Small Talk: Work | Play | Build

Can stories really save a city? Ecologist, author, and professor Harini Nagendra believes they can; and Bengaluru needs them now more than ever.Once a city of a thousand lakes, today Bengaluru struggles with traffic gridlock, water shortages, and extreme heat. In this conversation, Harini takes us through the city’s forgotten ecological history, the science behind urban resilience, and why collaboration and storytelling could hold the key to its future.Dr. Harini Nagendra is the Director of the School of Climate Change and Sustainability at Azim Premji University, and Director of the University’s Research Centre. (https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/p...)An internationally recognised scholar and a proud Bengalurean, she combines a career in urban sustainability research with a passion for storytelling. (https://harininagendra.com)For over two decades, her work has explored the intertwined histories of Bengaluru’s lakes, trees, and communities, documenting their transformation through books, teaching, and on-ground engagement. She is the author of several acclaimed non-fiction works on ecology and urban change, as well as the popular Bangalore Detectives Club mystery series, which blends historical fiction with the city’s vibrant past.On the global front, she served as a Lead Author on the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and served on the Steering Committee of the programme for Ecosystem Change and Society and Future Earth’s urban advisory network. Dr. Nagendra’s approach bridges science, history, and culture, making complex ideas accessible while inspiring conversations on how cities can grow sustainably without losing their ecological and cultural heritage.We talk about:✔ The rise and fall of Bengaluru’s iconic lakes✔ Why restoring them isn’t just nostalgia, it’s survival✔ The hidden role of community action in saving nature✔ How a single illustrated story sparked state-wide policy change✔ What the next generation needs to build sustainable cities✔ Beloved fiction series The Bangalore Detectives ClubThis episode is for everyone who loves Bengaluru, and everyone wondering what it takes to make a city livable again.00:00 – Why this conversation matters01:45 – Meet Harini: Beyond the job title05:20 – Early career choices & big pivots13:40 – The turning point that changed everything18:00 – Mentors, networks & lessons learned28:10 – Leadership truths & navigating self-doubt38:00 – What success looks like today42:15 – Advice to your 25-year-old self--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

What really counts as bad workplace behaviour in 2025?Moonlighting. Faking bills. Ghosting on Zoom. Showing up in sliders. We’ve seen it all.

In this episode, Subha and Hasita get into the real (and absurd) stories that shape today’s evolving idea of “professionalism.” What’s fair, what’s foul, and what’s just funny?From Soham Parekh’s multiple-job moonlighting saga to office party meltdowns and Coldplay concert scandals, we explore what makes (or breaks) your workplace reputation.In this episode:00:00 Highlights00:52 Welcome to the Workplace Circus 03:40 Soham Parikh: Hero, Villain or Meme? 10:30 Can You Work for 5 Clients and Stay Sane? 16:10 Please Don’t get drunk at Office Parties 21:06 Reply All Chaos & Passive-Aggressive Threads 26:08 Zoom Calls Deserve Pants 30:35 Workplace: The Original Reality Show 32:05 Read Watch Listen#careerpodcast #moonlighting #worketiquette #professionalism #genz #smalltalkwpb #sohamparekh #coldplay #astronomerceo --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Everyone sees the applause, the costumes, the final performance.But what about the hustle behind it?

In this powerful guest episode of Small Talk: Work| Play| Build, host Subha speaks with acclaimed dancers Smt Anuradha Vikranth and Shri Parshwanath Upadhye, about building a creative life in full public view.

From facing self-doubt and burnout to carving a space for themselves as performers, educators, and entrepreneurs, this episode is a masterclass in creative resilience, ambition, and authenticity.

Smt. Anuradha Vikranth is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, founder of the cultural institution Drishti Art Centre, and one of Karnataka’s foremost arts educators and curators. Trained under illustrious Gurus and a recipient of accolades including the Karnataka Kalashri Award, Anuradha has not only performed across the world but has also brought classical dance to public consciousness through platforms like the Drishti National Dance Festival.

Shri Parshwanath Upadhye is one of the most compelling Bharatanatyam artists of our time. An Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and founder of the acclaimed Punyah Dance Company, Parshwanath is known for his bold interpretations of mythology, his precise technique, and his ability to connect with diverse audiences across the world. A trained Carnatic vocalist, black belt in karate, and now educator with students worldwide through the Upadhye School of Dance, Parshwanath constantly straddles art and entrepreneurship.

