🎙️ Satwinder Singh: Truth, Tech & Grit — A Real Talk on Digital Life
Digital entrepreneur & former news reporter Satwinder Singh on TechCast
Punjabi Podcast
🧠 Satwinder Singh: Truth, Tech & Grit — A Real Talk on Digital Life
Satwinder Singh pulls no punches in this powerful conversation about life, business, and survival in today's online world. From influencer marketing to scams, fake news to AI — he calls out what many won't.
After leaving a career in news media, he built his own digital marketing business. Now, he shares raw insights on frauds, deep internet dangers, youth distraction, and why “face value” matters more than ever.
This episode is an eye-opener for students, content creators, business owners — and anyone trying to make sense of the modern digital jungle.
🎯 Job Teaches, Business Builds
Satwinder Singh doesn’t dismiss jobs — in fact, he credits them as stepping stones. Jobs provide structure, systems, and real-world learning that no classroom can match. But for him, they are never the final goal.
In this episode, he emphasizes how business brings independence, self-worth, and long-term reward. Unlike a job, business forces you to grow through failure, take risks, and understand people deeply. And once that mindset kicks in — there’s no going back.
💡 Key Insight: "Start with a job to learn how the world works — but ultimately, business gives more freedom and reward."
📉 Google Ads Losing Edge
There was a time when Google Ads ruled digital marketing — but times have changed. According to Satwinder, Meta Ads (on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger) now give much better results for most small-to-medium businesses.
He points out that marketers need to stay agile. The digital ad landscape shifts fast — what worked two years ago might be irrelevant today. And if you're not testing platforms constantly, you're burning budget.
💡 Key Insight: "Google Ads used to perform well, but Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram) now offer better ROI."
👥 Influencers Are the New Media
Traditional ads are expensive — and often ignored. That’s why Satwinder recommends influencer collaboration, especially in niche communities. These creators have direct trust with their followers — and that trust converts better than banner clicks.
Whether it’s a song launch, fashion label, or tech gadget — local influencers can drive faster, more authentic traction than any display campaign. He encourages creators and businesses alike to form smart, honest partnerships.
💡 Key Insight: "To promote music or products, collaborate with niche influencers instead of running traditional ads."
📱 Internet Privacy Is a Myth
In today’s hyper-connected world, Satwinder warns that privacy is largely an illusion. Smart devices, social platforms, and even cloud storage like Google Drive are listening, tracking, and collecting — often without users fully realizing it.
He cautions that anything uploaded online — whether a photo, voice note, or document — is no longer truly in your control. Cybercrime, data leaks, and AI misuse have made digital footprints permanent and risky.
💡 Key Insight: "Your phone listens. Even Google Drive is not secure. Once online, your content is no longer private."
🤖 AI Is a Crutch, Not a Backbone
Satwinder embraces the usefulness of AI — from automating tasks to speeding up creative work. But he fears that too much reliance is turning young minds passive. When machines think for us, our own thinking weakens.
He believes AI should be a tool, not a substitute. True growth comes from struggle, and automation often robs us of that effort. Especially for the next generation, over-dependence could dull skills before they even form.
💡 Key Insight: "Use AI for support, not dependency. Overreliance will mentally weaken the next generation."
💸 Small Scams Are Harder to Catch
Online scammers don’t always steal big — many make their money in micro-frauds, tricking people out of ₹500–₹1000. Satwinder shares personal experiences and how these “small” amounts fly under the radar of law enforcement and platforms alike.
The scale of these scams is enormous. Thousands of users losing small amounts adds up to big profits for criminals. His advice: treat even the tiniest transaction with full awareness, and never skip due diligence.
💡 Key Insight: "Scammers steal ₹500–₹1000 at scale because no one reports small losses."
📰 Licensed News vs. Content Creators
The lines between journalism and entertainment are blurring. Satwinder points out that most YouTube channels that present news aren’t licensed — they’re simply "informative" creators pushing content without journalistic accountability.
With millions consuming their videos, these creators can shape public opinion — even when they lack credentials or ethical boundaries. He urges listeners to verify sources before accepting anything as truth.
💡 Key Insight: "Most YouTube news channels aren't real — they’re just ‘informative’ and unlicensed."
🧠 Skills > Degrees
According to Satwinder, today’s employers care more about execution than education. He’s seen degree-holders fumble in basic tasks, while self-taught individuals outperform with clarity and efficiency.
This shift in the job market calls for a mindset change: focus on building capabilities, not just collecting certificates. The internet has leveled access to learning — now it's all about how well you apply it.
💡 Key Insight: "Many degree holders can’t perform, while untrained youth sometimes shine naturally."
🎭 News Is Entertainment Now
Satwinder observes a dangerous trend: real news is getting drowned in drama. To capture attention, creators add “masala,” emotions, and spectacle — often at the cost of truth.
This demand for drama has forced even serious topics to be packaged like reality shows. As a former media insider, he warns that when news prioritizes views over values, society suffers silently.
💡 Key Insight: "People want 'masala' — even serious news gets dramatized for attention."
🔐 App Permissions Are Dangerous
Hidden inside every “Accept All” button are permissions we rarely read — access to photos, microphones, files, and sometimes even facial data. Satwinder raises concern over how carelessly people agree to these terms.
These permissions often allow AI training on your content without your consent. He urges users to slow down, read policies, and understand exactly what they’re handing over — because privacy lost is rarely regained.
💡 Key Insight: "We blindly agree to app policies that allow full data access — even for AI training."
📩 Want to Connect with Gurinder Singh Dhanoa?
If you're interested in legal research, career guidance, or educational consulting, you can reach out to her professionally.
Email Here Book now!❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Digital marketing can offer greater freedom, income potential, and personal growth compared to a regular job, but it requires the right skills, mindset, and experience. The speaker suggests starting with a job to learn how the world works and then transitioning into business once you're confident.
Currently, Meta Ads—particularly Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger—are yielding the best results for most clients. While Google Ads used to be more effective, Meta platforms are now providing higher engagement and return on investment.
The best strategy is to collaborate with relevant influencers who can create reels or short videos around your content. These can be boosted for wider reach. This method is often cheaper and more impactful than running traditional digital ads alone.
No, storing personal or private data in Google Drive or any cloud platform does not guarantee complete safety. Once something is uploaded to the internet, it can potentially be accessed, misused, or manipulated without your knowledge.
Not entirely. While AI is rapidly evolving and can handle many basic or repetitive tasks, it lacks the depth and creativity needed for fully customized work. The speaker advises using AI as a tool, not as a full replacement, to avoid over-dependence.
Always ask sellers for proof of their business, such as a GST number, registered address, or legal documentation. Never transfer money to unverified vendors, and be cautious even if the scam amount seems small, as many fraudsters exploit low-value transactions.
Not necessarily. The speaker believes that most students waste their time in college and that real-world experience, skills, and learning by doing can be more valuable than formal education, especially in creative or technical fields.
Many users accept terms and conditions without reading them. This often gives apps permission to access personal data, track activity, and even use the information for AI training or advertising purposes. It’s important to be mindful of what you’re agreeing to.
News channels are expected to follow journalistic ethics and present unbiased facts from ground-level reporting. In contrast, content creators often focus on viral or sensational content, adding "masala" (drama or spice) to attract more views, sometimes at the cost of accuracy.
Scammers often target people for small amounts like ₹500 or ₹1000 because such amounts usually go unreported. Collecting small sums from many individuals helps them avoid legal trouble while still profiting significantly.