What do you do when you feel ‘stuck’ or that you aren’t meeting your potential, or just upset and angry with people around you? All the answers to moving forward productively in such scenarios lies within. Listen to this episode to take away some tools that might help you.

In this episode we celebrate Gene Early. Gene is a Leadership and Organisational Development expert. He works as a strategic advisor to global leaders, entrepreneurs and non - profits across Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States. He works with these leaders to develop transformational leadership, strong organisational cultures as well as helps them to broaden and deepen their impact. As a partner in Leaders’ Quest, he has led learning journeys with senior executives from multinationals interested in integrating purpose and performance since 2001. He co - founded Genomic Health, a molecular diagnostic company in Silicon Valley that produced the first genomic based breast cancer diagnostic test. He also co founded the first NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming Institute in Europe. He has a PhD in Leadership and Organisational Development and has authored numerous articles, books and eBooks.

In this episode we learn about his journey that led him to this work, we talk about choices we make, getting closer to our essential selves and much more. A hugely insightful person. You can check out some of his articles on his LinkedIn profile or start with one article on Leading with your best self here.

Note - This conversation was recorded over Zoom. In case of any podcast requirements of consulting, production, post production, write in to [email protected]. For any feedback or suggestions for this podcastm write to [email protected]

#coaching #selfawareness #transformation #potential #leadership #introspection 

Did you know that 90% of children with disabilities do not attend school? More than 75% of persons with disabilities are unemployed globally. How do we work towards a more inclusive society? 

In this episode we celebrate Tiffany Brar.  Tiffany Brar is a young disability activist, special educator and the founder of Jyothirgamaya Foundation. Tiffany became blind as an infant due to oxygen toxicity. She started Jyothirgamaya in 2012 with the aim of empowering blind people of all ages. Since inception she has trained many blind people in Braille, mobility, basic computer use, and other necessary life skills. She is an advocate for building an inclusive society. She received a National Award in 2017 for being Best Role Model.

In this episode we talk about her journey learning through different schools, building life skills and starting an organisation to help others. We also talk about small and big ways in which everyone can play a part to make society more inclusive. 

Note - This episode was recorded over zoom. For any podcast production or post production requirements, write to [email protected]. For any feedback or guest suggestions write to [email protected]

When you think about a Comic Book, we bet that you don't associate reduction in teen pregnancies, increase in use of contraception or increase in youth income with it. This episode will shift your perspective. 

In this episode we celebrate Rob Burnet. Rob Burnet is the founder and CEO of Shujaaz Inc, a double Emmy Award winning network of social ventures that inspire, entertain, and mobilise 7.5 million 15-24-year-olds across East Africa. Shujaaz Inc’s team of young East African researchers, creatives, strategists and producers runs its three social ventures; Shujaaz – East Africa’s biggest youth brand; Hustla MBA – a digital learning community; and a new digital networking venture, set to launch later this year. 

Before setting up Shujaaz Inc in 2009, Rob spent seven years as The Ford Foundation’s Programme Officer for Media Arts and Culture, based in Nairobi. Rob has previously held the post of Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Reading and has worked in large scale public interest TV production for East Africa. Rob is also founder of Nairobi’s contemporary art studio, The Kuona Trust.

In this episode we talk about how media, comic books and a deep understanding of youth has helped Shujaaz Inc become one of the largest youth brands in East Africa. We speak about how entertainment and media can be used to influence very important behaviours. A very insightful and eye opening conversation. 

Note - This conversation was recorded over zoom. If you are interested in launching a podcast and need consulting or post production support, write to [email protected] 

The Civil Services exam is one of the toughest to crack in India, some of the most capable people join the Indian Administrative Service. Yet, the most common complaint heard from a common person is one of poor Governance. What are the gaps? Where does the system work well? 

In this episode we celebrate Shailaja Chandra. Shailaja was a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for over 40 years. She has held assignments in the Ministries of Defense, Power and Health as well as been posted in multiple states like Manipur, Goa, Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. She was a Secretary, AYUSH to the Government of India and also has been been the Delhi's only woman Chief Secretary. 

Shailaja speaks to us about her journey of becoming an IAS officer. The ingredients of success to create large scale change like 11 million cataract surgeries in 5 years or converting all diesel run public transport vehicles into CNG (compressed natural gas). The obstacles and hurdles due to which things breakdown. An insightful insider view on Governance in India. 

You can read more about on Shailaja Chandra's blog over2shailaja. If you are interested in launching a podcast and need consulting or post production support, write to [email protected]. 

Note - This conversation was recorded over zoom.

NEW FORMAT ALERT - Have you been meaning to listen to one of our episodes but haven't found the time yet? Do you want to know the high level insights across the past episodes? Then this episode is for you, curated bookmarks from the past five episodes?

