Shows
Chai BreakBite-Sized Climate Action: Shivani Ramesh on Community & The Sustainability MindsetIn this inspiring episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I'm joined by Shivani Ramesh—a Strategy & Implementation Analyst at ENGIE Impact, environmental engineer, and passionate sustainability advocate. Shivani takes us on a journey from her roots in India to her career in global decarbonization, offering practical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate anxiety and wondering, “What can I do?”We explore the power of bite-sized climate action—small, intentional steps we can take in our homes, communities, and careers to contribute to a more sustainable future. Shivani shares powerful stories of grassroots activism in her own family, from org...2025-04-0940 min
Chai BreakEveryday Sustainability: Zero Waste Living with Bare Necessities' CSO, Deepti KharbandaDeepti Kharbanda’s Journey to Sustainable LivingIn this engaging episode of the Chai Break Podcast,I Shwetha Ravishanakr reconnects with longtime college friend Deepti Kharbanda, Chief Sales Officer at Bare Necessities, as she shares her inspiring journey toward a zero-waste lifestyle and sustainable living. From her early days in Bangalore to becoming a passionate sustainability advocate, Deepti reveals how everyday habits—like carrying a reusable water bottle and composting—can make a big impact on our environment.About Deepti Kharbanda With a background in Human Resources and Computer Science, and nearly two decades of experi...2025-03-0438 min
Chai BreakSamudra & the Seaweed Revolution: How Joyeeta Das is Cultivating a Sustainable Future from the Ocean Up!Samudra, Seaweed, and a Sustainable Future with Joyeeta Das 🌊🌱Hello, hello! Welcome back to the Chai Break Podcast, where we sip chai and spill the tea on the world’s most pressing issues. And today, we’re diving deep—literally—into the future of sustainability.We all know climate change isn’t a far-off crisis; it’s here, now. But what if the key to reversing its effects wasn’t just on land but in the ocean? Enter Joyeeta Das, a powerhouse in deep tech, AI, and climate solutions, and the visionary CEO of Samudra Oceans. Her mission...2025-01-3149 min
Chai BreakMacro Problem, Micro Solution — Breaking it Down with Dr. Sukanya PunthambakerBreaking Barriers with Sukanya Punthambekar, Co-Founder of BreakingIn this episode of The Chai Break Podcast, we dive into one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: plastic pollution. Did you know that humanity has produced over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since the 1950s? Only about 9% of that has been recycled, with millions of tons ending up in our oceans each year. On a mission to combat this crisis is today’s guest: Sukanya Punthambekar, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Breaking.Sukanya brings over two decades of experience in life sciences an...2025-01-1023 min
Chai BreakEducate Girls, Empower the Future: Sumana Setty's Vision for ChangeIn this episode of the Chai Break Podcast, we dive into the transformative power of education with Sumana Shetty, co-founder of Commit2Change. Sumana shares her inspiring journey from her early days in Bangalore to leading a nonprofit focused on empowering underprivileged girls in India and South Asia. Through innovative programs and a custom curriculum, Commit2Change is creating sustainable change, one girl at a time.Key Highlights:Sumana’s journey from Bangalore to the United States and her inspiration to co-found Commit2Change.How her experiences volunteering in India shaped her mission.Building Commit2Ch...2024-12-1126 min
Chai BreakSpecial Edition: Finding Gratitude During Turbulent TimesIn this special edition of the podcast just in time for Thanksgiving in America, I welcome back Rema Chaari for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion on the power of gratitude, especially in challenging times. As the world grapples with crises and injustice, many of us are left questioning how to practice gratitude without feeling disconnected or self-centered.We revisit themes from our previous gratitude episode while diving into deeper, more nuanced reflections. Together, we explore:The state of the world and the toll of witnessing global suffering.Why gratitude might feel self-indulgent in the face of...2024-11-2837 min
Chai BreakPlanet Positive Gifting with Prateeksha Uday, Founder of Greenr GiftsWelcome to Season 4 of the Chai Break Podcast.In this episode of the Chai Break Podcast, we dive into the world of climate-conscious gifting with Prateeksha Chandraghatgi, founder of Greenr Gifts. With a tech background at industry giants like Yahoo and Microsoft, Prateeksha shifted her path to build a business rooted in sustainability and meaningful impact. Greenr Gifts enables climate-positive gifting by partnering with reforestation organizations worldwide, allowing individuals and businesses to plant trees in their loved ones’ names.Introduction to the episode/seasonPrateeksha’s Background – From Yahoo and Microsoft to eco-friendly entrepreneurship.Roots in Sus...2024-11-1532 min
