[Ankur]

Yeah. I mean, I call her my Liza, you know, so that's what I call her.

[Conan O'Brien]

After Liza Minnelli or my Liza.

[Ankur]

No, Liza Paul o'. Brien.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, that's sweet. That's sweet. Well, I very much love my wife. And how is it. Are there similarities between. Because I talk about my wife sometimes. I think we have a very strong marriage. She's beautiful. She's highly intelligent. She's better than me in many ways. Does that. Take it easy, Sona? Does that. Does that sound familiar to you? Does that resonate with you in your marriage?

[Ankur]

Absolutely. All the check boxes are ticked. You know, I'm incredibly lucky. Sometimes I feel like, how. How the hell I. She said yes to me, and, I mean, I'm not At your level. But I also, you know, have different voices in my bathroom. I would be singing certain songs, you know, not doing some bits to annoy her. And more importantly, you know, I am very, you know, hyperactive. I'll be very happy or very sad. And she's the Anchorage. She kind of grounds me and she's like, okay, you know, behave yourself. So in that ways, I just imagine that relationship of us. And I really admire both of you. I almost saw all the interviews that you both are featured in. So I always tell her, you know, that that is the kind of dynamics, because how to explain. Why am I so crazy?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ankur]

So.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, first of all, you sound insane, and I think I'm perfectly normal. Uh, so. Yes. Do I mutter and do voices and bits in the bathroom when I'm all alone? Sure. Uh, but what you described actually sounds exactly like what I do. Um, you're. You're an energetic guy. Um, and tell me a little bit about. I'm told you have some kind of weekly practice that you have. Uh, tell me a little bit about that.

[Ankur]

So my wife is not very expressive, so it's like always. I. I need to kind of figure out where she is, that she loves me a lot, but she's a different way to show it. So to do that, I have this weekly heart to heart talks. But I say that, you know, whatever is in your heart, you have to let it out. If I have done something that, you know, annoys you or, you know, anything, so you just say it. So we have different categories in life. I feel like happiness is the ultimate goal that all of us are searching. And I feel there are seven or eight factors if we are, you know, good or average, above average in that we would be happy. So that is how my brain works. I've compartmentalized into these things. She does not like. She likes organic.

[Conan O'Brien]

Let's walk through this. She just wants to have a regular chat. You say you've compartmentalized into these things. You mean you've drawn up a chart?

[Ankur]

Yeah, I have an Excel sheet.

[Conan O'Brien]

You have an Excel sheet. And what are the categories in your Excel sheet that you talk about every week?

[Ankur]

First is health. We talk about our parents, siblings, finances, career, our current job, love, where we talk just with each other, how we are friends, hobbies, and. Yeah, that is pretty much it. Like work, career, together. These are.

[Conan O'Brien]

So you've put all of these onto a Excel spreadsheet and you walk her through and discuss each other, each category with her once a week.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah, I have to tip My hat to you. You're trying to quantify the unquantifiable, and that's admirable and insane. And I tip my hat.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, it's a check in. It's a weekly check, which is nice, I think. I like the idea of it.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's nice. But you say that Priya, your wife, is a little unsure of it because she would just rather you maybe take a walk and talk about whatever comes to mind.

[Ankur]

Yeah. So we have a segment called Walk and Talk that we do on a daily basis.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, listen, Ankur, I don't mean. I mean really take a walk with her and talk. Not have walk and talk on an Excel spreadsheet. That's what I'm saying.

[Ankur]

No, no, no. Walk and Talk is without Excel.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's just PowerPoint. No, no, that's a pie chart. A pie chart.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay.

[Ankur]

Are they just me? We go around the Society, even for Excel, she didn't like this algorithmic and noting it down. So I. What I do is that, you know, we talk normally just to check in and then if needed, we refer the Excel sheet. But the point, what Sona mentioned is, right, like, it's like, you know, okay, how you have progressed over the period, like if your health issues are there or if, you know, there's something that, finance wise, you are not. So I think this really helps us.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ankur]

On track. I.

[Conan O'Brien]

Listen, if it works for you guys, then fine. I get the sense that maybe you like this method more than your wife does. Is that true?

[Ankur]

Yes.

