The Diverse Minds Podcast

Welcome to the 212th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This month, we are focusing on writing wellbeing and mental health. In this first episode of the series episode 210, I outlined the research evidence on writing and wellbeing, as well as all the types of writing that can support wellbeing. 

Today, we are focussing on journaling, and joining me in talking about this is Greta Solomon.

Greta Solomon is a journalist and author specialising in mental health, emotional well-being, and the transformative power of journaling. She is also a highly experienced writing teacher and soft skills coach, with 14 years of experience coaching individuals, and delivering workshops for companies, organisations, and universities.

She trained as an ICF-accredited coach in 2007, and a lifelong learning teacher in 2008, and her clients include Zalando and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Greta began her journalism career in 2000, following a degree in psychology. She held deputy editor and features writer positions at Executive Woman and Woman, before going freelance in 2002.

Her bylines include Red, Stylist, Forbes, HuffPost, and Psychologies. From 2009-2010, she worked as a journalist and PR at a top 150 consultancy, SE10. Greta is a published poet and songwriter, and the author of Just Write It! (McGraw-Hill, 2013) and the award-nominated Heart, Sass; Soul: Journal Your Way to Inspiration and Happiness (Mango, 2019).

Her journal healing course Heal The Shame That Sabotages Self-Expression is enrolling now.

• What she’s currently working on. [03:03]
• How she became a journal healer. [04:06]
• What the term “well-being” means to her. [06:50]
• What people can do to incorporate writing into their lifestyles. [15:26]
• Her top three mental health tips. [17:59]

• There's so much that you can do for yourself, once you know how.
• Well-being is this intangible feeling of feeling good.
• Writing for well-being is not about sitting on your desk. It’s about moving and getting out there.
• People have very deep-seated beliefs that stop them from putting pen to paper.
• I encourage people to walk and write.

• Connect with Greta on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit her website
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

Welcome to the 211th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This month, we are focusing on writing wellbeing and mental health.

Last week in episode 210, I outlined the research evidence on writing and wellbeing as well as the types of writing that can support wellbeing.

Today we are focussing on creative writing and to join me in talking about this more is Jim Hall.

Jim is a Derby-based writer, educator, and carer. His published work includes Upon Arrival, Drop Your Cool (2015), Boy (2016), and ELSEWHERE (forthcoming, 2024).

He serves as writer-in-residence for various schools and University settings, in which he curates, edits, and publishes anthologies of creative writing by new writers, many of whom have previously never put pen to paper.

He has worked as a programme manager for Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature,

supporting writers of all ages and backgrounds to read and write for pleasure, and running several young writers’; groups, alongside delivering ongoing email and Zoom courses in poetry and prose.

Jim believes firmly in ‘leaving out no-one’ when it comes to accessing creativity, and that everyone has a story to tell.

• About Jim, and what he's working on at the moment [01:55]
• What led him to become a full-time writer. [06:28]
• What the term "well-being" mean to him. [11:29]
• What workplaces can do to encourage employees to use creative writing for their well-being. [22:03]
• His top three mental health tips. [32:52]

• I have always been someone who feeds massively off other humans and individuals.
• I was a very reluctant reader for a long time.
• Well-being is a term that I'm very guilty of not reflecting on.
• I saw well-being as a meal that I knew was good for me, but would never order it.
• I love the challenge of shifting people's perspectives about creative writing.

• Connect with Jim on Linkedin.
• Visit his website
• Checkout My Skin, My Story on Instagram
• Listen to Episode #87 Why Dancing is Good for Mental Health
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 210th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. Welcome to September, a new month and podcast series. This month, we are focussing on writing and wellbeing.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• About my TEDx talk and booking me as a speaker. [00:44]
• Why I chose to do an episode on writing and mental health. [01:15]
• How emotional writing affects mental health. [02:01]
• The broad context of writing. [04:15]
• Different ways of writing for well-being. [05:04]

• Writing is a really broad word and encompasses a number of ways that we can do this.
• Bottling up emotions can lead to distress.
• Writing in a diary or journal can be free-form or guided by certain questions.
• All writing is an incredibly personal and individualised experience.
• Writing reflectively involves critically analysing an experience.

