Mind. The final frontier. Most stoics and thinkers are aware of its deep influence on our behaviour. For instance, Marcus Aurelius says: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore... take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.” More succinctly, Lord Buddha says: “Our life is shaped by our mind. We become what we think.”

But in today’s day and age we are always so busy in our minds; could be a worry, a doubt, a desire. These set the tone of all our interactions. If I take my own example, as I rush through life, my thoughts sometimes leave me exhausted, with little time to savor the moment or live fully in the 'now'.

Thankfully, help is at hand. The world is waking up to the benefits of Mindfulness. It is being recognized as a tool that helps one learn to seize the day, the hour, the moment.

Today’s episode has Preethi Balan, a mindfulness coach, help demystify mindfulness. She talks to me about how we all can learn to embrace a mindful path to live a more connected, meaningful life and to be more present each day.

Preethi Balan conducts regular sessions via her Mindfulness Program - Here & Now. If you would like to reach out to her, her email id is: [email protected].

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

Many of us grew up hearing about the glass ceiling...it being a man’s world etc. In today’s world while one hears of women blazing successful careers in different sectors, numbers speak otherwise. As per a study done [Let’s get real about equality: When Women Thrive 2020 global report. (2020). Mercer]

• Despite progress, the Gender Gap is still wide at senior levels.
• An analysis of over 1,100 organizations across the world found a leaky pipeline for women in leadership, with the representation of women decreasing as the levels progress. 

Most research points toward how women off-ramp from their career paths once they become mothers and are expected to do “double duty”.

So given this background, how does one succeed as a woman (with a family) within a corporate? Is it possible to balance career goals with motherhood? Plus, how does one create an environment that is friendly to help women continue on with their career goals? 

This is what I ask Smriti Krishna Singh, who handled leadership roles and career growth whilst successfully managing home and raising a child.  She takes me through what helped her, what her philosophy has been and more importantly, how women leaders can make positive changes for other women in their organization. 

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

One of the biggest fall outs of the pandemic - COVID 19 - has been on students. Not just schools but higher education institutes continue to remain shut, here in India. Not surprisingly, college students are unable to fully reap the benefits of the institute they worked hard to get into. 

My guests today are two young girls - Kaumudi Singh and Vishnupriya - both joined the college of their dreams and were expectedly looking forward to experiences and connections that only college provides. They share how 2020-21 has been for them so far in this episode. 

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

The sudden passing of a partner is a loss from which to recover takes real strength and resilience, no matter the circumstance. But it's more challenging  for an Indian woman. The personal loss is at many levels - from losing a partner to a changed societal perception and even a changed financial status.

This episode has me talking to Neetu, who lost her husband to a sudden and cruel act of fate in the seventh year of her marriage.  She shares her story of love, loss, and hope, in a no-holds barred conversation; one that we never usually engage in, out of respect or maybe even fear.
What shines through in our chat is how Neetu's  strength, determination, and effervescent spirit have helped her navigate  the curve balls hurled her way. 

Opinions expressed here are entirely our own and not meant to offend anyone's sense and sensibilities.

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

To go against any norm, especially societal or cultural, takes courage, conviction and a 'can-do' spirit - qualities that are as admirable as they are inspirational.

Anindita Sarbadhicari, my guest today, typifies this. Rather than wait for the proverbial Mr. Right with whom to experience motherhood with, she chose to become a single mom on her own much against what the common social norms suggest.

In this episode, Anindita speaks of her choice to become a single mother by choice (with a big shout out to medical advancements and that sperm donor) and makes me understand how society is ever evolving and accepting of change. In the choices made and fortitude shown, she stands for the woman I hope all of us can be -  one who makes things happen rather than wait for them to happen.

For any of you looking for more India-specific information or answers on becoming a single mom by choice, you can connect with Anindita Sarbadhicari at [email protected].

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

Pack. Unpack. Repeat! This "moving" story plays itself out every couple of years (if you are lucky) or every year (if you are less lucky) in the life of a military wife. The pattern is the same… across countries; creating an experience that - in a bizarre way - is uniting.

Episode 9 has me chatting with my friend, Candice Mrazik, a US military spouse. We discuss the ups and the downs of these frequent changes. Is it an adventure? Is it a pain? What toll does it take? All this and more in this episode.

Slight tech glitches in this interview thanks to a faulty connection at my end. So my apologies for that.

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

The Good Indian Daughter - A myth? A reality? I seriously don’t know. But as labels go, this is one that is tough to embrace…. with the possibility of being burdensome. That’s probably why a lot of young people are calling it out as limiting and unfair. 

In this episode, I talk to Ruhi Lee, an Australian writer of Indian origin, who recently released her memoir - Good Indian Daughter - in which she describes her struggle in trying to be one. She mixes humour with sensitivity to drive home some familiar truths. 

 In a review of her book, Tasneem Chopra OAM, author, broadcaster and director wrote - “It was impossible to put this book down, and not declare ‘I KNOW, RIGHT!’ numerous times while reading it. To every desi girl who has felt the struggle of being a good daughter, combating the weight of expectations, self doubt and familial angst, this book will hit home.” 

I could not agree more.

Connect with Not Just Gupshup:
https://www.instagram.com/notjustgupshup
[email protected]

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

Popular media and social norms set so many standards about how a person should dress, look, and feel.  It definitely feels like an uphill task when you do not fit the norm. While I am a fan of the phrase "inner beauty", there are times when I too fall prey to the definition of outer beauty and the need to fit in.

In this episode, I talk to Anita Krishnan, who has thumbed her nose to stereotypes on body size. She talks to me about her journey in owning her space and learning to love and accept herself.  Essentially, we look on the plus side of things :)

Connect with Not Just Gupshup:
https://www.instagram.com/notjustgupshup
[email protected]

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

To switch from being a career woman to a stay-at-home mom can be a change that is drastic and unsettling; and not just because of the loss of financial independence.

This episode talks about the move from "Moolah" (money) to "Chulha" (hearth in Hindi, traditionally depicting the home front). I speak to Shilpa, who has taken this break, and we talk about the highs and lows of making this change, how it feels to be a stay-at-home mum, and what, if anything, is missed most.

Drop in feedback or send in comments at:
https://www.instagram.com/notjustgupshup
or e-mail: [email protected]

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

2020-21 has seen us grappling with the Pandemic and related woes. Toward the end of 2020, many of us, in India, mistakenly felt that we had seen the last of it and it was evident in the increased socializing. Now we are back to square one, and Covid-19 is as close as close can get. But hearteningly, so are vaccines.

In this episode, Preeti speaks to her long-time friend, Sonali, on getting the vaccine, social distancing, and some Indian traits that at times we all resort to better understand and handle situations.

 This episode is largely in English with just a bit of Hindi thrown in. Also, thoughts and perspectives shared are our own and not intended to offend anyone.

Connect at:
https://www.instagram.com/notjustgupshup
or e-mail: [email protected]

Credits:

Sound Engineering - Aman Dembla (www.amandembla.com)
Artwork - Prateek Gurbani (www.prateekgurbani.com)

Track: 24 Happy Hours a Day — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/mLyP3rqZe3U
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/24-happy-hours-day

Track: Dark Sky by JayJen & Enine
Watch: youtu.be/jxVyWtPQ8sQ
Free Download / Stream: fanlink.to/JayJenEnineDarkSky