What does getting healthy actually look like when you’re a woman approaching 50?

Is it about losing weight? Going to the gym? Eating more protein? Taking a GLP-1? Or is the real challenge changing your relationship with your body, food, and the idea of what being healthy is supposed to look like?

In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, we speak with Monika Manchanda, food writer and culinary professional, about her very personal journey into fitness and better health.

Monika talks openly about starting small after years of not working out, learning to feel comfortable in the gym in a larger body, navigating changing health needs as she approaches 50, and why loving your body and wanting to improve your health don't have to be contradictory ideas.

We also get into one of the biggest health conversations right now: GLP-1 medications. What do they actually mean for a health journey? Are they a shortcut? What role do strength training, protein and fibre play alongside medication? And how do you make sense of wildly conflicting health advice online?

Plus, Monika answers a question many Indian vegetarians struggle with: how do you get enough protein without completely overhauling your diet?

Chapters

00:00 Loving Yourself, Getting Healthier

01:41 Monika Manchanda’s Health Journey

11:04 Starting Fitness From Scratch

12:13 Being a Bigger Woman in the Gym

15:39 The Truth About GLP-1s

24:41 Body Positivity vs Better Health

25:24 Women’s Health After 40

38:09 Health Influencers and Bad Advice

45:41 Can Sharing Your Journey Help Others?

1:02:09 How Vegetarians Get Enough Protein

1:15:49 Social Media, Hobbies and Work

1:16:42 Getting Older and Getting Healthier

One of the ideas that runs through this entire conversation is simple: health isn’t a 30-day transformation or a shortcut. It’s a relationship with your body that keeps evolving.And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is stop waiting to become the “right kind of person” before you start taking care of yourself.

Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between.

#WomensHealth #Fitness #HealthJourney #Nutrition #Protein #GLP1 #Perimenopause #StrengthTraining #WomenOver40 #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast

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📅 New episodes every fortnight

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew).

Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.

© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Business Storytelling Secrets: Why Facts Don't Change Minds, Stories Do

Why do some people command attention the moment they begin speaking, while others struggle to make their ideas stick?

In this episode, we explore the craft of business storytelling and why it's become one of the most valuable career skills today.

Ameen Haque is a storyteller, entrepreneur, and founder of **Storywallahs**, where he helps founders, leaders, and organizations use stories to inspire action, build trust, and create lasting impact.

Vinay Shenoy is a brand and communication strategist who has spent decades shaping narratives for businesses and leaders, helping them communicate ideas that people remember and act on.

Together, they unpack why stories matter in business, whether AI is changing how we write, what success really looks like, and how anyone can become a better communicator.

### Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:56 Meet Ameen Haque & Vinay Shenoy

04:00 How storytelling became their life's work

06:50 Is AI making us worse writers?

13:00 Rethinking success beyond career milestones

19:50 The stories we tell ourselves about success

26:50 Finding joy in work and choosing the right career

33:00 When expertise stops feeling fulfilling

39:00 Building an authentic personal brand in the AI era

44:45 Great storytelling is about the storyteller, not the tools

51:45 Standing out in a world fighting for attention

56:50 Why communication is becoming a career superpower

01:03:40 The stories that stay with us

01:10:05 Read Watch Listen

If this conversation changed how you think about communication, leadership, or your career, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use it.

#Storytelling #BusinessStorytelling #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #PersonalBrand #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast #Storywallahs

---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us.

Stay close

🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com

📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com

📅 New episodes every fortnight

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew).

Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

AI is everywhere. But which AI tool should you actually use for what?In this episode of Small Talk: Work | Play | Build, we stop trying to keep up with every new AI tool and try something more useful: imagine ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok as your colleagues. Who would you trust with research? Who would you send the boring repetitive work to? Who would you absolutely not give access to your Google Drive?We also step back from the tools themselves to ask some bigger questions. If AI is changing what we can do at work this quickly, what happens to careers, expertise and the idea of building a long-term professional identity? And if nobody, including the people building these systems, really knows where AI is headed, how do we make sense of it without getting overwhelmed?The answer might have less to do with becoming better at AI and more to do with becoming better at being human.00:00 AI Is Coming for Our Jobs. Or Is It?03:48 Why AI Power Is Concentrated07:56 From Automation to AI Agents11:35 Does a Career Still Exist?14:29 Work, Play, Build18:56 If AI Tools Were Colleagues20:24 ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as Colleagues26:42 Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok31:20 Which AI Tool Is Best for What?32:02 The 98% AI Problem34:08 AI May Make Us More Human34:55 Read, Watch, ListenWhat’s your AI colleague lineup? Tell us which tools you use, and what job you give each of them.Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between.#AI #AITools #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

