This is more than a milestone—it’s a conversation that marks a turning point.

In our 185th episode of My First Step Ever, I speak with Brilliant Liu, founder of House of Leaders, whose content has reached millions—but whose personal journey is even more impactful.

Brilliant speaks openly about growing up under immense pressure, navigating painful family dynamics, and nearly losing his life twice. But it was one mentor, one decision, and one mindset shift that changed everything.

💡 What we explore:

• The invisible scars of childhood trauma and pressure

• Learning to break free from unrealistic expectations

• The role of near-death experiences in shaping gratitude and drive

• Why real success starts with healing and self-leadership

• How House of Leaders became a global movement

• Decision-making lessons that go beyond business

🎧 Listen in for one of the most honest and impactful episodes yet.

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode includes lived experiences involving trauma and suicidal thoughts. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact a mental health helpline near you.

This week, I’m joined by Nicole Zink, a multi-dimensional creative, wellness mentor, and founder of With Zinky—a startup helping wellness practitioners build their digital presence with clarity and confidence.

Nicole shares her incredible journey of reinvention—from a turbulent upbringing to healing through travel, confronting profound personal loss, and ultimately launching a business aligned with her truth. She’s also entering the world of commercial modelling, aligning with brands that value authenticity and purpose.

💬 In this episode, we talk about:

• The emotional weight of growing up in an unstable environment

• Leaving behind what no longer aligns

• Healing through travel, self-work, and meaningful relationships

• Losing someone dear—and finding purpose on the other side

• Building with Zinky and backing herself in business

• Finding new creative expression through modelling

🎧 This is a story of strength, softness, and stepping fully into your power

Tune in if you’re ready to step off autopilot and into bold, values-driven action.

Learn more here - www.withzinky.com

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

What if the career you’re meant for hasn’t been invented yet?

This week on My First Step Ever, I chat with Seshnie Taylor, a multi-lingual changemaker, mother, and founder of Vocare — an incredible business helping skilled migrants communicate confidently and succeed at work using AI and cultural fluency.

Her journey is anything but linear — from apartheid-era South Africa to the UK and now Australia — and it’s filled with powerful lessons on grit, gratitude, and creating your own lane when none exists.

🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:

• Life lessons from growing up in an affluent family during apartheid

• Embracing change after moving to the UK and discovering holistic education

• Her bold move to UNICEF and the pivotal advice that changed everything

• Launching her first venture in Shanghai and founding Vocare in Australia

• Why helping others communicate is her true calling

✨ This is an episode for the doers, the dreamers, and the ones still figuring it out.

🎧 Tune in and let Seshnie’s story give you the courage to start.

Learn more here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocare-speech/🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to step off autopilot and into bold, values-driven action.About Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

Sharon Connolly didn’t grow up with much—but she grew up determined.

In this episode, we talk to the powerhouse behind Change Superhero, who now works as a leading Change Consultant in financial services, speaks globally, and has given away over 500,000+ templates to help Change Managers around the world.

But behind the awards and accolades is a powerful story of setbacks, rebuilding, and dreaming bigger than your circumstances.

🎙 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Sharon's modest childhood gave her a lasting mindset advantage

• Her journey from IT trainer to global speaker & Microsoft MVP

• How to rebuild your confidence after you fall

• The power of sharing generously in your field

• Why decision-making and networking fuel long-term growth

• How to spot possibilities even in your lowest moments

✨ This episode is for the dreamers, the rebuilders, and the quiet fighters.
You’re going to love this one.

🎧 Listen now — and get ready to start your next chapter.

Learn here: https://www.changesuperhero.com.au/****Press the bell icon for weekly episodes are up every Wednesday and Saturday!****About the host:Hi, I am Ishani Nigam, a podcaster and content creator. I aim to create content that EDUTAINS [educates and entertains] my audiences. I am a curious and enthusiastic soul who loves to question the norm and probably found this podcast as a way to let my energy flow in the right direction. I am a creative, warm and fun-loving soul and become all of these when surrounded with like-minded people :)If you are curious to know the Bollywood dancer, dramatic and friendly side of me, follow me on my Instagram account, where you get to me my true colours and learn about podcasting :) For behind-the-scenes fun and to peek into my world, follow me on: https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6***Subscribe and follow the podcast on :Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJEApple: https://apple.co/39kVVjWGoogle: https://bit.ly/3hHPSKP***Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

How far can one's belief in oneself take one?

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jane Carey, who grew up in the Australian countryside as one of six siblings on a family farm. Her dream? To one day work in an office. But what followed was far beyond even her wildest hopes.

🎙 We discuss:

• Leaving the family farm and facing cultural shock in the city

• Dealing with homesickness and self-doubt

• Earning respect and success in a professional world she once feared

• Leaving a successful career to pursue her Master’s degree

• Becoming a Telstra Business Woman of the Year Finalist

• The mindset that helped her evolve, rise, and thrive

✨ This episode is about taking risks, honouring your roots, and boldly becoming who you’re meant to be.

