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What happens when your cultural heritage comes from one country, but your upbringing and worldview are shaped by another, and then you return to that ancestral culture as an expat?

In this episode, Sabiya welcomes Bindi Basan, a British-born transformation leader with Punjabi roots, whose global career has taken her from Yorkshire to Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore, and beyond.

Together, they explore the subtle and surprising layers of of identity, leadership, cultural nuance, and unconscious learning. 

 Key themes explored in this part:

• Navigating leadership as a Third Culture Kid
• What it’s like to be an expat in the country your grandparents called "home" 
• Holding onto inherited culture while the homeland evolves
• Language, identity, and the subconscious cultural code-switching
• Hidden blind spots of global leaders and cross-cultural teams
• How intuition and lived experience shape cultural sensitivity
• The reality of being misidentified, and misunderstood, across geographies
• Social etiquette from Japan, to India, and the power of adaptation
• When intuition meets experience: sensing unspoken tensions in diverse teams

 Subscribe for Part 2, where we dive deeper into leading with authenticity, resilience, and creative expression.

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

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#rootedandroutedpodcast #studententrepreneur 

======
CHAPTERS: SEASON 2 - EPISODE 8 - SARAH OLIVIER - PART 2
======
00:00 Coming Up
00:43 Sarah Strides (www.sarah-strides.com) and Sarah's support system
02:42 Living Independently
03:29 Belgian Government's Student Entrepreneur Initiatives
05:41 Ghent University
07:20 Role of personal stories amongst young entrepreneurs
08:58 Which Terrain does Sarah prefer to ride on - Asia or Europe?
10:13 Japalouppe Equestrian Centre in Pune, India
10:48 International Competitions
11:57 Sarah's advise to Expats and Young Entrepreneurs
13:12 Presenting the Veterinary All-in Customer System App (VACS app) at universities
15:15 Forced to adapt to the environment 
16:02 Conclusion
16:55 Outro


In this inspiring part 2 episode, Sabiya sits down again with Sarah Oliviers—Belgian equestrian consultant, founder of Sarah Strides, and creator of the VACS app—for an honest deep dive into how she balances her many roles as a student entrepreneur and global equestrian.

🎯 Key Takeaways from this episode:

Routine, Resilience & Relationships
Sarah reveals the power of her personal support system and how meticulous organization (yes, even writing down “clean the kitchen”) helps her juggle riding, business, and vet school.

Founding VACS & Sarah Strides
Get the behind-the-scenes of how VACS was born from lived frustrations in the equestrian industry—and how Sarah’s startup mindset is reshaping vet-client dynamics.

Student Entrepreneurship in Belgium: Expectations vs. Reality
Sarah discusses the real-world challenges of navigating Belgian student-entrepreneur policies—and the gaps in support despite good intentions.

Why Riding in Asia Still Feels Like Home
With rich insights from training in India and Japan, Sarah opens up about how environment, not luxury, makes all the difference in sport and life.

Sarah’s Golden Rule for Growth: Just Ask
From riding lessons with Olympians to university speaking gigs, Sarah shares how asking—with confidence and clarity—has opened doors throughout her journey.

💡 Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an equestrian, or a globally-raised student wondering how to carve your own path—Sarah’s story offers valuable lessons, practical insights, and a whole lot of encouragement.

📲 Follow Sarah's journey:
Instagram: @sarahs.strides.official
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-oliviers-411540357
Sarah's Website: https://www.sarahs-strides.com
Veterinary All-in Customer System App (VACS app): https://www.vacs.vet

📺 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 for more inspiring stories from global minds!

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

What’s it really like growing up as an expat kid—and how does that shape your future?

In this powerful episode, host Sabiya Pathan Withoeck sits down with Sarah Oliviers, a Belgian veterinary student, international show jumper, and tech founder, to share her incredible journey—from discovering horse riding in Pune, India, to launching a veterinary admin app called VACS.

