Ever get caught in a conversation about race or culture that feels heavy or uncomfortable? In this episode, Kirti sits down with Sarita to dig into how staying curious, listening deeply, and protecting your energy can help you handle tricky talks about identity, belonging and bias. Whether you’re navigating mixed heritage or challenging assumptions, Sarita shares her practical ways to stay calm and grounded when things get tense.

Listen in for real advice and stories to help you speak up with courage and grace.

About Sarita:

Innovator and Entrepreneur with expertise in launching a medical product in Germany. Proven ability to patent a product and market it to the target audience. Experience with pitching on the German version of the show „Shark Tank“ and successfully getting an investment.

https://www.instagram.com/gobunion_official/

00:00 – Why “Where Are You From?” Isn’t a Simple Answer
01:44 – Shaping Worldviews With Mixed Heritage
04:15 – The Pull and Pressure of Traditional Expectations
07:04 – Navigating Race and Mixed Identity Abroad
09:05 – Handling Exclusion and Belonging in Diverse Spaces
13:03 – Choosing Values and Code-Switching Across Cultures
16:33 – Overcoming Stereotypes and Speaking Up

All rights reserved. This audio, video, voice, name, face, likeness, and all derivative content—such as thumbnails, clips, or AI-generated assets—are the protected intellectual property of the host and guest. No AI training, scraping, commercial use, or replication is permitted without written consent from both parties.

AM back with a new season. If you are wondering what took so long. But first ,have you ever felt overwhelmed, lonely, or like your voice just isn’t making it through all the noise we are currently in?

I share what 3 months had me going through transition, isolation, and self-doubt after moving countries, turning 50, and taking time off digitally.

#socialmedia #turning50 #movingcountry

Stay inspired and actionable with every listen:

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Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Where Kirti’s Been
01:20 Moving, Turning 50 & Embracing Change
02:13 Social Media Overwhelm—What Next?
04:18 Reflections on Work, Busyness & Loneliness
07:57 What Drop Your Noise Truly Means
09:50 Fresh Start in Dubai & Learning from Change
11:57 Upcoming Guest Sneak Peek

This episode of Drop Your Noise is the intellectual property of Kirti. Any reuse, training, or distribution in AI systems without written permission is prohibited

Have you ever wondered " Why is my version of well-being a little bit different from everyone's else?" In this episode, I sat down with my guest Romano (lawyer, dad, kayak fisher) explore what it truly means to define well-being on your own terms.

Romano shares how growing up close to nature in South Africa shaped his unique take on mental and physical wellness and why kayak fishing (not meditation or the gym) brings him calm and joy today. We explore kayak fishing as meditation, why men’s self-care needs flexibility, and how to stop apologizing for doing wellness your own way.”

In our conversation we hope it helps with questions like:

• Is it normal for my self-care to look different from others?

• How do I find wellness habits that work for me?

• Why do I feel stressed about “doing well-being right”?

• About Romano:

  Husband, and father of 2, I am an avid outdoorsman, and I enjoy camping and fishing. I started a kayak fishing channel recently as a passion project, and have been fishing the UAE waters since the 90's. I'm the head of a legal department in Dubai

  Want to follow his journey of Kayak Fishing:

  Youtube

  Instagram

  Timestamp:

  • 00:00:00 - 00:01:02 | Introduction: Are we taking our well-being too seriously?

  • 00:02:27 - 00:05:02 | Romano’s childhood & the roots of his personal wellness (nature, adventure)

  • 00:10:09 - 00:13:29 | How kayak fishing became Romano’s outlet for calm

  • 00:14:24 - 00:17:06 | Why men (and everyone) feel pressure around “the right way” to do well-being

  • 00:23:32 - 00:26:33 | Parallels: Navigating tides in kayak fishing…and in everyday conversations

  • 00:37:02 - 00:44:43 | Tech & social pressure: Are we losing the art of human connection in our well-being journey?

  • 00:50:07 - 00:56:24 | Takeaways: Why finding joy (your way) IS well-being and how to start

    
    

    **Copyright Notice:**

    The content, voice, face, name, image and lived experience of both guest and host are protected and may not be copied, replicated, cloned, or used by AI tools or for commercial purposes without written consent. This includes any biometric replication, voice training, or derivative use in generative tools.

