Parenthoot with Neha

In Episode 42, award-winning author Dharini Bhaskar takes us on an intimate, witty, and heartwarming journey into the realities of parenting. From the emotional mirror that motherhood holds up to us, to the power of presence over perfection, Dharini shares unfiltered reflections drawn from her own experiences as a mother and storyteller.

We talk about the pressures of curated “perfect parenting,” decoding children’s needs behind tantrums, building a reading culture at home, and learning from your child as much as you teach them.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance work, creativity, and parenting without losing your sense of self — or how to simply be present in the whirlwind — this episode is for you.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• To hear authentic, relatable parenting stories from a celebrated author who isn’t afraid to admit her vulnerabilities.
• To explore practical shifts that can make parenting less exhausting and more joyful.
• To understand why children can be our greatest teachers, and how to learn from them in daily life.
• To discover how books and storytelling can shape a child’s emotional world.
• To be reminded that you’re not alone in the mess, the guilt, or the magic of parenthood.

💬 Notable Quotes from Dharini

• "Motherhood is like being handed a mirror you didn’t ask for – and suddenly it reflects every joy, every insecurity, every hidden corner of yourself."
• "Sometimes the best parenting strategy is to take a deep breath, count to ten, and remember that you’re raising a child, not curating an Instagram feed."
• "Children have this incredible ability to forgive you before you’ve even forgiven yourself."
• "The day I stopped chasing balance and started chasing presence, parenting became a lot less exhausting."
• "Parenthood isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about showing your child how to live with the questions."

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Chase presence, not perfection — Your child values your attention more than your ability to “do it all.”
• Decode tantrums with empathy — Most meltdowns hide basic needs: rest, food, or emotional reassurance.
• Lead by example — Children remember how you live, not what you lecture.
• Make reading a family ritual — Books can act as companions, mentors, and emotional anchors.
• Accept imperfection — Mess and mistakes are part of the learning journey for both parent and child.

Resources and References

Dharini Bhaskar’s Books:

• These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light: These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light : Bhaskar, Dharini: Amazon.in: Books
• Like Being Alive Twice: Like Being Alive Twice : Bhaskar, Dharini: Amazon.in: Books

Connect with Dharini:

• Instagram: @dharinibhaskar
• Author Page: Penguin India Profile

Listen to More Episodes of Parenthoot with Neha:

• Spotify: Parenthoot with Neha
• Apple Podcasts: Parenthoot with Neha

👩🏽‍🎨 About the Guest

Dharini Bhaskar is an acclaimed Indian author whose debut novel, These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light, was shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature. Known for her lyrical prose and deep emotional insight, Dharini’s writing explores identity, relationships, and the intricacies of human connection. Beyond her literary work, she is a mother navigating the joys and challenges of raising a young child, and she brings this lived experience into her reflections on parenting. Dharini is a passionate advocate for the role of stories — both told and lived — in shaping who we are.

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this episode, we sit down with Shravya Kaparthi, a parent whose creativity and resilience have not only shaped her own parenting journey, but also hold the promise to touch countless others through her upcoming children’s book series, The Girl with the Red Hearing Aids. Inspired by her daughters, Divi and Urvi—both of whom have hearing loss—Shravya shares how stories became her family’s bridge between worlds of sound, silence, and imagination.

In this conversation, she opens up about raising two daughters with hearing differences, the emotional and practical challenges, and the everyday rituals that bring comfort and connection. More than just bedtime tales, stories emerge as anchors of safety, mirrors of identity, and sparks of resilience. Shravya reminds us that the narratives we tell our children—and ourselves—can transform parenting into a journey of growth, empathy, and joy.

Why You Should Listen

• To discover how storytelling can become a tool for healing, belonging, and resilience in families.
• To learn from the lived experiences of a parent navigating hearing differences with grace and creativity.
• To be inspired by Shravya’s journey from parent to children’s book author, translating personal challenges into universal stories.
• To reflect on the role of rituals, patience, and self-compassion in everyday parenting.