 In Part 1, we cover:

• Sarah’s early days riding and competing in India—and how community shaped her passion.
• The cultural shift from collective sports in Asia to individual competition in Europe.
• Her academic transition back to Dutch-language university life in Belgium.
• How growing up between India, France, and Belgium built adaptability and depth.
• Lessons learned from training with Olympic-level riders—and what not to copy.
• Why the bond with her horses is non-negotiable.
• The story behind VACS: a startup born from frustrating vet bills and a gap in the market.

This is our first episode featuring an expat kid as the guest, not the subject—and Sarah’s story proves just how grounded, entrepreneurial, and insightful the next generation can be.

Key takeaway: Cross-cultural experiences don’t scatter identity—they sharpen it.

Don’t miss Part 2, where we go deeper into her entrepreneurial journey, startup development, and the future of vet tech in Europe.

 Subscribe & hit the bell to stay updated! Share this episode with someone who grew up between worlds—or is building their own.

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

In this heartfelt Part 2 episode, media founder, writer, and PhD researcher Joanna Dukkipati joins Sabiya Pathan Withoeck for a rich, reflective conversation that flows from food and migration to parenting and decolonising language, to claiming space and redefining inclusion.

 What you’ll hear in this episode:

- Food as a thread of identity:
Joanna shares her new documentary project exploring ethnic food stores as cultural lifelines for migrant communities in Ireland. What does craving a vegetable like tindli or okra reveal about homesickness, identity, and access?

- The gaps in representation in Irish media:
From token diversity to accent biases, Joanna speaks candidly about the blind spots that persist—and how meaningful representation starts with equity in decision-making.

- Third-culture parenting:
Raising her son as a third-culture child has prompted Joanna to rethink language, cultural conditioning, and the responsibility of curating belonging.

- Accents, bias & reclaiming narrative power:
They dive deep into how colonial mindsets shape accent biases, language fluency, and assumptions in media and social spaces—and why we must consciously decolonise our ears.

- Why stepping away is also leadership:
Joanna reflects on her decision to transition from day-to-day operations of Good Day Cork, a platform she founded, and how it’s blossomed through collective leadership.

- Hopes for future storytellers:
From wearing saris in every space to breaking norms through softness, Joanna shares her hopes for a generation of storytellers who lead with courage, nuance, and care.

This episode is for anyone navigating questions of identity, language, parenthood, inclusion, or simply trying to stay rooted in their values while evolving with grace.

Listen now or watch the full episode. Like, share, and comment if this conversation resonates with you.

#RootedAndRouted #GoodDayCork

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take to create a platform that amplifies voices often left unheard—and keeps growing with intention?

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Joanna Dukkipati — writer, media founder, and PhD researcher — shares her journey of evolving identity, inclusive leadership, and the quiet power of gathering voices from the margins—not marginalized, but ready to be centered.

 Key Takeaways:

 How Good Day Cork was born in Joanna’s kitchen — and why it became more than just a magazine The real meaning of inclusion and what it looks like in action (hint: it’s not just about representation) Why Joanna calls herself a gatherer — of people, stories, and safe spaces Her pivot from PR and NGO work in India to becoming a PhD researcher on inclusive digital services in Ireland What collective leadership looks like — and how stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away Living between worlds: Third-culture parenting, code-switching, and rethinking “success” The tension between staying relevant, doing it all, and knowing when to let go Why her PhD is about impact, not just titles — and the importance of discomfort in growth

Recorded in person in Pune, this episode marks a special moment: Joanna is the first Indian-born guest on the podcast.

 Whether you're a creator, an expat, a parent, or someone navigating transitions — this episode will leave you reflecting on what it means to create with purpose and evolve with grace.

Listen now on your favourite platform!

