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

How do our layered heritages shape the stories we tell? In this deep and personal episode, Kirti sits down with Angela , author of the profound novel-memoir Meditations of a Former Statue, to talk about navigating identity, cultural legacy, trauma, and self-awakening.

Angela opens up about her fascinating life as a woman with Indian and Italian roots, growing up in the UK, and her transition from a banking career on the trading floor to finding her voice as a writer, and how heartbreak and self-reflection spurred her towards deeper healing and creative expression.

Get her book:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xlkq6

https://amzn.eu/d/359WIqm

Does our stories inspire you and want to step behind the scene: join our subtack newsletter: https://kirtana168.substack.com

Eden offers us a fresh perspective from intergenerational expectations, cultural shame, to the life-changing impact of sharing authentic stories. Their conversation shines a light on the importance of well-being support and culturally sensitive spaces in our AI-driven era.

Instagram

Name: Sesame Organisation

Website: sesameorganisation.com

Instagram: sesame_organisation

About Eden

Eden is a queer Chinese Malaysian woman, creative, and podcast host. Community-led changemaking and world building lies at the heart of her work. Her primary role is with End Violence and Racism (EVR), now Sesame Organisation, a grassroots community organisation and mental health service provider for East and South East Asians (ESEAs) in the UK. Eden also cohosts the podcast of global nonprofit Dear Asian Youth, called Dear Asian Generation, which uplifts and celebrates the stories of Asian girls, women, and gender diverse individuals all over the world.