Highlights & Time Stamps:

• [00:04:12] Showing up over perfection: what really matters in parenting.
• [00:07:46] The art of listening without fixing.
• [00:16:52] “Self-care is not selfish—it’s survival.”
• [00:22:14] The daily practice of forgiving yourself.
• [00:28:33] Bedtime stories as rituals of safety and connection.
• [00:35:18] Parenting identity when raising children with hearing differences.
• [00:42:50] When your children become your teachers.
• [00:48:05] How tiny, ordinary moments create childhood.
• [00:54:20] Parenthood as a mirror for self-discovery.

About the Guest

Shravya Kaparthi is a mother of two daughters, Divi and Urvi, both hard of hearing. Through her lived experiences, she has discovered the profound role of stories in parenting—helping her daughters build identity, confidence, and connection. Her upcoming children’s book series, The Girl with the Red Hearing Aids, brings these themes to life for young readers and parents alike. With honesty, warmth, and wit, Shravya encourages us to see parenting not as a quest for perfection, but as a tapestry woven from patience, love, and the stories we choose to tell.

🌟 Follow Shravya:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shravya.kaparthi/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shravyakaparthi/

🦻 Follow The Girl With The Red Hearing Aids:

• Website: https://thegirlwithredhearingaids.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlwiththeredhearingaids/?hl=en

💬 Join the Conversation

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this deeply moving and fiercely intelligent episode of Parenthoot with Neha, celebrated poet, novelist, and activist Meena Kandasamy opens up about a part of her life she’s rarely spoken about publicly — motherhood. From breastfeeding on planes to bedtime stories about ocelots, Meena speaks with candid warmth about raising two young boys while navigating creative work, cultural friction, and the quiet revolutions of everyday parenting.

Together with host Neha, Meena reflects on the politics of parenting, the power of gentleness, and how her life — once immersed in global activism and resistance — has found new rhythm in school runs and pancakes. But make no mistake — the fire is still there. Whether she’s unpacking caste and coloniality or her children’s questions about Gaza, Meena’s parenting is as radical, layered, and bold as her writing.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• You’re a creative or activist navigating parenting — and wondering how not to lose yourself in the process.
• You’ve ever felt guilt, fatigue, or quiet rage in your parenting journey and want to hear those feelings articulated honestly.
• You want to explore cross-cultural parenting, gender roles, and emotional regulation with nuance and humor.
• You’re curious about the personal side of a globally renowned writer known more for her political fire than domestic reflection.
• You want to hear two brilliant women discuss motherhood with no pretenses — just truth, tenderness, and the occasional spilled milk.

💬 Notable Quotes from Meena

• “I didn’t have a single maternal instinct in my body.”
• “Every child is five years off your career — or two books off your bookshelf.”
• “Never raise your voice against your children. Their memories are not erasable or editable.”
• “You can’t come back from livestreamed genocide — and our children know it.”

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Don’t outsource your emotional regulation to your kids. Meena’s emphasis on calm, even in chaos, is a masterclass in gentle parenting.
• Parenthood doesn’t erase your fire. It just redirects it. Her political conversations with her kids are a reminder that little ears are ready for big ideas.
• Rituals matter. Whether it’s bedtime storytelling or weekend prawns, Meena shows how small acts of consistency create deep connection.
• Structure helps. Her cross-cultural household demonstrates the value of rhythm and rules — even when they clash with creative chaos.
• Redefine ambition. Not every season is for writing novels — sometimes it’s for poetry, or pancakes. And that’s okay.
• Let kids grow political. Engage them in real-world issues early — they’re more ready than we think.

👩🏽‍🎨 About the Guest

Dr. Meena Kandasamy is an acclaimed poet, novelist, translator, and activist whose work boldly confronts caste, gender, patriarchy, and violence. A two-time finalist for the International Booker Prize and longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, her writing is known for its fierce lyrical clarity and unapologetic politics.

She’s the author of When I Hit You, The Gypsy Goddess, Touch, Ms. Militancy, and more. Her essays and poems have appeared in The Guardian, Granta, The White Review, and The New York Times. A former Charles Wallace India Trust Fellow, she splits her time between India and Europe, raising two children with radical tenderness — and no sugar.

