Journeys with Krutika

Hi I'm Krutika and todays conversation is with Gaurav.

Losing someone you love is never easy. But when that loss comes suddenly, tragically, and without warning, it can change the course of your life in an instant. The grief can feel overwhelming, and the path forward can seem impossible to find. For Guarav, his father was everything. He was an accomplished doctor, a man of integrity, and the person Guarav admired most. He was a role model, a guide, and a steady presence at the centre of his world. When his father passed away during Covid, that world was turned upside down.

Guarav was only in his early twenties. He was an only child, had recently graduated, and was looking ahead to building a life with his now wife. At a time when most people are looking ahead to the future, he was forced to navigate a deep loss that'd shape him forever. What strikes me most about Guarav is not just his resilience, but his perspective. In the years since, he has moved to the UK with his mum and wife, built a successful career, and found a way to carry his father's memory with him without leaving him bitter.

As someone who has experienced grief myself, I know it never truly leaves us. It comes in waves. What matters is how we learn to ride them. Listening to Guarav, I am struck by the strength, grace, and self awareness he brings to that journey.

Life will always have its highs and lows, its ebbs and flows, but the way we choose to meet those moments often says the most about who we are.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(07:00) Early life in India

(14:29) His father's legacy

(21:52) The Pandemic's impact and his father's passing

(31:53) The decision to move to the UK

(35:48) Challenges and opportunities in a new country

(41:32) Making Friends

(43:57) Future goals and conclusions

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Hi I'm Krutika, and todays conversation is with Sanjana.

For most of us, we'll spend a significant portion of our lives in the corporate grind, working the traditional 9-to-5. It's an accepted way of life, and we often ride it out while navigating the inevitable trials and tribulations that come with it.

Add today's highly competitive landscape into the mix, and many of us feel compelled to stay in jobs that may not be fulfilling or provide the right environment to grow, learn, and feel valued. That's not the case for Sanjana.

As a Gen Z professional, she's recognised early on how to navigate corporate life in a way that works for her, rather than the other way around. After experiencing a toxic work environment in her first job, she launched the Corporate Girl Podcast to fill a gap she herself was searching for: honest, practical, and unfiltered advice on navigating the corporate world.

She's also co-authored a book aptly titled Breathe and Go Again, aimed at young job seekers and graduates taking their first steps into the workplace. Sanjana is wise beyond her years, and what stands out most is the resilience she's demonstrating as she builds a successful path in the corporate world and beyond.

Chapters:

(05:16) Navigating toxic tork environments

(11:06) Launching the Corporate Girl Podcast

(13:53) The journey of writing a book

(23:23) Navigating co-authoring

(30:37) The importance of networking

(35:09) Personal growth

(40:03) Advice for navigating toxic work environments

(41:14) Conclusion

Connect with Sanjana

https://www.instagram.com/corporategirlpodcast/

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

Hi I'm Krutika, and today's conversation is with Leyton.

He's an independent actor, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur - he's chosen to pave his own path in an industry he describes in his own words as fraught with injustice's, manipulative and at times sinister.

Now it's not often that I get to meet someone who has such a clearly defined vision and mission for their purpose in this world.

He speaks with a level of self-awareness and wisdom that is in part a consequence of personal experiences of racism, bullying and heartaches. Instead of choosing to use these encounters as justification for anger and frustration, he's channelled this is positive ways, choosing love and compassion.

In a world where fame and followers are often the metric for success, Leyton is moving against the tide opting for authenticity and sharing messages he's passionate about regardless of popularity.

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(01:56) The journey of an Independent Artist

(04:04) The importance of authenticity

(14:01) Navigating relationships and emotional health

(22:13) Sowing seeds of truth

(24:57) The journey of self-discovery

(29:11) Discussing “Where are the Children”

(37:18) Moving in silence for impact

(40:44) Conclusion

Connect with Leyton

Website: https://www.leytonbenta.com/

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

Hi, I’m Krutika, and today conversation is with Navin.

