In this candid and layered conversation, we speak with Sukanya Venkatraghavan — author of Dark Things, practicing astrologer, and mother to Katha. Known for her imaginative writing and deep introspection, Sukanya opens up about her journey through adoption, motherhood, self-discovery, and creative identity.

The episode moves fluidly between the personal and the philosophical: from the myths surrounding adoption to the small, tender, and hilarious moments that define parenting. Sukanya reflects on how becoming a mother in her 40s and being diagnosed with ADHD reframed her understanding of balance, rest, and self-worth. Through humour, vulnerability, and sharp insight, she reveals how parenting can be both a mirror and a magnifier—forcing us to grow, soften, and laugh at the absurdities along the way.

She also discusses her spiritual path — from tarot to astrology — and how both motherhood and astrology arrived together, transforming her purpose. Whether she’s talking about a toddler meltdown over a biscuit or explaining the beauty of “using her child to bring wonder back into her life,” Sukanya offers something universal: the recognition that no one truly has parenting figured out, and that’s perfectly okay.

🌟 Why You Should Listen

• If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by parenting or questioned your instincts, Sukanya’s honesty and humour will feel like exhale.
• Her take on adoption dismantles stigma and reframes it through empathy and instinct rather than anxiety or guilt.
• Her discussion on mental health, ADHD, and perimenopause offers comfort and validation for older or neurodivergent parents.
• Her reflections on rest as rebellion invite listeners to rethink the generational scripts around motherhood and self-sacrifice.
• This episode beautifully intersects creativity, spirituality, and parenting — showing how identity evolves when life takes an unexpected but meaningful turn.

Notable Quotes from Sukanya

• “He gets the good bits. I get the spiky bits of parenting.”
• “Terrible twos has got the bad rap. A three-year-old is just a two-year-old with job experience.”
• “You don’t have to earn your rest. I love that my child can see me rest.”
• “It’s a deliberate act of rebellion — breaking the generational pattern of tired mothers.”
• “I very cleverly use my child to bring wonder back into my life.”
• “You’re only as old as your child when it comes to parenting.”
• “I’m a student of astrology, and I’m a student of motherhood.”
• “Kindness above all else — and don’t forget to laugh about something every day.”

🧘‍♀️ About the Guest

Sukanya Venkatraghavan is a storyteller. Formerly the entertainment editor at Marie Claire and a journalist with The Times of India, she has built a literary career rooted in the mystical and mythological. Today, she divides her time between astrology, tarot, writing, and motherhood. Sukanya speaks with unflinching candor about neurodivergence, womanhood, and the fluid meaning of identity — whether as a creator, partner, or parent.

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zooku

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