Chai Break

After a brief pause, Chai Break returns with a conversation that feels like a deep exhale.

In this episode, Shwetha is joined by Nikita Shah — a multidisciplinary artist, textile designer, educator, and researcher whose work bridges the 3,000-year-old craft of Kalamkari with contemporary storytelling, community, education, and healing.

From living and learning alongside weavers in Maheshwar, to studying at NIFT Kannur and FIT, to founding Untitle by Nikita and hosting Fursat, a monthly workshop centered on rest and reflection through textile-making, Nikita’s journey is rooted in patience, presence, and purpose.

This episode is a powerful meditation on slow fashion, cultural memory, sustainability, and the quiet resistance of handmade work in a world addicted to speed, trends, and overconsumption.

What We Talk About in This Episode

Beginnings & Origins

• Nikita’s early relationship with textiles, craft, and sustainability
• Living within indigenous craft clusters across India
• Her formative six-month graduation project in Maheshwar, working directly with weavers
• How family memory, cotton saris, and lived experience shaped her artistic language

Discovering Kalamkari

• What Kalamkari is — and the pen-based, natural-dye, multi-step process she practices
• Learning Kalamkari by living with weavers and printers in Andhra Pradesh for several years
• Navigating language, trust, and lineage in a traditionally gatekept craft
• Why Kalamkari chose her — and the responsibility that comes with carrying it forward

Untitle by Nikita

• Why she founded Untitle by Nikita and what “Untitle” represents
• Working with deadstock textiles and memorial fabrics
• Creating garments in NYC’s garment district as an act of preservation and care
• How memory, craftsmanship, and sustainability are stitched into every piece

Fursat: Community, Rest & Reflection

• What Fursat means — and why the concept feels radical today
• Reclaiming the joy of waiting, tailoring, and intentional creation
• How Fursat creates space for personal storytelling, emotional healing, and collective creativity
• Craft as a practice of rest in a culture obsessed with productivity

Art, Healing & Sustainability

• The connection between textile-making and healing
• Teaching handloom language at FIT and independently at universities
• Why fashion should begin with textiles — not trends
• The missed opportunity in today’s over-the-top Diwali fashion culture
• Why handloom is still stigmatized as “not cool” — and how we shift that narrative
• Relearning how to shop, consume, and dress with intention

The Sari as Identity

• Nikita’s love for saris and whether it was a conscious choice
• Saris as conversation starters, grounding tools, and cultural anchors
• Her involvement in the New York Sari Exhibit at the New York Historical Society
• What it meant to see the sari honored in such an iconic space

☕ Rapid Fire (Chai Break Style)

• How Nikita practices sustainability in daily life
• What she’s currently reading
• Favorite season
• How she takes her chai
• Her go-to chai-time snack

In this episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I sit down with Meghana Sharma—serial entrepreneur, style therapist, and founder of some of India’s most creative ventures, including Levitate, The Preloved Co., and now, The Bindi Project.

From her early days curating Bangalore’s iconic boho boutique Levitate to co-founding a social enterprise thrift store, Meghana has always believed in making sustainability stylish and accessible. Her latest venture, The Bindi Project, is more than just about bindis—it’s an ode to the feminine divine. By upcycling leather scraps, fabric remnants, and jewelry waste into handcrafted bindis, Meghana is reclaiming cultural identity, empowering women artisans, and proving that fashion can be circular, conscious, and deeply personal.

We chat about: Meghana’s journey from Levitate to The Preloved Co. to The Bindi Project

Why she believes in circular fashion and how thrifting can spark community change

The roots of sustainability in South Asian culture—and how it went from way of life to taboo

Her philosophy of SDA: Sustainable Differential Advantage—and how it applies to every business

Style, maximalism, and finding your authentic fashion voice

The women and role models who shaped her journey

Whether you’re a fashion lover, a sustainability advocate, or someone curious about how culture and creativity intersect, this #chaiversation will leave you inspired.