• Download the 200 Episode Podcast Guide
• Leave me feedback anonymously via SpeakPipe
• Listen to Episode #86: 5 Ways Reading Benefits your Mental Health
• Check out Episode #51: A Writer’s Journey With Mahsuda Snaith
• Listen to Episode #159: 6 Reasons Why Personal Development is Important 
• HBR Writing Can Help Us Heal from Trauma
• This is how writing can improve your mental health
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 209th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast, to finish off our series on Telling Your Story, I have a really special guest for you, Sathya Bala.

Sathya is an energetic leader, business owner and community builder fueled by building a more equitable world through her work. She brings her experience as a senior influencer and on-the-ground changemaker starting at Deloitte in Risk and Audit, and moving on to Data Governance at Sainsbury's, Barclays, HSBC and Deutsche Bank.

Sathya then moved into diversity, equity and inclusion sponsoring these initiatives in her last role at Chanel as Head of Global Data Governance. Now Sathya is a consultant entrepreneur, thought leader, board advisor and speaker focused on using data and stories to make organisations more equitable.

She is the founder and community organiser for My Skin My Story which empowers women of colour all around the world, and in three years she has run 30 events and built a membership of over 500 people.

Sathya also sits on the board of a national cancer charity and dance company and speaking she demystifies identity bias intersectionality inclusion and how to champion equity by tapping into stories and humanising data.

Sathya embraces her lived experience as a Sri Lankan Tamil woman born in Singapore, who grew up in Sydney and moved to London as a young adult. She inspires others with her story and is proud to amplify underrepresented voices, and was awarded top 100 ethnic minority executives by Yahoo Finance and has been recognised by the UK National Diversity Awards, and Juno Freelancer awards.

• About Sathya, and what she's working on at the moment [02:15]
• Her career journey to becoming a diversity and inclusion advocate. [04:56]
• What the term "embracing identity" means to her. [13:27]
• What workplaces can do to create safe places for employees. [22:03]
• Her top three mental health tips. [29:23]

• I've had to be a bit more intentional about taking care of my mental health.
• The number one thing is to find places that are safe for you to be vulnerable in.
• We subconsciously hide parts of ourselves.
• I remember trying to distance myself from my brownness.
• For me, it's about carving out time when you are able to switch off from work.

• Connect with Sathya on Linkedin.
• Visit her website
• Checkout My Skin, My Story on Instagram
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 208th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. Today's episode is all about celebrating the fourth birthday of the podcast, and 208 full episodes of the show.

In this episode, I want to share with you key things I have learned over the years from episodes 158 to today's episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• About my TEDx talk and booking me as a speaker. [01:04]
• Themes we covered last year. [02:01]
• The most popular episodes for last year. [03:46]
• 10 Countries with the most downloads. [06:04]
• What to expect in the new year. [09:48]

• Thank you to everyone who listens to the podcast!
• The path of least resistance is still a path.
• The podcast is all about giving you access, if you can't afford to work with me or purchase training.
• I try to provide tools, tips and support so that anyone can access the information.
• Engaged followers make a huge difference.

• Listen to Episode #110: Tackling Anti-Blackness in South Asian Communities
• Check out Episode #146: Work-Life Balance 2: Mood Check-In
• Listen to Episode #126: Book Review: The Body Keeps the Score
• Check out Episode #109: 8 ways to Create Culturally Inclusive Meetings
• Listen to Episode #111: Black women in Menopause
• Check out Episode #100: 7 Reasons you must watch We Are Lady Parts
• Listen to Episode #107: Book Review Culture Map by Erin Meyer
• Check out Episode #37: Why bother with Inclusive Language?
• Listen to Episode #39: Resilience and mental health.
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 207th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This episode is the final in our series on South Asian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diverse stories that shape the South Asian community. 

