Parenthoot with Neha

What happens when parenting and crisis collide? In this episode, we sit down with Meghna Kulkarni, a mother, partner, and working professional, to trace her extraordinary parenting journey shaped by love, loss, resilience, and reinvention.

Meghna shares how she and her husband Prashant navigated his diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma when their son was just a toddler, and how that experience reshaped their marriage, their parenting, and their sense of identity.

From raising a child through chemotherapy in London, adjusting to cultural shifts in Singapore, to returning to India during the pandemic, Meghna's story is a powerful reminder of what it means to show up —imperfectly, fully, and fiercely — for the people you love, and for yourself.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

This episode is a must-listen if you:

• Are navigating parenting while caregiving or going through a personal crisis
• Are raising children across cultures or planning a move abroad/back to India
• Need a reminder that “you are enough” as a parent, even when life feels overwhelming
• Want to hear a deeply authentic, quietly powerful take on motherhood and resilience

It’s not about perfect parenting. It’s about real parenting—gritty, tender, and full of grace.

⏱️ Highlights and Timestamps

• [2:21] Meghna’s intention for sharing her story: “If even one person is helped by what we’ve gone through, it’s worth it.”
• [9:39] The moment everything changed: Prashant's unexpected reaction to his cancer diagnosis—and how Meghna carried the emotional weight.
• [13:29] Parenting through uncertainty: How the trauma shaped their toddler Ishaan—and why Meghna is grateful he doesn't remember it.
• [20:24] The hardest conversation: “I’m worried our son won’t even remember you.” Meghna opens up about facing mortality and choosing courage.
• [23:00] Grieving missed milestones: “I don’t remember his first steps or words.” The painful trade-offs when survival takes over parenting.
• [25:23] Self-kindness as a survival tool: A powerful reminder that parents must care for themselves, not just their children.
• [34:45] Culture shock—at home: Returning to India after 20 years abroad, and the funny, unexpected challenges that came with it.
• [41:31] Reinventing her career for balance: Why Meghna stepped out of hospitality and chose a job that aligned with motherhood and selfhood.
• [54:07] Advice to her pre-parent self: “Good on you for waiting.” Why conscious parenting begins before the child arrives.
• [56:10] What Meghna hopes Ishaan takes with him: "Be kind. Be ambitious. And don't let the world tell you it's not cool to care."

👩‍🦰 About Meghna Kulkarni

Meghna is a hospitality professional turned FMCG operations manager, a wife of 27 years, and mother to 18-year-old Ishaan. With a life that has moved across continents and crises, Meghna is a quiet force of resilience and grace.

She lives in Gurgaon, India, with her family, and continues to balance a fulfilling career with intentional motherhood. Her story is not just about surviving cancer as a family—but about growing through it, together.

📱 Follow Meghna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghnakul

💬 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/

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

In this episode, we sit down with Shubh Cheema — architect and mother to 19-month-old Adya — to talk about everything from conscious parenting and late motherhood to healing, health, and partnership.

Shubh became a mother at 40, after a life-altering experience with an ectopic pregnancy and a powerful personal transformation. What followed was not just a baby — but a whole new self. In this conversation, she opens up about the emotional, physical, and philosophical shifts that shaped her journey.

This episode is an invitation to introspect, to rethink success, to rediscover partnership, and to design motherhood and life with intention.