Chai BreakHolistic Mental Health with Ektha Aggarwal, Founder of Jiva Mental HealthWe're in #chaiversation with Ektha Aggarwal, a licensed clinical health worker, Ektha is a distinguished mental health leader, pioneering holistic therapies at Shakti Therapy and Healing Services, and addressing the unique needs of the South Asian community as the Founder of Jiva Mental Health. She combines ancient Eastern practices with modern science to deeply heal and transform lives, focusing on sustainable mental wellness rather than temporary solutions.We talk to her about her "holistic mental health" approach and what it constitutes"Love" as an emotionMisconceptions about "holistic mental health" A fun rapid fire round you don't...2024-07-2429 min
Chai BreakPeri-Menopause & Mental Health4 women, 4 unique experiences - this episode is unlike anything we've done in the past.To begin, Shwetha hadn't even heard of peri-menopause until Rema, who's actively in the throws of it, mentioned it to her. It was then that it occurred to us that this is yet another swept-under-the-rug, rarely talked-about phenomenon and that we need to hear from more women.In this episode, we feature:The lovely founders of the very popular NRI Woman Podcast, Bettina Tauro & Ninorah Fernandes Brookshire, volunteered to join our #chaiversation and share their raw, real experiences.2024-05-221h 17
Chai BreakA Chaiversation with Seema, Founder of The Mindful Parent-Child JournalWe're in #chaiversation with Seema of the Mindful Parent and Child Journals. Seema shares with us why she started this venture, her self-publishing journey, and how the journal can benefit you, your child, and the overall harmony of your home and family dynamics.You can find The Mindful Parent and ChildOn InstagramOn EtsyChaiversations.org2024-04-2429 min
Chai BreakA Chaiversation with Mrinal Gokhale, Author of "Taboo" & "Saaya Unveiled"Meet, Mrinal Gokhale, an Indian-American writer who began her career as a freelance journalist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the most segregated city in the United States. She reported on Mental Health Awareness Month events for Hispanic and African-American publications as part of her work. She realized that these conversations were lacking in Asian and South Asian representation. To increase education and acceptance of mental health among South Asian generations, while also showing non-South Asians how intersectionality looks in the diaspora, she went on to author 2 books, both anthologies, the first one in 2021, called “Saaya Unveiled” and “Taboo: South Asian Mental Health...2024-03-2832 min
Chai BreakA Chaiversation with Shruti Bharath, Founder of Beyond the BumpSo far in this season, we have been talking about normalizing conversations around mental health and we’ve also talked about the fact that seeking professional help isn’t always tied to big life events.In this episode, we talk to Shruthi Bharath about one of the biggest life-changing times in a woman’s life - motherhood. We delve into those vulnerable, often loney moments of early motherhood and the challenges it presents.Here are some of the topics we discussEarly motherhood challenges and how it impacts mental health and well-beingWe’re 3 women on this...2024-03-0734 min
Chai BreakA Chaiversation with Dr. Monica Shah, Psychologist & Performing ArtistDr. Monica Shah is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist based inManhattan. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy(DBT), and rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT).2024-02-1536 min
Chai BreakSigns You Have "Good Girl Syndrome" & How to Overcome it?Chapter 1: What is Good Girl Syndrome? How the phrase "good girl" is ingrained in the vocabulary of our Indian culture and where it stems from? Shwetha & Rema share anecdotes from their personal experiences.Chapter 2: The personality and mental health implications of "good girl syndrome"Chapter 3: Shwetha & Rema answer a series of questions to find out if they have Good Girl Syndrome and you can play along too.chaiversations.org2024-01-2433 min
Chai BreakA Chaiversation with Kareena Mehta, Founder of Kare Counselling Our guest today is Kareena Mehta, a mental health professional with a B.A. in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College and further education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned an Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling and an M.A. in Psychological Counseling.Kareena brings with her a plethora of cross-cultural experiences, both from her own personal life growing up in Belgium, moving to India and then the USA; as well as professionally, wherein her clients are spread throughout the globe from Africa to India, USA, Cannada and beyond.We talk to her...2023-11-3044 min
Chai BreakNormalizing Therapy(Part 2): SA Statistics, Barriers to Access, Books to Read & MoreWe discuss the barriers we faced whilst trying to access mental health services in the US, and South Asian organizations that are doing the groundwork in creating databases of a network of therapists and services, Plus, Rema shares a few ground-breaking mental health books that were a huge part of her journey.We hope you enjoy this episode! You can check out our website chaiversations.org and Subscribe to our monthly Substack Newsletter chaibreakpodcast.substack.com2023-11-1522 min