You spent hours perfecting your resume. AI helped you rewrite it. You hit apply... and then nothing.Where did your application go?In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, Subha Chandrasekharan and Hasita Krishna unpack how AI is quietly transforming hiring. From ATS filters and AI interviews to "resume scores" that may follow candidates across applications, they explore why job hunting feels harder than ever, even for highly qualified professionals.More importantly, they discuss what still works: building genuine networks, finding human advocates, standing out beyond your resume, and adapting to a hiring landscape where algorithms are becoming the first recruiter you'll meet.If you're job hunting, hiring, or simply curious about how AI is changing work, this episode is for you.00:00 Highlights01:18 Why AI has changed job hunting forever08:47 Why applications disappear without a response13:03 How ATS and AI filters really work18:17 AI interviews and the human cost of hiring23:10 What job seekers should do differently today26:20 Finding opportunities beyond the resume pipeline29:20 Why networking beats algorithms35:39 Making your resume sound human again38:50 Read, Watch, Listen👍 Like this episode if it changed how you think about job hunting.💬 Have you experienced AI screening, ATS rejections, or the "resume black hole"? Share your story in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on careers, work, leadership and building a meaningful professional life.#JobSearch #ArtificialIntelligence #Careers #Leadership #Hiring #ResumeTips #FutureOfWork #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Most Indian girls stop playing sport in their teens. Most never come back. Subha and Hasita speak with Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy (sports researcher, executive coach) and Swetha Subbiah (co-founder Sisters in Sweat) on the safety, infrastructure, cultural pressure, and quiet guilt that keep women out of sport long after school ends and what it actually takes to play again. This conversation examines why participation in sport drops so dramatically for women and what it will take to change that.From safety and infrastructure to cultural expectations and community, Vijay and Swetha unpack the invisible barriers that keep women out of sport long after school ends. They explore why access isn't just about stadiums and funding, but about well-lit spaces, supportive environments, role models, and the freedom to prioritize movement without guilt.The conversation also dives into careers in sport, the rise of women-led fitness communities, grassroots sports policy, and why India's biggest challenge isn't producing elite athletes—it's getting more people to play in the first place.For anyone who's ever quit a sport they loved or watched someone they care about quit one.---------------------This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian SportsExploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field.
Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy — https://vijaykrishnamurthy.comSwetha Subbiah, Sisters in Sweat — https://sistersinsweat.com------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Why Indian Women Quit Sport01:07 What 'Permission to Play' Actually Means03:13 Meet the Guests05:00 Swetha's Journey from Hockey to Sisters in Sweat12:48 The "Sports Don't Pay" Mindset18:07 How Sisters in Sweat Started23:39 Access, Privilege & Why Women Stop Playing27:13 Safety, Infrastructure & Hidden Barriers37:29 Building a Community for Women in Sport46:03 What India Can Learn from Global Sports Models50:45 The Business of Building Sisters in Sweat57:43 Why Communities Matter More Than Competition01:00:40 Permission to Play01:06:36 Women's Health, Fitness & Starting Late01:10:13 What Sport Teaches Us About Life01:13:19 Read Watch ListenWhen did you stop playing? Or when did you start again? Tell us in the comments. The patterns are striking. #careerpodcast #WomenInSport #PermissionToPlay #CareerPodcast #SistersInSweat #IndianWomenInSport #SportsCareers #FutureOfWork---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