🌟 Why You Should Listen

• You’re a parent or aspiring parent looking for honest, real-life reflections
• You want to rethink health, healing, and success from a feminist lens
• You’re curious about late motherhood and how it’s changing
• You’re navigating a shift in identity — and craving stories of transformation
• You love stories that weave design, emotion, and philosophy into everyday life

📌 Highlights & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Motherhood at 40: Why age isn't the end — it's the beginning
• 05:55 – “We didn’t even ask her to call us Mama and Macha”: redefining identity after birth
• 10:11 – “It’s just 18 summers” — a profound reframe on the time we get with our kids
• 14:15 – Ectopic pregnancy, misdiagnosis, and the anger of not knowing your own body
• 20:28 – Her honest moment: “I don’t want to be a hero — let’s do a cesarean”
• 24:12 – Why hospital birthing design feels so wrong — from an architect’s POV
• 27:10 – “Be yourself. Happiness lies in that.” — what she hopes her daughter learns
• 31:40 – Raising a child without help: daily rhythms, teamwork, and time-bound routines
• 38:00 – Marriage as friendship: why mutual support matters more than traditional roles
• 46:00 – “Kids aren’t your copy.” Parenting with radical respect
• 51:40 – Healing isn’t just physical: How yoga and silence sparked a new self
• 1:00:00 – Designing homes with hedonism and wellness at the center
• 1:10:00 – How her daughter has a totally different personality — and why that’s beautiful
• 1:17:00 – Anger, empathy, and boundaries: navigating modern womanhood
• 1:24:00 – Final words: motherhood, design, freedom — and being unapologetically yourself

🔗 Resources & References

• Ectopic Pregnancy Info (Mayo Clinic): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
• The Montessori Method by Maria Montessori

🧘‍♀️ About Shubh Cheema

Shubh Cheema is a Mumbai-based architect and design practitioner known for blending creativity, intentionality, and elegance. She became a mother at 40, following a life-changing health journey that reshaped her approach to work, wellness, and family. Known for her quiet strength and fierce individuality, Shubh brings a designer’s eye and a seeker’s heart to everything — from birthing spaces to business partnerships to raising her daughter, Adya, with authenticity and warmth.

📱Follow Shubh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubanheat/ & https://www.instagram.com/shubhcheemaassociates

💬 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 the actor and wellness advocate Shweta Kawaatra to talk about motherhood beyond the highlight reel. You may know her as the iconic Pallavi from Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, but here, she steps in not as a celebrity, but as a mother, partner, survivor, and seeker.

With unflinching honesty, Shweta shares her raw experiences of postpartum depression, the emotional rollercoaster of raising a teen, and how she navigated early menopause—and remarkably, reversed it. From notes in lunchboxes to questions about how to smile in selfies, she brings to life what it means to mother in a world that often demands perfection.

This episode is a masterclass in self-awareness, gentle strength, and transformation.

💡 Why You Should Listen

• You're a parent wondering, "Am I doing it right?"
• You’ve struggled with postpartum depression, burnout, or identity loss
• You’re seeking stories of resilience, healing through wellness, and embracing the messy beauty of motherhood
• You’re curious how public figures parent behind the scenes (spoiler: it’s not glamorous)
• You want to raise your child without defaulting to control

Whether you're a new parent, a seasoned one, or somewhere in between, this episode offers wisdom without preaching, and vulnerability without shame.

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps

• [2:00] — The love story behind a name: How Shweta and Manav independently chose “Zahara” for their future daughter—before marriage!
• [9:30] — Parenting under public gaze: How Shweta shielded her daughter from the spotlight, and what happened when Zahara-Tabeetha found out her parents were celebrities.
• [14:00] — That ‘fake smile’ in selfies? Zahra-Tabeetha calls her out—and Shweta explains the intention behind it with profound grace.
• [17:40] — “We never fight in front of her. Maybe we should.” The pros and cons of a peaceful home with no visible conflict.
• [24:30] — The power of connection: Why she leaves handwritten notes for her daughter and husband—and how it helps bridge separation.
• [32:00] — Postpartum depression and 5 years of silence: Shweta shares the emotional and physical toll of isolation, OCD, and guilt—and how she found help.
• [46:00] — “I decided to reverse menopause. And it worked.” Acupuncture, Ayurveda, mindset shifts, and the radical power of belief.
• [55:00] — Motherhood as revolution: “To become a mother is the mother of all human revolutions.” Shweta redefines parenting as a sacred, transformative practice.
• [59:00] — Her message to struggling parents: Educate yourself. Accept yourself. But don’t justify ignorance in the name of acceptance.

