In this episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey, I’m joined by my colleague and friend Jackee Holder to explore the transformative power of journaling as a reflective practice and life companion.

Journaling is often seen as a simple habit, yet in this conversation we uncover how expressive and reflective writing can become a profound tool for healing, self-understanding and personal growth. Jackie shares her own lifelong relationship with journaling, tracing it back to childhood, and reflects on how writing has helped her navigate trauma, creativity, leadership and identity.

Together, we explore how journaling helps us work beneath the surface, giving voice to what sits in the subconscious, allowing unprocessed emotions to be acknowledged, and supporting healthier endings, clarity and renewal. We discuss how journaling doesn’t require perfect language or polished sentences, and how drawing, poetry, letters and colour can all become meaningful forms of expression.

This episode also looks at journaling in professional contexts, particularly in leadership, coaching and organisational life, where reflective writing can help people slow down, make meaning, and show up with greater presence and compassion.

As we look ahead to 2026, Jackie also shares what she is being called to create next, including new work through the School of Journaling and a forthcoming book.

This is a thoughtful, generous and deeply human conversation for anyone curious about reflection, creativity and the power of writing to support a more conscious life.

In this special 52nd episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey, I take a moment to pause, reflect and look back on the conversations that have shaped the podcast over the last year and a half. Joining me is Heather Kelly, who has been a valued part of the journey, co-hosting episodes and supporting the growth of the podcast behind the scenes.

Together, we explore the origins of Reaching Minds - beginning with the very first episode on endings - and the fears, hesitations and unexpected encouragement that helped bring this podcast to life. We talk about the guests who have inspired me, the topics that sparked curiosity, and the global perspectives that have enriched these conversations.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What motivated me to start the podcast

• How intuition guides the themes and guests I choose

• Reflections on memorable episodes, including the surprising popularity of the one on shame

• What podcasting has taught me about authenticity, courage and curiosity

• How I see the next phase of Reaching Minds unfolding

This episode is both a celebration and a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has listened, shared and grown with me. I hope these reflections offer you insight, inspiration and a moment to pause in your own journey.

Explore more episodes and resources at: www.nitasharma.com

Welcome to Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey.

In today’s episode, we explore the discipline and philosophy of Action Learning Questions - what they are, why they matter, and how this approach helps individuals and organisations navigate challenges that don’t have straightforward answers.

Action learning was originally shaped by Reg Revans and grew out of scientific inquiry, experimentation, and a willingness to work from a place of “not knowing”. Today, the methodology remains highly relevant. We live in a world saturated with quick fixes and instant expertise, yet many of the issues leaders face are not puzzles with predefined solutions. They are complex, multi-layered problems influenced by social, technical, economic and cultural realities.

To help us unpack this, I’m joined by Dr Richard Hale, co-founder of Know Will Do Action Learning Network and creator of the Action Learning Question approach. Richard has spent more than 25 years developing and implementing this methodology for governments, global organisations, and business schools. He has published widely in the fields of learning relationships, coaching, mentoring and organisational development, and brings a rich historical and practical perspective to this conversation.

Together, we look at:

• Why action learning is essential for tackling today’s intractable problems

• The difference between puzzles and problems

• The courage required to say “I don’t know” in professional settings

• The value of multiple truths and diverse perspectives

• The role of knowledge mapping (sky, ground, underground)

• How organisations such as the Civil Service have used Action Learning Questions to drive real change

• The personal capabilities people develop through this work, including deeper listening, reflective practice and working constructively with uncertainty

• Why sponsorship and alignment with real business challenges are vital for success

Richard also shares the evolution of the Postgraduate Certificate in Action Learning Facilitation, a unique qualification accredited through York St John University, and the importance of creating facilitators who can mobilise, catalyse and sustain learning across organisational systems.

This is a rich, reflective and practical conversation for anyone working in leadership, coaching, development, systems change or organisational transformation.

Welcome to this episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we will be exploring what happens when leaders overuse their strengths, and how personality and persona shape that dynamic—and what the impact of this can have on self and on others. We also look into of leaders recognising when they overuse their strengths, potentially leading to negative consequences 

About Joseph Ogbonna

Joining me today is my very good colleague, Joseph Ogbonna. Joseph is a leadership and executive coach, a PCC with the ICF, and an FRSA. He treasures wisdom and has expertise in mind-shift strategic thinking. Joseph also has a special interest in African affairs and the movement of our bodies. Joseph, welcome—and thank you for being here.