Chai BreakNormalizing Therapy(Part 1): Shwetha & Rema Share Their Personal JourneyWe, Shwetha & Rema, address the elephant in the room - mental health and well-being by sharing our own personal journey of how/why/what got us to seek professional help. It's raw, it's real and it's just the beginning of a power-packed season of personal stories, chaiversations with expert guests, and continuing the chaiversation online via Instagram and the launch of our Substack Newsletter.Sign up for our newsletter via our website chaiversations.org or at chaibreakpodcast.substack.com for your monthly fix of exclusive behind-the-scenes of the world of podcasting, exclusive guest interviews, the latest episode drops and so...2023-10-1033 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Co-Founder & CEO of Ode, Jashima WadehraJashima Wadehra is the co-founder and CEO of Ode, a brand strategy, talent management and business development firm catering predominantly to children of immigrant brands, businesses and artists.While companies rely on third-party metrics, Jashima specializes in taking a “lived experience meets data” approach to representing talent and brands. Specifically from communities whose consumption patterns and preferences are often not aggregated by general marketing data firms or cultural nuances that talent agencies are not well versed in.Ode’s talent roster has worked with Audiomack, Netflix, Tunecore, Amazon, VEVO, Lincoln Center, Meta, Applaus, Kulture Khazana, Brown...2023-02-1047 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Angel Investor & Venture Capitalist Chandani BhattWith a background in behavioral psychology, Chandani wears many hats. From co-founding a marketing tech agency to more recently becoming an angel investor and venture capitalist, she is here to talk to us about the world of finance and importance of financial wellness in the South Asian space.In our chaiversation, we talk to her about the journey to entering a largely man's world AKA the world of finance. She gives listeners handy tips on investing, and how to navigate a world that is somewhat overwhelming for newbies.chaiversations.org 2023-01-1330 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Amrita Doshi, Co-Founder of SOARAmrita Doshi, is the co-founder and Executive Director of South Asian SOAR, a national organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence in the US, within the South Asian diaspora. She is deeply committed to advancing healing and justice for South Asian survivors and communities. Amrita comes to this work with her own experiences of survivorship as well as several years of work across public health, technology, and art.chaiversations.org2022-12-2943 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Divya Soneji, Founder of South Asian NationToday’s episode is all about how one woman’s mission to share the truth turned into a 40 thousand strong following. From gender inclusivity, fighting the patriarchy, breaking stigma, supporting marginalized voices and curating South Asian content beyond the ordinary, Divya Soneji, Founder of South Asian Nation, has made it her life mantra to use her platform and voice for the greater good.2022-12-1535 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Ragini Jha, Founder of Cardamom Counseling Mental health in the South Asian community has always been taboo. Although we've made great strides, we still have ways to go in normalizing conversations around going to therapy/seeking professional help, not just when you experience a life changing event, but on a regular basis, it's like taking your vitamins!Our chaiversation this week is with Ragini Jha, a trained counselor, based in the UK, she specializes in the area of cultural-relations and cognitive behavioral therapy, focused in the South Asian diaspora space.https://www.cardamomcounselling.com/2022-12-0236 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Climate & Sustainability Activist Niha EletyNiha Elety is a sustainable fashion advocate and designer/founder of Tega Collective. She uses fashion, art and heritage to bring awareness about sustainability and its importance.When joining the sustainability space full of advocates and leaders, Niha noticed that there weren't many discussions about culture and ancestral knowledge. Since then her goal has been to bring inclusivity and a variety of perspectives from BIPOC creators (the original sustainability leaders) to the environmental movement.2022-10-2044 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Award-Winning Actress Anjali BhimaniIn this episode, we chat with Indian-American actress Anjali Bhimani, so much talent packed in one person, its astounding! Her "why not me" attitude helped her pave a unique path in a world where she did not see representation, so she decided to lead the way and not be bogged down by rejections!From the world of TV, theatre, film, virtual gaming world, voice over — you name and she has delved deep into each of these mediums and excelled in it, no less!And today, she adds yet another feather to her cap, "BESTSELLING AUTHOR", wi...2022-09-2654 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Arthropod Curator & Eco-Socialist, Anjali PujariAs a chalk carver and Arthropod curator, Anjali has spent over a decade carefully weaving her interests around the natural world. Along with practicing ways of permaculture, she intends to inherit her values from the balancing forces of Gaia and other elements.She is