📚 Resources & References

• Dr. Laura Markham – Aha! Parenting: https://www.ahaparenting.com (A parenting philosophy rooted in connection over control. Shweta credits Laura’s work as life-changing in her early parenting years.)
• Nichiren Buddhism & Chanting (SGI): https://www.sgi.org (More on Shweta’s spiritual practice for grounding and daily alignment.)
• Understanding Postpartum Depression: Mayo Clinic: Symptoms and Treatment

🧘‍♀️ About the Guest

Shweta Kawaatra is an award-winning Indian television actor, known for her roles in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, C.I.D., and reality shows like Nach Baliye. Beyond acting, she is a passionate wellness advocate, mother, and spiritual seeker. Her journey has taken her from the spotlight of entertainment to the quiet (but no less heroic) world of conscious parenting.

Connect with her on Instagram: @shwetakawaatra

💬 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 the thoughtful and talented Shruti Mallapur — an audiologist and speech-language pathologist (ASLP) by training, who now designs quiet books for children under her brand ASLP Creates.

This is a story of transformation — from science to art, from clinic to creative entrepreneurship, and from professional speech therapy to hands-on parenting. Shruti's journey is filled with warmth, wit, practical wisdom, and just the right dose of reality-checks for modern parenting.

🔍 Highlights & Time Stamps:

• 00:00 – 01:20 | Introduction: Neha introduces the theme of the episode and Shruti Mallapur, a former ASLP turned quiet book creator.
• 01:21 – 03:56 | From Audiology to Creativity: Shruti shares her career roots in audiology, and how a handmade birthday gift for her niece sparked the beginnings of her quiet book journey.
• 04:00 – 06:20 | Transition to Entrepreneurship: She talks about leaving clinical work during the pandemic and slowly building a home-based creative venture while parenting her young son.
• 08:06 – 11:00 | What Is a Quiet Book?: Shruti redefines "quiet books" as interactive learning tools, not just toys, with benefits for speech, fine motor skills, and engagement.
• 11:01 – 16:37 | Design Process & Custom Projects: Peek behind the scenes at how Shruti conceptualizes and customizes each book — including a Cocomelon-themed build with intricate moving parts.
• 17:05 – 22:02 | Choosing the Right Book for Your Child: Advice for parents on choosing books based on children's interests and developmental needs — not just what adults want to teach.
• 22:24 – 27:48 | ASLP Insight + Real-Life Utility: How her therapy background shapes how she makes and tests products — factoring in durability, behavior patterns, and child safety.
• 28:07 – 29:09 | Raw Materials & Consistency Challenges: Shruti explains the behind-the-scenes effort of sourcing, quality control, and managing customer expectations for handmade products.
• 32:00 – 40:00 | Emotional Impact & Touching Stories: Real-life feedback from parents: a child pretending with a mouse doll from a book, another squealing with joy at a Peppa Pig toy.
• 40:01 – 48:00 | Work-Life Juggle & Honest Parenting: She reflects on working from a small Mumbai apartment, relying on family help, and letting go of the pressure to do it all perfectly.
• 48:01 – 56:00 | Growth Plans & Templates: Future goals include launching digital templates on Etsy, designing simpler products for outsourcing, and dreams of a quiet book library.
• 56:01 – 1:03:00 | Freebies, Influencers, and Gratitude: Shruti shares why she avoids influencer gifting and instead pours her appreciation into generous customer gestures and sale bonuses.
• 1:03:01 – 1:08:51 | Screen-Free Play — Real Talk: A nuanced take on screen time — why quiet books aren’t a perfect replacement, and why parents deserve less judgment and more flexibility.
• 1:08:52 – 1:14:00 | Digital Privacy & Parenting Online: Shruti shares why she no longer posts personal milestones online, and cautions parents about oversharing their children's lives on social media.
• 1:14:01 – 1:18:09 | Lessons, Identity & Letting Things Take Time: Closing thoughts on balancing ambition with patience, setting realistic expectations, and trusting that creativity and care will lead to growth

🔗 Links & Resources:

🌟 Follow Shruti:

• Instagram: @aslp_creates
• YouTube: ASLP Creates
• Facebook: Created by ASLP

💬 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.

