What makes a friendship truly stand the test of time? Ishana, Minali, and Mona explore the meaning, evolution, and emotional depth of long-lasting friendships. From stories of community-building among Indian immigrants to navigating friendship challenges in different life stages, this episode offers rich insights into the beauty and complexity of human connection. Whether you’re nurturing old bonds, letting go of fading ties, or learning to build new relationships, you’ll find wisdom, laughter, and truth in this candid dialogue. Discover how trust, presence, and mutual respect shape friendships that last through every reason, season, and lifetime.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Nurturing friendships through busy life phases

(04:00) - Different types of friendships and evolving needs

(12:00) - Friendship challenges in your twenties

(16:00) - Redefining wedding roles through friendships

(17:00) - Knowing when to let go of a friendship

(22:00) - Litmus tests for true friendship

(23:00) - Cultural alignment and finding common ground

(25:00) - Maintaining long-distance connections

(27:00) - Practicing listening and emotional support

Key Topics Discussed:

Three Takes, Ishana Nigam, Minali Nigam, Mona Nigam, generational advice, lasting friendships, maintaining adult friendships, multigenerational relationships, friendship communication tips, immigrant community bonding

More of Three Takes:

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Minali shares her powerful story of facing an unexpected and crushing rejection from a fellowship program she thought was a sure thing. Joined by her sister Ishana and their mom Mona, the three dive into the emotional weight of rejection, generational differences in how we process it, and the surprising ways it can become a redirection to something better. From therapy breakthroughs to workplace insights and family resilience, this heartfelt conversation offers honest strategies, practical takeaways, and a reminder that rejection does not define your worth; it refines your path.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Reframing rejection as redirection

(06:00) - College application rejections and self-worth

(07:30) - Generational differences in handling rejection

(09:00) - Therapy, support systems, and coping tools

(13:00) - The employer’s side of rejection

(17:00) - Identifying feelings and journaling

(19:00) - Replacing negativity with gratitude

(22:00) - The power of open conversations

(25:30) - Social media, comparison, and resiliency

Mentions:

I Saw My Rejection as a Personal Failure: https://opmed.doximity.com/articles/i-saw-my-rejection-as-a-personal-failure

Key Topics Discussed:

Three Takes, Ishana Nigam, Minali Nigam, Mona Nigam, generational advice, overcoming professional rejection, emotional resilience strategies, career setbacks and growth, generational views on rejection, mental health after rejection

More of Three Takes:

Email us at connect@threetakes.com

Start a conversation at https://threetakes.com/

DM us on Instagram (@three.takes) at https://www.instagram.com/three.takes/

Ishana, Minali, and Mona dive deep into the essence of mentorship, sharing their personal experiences and reflections on what truly makes a mentor impactful. From formal career coaches to informal role models, they explore the qualities that define great mentors: empathy, dedication, and the ability to broaden horizons. Minali highlights the transformative power of a mentor who invests time and curiosity, while Mona emphasizes the importance of reliability and servant leadership. Ishana reflects on the vulnerability and depth required in mentor-mentee relationships, comparing the process to dating—compatibility and patience are key! Whether you're seeking a mentor or striving to be one, this conversation offers invaluable takeaways on building meaningful connections, setting expectations, and the generational differences in mentorship.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Traits of effective mentors

(00:05) - Mentorship in journalism and medicine

(00:09) - Informal vs. formal mentorship

(00:12) - Gender dynamics in mentorship

(00:19) - Role models vs. mentors

(00:21) - Generational differences in mentorship

(00:23) - How to find a mentor

Key Topics Discussed:

Three Takes, Ishana Nigam, Minali Nigam, Mona Nigam, generational advice, qualities of a good mentor, how to find a mentor, mentorship success stories, effective mentor traits, career growth through mentorship

More of Three Takes:

Email us at connect@threetakes.com

Start a conversation at https://threetakes.com/

DM us on Instagram (@three.takes) at https://www.instagram.com/three.takes/