Reclaiming Bossy

Today’s episode is a reminder  that you are the main character of your own life.

In this episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m breaking down how to “free will max”: building the money, time, boundaries, self-trust, community and energy that give you more freedom to design a life you love,

We get into identifying your core values and your “why”, defining success on your own terms, setting boundaries around what you will and won’t tolerate, building financial literacy, thinking differently about your 168 hours each week, delegating, protecting yourself from burnout and breaking the cycle of constantly looking to other people for validation.

If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, directionless and want to design a more happy life, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: How to maximise your free will and personal agency

00:50 The funding gap and the reality of being the first in your lineage

03:28 Step 1: Identifying your core values and finding your “why”

06:07 Step 2: Setting boundaries and deciding what you won’t tolerate

08:33 Step 3: Designing your own version of success

11:07 Money is a tool: Building financial agency and financial literacy

13:52 You have 168 hours: How to spend your time and pay yourself first

18:00 Delegating tasks and understanding what your time is worth

19:30 The energy audit: Protecting your energy and preventing burnout

22:04 Stop waiting for permission: Breaking the validation loop

24:40 Why you need a community of builders around you

26:17 Reclaiming “Bossy” and launching Bossy and Brown magazine

What’s one way you’re maximising your free will right now? Comment below, I want to hear yours. Please also send this episode to someone you want to free will max with.

THINGS MENTIONEDThe Bossy and Brown Magazine (info/pre-order): https://www.bossyandbrown.com

168 hours book: https://lauravanderkam.com/books/168-hours/

The Finance Season: https://youtu.be/u583FCbmLEY?si=dnDNySkTZxkbx0_I

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07

Book a discovery call : https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1

Join the next personal branding sprint : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Danika Hossain co-founded Bhangra Blends, the UK's first South Asain inspired ready-to-drink cocktail brand, taking it from home-tested recipes to retail shelves and a £167k raise, all straight out of university.

We talk about the origin story behind Bhangra Blends, building a product from kitchen experiments to commercial manufacturing, and raising funding as young South Asian female founders.

Danika breaks down startup jargon most people are too embarrassed to ask about (SEIS, cap tables, FMCG), why every founder needs an advisory board, and how she's kept her friendship with her co-founder intact through the chaos of building a business.

We also get into brand building, rebranding without fear of being "annoying," and choosing organic growth over chasing every opportunity.

If you've ever wanted to start a business but have no idea where to begin,  this episode is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Meet Danika, co-founder of Bhangra Blends

00:19 Introducing the UK's first Indian-inspired cocktail brand

00:51 The origin story of Bhangra Blends

01:55 The product development journey from home testing to retail

03:24 Raising £167k and the commercial manufacturing process

05:00 Breaking funding barriers as a young South Asian female founder

06:45 Startup jargon busted: SEIS, Cap Tables, and FMCG

10:45 Why you need an advisory board and how to build one

14:05 How to maintain a friendship with your co-founder

16:34 Balancing startup life and personal relationships in your 20s

18:13 Business expectations vs. reality and advice to younger self

21:07 Creating a vibrant brand aesthetic and community

24:00 Rebranding and getting over the fear of being "annoying"

26:04 Focusing on organic sales and relationship building

29:08 Building resilience through the highs and lows of business

Connect with Danika/ Bhangra Blends 

https://bhangrablends.com

https://www.instagram.com/bhangrablends/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bhangra-blends/

Send this episode to someone who you want to try Bhangra Blends with the next time you order Indian takeout :)

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07

Book a discovery call : https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1

Join the next personal branding sprint : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Sangeeta grew up in the slums of Mumbai, fought her way out of an arranged marriage, and became the founder of Soul Sutras and the multi-award-winning Masala Podcast, the UK's biggest South Asian feminist platform. 