[Sona Movsesian]

Are you entering into the spreadsheet a number qualifier so that you can look at trends and things like that?

[Ankur]

No, no, not that. I'm sorry.

[Conan O'Brien]

Wait a minute. Well, maybe we're hearing more about your spreadsheet now.

[Sona Movsesian]

I just want to know how this works because.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, yeah, I. This is. This is. I have to say, Ankur, you. You're an intense fellow, you're a strong dose. And maybe that's why you relate to me because maybe I'm a strong dose as well. Maybe, you know. Is that right?

[Ankur]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

You think?

[Ankur]

Yeah. I mean, there are so many other reasons as well. Like I have a lot of self doubt, I have a lot of sometimes anxiety. And I know, I mean, behind everything, how hardworking you are and how prepared you are. So I value preparation a lot, prior. And then I feel like in the moment, magic happens, but you need to, like, prepare a lot. Something I've learned from watching you and from you as well.

[Conan O'Brien]

Conor, Brian needs a Friend is brought to you by Airbnb. I'VE taken a few trips in the past where I got a place through Airbnb. I've mentioned this before. Lovely experience. I think I do it again. I love it.

[Sona Movsesian]

It makes me feel so comfortable when.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm in a home that I get on Airbnb. Well, you've done this a lot, haven't you, Blay?

[Ankur]

I have.

[Sona Movsesian]

And actually, Eduardo and I tomorrow are.

[Conan O'Brien]

Going to Austin and I'm trying to get him to stay with me in.

[Sona Movsesian]

A house that I got on Airbnb. I don't know about sharing a spot with.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, he's very loud. He's very loud. And he always has to bring his figurines with him. They're emotional support figurines.

[Ankur]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, but the great thing about getting a place through Airbnb, and I've done this in several cities, I like just feeling like, okay, this is my own space. I can do my thing. You're traveling. Why not enjoy it? Yeah. Well, thank you. Yeah, you're welcome. That's so nice of you.

[Ankur]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

Eduardo, don't go with him. The other thing, and this would be a cool little detail for both of you, is if you're not using your place, you could list that on Airbnb.

[Ankur]

It's true.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Ankur]

Womp, womp.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Ankur]

EBay.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Ankur]

I mean, so. Oh man. So a lot of things. I think the first thing when I even contacted, tried to contact was that in India every emotion is attached with song and dance. You know, you name any emotion, we have a song and dance for you. So if you come to India, I really want to perform and it's like a best friend do it. It's the song called Natu Natu and it has won an Oscar in 2023 for the best original song. So I want both of us to really tap, learn the steps and do that performance.

[Conan O'Brien]

You want us to do a performance of Notu not to together? And what is the song? All About. I mean, this song is very special to you. Why the song? Na too. Na too.

[Ankur]

Yeah. So it is a French. It is a song about friendship, and it's a song about being crazy in dance. Like, just dance. The song just simply simplifies that. Leave all worries aside. Leave all whatever the world, you know, throws at us and just dance like a madman. And, you know, and it's. It's such a popular song. And. Yeah, that is how I imagine both of us sometimes. And it's funny.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, well, listen, that's very sweet.

[Matt Gourley]

He imagines it. He daydreams about it.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what? So when you're sitting at work, sometimes you just daydream about you and I doing the not to. Not to dance together, about friendship.

[Ankur]

And I had an actual dream also, which I told my wife, you know, Sona, I had an actual dream. So in that dream, what happens? Can I share?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes, of course.

[Ankur]

Yeah. So in that dream, what happens is Conan says that, you know, I really respect you as a fan. I didn't know you. So I want you to come to United States, right? And I go there, and then just as I land, I am caught by the police and I'm thrown in, you know, in the jail. And I'm like, no, no, no. I have. I have. Conan has called for me. You know, he is waiting for me. Please take me.

[Conan O'Brien]

That would not help you. Do not invoke my name. If the authorities GR here harsher punishment. Yeah. You'll probably get the election. So go ahead. Go ahead.

[Ankur]

In the jic. In the jlic. Matt and Sona. This is making sense.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is making sense.

[Ankur]

This is too incarcerated me like, no, you shouldn't have come.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, wait, Are they incarcerated in the jail in your dream?

