What do we do when we find ourselves caught between the demands of making a living and the quiet yearning to pursue our passion? How can we listen more deeply to the subtle stirrings of our soul while honoring the responsibilities and realities of the world we live in? How can we create harmony between our inner and outer worlds so each of these two worlds energizes and uplifts the other?

Find out from Gurcharan Das, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Gurcharan Das is a celebrated author, thinker and former CEO of Procter & Gamble India and Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Worldwide (Strategic Planning). After four decades of working at the helm of the business world, he retired early to become a full-time writer. Some of his bestselling books include India Unbound, The Difficulty of Being Good, and Another Sort of Freedom. His writings have been featured in leading media including The Economist, Financial Times, WSJ and The Guardian. Gurcharan graduated in philosophy with honors from Harvard University, where he was inducted in 2013 into Phi Beta Kappa for ‘high attainments in liberal scholarship.’ He also attended Harvard Business School where he is featured in four case studies.

In this episode, Gurcharan reveals:

- How to honor and pursue your soul’s true calling in the messy milieu of life

- A practical approach to harmonize your inner aspirations with your outer ambitions

Does high-performance require us to sacrifice our well-being? How can we make our first principles tangible and express them effortlessly in everything we do? Is there an integrative method to truth-seeking that’s applicable to all pursuits, and is there a place where truth resides and reveals itself on its own? And what steps can leaders, managers and coaches take to lead their people toward transformation?

Find out from Michael Gervais, a leading expert on the relationship between the mind and human performance, as he busts many 20th century myths about self-mastery through the art of craft-mastery, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Michael Gervais is one of the world’s top high performance psychologists and leading experts on the relationship between the mind and human performance. He is the founder of Finding Mastery, a high performance psychology consulting agency that works with leaders, teams, and organizations so they can thrive at the intersection of high performance and wellbeing, including Fortune 100 CEOs, Olympic athletes and gold medalists, Super Bowl winning NFL franchises and the best in the world of business, sport, arts and science. Michael's work has been featured in leading media including HBR, FOX, CNN, ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Outside Magazine. He's also an acclaimed keynote speaker, co-creator of the Performance Science Institute at USC Marshall School of Business, author of the national bestselling book, The First Rule of Mastery, and host of the Finding Mastery podcast.

In this episode, Michael reveals:

- The invisible world of our minds, thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and how they all can be attuned and pointed towards our chosen path of excellence

- How leaders, managers and coaches can learn to tap into collective wisdom and lead their people toward transformation

- The greatest constrictor of human potential and why high-performance doesn’t demand the sacrifice of our well-being

- An integrative approach to truth-seeking and where truth resides and reveals itself on its own

Can entrepreneurship lead to world peace? What possibilities for growth are hidden in our difficult moments, and how can we leverage them to advance our impact in the world? How can you cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and build something of value for others? And what new leadership framework can we adopt to successfully implement and scale complex social change programs across the world?

Find out from Asheesh Advani, as he shares a new approach to timeless lessons for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Asheesh Advani is the CEO of JA Worldwide, one of the largest social impact networks in the world, serving over 12 million young people in 100+ countries, delivering hands-on experiential learning programs in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. During his leadership tenure, JA has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for three consecutive years. Asheesh is also an accomplished entrepreneur, having led two venture-backed businesses from start-up to acquisition, which have been chronicled in case studies at Harvard Business School. He is an in-demand speaker and regular contributor at major conferences, having served as a panelist or moderator at the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, the Young Presidents Organization, and Fortune 500 corporate gatherings. Asheesh has previously served as a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine, has written two books about business finance, and his latest book is Modern Achievement, was published in August 2024.

In this episode, Asheesh reveals:

- The invisible connection between entrepreneurship and world peace

- How to build an entrepreneurial mindset and build something of value for others

- A new leadership framework to successfully implement and scale complex social change programs across the world

Why is inner work fundamental to racial justice and changemaking? What role do our thoughts, feelings and intentions play in shaping the way we live and lead change? How can we learn to embody mindfulness and exercise compassion, from the very core of our being, in our everyday words and actions? And how can we inspire and reorganize our communities that allow unity and harmony to bloom?