This year's theme is "Tell Your Story", and it encourages individuals to share their personal journeys and the pivotal moments that have shaped their identities.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• How our stories make us unique. [00:58]
• About my TEDx talk and booking me as a speaker. [01:11]
• Why we should consider other awareness days and history months. [01:46]
• How telling your stories authentically, can something about what it means to be human [02:58]
• Why we don't have to lay everything on the table. [03:34]

• Everyone has a story to tell, but sometimes it's not easy to tell our stories.
• Stories draw upon our universal need for connection, and to be human is to tell stories.
• It can be really reassuring to hear other people's experiences and stories.
• Telling your stories authentically says something about what it means to be human.
• We don't have to lay everything on the table.

• Why You Need to Tell Your Story to the World
• Why is it so important to tell your story?
• Listen to Episode #149: Using Lived Experience to shape better workplaces
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 206th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It’s South Asian Heritage Month, and this year’s theme is all about celebrating the stories that make up our diverse and vibrant community.

To join me today to discuss this further is Pooja Thilvawala.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

Pooja (she/her) is an Indian-American climate justice advocate, opportunity curator, and youth engagement expert with 5 years of experience in the global climate movement. She has degrees in Economics and International Studies with a focus on Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights from American University in Washington, DC.

Since 2020, she has served as the Founder and Executive Director of Youth Climate Collaborative (YCC) which aims to create a more just, inclusive, and intergenerational climate movement that allows young people to take meaningful climate action while sustaining themselves and their initiatives. 

She is also the CEO of Jaali.io and an Advisor to Rivet, which is creating the world's largest microgrant fund for youth-led action by harnessing youth purchasing power through brand/company partnerships.

She is an active member of YOUNGO (the children and youth constituency of the UNFCCC), a member of the United Nations Major Group on Children and Youth, and most recently, was double-nominated to serve as the North America youth advisor to the UN Secretary General for climate change. Her purpose in life is to nurture her curiosity and creativity, encourage herself and others to challenge the status quo, and unite people to improve the quality of life for all.

• About Pooja, and what she's working on at the moment [02:49]
• How she got into her line of work. [05:39]
• On navigating the grey-white campaigning space of climate change [09:31]
• What the term "climate justice" means to her. [14:09]
• Her top three mental health tips. [26:19]

• I love being outside.
• In the US, rural communities suffer and they don't get enough attention.
• I really like paddleboarding, and I want to restart doing dance classes.
• if you're trying to address problems in a community, you should have the solution design be community-led and driven.
• I also like taking action with friends.

• Connect Pinky on Instagram and LinkedInLinkedin.
• Visit her website and LinkTree
• Follow Youth Climate Collaborative on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 205th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It’s South Asian Heritage Month, and this year’s theme is all about celebrating the stories that make up our diverse and vibrant community.

Today we are exploring cultural perspectives on imposter syndrome and what businesses can do to create true gender equity.

To join me today to discuss this further is Pinky Ghadiali.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

Pinky is a multi-award winning transformational life and business coach

working with career driven professionals and entrepreneurs across the UK and

globe. She is passionate about helping her clients become empowered to

achieve personal and professional goals with purpose, drive and vision.

Whether it’s asking for a promotion or chasing leads and closing business

deals, believing in yourself is the first step towards creating a life you love. She

will help you create your killer mindset that dismisses your inner critic and

overcome imposter syndrome to put you on the right track for professional

and personal success. 

She is a master practitioner in Neuro Linguistic

Programming (NLP) trained with the co-founder Richard Bandler and qualified

with Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) in coaching and

mentoring.

Pinky founded Netwomen.co in February 2020, a global online community

helping organisations increase their profitability and performance by elevating

and retaining their female talent in tech. 

Netwomen believe in bridging the gender gap to make a difference by retaining talented women and keeping female leaders at the top for a sustainable future. Our mission is 50/50 gender split and an equitable world. The platform is online professional development

and skill sharing, DEI & HR programs (CPD certified), Women in leadership,

peak performance coaching, mastermind groups and networking.