🔗 Follow Meena:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.a.n.d.a.s.a.m.y/
• Website: https://www.kandasamy.co.uk

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this episode, we sit down with Samina Mishra—acclaimed documentary filmmaker, writer, educator, and co-founder of the Magic Key Centre for the Arts & Childhood. What unfolds is a deeply personal and insightful conversation on parenting, creative identity, co-parenting after separation, and the profound (and often imperfect) joys of raising a child.

Samina opens up about raising her son Imran, now 23, with a rare mix of vulnerability and warmth. From their post-separation co-parenting journey to their mutual love for Chinese food and movies, every anecdote gently illuminates how parenting can be a site of rediscovery and creativity—if we allow it.

We also explore the overlap between her professional work with children and her personal journey as a mother, her commitment to preserving cultural identity, and how adulthood didn’t signal an end to creative contribution but perhaps a re-beginning.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• You're a parent, educator, or caregiver navigating modern parenting challenges.
• You’re interested in raising thoughtful, creative, socially conscious children.
• You’re exploring the idea of co-parenting or single parenting with empathy.
• You're a fan of Samina Mishra’s work or the wider intersection of childhood, creativity, and identity.
• You’re in search of quiet wisdom and poetic truth in a noisy parenting world.

💬 Notable Quotes from Samina

• "Looking for wonder and enchantment and joy is important, I think, in life… because the difficult stuff… we need to go the distance."
• "Parenting is that time where you rediscover the world… with someone seeing it for the first time."
• "Sometimes… you can’t fix it. And you have to accept that."
• "Your child is important. But your child needs to know there are many other kinds of childhoods."
• "Children are not just the responsibility of the parent... we need to think about how to be a good world, a good society."

👩🏽‍🎨 About the Guest

Samina Mishra is a Delhi-based writer, filmmaker, educator, and arts curator whose work centres on childhood, identity, and social justice. She tells stories across books, films, and creative initiatives, foregrounding the voices of children in contemporary India. Samina's work gently bridges the personal and political, foregrounding children’s voices and resilience. Her books and films are widely used in classrooms, libraries, and community initiatives to spark conversations on empathy, diversity, and social change.

Major Books

• Jamlo Walks
• Nida Finds a Way
• Hina in the Old City (also published as Hina in Purani Dilli)
• My Sweetest Mango
• Shabana and the Baby Goat
• The House on the Hill
• The Sweet Shop Wars
• My Friends in the City
• Where Does It Hurt?
• Happiness Class
• Editor of Stories of Courage and Compassion, The ABCs of Art

Documentary Films

• The Teacher and the World
• Two Lives
• Jagriti Yatra
• The House on Gulmohar Avenue
• Stories of Girlhood
• Happiness Class
• Jamlo Walks (also adapted as a children’s book)

Educational & Artistic Initiatives

• Teaches at Jamia Millia Islamia
• Runs the Magic Key Centre for the Arts & Childhood
• Regularly curates and facilitates workshops and storytelling festivals for children and educators

Samina’s Instagram: A beautiful collection of personal reflections, books, films, and wonders.

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between

In this episode, we sit down with photographer and conscious parent Kismet Nakai. Together, we unpack the raw, real, and deeply human experience of motherhood — from the early months of sleep deprivation to navigating identity shifts, partnership dynamics, and parenting philosophies in modern India.

Kismet candidly shares her journey of raising her daughter Vera — with structure, warmth, a sense of humour, and most importantly, grace for herself. This episode offers a blueprint for parents who are seeking permission to do things differently, tune out the noise, and lean into what truly works for their family.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

You’ll hear Kismet reflect on:

• The tension between structure and surrender
• Making peace with asking for help
• Breaking the myth of “perfect parenting”
• Co-parenting as equal partners (and calling out the praise gap)
• The small things that make big differences — like a consistent sleep schedule
• Letting go of comparison culture
• Teaching children to be emotionally aware, resilient, and curious

💬 Notable Quotes from Kismet

• “There should not be this thing that, ‘Oh, he’s such an involved father.’ No—he IS the father.”
• “You don’t see a 15-year-old with a pacifier. So, it’s fine.”
• “Every mother goes through some sort of loss of self. It’s impossible not to feel that at some point.”
• “Just... enjoy them. This moment. Right now.”
• “If you’re chasing that sameness, then this is not what you should do.”
• “There are only 18 summers with your kids. Seven have already gone.”