In this episode we go deep on the mother wound, generational trauma, and the specific kind of shame South Asian women are raised to carry. We talk about reclaiming the word "bossy," growing up under patriarchy in Mumbai, immigrant shame, healing her relationship with her mother, leaving India for London, and re-rooting in Kerala to find belonging. We also get into redefining South Asian culture on your own terms, the stigma around loneliness, building genuine community, the "man hater" label thrown at feminists, real male allyship, breaking scarcity mindset, and reconnecting with your body and pleasure.

If you've ever felt like tired of being “good” this one is for you

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 – Introduction: Meet Sangeeta  Pillai

00:00:46 – Reclaiming The Word Bossy & Speaking Up

00:02:31 – Growing Up In Mumbai & Overcoming Patriarchy

00:04:53 – The Societal Function Of Shame

00:07:05 – Unpacking Cultural Shame As Immigrants

00:09:36 – Healing The Mother Wound & Generational Trauma

00:13:58 – Leaving The Motherland & Moving To London

00:16:50 – Re-Rooting And Finding Belonging In Kerala

00:20:22 – Redefining South Asian Culture On Your Own Terms

00:24:35 – The Hidden Stigma And Shame Around Loneliness

00:28:13 – Evolving Identity And Outgrowing Old Spaces

00:29:29 – How To Build A Genuine And Intentional Community

00:33:37 – Navigating The "Man Hater" Label As A Feminist

00:37:18 – How Men Can Show Up As True Allies To Women

00:39:15 – Breaking The Scarcity Mindset Among Women

00:41:48 – Learning To Relax, Let Go, And Receive Abundance

00:44:35 – Reconnecting With Your Body & Calming Your Nervous System

00:47:25 – Expanding Your Lexicon Of Pleasure As A Woman

00:50:24 – Conclusion: Where To Find Sangeeta 

Follow and Connect with Sangeeta:

Sangeeta’s Website https://soulsutras.co.uk/about-sangeeta-pillai/

Follow Sangeeta on instagram https://www.instagram.com/soulsutras/?hl=en

Connect with Sangeeta on Linkedin 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangeeta-pillai-soul-sutras-398a821a?originalSubdomain=uk

Masala Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/show/7eCWGNxaofWADklejsML95

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

What does it mean to reclaim your culture through food?

Sohini Banerjee is a chef, food writer, and the founder of Smoke and Lime, a Bengali supper club bringing London's Desi community together one dinner at a time. This episode is part of our South Asian Heritage Month season and it is one of my favourites we have made.

We talk about Bengali culture, the gentrification of South Asian food, the assimilation struggle of growing up British South Asian, and how Sohini built a freelance food business from scratch by simply refusing to shrink herself or her cooking.

If you have ever been told your food smells, your culture is too much, or that STEM is the only acceptable path, this one is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy

01:04 Meet Sohini: Chef and Smoke & Lime founder

02:01 Exploring the Bengali community and its nuances

04:18 Unique aspects of Bengali culture and arts

05:21 The story behind Smoke & Lime Supper Clubs

07:03 The gentrification of South Asian food and zero waste

10:38 Misconceptions and the Matcha vs. Chai debate

11:56 Overcoming the assimilation struggle

14:06 Growing up British South Asian

18:10 Rediscovering Desi identity away from home

20:07 Reclaiming brown womanhood through food

23:31 How to get started hosting supper clubs

25:44 Navigating privacy when hosting strangers at home

29:44 How to price your supper club and know your worth

32:24 The brown female tax and defending your rates

35:06 Content creation advice: don't take it too seriously

36:56 Letting go of opinions and being authentic

38:54 Rapid fire: Bengali artists you need to know

40:05 Why Desi cooking is all about the vibes

41:22 Stop villainizing carbs

42:17 Advice to my younger self: ditching STEM stereotypes

42:46 What it means to reclaim being "bossy"

43:50 Where to find Shohini and her supper clubs

45:27 Final thoughts and outro

Guest Links

Sohini's Website: https://sohinibanerjee.com/ 

Smoke and Lime Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokeandlime/ 

Sohini's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohini-banerjee-smoke-and-lime-0b5a2215a Sohini's About Page: https://sohinibanerjee.com/about/ 

Sohini's Substack: https://sohinibanerjee.substack.com/

If you enjoyed this episode and learning about Bengali culture, send it to someone who you think would love it. And if you ever get the chance to eat Sohini's food, do not think twice.