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

In this special and soul-stirring episode, we sit down with the brilliant Shruti Seth — actor, mother, mental wellness coach, and someone whose personal evolution is as compelling as her professional journey.

From her beloved role as Jiya in Shararat to her powerful voice in the mental wellness space, Shruti brings a deeply honest lens to what it means to mother consciously, heal generational patterns, and honour your body and self in the process.

Over the course of this conversation, Shruti opens up about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hard-earned wisdom that have shaped her journey as a mother to Alina and as a woman in her own right.

🧠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

1. On Letting Go of Perfectionism in Parenting - Shruti challenges the cultural pressure placed on mothers to “do it all.”
2. The Role of Witnessing, Not Controlling - Shruti speaks about the toxic trend of over-involvement in children's lives:
3. Breaking Generational Cycles of Fear - Shruti shares the impact of growing up with overprotection and how she consciously works to not pass down fear to her daughter.
4. The Harness vs. The Safety Net Metaphor - She beautifully articulates her and her husband Danish’s shared goal of raising a child who feels loved and capable — but not coddled.
5. The Rebirth Through Chronic Pain - Shruti’s raw account of her ongoing battle with chronic back pain is emotional and inspiring. She shares how pain forced her into a new level of spiritual and emotional growth.
6. On Love Without Condition - She describes the kind of unshakable emotional foundation she wants to build for her daughter, echoing the same security she received from her own mother.

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Take rest seriously: especially postpartum. It’s not indulgent; it’s necessary.
• Your child isn’t your second chance — they are their own person.
• Heal your inner child so you don’t parent from your past pain.
• Say no without guilt — to opportunities, expectations, or internal pressure.
• Surround yourself with help, even if it’s imperfect.

📚 Resources & Mentions

🎬 Pop Culture

• 🧙‍♀️ Harry Potter – Alina's favorite books
• 📺 Shararat – Shruti’s breakout role
• 📺 Rishta.com – A modern classic

🎓 Educational & Academic Mentions

• 🧠 The Science of Well-Being – Yale University (Laurie Santos)
• 🏫 St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai – Counseling course 
• ☸️ Buddhist Psychology 
• 🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training 
• 📘 Choice Theory / Reality Therapy – William Glasser 

👩‍⚕️ More About Shruti Seth

Shruti Seth is an Indian actor, anchor, and certified mental wellness coach whose career spans over two decades across television, film, and digital platforms. She rose to fame with iconic roles in shows like Shararat and Rishta.com, earning a devoted following for her relatable charm and comedic timing. Beyond acting, Shruti is a passionate advocate for emotional well-being, having pursued formal training in mindfulness, Buddhist psychology, emotional intelligence, and counseling. As a mother and healing practitioner, she now blends lived experience with professional insight to hold space for growth, resilience, and conscious parenting. Shruti is also known for using her voice boldly — on social media and beyond — to challenge norms and spark honest conversations.

📱 Follow Shruti on Instagram: ⁠@shru2kill⁠

💬 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.

In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Payal Nath — a social entrepreneur, creative visionary, and a fiercely loving mother.

In this deeply personal conversation, Payal opens her heart about the evolving journey of raising her daughter, Puravi, while simultaneously nurturing an entire community of artisan women through her social venture, Kadam Haat.

