What if self-doubt is not a fact, but simply a story you have been telling yourself?In this inspiring episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, Meena Satishkumar speaks with transformational coach, speaker and personal branding expert Aticka Dhandia about moving beyond fear, limiting beliefs and the feeling of not being good enough.Aticka shares her own journey from being afraid to speak to people to confidently facilitating programmes for students, corporate leaders and diverse audiences. She explains why confidence does not mean being fearless—and why even highly successful people can continue to experience self-doubt.In this conversation, we explore:✨ Why perfection can become a form of procrastination✨ How authenticity strengthens confidence and connection✨ The role of breathwork in managing stress and limiting beliefs✨ Why everyone needs time for silence and self-reflection✨ The seven levels of human existence✨ The connection between intention, attention and manifestation✨ The three Ps of leadership presence: Preparation, Presentation and Presence✨ How to take action even when you do not fully believe in yourself#BeyondSelfDoubt #confidence #AtickaDhandia #breathwork #personalgrowth #Leadership #authenticity #executivepresence #TechBeyondGender #womeninleadership

What does it take to build a thriving career in technology while navigating change, uncertainty, and self-doubt?In Episode 69 of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, I am joined by Hazra Ali, a technology professional with over 12 years of experience across banking, financial services, and technology transformation. Having built her career across Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia, Hazra brings a unique perspective on resilience, networking, community building, and continuous learning.As a Business Analyst, AWS Community Builder, mentor, and advocate for professional growth, Hazra shares practical lessons from her own journey—from stepping outside her comfort zone to building meaningful connections that have helped shape her career.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 What resilience really means in today's technology landscape🔹 Why networking is about building genuine relationships, not collecting contacts🔹 How volunteering and community involvement can accelerate career growth🔹 Rebuilding a professional network after moving countries🔹 Becoming an AWS Community Builder🔹 Learning new technologies and adapting to unfamiliar environments🔹 Managing imposter syndrome and building confidence🔹 The value of mentorship and giving back to the community🔹 Practical advice for graduates, migrants, and early-career professionalsOne of the key takeaways from this conversation is that success is not about knowing everything. It is about being willing to learn, showing up consistently, building authentic relationships, and having the courage to put yourself out there—even when it feels uncomfortable.If you've ever questioned whether you belong in the room, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.#TechBeyondGender #Podcast #WomenInTech #BusinessAnalysis #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Networking #Mentorship #ImposterSyndrome #AWS #AWSCommunityBuilder #DiversityInTech #Inclusion #Technology #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #TechCareers #Resilience #WomenInLeadership #episode69

What happens when a learning designer with no coding background decides to build AI-powered solutions that put people first?In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Lian Passmore — founder, ethical AI builder, researcher, self-taught developer, and mother of five — to explore her remarkable journey into technology.In just two years, Lian transitioned from organisational learning and facilitation into building AI products designed around care, inclusion, accessibility, and human connection. She shares how curiosity led her to teach herself coding, build conversational AI tools, and develop innovative projects focused on feedback systems, coaching, wellbeing, and family relationships.In this conversation, we explore:🔹 How Lian went from non-technical to building AI products herself🔹 The story behind her first conversational AI project🔹 Building AI coaches and relationship support tools🔹 Why ethics and safety must be designed into AI from the beginning🔹 Māori values and tikanga-led approaches to AI development🔹 AI literacy challenges in regional New Zealand🔹 The opportunities and risks AI creates for women in the workforce🔹 Why now is one of the best times to transition into technology🔹 Advice for women and gender-diverse professionals considering careers in techLian also shares powerful insights on creating technology that serves people, preserving cultural values in AI systems, and ensuring emerging technologies are accessible to communities often left out of the conversation.Whether you're curious about AI, considering a career transition, or interested in building technology that creates positive social impact, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.🎙️ Tech Beyond Gender explores the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women, gender-diverse professionals, and allies in technology, while creating pathways for a more inclusive future.#TechBeyondGender #ArtificialIntelligence #EthicalAI #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #MāoriInnovation #Leadership #CareerChange #Technology #DigitalTransformation #AI #Inclusion #TechCareers #WomenInLeadership #NewZealandTech #ConversationalAI #FutureOfWork #Innovation #LianPassmore #TechPodcast

What does it really mean to be a mentor?

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Sid Kumar to explore the art, craft, and joy of mentoring beyond buzzwords and frameworks.With over 25 years of experience across technology, finance, and leadership, Sid shares a refreshing and deeply human perspective on mentorship.In this conversation, we explore:-

- Why mentoring is a craft before it becomes an art

- The difference between mentoring, coaching, and training

- How real mentoring is like a dance not a script

- The importance of listening (and why it’s so hard)

- How mentoring helps break self-limiting beliefs and invisible barriers

- The role of mentoring in creating more inclusive workplaces

- Why you should never create a “mini version of yourself”

- And the powerful moments where true growth actually happens

“It is in that moment… when something clicks… that’s where the joy comes.”

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world every year — but what actually changes once the events are over?In this special Tech Beyond Gender panel conversation, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by returning podcast guests Camy Bhandari, Noor-Un-Nissa Syed, and Amanda Watson to explore the reality behind diversity conversations in the workplace.Together, they discuss the gap between awareness and action, the challenges women continue to face in leadership and technical roles, and what organisations need to do to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful change.

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with John Bessey to explore what success really looks like beyond titles, beyond linear career paths, and beyond the highlight reel.

In this honest and deeply reflective conversation, we explore:

• The reality of starting from scratch and building a career without a clear path
• The role of resilience, mindset, and inner work in shaping success
• Navigating mental health challenges alongside leadership responsibilities

and many more topics!

This is not just a story about success, it’s a story about reinvention, self-awareness, and doing the work to become who you are meant to be.

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Jeevan James, a strategic technology leader with over 20 years of experience across banking, insurance, and FinTech.

Together, they explore how software engineering has evolved from small, agile teams and generalist roles to highly specialised functions and why the industry may now be coming full circle in an AI-driven world.

This is not just a conversation about technology.
It’s about how the role of engineers is shifting, what skills truly matter, and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.

#TechBeyondGender #MeenaSatishkumar #SoftwareEngineering #AI #FutureOfWork #CareersInTech #WomenInTech #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #TechCareers #EngineeringCulture #Innovation #LearningMindset

In this powerful episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, Meena Satishkumar is joined by John Bessey, Katy Sweetman, and Noor Syed for a deeply insightful conversation on leadership, focus, and creating meaningful impact.At a time when professionals are stretched thin, juggling priorities and navigating invisible workloads, this conversation explores a powerful idea:Leadership is not about doing more — it’s about focusing on what truly matters.John and Katy share the thinking behind their book Rituals of Impact — introducing simple, repeatable “rituals” (or systems) that help leaders and professionals:Cut through complexityPrioritise what actually drives resultsBuild high-performing teamsLead with clarity, purpose, and energyNoor brings a deeply personal perspective on how rituals shape resilience and grounding, while Meena connects these insights to real workplace challenges — especially for women and gender-diverse professionals in tech.