Our last five episodes have covered Education, Plastic, Sanitation and Justice and Imprisonment. Following our format last year, we pause and collect the rich insights and learnings after every five episodes. In this conversation, Venil is joined by an educator, social sector professional and a dear friend, Kanika Saraff. Kanika Saraff has worked in the education sector for over a decade and currently works in a Child rights organisation. They both started their journey in the social sector in 2009 with the Teach For India Fellowship, teaching in neighbouring classrooms 3A and 3B in Govandi, Mumbai. They often discuss issues, ideas and theories and wanted to share some of their bookmarks on the patterns, ideas and insights that they took away from the five episodes with all of you.

We will resume with new guests after this episode and once again pause and discuss our Bookmarks after another five episodes. We would love to include your questions, reactions and thoughts in our next Bookmarks episode. So do leave us feedback and thoughts after you listen to any of our episodes. You can leave us feedback on any of our social media pages - Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can email us at [email protected].

#learning #understanding #insights #leadership #lessons #wisdom #patterns #inspiration #trends

NOTE - This conversation was recorded over Zoom. 

If you are thinking of launching your podcast and need consultation services or production/post production services you can write to [email protected]

Did you know that 30% of the world's population doesn't have access to improved sanitation? Did you know that 60% of the world's population doesn't have access to safely managed sanitation (like sewage systems). Did you know that 15% of the world's population still practices open defecation? 

In this episode we celebrate Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International. Dr. Pathak talks about his mission of eradicating untouchability and the various ways in which he has worked toward it. He shares about the different technologies he developed that helped with the mission - two pit toilets that do not need a person to clean it, pay and use public toilets (Sulabh Shauchalays), biogas plants connected to the two pit toilets. There were many others which we could not cover in this episode. He also talks to us about the hardships and struggles in his journey. For his work Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak has been awarded numerous national and international awards - Padma Bhushan, India's 3rd highest civilian award, WHO Public Health Champion Award - to mention a few. 

Note - This conversation is recorded over zoom which may affect the sound quality due to the internet strength. 

#sanitation #manualscavenging #empowerment

For any podcast production and post production support you can contact - http://www.disorientedpenguin.com/

Did you know that poverty and single parent homes have a very high correlation with being imprisoned later in life? Did you know that 50% of people get re-imprisoned within two years of being released from prison? 

In this episode, we celebrate Teresa Njoroge, founder and CEO of Clean Start Kenya. Teresa Njoroge worked in the Banking industry for 10 years. She was wrongfully convicted and served time in the largest Women's prison in Kenya, the Langata Women Maximum Security Prison, along with her 3 month old baby. This experience drove her to start Clean Start. In this episode we talk about her personal journey of being in prison and reintegrating into society as well as the stories of different women that she works with. We talk about the link between poverty and imprisonment, alternative forms of justice and the way forward. 

An incredibly inspiring story of her courage and the difficult work done by Clean Start. 

#incarceration #prison #prisonrefrom #courage #journey #inspiration 

Did you know, global plastic pollution is highest from countries without a plastic waste management system and not from countries that produce the most plastic? Did you know that there are solutions available to utilise ALL of our plastic waste?

In this episode, we celebrate Dr. Rajagopalan Vasudevan, the Plastic Man of India. He is an Indian Scientist and a retired Professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Chennai. He is also a recipient of multiple awards including India’s fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 2018. In this episode Dr. Vasudevan talks to us about his innovations and inventions like Plastic Roads and Plastic Stone (Plastones), how they are made, where they are used and how they can solve our plastic problems by utilising ALL plastic waste. He has given this invention for Governments to use for free! He also talks about his journey, internal and external, how the spirit of service and sacrifice has guided his life. Listen on to hear about these amazing innovations.

Note - This conversation was recorded over zoom.

#environment #plastics #recycling #plasticpollution #plasticwastemanagement #sustainability

Do you love chips, crisps, wafers? Did you know, food packaging is the largest contributor to single use plastic. 91% of all single use plastic goes into landfills or the ocean.

Our guest Pen Huston has a brilliant idea to recycle them and put them to good use. She is from Hastings, England and is the founder of ‘The Crisp Packet Project.’ At the Crisp Packet Project, they use crisp (chips/wafers) packets and convert them into Bivi bags and survival sheets which are then distributed to the homeless.

Pen is also a volunteer with the charity ‘Surviving the Streets UK.’ Listen on to this high excitement episode to hear more about the idea, the process and the impact. You will even hear the rustling of the bags during the episode.

Note: This episode format is an IDEA SHOWCASE and has been recorded over zoom.