We talk about the delicate balance of motherhood and ambition, the invisible threads of love that bind parent and child, and the powerful, universal truths about parenting, independence, and self-growth.Through rich metaphors —bubbles, oceans, rivers, and invisible leashes — Payal shares timeless wisdom about letting go, trusting children to find their path, and believing deeply in the power of resilience, vulnerability, and unconditional love.

Prepare to be inspired, moved, and profoundly touched.

🎧 Why You Should Listen:

If you are a parent, a soon-to-be parent, a caregiver, or simply someone navigating meaningful relationships, this conversation will resonate at a soul-deep level.

✨ You’ll hear raw, vulnerable reflections on navigating the pulls between dreams and devotion.

✨ You’ll find relatable struggles — the guilt, the pride, the fear, the joy.

✨ You’ll pick up timeless strategies to nurture confidence, independence, and emotional intelligence in the next generation.

✨ And above all, you'll walk away with a tender reminder: Parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, love, and lifelong growth — for both child and parent.

This episode is a love letter to every parent who is trying, doubting, falling, and rising again.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• The Story of a Bubble: Payal’s personal metaphor for life, growth, and motherhood
• Raising Independence: Why allowing children to struggle is an act of ultimate love
• Balancing Career and Care: Real talk about guilt, ambition, and societal expectations
• The Invisible Leash: Parenting with presence, not control
• Dealing with Doubts: Payal's honest reflections on decisions she questioned
• Leadership Lessons from Motherhood: How nurturing helped shape her leadership style
• The Circle of Wisdom: Watching your child become your comfort and guide

• Kadam Haat's Story: A different kind of motherhood — nurturing artisan communities

📚 Cultural References:

• Rabindra Sangeet and Patiala Gharana — Indian classical music traditions Payal and her daughter embraced
• New York Fashion Week — Purvi’s modeling journey
• Parenting as Craftsmanship — Learning through lived experiences, not prescriptive books
• Invisible Parenting Wisdom — Tips from global family members and mentors

👩‍💼 About the Guest:

Payal Nath is a changemaker, social entrepreneur, and the founder-director of Kadam Haat — a brand and NGO dedicated to empowering rural artisan women through sustainable livelihoods.For over 20 years, Payal has nurtured communities across India, helping countless women build independence, dignity, and hope.As Puravi's mother, Payal embodies the spirit of nurture, resilience, and grace — whether in boardrooms, village fields, or around the family table.

👉 Follow Payal:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payalrnath/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payal-nath-b7825ba8/
• Kadam Haat: https://www.kadamhaat.com
• Kadam Haat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadamhaat/
• Kadam Haat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kadam-haat/
• Kadam Haat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadamhaat

💬 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.

In this episode, we sit down with Preeti Vyas — President & CEO of Amar Chitra Katha and mother to 16-year-old Neel — for a candid conversation on single parenting, conscious motherhood, and cultivating a relationship based on mutual trust, laughter, and growth.

Preeti opens up about her personal parenting journey, from being a new mother navigating sleepless nights and C-section anxieties to raising an independent, philosophy-loving teen who surprises her with his wisdom daily. With a warm dose of wit and wisdom, she talks about redefining success in parenting, the role of community, and how her spiritual practice helps anchor her through overwhelming times.

🎧 Why Listen?

• For heartfelt insights into single parenting in Indian society.
• To hear how intentional parenting (with zero punishments!) can shape emotionally intelligent kids.
• To learn how a CEO-mom juggles Comic Cons and chess lessons with grace.
• For touching reflections on motherhood as a form of legacy — not through accolades, but through the eyes of your child.

🌟 Highlights Include:

• How parenting changed her personality from a “tigress” to “gentle”
• Her son Neel's Comic Con sales saga
• Why she sought a child psychologist at the 6-month mark
• How Buddhism influences her parenting
• The decision to delay motherhood until she felt “ready”

📚 References:

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
• Dr. Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods
• Landmark Forum Self-Development Programs
• Buddhist practice: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

👩‍💼 About the Guest:

Preeti Vyas is the CEO of Amar Chitra Katha and an unapologetically passionate advocate for childhood curiosity, storytelling, and emotional literacy. But in this episode, she brings to the mic her most cherished title — mom.