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

#jwmarriott  #marriottsuitespune  

In Part 2 of this immersive conversation with Chef Christian Huber of Sorriso, Pune, we explore the unfiltered realitybehind the world of international kitchens and authentic cuisine. From peeling potatoes to leading a brigade, Christian shares what it really takes to thrive as a chef abroad—and why fame isn't the same as mastery.

👨‍🍳 Key Takeaways:

Why being a chef is more about grind than glamour

Common myths young chefs hold about international culinary careers

The role of authenticity and education in preserving global food heritage

Why flexibility, not fusion, is the key to cross-cultural food success
#rootedandroutedpodcast #jwmarriott 

The tension between tourism-driven trends and culinary integrity, even in Italy!

What makes true Italian pizza (hint: it's soft, not crispy 🍕)

Christian’s honest take on adapting to a competitive and evolving food scene in India

✨ Whether you're a budding chef, a curious foodie, or someone fascinated by culture through cuisine, this episode is packed with powerful insights and delicious stories.

📍 Visiting Pune? Don’t miss a chance to experience Chef Christian’s food at Sorriso, Koregaon Park.

👇 Follow Chef Christian Huber on Instagram and stay tuned for his culinary appearances as guest chef across India.

🔔 Subscribe for more thoughtful, cross-cultural conversations around food, identity, and the paths we carve abroad.


🔗 Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/rootedandroutedpodcast/
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0SIZRiApXjy4UzKVP1Yrzv
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-and-routed-podcast/id1755695962

📷 Connect with Chef Christian Huber: https://www.instagram.com/chef_christiano/

🔗 Connect with Marriott Suites Pune: @MarriottSuitesPune
🔗 Connect with Marriott Suites Pune: https://www.instagram.com/marriottsuitespune/

🔗 Visit Marriott Suites Pune: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnqms-marriott-suites-pune/overview/
🔗 Connect with Alto Vino Pune: https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottpune/

🔗 Connect with Sabiya: linkedin.com/in/sabiya-pathan-withoeck-5aa6684

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Rooted and Routed, host Sabiya Pathan Withoeck dives into the emotional and cultural layers of expat life with Christian Huber—Executive Chef at Sorriso, Marriott Suites Pune.

From growing up in Italy to building a life and legacy in India, Christian reflects on what it means to belong in a place far from home. With over 15 years in India, he shares how food can bridge cultures, offer comfort, and quietly express identity.

 Key Takeaways:

• The emotional side of relocation as a culinary professional
• Adapting to new cultural norms while staying rooted in one’s craft
• How India’s culinary landscape is evolving with global influences
• The quiet role of a chef in helping others feel ‘at home’ abroad
• Why food isn’t just nourishment—it’s memory, identity, and connection

This isn’t just a conversation about food—it’s a reflection on identity, belonging, and how the culinary world transforms through global movement. Whether you’re an expat, a foodie, or navigating life in a new land, tune in to explore how comfort is crafted and traditions adapt far from home.

 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe for Part 2.

 📷 Connect with Chef Christian Huber: https://www.instagram.com/chef_christiano/ 🔗 Connect with Marriott Suites Pune: @MarriottSuitesPune 🔗 Connect with Marriott Suites Pune: https://www.instagram.com/marriottsuitespune/ 🔗 Visit Marriott Suites Pune: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnqms-marriott-suites-pune/overview/ 🔗 Connect with Alto Vino Pune: https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottpune/ 🔗 Connect with Sabiya: linkedin.com/in/sabiya-pathan-withoeck-5aa6684 

#RootedAndRouted #FoodAndIdentity #ChristianHuber

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful part 2 conversation, Summie Yeung, a Life & Transition Coach, and former Hong Kong immigrant breaks down her coaching philosophy and insights on cultural integration, burnout, and parenting Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Listen as she shares real stories, research, and strategies that inspire resilience, clarity, and authenticity.

 What You’ll Learn:

Co-Created Coaching
Summie emphasizes that coaching isn’t about her solutions—it’s about empowering each client to explore what feels rightfor them. Whether it’s a career pause or cross-cultural transition, her approach is tailored to each individual.

