Ctrl.Alt.Thrive Podcast by Navneet

In this episode, I chat with Shagun Maheshwari, a mechanical engineer and the CEO of Papaya, a company based in Mumbai that makes a new type of menstrual pad. Shagun grew up in Mumbai, studied at the University of Pune and Duke University, and now lives in California with her family of pets.

Shagun started Papaya six years ago and turned it into a full-time job this year. Her company’s pads are unique because they make menstrual blood clot, which keeps it from getting wet and messy. This innovative approach means the pads stay dry and are made without plastics, making them better for both your health and the environment.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Shagun’s personal journey and what inspired her to start Papaya.
• How her pads use blood coagulation and why it’s a game-changer.
• The benefits of Papaya pads versus other options.
• The environmental impact of Papaya pads, especially in landfills.
• The materials used in making Papaya pads and how they ensure comfort.
• Feedback from users and any interesting case studies.
• How to learn more about Papaya and purchase their pads.
• Shagun’s future plans for Papaya.

In this episode, you'll learn how blood coagulation works, the benefits of using it, and more about Papaya pad's innovative approach.

Watch the full video on Youtube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

Can technology and policy innovations truly transform women's health in India, Tune in to find out ! 

Join us as we sit down with Swarnima, the co-founder of Gytree, an innovative platform dedicated to women’s health. Swarnima brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked with the UN and WHO, and being recognized as an AstraZeneca Young Health Scholar. She has contributed extensively to the conversation on women’s health through publications on the World Economic Forum’s Agenda, Live Mint, Times of India, and more.

Growing up in rural Uttar Pradesh, Swarnima witnessed firsthand the challenges women face due to a lack of basic amenities and public visibility. Hear how her education in Delhi and her father’s work travels ignited her passion to revolutionize women’s health infrastructure.

In this episode we discuss consumer behavior patterns and the cultural barriers that shape women’s health decisions in India. Swarnima sheds light on how understanding these behaviors can lead to more effective health solutions. We also delve into the influence of sectors like transportation and e-commerce in informing health strategies, and the critical role of personalized care. From the dependency on partners for health decisions to the systemic gender biases in medical testing, we uncover the complex landscape that women navigate to access healthcare.

Finally, we tackle the challenges of balancing work life especially for female founders. Hear Swarnima's insights on the evolving corporate mentality towards employee wellness and the importance of integrating healthcare into workplace culture. She also shares personal anecdotes on mental health, leadership, and the long-term journey of building a business. 

This episode is packed with invaluable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, policy, and women’s health in India. 

Watch Full video on YouTube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, I talk with Ira Guha, the founder of Asan Cups, a venture dedicated to tackling menstrual health challenges globally. Ira's journey began with her invention of a unique menstrual cup at the Harvard Innovation Lab, which has since gained popularity for its effectiveness. Each Asan menstrual cup replaces 2,500 sanitary pads, making it a sustainable and cost-effective solution for users globally, with over 60,000 users to date.

Ira Guha, a graduate of Cambridge and Harvard, has garnered recognition for her groundbreaking work, including the prestigious Cartier Women's Initiative Fellowship and an Innovate UK technology award, among others. 

In this episode, Ira shares her inspiring journey and discusses what sets Asan Cups apart in the market, the benefits of switching from pads to cups, and guides us through everything you need to know about using menstrual cups—from sizes to practical tips. Additionally, she sheds light on her impactful work in rural India, where she is truly changing the game in addressing period poverty.

Whether you're new to menstrual cups or curious about where to start, this episode is a must-listen. Ira guides us through everything you need to know: from how to use menstrual cups, understanding cup sizes, to debunking common myths. We cover everything you need to know, making it accessible for all those interested in exploring sustainable menstrual health options. 

Watch the full video on Youtube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, I chat with Aashika Abraham, founder of MAMMA-MIYA , the world’s first planner app designed to help busy moms organize their lives and live with greater intention. Aashika is a passionate and driven entrepreneur focused on initiatives that benefit humanity. She is also a yoga enthusiast and a mother who enjoys playing basketball while raising two wonderful children under the age of 10.

Aashika shares her mission of building a global community and providing support to working moms around the world. We explore the unique challenges that working moms, stay-at-home moms, and single moms face daily. 

Our conversation also touches on the importance of community in promoting women's entrepreneurship and normalizing  conversations on women's health issues. Aashika shares her personal journey as a mother, her inspiration behind creating a mom planner, her experiences in fundraising, and her advocacy for women's health initiatives.

Whether you're interested in discovering the Mamma Miya app, exploring strategies for achieving work-life balance, or understanding the transformative impact of community in women's health and entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen.

Watch the full video on Youtube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Apurva Satish Amarnath, a Fertility expert at Nova IVF Fertility, India's leading fertility chain. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Amarnath specializes in fertility preservation, particularly egg freezing, empowering women to preserve their fertility for future biological parenthood. Her expertise extends to a multi-pronged approach in managing various fertility challenges, including PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent implantation failure, pregnancy loss, poor responders, and male infertility.

In this conversation, we delve into the intricacies of the egg freezing process, breaking it down step by step. Some of the key topics we covered include:

* How frozen eggs are utilized at a later date.

* The differences between egg freezing and IVF, including success rates.

* The emerging trend of celebrities openly sharing their experiences with IVF and egg freezing, reshaping societal perceptions.

* Addressing concerns such as the fate of frozen eggs if they don't survive the thawing process or fail to fertilize successfully.

* Differentiating embryo freezing from egg freezing and understanding its implications.

* Exploring the social factors contributing to the rising demand for IVF clinics in India, along with the ideal egg freezing age.

* An overview of the fertility and infertility procedures offered at Nova IVF. 

* The primary factors contributing to infertility in India. 