🧠 Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Sleep is sacred – Kismet swears by sleep training and shares how it transformed her parenting experience. Don't wait too long to create sleep rhythms that work for everyone.
• Baby-led everything – From weaning to routine-setting, Kismet lets her daughter take the lead, introducing trust and agency early.
• Get help, guilt-free – Whether it's a nanny, a lactation consultant, or paid sleep support — if it helps you show up better, it's worth it.
• Don’t fear mess – Dirty floors, food flinging, emotional outbursts — it’s all a part of healthy development.
• Build your village – Kismet is part of a mom group that celebrates different choices. Find yours or build one!
• Let go of the “old you” – Embrace the evolution. Trying to “bounce back” to your pre-parent self is not just unrealistic — it can steal joy from the now.
• Humour helps – A light heart can shift even the most stressful days. Laugh often, especially at yourself

📚 Resources & References

• Taking Cara Babies – Baby Sleep Courses (https://takingcarababies.com)— a resource Kismet recommends investing in
• The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Sandahl — philosophies that echo Kismet’s approach to emotional intelligence and independence
• La Leche League International (https://llli.org)— global support network for breastfeeding

👤 About the Guest

Kismet Nakai is a photographer, storyteller, and deeply intentional parent. Based in Chandigarh, she brings a thoughtful, nuanced voice to both her artistic work and her parenting choices. Kismet's approach to motherhood is rooted in self-awareness, respect for the child, and a refusal to perform perfection. Whether she’s experimenting with baby-led weaning or navigating modern co-parenting roles, she shows up with honesty, humility, and humor.

📱Follow Kismet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisjayenn

💬 Join the Conversation

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this heartfelt, humorous, and fiercely honest episode, we sit down with social entrepreneur and feminist leader Tena Pick — founder of Coro, a groundbreaking co-working and play space designed for modern parents and their kids. Tena opens up about her journey from gender development to motherhood, the creation of a values-driven business, and the emotional rollercoaster of parenting her four-year-old son, Leo.

With her signature wit and warmth, Tena shares reflections on feminist parenting, redefining success, managing mom guilt, building your village, and why we all need to get better at leisure without guilt. This episode is both a comfort and a challenge — to think, reflect, and imagine parenting with more curiosity and less judgment.

🧠 What You’ll Rethink After Listening

• That “me time” must be earned — instead, joy can and should be bite-sized and guilt-free.
• That villages just happen — you'll see how much intentional effort it takes to build one, and to be a good villager yourself.
• That parenting must look a certain way — Tena gently dismantles the “perfect parent” myth and offers a more curious, human approach.
• That leadership is about being available 24/7 — you’ll question toxic hustle culture and rethink what success looks like when you're raising both a business and a child.
• That judgment is inevitable — instead, Tena encourages replacing it with curiosity, especially among mothers.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Mama runs Coro and Tatha cooks.” A proud parenting moment that upends gender norms—straight from the mouth of Tena’s four-year-old son.
• “We suck at leisure. And that’s a fact.” On the struggle to enjoy free time without guilt or productivity pressure.
• “Everyone wants a village, but not everyone is a good villager.” Tena’s mic-drop wisdom on the reciprocity required in building a strong support system.
• “A bad day does not make a bad parent.” A powerful reframe for guilt-ridden caregivers—zoom out and breathe.

• “Be curious, but not judgmental.” Tena’s parting advice on parenting, womanhood, and navigating difference with grace.
• “You are irreplaceable at home—but not irreplaceable anywhere else.” A reminder to realign our priorities without apology.

📚 Resources & Mentions

• 💻 Coro Bangalore – Coworking + Playspace for Parents (https://www.instagram.com/corospace)
• 📚 The Will to Change by bell hooks – for feminist parenting and love
• 📘 Untamed by Glennon Doyle – referenced in tone/themes
• 📈 UN Women – Gender & Unpaid Care Work
• 🎾 Shift Parenting Explained
• 🛋️ Fair Play by Eve Rodsky – resource on domestic labor division
• 📖 Tiny Joys & Bite-Sized Self-Care

👩‍⚕️About the Guest

Tena Pick is a gender and development specialist turned social entrepreneur. She is the founder of Coro, a beautifully designed hybrid space in Bangalore that blends co-working, childcare, and community for modern families. Tena is also a passionate advocate for feminist parenting, intersectional leadership, and reimagining how women live, work, and raise the next generation.

