The Storied Way Perspective With Rituparna

In this engaging conversation, Rituparna Ghosh and Roma Balwani explore the evolution of communication over the past 40 years, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in corporate settings. Roma shares her journey from a marketing executive to a leader in corporate communications, highlighting the role of mentorship and the challenges faced in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the significance of personal branding, especially for women in leadership, and the need for organizations to foster a supportive culture. The conversation concludes with insights on navigating the digital age and the importance of human connection in communication.

Takeaways

• Storytelling has been a powerful tool in communication for decades.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping careers and guiding young professionals.
• The VUCA world presents unique challenges that require resilience and adaptability.
• Women must take charge of their stories and careers to overcome barriers.
• Organizations need to invest in their people to foster growth and development.
• Personal branding is essential for career advancement and leadership roles.
• Humanizing communication is vital in today's digital landscape.
• Curiosity about others' stories enriches personal and professional growth.
• Leaders must empower their teams to foster a positive organizational culture.
• Patience and self-reflection are key to navigating career challenges.

About Roma Balwani

Roma Balwani is a veteran communications leader, ESG advisor, and passionate mentor with over 40 years of experience across Mahindra, Vedanta, L&T, and Aptech. She currently serves as CEO & Brand Custodian of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association, and Co-founder of the RB Foundation.

Roma has been recognized globally for her leadership in brand strategy, sustainability, and purpose-led storytelling — including a spot on the Holmes/Provoke Influence 100 and multiple lifetime achievement awards. Her story is featured in Sheroes Amongst Us – Real Women, Real Stories.

Connect with Roma Balwani | Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen to ⁠Golpo: Stories from Around the World⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

What does it mean to be a childist? How can stories be a way of being rather than just a performance? In this soulful, stirring conversation, Rituparna Ghosh sits down with the multi-faceted Valentina Trivedi – writer, educator, performer, TEDx speaker, and one-half of the storytelling duo behind Aao Suno Kahani.

From telling stories to a single child under a tent to adapting Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne as a Dastangoi performance, Valentina’s storytelling journey is filled with wonder, deep insight, and fierce joy. Like Rituparna, she feels compelled to share stories with her audience. Valentina unpacks her philosophy of storytelling as presence, vulnerability, and listening—and her belief in leading with the child.

This is a conversation not just for storytellers and educators, but for anyone seeking to slow down, listen deeply, and let stories fall on them like rain.

Takeaways

Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with children.A child's attention is a sacred privilege for storytellers.Vulnerability enhances the storytelling experience.Adults often fear looking foolish when telling stories to children.Storytelling should be a natural and spontaneous act.The joy of storytelling comes from sharing and giving.Translation of stories can be a meditative and enriching experience.Listening is as important as telling in storytelling.Podcasts are a vital medium for sharing stories today.Stories help individuals understand themselves better.

About Valentina Trivedi

Valentina Trivedi is a writer, educator, performative storyteller, and TEDx speaker whose life is steeped in stories. Her work spans scripting and directing films, editing, translating, adapting classics, and performing across stages and screens. She is the creative force behind Aao Suno Kahani—a beloved storytelling podcast and YouTube channel that brings timeless tales to life in Hindi.

Valentina scripted and directed a biopic on the legendary yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar and has reimagined iconic narratives such as Satyajit Ray’s Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne into Urdu-Hindustani Dastangoi performances for children—complete with translated songs and rich theatricality.

As an education consultant, she is a passionate advocate for the child’s point of view, conducting workshops for parents and teachers, and speaking at international forums on learning and storytelling. She is also a trailblazer in education governance, serving as the first alumna on the Board of Governors of The Doon School.

Listen to Valentina’s Podcasts | Treasures from the Puranas | Prabha Prasad ki Kahaniya

Connect with Valentina | Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen to Golpo: Stories from Around the World

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh sits down with Dr. Swati Popat Vats, globally awarded early childhood education expert and President of the Early Childhood Association India and the Podar Education Network. Together, they dive into the transformative role of storytelling in early childhood education, parenting, and teacher training.

Dr. Vats shares powerful insights on how oral storytelling traditions, when used intentionally, can foster emotional growth, cognitive development, and parent-child bonding. Drawing from pioneers like Gijubhai and educational models like the Panchakosh, this episode is a rich resource for educators, parents, and curriculum designers alike.

The conversation touches on:

• Why storytelling is not just for fun, but a scientific and emotional tool in pedagogy
• How stories help children make sense of values, conflict, emotions, and the world around them
• The need to revive India’s oral storytelling traditions in a fast-paced, digital world
• How educators can become co-storytellers with parents to shape more resilient, empathetic learners

Whether you're an early years educator, a parent navigating bedtime stories, or someone passionate about child development and education, this episode is a must-listen.