You can learn more at:

https://drishtiartcentre.com

https://anuradhavikranth.com/

https://www.punyahdancecompany.com

https://linktr.ee/parshwanathupadhye

https://www.instagram.com/anuradhavikranth/

https://www.instagram.com/parshwanath_upadhye/

Episode guide:

01:30 Growing Up in the World of Dance

09:15 Why Passion Alone Is Not Enough

15:10 Learning from Teachers, Learning from Failure

21:50 How to Build Institutions Without Losing the Artist

29:40 Why Dance Needs to Evolve (But Stay Rooted)

37:30 Showing Up with Joy, Even When It’s Hard

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Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

---------------------

If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

We hear it all the time. "Just manage your stakeholders."But who are they really? Your client? Your team? Your toddler?In this episode of Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, Subha and Hasita untangle the very human mess of stakeholder management. From clients with invisible influence to HR teams that make or break your deadlines, we break down what it really means to manage relationships at work — and how doing it right might just save your energy, your projects, and your peace of mind.In this episode:00:00 Highlights01:52 Introduction03:40 Who’s Really in the Room? 06:36 The Client Isn’t One Person 07:52 What Makes Someone a Stakeholder 10:02 Power vs Influence 12:33 Mapping Stakeholders Simply 17:39 Managing Energy, Not Just Time 18:58 The 2x2 Matrix That Helps 23:02 Peer Visibility = Career Growth 29:17 Life Has Stakeholders Too 33:08 Hybrid Work & Missed Voices 36:00 Read, Watch, Listen #stakeholdermanagement #projectmanagement #leadership #careerpodcast #workculture #smalltalkwpb --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Imposter. Fraud. Con artist. Harsh words. But how many of us have whispered them to ourselves in the quiet moments before a pitch, a promotion, or a big presentation?In this deeply honest episode of Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, Subha and Hasita unpack the universal (yet often hidden) feeling of impostor syndrome. From startup founders to world-class actors like Tom Hanks and Michelle Obama, no one seems entirely immune.So how do we show up, even when we’re convinced we’re not ready?And what does it really take to reframe self-doubt into growth?Chapter Guide:00:00 Highlights00:57 Introduction02:20 Do We All Feel Like Frauds? 06:00 Startups, Pressure & Not Knowing 10:10 High Achievers, Higher Doubts 13:00 Firsts, Fakes & Feeling Exposed 17:00 Why Creative Work Feels Personal 21:05 Reframing the Fear 26:10 You’re New, Not a Fraud 29:00 Safe Spaces, Mentors & Mirrors 32:00 Validation is Not a Dirty Word 33:40 If Jerry Seinfeld Doesn’t Feel It... 34:32 Read, Watch, Listen: Our Picks #impostorsyndrome #selfdoubt #startuplife #careergrowth #womeninbusiness #smalltalkwpb #careerpodcast--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Can empathy and ambition coexist? Can workplaces be spaces of true care and creativity?This week on Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, Subha and Hasita sit down with Tina Mansukhani Garg, founder of Pink Lemonade, to talk about building a workplace culture rooted in care, without losing sight of performance, growth, and self.From sending pani puri carts to grieving with her teams, Tina’s leadership style redefines what it means to lead with authenticity and depth. But make no mistake- behind the empathy is a sharp, visionary mind scaling one of India’s most beloved creative agencies.00:00 Highlights and Introduction03:00 Lessons from Scaling Too Fast 08:10 Hiring with Heart (and Gut) 10:10 Leading Without Burning Out 15:05 AI Meets Empathy 18:50 Culture That Actually Cares 22:50 Gen Z Isn’t the Problem 26:00 Are You Still a Relevant Leader? 39:00 Grief, Growth & Going Inward 55:55 What’s Next? 57:48 Read | Watch | Listen#leadership #workculture #womeninbusiness #mentalhealthatwork #tinaGarg #pinklemonade #smalltalkwpb #careerpodcast ____________________________Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Tired of “working the room”? Same.This episode is for all of us who’ve been to a networking event and left with… exactly one name and a sore jaw. What if networking didn’t feel like performance theatre? What if we could just be ourselves?In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, Subha and Hasita tear apart the myth of professional networking. From awkward intros to soul-sucking visibility mandates, they explore how we can make connection work on our terms.What’s inside:- Why most networking events feel like high school dances- The secret power of asking instead of selling- Understanding your “why” before you enter a room- Finding your kind of people—and being okay with not liking the rest- Introverts, authenticity, and the art of walking awaySpoiler alert: You don’t have to be a social butterfly to be good at this.Timestamps: 00:00 That One Time You Didn’t Network05:30 Is Visibility the New Networking?13:20 Why We Judge the Room (and Ourselves)21:10 Being the Connector, Not the Closer29:40 Planning for the Right Kind of Connection36:44 Read | Watch | Listen#networkingtips #introvertsatwork #careercoaching #businesspodcast #smalltalkwpb #leadershipdevelopment #personalbranding --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Why is the word “no” so hard to say—even when we’re overwhelmed, out of time, or just not up for it?In this episode of Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, hosts Subha and Hasita dive into the uncomfortable but essential skill of saying no—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

