In this episode, Tay sits down with Pouyan — an engineer, PhD researcher, and creator whose journey spans continents, careers, and deep personal loss. From growing up in Iran to building intuitive robotics systems in Montreal, Pouyan shares how immigration reshapes identity, how grief can shadow (and shape) ambition, and why lowering expectations doesn’t mean lowering your standards.

They dive into the realities of PhD life, creativity in robotics, how AI is changing everything (and what it can’t replace), and the quiet discipline required to keep going when nothing feels certain. Pouyan opens up about losing his mother and grandmother, why he still dreams of bringing loved ones back for “just one day,” and the unexpected comfort of learning to release control.

This conversation blends engineering, culture, nostalgia, humility, and hu ...