I’m not particularly religious or spiritual myself, but I’ve always been fascinated by people who feel a deep devotion to something bigger than themselves.

Navin is one of those people. He’s undertaken several pilgrimages, but one in particular, his visit to Mount Kailash in Tibet, is a testament to his physical endurance, mental resilience, and ability to withstand extreme conditions, all in pursuit to a higher connection with God.

And he hasn’t just done it once, he’s done it twice, within the last five to six years.

We all search for peace in different ways. But there’s often a common thread, reconnecting with the basics. It’s rarely materialistic. For Navin, that sense of solace has come through his spiritual adventures, and I’m truly in awe of what he’s been able to accomplish.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(02:31) Spirituality and Religion in Navin's Life

(07:17) Preparing for the Pilgrimage

(10:41) The Journey to Kailash

(23:33) Reaching Kailash

(37:12) Challenges of the Kailash Trek

(42:10) Advice for Future Pilgrims

(47:07) Personal Transformations Through Pilgrimage

(50:16) Lessons Learned and Future Journeys

(53:28) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Hi I'm Krutika and today's conversation is with Preeti.

Preeti and I connected because of our shared love for Podcasting. She's the host of a podcast called It's Preeti Personal, a really clever play on her moniker which is aimed at having open and authentic conversations on topics through the lens of being south Asian. This passion project came about during the pandemic and let's face it, the pandemic was an interesting time for all of us!

Covid and the lockdowns affected everyone in so many different ways, I'm sure the ramifications are going to be felt for decades to come. And whilst each generation faced their own set of silent struggles… this conversation conveys one individuals experience of being a 20 something year old missing out of all the things that we so easily take for granted.

From missed socials, working dynamics, mental health and the impact on relationships. This conversation is open, honest and pretty personal.

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(07:23) Life Before COVID

(14:24) The Impact of COVID

(17:59) Navigating mental health during a Pandemic

(21:57) Navigating career changes during COVID

(28:20) The impact of COVID on relationships

(41:36) Embracing New Beginnings and Opportunities

(45:45) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Hi I'm Krutika and today's conversation is with Alpa.

We discuss a topic that's guaranteed to affect 100% of women at some point in their life. Perimenopause. Referring to the years before a woman stops menstruating, it can be triggered as early as a when a woman is in her 30's.

Despite it being a certainty for every woman, the reality is that the struggles of perimenopause are seldom shared so openly. Whether it's denial, fear, or judgement, women silently suffer…choosing isolation over support, enduring pain over respite and ultimately feeling a loss of identity.

This conversation is not offering medical advice, rather it's one woman's journeys of enduring over 2 decades of perimenopausal symptoms that affected all aspects of her being. Now on the other side of this journey, Alpa spotlights what we don't always hear. We discuss how trauma internalised will eventually find its release and how holistic methods of self-care helped her see through the worst of her symptoms.

Alpa's journey conveys bravery, courage and a level of resilience that is hugely inspiration. Perimenopause is inevitable for women but understanding it shouldn’t be optional for anyone! If this episode resonates, I'd strongly encourage you to share it because I think wider awareness will create empathy, and empathy has the power to create change and hold space for understanding.

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(03:52) Understanding perimenopause

(08:58) Personal experiences of perimenopause

(13:55) The impact of trauma

(19:04) Self-care

(28:23) Therapy and coping mechanisms

(47:56) Advice for women

(50:40) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Hi I’m Krutika and today’s conversation is with James.

When we talk about the parent-child dynamic, we usually imagine the parent as the primary caregiver. That wasn’t the case for James.

From the age of just four, he found himself taking on caring responsibilities after his mum was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis - an autoimmune disease that eventually left her in a coma state when James was still a teenager.

James’s journey is truly remarkable, not just because of what he’s been through, but because of how he reflects on it. He shares his experiences with a quiet stoicism and without complaint, showing a level of resilience that’s genuinely admirable.

