Career Uninterrupted

Women returning to work after the birth of a child is a narrative often told yet seldom solved. But our guests for the episode, Swati Geriani and Akanksha Kapoor bravely open the book on their own experiences of being a new mom navigating careers. 

They both have had completely different approaches with Swati's perspective being shaped by her experiences at a global corporate and Akanksha's journey from journalism to public health and entrepreneurship. Our conversation peels back the layers of motherhood's impact on career as they candidly share the trials of skill erosion, the pangs of guilt when stepping out the door, and the weight of postpartum depression on their professional and personal identities. It's a tale as old as time but with a modern twist, as these two women navigate the uncharted waters of today's professional landscape.

Join your host Lochan as she brings in the mommy perspective on: 

• The sudden priority and lifestyle changes one experiences as a new mother
• New Mom’s fears about returning back to work
• Encountering and conquering mommy guilt
• Getting support during maternity leave
• Evolving family dynamics and increased participation of fathers in childcare

So, grab your headphones and let Swati and Akanksha's experiences resonate with you, as they shed light on the continuous adaptation required to juggle these two profoundly important aspects of life.

About the Guests: 

Akanksha has held many identities: A journalist, a public health professional and, more recently, she has ventured into entrepreneurship with a startup in the early childhood space. But of all of these, her most powerful identity is that of a mother, one who is currently trying to tailor the “working mom” title to fit her better. 

Website: www.akankshakapoor.com 

Socials: @akkapoor on Instagram and Akanksha Kapoor on LinkedIn 

Swati Geriani Currently working with HP as Strategy Lead, Swati has earlier worked with Zomato, BCG in product & strategy roles. She is an alumna of IIM Bangalore & IIIT Allahabad. 

Linkedin:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgeriani/

Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - A pioneering platform that enables organizations to support their women employees through their motherhood journey.

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/ 

Follow us on social on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Podcast Producer: Done For You Podcasts

Continuing our conversation with guest expert Krusha Sahjwani on what it takes to build a supportive ecosystem around you that helps you with child care as well as your mental well-being. Navigating the postpartum landscape requires more than just a roadmap; it demands a village. 

Our discussion with Krusha taps into the profound necessity for both physical and emotional support systems, recognizing that whether you're an Indian woman at home or abroad, building and managing a nurturing community is paramount. We share strategies for forging a robust support network, from seeking solace in the family to finding solidarity within new circles, ensuring that each mother can flourish while maintaining a delicate balance between personal space and dependable childcare.

Embrace a renewed perspective on parenting as we discuss: 

• Juxtaposition of societal expectations and role of the mother.
• Concept of fetal microchimerism.
• Evolution of motherhood is akin to a butterfly's metamorphosis.
• Need to include fathers in the organizational and institutional systems.
• Finding your version of having it all.

So, tune in to this episode to get your toolkit on maintaining career continuity through the incredible journey of parenthood.

About the Guest: 

Krusha Sahjwani is an ICF certified career & life coach for women and helps them unleash their highest potential to find their version of 'having it all'. She is also Director at a global SaaS company, LinkedIn Top Voice and a mother. 

Website: https://www.butterflyeffectcoach.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahjwanikrusha/ 

Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - A pioneering platform that enables organizations to support their women employees through their motherhood journey.

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/ 

Follow us on social on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Podcast Producer: Done For You Podcasts

Parenthood, with its identity shifts and new responsibilities, has a profound influence on our life's course—join Lochan Narayanan with her guest Krusha Sahjwani as they unravel this complexity, especially as it pertains to women.

We discuss Krusha’s evolution as a new mom along with wearing many hats like Career Coach, Linkedin Top Voice and Director at a global SaaS company. It isn’t easy to juggle these hats in one go but Krusha shows us how with intentionality and strategic planning at the forefront, she anticipated the demands of motherhood before even getting into it and restructured her professional life to maintain balance.

If you are a new mom or planning to be one, here’s what you will get in this episode: 

• Mapping out your career and motherhood journey
• Identity shifts and bringing clarity to your desires
• Career planning and asking for pivotal role changes
• Business side of bringing back working moms
• The Power of Being Intentional

Our dialogue is an essential guide for new parents striving to strike a balance between career aspirations and family life. So tune in and let Krusha's experiences inspire you to craft your unique path, blending the roles of parent and professional with grace and intention.

About the Guest: 

Krusha is an ICF certified career & life coach for women and helps them unleash their highest potential to find their version of 'having it all'. She is also Director at a global SaaS company, LinkedIn Top Voice and a mother. 

Website: https://www.butterflyeffectcoach.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahjwanikrusha/ 

Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - A pioneering platform that enables organizations to support their women employees through their motherhood journey.

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/ 

Follow us on social on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Podcast Producer: Done For You Podcasts

Have you ever felt lost in the sea of parenting advice, wondering if there's a one-size-fits-all solution for raising your child? This episode isn't just another drop in the ocean—we tackle the tailored approach to child-rearing that respects the unique nature of each individual child. We take an unflinching look at the first two years of life, emphasizing the importance of a nurturing environment immune to toxicity and conflict.

As we continue our conversation with our guest expert Sushant Kalra, a renowned Parenting Coach and Founder of Parwarish Institute of Parenting, we reveal how the echoes of our own upbringings influence our parenting styles, and why understanding each child's needs is the cornerstone of guiding them towards a thriving future.

Podcast host Lochan Narayanan digs up insights from Sushant on:

• Crafting healthy food environments in the home.
• Avoiding the pitfalls of over-parenting.
• Tips to foster a child’s innate talents.
• Understanding the influence of extended community on the child.
• Finding harmony between work, life, and motherhood. 

Join us as we share stories, reflect on our roles as parents, and embrace the growth that comes from fostering a reciprocal relationship with our children—one where we learn as much from them as they do from us.

Also, if you haven’t listened to our previous episode with Sushant, head here: Dadpreneur Diaries: Redefining Careers Through Modern Fatherhood

Guest Bio: 

Sushant Kalra, the renowned parenting coach and founder of Parwarish Institute of Parenting, is often addressed as the Messiah of Families. He has empowered more than 2.5 lac parents across the globe with his interactive workshops and programs.

Sushant is the author of the book 'Perfect Parenting' - THE parenting MANUAL that helps parents find their unique 'perfect' blend of parenting for their unique family setups. 

He is a multiple time TEDx speaker who specializes in empowering parents and teachers in nurturing the limitless potential of children.

Sushant is a Global Presence Ambassador for Parenting2.0 - an international consciousness movement that promotes proactive education for Life Skills, and the winner of the Courageous Class Award by Kenneth Cole Foundation for the work done in the field of empowering parents and educators. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushantkalra/ 

Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - A pioneering platform that enables organizations to support their women employees through their motherhood journey.

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/ 

Follow us on social on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Podcast Producer: Done For You Podcasts

Welcome to "Career Uninterrupted," where we tackle the intersections of work, life, and the challenges of parenthood to make women's careers uninterrupted. 

In the very first episode of Season 2, your host Lochan Narayanan, Career Coach and Founder of OfExperiences sits across Sushant Kalra, an esteemed Parenting Coach and the visionary behind the Parwarish Institute of Parenting. Sushant takes us through his remarkable transformation from someone who once vowed never to have children to become a beacon of guidance for parents globally.

The dialogue sheds light on how he traded his corporate suit for the heartwarming mission of helping families navigate the complexities of modern parenting, emphasizing the need for a tailored approach to each unique family dynamic. Throughout this candid conversation, we explore the intricate dance of balancing demanding careers with the tender art of raising children. We navigate the emotionally charged journey that many face when deciding to pursue passion over job security, and the profound impact such a choice can have on both personal fulfillment and parenting.

Join in as Lochan and Sushant underline: 

• The societal pressures and stigmas that new moms face.
• A novel perspective on the role of men as fathers.
• How fathers can step up to be an equal parent.
• Educational settings and gendered expectations of parenting roles.
• Challenges of maintaining one's own identity and finding personal satisfaction.

So join the conversation as we shed light on these topics, offering support and strategies for parents striving to find their equilibrium in the beautiful, often chaotic world of parenting and work.

Guest Bio: 

Sushant Kalra, the renowned parenting coach and founder of Parwarish Institute of Parenting, is often addressed as the Messiah of Families. He has empowered more than 2.5 lac parents across the globe with his interactive workshops and programs.

Sushant is the author of the book 'Perfect Parenting' - THE parenting MANUAL that helps parents find their unique 'perfect' blend of parenting for their unique family setups. 

He is a multiple-time TEDx speaker who specializes in empowering parents and teachers to nurture the limitless potential of children.

