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

In this solo episode, Gayathri shares her reflections from Indigenous History Month. She explores what it means to be in good relations having experienced the privilege of sharing meals and stories with Indigenous Elders in a dinner and dialogue series called Aisinna'kiiks. 
She unpacks the experience of "bringing your whole self to work", and how setting aside personal agendas in favour of trust can infuse belonging in our daily interactions. In a surprising twist, Gayathri also announces her preparation for a personal journey of self-discovery - Vipassana - connecting ancient wisdom with modern practices of meditation. Tune in to follow along on her transformative journey!


Aisinna'kiiks is a Blackfoot word that means those who write, draw or make their mark. We are grateful for the invitation from Calgary Arts Development and to be hosted by Calgary Board of Education's high-schools. 

Links mentioned in episode -
Instagram: @campfire_kinship
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/campfire-kinship
www.campfirekinship.com

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions on trauma and gender-based violence which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

"We don't just bring our intergenerational cycles of trauma but also intergenerational cycles of wisdom." – Dr. Meghna Bhat  

In this episode, Dr. Meghna Bhat, a renowned gender and social justice consultant and storyteller, explores the delicate balance of trauma-informed storytelling within the gender-based violence prevention field. Gayathri and Meghna delve into the practical aspects of creating safe, inclusive spaces for storytelling. Listeners will gain insights into the power of storytelling to foster connection, community, and healing, all while navigating the ethical considerations essential to maintaining the dignity and agency of survivors.  

Resources mentioned in episode:
www.gulabistories.com
www.meghnabhat.com
linkedin.com/in/meghnabhat
instagram.com/gulabi_stories
www.campfirekinship.com

Land Acknowledgements are a crucial part of reconciliation, recognizing historical and ongoing relationships with Indigenous peoples. However, these acknowledgements can easily become scripted and lose their impact. 

In this episode, Gayathri and her guest, aloT of Poetry, a Nigerian-South African Poet now based in Mohkinstis, explore how poetry can cultivate genuine understanding and respect. Crafting a poem might seem daunting, but it can help us navigate the complex emotions and histories that come with reflecting on the place we may now call home. 

Tune into this episode to discover aloT of Poetry's insights on infusing personal and emotional depth into your Land Acknowledgments, transforming them from scripted formalities into powerful, heartfelt recognitions. Plus, don't miss her reading her own poem and Land Acknowledgement for Treaty 7.

Links mentioned in episode:
www.alotofpoetry.com
www.campfirekinship.com
www.instagram.com/alot.of.poetry/

Step 2:

Vulnerability in sharing our stories allows us to show up as our true selves and helps to deepen belonging with others. Yet, embracing vulnerability raises important questions about the balance between authenticity and psychological safety. How can vulnerability act as a bridge to more meaningful bonds without leaving us feeling exposed? Let's dive deep with Dr. Roselle Gonsalves as she draws from her impactful work in inclusion and reconciliation, and insights from her latest book, The Ordinary Turned Precious!

Links mentioned in the episode:
www.rmgonsalves.com
Campfire Kinship
www.cjsw.com/program/hearth2heart
The Ordinary Turned Precious