Find out from Rhonda Magee, as she illuminates the very heart of social justice work through the lens of mindfulness, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Rhonda Magee is a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, an internationally-recognized mindfulness teacher, an acclaimed author and keynote speaker. Having studied mindfulness, its underlying origins in Buddhism, and its potential benefits and applications for over 20 years, Rhonda's work has been focused on integrating mindfulness into higher education, law, activism and social change work, personal and collective healing, and leadership. She is the author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice, and has written extensively on how mindfulness supports engagement in the world in the face of multiple interlocking challenges, including climate distress, migration, war and political polarization. Along the way, she’s become a sought-after keynote speaker, inspiring others to explore the integration of socially-engaged mindfulness in research and its applications inside schools, workplaces, communities and beyond.

In this episode, Rhonda reveals:

- Why inner work is fundamental to racial justice and changemaking

- The role our thoughts, feelings and intentions play in shaping the way we live and lead change

- Six ways to embody and express mindfulness in our everyday words and actions

What is the true purpose of religion? How can we find peace within our own faith when some of what has been institutionalized appears to be incongruent with 21st century values? How do we engage with and reform rigid cultural boundaries that prevent us from living a life of our choosing? And what habits can we cultivate that help bring congruence to our own beliefs, emotions, intellect, and faith?

Find out from former Wall Street Journal reporter, Asra Nomani, as she recounts her struggle-filled yet inspiring journey of finding hope in the midst of tragedy, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Asra Nomani is an acclaimed journalist, researcher, author, speaker, civil rights leader and an award-winning educator in journalism. She has taught journalism at Georgetown University, reported for the Wall Street Journal, and currently serves as Senior Contributor for The Federalist, and as Senior Fellow in the Practice of Journalism for the Independent Women's Network. An expert in investigative reporting, writing, editing and storytelling, Asra has written several books including Standing Alone: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam, Tantrika: Traveling the Road of Divine Love, and Woke Army, the Red-Green Alliance that is Destroying America's Freedom. She is the co-founder of the Muslim Reform Movement, a global coalition of Muslim reformers, dedicated to peace, human rights and secular governance. Her work has been featured on both national and international media outlets including The Washington Post, New York Times, TIME, PBS, CNN, BBC and Fox.

In this episode, Asra reveals:

1. The true purpose of religion
2. A habit that can help bring congruence in our own beliefs, emotions, intellect, and faith
3. How to address and reform rigid cultural boundaries that prevent us from living a life of our own choosing

How can we nurture hope in the face of deep loss and convert our pain into meaningful purpose? What wisdom can we gain about our own lives, purpose and happiness when we perform an audit of our own values? How can leaders light a fire in the hearts of people across the enterprise, and create a virtuous cycle of excellence, both at the individual and collective level?

Find out from Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Niren Chaudhary is the Chairman of the Board of Panera Brands, one of the world’s largest fast casual restaurant companies with nearly 4,000 locations in 10 countries. In his previous roles, Niren has served as CEO of Panera Brands and Panera Bread, COO and President of Krispy Kreme, and spent 23 years at Yum! Brands serving in global leadership positions including Global President of KFC and President of Yum! India. Niren is guided by his deep passion for serving others and building future leaders. He spends his personal time sharing his personal and professional journey with students and professionals, often wielding a guitar to sing about his life or even a new Panera menu item; serves on the Tufts Medical Centre Board and as an advocate for DKMS, a leading non-profit with the world’s largest stem cell donor registry. Niren also holds a black belt in Shotokan karate and is an avid golfer, tennis player and musician with his own rock band.

In this episode, Niren reveals:

- The wisdom we can gain about our own lives, purpose and happiness when we perform an audit of our own values

- How to create a virtuous cycle of excellence at the individual and collective level

- Three values that can inspire us to live fully and meaningfully, even through our most difficult times

How can leaders better track their people's well-being, and foster a culture that supports open discussions about mental health? As the cultivation of their people’s well-being emerges as a crucial requirement for organizations, how can we equip managers to support their teams’ well-being? What scientific methods can we adopt to transcend our personal circumstances and become stewards of our own well-being? And how can we become agents of inspiration and support those around us on their well-being journey?

Find out from Jen Fisher, a leading voice on the intersection of work, well-being, and purpose, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Jen Fisher is a sought-after speaker, bestselling author, podcast host, and serves as Human Sustainability Leader for Deloitte US. She has previously served as the first-ever Chief Well-being Officer for Deloitte, and has built and led the creation and execution of a pioneering holistic and inclusive well-being strategy that has received wide acclaim. Jen frequently writes on issues impacting the workplace today, including mental health, social connection, resilience, happiness and productivity, and has been featured in leading media including CNN, CNBC, Fast Company, Fortune and HBR. She’s the co-author of the bestselling book, Work Better Together: How to Cultivate Strong Relationships to Maximize Well-Being and Boost Bottom Lines, a TEDx speaker, Editor-at-large for Thrive Global, Host of the “WorkWell” podcast series, and has just started a brand new Substack Newsletter called Thoughts on Being Well.

