Hearth2Heart

In this solo episode, Gayathri sharers her raw, unfiltered thoughts on one of her major career: whether to pursue a PhD.

Re-entering academia after two decades in industry and entrepreneurship, Gayathri pulls back the curtains on the hard questions, doubts, and insights that shaped her choice to enter University of Calgary's inaugural Transdisciplinary Research program.

From a literal hammock moment of inspiration to mentors' future-oriented perspectives, she explores what it means to belong in academia.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should or should not do a PhD - or if you’re simply curious about the behind-the-scenes journey - this episode is for you.

Resources mentioned in episode:

https://campfirekinship.com/learn/courses/kindle-your-spark-career-story-crafting/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-hearth-2-heart/id1579260488?i=1000532740109

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/belonging-at-the-intersections-hidden-struggles-in/id1579260488?i=1000705847058

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embracing-discomfort-my-experience-with-vipassana/id1579260488?i=1000664039413

https://mailchi.mp/66750e6763d8/life-story

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla

https://www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship/

What if the harshest critic you ever faced…was inside your own mind?

In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla is joined by TEDx speaker and award-winning author Kalyani Pardeshi, who shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming burnout and self-bullying. Drawing on her bestselling book Beyond the Inner Critic, Kalyani unpacks the conscious and unconscious voices that shape our motivation, self-worth, and ability to belong.

This conversation is an invitation to gently examine the stories we tell ourselves, and to remember that growth begins not in perfection, but in permission to feel, to pause, and to belong to ourselves.

Resources mentioned in episode:

https://www.kalyanispeaks.com/ and https://instagram.com/kalyanispeaks049/

CampfireKinship.com

What happens when we redefine success by balancing the masculine and feminine energies in our lives? In this episode, Gayathri sits down with Kinia Romanowska, founder of Pros&Babes, to explore how these energies—logic and intuition, structure and creativity—manifest not as gendered traits but as complementary forces that drive personal and professional growth.

Kinia shares insights from her journey as an entrepreneur and working parenthood strategist, offering actionable tips on energetic hygiene, healing, and embracing seasonality. Together, they discuss how women in STEM and other demanding fields can align their ambitions with well-being, rediscover their feminine power, and create spaces for authentic belonging.

Resources:

www.engineerlikeamom.com

CampfireKinship.com

Content Warning: This episode includes mention of domestic and sexual abuse in the context of Sagesse’s work. Please listen with care.

"Belonging is what makes vulnerability survivable."

In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla sits down with Andrea Silverstone and Carrie McManus from Sagesse to explore the deep connection between belonging and innovation, drawing lessons from their latest book, Innovation at the Back of the Bus.

Through personal stories, they reveal how feelings of worthiness—or the lack of it—impact our ability to create, collaborate, and push for systemic change. Drawing from their new book Innovation at the Back of the Bus, they discuss why vulnerability is key to meaningful innovation, how healing attachment wounds supports stronger communities, and why fun and failure must coexist on the path to real social change.

Resources:

Sagesse.org

CampfireKinship.com

What does decolonization have to do with belonging? More than you might think.

In this powerful conversation, Gayathri Shukla sits down with Elaine Alec, author, speaker, and Indigenous leader, to explore her new book, Coming of Age, and lessons such as:

- The real meaning of decolonization—beyond the fear and misconceptions

- How colonial systems were built on control, exclusion, and shame

- Why belonging starts with acknowledging and embracing our humanness

If you’ve ever wondered how to approach the process of decolonization in your work and life, this episode is bound to inspire you!

Resources mentioned:

Elaine's LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/elainealec

Website and New Book, Coming of Age: https://www.elainealec.com/

https://campfirekinship.com/

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:

https://www.lotusstemm.org/

https://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 in This Episode:

Synergy Scientific Coaching and Consulting (Previously known as Diversity Scientific) - https://synergysci.ca/

Dr. Tarah Lynch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarahlynch/?originalSubdomain=ca

Gayathri Shukla LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla/?originalSubdomain=ca

Campfire Kinship - https://campfirekinship.com/

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 This Episode:

www.erindavisco.ca

https://campfirekinship.com/

Erin Davis LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-davis-co/

Gayathri Shukla LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla/?originalSubdomain=ca

Originally recorded in 2021, Gayathri chats with Evelyne Nyairo, founder of Ellie Bianca Beauty, about how authenticity and the power of community can shape your success. Evelyne shares the entrepreneurial story behind her brand, her 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 This Episode:

Original video on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM5luEXAYhH/?igsh=NWxlcTNhcjNmMDd3

https://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 in This Episode:

Calgary Opera Website - https://www.calgaryopera.com/

About the Lionness Project - https://www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship/reel/C6pn7hJrG1u/

Campfire Kinship - https://campfirekinship.com/