* Discover the potential benefits of sperm freezing for male fertility preservation.

 * Learn about the best strategies for enhancing fertility in both men and women.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the egg freezing process, embryo freezing, and sperm freezing, as we debunk myths and provide valuable insights into fertility preservation in India.

Watch the full video on Youtube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sanjana Rao, Co-founder of Miyara. With a PhD in Biochemistry and over 20 years of experience, Dr. Rao is passionate about women’s health alongside her Co-founder Gayatri Muthukrishnan, Miyara provides evidence-based information to support women through Peri - menopause,  Menopause ,healthy aging, and preventive health for midlife. 

Dr. Rao shares the inspiration behind Miyara and its mission to empower women with the knowledge and tools they need for their health journey. We discuss the age range for perimenopause and its symptoms, the average age for menopause among Indian women, and the factors that contribute to these. 

We also explore why Peri-menopause is affecting women earlier and the broader impact of menopause on women's health, especially in terms of healthy ageing and longevity—a topic often overlooked. Additionally, we examine findings from the McKinsey report, which highlights that women tend to live longer than men but often face health challenges. Dr. Rao explains how Miyara's approach to tackling menopause stands out, their user demographic, different behaviour patterns, and their plans to bridge the digital divide and reach homemakers in Tier 2 and 3 cities who may not be well-informed about menopause.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding Peri - menopause and Menopause as it offers valuable insights on Indian landscape, user behaviour and more.  

Watch the full video on Youtube 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode we're joined by Ankur Khaitan, Principal at Fireside Ventures, a leading venture capital firm in India. Ankur's expertise lies in investing in early-stage consumer brands and startups. 

Fireside Ventures has been making waves in the investment scene, especially in healthcare, with recent investments in companies like Gynoveda, Inito, Amaha, and Good Bug. In this episode, Ankur gives us a deep dive into the current landscape of FemTech and women’s health investments in India, shedding light on why investors are increasingly bullish about this space.

 Additionally, he outlines the criteria Fireside Ventures considers when evaluating  women's health startups for investment, offering valuable insights for  entrepreneurs.
But our conversation doesn't stop there. We explore the broader consumer brand space in India and discuss the pivotal role of AI and data analytics in shaping the future of women's health overall. Ankur highlights the significance of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in this domain, underscoring the vast opportunities for growth and impact in these areas.

It's a conversation packed with insights for both investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Join us as we uncover the nuances of women's health investments and the pivotal role of venture capital in driving innovation in this dynamic sector. 

Watch the full video on YouTube. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Artika Singh, a sexual educator and influencer with over 7 years of experience. She is deeply engaged in rural and semi-rural Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SHRH) advocacy and sexuality education, utilizing both the internet and her Taarini Foundation.

Starting with safe sex practices, we address the common misconceptions surrounding STI tests and their importance among women in India. Moving on, we discuss the prevalence of HPV. Transitioning to the rising popularity of online dating apps, we cover a range of pertinent issues affecting sexual health today. Artika sheds light on recommended tests for safe sexual practices and breaks down myths surrounding HPV vaccination.

As the conversation unfolds, we explore the anatomy of pleasure, focusing on the clitoris and the diversity of sexual experiences among women. We confront the orgasm gap and examine the role of sexual toys in enhancing pleasure while addressing safety concerns and debunking myths.

Finally, Artika shares her experiences and challenges as a woman working in the sexual health space, including the stigma surrounding sex education in India. We address common misconceptions and barriers to open communication about sex, particularly within families.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding  the connection between sexual health and women's health, the importance of HPV and STIs, the rise of the sexual toys industry, the orgasm gap in women, and more. 

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Abhishek Mohan, the Founder and CEO of Hempstreet, India's pioneering player in the medicinal cannabis sector. With a vast network of 60,000 ayurvedic practitioners nationwide, Hempstreet leads the way from research to retail in this burgeoning field. 

Our conversation with Abhishek delves into a range of topics, starting with the staggering impact of dysmenorrhea, affecting 83% of Indian women. Abhishek sheds light on Hempstreet's groundbreaking clinical trials, emphasizing their crucial significance in today's landscape. 

We explore Hempstreet's unique approach of integrating ayurvedic principles into cannabis products, particularly in offering relief for menstrual cramps. Additionally, we touch upon the recent attention surrounding Meftal spas, dissecting the media hype versus medical reality, as well as the concerning lack of menstrual cramp management products available in the Indian market. Abhishek shares his learnings and insights into the changing landscape of women's health. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding menstrual health, dysmenorrhea, the potential of cannabis in women's health, and gaining insights into the Meftal Spas controversy.

DISCLAIMER: The content presented in this podcast is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's always advisable to consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
 

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠

In this episode, we're joined by Carina Kohli, the Founder of Hummcare, a digital healthcare startup revolutionizing maternity and family healthcare benefits in India. Through a blend of empathy, expert care, and doctor-backed research, Hummcare is reshaping the landscape for mothers, families, and organizations alike.

We delve into the digital transformation sweeping India and how people are embracing technology like never before. Carina shares insights into Hummcare's innovative approach to employee and family healthcare benefits, emphasizing the importance of integrating healthcare into daily lifestyles.

We explore the unique challenges of navigating the Indian healthcare market, particularly the prevailing preference for offline care despite the digital wave. Carina also opens up about her journey as a female founder, shedding light on the trials and triumphs of entrepreneurship in the femtech space.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fertility, family building, and the innovative approach of Hummcare in providing empathy-driven maternity and family benefits.

Check out the full discussion on our YouTube channel.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.

Connect with us 

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ctrl.alt.thrive.podcast/⁠⁠ 

Youtube :⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Ctrlaltthrive/videos

Connect with Navneet 

Linkedin : ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/navneet-kaur-80109b227/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nav_neeetkaur/⁠