Her honesty about post-partum depression, parental guilt, societal pressure, and privilege makes her voice a vital one in the conversation on parenthood today. You can find her often leading with love — and probably eating banana bread with Leo after school.

📱 Follow Tena:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenapick
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenapick/

💬 Join the Conversation

🔔 Review & Subscribe: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and family!

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthootwithneha/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parenthoot/

☕ Support Us: https://buymeacoffee.com/gargneha Your support helps keep the show running.

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this tender, thoughtful, and deeply introspective episode, we sit down with Lakshmi Madhavan — artist, mother, and visual storyteller — for a raw and beautiful conversation about parenting, creativity, identity, and the surprising wisdom children carry.

Lakshmi shares the transformative experience of raising her son, Eshaan, and how motherhood has reshaped her art, her self-perception, and her entire worldview. Through stories of affirmation rituals, sketchpad games in the car, and profound questions like “Why does the caterpillar feel like he has to become a butterfly?”, she invites us to witness parenting as both a mirror and a creative force.

This episode is not just for parents — it's for artists, seekers, and anyone navigating who they are and who they’re becoming.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• You’re a parent or caregiver seeking meaning beyond the everyday grind.
• You’re exploring how motherhood or fatherhood shapes identity and creativity.
• You’ve ever asked yourself: “Who am I now?”
• You want to hear honest, soulful reflections on parenting — without filters or perfection.
• You’re curious about raising a sensitive, curious child in a loud and fast world.

💬 Notable Quotes from Lakshmi

• “I’ve really had to embrace this version of who I am in my multiple roles and know that I can't be fulfilling all those to the perfection levels that I want to.”
• “Parenting… it breaks you, it molds you, it rebuilds you, it breaks you again. And there’s a little being always watching.”
• “I’ll never be 100% right. I’ll never be 100% wrong. One way or another, my kid might end up in therapy bitching about me.”
• “This is another human being who looks at me with such pure eyes… I’m so jaded about myself that I don’t think I would put those adjectives for me.”
• “First year of motherhood just destroyed that theory of input equals output… there is no cause and effect to it.”
• “Because I had a child and through his eyes I was watching him view the world, I could view the world again.”

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Ditch the perfection script. You don’t have to be a “100% mother” or “100% artist” every day. Showing up as your whole (imperfect) self is more sustainable—and more authentic.
• Turn everyday moments into rituals. A sketchpad in the car, affirmations before bed, themed drawings—creativity and connection don’t need structure. Just intention.
• Let your child see you. Whether it’s through your joy, struggle, or passion, children learn most from the way you live—not just what you say.
• Prioritise knowing yourself. Self-awareness is essential. The more you understand your patterns, the better you can parent with presence and intention.

📚 Resources & Mentions

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Kasavu Fabric (Traditional Kerala textile): Lakshmi’s material of choice in her artwork
• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

👩‍⚕️ About the Guest

Lakshmi Madhavan is a visual artist and mother based in India. Her art practice weaves together storytelling, traditional textiles like the kasavu, and explorations of memory, identity, and femininity. As a mother to 6-year-old Eshaan, Lakshmi integrates creativity and conscious parenting in her everyday life — with a sketchpad always nearby.

She brings authenticity, vulnerability, and a rare blend of humor and insight to this episode, making her voice resonate with every listener navigating the path of self and parenthood.

💬 Join the Conversation

🔔 Review & Subscribe: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and family!

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthootwithneha/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parenthoot/

☕ Support Us: https://buymeacoffee.com/gargneha Your support helps keep the show running.

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this episode, we sit down with Haritha Nukala—a strategic program manager, yoga instructor, solo mom, and unapologetically passionate human being.

Together, we explore what it means to mother without a manual, especially when the support systems you expected are no longer there. Haritha shares her story of raising her daughter largely on her own in the U.S., while navigating grief, postpartum depression, identity, racism, and rediscovering herself through therapy, breathwork, and purpose.

