Friends are often called our chosen family and for good reason. At their best, they become our strongest support system, shaping not just our lives but our careers as well. However, meaningful friendships don’t happen by chance. They’re built with intention, vulnerability, and effort.

In the second part of their conversation on friendship, Aravind Mallipudi and Tanuja Ramchal explore what it takes to go beyond superficial interactions and build & sustain friendships in adulthood.

Here's what's covered:

• Staying open in friendships and how to take emotional risks and express yourself authentically, even when the fear of rejection and possibility of disappointment is present
• Following your interests and why engaging in activities that bring you joy can lead to satisfying and meaningful friendships
• The importance of examining how you're showing up, and confronting the expectation that any one person (or a job) can meet all of your needs
• Engaging with people in a fast-paced city like New York [hint: it requires you slowing down enough to be intentional]
• What makes friendships last & the qualities that allow friendships to stand the test of time, including showing up for the people you value even when it's inconvenient

Friends are often called our chosen family and for good reason. At their best, they become our strongest support system, shaping not just our lives but our careers as well. However, meaningful friendships don’t happen by chance. They’re built with intention, vulnerability, and effort.

In this episode, Aravind Mallipudi and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their own friendship, which started early in their career and spans two decades, to explore what it means to show up intentionally in friendships, whether we’re strengthening long-standing bonds or looking to build new ones.

Here's what's covered:

• Building friendships that are not just enduring but deeply fulfilling
• How to stay connected and grow through differences and disagreements (and knowing when to let go)
• Why self-awareness may be the most underrated skill in lasting friendships
• Prioritizing friendships in a demanding world and deciding who belongs in your inner circle
• The nuances of navigating friendships at work given the rules of professional conduct

Networking is often seen as a chore. But what if networking could be a way to build community rooted in depth and intentionality?

In this episode, Betty Durverger, Deputy Director of SEEK Baruch, shows us that the most powerful network is often the one we already have. She shares how she deeply connects with the people already in her circle.

Here's what's covered:

• A simple step you can take to make a memorable impact and truly stand out in your relationships

• Mastering the art of listening to understand (not just to respond) and how learning this skill allows you to relate more genuinely with others

• How the word "networking" can trigger fear and how to shift your perspective so relating to others become second nature

• How leading with vulnerability creates the space for others to show up more authentically

• Practical ways to find opportunities for meaningful connection

Living with a chronic illness, like Type 1 diabetes, can present professional challenges, but it can also forge a path to authenticity and connection.

In this episode, Tanuja Ramchal chats with Brislenny Alvarez, who shares her journey with Type 1 diabetes. They explore disclosing a chronic illness in the workplace and how the fear of being perceived as "unprofessional" can conflict with survival needs. Brislenny also talks about what it means to be your strongest advocate.

Here's what's covered:

• Brislenny's story of diagnosis and journey toward acceptance
• Practical strategies for deciding when and how to disclose a chronic illness at work
• Managing the emotional toll of misinformation and assumptions
• Why listening to your body and building a strong support system are non-negotiables
• How living with type 1 diabetes has unlocked a deeper sense of community, compassion, and openness to differences in others for Brislenny

Let's be honest, networking can often feel sleazy and transactional. It can leave you feeling like you have to be someone you’re not to get ahead in your career. And the importance of networking is not just in your head. It’s reported that over 85% of jobs are filled through referrals, leading to a model where opportunities aren’t always based on merit but more on access and who you know.

But what if there’s a different way to network?

In this podcast episode, Tanuja Ramchal reframes networking as a way of developing genuine relationships while fostering community. You’ll also learn how to navigate an inequitable system without sacrificing your integrity as you build your career.

Here’s what’s covered in the episode:

• Moving away from a performative way of networking and start connecting in ways which are nurturing and mutually supportive
• Unpacking your own baggage: how your fear of rejection and hidden assumptions keep you from developing relationships that are genuine
• How to move beyond stuffy professional events and connect in ways and contexts that suit your style
• Why trying hard to impress people can backfire in networking scenarios and the importance fine tuning your listening skills
• Practical steps to create authentic relationships that lead to career growth and new opportunities

For many immigrants and marginalized communities, money is synonymous with survival and obligation -- secure a stable job, buy a home, avoid debt [other than a mortgage], and work tirelessly for 40+ years to “earn a living”. But what if money could be more than just a means to endure? What if it could be a tool for liberation?

In this episode, Alan Chen and Tanuja Ramchal explore how immigrants and children of immigrants can redefine their relationship with money -- moving beyond scarcity and fear to embracing opportunity, choice, and freedom.

Here's what's covered:

• Why navigating personal finance can feel overwhelming for marginalized groups and understanding the power of community in building wealth
• The reason it can be hard for children of immigrants to “follow their passion” and take risks in their career
• Redefining work as optional (not compulsory) and why you haven't learnt this in school
• The misalignment between employer and employee values that makes it difficult to be true to yourself
• Reframing the narrative around retirement and exploring the possibility your own course when the traditional path doesn’t work for you

Life is full of challenges, including global crises, political upheaval, and personal struggles. It can leave you feeling drained, anxious, and even helpless, especially when there seems to be no end in sight. Join Matthew Makak and Tanuja Ramchal as they explore how to navigate difficult times with compassion, resourcefulness, and agency so that you feel supported and don't lose yourself in the process.

Here's what's covered:

• Embracing joy, imagination, and childlike wonder as acts of self-care
• How "safe spaces" can sometimes keep us feeling stuck and what can help us to move forward
• When "holding it together" becomes another form of suffering
• Why liberation requires empathy and allowing yourself to be changed by your experiences
• Finding community & belonging in unexpected places and fleeting moments

Improv isn’t just theater or comedy—it offers practical tools for handling uncertainty, building relationships, and staying adaptable in your career. In this episode, Christine Browne-Munz and Tanuja Ramchal share improv principles which have helped them to take risks and embrace possibilities outside of the status quo.

Whether you’re interviewing, delivering presentations, or working with others on projects, the skills discussed in this episode can help you form deeper connections, respond to unexpected situations with presence, and bring a sense of play, creativity, and innovation to your work

Here's what's covered:

• How improv helped Christine deal with performance anxiety and embrace the unknown
• How the principle of "Yes, AND" fosters collaboration—even when you don’t agree with others
• Why inclusive workplaces feel like an improv stage: psychological safety, trust, and room to take risks
• The reason Christine celebrates getting turned down for jobs instead of fearing rejection
• Why authenticity isn’t a one-time choice but a daily practice that requires reading the room