Takeaways

• Storytelling enhances emotional intelligence and cognitive growth in young children
• Oral storytelling builds connection, trust, and reflection—skills children need for life
• Teachers and parents must become story partners, not just content deliverers
• Stories allow children to explore tough topics in safe, age-appropriate ways
• Gijubhai’s storytelling legacy offers a timeless, scientifically grounded pedagogy
• The Panchakosh model complements storytelling in understanding holistic development

About Dr Swati Popat Vats

Dr. Swati Popat Vats is the founder and president of the Early Childhood Association India and the Association for Preparatory Education and Research. As President of Podar Education Network she leads over 490 preschools and Daycares in India, Nepal, UAE, and Qatar. Dr. Vats has coined the term ‘Kiducation’ for early childhood teachers and parents to help them understand that young children need education from the point of view of their development. She is also an expert on the global think tank of Kidzania.

In her career spanning over 34 years, Swati has authored many books for parents, teachers, and children, her most recent works are two books on Coding for Children and books on educators like Gijubhai, Froebel, and Vygotsky. She has also helped train more than 3,00,000 children on Good Touch Bad Touch and over 60,000 teachers on POCSO awareness.  She is a globally awarded early years leader.

Connect with Dr Swati Popat Vats | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, Rituparna sits down with Mehak Sharma for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation on the powerful intersection of storytelling and wisdom. Together, they explore the mission and journey of Project FUEL and the Uttarakhand Wisdom Library (UWL)—two initiatives rooted in honouring lived experiences and preserving cultural heritage.

From the quiet villages of Uttarakhand to digital spaces across the globe, Mehak shares how personal narratives can become powerful tools of connection, resilience, and growth. The conversation reflects on what it means to reconnect with our roots, slow down, listen deeply, and carry forward community wisdom in a fast-paced world.

• Storytelling shapes identity and brings people closer.
• Wisdom emerges from everyday life and lived experience.
• Project FUEL captures life lessons from around the world.
• Human connection is vital for meaningful growth.
• Culture and community are preserved through intentional storytelling.
• Everyone has a story worth telling—even if it's not told often.
• Contributing to a storytelling community is both a gift and a responsibility.
• It's okay for stories to be light, nostalgic, or imperfect—they still matter.
• We must respect and reclaim our roots while moving forward.
• The challenge of gathering stories is part of the storyteller’s journey.

Project FUEL (Forward the Understanding of Every Life Lesson) captures the practical wisdom of people across the globe and transforms it into tools for learning and change. By designing immersive experiences from life lessons, Project FUEL fosters empathy, creativity, and intercultural understanding.

The **Uttarakhand Wisdom Library (UWL)** is a living archive of the stories, traditions, festivals, landscapes, and voices of Uttarakhand. It goes beyond postcard views to capture the region’s spirit—its quiet strength, lived realities, and deep-rooted wisdom.

Through storytelling, UWL seeks to preserve and share the cultural richness of Uttarakhand with the world.

Mehak began her journey in the classroom, where she learned the power of clear communication and deep connection. Over time, her path led her through diverse roles in communications, administration, and digital strategy—always rooted in purpose and people.

Today, she blends creative content with data-driven insights, working across platforms to amplify meaningful stories. Whether she’s decoding algorithms or sipping chai in soft sunlight, Mehak is grounded in the everyday beauty of life.

Connect with Mehak: Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh is joined by Nitika Arora, co-founder of Darwesh Heritage Walks, to unpack the power of storytelling in reimagining and reclaiming heritage.

Through a compelling conversation, they explore how heritage goes beyond bricks and buildings to include oral histories, local cultures, and lived traditions. Nikita shares the journey of Darwesh and its use of performative storytelling to breathe life into overlooked histories, especially in urban settings where heritage often hides in plain sight.

Together, they discuss:

• How storytelling can bridge the gap between people and the past
• The role of community voices in shaping authentic narratives
• Challenges of engaging audiences with history in a fast-paced digital world
• The importance of educating youth and rethinking how schools approach heritage
• The potential of digital platforms to make cultural narratives more accessible and inclusive

This episode reflects on why history needs storytellers—to make it personal, participatory, and powerful.

Takeaways

Heritage lives in stories—not just monuments, but traditions, voices, and memory.

Darwesh blends tangible and intangible heritage through immersive, performative storytelling.

Storytelling makes history accessible by turning facts into emotional, human narratives.

Innovative themes and formats help engage modern, diverse, and younger audiences.

Audience participation is key—listeners aren’t passive; they shape the story too.

Urbanisation and time pressures pose challenges, but storytelling adapts to remain relevant.

Digital platforms offer scale, helping heritage stories reach wider, global audiences.

Sustaining storytelling efforts requires collaboration, funding, and community ownership.

Darwesh Heritage Walks, founded in 2013, brings Delhi’s hidden stories to life through immersive walks, intimate baithaks, and creative trails. Blending history, performance, and community voices, Darwesh offers a unique way to experience the city beyond its monuments.

