What if the thing you've spent years trying to hide is also connected to strengths you haven't fully recognized?

Raja Vaidya knows what it means to have other people make assumptions about what you can do.

Raja is a scientist turned keynote speaker, Grandmaster Black Belt, author and TEDx speaker who has lived with a stutter throughout his life. For years, speaking could be exhausting. Singing was different. So was martial arts. Both became places where Raja discovered ways to communicate, perform and lead without allowing his speech to define what he could accomplish.

In this episode of MOJO: The Meaning of Life and Business, Jennifer R. Glass talks with Raja about invisible disabilities, fear, workplace inclusion and what happens when someone else's perception of your abilities begins affecting your opportunities.

Raja shares what happened during his career in cancer research when colleagues routinely presented his work because meetings didn't accommodate the additional time he sometimes needed to speak. Those colleagues received visibility and promotions while Raja's own contributions became less visible. Eventually, one colleague left his name off a presentation altogether.

That experience helped force a change.

Raja began developing his speaking skills, joined Toastmasters and increasingly confronted the fear that had shaped many of his decisions. He eventually stepped onto the TEDx stage, not because his stutter disappeared, but because what he wanted to say became more important than his fear of saying it.

Jennifer and Raja also discuss:

• Why singing can change the experience of someone who stutters
• The difference between a limitation and someone else's perception of one
• How workplaces can unintentionally silence talented employees
• What leaders may overlook about employees with invisible disabilities
• How martial arts helped Raja develop a different approach to communication
• Why fear can protect us while also preventing us from pursuing opportunities
• The opportunity Raja gave up because he feared being interviewed on television
• What TEDx taught him about speaking when speaking itself is difficult
• Why Raja says, “Don't fake it till you make it. Believe it and become it.”

The conversation is ultimately about more than stuttering.

It's about recognizing how easily a perceived weakness can become a box, whether that box is created by other people or by ourselves, and what can happen when we begin challenging it.

Connect with Raja Vaidya and learn more about his speaking, coaching and work through the links below.

Disclosure: Jennifer R. Glass and Raja Vaidya participated in a reciprocal speaking arrangement in which each provided a speaking appearance for the other's platform. No payment was made by Raja Vaidya for this podcast interview.

Raja's LinkedIn

Raja's Instagram

Raja's YouTube

Raja's website

What if improving your workday began with stepping outside for a few minutes?

Julie Beckwith, co-founder of Living on the Patio, joins Jennifer R Glass to share how her relationship with outdoor living changed after the pandemic and a serious cardiac event. Their conversation explores how intentional time in nature may support stress relief, mood, focus, and overall well-being.

Jennifer and Julie discuss:

• Practical ways to spend time outside in cold, hot, or humid weather

• Whether sitting near a sunny window offers the same experience as going outdoors

• How to work from a patio, balcony, yard, or shared green space

• Simple ways to reduce screen fatigue and give your eyes a change of focus

• How apartment dwellers and city residents can bring elements of nature indoors

• Why employers may want to consider outdoor work and break spaces

• Julie’s definition of success and the joy she finds in helping people reconnect with nature

Learn more about Julie and access her resources at LivingOnThePatio.com.

Disclosure: Julie Beckwith paid an administrative appearance fee to participate in this episode. Payment did not guarantee editorial control, endorsement, or any particular outcome.

Health note: This conversation shares personal experiences and general educational information. It is not medical advice and should not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Some health and productivity claims discussed reflect the guest’s interpretation of available research and should not be treated as guaranteed outcomes.

What does it take to raise children who are not only happy today, but prepared to become responsible, resilient adults?

In this episode of MOJO: The Meaning of Life and Business, Jennifer R. Glass speaks with educator and author Martha Burich about the decisions parents make today and how those choices can shape a child’s relationships, confidence, behavior, and ability to handle real life.

Martha shares her Three Ls of Parenting:

• Love them enough to say no
• Lead by example
• Let them fail

Jennifer and Martha discuss why children need consistent boundaries, what can happen when parents repeatedly change a “no” to a “yes,” and why protecting children from every disappointment may prevent them from developing the strength they will need later.

They also explore:

• How to teach boundaries at different ages
• Why parents should consider whether they can enforce a rule before making it
• The difference between a mistake and intentional misbehavior
• Why failure and disappointment are important parts of development
• Praise versus encouragement
• Helping children rely less on approval from others
• How parents and grandparents can have different relationships with a child
• Why mealtimes may not be the best place for difficult family conversations
• How everyday parenting choices influence the adults children eventually become

Martha is the author of Yes, You Can Raise Happy, Responsible Children, a practical guide to building stronger relationships with children while helping them develop confidence, empathy, responsibility, and resilience.

Learn more about Martha and her work at MarthaBurich.com.

You can also find Martha Burich Parenting on Facebook and YouTube and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Whether you are raising young children, teenagers, or thinking about the lessons you learned from your own parents, this conversation offers practical ideas for raising children who are better prepared for life.

Connect with Martha:

Website

LinkedIn | YouTube