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

The only glow up guide you need if you are a young brown girl.

I spent most of my childhood wishing I could glow up. Wishing I looked different, had a different name, fit differently into the world around me. This episode is the conversation I needed at 14 and nobody gave me.This is not a skincare routine. This is the brown girl glow up that starts on the inside and works its way out.

If you are listening to this as a brown girl, share your journey with me. How did you learn to embrace your beauty ? What are your glow up tips ? Is 2026 the year of the Brown Girl ?

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 – Introduction: The Confession

00:00:53 – Growing Up Brown In A White Town

00:02:39 – The Pressure To "Glow Up" And Fit In

00:03:52 – Reclaiming Your Name And Identity

00:06:07 – Rejecting Eurocentric Beauty Standards

00:07:01 – Doing A PhD In Yourself & Finding Your Style

00:08:26 – Are You Changing For You Or Your Environment?

00:10:25 – Stop Waiting To Look Perfect To Enjoy Life

00:11:14 – Being A Trophy Vs. Being A Treasure

00:13:38 – The Difference Between Self-Maintenance And Self-Care

00:14:44 – Anchoring Your Worth Beyond Your Appearance

00:15:40 – Rapid Fire Brown Girl Beauty Tips

00:17:24 – Maximalism: Accessorize And Enjoy Your Beauty

00:17:44 – South Asian Heritage Month & Upcoming Episodes

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If you’re building a business, freelancing, starting a side hustle, or feel anxious about managing money, this episode is for you.

This week on Reclaiming Bossy, I’m joined by accountant, founder and creator Emily Vass to ungatekeep the financial side of running a business and answer all the questions you are too scared to ask.  This is the conversation I wish someone had sat me down and explained earlier as it would have saved me so much money, time energy and unnecessary stress.

Today We talk about:

● How to financially prepare before starting a business

● Creating personal and business runways

● Budgeting when your income changes every month

● Taxes, VAT, dividends and paying yourself properly

● Revenue vs profit (and why they’re not the same thing)

● How to confidently price your services

● Managing money anxiety as a founder

● Knowing when to hire an accountant

● Building a profitable business sustainably

● The emotional side of money and self-worth

● Why founders often undercharge

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Meet accountant & founder Emily Vass

01:28 Finance jargon explained simply

02:34 Leaving corporate to start a business

03:40 Creating a financial runway before quitting your job

05:16 Business runways, money pots & burn rate explained

06:59 Overcoming money anxiety as a founder

07:38 How to budget when your income changes every month

09:43 Revenue vs actual profit

10:24 When should founders start paying themselves?

11:40 When to hire an accountant

13:24 How to organise your business finances properly

14:24 Taxes every founder needs to understand

15:26 Corporation tax, VAT & dividends explained

17:07 Capital gains tax & long-term planning

17:47 Salary vs dividends explained

18:59 Pension contributions & tax efficiency

21:49 Managing salary + dividends while living in London

25:39 Why founders undercharge

27:33 How to price your services properly

29:38 Calculating your freelance day rate

35:21 Money shame, confidence & founder anxiety

39:42 Reclaiming the word “bossy” as a founder

Connect with Emily:

Instagram & TikTok: @emilyvass

Website: nourishedaccounting.com

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

On today’s episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m sharing the story of how I won £1,000 in 90 seconds through pitching and why learning how to pitch yourself is one of the most valuable skills you can build in your career, business and life.

Whether you’re applying for jobs, building a business, growing a personal brand, trying to get clients, or simply learning how to speak about yourself with more confidence, this episode is for you.