Grab your cup of chai and join us for a deep dive into fashion, feminism, and the future of sustainability—one bindi at a time.

chaiversations.org

💡 In this episode, we talk about:

• Rashmi's journey pre-Arun Revolution and what led her to leave the corporate world to build a climate solution rooted in equity
• What most menstrual pads are really made of—and why that’s harmful
• The science behind Aruna’s compostable pads and ethical supply chain
• Period cups vs. pads: Pros, cons, and finding what works for you
• How Aruna Revolution is scaling across Canada and beyond
• The surprising challenges (and joys) of innovating in taboo spaces

Plus, don’t miss our fun wrap-up segment, “Spill the Tea,” where Rashmi shares her chai preferences, sustainability rituals, and life mantra.

🔗 Links & Resources

Learn more at: www.arunarevolution.com Follow Rashmi on Instagram: @arunarevolution

In this episode of Chai Break, we dive into the world of regenerative fashion with Aishwarya Lahariya, textile scientist and founder of Jiwya, a 100% plant-based clothing brand based in India. Aishwarya shares how her background in chemistry, sustainability research, and passion for ethical design led her to create a fashion label rooted in zero-waste living, artisan empowerment, and soil-to-soil systems. If you're curious about the real impact of your clothes—from water usage to labor ethics—and want to understand what truly sustainable fashion looks like, this episode is for you.

• The origins of Jiwya
• Aishwarya’s upbringing, chemistry background, and move from the U.S. to India to build her brand
• Why most cotton (even “organic”) is greenwashed—and what truly sustainable sourcing looks like
• What a soil-to-soil ecosystem really is and how Jiwya’s designs biodegrade in just 60 days
• The reality of fast fashion: mass production, clearance culture, and the “Oops we bought too much” problem
• Why ethical pricing still feels "expensive" and how to shift the consumer mindset
• The science behind plant-based dyes that use 1/10th the water of conventional methods—and return nutrients to the soil
• Empowering artisans and preserving textile crafts across 100+ clusters in India
• The challenge of scaling while staying true to values—and what it means to vote with your wallet
• Aishwarya’s thoughts on the future of fashion, the Buy Now documentary, and her work with Nadhi, a women in climate collective

In this inspiring episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I'm joined by Shivani Ramesh—a Strategy & Implementation Analyst at ENGIE Impact, environmental engineer, and passionate sustainability advocate. Shivani takes us on a journey from her roots in India to her career in global decarbonization, offering practical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate anxiety and wondering, “What can I do?”

We explore the power of bite-sized climate action—small, intentional steps we can take in our homes, communities, and careers to contribute to a more sustainable future. Shivani shares powerful stories of grassroots activism in her own family, from organizing neighborhood cleanups in Chennai to local government initiatives in Westchester, NY.

This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how citizen-led action, climate-conscious careers, and community collaboration can drive change, no matter where you live.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why tiny, consistent actions can create large-scale impact
• Shivani’s journey from Rishi Valley School to ENGIE Impact and the spark that started it all
• The importance of civic engagement and how her mother’s clean-up drives led to launching Citizen Matters in India
• How her aunt’s sustainability leadership in Westchester County helped unlock funding for clean energy
• Local NYC tips: how to get involved in composting, community gardens, and more
• Why climate anxiety is real—and how to channel it into purpose
• A behind-the-scenes look at The Soapbox Project, a growing community turning worry into climate action
• How to pivot into a sustainability career or integrate climate-conscious thinking into your current work
• 5 bite-sized actions you can start today to live more sustainably

🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode:

• ENGIE Impact
• Citizen Matters
• The Soapbox Project
• NYC Composting

🎧 Grab your chai and tune in—this is a chaiversation you don’t want to miss.

Deepti Kharbanda’s Journey to Sustainable Living

In this engaging episode of the Chai Break Podcast,I Shwetha Ravishanakr reconnects with longtime college friend Deepti Kharbanda, Chief Sales Officer at Bare Necessities, as she shares her inspiring journey toward a zero-waste lifestyle and sustainable living. From her early days in Bangalore to becoming a passionate sustainability advocate, Deepti reveals how everyday habits—like carrying a reusable water bottle and composting—can make a big impact on our environment.

About Deepti Kharbanda With a background in Human Resources and Computer Science, and nearly two decades of experience in business development and R&D engineering, Deepti blends analytical thinking with a heartfelt commitment to the planet. Her journey into sustainability began with motherhood and has evolved into a powerful mission for social impact.

