Owning It With Sandhya

Hosted by Sandhya Thukaram

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Apr 2024

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About the show

Owning It celebrates the inspiring choices made by women who refuse to simply follow the crowd and chose the road less travelled. In each episode, we'll have real conversations with these incredible women who choose to carve their own paths because following isn't an option. They may not be making headlines, but every one of them is a role model. So, let's explore the power of choice and the inspiration it brings here on Owning It!

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18 recent

April 22, 2024Episode 1829 min

The Power of Support in Shaping Our Choices | Sandhya Thukaram Ft. Aanchal Modani

In this episode of “Owning it,” we sit down with Aanchal, a qualitative research consultant and doctoral candidate at NYU who specializes in working with survivors of gender-based violence. Aanchal shares her inspiring journey from barely knowing what psychology was to pursuing a PhD in the field. She opens up about how her early life experiences shaped her perspective on the world and her choices thereafter. Aanchal attributes her success and the choices she makes to the unwavering support from her family, friends and partner, especially the strong women around her. This heartfelt conversation highlights the crucial role of social support in empowering women to take ownership of their decisions. Join us as we explore how the power of a supportive community can help us own our choices in life. Tune in now!

April 2, 2024Episode 1727 min

Namratha's Spirited Journey of Twists, Turns and Triumphs

In this episode, we spoke with Namratha Prashanth, the founder of Wine Equation and Solicantus. Her story really hits home the saying, "If it's meant to be, it'll happen.” Namratha's route to her dreams was far from direct, filled with unexpected challenges and detours.Choosing love and family, Namratha embraced the role of a homemaker at a young age, setting aside her professional ambitions. Yet, the urge to create and build something of her own never faded. At 37, starting from scratch in a new country, she embarked on a journey to establish a business, navigating through the complexities of an unfamiliar landscape.Namratha's story is a powerful reminder that it's okay if life's journey takes a bit longer to take us to our goals or goes a bit differently than we planned. Not being there yet doesn't mean we won't get there. Her story is a call to remain hopeful and persistently push forward, just like she did.

February 23, 2024Episode 1629 min

Threads of Purpose: Richa's Journey from Tech to Tribal Textiles

In the latest episode of "Owning It," we dive into the inspiring journey of Richa, a seasoned tech professional who made a transformative leap into the world of fashion entrepreneurship. Hailing from Orissa, the state she proudly calls home, Richa was moved by the dying weaves of its tribal communities. She discovered her calling in preserving and promoting the exquisite yet rare weaves unique to these communities. Richa's mission is ambitious: to elevate the traditional weaves of Orissa's tribal artisans to a global stage. Her commitment to BOITO is not just about business; it's a heartfelt endeavour to preserve and celebrate a significant part of her cultural heritage. Richa’s story is a testament to the idea that finding one's purpose is a journey filled with exploration, deep questioning, and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Join us to hear how she embodies the courage to pursue a purpose-driven life, leaving behind a successful career for a cause close to her heart.

February 8, 2024Episode 1534 min

Bindu’s Journey of Using Her Voice For Change || Sandhya Thukaram

In the latest episode of "Owning It," we spoke with Bindu Vinodhan, the visionary behind Mauna Dhwani and TILLT. This discussion brings to the forefront the underestimated privilege we all have - OUR VOICE. Bindu's journey is inspirational; she transitioned from a lucrative career driven by a desire to find her true purpose. Tune into this episode to witness how Bindu truly owned her choices: her reasons for shifting from a stable job to founding an impactful organisation, her obstacles, how she embraced and overcame fear and her transformative personal journey.

December 26, 2023Episode 1425 min

Tejaswini's Story of "The Making of a Perfect Life"

Join us in the latest episode of "Owning It," where we speak with Tejaswini Madabhusi, CEO of Yugantar. Tejaswini, in her own words, describes her life as one "that people would be envious of," encompassing everything she loves and a sense of deep contentment. This enviable life, however, was not simply handed to her; it is the culmination of courage to own her choices, perseverance, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Tejaswini candidly discusses her setbacks and how she embraced each experience, using it as a foundation for her next achievement. Dive into this episode to learn how her experiences have moulded her into the individual she is today and the importance of embracing life's journeys, both professionally and personally.