[Ankur]

Yeah, yeah, this is.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is starting to sound real to me.

[Sona Movsesian]

I think you put us in jail.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, I think you probably your own crimes put you there.

[Ankur]

Yeah, it's true.

[Conan O'Brien]

Um, Encore. I love that you're. I. I really like that you're such a big fan. Obviously. That's very flattering. And I'm excited for you. It sounds like you have a very good marriage with Priya and that there are similarities with my marriage to Liza. So I'm. I'm excited. I'm excited for you. And I would very happily do the not to. Not to dance with you because I feel we are friends, and I feel that I know how to dance like a madman. I can't dance well, but I can dance like a madman. So there are many things here that recommend you.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okra. I wonder if you could help us with something. I'm taking a lead from him. What if we were to have a relationship spreadsheet between the three of us for this podcast? What would the categories be? I mean, I initially just put down comedy guests chemistry between the three of us and. And downloads, but you're the expert. Encore. Is there something else that you think should go in there? Are you guys.

[Ankur]

Huh?

[Conan O'Brien]

Complaints. Oh, yeah, that.

[Sona Movsesian]

How could I have missed that? Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

And then ways. Which. In which. Maybe a section where you guys apologize to me.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh, that doesn't seem.

[Ankur]

Do you.

[Matt Gourley]

You should apologize. I think that there's.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, it's not. There's not room for it on the spreadsheet.

[Matt Gourley]

How about ap an apology section where we all just apologize to each other?

[Conan O'Brien]

I don't know. Okay, you guys.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, write that down. Apologies.

[Conan O'Brien]

What?

[Ankur]

Encore.

[Conan O'Brien]

What?

[Ankur]

No, I was thinking, like, the gifts that Conan should be giving to Sona and, like, just like the jacket.

[Matt Gourley]

Gifts. Gifts. Gifts. Yeah.

[Ankur]

Gifts.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay. Would I get a gift? I don't.

[Matt Gourley]

No, you don't get a gift.

[Sona Movsesian]

I'm not getting a gift either.

[Conan O'Brien]

Here.

[Ankur]

Encore.

[Matt Gourley]

No, you're not getting a gift either.

[Ankur]

No, you're also getting a gift.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay.

[Matt Gourley]

All right.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm going to get you Sean Connery's last toupee. I'd take it.

[Matt Gourley]

Gifts for Sona. You should just.

[Sona Movsesian]

Gifts for Sona and men.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Ankur, you seem like a good fellow. You really do. And I want to ask you quickly about your shirt. What does your shirt signify?

[Sona Movsesian]

It's an Avengers.

[Conan O'Brien]

Is that Avengers?

[Ankur]

Yeah, it's Avengers T shirt.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, it's an Avengers T shirt.

[Sona Movsesian]

You know how Conan feels about portals, right? That's kind of a triggering thing for you to wear.

[Conan O'Brien]

Are you with me on the portals thing? Portals are bad for screenwriting. I think when a portal opens, screenwriters are killed.

[Sona Movsesian]

I'm gonna put a portals category in this spreadsheet here.

[Conan O'Brien]

Have you heard me talk about portals? I actually think that when a portal opens up and it ruptures the space time continuum, it's a terrible flaw because the writers then can make a giant fried bucket of fried chicken come out of the sky. They can make anything happen without any kind of discipline, without following any kind of intellectual, rigorous. And I have a problem with it.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah, I agree.

[Conan O'Brien]

Do you agree with me?

[Ankur]

Yeah, I do agree on that. Sometimes, you know, it just comes up for no rhyme or reason and just to push the narrative ahead.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ankur]

But then it's good for kids. Yeah. Like, let's not take away the joy.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, I'd like to. No, I'd like to take the joy away from children everywhere. Children have too much joy. They need to have less joy. That's actually a position that I'm fairly strong on. My father grew up in the Depression, and, boy, did that help him. And then that helped me.

[Matt Gourley]

Do you agree with me? The way you said that, too, is so aggressive.

[Conan O'Brien]

Quite. I mean, I respect your opinions.

[Matt Gourley]

Do you agree with me?