Questions we pose in the podcast:

• What do we mean by strength? 

• We often talk about ‘playing to our strengths’—but Joseph, what do we actually mean when we say a strength can be overused?

• What are the positive trait (e.g., confidence, empathy, drive) becomes a liability when over-relied upon

• How does someone’s personality influence the kinds of strengths they lean on—and overuse?

• Mention assessments (like MBTI, Big Five, Enneagram) if useful

• How do you see persona shaping a leader’s behaviour over time?”

• What do you think the real consequences are—on individuals, teams, or culture—when leaders don’t notice they’re overusing a strength?”

• So how do we help leaders become more aware of when a strength is becoming a liability? What tools or practices help here?”

• Joseph, have you ever found yourself overusing a strength—even with the best intentions? What did that teach you?

• To our listeners—what’s one strength you might be overusing right now? And what would it look like to lead with more balance and intention?”

Resources:

https://www.talentsage.com/our-tools/the-5step-profile-report-tool/

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/286556/ndys.aspx 

https://www.hogandarkside.com/

https://inemmo.com/lumina-learning-psychometrics/lumina-spark-self-awareness-growth/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/oct/09/book-authenticity-jodi-ann-burey

Welcome to Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life’s Journey. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that affects so many of us yet is still often misunderstood trauma. How in our social media-driven world, the term ‘trauma’ is often overused and misapplied, potentially diluting its real significance

Now, Traumatising experiences don’t always look the way we expect. They are not always singular, acute, life-altering events, incorporating also complex, relational difficulties that can start in childhood. The long-term effects are far-reaching and can shape everything from how we interact with others to how we view and navigate the world as adults. Adding even more nuance is the fact that what is traumatising to one person may not be at all to another, depending on how they were raised, whether they’ve experienced overwhelming threats more than once, and other factors, so it could be said that trauma expresses on something of a spectrum. 

In this episode we will unpack some of  these ideas, with special focus on the impact of complex trauma and how relational wounds — like neglect or witnessing violence — leave lasting scars. We’ll explore resilience, the role of environment in healing, and why understanding the root causes of trauma is so crucial with the  pioneering work that has been done  in this field, like Bessel van Der Kolk and Gabor Maté.

About Charlotte Nicholson

I’m joined by a truly remarkable guest, Charlotte Nicholson, who is a teacher, guide and facilitator trained in numerous styles of yoga and other embodied practice modalities adapted for addressing trauma. She has offered therapeutic support using trauma sensitive yoga to individuals living through anxiety, depression, compulsions, dysregulated eating and complex PTSD – all expressions of suffering and attempts to find coping mechanisms - offering both one-on-one and small group sessions, both in-person and online. She also brings her work into the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy, a promising frontier in trauma healing. She currently divides her time between the UK and Peru, where she training to facilitate ayahuasca retreats with veterans and other individuals seeking recovery.

Questions we will pose in understanding Trauma: 

• There’s increasing use of the term ‘trauma’ in everyday life. What’s your take on that?

• How would you define trauma, and how has that definition evolved in recent years?

• What’s one misconception about trauma you'd like to clear up for our listeners?

• How do you differentiate between trauma and stress, especially in therapeutic settings?

• How do social, environmental, and relational factors like racism, wars etc influence how trauma is processed?

• Is there a danger in pathologizing normal emotional responses? How do we find a balance?

• What are some of the most misunderstood symptoms of trauma?

• What does trauma healing really look, and why is it often non-linear?

• How important is the body in trauma recovery, and what role do somatic therapies play?

• Are traditional talk therapies sufficient for trauma, or do we need to rethink how we approach treatment?

Resources: 

• https://www.charlotte-nicholson.com/about - Charlotte is happy to have an initial  conversation 

• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

• by Bessel van der Kolk | 24 Sept 2015

•  Dr Gabor Maté 5 Books Collection Set (When the Body Says No, Hold on to Your Kids, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Scattered Minds & The Myth of Normal)

• 2022

• Trauma Sensitive Yoga Practitioners 

• The Embody lab - https://www.theembodylab.com

• Roadmap for trauma and response change for organisations in Scotland

Interested in Working with me!

Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/

If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.com

Welcome to Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey! 

Feeling caught between your job and your life? You're not alone — and you're in the right place. Today, we’re unpacking the myth and the reality of work-life balance. It’s not one-size-fits-all. It looks different for everyone — depending on your values, priorities, and where you are in life. The world of work has changed. The pandemic, remote teams, and a new generation of workers have pushed flexibility to the forefront. So, what does balance look like now? We’ll dig into how to set clear boundaries, why you need to advocate for yourself, and how organizations can — and must — get more creative in supporting a healthier culture. This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a call to action. Because real balance starts with a mindset shift — at the individual, team, and leadership levels.

About Leyla Okhai

Leyla Okhai Is the founder and the CEO. Of Diverse Minds UK Limited. Featured on the Diversity Power List, 2023-2024. Diverse Minds creates a positively productive workplace for all those training and coaching and consulting. The focus is placed on well-being, mental health and race equity. Leyla has over 18 years of experience in developing and implementing diversity, inclusion and equity practises with senior leadership team. 

Leyla is also the host of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast (https://bit.ly/DMPAIT) . weekly show about mental health and inclusion. She is a TEDx speaker and her  is entitled the connection between race, culture and Mental Health. ( https://ly/TEDxWolvesLO). Leyla is a trained coach, mentor, speaker and mediator. Her coaching practise centres on how staff can navigate boundaries and reach their full potential while maintaining their well-being. 

Prior to running her own business Leyla was the head of the Centre of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at the Imperial College London between July 2012 and June 2017, managing a team of staff working on various projects and initiatives. Layla is a trustee of Serendipity. Institute of Black Arts and Heritage and Pedestrian. A young people's art. Arts Organisation.

Questions we pose in this podcast: 

• How do you define work-life balance?

• Has your idea of balance changed over the years?

• How do people deal with the pressure to be available 24/7?

• What’s one policy or practice you’ve seen that truly promotes balance in the workplace?

• Do you think companies have a responsibility to actively support employee well-being?

• What’s one small change someone can make this week to improve their balance?

• If there’s one thing you hope listeners take away from this conversation, what would it be?

• What books, podcasts, or thinkers have shaped the  perspective on work-life balance?

Resources : 

My Work Life balance course: https://diverseminds.thinkific.com/courses/the-mentally-healthy-professional

Podcast: https://diverseminds.co.uk/category/podcast/ 

Website: Laura Vanderkam: https://lauravanderkam.com/ 

Work with me!

Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/

If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.com

Book: Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

Welcome to the episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we’re exploring a powerful and deeply personal theme — ‘Moment for M.’ As we will explore with our guest today.  

It’s about what happens when we pause, listen inward, and make space for real change. We’ll be reflecting on the courage it takes to make intentional decisions, the strength it takes to walk away from what no longer aligns, and the transformative power of choosing authenticity over comfort. This episode is for anyone who’s felt the pull toward something more meaningful — who’s been at a crossroads, questioning, shifting, evolving. We’ll unpack the lessons, the struggles, and the breakthroughs that come when we finally decide to honour ourselves and step into a life that feels true. Let’s begin.

About Sonia Vora: 

Sonia Vora is a cultural catalyst and visionary leader – these are the hallmarks of her journey from a child of immigrants to a transformational executive experienced in optimizing organizational effectiveness and igniting individual potential. Through a potent blend of analytical thinking and creative insight, she helps organizations navigate transformation on a global scale while building great cultures where every voice matters. She has led a Fortune 500 company's talent strategy , has been a speaker at high-profile events, where she has brought bring a powerful combination of business acumen, cultural intelligence and transformative vision.

Questions we pose in this podcast: 

• Sonia, can you share a moment in your life when you realized you needed to make a change — a "Moment for Me"? What did that moment feel like, and what led up to it?

• Taking the leap to follow your passion is no small feat. How did you gather the courage to make that decision, especially when there were easier, more comfortable options available?

• We all know that personal growth often comes with a mix of excitement and fear. What were some of the hardest or most unexpected challenges you faced during your transformation?

• Transitioning into something new often means learning things about yourself you didn’t know before. Were there any surprising lessons you learned along the way?