Sushant is a Global Presence Ambassador for Parenting2.0 - an international consciousness movement that promotes proactive education for Life Skills, and the winner of the Courageous Class Award by Kenneth Cole Foundation for the work done in the field of empowering parents and educators. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushantkalra/ 

Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - A pioneering platform that enables organizations to support their women employees through their motherhood journey.

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/ 

Follow us on social on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Podcast Producer: Done For You Podcasts

Diversity is a journey. It can’t happen overnight. 

I am your host Lochan Narayanan and this episode is special as it is our Season Finale. For the Finale episode, I am talking to Masroor Javid, an outcome driven IT leader with 20+ years of experience. 

Masroor talks about his experiences, how a seminar helped him to understand the importance of diversity and how he fought with his own biases. He shares that building an inclusive team from scratch is easy but the process can be patchy with an existing team.

We discuss how one can identify the gaps in their existing team and hire based on inclusivity. We further talk about Masroor’s 5-step hiring process and how he maintains a diverse team. 

Listen to the entire episode as this one is a culmination of all that we talked about in the previous episodes, why is diversity the way forward and how to build a diverse team.

About the guest

Masroor Javid

Masroor is an an Outcome driven IT leader with 20+ years of experience. Known technology & process expert bringing a unique 360-degree perspective to help the businesses to deliver highly complex, multi-tiered enterprise-class software deployed at fortune 500 companies with user base in millions, translating the “Big Picture” into actionable strategy and tactical plans. He has worked across various organisations such as - GE, Harman, Dell EMC. 

He is currently the Global Quality Engineering Leader at Xperi and a very big advocate and ally of diversity and inclusion.

We are going to explore the aspect of Being an Ally at the workplace and what managers can do to build a diverse and inclusive team.

Linkedin :- https://www.linkedin.com/in/masroorjavid/?originalSubdomain=in

Forget about your career, do you even put yourself first?

I am your host Lochan Narayanan and in this episode our guest Major Pallavi Shivanna is asking you this hard hitting question.

Why are women expected to leave their careers after marriage and kids? Also, if that isn’t enough, women aren’t hired in particular roles as companies think that they might leave once they have kids.

In this episode, Major Pallavi Shivanna, a HR Leader, Speaker and Transformational Coach shares her interesting journey of serving in the armed forces for 9 years and then transitioning into the corporate world. 

We discuss the cultural conditionings and stereotypes that both men and women have to face. Major Pallavi also shares that there is a need for a better mindset where both the genders are treated equally.

Listen to the entire episode as we talk about why women should achieve financial independence, how companies should change their hiring policies and why breaking stereotypes is the need of the hour. 

About the guest

Major Pallavi Shivanna is a HR leader, speaker, leadership and transformational coach. She has over two decades of diverse experience in human capital management across industries viz., defense, BFSI, education services and manufacturing. 

Has rich experience in mentoring and coaching people wearing different hats across organizations of repute like Indian army, ICICI Lombard, Klüber Lubrication, Essilor India, Fincare Small Finance Bank and Anthology International Private Limited She has been part of Strategic HR planning helping transform businesses. 

Certified PPA practitioner from Thomas assessments, trained in POSH and holds certifications from various experiential workshops on human behaviour. A regular speaker on topics on emotional wellness, women empowerment, diversity & inclusion, people development, human capital management, leadership & transformational coaching. Trained in martial arts and instrumental music. An avid reader, passionate 

about music & theatre, enjoys traveling and learning new skills.

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maj-pallavi-shivanna-acc-icf-341a4a8/?trk=public_post-text&originalSubdomain=in

Email : [email protected]

Twitter : pallshivann

**Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - a platform that enables mid-career professionals through career transitions.**

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/

Follow us on social at

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

What is the secret recipe of career growth and transition? I am your host Lochan Narayanan and I am in a captivating conversation with Aditya Kulkarni, the co-founder of Stoa. 

Aditya, Co-Founder of Stoa. An IIM-B and BITS Pilani alumnus, he has built and sold two startups in the past and is now building his third with Stoa — India\'s best alternative to the traditional MBA.  

In this episode of Career Uninterrupted, Aditya unveils the power of alternate MBA programs and how they cater to diverse needs, propelling professionals towards success.

He even emphasizes the importance of having a sounding board in the form of a coach, community, or facilitator, as it can be the key to unlocking your true potential. We also talk about how careers are akin to vectors, where speed and direction are equally vital, and why honest feedback from the right mentors can be a game-changer.