From people-pleasing at the office to emotional labour at home, we explore how cultural conditioning, guilt, and the “good girl” myth keep us stuck in cycles of yes. You’ll hear real talk on navigating client boundaries, setting expectations with loved ones, and using alternatives and data to say no without burning bridges.

-Why setting boundaries isn’t selfish

- How to say no professionally (and politely)

- What it means to say yes to yourself- The hidden cost of always saying yes

- Real strategies to protect your time and energy

Whether you're negotiating a deadline, declining yet another WhatsApp favour, or trying to leave that family group without drama—this episode has something for you.

00:00 – Introduction: Why Saying No Is So Hard01:37 – Welcome + Why This Topic Matters05:31 – Saying No at Work (Clients, Bosses & Deadlines)15:08 – Cultural Conditioning and the “Good Girl” Syndrome21:32 – Boundaries at Home (Kids, Parents, Partners)29:57 – Practical Ways to Say No with Grace31:26 – Read, Watch, Listen Recommendations

Listen, reflect, and start building your boundaries—one no at a time.

#howtosayno #setboundaries #worklifebalance #mentalhealth #smalltalkwpb #podcastforprofessionals #womenatwork #careercoaching #productivitytips #burnoutrecovery

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Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

---------------------

If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

What does it take to put a bolt on Mars? Or build an aerospace legacy from scratch?In this episode of Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, we’re joined by Ankit Patel, Group CEO of the Ankit Group—a man whose company manufactures the fasteners that literally hold India’s spacecrafts together. From telephone screws in the 70s to parts that flew with Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan, this is a story of legacy, ambition, and deep manufacturing roots. And intentional focus on enabling women in engineering. We talk about building for aerospace in India, the leadership mindset needed to scale, and what it means to bring more women into this space (yes, quite literally).Also in the mix? What skiing has to do with mental hygiene, what startup founders must learn to scale, and why storytelling might just be the secret to engineering longevity.Timestamps05:35 The Origin Story – From ITI phones to ISRO12:25 Bet the Farm: Risk, Vision, and a New Plant39:00 Women on the Shop Floor57:20 Scale is a Mindset1:00:00 Why Founders Must Ask for Help1:23:00 Why Skiing Is a Mind Cleanse#manufacturing #aerospace #womenintech #indianspace #podcast #engineering #startups #smalltalkwpb #isro #careerpodcast #engineeringcareers #womeninstem --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

There’s a lot of noise right now about AI replacing humans. But how much of that is fear… and how much is fact?We recorded this episode in March 2025, at a time when Google was laying off employees from its developer relations team — while also posting jobs for AI content specialists. Talk about mixed signals.Subha and Hasita unpack the headlines, connect the dots, and offer a no-BS take on how to stay employable in an AI-first world.You’ll walk away with:•⁠ ⁠Clarity on what today’s hiring managers truly value•⁠ ⁠A renewed belief in your human edge•⁠ ⁠Practical ways to reframe your learning journeyWe get it — the world’s changing fast. But you're not falling behind. You’re just one thoughtful shift away from thriving.00:00 Is AI the villain or just a very efficient intern?05:05 The illusion of “safe” roles08:15 The bots can go from coding to storytelling to therapy09:50 When it feels wrong to use AI18:45 Whose data is it?22:10 The consequences we avoid looking at 32:46 Read | Watch | Listen#success #career #workplace #business #podcast #smalltalkwpb #careerpodcast #coaching #ai #aijobs --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries [email protected] © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)