on a quest to bridge the loopholes in the community using her interdisciplinary art skills to narrate diverse thought-provoking subjects.Her research on eco-socialism with the tribal communities has helped her understand the importance of indigenous presence in our societies. “I want to trace back the lost wisdom to help individuals co...2022-09-0839 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Documentary Photographer & Film Maker Shravya KagBorn and raised in Vijayawada, India, Shravya moved to Brooklyn in 2015 and graduated from the School of Visual Arts with an MPS in Photography.Captivated by oral histories and how they can shape a culture, her work is an exploration of home, identity and personal space largely focuses on the intimate and interpersonal stories of people of color and of queer people.In this chai-versation, we talk about her journey to America and how she created a niche for herself and her tales of trials and triumphs along the way.https://www.shravyakag...2022-08-2527 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Glowreel Founder, Shilpa BhimShilpa Bhim is the founder of Glowreel, a media startup dedicated to celebrating the achievements and amplifying the stories of BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, and people of color women. Through Glowreel, Shilpa's aim is to ensure current and future generations of BIPOC women feel represented, empowered and inspired to blaze their own trail!We talk to Shilpa about how it was like growing up brown in Kiwi land, her career in Social reform and policy and what led to her eventually starting Glowreel and her thoughts on USA's recent Roe V Wade decision by the Supreme Court, based...2022-08-0340 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Entrepreneur Shweyta MudgalAn Architect/ Airport-Designer by training she turned social entrepreneur when she founded Eight Thousand Miles - a sustainable ethically handmade line of children's & adults lifestyle collection, that places social impact at the core of its business model, in 2014, in Mumbai, India.Convinced that life is led best between both her antipodal homes, Mumbai and New York, she is often found shuttling the very miles that inspired the name of her company. When not in either city, she loves gallivanting the globe connecting people along the way!A part-time Wife/ Mother and a full-time start-up entrepreneur...2022-07-2047 min
Chai BreakIs the “Perfectionist” Mindset Setting Us Up For Failure? The word “perfect” has somehow become the ideal that we’re all constantly striving for. The perfect vacation, the perfect dress, the perfectly behaved children and the list goes on. I know we’ve all been guilty of that at some point!Honestly, the word “perfect” can be quite exhausting. It makes life itself feel like a race to reach an ideal that is almost impossible!In this episode, we discuss both ends of the scale.What is perfectionism? And are we as a generation setting ourselves up for failure by stressing over this perfect...2022-06-2236 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Multi-Hyphenate Deepa PillaiDeepa Pillai is an Actor, Bharatanatyam Dancer, Choreographer and a Hatta Yoga Practitioner, based out of Planet Earth . An Engineer turned Performing Artiste, she holds a degree from New York University’ Tisch school of Arts as the most recent one. Her interest in life is to decode the magical bond between storytelling and Life and how the former's modalities become root to the latter's existence.Follow us on Instagram (@chaibreakpodcast), on Facebook (@chaibreak podcast) and on Apple & Spotify.chaiversations.org2022-06-0842 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Life Coach Nameeta JagtianiAfter her successful stint as a corporate executive for many years, Nameeta felt disconnected from her true purpose in life. In 2020, as the world shut down, she embarked on a journey of looking inward and discovered years of generational trauma that needed healing and darkness that needed to be filled with light. While on that path, she also discovered her true purpose: to boldly tell her story and give others the courage to live a life of authenticity.Today she is a Jay Shetty Certified Coach and serves as a leadership and executive coach at her company...2022-05-2037 min
Chai BreakA Chai-versation with Dancer, Choreographer Bharathi PenneswaranWe are excited to kick off Season 2 and bringing to you a roster of incredible, every day South Asian women from across the globe who are making a difference in their communities.Our first guest today is Dancer, Choreographer and Founder of Aalokam Dance Company, Bharathi Penneswaran.We talk to Bharathi about her early days growing up in India, what led her to the world of dance and how she traversed from Delhi to New York City and the challenges she faced along the way.This episode is releasing on the heels of...2022-05-0432 min
Chai BreakGratitude: A Feeling, A PracticeNovember is celebrated as the month of thankfulness and gratitude here in the United States. Rema and Shwetha each share what they're grateful for and collectively express how thankful they are for an engaged audience like "YOU" - yes, each and every one of you, without whom this podcast wouldn't be what it is!Here's wishing all of you a very happy and joyous Thanksgiving, surrounded by family, food and lots of fun.Until season 2, bye!chaiversations.org2021-11-2423 min