Explore the real challenges and rewards of raising boys today, from blending cultural roots to building true critical thinking skills in a high-tech age. Hear Romina’s story of resilience, honest parenting, and how open communication helps shape compassionate young men.

Romina

Rooted in the vibrant traditions of Indian heritage, raised among the rhythms and warmth of the Caribbean, and shaped by the opportunities of an American education, I bring a unique global perspective to everything I do. With a deep passion for both Hospitality and Finance, I thrive at the intersection of service and strategy—where people and numbers meet to create unforgettable experiences and sustainable success. Above all, I’m a proud parent to three incredible boys, who inspire me daily to lead with purpose, live with integrity, and dream without limits.

Ever feel like you have to hide your real feelings to “stay strong”?

This episode tackles the silent struggle of men’s mental well being and shows why dropping your noise and giving space to tough emotions can open the door to real connection and self-acceptance.

Takeaway: Suppressing hard feelings like resentment , hurts more than it helps. When we start acknowledging what’s actually beneath the surface, we move closer to healthier relationships, inner calm, and a more honest way of being ourselves.

Got a theme or guest- why not send in a request : https://link.kirtana168.com/podcast

What if the best part of a festival isn’t the music but the people you meet?

This episode I chat with Bilal from Festival Sound to reveal the heart of festival culture: unexpected friendships, shared joy, and real conversations that happen far from the main stage.

Discover how festivals break down barriers, create space for everyone, regardless of background and a reminder that genuine connection is what really matters. Bilal shares personal stories about finding belonging at Glastonbury, sparking joy even in a crowd of thousands, and why the raw, unscripted moments are the ones that stay with us.

If you’re searching for a feel good episode that touches on human conversations such as meaning , or just need a reminder of the power of simple human connection, then ...

Tune in, drop your noise, and rediscover joy in togetherness.

Keywords: festival community, human connection, real stories, UK festivals, podcast, Glastonbury, Drop Your Noise, Festival Sound.

About Bilal

Creator of the music festival podcast, Festival Sounds, an independent podcast that reached number 1 int he UK music podcast charts within 12 months of launch.

www.festivalsounds.co.uk

What if happiness science isn’t just about positive thinking but about building a life you actually want to live.

This week I sat down with Dr. Louise Lambert to understand the real science behind happiness, why “feeling good” isn’t the full story, and more about quality of life.

Dr. Lambert shares actionable strategies for moving beyond “ill-being” and into a more intentional, joy-filled life (no fake positivity required).

Before we move on, if you enjoy our show, please give us a review. It helps us reach more listeners.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: “What does happiness really mean?”
03:13 – Happiness Science vs. Pop Culture Misconceptions
05:47 – The Spectrum: Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Happiness
12:01 – Timeless Habits for Fulfillment (At Any Age)
18:14 – Ill-Being & Over-Identification: Rethinking Mental Health
37:08 – How to Build Connection in a Distracted World
53:55 – Why Compelling Lives Matter
1:04:26 – Key Takeaways & Simple Next Steps

About

Dr. Louise Lambert is a consultant specializing in positive psychology and wellbeing in life, at work as well as in schools. Based in the United Arab Emirates since 2003, she is the Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology and a leading researcher in the field of regional positive psychology, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications, many stemming from her intervention work. A former professor and current workplace advisor, she designs programs to help organizations create high-quality connections and embed wellbeing into their culture. In addition to her organizational work, Dr. Lambert also offers a self-paced online course for individuals seeking to improve their happiness and life satisfaction in practical, science-based ways. Learn more at www.happinessmatters.org

https://www.instagram.com/dr_louise_lambert/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-louise-lambert-89434927/

How does life in a fast-moving city like Dubai change when AI steps into our conversations, our therapy sessions, and even our classrooms? This episode explores how AI can both help and hinder true emotional connection. We'll unpack what it means to be emotionally efficient vs. emotionally expressive, why context is king (even for chatbots), and how slowing down—just a little—can help us reconnect with ourselves and others. Plus, I share two powerful reminders from my books and some honest stories about facing speed, burnout, and the pressure to be 'productive.' Let’s get real about balancing comfort and connection in a world that’s always one step ahead