• Staying aligned with your true self can be tough, especially when life throws challenges your way. What practices or mindset shifts have helped you stay connected to your core values throughout your journey?

• Making a big shift often involves overcoming fear. How do you know when a decision is coming from a place of fear, versus one of trust and intuition? E.g. choosing  passion over a lucrative offer?

• How has creativity played a role in your personal growth and in finding alignment with your true self?

• For someone who might be standing at a similar crossroads, torn between the comfort of the known and the pull of their passion, what would you say to encourage them to make that leap?

Resources : 

Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/

If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.com

Welcome to this episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we're shining a light on the inspiring work of ReFAB Studio—a creative initiative that’s redefining sustainability in design. ReFAB specialises in upcycling designer fabric remnants from the interior design sector, transforming them into bespoke, eco-conscious lifestyle pieces and home décor. ReFAB’s mission is to go beyond beautiful products—they're also dedicated to upskilling local artisans, especially women from disadvantaged communities, empowering them with creative and economic opportunities. ReFAB studio’s defines ethos and wider purpose: finding meaning and delight in the age of waste.

In recent years, ReFAB has expanded its impact by running hands-on workshops with students from leading institutions, including the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion (UAL), and Morley College. These sessions invite the next generation of designers to engage directly with the challenges—and opportunities—of sustainable design and circular fashion. 

As ReFAB beautifully puts it on their website:“Our pieces are designed to spark joy in your everyday life—whether that’s a one-of-a-kind treasure that instantly makes your house feel like a home, or a stylish accessory that helps you fall in love with a well-worn outfit all over again.”

About Rewati Prabhu 

In this podcast, we pose the following questions:

• What does ReFAB Studio stand for—not just in name, but in its mission and values?

• Rewati, where did the original idea for ReFAB Studio come from? What sparked the journey?

• ReFAB is part of your wider philanthropic work through the Kartik Prabhu Foundation. Can you tell us a bit about that connection?

• Can you walk us through some of the key projects that have emerged since ReFAB began—from its early days to now?

• What have been some of the most rewarding moments—and some of the biggest challenges—you’ve faced since launching ReFAB Studio?

• What kind of impact do you think ReFAB has had in the communities and areas you've focused on so far?

• What’s next for ReFAB—and for you personally—in this journey?

• What keeps you going? What continues to motivate and inspire you?

• Do you have a motto or guiding principle that you live by?

Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://refabstudio.org/

https://kartikfoundation.org/

www.nitasharma.com

Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/

If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.com

I am joined by Rewati Prabhu who is the Founder and Creative Director of ReFAB Studio, an architect-urban designer and social entrepreneur with over 25 years of expertise. She has worked in exciting master planning projects in the USA, UK, Africa, Middle East and India. Rewati breathes sustainability into all her projects big and small whether it’s designing a new city, regenerating a neighbourhood or repurposing an existing building. Apart from this work, she has been involved in supporting youth- led social enterprise through the Jagriti Yatra, a program she co-founded 15 years ago, and which remains the largest enterprise training program of its kind in the world.

Welcome to  our episode of ‘Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life’s Journey’ podcast, the show where we will dive deep into the stories, ideas, and people reshaping how we live and work. Today, we're talking about something that touches so many of us — parenthood. But this isn’t just about parenting tips or bedtime routines. My guests today are the brilliant co-authors of The Parenthood Advantage, a powerful book that flips the script on how we view working parents. We will be exploring fresh, meaningful insights about parenting, professional life, and personal growth

We'll talk about the untold strengths parents bring to the table, why society still undervalues them, and how we can build a world that supports, not sidelines, the people raising the next generation.

Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, or just want to rethink how we define success — this conversation is for you. Let’s dive in."

About Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan 

Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan are Managing partners of The Dagoba Group,  a global Consulting firm advancing inclusive leadership, employee well-being and organisational culture.  Mark and Mason have also co-authored The inclusion dividend. Their work has also been featured by the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. Mark and Mason live in New England. USA.

In this podcast we pose the following questions:

• What inspired you to write The Parenthood Advantage? Was there a specific moment or experience that triggered the idea?

• What is the core message or thesis of the book—and why do you think it’s important now?

• Can you share a story of a parent whose journey exemplifies this “advantage” mindset in action?

• What are some overlooked skills that parents naturally develop that transfer to leadership or team settings?