Ever lose track of time listening to a stranger's story? This episode is about why podcasts have that power and what they've quietly taught us about curiosity, belonging, and how we think.We spend a lot of time talking about careers, work, and personal growth. But where do those ideas come from? In this episode, Subha and Hasita take a detour into the medium that has shaped so much of their thinking: podcasts.From true crime and air crash investigations to leadership, psychology, sport, and storytelling, they explore why long-form conversations continue to matter in an age of endless scrolling. They talk about curiosity, rabbit holes, parasocial friendships, contrarian viewpoints, and the unexpected ways podcasts influence how we think, learn, and connect with the world.If you've ever found yourself losing track of time while listening to someone else's story, this one's for you.00:00 Why we can't stop listening to podcasts00:50 The episode that almost didn't happen03:09 Rabbit holes, lectures & air crash investigations04:41 Why long-form listening makes you smarter07:17 Why podcasts feel surprisingly intimate08:51 Contrarian views without the algorithm11:11 Curiosity, boredom & therapeutic listening13:39 Is podcast listening becoming social currency?15:45 What podcasts have taught us as hosts18:24 Permission, belonging & finding your people20:35 Podcasts in pop culture and everyday life22:33 Read Watch Listen: Randy Pausch & The RoosterListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.What podcast has influenced your thinking the most? Drop your recommendations in the comments.---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true, at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

AI, Layoffs & Relevance at Work: Are We Falling Behind?You may not lose your job to AI. You might just quietly stagnate. Subha and Hasita on the uncomfortable middle ground most of us are sitting in: AI replacing teams, 'good enough' outputs becoming dangerous, and the human skills that suddenly matter more — not less — in 2026.Why are experienced professionals still in demand even as AI tools become more powerful? What happens when companies optimize too aggressively? And how do you stay relevant when the rules change every few months?The conversation moves through vibe coding, AI-generated websites, AI interviewers, consulting, coaching, content creation, and the growing importance of judgment, context, and human nuance.For mid-career professionals figuring out what to keep, what to delegate to AI, and what to learn next.00:00 The Stagnation Trap01:20 Why We Had to Have This Conversation02:43 Building with AI & vibe coding08:03 Why human experience still matters12:11 AI panic, layoffs & workplace relevance15:57 “You may not lose your job, but you may stagnate”19:33 Prompting, judgment & the future of work20:50 AI coaches, interviews & changing careers25:26 Leadership, expertise & navigating disruption29:06 The bigger societal impact of AI33:05 Read Watch ListenRelated episodes:→ S7E25 Who Are You Without Your Job Title? — what happens when AI dissolves your role→ S7E22 Dear 2026 — what we want from AI at work→ S7E20 Power Meets Nurturing with Nirupama Subramaniam — leadership without command-and-controlWhat’s changed most about your work because of AI? Are you optimistic, anxious, experimenting, or somewhere in the middle? Let us know in the comments.#AIatWork #FutureOfWork #CareerPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

What does sports psychology really do for elite athletes? In this episode of Small Talk: Work | Play | Build, sports psychologist Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar breaks down how mindset, identity and team dynamics shape performance — and why most of what we call ‘motivation’ isn’t the actual job. We unpack what the field looks like in India, where it’s underdeveloped, and how aspiring professionals can build a real career in it.

In this episode of Small Talk, we explore the mental side of sport, what actually drives performance when talent, training, and opportunity are already in place.

Featuring Dr. Chaitanya, sports psychologist working closely with athletes and teams across levels, this conversation goes deep into mindset, team dynamics, and the often misunderstood role of psychology in sport.

From working with elite athletes to navigating team environments, she shares how performance is shaped not just by skill, but by identity, belief systems, relationships, and the ability to handle pressure. We unpack what sports psychology really looks like in practice, why it’s still underdeveloped in India, and the difference between real expertise and surface-level coaching.

This episode moves beyond motivation into something more fundamental, how athletes think, how teams function, and what it takes to build sustainable high performance.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates good athletes from great ones, or how mental strength is actually built, this conversation will change how you see sport.

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This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian Sports

Exploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field.

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Chapters:

00:00 Highlights

00:52 Intro

02:30 Meet the Guest

09:10 What Sports Psychology Really Is

18:45 Individual vs Team Performance

30:20 Mindset, Belief & Early Influences

42:00 Transitions, Identity & Athlete Careers

55:10 Inside Team Dynamics & Case Studies

01:08:30 The Reality of Sports Psychology in India

01:18:40 Careers & Pathways in the Field

01:28:10 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

01:36:00 Read Watch Listen

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Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

📅 New episodes every fortnight

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb

🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com

📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/)

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