The Immigrant vs. Expat Lens
She explores the subtle differences between immigrants and expats—touching on the permanent/migratory mindset and shared strengths of resilience and adaptability across both experiences.

Burnout and Cultural Pressures
Summie examines how cultural attitudes—particularly those emphasizing productivity—can fuel burnout. She encourages naming emotions as data points and prioritizing self-awareness over “just pushing through.”

Building Emotional Resilience
Using personal stories of grief and distance, she advocates for naming difficult emotions, recognizing shared experience, and leveraging one’s adaptability as a “superpower.”

Embracing Immigrant Strengths
Summie cites studies showing culturally diverse workforces outperforming their peers, reinforcing that immigrant and TCK strengths—resilience, adaptability, openness—are assets, both personally and professionally.

Parenting TCKs with Curiosity
Summie encourages parents to spark curiosity in their children about their heritage—not through pressure, but by offering playful exposure and space to choose their own connection to culture.

Tune in for:

• Practical insights on customizing transition coaching
• Honest reflections on identity, loss, and belonging
• Thoughtful guidance for parents raising children between cultures
• Data-backed encouragement for immigrant confidence and workplace impact

Listen to the full episode (link in bio).

Join the conversation
What resonated with you the most? Drop a comment below—your story matters, too.

#ImmigrantVoices #ThirdCultureKid #BurnoutPrevention #EmotionalResilience #CareerCoaching #CrossCulturalParenting 

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

 Part 1: Summie Yeung on Rooted and Routed

What does it really mean to grow up between cultures—and how do those experiences shape the way we live, work, and find our place in the world?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Summie Yeung, a Life and Transition Coach, immigrant, and self-identified Third Culture Kid (TCK), to explore her journey from Hong Kong to the UK. At just 15, Summie moved across continents, a decision that would redefine her sense of identity, belonging, and purpose.

Key Highlights:

• The emotional and cultural impact of migrating alone at age 15
• Struggling with identity in-between cultures: “not quite British, not quite Hong Konger”
• How boarding school shaped resilience and her view of cultural community
• Finding purpose through coaching NEET youth (Not in Employment, Education or Training)
• The transformative power of the Cultural Orientations Framework in coaching

This audio-only release captures raw reflections and deeply personal insights that couldn’t be recreated. Join us as Summie shares how her life across cultures turned into a mission to support others on their own transitional paths.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into multicultural coaching, building inclusive support systems, raising a TCK, dealing with integration beyond language and emotional resilience.

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.

Send us Fan Mail

From a notebook of handwritten questions to a platform that shares global voices, Rooted and Routed turns ONE! 

What began as quiet conversations has grown into a space for honest stories on identity, belonging, and the layered realities of global life.

In just one year, we’ve explored: Identity & belonging Parenting across cultures Repatriation, integration & career breaks Interfaith relationships & trailing spouses Language, food, and the emotional truths of expat life

And we’re only getting started.

What’s ahead in Year Two? More collaborations More global voices More untold stories More impact

Thank you to every guest who trusted the mic.
Thank you to every listener who continues to return.
You’ve made this journey what it is.

Let me know — which episode or moment has stayed with you?

If this resonates, support the channel by subscribing, liking, and sharing.

#RootedAndRoutedPodcast #PodcastAnniversary

Rooted and Routed is a global mobility and cross-cultural storytelling podcast hosted by Sabiya Pathan Withoeck. New episodes every week.

Follow the show:
Instagram: @rootedandrouted
LinkedIn: Rooted and Routed
YouTube: @rootedandrouted
Website: https://www.rootedandrouted.com

Follow Sabiya:
LinkedIn: Sabiya Pathan Withoeck

For guest collaborations, sponsorships, and media inquiries:
[email protected]

If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who'd love it — and leave a rating on your podcast platform of choice.

 Every share helps this conversation reach further.