In this conversation, we explore what being a carer meant for him, how a breakthrough led to James unpacking those experiences, and how life came full circle when he later found himself caring for his dad after a stage four cancer diagnosis during Covid. Experiences like these could understandably leave someone feeling bitter, but that’s not James. He speaks with a deep sense of gratitude and a perspective on life that I found truly enlightening.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:10) James's childhood

(07:34) Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

(14:23) The impact of caregiving

(17:58) Navigating teenage years

(27:30) Navigating caregiving

(30:19) The dark night of the soul

(34:39) Caring for my father

(49:32) Looking Ahead

(51:31) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesperryconsulting?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Hi I’m Krutika and today conversation is with Sandhya.

Sandhya has devoted a large proportion of her life to service, the service of others and specifically empowering women of Indian descent.

Sandhya’s journey was inspired from her early childhood in Kenya where she witnessed her siblings selflessly devote time and energy to the those in need, watching and learning the importance of giving back, Sandhya relentlessly pursued this passion after moving to the UK post marriage.

Her drive to uplift, support and empower women from disadvantaged backgrounds is palpable from her past endeavours, her awards and her continued actions towards shifting the needle.

This journey reminded me of the gratitude I could be showing to the things I so easily take for granted - from my ability to speak a universal language like English, right through to respect and dignity.

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(04:50) Personal experiences and empowerment Initiatives

(13:05) Challenges faced by Indian women

(16:25) Impactful stories

(19:18) Lessons Learned

(20:21) Empowering the next generation

(21:41) Vision for women’s empowerment

(27:45) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Hi I'm Krutika and today's conversation is with Raj and Mick. They are the co-hosts of an incredible podcast called Bruv Cast.

As a fellow Gujarati of a certain generation, all the topics they discuss, albeit from a male perspective are really resonate and conveyed with a sense of light-heartedness that make it an easy, yet impactful listen.

I was absolutely thrilled that they agreed to join me for a conversation, and I'll admit I may also have been fan-girling a bit because they've been in my ear for the last year!

Honestly, they're just the nicest guys and even though we were connecting for the first time online, I felt like I'd known them for so much longer. Their chemistry, warmth, banter and playful humour made this conversation so easy and effortless, and I can't wait for you to hear more about their journey. We deep dive into how they met, why they set up their podcast and what they've learnt along the way.

Let's face it, we all go through challenges in life, but your perspective can make all the difference, and true to their tagline, Raj and Mick have a way of finding the funny no matter the struggle, and it's a motto I'm certainly trying adopt in my own life!

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(09:28) Cultural identity in Bruvcast

(14:06) The role of comedy

(23:38) Listener feedback

(36:54) Authenticity in conversations

(39:57) Mental health matters: Breaking stigmas in the Indian community

(48:49) Lessons Learned

(52:24) Conclusions

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]

Connect with Bruvcast: https://linktr.ee/bruvcast

Hi I’m Krutika, and todays conversation is with Bhavin.

At 50 years young Bhavin has a level of strength and fitness that many would be envious of, however his journey to being in the best shape of his life wasn’t an immediate transformation. Like most things, it was a labour of good habits repeated regularly, from changing his nutrition and daily activities, Bhavin now embodies a level of discipline that I have great admiration for.

His fitness journey has enabled him to achieve incredible feats including the Annapurna trek (in Nepal’s Annapurna mountain range) and earlier this year climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak), talk about adrenaline and adventure!

Now we’ve all heard the saying your body is a temple…but devoting a consistent level of respect, care and nurture for the thing that journeys throughout life with you is a task that not everyone commits to, how do you view your body and what are you doing to take of it?

Bhavin’s journey has inspired me to want to push harder with my own health and fitness journey and it may just do the same for you.

Chapters

(00:00) Introductions

(02:33) Early fitness journey

(07:40) Health challenges and turning points

(12:38) Dietary changes

(26:43) Adventures in hiking and Mount Kilimanjaro

(44:45) Summit day experience

(55:54) Conclusion

Connect with me:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/journeyswithkrutika

If you have a journey you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you, email me at [email protected]