This episode offers a moving and unfiltered account of parenting, self-reclamation, and raising a young girl with empathy, grit, and humor. You’ll hear vulnerable insights, laugh-out-loud moments (hello, boba bribes), and find strength in Haritha’s quiet but radiant wisdom.

💡 Why You Should Listen

If you are:

• A parent navigating solo or co-parenting
• Someone balancing emotional healing with daily parenting demands
• Curious about raising children in multicultural environments
• Wondering how to build emotional resilience (for your child and yourself)
• Looking for real, raw conversations that make you feel seen

…then this episode is for you.

💬 Notable Quotes from Haritha

• "Parenting is actually learned—not just parenting the kid, but parenting yourself as well."
• "Sometimes it's literally like you're building the ship while flying it."
• "There are so many romanticized stories about being a mother... but in reality, it's not like that when you actually go through it."
• "I want her to be willful… because if she doesn’t fight with me, how can I expect her to raise her voice outside?"
• "I had to explain to her that just because we look different doesn’t mean we are any less."
• "Passion is not necessarily something you're born with—it’s something you discover by exploring deeply."

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Parent yourself first — Emotional awareness begins with healing your own patterns.
• Therapy + journaling = survival kit — These tools help process overwhelm and find clarity.
• Expose kids to many interests — Let them explore before they choose what they love.
• Talk about the hard stuff — Conversations about race, identity, and emotions start early.
• You don’t need to do it all at once — Routines, breathwork, and community support go a long way.

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Therapy & Mental Health Support

• BetterHelp — Online therapy platform
• Postpartum Support International — Mental health resources for parents
• Therapize India — Therapy access for South Asians

• Books Mentioned or Related

• Grit by Angela Duckworth
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski

• Parenting & Identity

• Raising Multicultural Kids — Support for raising kids in cross-cultural environments

👩‍⚕️ About the Guest

Haritha Nukala is a strategic program manager, yoga and breathwork instructor, social media entrepreneur, and—most importantly—a devoted mother. She has spent the last several years raising her daughter largely on her own while cultivating her own emotional healing through therapy, journaling, and self-awareness practices.An advocate for emotional intelligence, authenticity, and exploration, Haritha is passionate about raising her daughter to be kind, confident, and curious. She lives in Utah, USA, and calls both India and America home.

📱 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harry_the_anecdotist

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this episode, we sit down with Diksha Sethi — entrepreneur, mother, and unapologetic truth-teller — to talk about what it really takes to raise a child in today’s world, especially as a working woman without a traditional support system.

From navigating the crushing guilt of returning to work postpartum, to tackling gender stereotypes in the classroom and at home, Diksha opens up about the invisible load of motherhood, the evolution of her co-parenting relationship, and why raising boys with empathy is one of the most radical things we can do for society.

Through warmth, wit, and lived experience, Diksha reminds us that parenting is never perfect — but it can be purposeful.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• You're a parent (or future parent) who’s tired of picture-perfect parenting narratives.
• You want to hear a realistic, emotional, and empowering perspective on motherhood and working life.
• You’re raising a boy — and wondering how to instill values of empathy, equity, and emotional fluency.
• You’re curious about the motherhood penalty and how gender expectations shape families.
• You want to feel a little less alone in your parenting journey — and more understood.

💬 Notable Quotes from Diksha

• "The only way through it is to go through it. There is no shortcut, right?"
• "Sometimes I just want to drop everything and run away somewhere. I'm sure a lot of mothers feel that."
• "He just hugged me from behind and said, 'I know being a mom is so difficult, Mama, but I’m so proud of you.'"
• "I don’t beat myself up anymore. I try not to. It’s one of those days — it’s okay. Tomorrow will be better."
• "Put the damn phone down. Seriously. Kuch nahi chhutega 5 minute mein."
• "The way sons are raised in the Indian setting — it needs to change."

📚 Resources & Mentions

• 📖 On the motherhood penalty: https://gap.hks.harvard.edu/getting-job-there-motherhood-penalty
• 📚 Books for Raising Emotionally Intelligent Boys:
• The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog – Dr. Bruce Perry
• Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys – Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
• Parenting Beyond Pink & Blue – Christia Spears Brown
• 🎙️ On gendered parenting scripts in education: TED Talk: “Teach girls bravery, not perfection” – Reshma Saujani
• 💡 For conversations about gender in parenting: Visit Breakthrough India for media and resources challenging gender norms.