👉 Follow Preeti:

• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/preeti.vyas⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/preeti-vyas-india/⁠

💬 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.

In this episode, we sit down with Sonika Bhasin, a sustainability champion and devoted mom who has gently but powerfully transformed her parenting journey into one of mindful, low-waste living.

Sonika shares how motherhood was the catalyst that propelled her into the world of eco-conscious living. From accidentally buying a cloth diaper (because it looked cute!) to embracing full-scale zero-waste parenting, Sonika's story is as relatable as it is inspiring.

This episode is packed with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and simple, actionable ideas for families looking to start (or deepen) their journey toward sustainable living — without sacrificing joy, convenience, or creativity.

🗣️ In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• 🌱 How a cloth diaper started a lifestyle transformation
• 💡 The turning point in Sonika’s mindset around waste and consumerism
• 🚼 Traveling with cloth diapers — yes, it's totally doable!
• 📦 Why second-hand isn't second-best — it's first-class sustainability
• 🎉 How Sonika throws stunning zero-waste birthday parties
• 🥕 A peek into Sonika and Abir’s daily composting routine
• 📚 How she gently influences her child — and his friends — to be earth advocates

• 🛍️ Smart swaps for everyday home and personal care items
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for raising eco-conscious kids without guilt or overwhelm

🔍 Highlights & Time Stamps:

• 🎤 3:00 – The “cute” cloth diaper that changed everything
• 🎤 5:30 – How one small change led to composting, upcycling & climate awareness
• 🎤 7:00 – “Thank you for existing” – the DMs that keep Sonika going
• 🎤 11:00 – Easy swaps: from detergent to shampoo bars to cutlery kits
• 🎤 14:00 – Favorite Indian sustainable brands and why they matter
• 🎤 19:00 – Hosting zero-waste birthday parties (no balloons, no guilt!)
• 🎤 24:00 – Preloved gift swaps — the coolest party trend ever
• 🎤 28:00 – “Green uncles” and nature walks over malls and movies
• 🎤 32:00 – The miracle of composting with kids
• 🎤 42:00 – Can kids thrive without malls, plastic toys, or new clothes? (Yes!)
• 🎤 51:00 – Sonika’s one wish for the future: a more mindful, compassionate world

🛍️ Mentioned Brands & Resources:

Sonika generously shares several brands she trusts and uses in her own life. Check them out:

• 🧼 Coco Custo – Eco-friendly detergents
• 🛁 Kamarkattu Ecostore – Shampoo bars, soaps & more
• 🧶 Sukham Handmade – Sustainable goods for kids
• ♻️ Love the World Today – Conscious clothing for children
• 👜 The Abhinaya Store – Upcycled gifts & décor
• 🍃 Gift Green – Upcycled eco-goods & sustainable home essentials
• 🪣 Use Me Works – Upcycled decor & bunting

For more of her recommendations, visit the "I Use" highlight on her Instagram profile: @sonikabhasin

🏡 Practical Takeaways for Listeners:

• Begin with what’s easy for you: Replace your home’s most-used products with eco-friendlier versions.
• Always carry a bottle, napkin, and cutlery kit — it's simple, sustainable, and stylish.
• Start composting at home — it’s magical, easy, and kid-friendly!
• Say no to disposables at your next party. Reuse steel plates, cloth napkins, and upcycled decorations.
• Embrace pre-loved items: Clothes, toys, books — they’re new to your child!
• Lead by example — your kids are watching, and learning, from everything you do.

🌟 Connect with Sonika:

📸 Instagram: @sonikabhasin

📌 Check her highlights for:

• “iUse” (products she recommends)
• “Compost 101”
• “Zero Waste B’day”
• “Marine Walk”
• And more!