🎧 Listen now and let Jane’s story inspire your next big step.

Learn more about Jane Carey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janecarey/🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to step off autopilot and into bold, values-driven action.About Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

What does it take to design a life that truly feels like yours?

In this joy-filled episode, I chat with Giles Roberts—coach, linguist, creator, and all-around creative from Perth, Australia—on building a life around freedom, values, and creativity.

💬 We cover:

• Growing up in a curious, academic household

• Becoming financially independent early (and why that matters)

• Monetising creativity while staying true to your purpose

• Building a life around energy, joy, and alignment

• Rethinking success and what “rich” really means

If you’re tired of chasing someone else’s version of success and ready to build a lifestyle that suits you, this episode is your fresh dose of inspiration.

🎧 Hit play and let the good vibes flow.

Learn more about Giles Roberts here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-roberts/🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to step off autopilot and into bold, values-driven action.About Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

Ever feel like you're chasing goals without really knowing why?

In this episode, I speak with Paul Hawkins, innovation expert, speaker, educator, and the Chief Combobulator at Crazy Might Work, whose work spans NASA, the UAE Government, the Australian Federal Police, and beyond.

But before the accolades, Paul had to make his leap into the unknown—and it all started by reconnecting with his why.

💡 What we explore:

• Why your why matters more than your job title

• What does it mean to think long-term when today feels uncertain

• How to stay laser-focused while navigating doubt

• The power of not taking criticism from people you wouldn’t seek advice from

• Skills vs. status: what drives growth

• Paul’s take on writer’s block, innovation, and showing up boldly

  
  

  ✨ This is your sign to stop chasing outcomes—and start anchoring yourself in purpose.

🎧 Tune in now and let Paul’s story guide you back to your first step.

Let me know if you'd like a short Instagram caption or a quote graphic line to promote this one!

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃

Hit FOLLOW on Spotify so you never miss an episode! 🚀✨

Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

Success on the outside doesn’t always mean peace on the inside.

In this deep and moving conversation, I speak with Dave Chauhan — leadership coach, organisational strategist, and author of Captain, Set Sail — about what it truly means to lead with purpose, especially when the world outside and inside feels uncertain.

💭 We explore:

• How to accept your past and rebuild your emotional foundation

• Why learning to detach from achievements is key to peace

• The real story behind writer’s block and creative resistance

• How leaders (and all of us) can navigate uncertainty with grace

• The importance of slowing down to rediscover meaning

This episode isn’t just about leading others — it’s about leading yourself through the chaos with clarity, courage, and compassion.

🎧 Tune in now and rediscover your inner compass.

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃

Hit FOLLOW on Spotify so you never miss an episode! 🚀✨

Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

What does it take to rise beyond fear and transform into a leader who empowers thousands?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Raina Khatri Tandon — Founder & CEO of Right2Rise®, global human rights advocate, and multi-award-winning changemaker — to explore her powerful journey from a quiet, uncertain girl in India to one of the country’s strongest voices for women, children, and human rights.

🎙 What we talk about:

• Choosing learning as a pathway to freedom

• From IT researcher to internationally recognised human rights expert

• Advocating for POSH, POCSO, cyber safety, and DE&I

• The turning points, mindset shifts, and deep purpose that guided her

• What does it mean to take your first step ever

With over 23 years of experience, two PhDs, and accolades like the UN REX Karmveer and Nari Shakti Awards, Dr. Raina proves that real power lies in showing up, speaking out, and leading with purpose.

✨ If you’ve ever felt stuck, small, or unsure—this story is your sign to rise.

🎧 Tune in now and start your own transformation.

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃

Hit FOLLOW on Spotify so you never miss an episode! 🚀✨

Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

What if the path you didn't plan turned out to be the one that changed your life?

In this inspiring episode, I talk with Inderpal Singh, a certified life, career, and leadership coach whose unconventional path took him from India to Australia, with stops in the Middle East, Turkey, and South Africa along the way.

Inderpal shares how a shy IT graduate, pushed by economic uncertainty, said yes to customer service—and ended up finding his voice, purpose, and profession as a global coach.

🎙 Highlights from this episode:

• Taking your first job for survival—and finding growth in it

• Why trusting the journey (even through detours) is powerful

• Holding on during a 7-year migration process

• Learning to take calculated risks for a better life

• Transitioning from doing work to becoming someone with purpose

• Empowering others to grow, lead, and live with authenticity

Whether you're at a crossroads or waiting for permission to take your first step, this episode is your reminder that your story is enough.

🎧 Hit play and take that one step closer to who you’re meant to be

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃

Hit FOLLOW on Spotify so you never miss an episode! 🚀✨

Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com