[Conan O'Brien]

I said quiet. I said quiet. Sona, do you agree with me that you should be quiet? Sona, don't you agree with me that you should be quiet?

[Matt Gourley]

No, I don't agree with you.

[Conan O'Brien]

There's no time. There's no time. We're out of time, Ankur. All right. There's a lot here for me to digest. You have made an Excel spreadsheet for your wife. You claim to be just like me and that your marriage is very similar to mine. Although I don't have a spreadsheet for my wife. She wouldn't tolerate that for a second. Second.

[Sona Movsesian]

She also wouldn't know how to do.

[Conan O'Brien]

A spreadsheet that comes. That's the second reason why this wouldn't happen, but not the first. But I like you. You're a man that bibbles, babbles. You have a lot of insane energy. You're a lost. You're a lost relative of mine, and you live in India, and this makes all the sense in the world. I think in many ways we're brothers. Don't you think so?

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah.

[Ankur]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I would say a father figure, but. Okay. Brother.

[Conan O'Brien]

I was thinking the.

[Matt Gourley]

He's right. He's so much younger than you are.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, our single's breaking up. Might even be a grandpa.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

I have to go. I'm having both hips replaced right now. It's my seventh time this week. Oh, my God. I love Anor Ankur. You're very funny, and it's really nice talking to you. And I like you and. Oh, no. I hope. No. Yes. We're gonna have to end this because your wife may escape.

[Ankur]

I have a question, though.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah?

[Ankur]

Can I ask.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Ankur]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. That was me saying yes. Okay.

[Ankur]

Okay. So, Conan, like, right now, as we are in our third year of marriage, we are pretty much on the fence of, you know, having kids because our lifestyles are, you know, very, very busy. Right. And we feel like whether. So my dad was a government. Worked in a government. Employed in government sector. So he had a lot of time with me. He spent. Attended every parent Teacher meeting, you know, did everything. And I feel I, as a father in that sense, would not be able to give that much time because I work in a private tech sector. It's very busy, you know. But then I heard on one of your shows, and I'm sure you are 20 times busy, especially in those years, and one of your guests, I don't remember the name, they mentioned how when they were dropping their kids to school, they saw you and, you know, your children hugged you. I actually assumed that your kids would not be very close to you because you didn't get that much time to spend with them. Right. Because you were so busy. But Liza would be the person. But now, in this case, you know, like, it felt like you have a great bond. You talk about going to music festivals, you go talk about watching binge watching TV series. Right. So as a father, like, was that a guilt, like, before having that kid, like, I'll not be able to be there and also support your wife?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. I'm going to be. I'll be very honest with you, because I see many joke opportunities here, but I'm going to pass all of those by because this is something I'm very passionate about. And I think I speak for everybody in this room, that having children is just one of the greatest joys you can have on this earth. It's amazing. And you can always come up with reasons why it might not be efficient, it might be a hassle. There are many different reasons that you can come up with. But, you know, I was very fortunate that my wife, Liza, took. She's an incredible mother, and she devoted a whole chunk of her life to making sure that my kids had all the love and attention and everything they needed. And she was on it. Yeah, I was very busy, but I loved playing with my kids so much, and they were such a big part of my life that I am very close with them, I like to think. And I think what happens is you have the kids and then you make your life fit to the children, you know, and you will. You will. And I think you and Priya will figure it out. But I have a hard time telling anybody, yeah, skip the kid thing. It's. It's overrated because that's not been my experience at all. I've been very fortunate with my life and my career. Everything that I've achieved professionally is meaningless compared to, you know, having kids. It's just really is. So I encourage you to really think about that carefully before you, you know, say, oh, that doesn't work because of My tech sector job, I mean. And you guys should speak up because I've seen you both go through this, and I don't think you.

[Matt Gourley]

Well, I was working for. I was an assistant to a man for a long time who was very demanding. And when I had my kids, I couldn't assist him day to day anymore because he was like third kid.

[Conan O'Brien]

But did he take it well, this guy?

[Matt Gourley]

You know? He took it okay, I guess. No, but I think to Conan's credit, because you're right, he's a very busy person. But as somebody who was his assistant for a really long time, Conan never missed any of his kids performances. No, he didn't miss any parent teacher meetings you went to. You were very present. Like, you shouldn't. Like, you know, you shouldn't. Yeah, like, it.