We even discuss the impact traditional education has on your overall personality. Listen to the entire episode to know more about career paths through alternate courses and what is the future of traditional education. 

About the guest

Aditya Kulkarni is the co-founder of Stoa, an online business school that offers an alternative to the traditional MBA. Aditya is an alumnus of IIM-B and BITS Pilani, and he has built and sold two startups in the past. He is passionate about education and believes that building profitable businesses is India\'s only real chance to create wealth and prosperity for more than 1 billion people. 

In his previous ventures, Aditya built Learning Outcomes, an assessment analytics company that was acquired by Liga EduTech. He also built BabyOnBoard, a memories and milestones platform for early years that was acquired by RoundGlass. He also built India\'s first Socio-Emotional well-being Programme for Schools for RoundGlass.

Aditya is a strong believer in the power of education to transform lives. He is committed to building Stoa into a world-class business school that provides high-quality education to motivated and ambitious individuals from all backgrounds.

**Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - a platform that enables mid-career professionals through career transitions.**

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/

Follow us on social at

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

Get ready to challenge your perceptions and embrace a whole new understanding of the diversity workforce. I am your host Lochan Narayanan and I sit down with the dynamic and insightful Mrinalini Purkayastha, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with extensive experience in program management for this episode.

Mrinalini delves into the true essence and role of diversity, debunking the common misconception that it solely revolves around gender representation. She talks about how diversity serves as a powerful umbrella term encompassing underrepresented groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, military veterans, and of course, women.

But that\'s not all - we dive deep into the realm of biases, both conscious and unconscious, that plague our society. With thought-provoking anecdotes and real-world examples, Mrinalini sheds light on the hurdles faced by marginalized communities, offering tangible solutions to combat these biases. She feels that sensitizing sessions, fostering open dialogues and repeatedly talking about the role of diversity will help organizations to truly create an inclusive environment. 

Tune in to the episode as we talk about how unconscious biases are easy to fix, how to fix conscious biases and what activities that one can include in sensitizing training programs. 

About the Guest 

Mrinalini comes with over a decade of experience in program management spanning roles across HR and business operations. She is a very passionate advocate of DEI and actively contributes in this space both in her personal and professional life. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology and Economics and a double masters in Sociology and Human Rights.

Linkedin:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrinalini-purkayastha-66636425/

Disclaimer:- The opinions expressed in the podcast are the speaker\'s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the organization.

**Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - a platform that enables mid-career professionals through career transitions.**

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/

Follow us on social at

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/

What is June known for? 

Pride month, isn’t it? But for people from the LGBTQ community, Pride is not just for June, it lasts for 365 days. 

So, get ready for a thought-provoking episode that goes beyond the surface of Pride month. I\'m your host, Lochan Narayanan, and joining us today is the incredible Ankita Mehra, who will take us on a captivating journey through her struggles, triumphs, and the everyday realities of being a member of the LGBTQ community.

Ankita\'s personal journey, from self-acceptance to coming out to her parents, is a deeply emotional and gut-wrenching tale. She courageously navigated a world that often made her path treacherous, choosing to focus on her career as a DEI and employer branding specialist at Xperi. Her achievements speak volumes—being recognized as LinkedIn\'s Top Voice, one of India\'s Top 20 Diversity Leaders, and having spoken at over 300 events to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community.

In this episode, Ankita and I delve into the crucial importance of gender inclusion in the workplace. We explore the need for a gender-neutral interview process, where individuals are evaluated based on their skills and qualifications rather than their gender identity. Additionally, we discuss the significance of providing gender-neutral washrooms in office spaces, fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

So, get ready to be moved, educated, and inspired by Ankita Mehra\'s incredible journey and valuable insights. Join us as we uncover the realities faced by the LGBTQ community, explore the transformative power of gender inclusion, and discover how businesses can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

About the Guest 

Ankita Mehra! she is all about solving problems, championing diversity and inclusion, and making work enjoyable. With a knack for getting things done, she is here to make a positive impact and drive growth through building teams, networking, and stellar stakeholder management. she is a true people enthusiast!

Linkedin:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankitamehraa/?originalSubdomain=in

Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/ankitamehraa/?hl=en

**Career Uninterrupted Podcast is brought to you by OfExperiences - a platform that enables mid-career professionals through career transitions.**

To know more about OfExperiences visit: https://ofexperiences.com/

Follow us on social at

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ofexperiences/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/71337107/admin/