November 23, 2023Episode 1325 min

Beyond Labels: Dipti's Story of Life, Love, and Leadership

This week on "Owning It" is the inspiring story of Dipti, a woman whose life epitomises the spirit of embracing every opportunity with enthusiasm and resilience. Dipti, who fondly calls herself a 'jack of all trades,' has navigated her life with a unique philosophy: whatever happens, happens for the best. This outlook has led her to embrace various roles and challenges with open arms and excel in each one of them - from pursuing fashion designing at NIFT to founding her own bakery business to her active involvement in the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) while being a fantastic mother to her two wonderful daughters. Dipti's story is not just about success in diverse fields; it's about loving and living life to the fullest without any regrets. Her journey is a powerful reminder that titles don't define us; it's our actions and choices that truly matter. Join us in this episode as we explore Dipti's multifaceted life and learn how she truly 'owns it' in every sense of the term.

August 14, 2023Episode 1224 min

Chitra Iyer's Story of Embracing Life's Curveballs

In this episode, I chat with Chitra Iyer, the CEO of MFA. Chitra's life took a profound turn when her 3-year-old son was diagnosed with extreme autism and cerebral palsy. However, with unwavering support from her husband and her indomitable spirit, she not only rose to lead a prominent financial services company but is also at the forefront of a groundbreaking real estate initiative for families with special needs children. This initiative is not just a dream—it's her current mission: to establish a community where these children thrive, even long after their parents are gone. Dive into Chitra's story with us, a testament to how life, with its unexpected twists, can unfold more beautifully than one could ever anticipate.

August 4, 2023Episode 1121 min

Rajni Shivaram's Journey of Finding Her Tune

In this episode, we explore the unique journey of singer-songwriter Rajni Shivaram, who left a conventional engineering career to follow her calling: music. Sparked by the inspiration she found at BITS during her master's, she made the switch. It wasn't an easy road, but saying no to what didn't feel right and pursuing what she truly loved shaped a fulfilling path. Join us to discover how Rajni's choices crafted a journey that is all her own.

July 20, 2023Episode 1029 min

Checkmate to Coding: Kruttika's Journey of Self-Discovery

In this riveting episode, we dive into the multi-faceted life journey of Kruttika Nadig. Starting her journey as a chess prodigy at eight, Kruttika rose to grandmaster status by twenty-one. Yet, during her undergraduate years, her passion for chess didn't mirror that of her counterparts. This realisation sowed the seeds of doubt, questioning her future on the 64 squares. Transitioning into her twenties, Kruttika embarked on a path of self-discovery. Her passion for writing took her on varied career journeys, from journalism to content marketing, even sparking entrepreneurial endeavours. However, as she confronted financial realities, she faced a period of profound introspection and uncertainty. Encouraged by her husband, she embraced the world of coding and today excels as a senior programmer at Logically. Kruttika's story stands out for her intentional life decisions, each marking a unique phase of her life. Tune in to explore how her diverse experiences shaped her into who she is today.

July 13, 2023Episode 926 min

Lalitha's Story of Love, Loss, and Lifelong Learning

Join us for a heartfelt chat with Lalitha in this episode. Once a top student who loved books, Lalitha started her career in banking, which lasted for 20 years and then spent some time in the development sector. But her life took a tough turn when she lost her younger daughter. In memory of her beloved daughter, Lalitha started 'PlusTrust', a foundation that personifies her daughter's dream. PlusTrust provides micro-incubation support for changemakers from resource-poor communities, particularly from rural areas, through fellowship programs. In this chat, Lalitha shares how her life's ups and downs have shaped what she does today with Plus Trust. She talks about the values that have guided her and made her life meaningful. Get ready for a story of love, strength, and the power of never giving up.