Key Topics Covered:

• The "Why" behind Deepti’s commitment to sustainability
• Overcoming common misconceptions about eco-friendly living
• Practical steps for adopting a zero-waste lifestyle
• How sustainable packaging and clean ingredients are changing consumer habits
• Innovative initiatives like workshops with Ikea that drive community awareness

Spill the Tea: Deepti also shares fun insights about her love for chai, her favorite pairing, and the influencers who have shaped her path—revealing a side of her that is as warm and engaging as her professional journey.

Discover actionable tips and inspiring stories that prove sustainability starts with simple, everyday choices. Learn more about Bare Necessities

chaiversations.org

Samudra, Seaweed, and a Sustainable Future with Joyeeta Das 🌊🌱

Hello, hello! Welcome back to the Chai Break Podcast, where we sip chai and spill the tea on the world’s most pressing issues. And today, we’re diving deep—literally—into the future of sustainability.

We all know climate change isn’t a far-off crisis; it’s here, now. But what if the key to reversing its effects wasn’t just on land but in the ocean? Enter Joyeeta Das, a powerhouse in deep tech, AI, and climate solutions, and the visionary CEO of Samudra Oceans. Her mission? Harnessing the power of seaweed farming to combat carbon emissions, restore biodiversity, and create jobs in coastal communities.

From being a woman in the male-dominated world of ocean tech (where boats literally don’t have toilets for women—seriously?!) to building scalable blue carbon solutions, Joyeeta’s story is one of grit, innovation, and breaking barriers.

🚀 In this episode, we talk about:

• Why seaweed farming is one of the fastest, most scalable ways to capture carbon
• The engineering + AI revolution behind sustainable ocean farming
• The Jugaad mindset—stretching every penny to build a climate-conscious future
• Her take on female entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and navigating the funding landscape
• What a sustainable lifestyle looks like (spoiler: minimalism isn’t just for your closet!)

Oh, and of course, we end with Spill the Tea—because no Chai-versation is complete without Joyeeta’s go-to chai and book recs!

Tune in now and get ready to rethink sustainability from the ocean up. 🌊✨

🎧 Listen to this very inspiring #chaiversation and Learn more at samudraoceans.com

Breaking Barriers with Sukanya Punthambekar, Co-Founder of Breaking

In this episode of The Chai Break Podcast, we dive into one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: plastic pollution. Did you know that humanity has produced over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since the 1950s? Only about 9% of that has been recycled, with millions of tons ending up in our oceans each year. On a mission to combat this crisis is today’s guest: Sukanya Punthambekar, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Breaking.

Sukanya brings over two decades of experience in life sciences and biotechnology. She has worked alongside pioneers like Dr. George Church at Harvard Medical School on groundbreaking projects in synthetic biology, sequencing, and protein engineering. Her career highlights include teaching neuroscience, leading collaborative research teams, and earning prestigious awards like the Department of Biotechnology Junior Research Fellowship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award from the University of Michigan. With her Ph.D. in molecular biology, Sukanya has co-authored impactful publications in top journals like Nature and Science.

In This Episode:

1. Immigrant Story & Entrepreneurial Journey • Sukanya shares how her journey from India to the U.S. shaped her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation.

• Founding Breaking: Discover what inspired Sukanya to launch Breaking and the pivotal moments that pushed her to take the entrepreneurial leap.

• Challenges as a Woman of Color: Sukanya discusses navigating unique hurdles in the climate-tech space and how she overcame the barriers of VC funding disparities.

2. Making an Impact & Sharing Advice

• Creating Impact: Sukanya shares the mission behind Breaking and the transformative change she hopes to achieve in combating plastic pollution.

• Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Learn how women’s leadership styles can bring fresh perspectives and Sukanya’s key tips for budding women entrepreneurs.

• Childhood Memories of Sustainability: Hear Sukanya’s reflections on growing up in India, where sustainable practices were second nature, and how those roots continue to influence her views today.

3. Spill the Tea • Sukanya’s chai ritual and her favorite snack pairing • The book she’s currently reading • Her life mantra • Fun facts about her musical background and family connection to the film industry

Connect with Sukanya & Breaking:

Learn more about Sukanya’s company and their groundbreaking work at Breaking.com.