💬 Join the Conversation

🔔 Review & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this 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.

In this episode, we sit down with Pooja Sardana — strategy consultant, writer, mother of two, and the voice behind The Backpacking Mama. What unfolds is a rich, real conversation about parenting as a journey of becoming — not just for children, but for the parent, too.

From teenage eyebrow waxing surprises to brain surgery scares, and from co-parenting revelations to travel tales that shaped her kids, Pooja shares the ups, the downs, and the deeply human in-betweens of raising a family while rediscovering herself.

This episode isn’t about parenting perfection — it’s about parenting with presence, growing through the chaos, and learning to let go… even if that means letting in a cat named Oreo 🐾.

✨ Why You’ll Love This Episode

• You’re craving a parenting story that’s equal parts vulnerable and empowering
• You’ve felt the rage and guilt and love of being an involved parent
• You want to reflect more deeply on co-parenting, marriage, and identity
• You’re curious how travel can transform your children — and you
• You want to feel less alone in the evolving, intuitive, unpredictable nature of parenting

🌟 Episode Highlights

• “Beautiful mistakes” and the gift of unplanned parenting
• How parenting impacts your relationship (and how to course-correct)
• Raising radically different children: one a stop-motion filmmaker, the other a boundary-testing negotiator
• The power of therapy and the moment she knew she had to get help
• What travel has taught her children about independence, culture, and confidence
• Why she stopped blogging, but kept writing from the heart
• Lessons from books, friends, and the quiet moments in between

📚 References & Mentions

• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• What to Expect When You’re Expecting series
• Raising Girls and Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
• The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
• Pooja’s blog: The Backpacking Mama
• Pooja’s writing on parenting & travel for Indian Express

👤 About the Guest

Pooja Sardana is a strategy & marketing consultant, mother of two wildly different children, traveler, and deeply reflective writer. She’s the voice behind The Backpacking Mama, a blog about parenting and adventure, and she brings her wit, warmth, and hard-won wisdom into every conversation — including this one.

👉 Follow Pooja:

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

💬 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.

In this episode, we sit down with Karishma Erraballi, founder of Soulkatha and a conscious co-parent, to explore how parenting begins not with pregnancy, but long before — with our own birth, wounds, desires, and healing journeys. Karishma opens up about her seven-year struggle with infertility, the raw truths of conscious uncoupling, and how parenting her two children became her most spiritual, transformative work.

🌱 Why You Should Tune In:

• Learn what it means to raise kids while healing yourself.
• Understand the power of co-parenting with intention, respect, and boundaries.
• Get an honest take on the emotional legacy we pass on — and how to break the cycle.
• Discover the difference between being a guide vs. a protector.
• Learn how Karishma built Soulkatha, a space for emotional wellness, after walking through fire herself.

✨ Key Highlights:

• How parenting begins before the baby arrives
• Karishma’s spiritual approach to motherhood and her desire to “keep the canvas blank”
• The beauty of regulated co-parenting after divorce
• Redefining “no” in parenting
• Her emotional wellness work through Soulkatha, including 1:1 programs, courses for busy parents, and workshops for schools and corporates
• Honest reflections on privilege, pain, and purpose

📚 References and Mentions:

• Khalil Gibran’s “On Children”
• Yoga Sutras, Vedic practices
• Vipassana and Goenkaji
• Her course: Busy Parent, Present Parent
• Her parenting platform: Soulkatha

👤 About the Guest:

Karishma Erraballi is a mom of two, founder of Soulkatha, and a soulful guide for parents, educators, and organizations. Her work is rooted in yoga, breathwork, ancestral healing, and radical honesty. She walks the talk — with vulnerability, vision, and a whole lot of compassion.

👉 Follow Karishma:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulkatha/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karishma-erraballi-898b41190/
• Soulkatha: https://soulkatha.com

💬 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.