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Close to 40 episodes. Our first season in video, in studio. And many conversations that happened before the topic hit the headlines or became a meme. In this season finale, Hasita Krishna and Subha Chandrasekaran look back at Season 7. They talked about AI and the careers it will reshape before it arrived in force. They discussed quiet quitting while it was still new, and they covered moonlighting, toxic managers, hybrid work, and why trust is what really builds a business. The finale also returns to the guests who stayed with them: a sports psychologist to Olympians who wanted to talk about elephants, an aerospace manufacturer who makes time to ski, dancers on the guru-shishya bond, and the people building communities for migrant children, for men, and for young changemakers. They also talk about what's coming next. That includes conversations across opposing ends of the same spectrum, such as a climate scientist and an AI evangelist in the same room, plus the trend they want to end the season on: we're struggling to say what we mean in a way that makes each other feel something. Thank you to every listener and viewer for every like, comment, WhatsApp message, and DM. See you on the other side. It won't be long. Chapters 0:00 We were in the room 3:03 Meet the hosts 4:11 Guests who surprised us 6:06 Trends we called early 6:44 Careers of the future 8:32 Communities that change lives 10:44 Impact beyond numbers 13:27 What's next 15:04 Thank you Subscribe for Season 8, and tell us in the comments which Season 7 conversation stayed with you. Link to donate to Diya Ghar: https://diyaghar.org/ #SmallTalk #Podcast #SeasonFinale #FutureOfWork #Careers #Leadership #Communication #IndianPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close. 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902 📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb 📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: [email protected] 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

What does getting healthy actually look like when you’re a woman approaching 50? Is it about losing weight? Going to the gym? Eating more protein? Taking a GLP-1? Or is the real challenge changing your relationship with your body, food, and the idea of what being healthy is supposed to look like? In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, we speak with Monika Manchanda, food writer and culinary professional, about her very personal journey into fitness and better health. Monika talks openly about starting small after years of not working out, learning to feel comfortable in the gym in a larger body, navigating changing health needs as she approaches 50, and why loving your body and wanting to improve your health don't have to be contradictory ideas. We also get into one of the biggest health conversations right now: GLP-1 medications. What do they actually mean for a health journey? Are they a shortcut? What role do strength training, protein and fibre play alongside medication? And how do you make sense of wildly conflicting health advice online? Plus, Monika answers a question many Indian vegetarians struggle with: how do you get enough protein without completely overhauling your diet? Chapters 00:00 Loving Yourself, Getting Healthier 01:41 Monika Manchanda’s Health Journey 11:04 Starting Fitness From Scratch 12:13 Being a Bigger Woman in the Gym 15:39 The Truth About GLP-1s 24:41 Body Positivity vs Better Health 25:24 Women’s Health After 40 38:09 Health Influencers and Bad Advice 45:41 Can Sharing Your Journey Help Others? 1:02:09 How Vegetarians Get Enough Protein 1:15:49 Social Media, Hobbies and Work 1:16:42 Getting Older and Getting Healthier One of the ideas that runs through this entire conversation is simple: health isn’t a 30-day transformation or a shortcut. It’s a relationship with your body that keeps evolving.And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is stop waiting to become the “right kind of person” before you start taking care of yourself. Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between. #WomensHealth #Fitness #HealthJourney #Nutrition #Protein #GLP1 #Perimenopause #StrengthTraining #WomenOver40 #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast --------------------- If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902 📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb 📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: [email protected] 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it. © 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

AI is everywhere. But which AI tool should you actually use for what?In this episode of Small Talk: Work | Play | Build, we stop trying to keep up with every new AI tool and try something more useful: imagine ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok as your colleagues. Who would you trust with research? Who would you send the boring repetitive work to? Who would you absolutely not give access to your Google Drive?We also step back from the tools themselves to ask some bigger questions. If AI is changing what we can do at work this quickly, what happens to careers, expertise and the idea of building a long-term professional identity? And if nobody, including the people building these systems, really knows where AI is headed, how do we make sense of it without getting overwhelmed?The answer might have less to do with becoming better at AI and more to do with becoming better at being human.00:00 AI Is Coming for Our Jobs. Or Is It?03:48 Why AI Power Is Concentrated07:56 From Automation to AI Agents11:35 Does a Career Still Exist?14:29 Work, Play, Build18:56 If AI Tools Were Colleagues20:24 ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as Colleagues26:42 Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok31:20 Which AI Tool Is Best for What?32:02 The 98% AI Problem34:08 AI May Make Us More Human34:55 Read, Watch, ListenWhat’s your AI colleague lineup? Tell us which tools you use, and what job you give each of them.Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between.#AI #AITools #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: [email protected]📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Business Storytelling Secrets: Why Facts Don't Change Minds, Stories Do Why do some people command attention the moment they begin speaking, while others struggle to make their ideas stick? In this episode, we explore the craft of business storytelling and why it's become one of the most valuable career skills today. Ameen Haque is a storyteller, entrepreneur, and founder of **Storywallahs**, where he helps founders, leaders, and organizations use stories to inspire action, build trust, and create lasting impact. Vinay Shenoy is a brand and communication strategist who has spent decades shaping narratives for businesses and leaders, helping them communicate ideas that people remember and act on. Together, they unpack why stories matter in business, whether AI is changing how we write, what success really looks like, and how anyone can become a better communicator. ### Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Meet Ameen Haque & Vinay Shenoy 04:00 How storytelling became their life's work 06:50 Is AI making us worse writers? 13:00 Rethinking success beyond career milestones 19:50 The stories we tell ourselves about success 26:50 Finding joy in work and choosing the right career 33:00 When expertise stops feeling fulfilling 39:00 Building an authentic personal brand in the AI era 44:45 Great storytelling is about the storyteller, not the tools 51:45 Standing out in a world fighting for attention 56:50 Why communication is becoming a career superpower 01:03:40 The stories that stay with us 01:10:05 Read Watch Listen If this conversation changed how you think about communication, leadership, or your career, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use it. #Storytelling #BusinessStorytelling #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #PersonalBrand #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast #Storywallahs ---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: [email protected] 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

You spent hours perfecting your resume. AI helped you rewrite it. You hit apply... and then nothing.Where did your application go?In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, Subha Chandrasekharan and Hasita Krishna unpack how AI is quietly transforming hiring. From ATS filters and AI interviews to "resume scores" that may follow candidates across applications, they explore why job hunting feels harder than ever, even for highly qualified professionals.More importantly, they discuss what still works: building genuine networks, finding human advocates, standing out beyond your resume, and adapting to a hiring landscape where algorithms are becoming the first recruiter you'll meet.If you're job hunting, hiring, or simply curious about how AI is changing work, this episode is for you.00:00 Highlights01:18 Why AI has changed job hunting forever08:47 Why applications disappear without a response13:03 How ATS and AI filters really work18:17 AI interviews and the human cost of hiring23:10 What job seekers should do differently today26:20 Finding opportunities beyond the resume pipeline29:20 Why networking beats algorithms35:39 Making your resume sound human again38:50 Read, Watch, Listen👍 Like this episode if it changed how you think about job hunting.💬 Have you experienced AI screening, ATS rejections, or the "resume black hole"? Share your story in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on careers, work, leadership and building a meaningful professional life.#JobSearch #ArtificialIntelligence #Careers #Leadership #Hiring #ResumeTips #FutureOfWork #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: [email protected]📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Most Indian girls stop playing sport in their teens. Most never come back. Subha and Hasita speak with Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy (sports researcher, executive coach) and Swetha Subbiah (co-founder Sisters in Sweat) on the safety, infrastructure, cultural pressure, and quiet guilt that keep women out of sport long after school ends and what it actually takes to play again. This conversation examines why participation in sport drops so dramatically for women and what it will take to change that.From safety and infrastructure to cultural expectations and community, Vijay and Swetha unpack the invisible barriers that keep women out of sport long after school ends. They explore why access isn't just about stadiums and funding, but about well-lit spaces, supportive environments, role models, and the freedom to prioritize movement without guilt.The conversation also dives into careers in sport, the rise of women-led fitness communities, grassroots sports policy, and why India's biggest challenge isn't producing elite athletes—it's getting more people to play in the first place.For anyone who's ever quit a sport they loved or watched someone they care about quit one.---------------------This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian SportsExploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field.Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy — https://vijaykrishnamurthy.comSwetha Subbiah, Sisters in Sweat — https://sistersinsweat.com------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Why Indian Women Quit Sport01:07 What 'Permission to Play' Actually Means03:13 Meet the Guests05:00 Swetha's Journey from Hockey to Sisters in Sweat12:48 The "Sports Don't Pay" Mindset18:07 How Sisters in Sweat Started23:39 Access, Privilege & Why Women Stop Playing27:13 Safety, Infrastructure & Hidden Barriers37:29 Building a Community for Women in Sport46:03 What India Can Learn from Global Sports Models50:45 The Business of Building Sisters in Sweat57:43 Why Communities Matter More Than Competition01:00:40 Permission to Play01:06:36 Women's Health, Fitness & Starting Late01:10:13 What Sport Teaches Us About Life01:13:19 Read Watch ListenWhen did you stop playing? Or when did you start again? Tell us in the comments. The patterns are striking. #careerpodcast #WomenInSport #PermissionToPlay #CareerPodcast #SistersInSweat #IndianWomenInSport #SportsCareers #FutureOfWork---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: [email protected]📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Ever lose track of time listening to a stranger's story? This episode is about why podcasts have that power and what they've quietly taught us about curiosity, belonging, and how we think.We spend a lot of time talking about careers, work, and personal growth. But where do those ideas come from? In this episode, Subha and Hasita take a detour into the medium that has shaped so much of their thinking: podcasts.From true crime and air crash investigations to leadership, psychology, sport, and storytelling, they explore why long-form conversations continue to matter in an age of endless scrolling. They talk about curiosity, rabbit holes, parasocial friendships, contrarian viewpoints, and the unexpected ways podcasts influence how we think, learn, and connect with the world.If you've ever found yourself losing track of time while listening to someone else's story, this one's for you.00:00 Why we can't stop listening to podcasts00:50 The episode that almost didn't happen03:09 Rabbit holes, lectures & air crash investigations04:41 Why long-form listening makes you smarter07:17 Why podcasts feel surprisingly intimate08:51 Contrarian views without the algorithm11:11 Curiosity, boredom & therapeutic listening13:39 Is podcast listening becoming social currency?15:45 What podcasts have taught us as hosts18:24 Permission, belonging & finding your people20:35 Podcasts in pop culture and everyday life22:33 Read Watch Listen: Randy Pausch & The RoosterListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.What podcast has influenced your thinking the most? Drop your recommendations in the comments.---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: [email protected]📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true, at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

AI, Layoffs & Relevance at Work: Are We Falling Behind?You may not lose your job to AI. You might just quietly stagnate. Subha and Hasita on the uncomfortable middle ground most of us are sitting in: AI replacing teams, 'good enough' outputs becoming dangerous, and the human skills that suddenly matter more — not less — in 2026.Why are experienced professionals still in demand even as AI tools become more powerful? What happens when companies optimize too aggressively? And how do you stay relevant when the rules change every few months?The conversation moves through vibe coding, AI-generated websites, AI interviewers, consulting, coaching, content creation, and the growing importance of judgment, context, and human nuance.For mid-career professionals figuring out what to keep, what to delegate to AI, and what to learn next.00:00 The Stagnation Trap01:20 Why We Had to Have This Conversation02:43 Building with AI & vibe coding08:03 Why human experience still matters12:11 AI panic, layoffs & workplace relevance15:57 “You may not lose your job, but you may stagnate”19:33 Prompting, judgment & the future of work20:50 AI coaches, interviews & changing careers25:26 Leadership, expertise & navigating disruption29:06 The bigger societal impact of AI33:05 Read Watch ListenRelated episodes:→ S7E25 Who Are You Without Your Job Title? — what happens when AI dissolves your role→ S7E22 Dear 2026 — what we want from AI at work→ S7E20 Power Meets Nurturing with Nirupama Subramaniam — leadership without command-and-controlWhat’s changed most about your work because of AI? Are you optimistic, anxious, experimenting, or somewhere in the middle? Let us know in the comments.#AIatWork #FutureOfWork #CareerPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: [email protected]📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

What does sports psychology really do for elite athletes? In this episode of Small Talk: Work | Play | Build, sports psychologist Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar breaks down how mindset, identity and team dynamics shape performance — and why most of what we call ‘motivation’ isn’t the actual job. We unpack what the field looks like in India, where it’s underdeveloped, and how aspiring professionals can build a real career in it. In this episode of Small Talk, we explore the mental side of sport, what actually drives performance when talent, training, and opportunity are already in place. Featuring Dr. Chaitanya, sports psychologist working closely with athletes and teams across levels, this conversation goes deep into mindset, team dynamics, and the often misunderstood role of psychology in sport. From working with elite athletes to navigating team environments, she shares how performance is shaped not just by skill, but by identity, belief systems, relationships, and the ability to handle pressure. We unpack what sports psychology really looks like in practice, why it’s still underdeveloped in India, and the difference between real expertise and surface-level coaching. This episode moves beyond motivation into something more fundamental, how athletes think, how teams function, and what it takes to build sustainable high performance. If you’ve ever wondered what separates good athletes from great ones, or how mental strength is actually built, this conversation will change how you see sport. --------------------- This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian Sports Exploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field. --------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Highlights 00:52 Intro 02:30 Meet the Guest 09:10 What Sports Psychology Really Is 18:45 Individual vs Team Performance 30:20 Mindset, Belief & Early Influences 42:00 Transitions, Identity & Athlete Careers 55:10 Inside Team Dynamics & Case Studies 01:08:30 The Reality of Sports Psychology in India 01:18:40 Careers & Pathways in the Field 01:28:10 Advice for Aspiring Professionals 01:36:00 Read Watch Listen ———— 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

What if hybrid work quietly destroyed the part of your job that taught you everything? Subha and Hasita unpack what we traded away for Zoom efficiency - the overheard mentorship, the meetings you weren't meant to learn from, the senior leader you watched and thought 'that's who I want to become. The Watercooler Gap at Work: What We Lost in the Race for Efficiency We’ve optimized work for speed, productivity, and endless Zoom calls. But in the process, did we quietly lose the part of work that helped us grow?The overheard conversations. The unexpected mentorship. The joke that made a hard day easier. The meeting you weren’t meant to learn from, but did. The senior leader you observed and thought, that’s who I want to become. In this episode of Small Talk, Subha and Hasita unpack the hidden cost of hybrid work, remote culture, and hyper-efficiency. Why do so many people feel disconnected at work today? Why are younger professionals missing skills no one formally teaches? And why can’t free pizza, team outings, or office perks solve a much deeper problem? If you care about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, hybrid teams, or the future of work, this conversation will change how you think about what work is really for. 00:00 Highlights 01:22 Intro 02:57 What the workplace gave us 06:04 Learning by osmosis 10:27 Who is losing the most 12:00 Early career lessons 16:40 Efficiency vs human connection 19:06 How organizations should respond 29:13 Designing better in-person work 37:24 Read Watch Listen --------------------- 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

The 'safe career' is over. Promotions vanish overnight, AI is rewriting half the job market, and the LinkedIn playbook from 2019 doesn't work anymore. Here are Subha and Hasita on how to transition without blowing up your life - bridge roles, financial cushions, identity shifts, and why waiting for clarity is what's actually holding you back. The idea of a “safe career” sounds reassuring, but it’s quickly falling apart. In this episode, we unpack what happens when that certainty disappears and you’re left asking: what now?We get into the quiet panic of feeling replaceable, the identity shift that comes with change, and why waiting for clarity can actually hold you back. This is a real look at career transitions—how to experiment without blowing up your life, what trade-offs to expect, and why you don’t need a perfect plan to start moving.If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about your next step, this conversation might help you see it differently. 00:00 Highlights 01:02 Intro 02:26 Career uncertainty today 06:20 When to start transitioning 08:39 Learning and experimentation 12:16 Exploring new paths 15:03 Financial planning for transitions 17:05 Bridge roles explained 18:33 Ego and identity shifts 20:51 Experimentation mindset 25:36 Redefining career identity 30:27 Read Watch Listen --------------------- 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

Why are most careers in Indian sport invisible — and what does it actually take to build a champion? Subha and Hasita talk with Saumil Majmudar (Sports Village) and Deepthi Bopaiah (ex-CEO, GoSports Foundation) about the real system behind Indian sport: grassroots participation, elite performance, funding, and the dozens of careers nobody tells you about. In this episode of Small Talk, we go beyond athletes to unpack the real system behind sport, from grassroots participation to elite performance, and the careers that power it all. What does it actually take to build champions? Why do most sports careers remain invisible? And is India thinking about sport the right way? Featuring Saumil Majmudar, Co-founder & CEO of Sports Village, building large-scale school sports ecosystems, and Deepthi Bopaiah, Board Member and Ex-CEO of GoSports Foundation, enabling Olympic and Paralympic athletes through high-performance pathways. From the myth of “sports vs education” to the reality of funding, risk, and opportunity, this conversation reveals why sport is not just a career, it’s an ecosystem shaping health, leadership, and society itself. If you’ve ever thought about working in sport, returning to it, or understanding its true impact, this episode will change how you see the game. -------------------- This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian Sports Exploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field. -------------------- 00:00 Highlights 00:51 Intro 02:43 Meet the Guests 11:01 Access, Privilege & Early Sport 23:15 Careers in Sport: Myths vs Reality 41:22 Global Models & What India Gets Wrong 55:25 Education, Risk & Choosing Sport 01:10:29 Parents, Pressure & Pathways 01:20:17 Mid-Career Entry into Sports 01:31:24 Read Watch Listen -------------------- 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

You got promoted because you were a high performer. Now your job has nothing to do with the work that got you here — and nobody told you how to manage former peers, give hard feedback, or stop doing everything yourself. Subha and Hasita on the first-time manager identity crisis: the first 90 days, imposter syndrome, and what makes managers future-proof in the AI era. The day you become a manager, your job changes completely. You were promoted because you were a high performer. Suddenly, your role is no longer about doing the work — it’s about getting work done through others.In this episode, we unpack the real challenges first-time managers face: letting go of control, managing former peers, giving difficult feedback, and navigating imposter syndrome. We also explore how leadership expectations shift in remote workplaces, AI-driven environments, and India’s hierarchy-heavy corporate culture. We discuss: • The identity shift from individual contributor to manager • Why the skills that got you promoted can now hold you back • The first 90 days skills every new manager must learn • Delegation, feedback, and managing up • What makes managers future-proof in the age of AI • A simple self-review framework for first-time managers If you’re a new manager, aspiring leader, or high-performing professional stepping into leadership, this conversation will help you navigate the transition with clarity. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, careers, and professional growth. #FirstTimeManager #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ManagementSkills #NewManager #futureofwork -------------------- 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

At some point, if you’re paying attention, you look up and ask yourself: now what?Mid-career isn’t just about being in your 40s. It’s not a milestone defined by age or tenure. It’s that moment when the promotions have happened, the validation has come in, and yet something feels unfinished. Or unclear.In this episode, we explore what mid-career really means today. What happens when you don’t want the CXO title everyone assumes you’re chasing? What ambition looks like in a world of multiple careers. Why discomfort, impostor syndrome, and identity shifts are often signs of growth rather than failure.We talk about linear ladders that no longer exist, building your own path, redefining success, and the role of community when things feel uncertain.If you’ve ever felt restless despite doing well, unsure whether to pivot or persist, or quietly questioning the script you’ve been following, this conversation is for you.Mid-career may not be the middle of something. It might be the moment you finally get to choose.Chapters00:00 What Do We Mean by Mid-Career?01:01 Age, Tenure, or Identity?04:47 Multiple Careers and Non-Linear Paths06:37 The Shift from Manager to Leader09:42 What If There Is No Ladder?15:17 What If I Don’t Want to Be CXO?16:39 Redefining Ambition21:06 The Role of Community26:03 Autonomy vs Workplace Reality28:11 Living with Discomfort32:24 Read Watch Listen--------------------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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Media 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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------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 happens when men can't afford to be vulnerable? Successful, capable, in-charge — and quietly, privately, isolated. Subha and Hasita speak with Srini Ramaswamy (Men's Circle India) and Nikhil Damle (Iridium Coaching) on why so many men appear strong but feel alone — at work, at home, and inside gender expectations that haven't caught up to reality."For years on this podcast, we’ve explored ambition, leadership, and the realities women navigate at work. But growth isn’t one-sided. If workplaces and relationships are changing, so are the men inside them. This week, we turn the lens gently in another direction. We’re joined by Srini Ramaswamy, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriniramaswamycdp/) Co-Founder of Men’s Circle India, who has facilitated honest conversations with hundreds of men across the country, and Nikhil Damle, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilsdamle/) Founder of Iridium Coaching, who works closely with high-performing professionals navigating identity, pressure, and emotional blind spots. What happens when men are taught to provide, perform, and persist, but not to process?Why do so many men appear confident and capable, yet privately feel isolated?What shifts when gender roles evolve faster than emotional tools do? This conversation doesn’t take sides. It expands the frame. Because if we care about healthier workplaces, stronger partnerships, and more grounded leadership, we have to understand what’s happening beneath the surface for everyone involved.Listen with curiosity. You might hear something you didn’t expect. 00:00 – Highlights and Intro 03:19 – The Quiet Crisis Facing Men at Work 17:51 – What Are Boys Hearing Today? 21:53 – From Bedroom to Boardroom: The Pressure to Perform 24:08 – The Only Time Men Switch Off 33:31 – When Vulnerability Feels Forced 52:03 – Why Most Men Aren’t Virat Kohli 1:12:01 – Put Your Oxygen Mask On First 1:30:22 – The Loneliness Data We Can’t Ignore 1:40:38 - Read Watch Listen -------------------- 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. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalk_wpb 🌐 Website: https://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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------