We talk about:

- How to structure a strong pitch

-  Creating a hook that grabs attention

-  Understanding the problem you solve

- Why knowing your audience matters

-  Building confidence through evidence

- Communicating your value more clearly

- How pitching applies to jobs, friendships, dating, content creation and business

If you’ve ever struggled to talk about yourself, doubted whether you’re “qualified enough”, or felt scared to put yourself out there, I hope this episode reminds you that you probably know more than you think you do.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: How I won £1,000 in 90 seconds

00:37 Welcome to Money Month

01:10 Why pitching is a life skill

01:55 How my business journey started

02:26 The pitch competition that changed everything

02:39 Overcoming limiting beliefs before pitching

03:11 How to pitch yourself clearly

03:12 Start with a strong hook

03:46 Identify the problem you solve

04:39 Create a clear solution

05:25 Example: my viral “learn to learn” video

06:01 Know who you’re speaking to

07:27 Test, iterate and improve your pitch

08:51 Build confidence through evidence

09:48 Back yourself and collect the receipts

10:20 Communicating confidence clearly

11:03 Know what you want and what you don’t want

11:54 Why we are always pitching

12:37 How pitching can create opportunities

13:19 Pitch yourself in the comments

13:35 Final thoughts

If you like this episode send it to a friend who would benefit from learning about pitching :)

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

On today’s episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m joined by Vanesa Pazos from Noba Capital to ungatekeep venture capital and break down what actually happens behind the scenes of raising money.

If you’ve ever wondered how founders get funded, what investors are really looking for, whether you actually need VC investment, or how to confidently pitch yourself and your ideas, this episode is for you.

We talk honestly about the things that often feel confusing or intimidating when it comes to fundraising and career growth, from networking and rejection to female founders, leadership, and building opportunities before you feel fully ready.

We talk about:

•  Breaking into venture capital through a “squiggly career” path
• What investors actually look for beyond just a good idea
•  How founders can pitch themselves and raise money more effectively
•  Common mistakes founders make when fundraising
•  Building genuine relationships and networking authentically
• Navigating rejection and hearing “no”
•  Female founders and bias in business spaces
•  Hiring, leadership, and building strong team cultures
•  Understanding whether VC funding is actually right for your business
•  Balancing ambition, motherhood, and personal life

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:03:00 – Entering VC Through A “Squiggly Career”

00:05:33 – Why Investors Back Founders, Not Just Ideas

00:06:50 – What Makes An “A-Player” Founder

00:08:00 – How To Pitch Investors Effectively

00:10:08 – Female Founders, Bias & Building Traction

00:11:16 – How To Start Learning About Investing

00:14:04 – The Story Behind Empower Her

00:16:04 – How To Ask For Help & Build Genuine Connections

00:18:18 – Why “No” From Investors Isn’t Always Final

00:20:08 – Do You Actually Need VC Funding?

00:22:25 – Why Fundraising Is Like Dating

00:24:46 – Biggest Red Flags Investors Notice

00:27:41 – Balancing Motherhood, Career & Leadership

00:33:29 – Hopes For The Next Generation Of Female Founders

00:36:03 – Reclaiming The Word “Bossy”

Connect with Vanesa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanesa-pazos/

Noba Capital: https://www.nobacapital.com

Get involved: https://www.nobacapital.com/get-involved?referrer=luma&utm_source=luma

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

In this episode of Reclaiming Bossy, we’re kicking off Money Month, a series all about money, career growth, entrepreneurship, investing, confidence, and trying to build financial security in your 20s.

I’m sharing some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from reading 30+ books on money, business, psychology, habits, productivity, and wealth as a 22-year-old navigating starting a business, managing my money and living in London.