Chai BreakPart 3: History of Thrifting, Sustainable Brands & MoreIn our concluding conversation on sustainability we talk about the history of thrifting and the concept of conscious thrifting. Then we delve into brands that walk the talk on sustainability. Please note: This episode is NOT sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. Each brand is a small, women of color, South-Asian brand who's vision we @ Chai Break believe in. Do check out our Instagram post for links to all the brands in our latest post.2021-10-2719 min
Chai BreakSustainability Series: Sustainable Fashion This episode of Chai Break we talk about Sustainable Fashion something that is very near and dear to our host Shwetha Ravishankar, who after years of working in the retail spaces and becoming a shopaholic as a side effect, started to educate herself about the industry and it's practices. Today, she strives towards sustainable fashion practices and is an Advocate of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. 2021-10-0734 minChai BreakSustainable Living Rooted in Indian CultureEver before we had even heard of the word "sustainability" we look back at our life growing up in India and reflect on how "sustainable living" was simply a way of living. We were raised in homes where "wastage" of any kind was not encouraged. We up-cycled, re-used, conserved and recycled everything and anything. Lastly we talk about how we're trying to incorporate some of those age old ways into our busy, urban lives today. https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2021-09-2938 minChai BreakAre We Our Moms?Desi moms in South Asian culture all have a few famous lines in common, which have been used as a weapon in parenting for eons. Rema and I look back at our own experiences and some of the most frequently used lines. We also reflect on how they do have an impact in shaping us as adults, cue the show "Never Have I Ever" - we talk about Nalini Vishwakumar and Devi's relationship, which is much like our own.https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2021/11/23/are-we-our-moms/2021-09-2237 min
Chai BreakBody PositivityIn this episode we talk about body positivity and the impact of body shaming on individuals. We dive deep into our own personal journeys growing up in India and how casual commentary from friends and family can have a lifelong negative impact on your confidence and how you look at yourself. We end the episode with 6 key things you can do to start loving yourself today.Read more on the blog: https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2021/11/18/body-positivity/2021-09-1538 min
Chai BreakFrom Our Grandmother's Spice RackLong before turmeric lattes and supplements ever became a thing, our grandmothers and their grandmothers have been using spices to enhance the flavor of food as well their medicinal properties. Head to our blog for the recipes mentioned in the episode and one BONUS TIP! https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2021/09/07/spices-from-our-grandmothers-kitchen/2021-09-0833 min
Chai BreakSelf LoveIn this episode of Chai Break we explore "Self Love" in the context of our growing up years in India. Was it even a thing back then? What it means to love yourself and what are some self-love rituals you can include in your daily life. Do you have a ritual you'd like to share with us? Write to us at chaibreakpodcast@gmail.com Head to our website to read our blog post about Self Love and leave us your thoughts and comments! https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2021/08/23/self-love/2021-09-0126 min
Chai BreakColorism Growing up in India, we experienced colorism on an everyday basis. In this episode we explore the roots of colorism and how it came about to becoming such a deep-rooted issue that has been unfortunately passed down from many generations. We also look to the beauty industry that has played a huge part in further solidifying this love-hate relationship with our skin tone. 2021-08-2532 min
Chai BreakSpiritual & Personal Growth During a PandemicThe 2020 global pandemic brought everything we knew as a normal life to a screeching halt. Looking back, the biggest positive that came out of it was, time. Time with ourselves, our families and time to just stop and really question if we are living our life with true purpose and meaning. We reflect on what has happened and what practices we're taking forward with us into our post pandemic life. Episode notes: https://chaibreakpodcast.com/2020/09/06/spiritual-personal-growth-during-a-pandemic/ 2021-08-1823 min
Chai BreakIntroduction: Chai Break Are you an immigrant? Did you move to a different country later in life? Then give ChaiBreak Podcast a listen!This is the story of Shwetha & Rema, 2 Indian immigrants who moved to USA more than a decade ago and how they navigated everything from culture, career and conversations, to becoming the confident women they are today.For more about us and the podcast, visit our websitehttps://chaibreakpodcast.com/2020/08/29/hello-namaste-welcome-to-chai-break/Rate us, review us , hit that SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button and don't forget to share it with your family and friends!2021-08-1537 min