• What was the most surprising or unexpected thing you discovered during your research or writing process?

• What myths about parenthood do you feel most urgently need to be dismantled?

• Have you had listeners or readers share how the book changed the way they view their own parenting journey?What advice would you give to a parent currently feeling like they have to choose between being great at home or great at work?

• If you could see one major shift in how society supports or values parents in the next 5 years, what would it be?

Resources  

https://theparenthoodadvantage.com/book/ -  The Parenthood Advantage:  Building Corporate Cultures That Value Working Parents (Oct 2025)

The Dagoba Group

Author of:

The Golden Apple:  Redefining Work Life Balance for a Diverse Workforce

The Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in Diversity and Inclusion Pays Off SET for Inclusion: The Underlying Methodology for Achieving Your Inclusion Dividend 

Welcome to Reaching Minds - Thoughts for your life journey. In this podcast we will be exploring whether working globally does broaden our mind and that in experiencing new cultures makes us more adaptable. Is this just a cliché, or do we get  tangible, 'mind-broadening' effect from working across borders and time zones?" To help us answer that question, we're joined by Richard Cook, Director of Global Excellence and a specialist in working globally."

Richard Cook

Richard Cook is a seasoned expert in cross-cultural management, with over 40 years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate the complexities of working across cultures. As a keynote speaker, consultant, and coach, he has advised global teams and leaders on how to collaborate effectively across borders. Having lived and worked on five continents, Richard brings not only deep expertise but also a rich, first-hand understanding of the transformative power of global experience.

In this podcast we pose some of the following questions into culture:

• Based on your experience as a Director of Global Excellence, how do you define "working globally"? Is it just about international travel, or is there more to it?

• In your opinion, what is the single biggest misconception people have about the challenges and benefits of global collaboration?

• Beyond learning new languages, what are some of the less obvious ways that working globally can change a person's perspective on problem-solving or innovation?

• What are some of the specific cultural nuances that, if misunderstood, could create major roadblocks for a project? How can a person develop the empathy needed to navigate them?

• For someone who hasn’t had the chance to work internationally, how can they still cultivate a more global mindset?

• What skills or habits are most valuable for thriving in global teams or cross-cultural settings? How has your own thinking changed through working globally—personally or professionally?

• If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about working across cultures, what would it be?

 Resources:

www.global-excellence.com

Cross-Cultural Webinars

1. Developing a Global Mindset

2. Cross-cultural Awareness with Emotional Intelligence (EQ)Lens 

3. Managing Conflict Across Cultures

4. Delivering Coaching Through a Cross-cultural Lens

5. Managing Multi-cultural Teams

Published articles

Communication

• Anglo-French Communication - Gap or Chasm?

• ‘Body language’ - The Silent Language that Impacts on your Business Communication 

• Choosing Media Strategically for Cross-border Team Communications 

• Getting your Message Across Cultures 

• They All Speak English Don't They?

Management

• Manager From Another Planet 

• Managing International Assignments 

Country-Specific

• Communicating with the Japanese 

• Time Management Training for Brazil: Global Training Delivery - Breaking the Rules 

• Cool Britannia or Boring Brits 

Coaching Across Cultures

• Coaching Across Cultures 

• Intercultural Coaching: The Next Big Thing 

Global Training

• Becoming an Effective Global Networker 

• Global Training – Cultural Differences and Their Implications for Trainers 

• Realise the Benefits of Working Globally 

• Personal Skills Are the Key to International Business 

• Training Across Cultures: Facing the Global Challenge 

• Why Global Organisations Need Global Skills 

• Why Cultural Training Needs to Get Smarter 

Intercultural Skills

• A Basic 4 - Step Model for Intercultural Management 

• Culture or Competence? 

• Culture and Status - The Perils and Pitfalls 

• Dealing with Resistance to Intercultural Training 

• Internationalising your English 

• Read the Dos and Don'ts on the Plane! 

• The Bicultural Audit: Towards "Culture-Bridging" Post-merger Culture Shock and Some Remedies 

• The Expat Life - Do We Have What it Takes to Live Aboard? 

• Working Abroad 

• Negotiating Across Cultures

Women Expatriates

• A New Generation of Trailing Spouses – The Trailing Man 

• Women in the Global Business World: Identifying the Myths