In this episode, Jen reveals:

- Three tangible ways to scale well-being in the workplace

- Science-proven methods we can adopt to become stewards of our own well-being

- How leaders can learn to better evaluate their people's well-being, and foster a culture that supports open discussions about mental health

How can we turn polarizing conversations into beautiful moments of self-discovery, mutual kinship and deep connection? What changes in us and in our relationships when we stop labeling others? Can our ego manipulate and stop us from being open to new perspectives, and how do we overcome it? What are the five skills of moral courage, and how can we use them to win hearts and minds?

Find out from the recipient of Oprah’s “Chutzpah Award” for boldness, Irshad Manji, in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College, which equips people to turn polarizing issues into productive conversations and solutions-driven teamwork. The recipient of Oprah’s "Chutzpah Award" for boldness, Irshad is also a New York Times bestselling author. Her first book, an international blockbuster, is The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith. Irshad’s latest is Don't Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars. (Fun fact: the entertainer Chris Rock calls this book “genius.”) A professor of leadership at New York University for many years, Irshad now teaches with the Oxford Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights.

In this episode, Irshad reveals:

- The five skills of moral courage, and how we can use them to win hearts and minds

- The opportunities we miss when we label others and put them into buckets

- The truth about human nature, how our ego can stop us from gaining new perspectives and how to overcome it

Is it possible to reform those that fell wayward? Can gang members, if treated with dignity and tenderness over punishment and incarceration, be transformed into loving human beings? And what fundamental principles can we adopt to move society, from a culture of judgment and denunciation, to mutual kinship and appreciation?

Find out from Father Gregory Boyle SJ, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, as he reveals his extraordinary journey of mass human transformation and why serving at the margins is powerful and replenishing, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.

Father Gregory Boyle SJ is a Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, offering an “exit ramp” for those stuck in a cycle of violence and incarceration. In the early 1990s, Father Boyle served as the pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, then the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles that also had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city. Having witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his community, Father Boyle and parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treat gang members as human beings. For his service to humanity, Father Boyle has received the California Peace Prize and has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama named Father Boyle a Champion of Change. Father Boyle is also the author of several books including Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, and the New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.

In this episode, Father Boyle reveals:

- Why our quest for morality only fuels division and polarization

- A radical approach to transforming anyone, even gang members, into loving human beings

- Two fundamental principles for moving society from a culture of judgment and denunciation to mutual kinship and appreciation

In a world teeming with division and discord, can emotional and social intelligence, sown early in the fertile minds of children, grow into a force strong enough to unite the world while dismantling past prejudices? Is it possible that our greatest teachers could be the youngest among us, those whose innocence and capacity for love remain pure? What drove a celebrated filmmaker to abandon a successful career, take on a fresh new challenge of pioneering reform in global education, and seek to create positive life outcomes for all future generations?

This episode of Intersections Podcast invites you on a journey with Leslee Udwin, from the depths of suffering and personal adversity, sparking global movements through powerful, cinematic storytelling, to the forefront of a movement aimed at transforming early childhood education on a global scale, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa.

Leslee Udwin is a BAFTA and multi-award winning filmmaker, actress, director, producer and a human rights activist. Her documentary India’s Daughter has been critically acclaimed around the globe, winning 32 awards (including the Peabody Award and the Amnesty International Media Award) and sparked a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The searing insights yielded by the two and a half year journey of making this film led Leslee to shift her focus from filmmaking and devote herself to Think Equal, a non-profit organization she has founded to introduce social and emotional intelligence learning to children between the ages of 3–6 years. For her humanitarian work, Leslee has received many prestigious awards including Activism in Arts and Education award from the UN Women for Peace Association, The Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award, and was voted by the New York Times the. No 2 Most Impactful Woman of 2015, second to Hillary Clinton.

In this episode, Leslee reveals:

- One fundamental competency that sticks like glue with all others to co-create a more unified and compassionate world

- Stories that illuminate how the youngest among us can become agents of positive change and transform outcomes for adults

- Pivotal experiences that compelled her to abandon a successful career in filmmaking and take on the challenge of pioneering reform in global education