EPISODE

005

TITLE

005 I gave myself permission to be me, and not place undue expectations about who I should be, with Melvin Varghese, PhD

GUEST

Melvin Varghese, PhD

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Melvin talks about what it was like being born in India, and coming to the U.S. as a sensitive, minority male in a new culture. Melvin talks about the collective consciousness in India compared to the individualistic values in the U.S. Before Melvin had the baby, he got up at 4:30 every morning; and he talks about his pre-baby morning routine, and what it looks like now. Melvin also talks about how he had to prepare for his first child, who was in the NICU after birth, and the values he wants to instill in his daughter. Melvin candidly talks about his fears and what he has done to create multiple successful business ventures. Melvin's business success is tightly yoked with his strong values for social justice. Melvin is creating a scholarship fund for kids who have been rescued from brothels from some of the proceeds from one of his businesses—Selling The Couch Directory

BIO

Dr. Melvin Varghese is a psychologist and successful entrepreneur, as well as the host of the podcast Selling the Couch, which was listed as one of the top 15 podcasts in iTunes in 2015. It has grown by leaps and bounds since then! Melvin also has a podcasting course called The Healthcasters, and an online Directory for therapists called Selling the Couch Directory. Melvin also has a private practice where he helps entrepreneurs overcome the mental roadblocks that prevent success. He uses a variety of research-based strategies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. In 2007, Melvin spent 3 weeks in Bombay in Bombay, India working with an NGO helping to end human sex trafficking (Bombay has the largest concentrated red light district in the world.). He decided to use his abilities to better the world and not just create income. Melvin met his future wife on a humanitarian trip to New Orleans in 2010 helping rebuild houses hit by Hurricane Katrina. He never imagined a Cowboy's fan and Eagle's fan living in one house. Melvin loves playing basketball weekly, and he loves spending time with his wife and new daughter.

QUOTES

• My needs shouldn't be so, that I don't think of the needs around me
• The point of parenting is to have a daughter who is kind and caring and develops the capacity to think through decisions and makes decisions that aligns with who she wants to be
• Business has never been just about business; there has to be a social mission or social justice to it
• Business success doesn't just end with the financial goal. What we've done has impacted someone's life—maybe for a generation
• Life was about who you were surrounded by. How do we serve those around us?
• Parenthood is teaching me to appreciate the moments
• Be kind and gracious to yourself. Don't feel the pressure to conform. You're not going to fit in a perfect box; nor should you

LINKS

Website— http://melvinvarghese.com/

Selling the Couch-- https://sellingthecouch.com/

Website--www.patriciayounglcsw.com

Podcast--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com

Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Patricia-Young-LCSW-162005091044090/

Youtube--https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber

e-mail--[email protected]

Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive

MUSIC—Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com