Humans of Breakthrough

We're back with Season 2 of the Humans of Breakthrough podcast, and we're kicking things off with a powerful conversation. In this episode, Sobanan and Pratik sit down with former Breakthrough cohort member Alfie Erfan, whose story is one of grit, growth, and transformation. From facing childhood trauma and homelessness to living in Egypt, Alfie shares the highs and lows of his journey, an...

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough, we sit down with Ria Kalsi, the inspiring CEO and founder of Matriarch—an organisation dedicated to providing a life education beyond traditional schooling. From tackling identity and grief to fostering inclusive workplaces, Ria shares her personal journey, the emotional moments behind Matriarch’s mission, and why the world needs to talk about life’s toug...

🛑 Stop. Think. Buy? In this thought-provoking episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we dive into responsible consumption and the impact of impulse buying, fast fashion, and the culture of overconsumption. 🌍✨ Our CEO Sobanan Narenthiran and Creative Lead Darja Gerova unpack the psychology of shopping , the environmental cost of mass production, and how small, conscious choices can make a big diffe...

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough, we dive into Breakthrough’s exciting new partnership with the AI Skills Coalition, the launch of our online self-paced courses, and how AI and digital education are shaping the future of learning, work, and human connection. Join us as we explore the power of AI for good, ethical decision-making, and the democratisation of knowledge to create a better wor...

AI is coming for your creativity... or is it? 🤖🎨 In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we explore AI’s impact on art, fashion, and film with Darja Gerova , Creative Lead at Breakthrough Social Enterprise, and Amira Al-Shabazz , a Master's Graduate in AI & Sustainable Development. 💡 Can AI make you a better artist? 💡 How do creatives stay original in an AI-driven world? 💡 Will AI...

Episode Description (Shortened): Do we truly see ourselves as we are? 🤔 In this episode of Humans Are Breakthrough , Sobanan and Pratik explore identity, self-compassion, and society’s influence on self-perception. Inspired by the Dalai Lama’s teachings, they share personal reflections on career, mistakes, and growth -challenging you to rethink who you are beyond labels. 🌍✨ 🔹 Why do we seek ex...

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , Pratik Doshi down with CEO Sobanan Narenthiran to dive deep into open-source technology, its parallels with blockchain, and its impact on AI and education. They explore whether open-source models like DeepSeek are the future, the balance between free speech and accountability, and how education can be truly democratised. This episode is for the curious m...

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we dive into the big question— will humanity even survive the next 100 years? Sobanan and Daria explore everything from AI threats, climate change, and war to the unexpected happiness of Sri Lanka and Finland. They discuss radical empathy, the power of individuals to shape history, and whether we can hit the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Th...

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we sit down with Jaskiran Mangat, a passionate financial well-being speaker and founder of Finance Therapy. Join us as Jaskiran shares her inspiring journey from financial risk management to helping people navigate the powerful intersection of money and mental health. Together, we delve into the trauma of money, cultural influences on financial beliefs,...

What does it mean to be a "Jack of all trades, master of self" ? In this inspiring episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we sit down with David Daodu, one of our incredible associates from the SB3 cohort. David reflects on his journey from biochemistry to entrepreneurship, the experiences that brought him to Breakthrough , and the invaluable lessons he’s gained along the way. Hear how mindfulness, r...

Episode Description: Happy New Year! 🎉 In the first Humans of Breakthrough episode of 2025, join Pratik Doshi , Sobanan Narenthiran , and Darja Gerova as they reflect on past milestones and share their bold vision for the year ahead. From reimagining education to empowering communities through technology, they discuss turning fear into hope and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future. Plus, sti...

Join Daria and Hayley Dawson, founder of "Let's Talk Human Skills," as they dive into the world of human connection, emotional intelligence, and navigating a tech-driven society. Discover how fostering curiosity and self-awareness can transform personal and professional lives, and learn practical strategies for cultivating essential human skills in a disconnected world.

In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , Daria and Sobanan explore how to manage distractions, redefine intelligence, and embrace discomfort for growth. Discover practical tips for reducing noise, building emotional intelligence, and turning challenges into resilience and purpose. A thought-provoking guide to thriving in the present while creating a meaningful future.

Curious about crypto but don’t know where to start? Join Darja as she dives headfirst into upskilling in blockchain and cryptocurrency with guidance from Sobanan. This unique episode is a recorded coaching session where Darja asks all the “beginner questions” you’ve been too shy to ask. From Bitcoin’s origin story to creative ways to explore blockchain, Sobanan shares game-changing insights that m...

In this candid and transformative episode, we dive into the personal and professional journey with our COO Pratik Doshi navigating imposter syndrome, embracing self-love, and breaking barriers in social enterprise. Discover how empathy, self-awareness, and a commitment to serving underserved communities redefine what it means to lead with impact. Tune in for raw stories, practical wisdom, and a fr...

"The education system should teach us how to treat humans, not just how to solve equations." In this episode of Humans of Breakthrough , we sit down with Kim Rihal—a multiple award-winning social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in education and local government—to explore how education can move beyond academics to nurture empathy, confidence, and emotional growth in children. As t...

In this episode, we dive into the age-old question: what does it really mean to be successful? Is success defined by wealth, fame, or achievements? Or is it about happiness, fulfillment, and personal growth? Join us as we explore the diverse perspectives on success, from societal expectations to individual values. Featuring thought-provoking insights, expert opinions, and real-life stories, this e...

What does it mean to transition from the Anthropocene to the Silicocene ? In this episode, we delve into the seismic shift from a world shaped by industrial carbon to one sculpted by silicon and algorithms. Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges of this new era, from AI-driven innovation to the ethical dilemmas of technology governance. We'll discuss how communities can reclaim age...

Join us as we interview our CEO Sobanan Narenthiran and his journey to his Breakthrough moments, the vision behind our mission, and the inspiration that fuels us. In this episode we'll dive into how we strive to create a space for growth, resilience, and mindful transformation for our students, stakeholders and team members. We will dive into history of our organisation as well as talk about what...

Step into a raw conversation with Breakthrough Social Enterprise’s CEO, Sobanan Narenthiran , and Creative Lead, Darja Gerova , as they unpack the highs and lows of being human. From navigating a world that objectifies us to wrestling with social media’s impact on mental health, they share raw stories from childhood and beyond. Together, they shatter the illusion of 'chasing happiness,' revealing...