Your membership and sponsorship will contribute to moving the needle on gender

equality through equity.

In 2021 Pinky was a finalist for 3 awards, Leader of the year- Women's business

club UK, entrepreneur of the year- GIFEW global awards and the Great British

Entrepreneur Awards for entrepreneurial spirit.  In 2022 she was featured in

the Scottish Business Insider Magazine, Winner of Prestige Global women’s

initiative awards and 100 Women in Tech UK by Barclays Bank. She is finalist

for Women’s business club and Excellence through Diversity Award for

National Mentoring Matters awards 2023.

• About Pinky, and what she's working on at the moment [03:03]
• How she got into her line of work. [05:57]
• What the term "imposter syndrome" means to her. [09:55]
• Some causes of imposter syndrome. [13:33]
• Her top three mental health tips. [26:25]

• You might be the most confident person in the world, but even still, there's that little voice, that inner critic in your mind that tells you that you're not good enough.
• I absolutely prioritise mental health because I've been so close to burnout several times.
• Don't think you have to hustle every single day. It's not life, you're not balancing anything at all.
• When we get stressed out and we get anxious, we stop breathing, and your breathwork is extremely important.
• We forget that the human nature of talking and speaking with people is vital for your own mental health.

• Connect Pinky on Linkedin.
• Visit her website and Netwomen
• Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Follow Netwomen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 204th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In this episode, we continue our focus on South Asian Heritage Month and will be exploring success and what it means. 

To join me in doing so is Mohammed Kasujee.

Mohammed is an Executive Coach who specialises in helping corporate executives and business founders bridge the gap between Personal Fulfilment and Professional Success. Mohammed enjoyed a corporate career in Medical Sales before stepping into the world of entrepreneurship.

He currently balances his time between 1-2-1 coaching and managing his Professional Branding company  - MK Career Solutions.

Additionally, Mohammed is a sought-after Keynote Speaker and also serves as an Advisor Board Member for Startups and Non-Profits. 

• About Mohammed, and what he's working on at the moment [01:36]
• His journey to becoming an executive coach. [02:36]
• The biggest mental health challenge for South Asians. [15:25]
• What workplaces can do to create resilient systems with culture in mind. [19:59]
• His top three mental health tips. [21:27]

• Presence is a key foundational element for me.
• Rest and recuperation aren't necessarily a function of time, but a function of energy.
• It's a good idea to have an integrated calendar of personal and professional time.
• the time that I schedule for rest, is as sacred as one that I schedule for a meeting.
• More hours do not equal more productivity.

• Visit Mohammed's website.
• Connect with him on Linkedin.
• Email him on [email protected]
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 203rd episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In this episode, we continue our focus on South Asian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diverse stories that shape the South Asian community. 

This year's theme is "Tell Your Story", and it encourages individuals to share their personal journeys and the pivotal moments that have shaped their identities.

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• About my TEDx talk and booking me as a speaker. [01:43]
• About South Asian Heritage Month and this year's theme. [02.39]
• Why we should care about South Asian Heritage. [03:45]
• How South Asian groups can be pitted against each other [08:42]
• What you can do to take a step back and not jump in with assumptions. [12:49]

• South Asian Heritage Month is about stereotypes, true race equity and understanding nuances.
• Whether you express yourself through art, writing, music, fashion or food, there are so many ways to share experiences and celebrate your heritage that go beyond lots of stereotypes.
• We know that Black History Month is really essential. We know that Women's History Month is really essential. We know that LGBTQI+ History Month is really essential. And of course, South Asian Heritage Month is no different.
• The issue is that the global north love to lump us all together and also not understanding that a lot of the differences or the clashes that we see now in modern-day India are a result of colonialism and what I like to call the colonial hangover.
• We all love to eat samosas. But seriously, if you're going to do events in your workplace, they need to go much, much deeper than this.

• South Asian History Month Website
• South Asian History Month on Twitter
• The Partition Group on Twitter
• Indian Summer
• Listen to Episode #50: Why You Need To Stop Stereotyping South Asian Women
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC