Reaching Minds - ‘Thoughts for your Life Journey’

• Work-Life Balance

  Welcome to Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey! Feeling caught between your job and your life? You're not alone — and you're in the right place. Today, we’re unpacking the myth and the reality of work-life balance. It’s not one-size-fits-all. It looks different for everyone — depending on your values, priorities, and where you are in life. The world of work has changed. The pandemic, remote teams, and a new generation of workers have pushed flexibility to the forefront. So, what does balance look like now? We’ll dig into how to set clear boundaries, why you need to advocate for yourself, and how organizations can — and must — get more creative in supporting a healthier culture. This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a call to action. Because real balance starts with a mindset shift — at the individual, team, and leadership levels.About Leyla OkhaiLeyla Okhai Is the founder and the CEO. Of Diverse Minds UK Limited. Featured on the Diversity Power List, 2023-2024. Diverse Minds creates a positively productive workplace for all those training and coaching and consulting. The focus is placed on well-being, mental health and race equity. Leyla has over 18 years of experience in developing and implementing diversity, inclusion and equity practises with senior leadership team. Leyla is also the host of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast (https://bit.ly/DMPAIT) . weekly show about mental health and inclusion. She is a TEDx speaker and her  is entitled the connection between race, culture and Mental Health. ( https://ly/TEDxWolvesLO). Leyla is a trained coach, mentor, speaker and mediator. Her coaching practise centres on how staff can navigate boundaries and reach their full potential while maintaining their well-being. Prior to running her own business Leyla was the head of the Centre of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at the Imperial College London between July 2012 and June 2017, managing a team of staff working on various projects and initiatives. Layla is a trustee of Serendipity. Institute of Black Arts and Heritage and Pedestrian. A young people's art. Arts Organisation.Questions we pose in this podcast: How do you define work-life balance?Has your idea of balance changed over the years?How do people deal with the pressure to be available 24/7?What’s one policy or practice you’ve seen that truly promotes balance in the workplace?Do you think companies have a responsibility to actively support employee well-being?What’s one small change someone can make this week to improve their balance?If there’s one thing you hope listeners take away from this conversation, what would it be?What books, podcasts, or thinkers have shaped the  perspective on work-life balance?Resources : My Work Life balance course: https://diverseminds.thinkific.com/courses/the-mentally-healthy-professionalPodcast: https://diverseminds.co.uk/category/podcast/ Website: Laura Vanderkam: https://lauravanderkam.com/ Work with me!Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.comBook: Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

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• Moment for me

  Welcome to the episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we’re exploring a powerful and deeply personal theme — ‘Moment for M.’ As we will explore with our guest today.  It’s about what happens when we pause, listen inward, and make space for real change. We’ll be reflecting on the courage it takes to make intentional decisions, the strength it takes to walk away from what no longer aligns, and the transformative power of choosing authenticity over comfort. This episode is for anyone who’s felt the pull toward something more meaningful — who’s been at a crossroads, questioning, shifting, evolving. We’ll unpack the lessons, the struggles, and the breakthroughs that come when we finally decide to honour ourselves and step into a life that feels true. Let’s begin.About Sonia Vora: Sonia Vora is a cultural catalyst and visionary leader – these are the hallmarks of her journey from a child of immigrants to a transformational executive experienced in optimizing organizational effectiveness and igniting individual potential. Through a potent blend of analytical thinking and creative insight, she helps organizations navigate transformation on a global scale while building great cultures where every voice matters. She has led a Fortune 500 company's talent strategy , has been a speaker at high-profile events, where she has brought bring a powerful combination of business acumen, cultural intelligence and transformative vision.Questions we pose in this podcast: Sonia, can you share a moment in your life when you realized you needed to make a change — a "Moment for Me"? What did that moment feel like, and what led up to it?Taking the leap to follow your passion is no small feat. How did you gather the courage to make that decision, especially when there were easier, more comfortable options available?We all know that personal growth often comes with a mix of excitement and fear. What were some of the hardest or most unexpected challenges you faced during your transformation?Transitioning into something new often means learning things about yourself you didn’t know before. Were there any surprising lessons you learned along the way?Staying aligned with your true self can be tough, especially when life throws challenges your way. What practices or mindset shifts have helped you stay connected to your core values throughout your journey?Making a big shift often involves overcoming fear. How do you know when a decision is coming from a place of fear, versus one of trust and intuition? E.g. choosing  passion over a lucrative offer?How has creativity played a role in your personal growth and in finding alignment with your true self?For someone who might be standing at a similar crossroads, torn between the comfort of the known and the pull of their passion, what would you say to encourage them to make that leap?Resources : Contact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.com

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• Redefining Sustainability: Through Upcycling and Upskilling

  Welcome to this episode of Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we're shining a light on the inspiring work of ReFAB Studio—a creative initiative that’s redefining sustainability in design. ReFAB specialises in upcycling designer fabric remnants from the interior design sector, transforming them into bespoke, eco-conscious lifestyle pieces and home décor. ReFAB’s mission is to go beyond beautiful products—they're also dedicated to upskilling local artisans, especially women from disadvantaged communities, empowering them with creative and economic opportunities. ReFAB studio’s defines ethos and wider purpose: finding meaning and delight in the age of waste.In recent years, ReFAB has expanded its impact by running hands-on workshops with students from leading institutions, including the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion (UAL), and Morley College. These sessions invite the next generation of designers to engage directly with the challenges—and opportunities—of sustainable design and circular fashion. As ReFAB beautifully puts it on their website:“Our pieces are designed to spark joy in your everyday life—whether that’s a one-of-a-kind treasure that instantly makes your house feel like a home, or a stylish accessory that helps you fall in love with a well-worn outfit all over again.”About Rewati Prabhu In this podcast, we pose the following questions:What does ReFAB Studio stand for—not just in name, but in its mission and values?Rewati, where did the original idea for ReFAB Studio come from? What sparked the journey?ReFAB is part of your wider philanthropic work through the Kartik Prabhu Foundation. Can you tell us a bit about that connection?Can you walk us through some of the key projects that have emerged since ReFAB began—from its early days to now?What have been some of the most rewarding moments—and some of the biggest challenges—you’ve faced since launching ReFAB Studio?What kind of impact do you think ReFAB has had in the communities and areas you've focused on so far?What’s next for ReFAB—and for you personally—in this journey?What keeps you going? What continues to motivate and inspire you?Do you have a motto or guiding principle that you live by?Resources Mentioned in This Episode: https://refabstudio.org/https://kartikfoundation.org/www.nitasharma.comContact me on Linkedin if you wish to explore what I offer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nita-sharma-cpcc-pcc-78b1a22/If you interested in One-to-One coaching contact me through LinkedIn or through my website www.nitasharma.comI am joined by Rewati Prabhu who is the Founder and Creative Director of ReFAB Studio, an architect-urban designer and social entrepreneur with over 25 years of expertise. She has worked in exciting master planning projects in the USA, UK, Africa, Middle East and India. Rewati breathes sustainability into all her projects big and small whether it’s designing a new city, regenerating a neighbourhood or repurposing an existing building. Apart from this work, she has been involved in supporting youth- led social enterprise through the Jagriti Yatra, a program she co-founded 15 years ago, and which remains the largest enterprise training program of its kind in the world.

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• Parenthood Advantage

  Welcome to  our episode of ‘Reaching Minds: Thoughts for Your Life’s Journey’ podcast, the show where we will dive deep into the stories, ideas, and people reshaping how we live and work. Today, we're talking about something that touches so many of us — parenthood. But this isn’t just about parenting tips or bedtime routines. My guests today are the brilliant co-authors of The Parenthood Advantage, a powerful book that flips the script on how we view working parents. We will be exploring fresh, meaningful insights about parenting, professional life, and personal growthWe'll talk about the untold strengths parents bring to the table, why society still undervalues them, and how we can build a world that supports, not sidelines, the people raising the next generation.Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, or just want to rethink how we define success — this conversation is for you. Let’s dive in."About Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan are Managing partners of The Dagoba Group,  a global Consulting firm advancing inclusive leadership, employee well-being and organisational culture.  Mark and Mason have also co-authored The inclusion dividend. Their work has also been featured by the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. Mark and Mason live in New England. USA.In this podcast we pose the following questions:What inspired you to write The Parenthood Advantage? Was there a specific moment or experience that triggered the idea?What is the core message or thesis of the book—and why do you think it’s important now?Can you share a story of a parent whose journey exemplifies this “advantage” mindset in action?What are some overlooked skills that parents naturally develop that transfer to leadership or team settings?What was the most surprising or unexpected thing you discovered during your research or writing process?What myths about parenthood do you feel most urgently need to be dismantled?Have you had listeners or readers share how the book changed the way they view their own parenting journey?What advice would you give to a parent currently feeling like they have to choose between being great at home or great at work?If you could see one major shift in how society supports or values parents in the next 5 years, what would it be?Resources  https://theparenthoodadvantage.com/book/ -  The Parenthood Advantage:  Building Corporate Cultures That Value Working Parents (Oct 2025)The Dagoba GroupAuthor of:The Golden Apple:  Redefining Work Life Balance for a Diverse WorkforceThe Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in Diversity and Inclusion Pays Off SET for Inclusion: The Underlying Methodology for Achieving Your Inclusion Dividend 

