What does it mean to belong when you’re constantly navigating the weight of cultural expectations, professional ambition, and personal identity? 

In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla is joined by Dr. Roopali Chaudhary, founder of Lotus STEMM, for a deeply personal conversation about the intersectional struggles South Asian women face in STEMM.  From unspoken family pressures to the invisible load of being the "only" in a boardroom, they explore how identity shapes our choices and outcomes. They also further unpack the concept of "meta-reflexivity" - a promising early finding from their WAGE-funded project, Breaking Barriers, to advance systemic solutions for equity in STEMM. 

By weaving together story and insight, this episode invites us to reimagine belonging at the intersections of culture, gender, and science. Learn more at:

lotusstemm.org
campfirekinship.com

What if curiosity could be your greatest tool for fostering collaboration and belonging? In this episode, Gayathri sits down with Dr. Tarah Lynch, a scientist and diversity advocate, to explore how embracing your “inner scientist” can transform the way you approach diversity, teamwork, and emotional resilience.

Dr. Lynch shares her journey of navigating dual cultural identities and burnout, highlighting the power of curiosity in breaking free from limiting assumptions and building meaningful connections. Through practical insights and personal stories, Tarah reveals how curiosity can help you move beyond judgment and create more inclusive spaces in STEM and beyond.

Tune in to discover how staying curious can lead to deeper understanding, stronger teams, and a more fulfilling life.

Resources Mentioned:

• Synergy Scientific Coaching and Consulting (Previously known as Diversity Scientific)
• Dr. Tarah Lynch on LinkedIn
• Gayathri Shukla on LinkedIn
• Campfire Kinship

Conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in today's climate feel more polarized than ever. But what’s really behind the backlash? And how do we continue pushing forward when the work feels under attack?

In this thought-provoking episode, Gayathri sits down with Erin Davis, an award-winning gender equity expert and inclusive leadership strategist, to explore how DEI efforts have evolved, why they face resistance, and how we can shift the conversation beyond acronyms to nuanced action. Gayathri and Erin share powerful insights based on their practice of navigating corporate culture shifts, unpacking the fear driving opposition, and identifying strategic “pressure points” to move meaningful change forward. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to creating workplaces where everyone belongs.

Resources mentioned in the episode:
www.erindavisco.ca
www.campfirekinship.com
Erin Davis LinkedIn
Gayathri Shukla LinkedIn

How can authenticity and the power of community can shape your success? Originally recorded in 2021, Gayathri chats with Evelyne Nyairo, founder of Ellie Bianca Beauty, about her entrepreneurial journey, commitment to empowering women, and the importance of building community through storytelling.

From embracing your unique gifts to breaking stereotypes, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating their own career path. 

Resources mentioned in episode:

Original video on Instagram
www.campfirekinship.com
www.elliebianca.com

How do we find the courage to face what is unfamiliar? Change is a fact of life—but it’s also a powerful opportunity for growth. In this episode, Gayathri reconnects with Stephania Romaniuk, a Ukrainian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, educator, and her collaborator on the Lioness project, to explore how leaning into the unknown builds courage, creativity, and deeper connections.

Stephania shares her journey of navigating the unfamiliar—building belonging through music, teaching artistry, and cross-cultural connection. Her insights offer practical and inspiring ways to embrace change and overcome self-doubt even in the most uncertain moments.
Start your year with this powerful conversation about turning the unfamiliar into a catalyst for growth and belonging.

Resources Mentioned:

• Calgary Opera Website
• About the Lionness Project
• Campfire Kinship

Have you ever felt isolated or as the “only” in the room? Do you long for a sense of connection and acceptance in professional spaces where you are underrepresented? In this episode, Gayathri sits down with Kathy Nelson, an accomplished engineer and leader, to explore what it means to build community in STEM spaces. Kathy reflects on her personal journey, sharing the challenges she’s faced and the triumphs that have shaped her mission to foster connection through her podcast, Ordinarily Extraordinary. Together, they discuss the power of community and strategies to create environments where women can thrive as their authentic selves. 

Whether you find yourself as the only or you're working to build more inclusive spaces, this episode offers insights, hope, and inspiration.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Kathy’s Consulting Services
• Ordinarily Extraordinary Podcast
• Email: [email protected]
• Kathy on LinkedIn
• Gayathri on LinkedIn

One of the biggest fears about allyship is the worry of saying or doing the wrong thing. Many people want to show up and support others but hesitate, unsure how to act without causing harm or misunderstanding. 

In this episode, Gayathri speaks with Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley, a mechanical engineer, Vanier Scholar and EDI specialist, who breaks down three practical, research-backed strategies to overcome these fears and foster real inclusion. Drawing on insights from her PhD project, "Activating Allies," Jocelyn shares how to confidently step into the role of an ally and create  psychologically safe workplaces for everyone.

Resources mentioned in episode:

www.jocelynpeltierhuntley.ca/
www.prairiecatalyst.ca/active-allies-course
Jocelyn's LinkedIn
Gayathri's LinkedIn
www.campfirekinship.com

Is it possible to lead with empathy while still holding your team accountable for achieving shared goals? In this episode of Heart to Heart, host Gayathri dives deep with Erin, leader, coach, and author, to tackle the common fear that empathy weakens accountability. 

Erin shares her journey from engineering to becoming a champion for empathetic leadership, revealing how understanding emotions—both personal and within teams—can foster a sense of belonging, especially with those from underrepresented backgrounds. Through real-life stories and practical insights, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how leaders can build trust, leverage diverse perspectives, and turn emotional intelligence into a powerful force for team success. 

Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership in today’s world.

www.erinthorp.ca
Podcast – Tactical Empathy
Book – Inside Out Empathy
Erin’s LinkedIn
www.campfirekinship.com
Gayathri’s LinkedIn
www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship

Feeling you belong can be tricky when you are the "only" in a team. In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Monica Hernandez, an engineer with over 20 years of experience and founder of Infinity Growth, shares her journey of navigating gender bias. Host Gayathri and Monica discuss the importance of self-care, effective communication, and setting boundaries, offering valuable insights for all leaders on creating inclusive workplaces.

Tune in to be inspired by Monica's story of self-belief and perseverance, as she shares, "I feel a sense of belonging when I am connected, when time passes without notice, and I truly connect with the person I am with."

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Materials Business podcast
infinitygrowth.ca
linkedin.com/in/monica-hernandez
campfirekinship.com

"Last month, I attended my first 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat. Many asked how it went, and I am opening my heart to share candidly in this episode.

"As an entrepreneur and EDIB (equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging) practitioner, I embarked on this journey hoping to deepen my practice of concepts like embracing discomfort, unlearning, and journey over destination. From the struggle of sitting in silence to the embracing of self-awareness and equanimity, this experience is reshaping how I view life and work."

In this solo episode, join Gayathri Shukla as she reflects on her deeply transformative journey and lessons learned.

Links mentioned in episode:
www.dhamma.org
www.campfirekinship.com/resources/blogs/vipassana
www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship
www.linkedin.com/company/campfire-kinship