If you have ever avoided opening your banking app, felt behind financially compared to everyone online, or struggled with money anxiety, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:33 Welcome to Money Month

01:38 My personal money journey at university

02:15 Reading 30+ finance & career books

03:27 Why I hate the phrase “girl math”

04:08 Money is emotional, not just logical

04:24 Attachment styles & money habits

05:09 Building healthier financial habits

05:22 The 12 Week Year & financial goal setting

06:03 Tracking spending without shame

07:21 Best budgeting & money tracking apps

07:58 Automating savings & investments

08:44 Paying yourself first

09:54 Reframing limiting beliefs around money

10:52 Atomic Habits & financial growth

11:07 Weekly “money homework” habits

11:45 Why talking about money matters

12:34 Being busy doesn’t always make you money

13:03 Productivity vs actually generating income

14:14 Working hard vs working strategically

14:31 Focus on your core competencies

15:23 Spending in alignment with your values

16:50 Setting boundaries around money

17:54 Courageous money conversations increase income

18:44 Curating your environment & mindset

19:12 Your environment shapes your income

20:18 Building systems instead of relying on discipline

20:50 Final thoughts on building financial confidence

Some Of The Books Mentioned In this Episode:

1) The Psychology of Money

2) The 12 Week Year

3) Atomic Habits

4) Money: A User’s Guide

5) Working Hard, Hardly Working

6) We Need To Talk About Money

7) 168 Hours

If you want to go deeper into some of the ideas from this episode, I’ve linked a few resources for you…

Here are some reflections and summaries on some of the books mentioned in this episode over on my LinkedIn there are 12 summaries on there: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maahikasingh/recent-activity/articles/

For my London girls trying to navigate the cost of living crisis, career anxiety, and the reality of building a life in this city, I also loved this article: https://londonistcitykeys.substack.com/p/broke-in-london-theres-an-app-for

Comment what else you want to see for this finance season and send this to a friend who wants to feel more confident about money and let me know if you want reading recommendations.

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

This episode is for you if you are going through a “Flop Era’ In this episode of Reclaiming Bossy Madrid Season, I’m joined by Tatiana, founder of Deep Chats, for an honest conversation about self-trust, moving abroad, navigating uncertainty in your twenties, and finding your people when life doesn’t go to plan.

After experiencing redundancy and navigating a season of uncertainty, Tatiana rebuilt her life in Madrid and created Deep Chats, a community focused on meaningful conversations and genuine connection.

We talk about trusting yourself before you have all the answers, embracing awkwardness, creating authentic community, and why some of your most confusing seasons can actually become the beginning of something better.

If you’re navigating change, feeling behind, trying to rebuild trust in yourself, or questioning whether you’re on the right path, this episode is for you.

We talk about:

● Building self-trust through trial and error

● Moving abroad and navigating uncertainty in your twenties

● Coming out of a “flop era” and sitting with difficult emotions

● Learning to trust life’s timing

● Finding your people and building authentic community

● Journaling, affirmations and practical mental health tools

● The power of silence and meaningful conversations

● Breaking social scripts and asking better questions

● Learning how to talk about yourself more positively

● Starting something before feeling fully ready

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction and welcoming Tatiana

00:44 - Tatiana’s background, moving to Madrid, and starting Deep Chats

01:39 - Navigating your twenties and the uncertainty of moving abroad

03:49 - Tangible ways to build self-trust through trial and error

05:48 - Trusting life’s timing and adopting a spiritual perspective

07:45 - Filtering through the wrong crowds to find your true community

09:06 - Dealing with a “flop era” and sitting with difficult feelings

11:07 - Practical tools for mental health: journaling and affirmations

12:32 - The power of silence and the concert story

15:27 - The journey of creating Deep Chats and embracing awkward silence

17:51 - Breaking the social script to have more intentional conversations

20:24 - Asking better questions to learn from others

21:34 - How to talk about yourself authentically and practice positive self-talk

23:13 - Where to find Tatiana and Deep Chats online

23:39 - Reclaiming the word “bossy” as a female business owner

Connect with Tatiana:

Tati: https://www.instagram.com/tatianafyodorov/

Deep Chats; https://www.instagram.com/havedeepchats/

https://linktr.ee/deep.chats?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGny8RyuS295HMG5TIRMpm7DidMo87ezXmWfgSdWFPU-jmtdSMnEMl4jfTDgHQ_aem_E6yLaNHXU3-RMwrfLK7PEg

BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.

⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠

WORK WITH ME

Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.

⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠

Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]