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• Does Working Globally Broaden The Mind?

  Welcome to Reaching Minds - Thoughts for your life journey. In this podcast we will be exploring whether working globally does broaden our mind and that in experiencing new cultures makes us more adaptable. Is this just a cliché, or do we get  tangible, 'mind-broadening' effect from working across borders and time zones?" To help us answer that question, we're joined by Richard Cook, Director of Global Excellence and a specialist in working globally."Richard CookRichard Cook is a seasoned expert in cross-cultural management, with over 40 years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate the complexities of working across cultures. As a keynote speaker, consultant, and coach, he has advised global teams and leaders on how to collaborate effectively across borders. Having lived and worked on five continents, Richard brings not only deep expertise but also a rich, first-hand understanding of the transformative power of global experience.In this podcast we pose some of the following questions into culture:Based on your experience as a Director of Global Excellence, how do you define "working globally"? Is it just about international travel, or is there more to it?In your opinion, what is the single biggest misconception people have about the challenges and benefits of global collaboration?Beyond learning new languages, what are some of the less obvious ways that working globally can change a person's perspective on problem-solving or innovation?What are some of the specific cultural nuances that, if misunderstood, could create major roadblocks for a project? How can a person develop the empathy needed to navigate them?For someone who hasn’t had the chance to work internationally, how can they still cultivate a more global mindset?What skills or habits are most valuable for thriving in global teams or cross-cultural settings? How has your own thinking changed through working globally—personally or professionally?If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about working across cultures, what would it be? Resources:www.global-excellence.comCross-Cultural WebinarsDeveloping a Global MindsetCross-cultural Awareness with Emotional Intelligence (EQ)Lens Managing Conflict Across CulturesDelivering Coaching Through a Cross-cultural LensManaging Multi-cultural TeamsPublished articlesCommunicationAnglo-French Communication - Gap or Chasm?‘Body language’ - The Silent Language that Impacts on your Business Communication Choosing Media Strategically for Cross-border Team Communications Getting your Message Across Cultures They All Speak English Don't They?ManagementManager From Another Planet Managing International Assignments Country-SpecificCommunicating with the Japanese Time Management Training for Brazil: Global Training Delivery - Breaking the Rules Cool Britannia or Boring Brits Coaching Across CulturesCoaching Across Cultures Intercultural Coaching: The Next Big Thing Global TrainingBecoming an Effective Global Networker Global Training – Cultural Differences and Their Implications for Trainers Realise the Benefits of Working Globally Personal Skills Are the Key to International Business Training Across Cultures: Facing the Global Challenge Why Global Organisations Need Global Skills Why Cultural Training Needs to Get Smarter Intercultural SkillsA Basic 4 - Step Model for Intercultural Management Culture or Competence? Culture and Status - The Perils and Pitfalls Dealing with Resistance to Intercultural Training Internationalising your English Read the Dos and Don'ts on the Plane! The Bicultural Audit: Towards "Culture-Bridging" Post-merger Culture Shock and Some Remedies The Expat Life - Do We Have What it Takes to Live Aboard? Working Abroad Negotiating Across CulturesWomen ExpatriatesA New Generation of Trailing Spouses – The Trailing Man Women in the Global Business World: Identifying the Myths 

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