[Ankur]

It.

[Matt Gourley]

He is a busy person, but his kids were the priority. And, you know, it was a lot of talking with Liza, making sure that the. The kids schedule was the priority. And so that's how it works. And for us, I mean, yeah, this is. It's nice to have enough time for your kids, but it's also nice to work, too. So it's not like you have to compromise one to make the other one work.

[Conan O'Brien]

Way in here, you've seemed very quiet, as if you loathe your child.

[Sona Movsesian]

No, I was incredibly busy when my daughter was born, and I wanted to be involved, not just out of duty and responsibility for helping my wife. But it soon became the story that I was just saying no to a lot of things. Not out of obligation, but because I just simply did not want to be away from my daughter.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's fun.

[Sona Movsesian]

They are. They're a challenge. But anytime I'm given the opportunity between work and Glenn and I. And I have the choice, it's not something I. It's something I can control. I always choose Glenn, and it's just because I feel like I'm missing out. I'm not a FOMO person, but I feel like I'm missing out if I'm not with her.

[Matt Gourley]

And it's.

[Sona Movsesian]

It's something I would never regret. And she's a spitfire, and she gives us hell, and there's not a second of it I would trade or change.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah. My, my, my. My little gentlemen are my bros. Well, they're also.

[Conan O'Brien]

They're monsters.

[Matt Gourley]

They're monsters. Yeah, but they're also my bros.

[Conan O'Brien]

They've done serious time, and they're four years old. They have, like.

[Matt Gourley]

I used to hit the clubs. Now I'm, like, down to hit like a Trampoline park with my bros. You were.

[Conan O'Brien]

You were up for that, too, before.

[Matt Gourley]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Just as long as there was alcohol. Well, Ankur, we'd have to wrap it up, but I have to say, you. I. That is. Our sincere advice is that you don't let career and things like that get in the way.

[Ankur]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

You want to be responsible. You want to really think it through, but, you know, they're just.

[Sona Movsesian]

I feel like you need to make a spreadsheet about this.

[Matt Gourley]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Make a spreadsheet, talk it over. Make another category in the spreadsheet with. With Priya and give her all my love and tell her I can't wait. I'm hoping I have a chance to meet her someday and I'll do all my bits for her in person. She's gonna love it.

[Matt Gourley]

You're threatening her?

[Sona Movsesian]

Actually illegal, I think.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ankur]

This was so much fun. Thank you so much, Conan. I mean, whatever initial part, but I love you so much. So much happiness. All the team members you have, I don't think. Sometimes I feel I don't pay you anything. Like, I just stream. I'm not paying anything, so I feel that I'm not.

[Conan O'Brien]

The dreams are good enough. The dreams are good enough. That's what this is all about. So thank you so much, and I hope we cross paths soon, Ankur. That would be a lot of fun.

[Ankur]

Please. All right. Please come to India. Even if you don't meet me, please come to India. That episode will be off the charts.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Ankur]

And Matt and Sona should be there. Matt and Sona also should be there.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, I'll fly them in. Hey, last time I went to India was with Sona.

[Matt Gourley]

I was there.

[Conan O'Brien]

There you go.

[Ankur]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, it's never gonna happen.

[Ankur]

Fantastic ad. That was a fantastic ad as well.

[Conan O'Brien]

Take care, Ankur, and hopefully see you soon.

[Ankur]

Bye.

[Conan O'Brien]

Bye. Bye.

[Ankur]

Okay, bye.

[Sona Movsesian]

Conan o' Brien needs a fan with Conan o', Brien, Sonam of Session and Matt Gourley produced by me. Matt Gourley executive produced by Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross and Nick Leo Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino. Take it away, Jimmy. Supervising producer Aaron Blair Associate Talent Producer Jennifer Samples Associate Producers Sean Doherty and Lisa Berm Engineering by eduardo Perez. Get three free months of SiriusXM when you sign [e-mail] Conan Please rate, review and subscribe to Conan O' Brien needs a fan Wherever fine podcast casts are down.

[Conan O'Brien]

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