In this episode, Nikita Arora—actor, theatre artist, and Darwesh's chief curator—joins us to discuss the power of performative storytelling and how the Discover–Design–Embellish–Perform approach helps reimagine heritage for modern audiences.

Connect with Darwesh | YouTube | Instagram

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh is joined by Dr. Shweta Verma, co-founder of Ginny’s Planet, for a powerful conversation on the role of storytelling, empathy, and inclusion in children’s lives.

Together, they explore the journey of Ginny—a doll and lead character designed to help children understand diversity, disability, and acceptance in a fun, relatable way. The conversation delves into how experiential learning, storytelling, and play can create safe, engaging spaces for children to explore complex ideas around identity, difference, and empathy.

Dr. Verma shares her insights on the responsibility of adults—parents, educators, and caregivers—in shaping inclusive mindsets early on, and the creative strategies she uses to make conversations about disability and diversityaccessible and joyful.

The episode also highlights the challenges of scaling inclusion initiatives, the importance of community collaboration, and how storytellers and organizations can come together to amplify messages of empathy in meaningful ways.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or changemaker, this episode offers practical ideas and deep reflections on building a more inclusive world—one story at a time.

Takeaways:

• The story of Ginny illustrates the importance of identity in play.
• Empathy can be nurtured through storytelling and play.
• Children are naturally curious and seek to understand differences.
• Workshops can create safe spaces for discussing diversity.
• Storytelling can be a powerful tool for social change.
• Adults play a crucial role in modeling acceptance for children.
• Experiential learning helps children internalize concepts of diversity.
• Creating characters with relatable stories fosters connection.
• Community engagement is essential for promoting inclusion.
• Collaboration among storytellers can amplify the message of empathy.

About Dr Shweta Verma

Dr. Shweta Verma, co-founder of Ginny’s Planet and the Ginny Ki Duniya Foundation. A passionate social entrepreneur and seasoned social work professional, Shweta brings over 22 years of experience working across mental health, disability rights, gender, and child protection. Through her innovative approach, she’s changing the way we talk to children about diversity, empathy, and inclusion—not with jargon, but with stories, play, art, and imagination.

About Ginny’s Planet

Through Ginny’s Planet, a social enterprise, Shweta and her team design workshops, storybooks, games, and activity zones that engage kids in fun yet powerful experiences. From summer camps at Rashtrapati Bhavan to storybooks being considered for school libraries, Ginny’s world is growing—and so is its impact.

Ginny ki Duniya Foundation- is hoping to start a library cum Activity center in Delhi. They are looking for passionate and interested partners for this (for space, running, design, and financial support)

Connect with Dr Shweta Verma | LinkedIn | Instagram

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

This conversation explores the transformative power of storytelling in media, particularly focusing on the role of women in rural journalism through Khabar Lahariya, India’s first Rural Media Network. The discussion highlights personal journeys, the importance of amplifying rural voices, and the impact of female journalists on society and future generations. The conversation emphasizes the need for diverse narratives in media and the challenges faced in sustaining feminist media organizations. Join Rituparna, in conversation with Kavita Bundelkhandi & Priya Thuvassery from Chambal Media.

Listen in, to our first bi-lingual episode!

Disclaimer: There are a few audio jumps and translation errors in the captions. Listen in to the stories. It’s easy to fill-in the blanks!

About Chambal Media

Chambal Media, India’s first Rural Media Network, is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and marginalized communities in rural India. With a mission to create meaningful media from rural India, Chambal Media blends journalism, storytelling, and technology to challenge mainstream narratives and make local stories visible.

About the speakers

Kavita Devi is the CEO of Chambal Media & Co-Founder of Khabar Lahariya. A trailblazing journalist from Banda, she is the first Dalit woman anchor to host her own news show, The Kavita Show. With years of field reporting experience, she continues to report on special stories while leading a team of women journalists. The only Dalit member of the Editor’s Guild of India, Kavita is a TED speaker and a powerful advocate for independent rural journalism.

Priya Thuvassery is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Co-CEO of Chambal Media. Her work focuses on gender, community, and environmental narratives, amplifying women’s voices through impactful storytelling. With over 15 years of experience, she has collaborated with leading media houses and directed acclaimed films like Coral Woman and City Girls. A Global Ford Fellow and Canon Cinema EOS Ambassador, Priya continues to push boundaries in independent filmmaking and media leadership.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is a powerful currency that can shape society.
• Khabar Lahariya has empowered women through journalism.
• Rural voices are crucial for authentic storytelling.
• Women journalists break stereotypes and redefine narratives.
• The impact of women in media extends to future generations.
• Trust and relationships are essential in journalism.
• Women tell stories differently, bringing compassion and depth.
• Sustainability in media requires innovative approaches.
• Collaborative efforts can bridge rural and mainstream media.
• Empowering women to share their stories is vital for change.