Thank you for tuning into today’s chaiversation! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Until next time, happy chai sipping! ☕

chaiversations.org

In this episode of the Chai Break Podcast, we dive into the transformative power of education with Sumana Shetty, co-founder of Commit2Change. Sumana shares her inspiring journey from her early days in Bangalore to leading a nonprofit focused on empowering underprivileged girls in India and South Asia. Through innovative programs and a custom curriculum, Commit2Change is creating sustainable change, one girl at a time.

Key Highlights:

• Sumana’s journey from Bangalore to the United States and her inspiration to co-found Commit2Change.
• How her experiences volunteering in India shaped her mission.

Building Commit2Change

• The story behind Commit2Change and its focus on empowering girls through education, healthcare, and economic development.
• The significance of "sustainable change" and how C2C ensures impact through their programs.

The 4 C’s Curriculum

• Learn how Commit2Change’s custom curriculum helps girls master English and math in record time while fostering creativity, confidence, and communication.
• Success stories that highlight the ripple effects of educating girls in rural India.

Education and Climate Change

• How climate change disrupts education for vulnerable children in rural areas.
• Insights into C2C’s upcoming mobile tech lab initiative, bringing digital education to underserved communities.

Collaboration and Community Support

• The importance of partnerships with local NGOs, government bodies, and community leaders in scaling impact.
• Lessons learned from working in diverse cultural and economic landscapes.

Closing Reflections

• Sumana discusses the intersection of her roles as a General Counsel and nonprofit leader.
• Rapid-fire fun: Sumana shares her favorite book, chai preferences, and more!

Resources and Links:

• Learn more about Commit2Change:
• Read the World Bank report: The Impact of Climate Change on Education

Get Involved

Inspired by today’s episode? Here’s how you can support Commit2Change:

• Donate to fund education programs for underprivileged girls.
• Volunteer your skills or resources.
• Spread the word about C2C’s mission to create sustainable futures through education.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review.

chaiversations.org

In this special edition of the podcast just in time for Thanksgiving in America, I welcome back Rema Chaari for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion on the power of gratitude, especially in challenging times. As the world grapples with crises and injustice, many of us are left questioning how to practice gratitude without feeling disconnected or self-centered.

We revisit themes from our previous gratitude episode while diving into deeper, more nuanced reflections. Together, we explore:

• The state of the world and the toll of witnessing global suffering.
• Why gratitude might feel self-indulgent in the face of widespread injustice.
• The impact of hyper-individualistic mindfulness practices and their role in perpetuating systemic issues.
• How to balance personal gratitude with collective empathy and action.

Drawing from philosophy, history, and spirituality—including lessons from the Stoics and the Bhagavad Gita—we unpack how gratitude can be a transformative force that fuels hope, resilience, and meaningful action.

We talk about the nuances of Gratitude which include:

• How to acknowledge pain and injustice while cultivating gratitude.
• Finding gratitude in small, meaningful moments and connections.
• The role of gratitude in promoting collective well-being and combating cynicism.
• How gratitude practices can evolve to address societal challenges and inspire empathy.
• Lessons from resilient communities and their stories of hope amidst adversity.

Key Quotes:

• “If we are to harness the revolutionary potential of mindfulness, we have to liberate it from its neoliberal shackles and focus on collective awakening.” – Ron Purser
• “In every moment, there is something to be grateful for, and it is in that acknowledgment that we find strength, meaning, and peace.”

Takeaways and Resources:

1. Approaching Gratitude During Difficult Times:
   • Recognize and honor emotions like anger and sadness as valid responses to suffering.
   • Seek gratitude in connections and acts of kindness.
   • Appreciate small moments of peace as sources of quiet resilience.
   • Reflect on your own ability to contribute to positive change, no matter how small.
2. Gratitude as a Collective Practice:
   • Use gratitude to deepen empathy and solidarity with others.
   • Allow gratitude to fuel hope and inspire action for a better world.

Recommended Reading:

• Beyond McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality by Ron Purser
• The Bhagavad Gita – Reflections on surrender, resilience, and gratitude.

Tune In Now: Join us for this deeply personal and reflective conversation that challenges conventional ideas of gratitude and offers fresh perspectives on finding balance in a turbulent world.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @Chai_Break_Podcast
• Website: chaiversations.org
• Email: [email protected]

Let’s brew some gratitude, sip some chai, and navigate these complex times—together.