👩‍⚕️ More About Diksha Sethi

Diksha Sethi is a mother, entrepreneur, and communications professional who has spent the last decade building not just her career, but a home grounded in empathy, equity, and intention. Known for her no-nonsense honesty and emotional intelligence, Diksha shares stories that reflect the layered, joyful, and often messy reality of modern parenting. She’s especially passionate about raising boys to be kind, aware, and responsible citizens of the world.

📱 Follow Diksha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dikshassethi/

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If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and family!

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💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.

In this episode, we sit down with Nehal Shah, the founder of Heart & Soil, a slow parenting and nature-based experiential platform that invites families to reconnect—with the earth, with each other, and with themselves.

From her roots as a full-time media professional in Mumbai to leading children on barefoot treks and strawberry-picking adventures, Nehal shares a deeply moving, practical, and refreshingly honest journey.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more presence, nature, and joy into your parenting—without overhauling your entire life—this conversation is your compass.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• You’re a parent overwhelmed by structured activities and overstimulation.
• You crave meaningful ways to bond with your child—without screens.
• You’re curious about slow, intentional parenting or nature-based learning.
• You want actionable ideas to build empathy and resilience in your kids.
• You need a warm reminder that “doing less” can mean “growing more.”

🔍 Highlights & Time Stamps:

• [02:06] – Nehal’s life in South Bombay and how city parenting sparked a longing for nature.
• [05:35] – The first Heart & Soil event: a leap of faith, a Facebook page, and a bus full of families.
• [08:29] – Heart & Soil's core vision: “Bonding in nature becomes a core memory.”
• [12:29] – How children transform outdoors: no phones, just pebbles, sticks, tents—and joy.
• [14:28] – The barefoot-in-the-mud moment that changed a child’s life (and Nehal’s).
• [16:24] – Why slowness is a superpower in childhood development.
• [19:45] – Addressing parental fears: food, bugs, camping—and how to gently let go.
• [22:24] – “We’re not a magic wand, but if the intent is there, we’re here to help.”
• [24:23] – Sticking to values: Why Heart & Soil won’t do pizza hikes or glamping.
• [26:55] – “We’re not just building holidays. We’re building mindsets.”

• [30:28] – “I did it for my son. But really, it was for my soul.”
• [33:11] – Gently challenging systemic beliefs: Overscheduling, gadgets, and nature deficit.
• [37:15] – The goal is simple: cultivate empathy and compassion.
• [40:30] – You don’t need a forest: start with a caterpillar, a pea pod, or a veggie vendor.
• [46:26] – What’s next: mental health, emotional regulation, and art therapy in nature.
• [50:03] – A quiet dream: raising a generation who protect what they love.

🔗 Resources & References:

• Heart & Soil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandsoil.in

• Simple nature ideas to try today:
• Make a caterpillar observation jar: Butterfly Edufields Guide
• Try a barefoot walk in your local park or society garden.
• Visit a local vegetable market with your child: name colors, smells, textures.

👩‍🌾 About the Guest

Nehal Shah is the founder of Heart & Soil, a nature-based parenting community that creates immersive outdoor experiences for children and their families. From strawberry-picking to jungle safaris, her events prioritize bonding, presence, and eco-consciousness over structure, screens, and speed.

Formerly a media professional with Star India, Nehal shifted paths after motherhood awakened in her a desire to reclaim the richness of her own childhood—one filled with balconies, soil, rescued animals, and time. Over nearly a decade, she’s built a trusted community of parents and children seeking something deeper than a weekend plan: connection.

She lives in Mumbai, is happiest with her hands in the mud, and believes the world changes when we choose to walk barefoot—together.

💬 Join the Conversation

🔔 Review & Subscribe: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and family!

💖 Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthootwithneha/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parenthoot/

☕ Support Us: https://buymeacoffee.com/gargneha Your support helps keep the show running.

👋 Join our WhatsApp Community!

🔗 https://chat.whatsapp.com/CHdbb6XkpSt5hBR4KN58qQ

💬 For updates, reflections, and real talk on parenting, life, and everything in between.