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Substack

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh introduces two new podcasters, Shubha Das and Thankam Kuttikat, who share their journeys into storytelling and podcasting. They discuss their backgrounds, the power of listening, and the impact of storytelling on their lives. Both storytellers reveal the essence of their upcoming podcasts, which aim to connect with listeners through personal and cultural narratives. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping identities and fostering connections, especially in a podcasting format. The episode concludes with sneak peeks of their stories and reflections on their experiences in a podcasting bootcamp designed by Rituparna Ghosh.

About Shubha Das | Podcast | Kinkini Cheppu

From the clatter and clink of the banking industry to the giggles and guffaws of children and children at heart. Shubha's journey spans 17 years across diverse industries. This professional detour evolved into a passion for crafting unique experiences through a vibrant blend of storytelling, movement, music, art, origami, guided imagery and workshop facilitation.

A proud Malayalee born and raised in Bengaluru, Shubha has always been drawn to the rich storytelling traditions of Kerala. While she specializes in retelling folktales, she also weaves original narratives inspired by the customs and practices deeply rooted in Kerala’s cultural fabric. This love for stories has now taken on a new dimension, evolving into a podcast that brings these narratives to life for a wider audience.

She considers herself a “story under construction”- always evolving, always discovering, and now, adding ‘podcaster’ to the ever-growing chapters of her storytelling journey.

About Thankam Kutticat | Podcast | Voyage with Thankam

Thankam is a Jolly Phonics and Grammar trainer by profession and a Storyteller by passion.

The name of her podcast is "Voyage With Thankam", where she hopes to continue the journey with her listeners, forever. It's for anyone who prefers listening to stories than reading and also each of you who just cannot find the time to pick up a book and read.

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh engages in a deep conversation with Roshni Baronia about the transformative power of storytelling through podcasting. They explore how podcasts serve as a modern storytelling tool, the importance of strategic planning in podcasting, and the emotional intimacy that audio storytelling can create. Roshni shares insights on common pitfalls in podcasting, the future of the medium with AI advancements, and the significance of authenticity in connecting with audiences. The discussion emphasizes the potential of podcasts for personal branding, business growth, and community engagement.

Takeaways

• Podcasting is a powerful tool for storytelling.
• Conversations can inspire action and change perspectives.
• Knowledge sharing through podcasts is essential for growth.
• Strategic podcasting requires clear objectives and planning.
• Intimacy in podcasting fosters deeper connections with audiences.
• Authenticity is crucial for building trust in podcasting.
• Vernacular podcasts are gaining popularity and reach.
• AI is shaping the future of podcasting and storytelling.
• Everyone has a unique story to tell through podcasts.
• Podcasts can serve as a platform for personal branding and business growth.

About Roshni Baronia

Roshni Baronia is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, certified Strategic Sales Expert, Author, TEDx Speaker, and host of the award winning podcast Ace the Sales.

With her passion for entrepreneurship, strategy, and audio content, she leads Done For You Podcasts at the sweet spot of podcasts being a tool for self-expression, business growth, and paying it forward.

As a full-service podcast production company, DFYP creates podcasts that empower listeners with Knowledge, Learning and Insights. Their purpose is to enable the founders, and thought leaders  share their insights, and wisdom, so that they can amplify their impact and provide value to their audience through podcasts.

Connect with Roshni Baronia | LinkedIn | Instagram | Done for You Podcasts | Ace the Sales Podcast | Indian Podcasting Revolution Podcast | Indian Podcast List

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this engaging conversation, Rituparna Ghosh and Janaki Sabesh explore the multifaceted world of storytelling, delving into Janaki's personal journey from media and cinema to becoming a renowned storyteller and children's author. They discuss the importance of authenticity in storytelling, the lessons learned from children, and the evolving role of storytelling in a digital age. The conversation also touches on the ethics of storytelling, the significance of folk tales, and the impact of AI on the art of storytelling. Janaki shares her insights on engaging young audiences and the importance of listening in the storytelling process, emphasizing that every individual has a story to tell.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is a powerful currency in communication.
• Authenticity is key to connecting with audiences.
• Children's reactions provide instant feedback for storytellers.
• Storytelling can bridge gaps in corporate communication.
• Folk tales are a rich resource for new storytellers.
• AI can assist but cannot replace the human touch in storytelling.
• Listening is as important as telling in storytelling.
• Engaging with children requires understanding their perspective.
• Every experience can be a story waiting to be told.
• Storytelling is an art that requires practice and reflection.

About Janaki Sabesh

Janaki Sabesh is an Indian media professional, actor, model, storyteller, author of children's book, theatre and voiceover artist.

Connect withJanaki | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Substack

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠The Storied Way Perspective