In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with Rita Kandamkalam for a deeply personal conversation about growth, faith, identity, belonging, vulnerability, and learning to find more joy in the person you're becoming.

Rita shares how a recent trip to Italy unexpectedly shifted her perspective. Returning to Los Angeles, she realized that parts of her old life no longer seemed to fit in quite the same way. Friendships were changing, her idea of home was evolving, and she was discovering that even positive growth can sometimes feel uncomfortable.

Katie and Rita also explore faith, intuition, and learning to trust the voice that tells you when it's time to move forward. Rita reflects on her Catholic upbringing, questioning institutions while holding onto her faith, and why choosing to be baptized as an adult became such a meaningful commitment.

One of the most revealing parts of their conversation centers on Rita's desire to continually become a better version of herself. Her therapist challenged her to consider whether constantly focusing on who she's becoming might prevent her from appreciating who she already is.

It's a conversation about letting go of what no longer fits, trusting yourself through seasons of change, and moving beyond having "just enough" joy to creating a life that's truly filled with it.

Growth can be positive and still feel painful. As we change, relationships, places, and even our sense of home can change with us. Something falling away doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

Working on yourself doesn't mean doing it alone. Katie reflects on the importance of allowing her "village" to support her and realizing that asking for help can be part of becoming stronger.

Don't become so focused on growth that you forget to experience joy. There's value in becoming who you want to be, but also in recognizing and celebrating who you already are.

“The only person that could ever hold myself back is me.”

“I always say your intuition is God speaking directly to you.”

“Now I have to go and fill my life with complete joy.”

Rita Kandamkalam is endlessly curious about people, the lives we build, and the places and experiences that shape us. Born in Kerala, India, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now living in Los Angeles, she loves traveling, exploring unfamiliar places, writing, and finding meaning in both the profound and the beautifully ordinary.

Her career has spanned hospitality, brand, technology, workplace, and real estate, with a common thread of understanding how people experience the world around them and how thoughtful spaces, systems, and design can help them feel more connected and supported.

When she's not working or traveling, Rita can often be found tucked away in a coffee shop or exploring town with her dog, Theodore.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritamk_

Sensere Studio: https://www.instagram.com/sensere.studio