Unplugged & Rooted

In this episode, we sit down with Aradhna Abraham , an Early Childhood Educator, education consultant, sessional instructor, and advocate for children and families, to explore the realities of modern parenting and child development. We discuss the importance of early childhood education, supporting South Asian families through generational healing, navigating cultural taboos, and the changing role...

What does it take to create a calmer, more connected family in today's busy world? In this episode of Unplugged and Rooted, we welcome Natasha Caballero, author, certified parent coach, homeschooling mom of three, and creator of The PAUSE Framework™. Natasha shares practical strategies to help parents move from daily chaos to intentional rhythms that strengthen relationships, improve communica...

In this episode, we sit down with board-certified physician and Health Stuff Podcast co-host Dr. Priyanka Wali for a thought-provoking conversation about today's biggest health topics. From her journey into medicine and the unique partnership with comedian Hari Kondabolu, to tackling health misinformation, and the impact of technology and social media on children and families, Dr. Wali brings...

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Mahal, educator, tutor, and author behind Himmat’s Courage and The Shape of Roti, to explore her journey in education and her passion for helping students succeed in math and science. Jennifer shares what inspired her to become a teacher, the story behind her popular YouTube channel that has helped students and families with math support, and how creating...

Reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn, yet literacy rates have been declining while classrooms face increasingly complex challenges. In this episode, we sit down with reading teacher and literacy specialist Kelly Dharamshi to discuss the science of reading, practical strategies for families, and what schools can do to better support every learner. From phonics and bra...

Divorce is about much more than legal paperwork; it impacts families, children, finances, and the future. In this episode, we sit down with Calgary family lawyer Jivanya Reddy to discuss the realities of divorce today, changing parenting roles, equal parenting time, mediation, and the biggest mistakes people make during separation. Jivanya also shares how growing up in a South Asian family in Sout...

Today's conversation is with Alex, founder of Axel's Emotional Foundations, whose mission is simple yet powerful: to the human being behind the parent, from a former troubled kid. Drawing from his own lived experiences and personal transformation, Alex shares how his childhood challenges became the catalyst for helping parents, youth, and families create stronger emotional foundations and...

What is it really like to teach in today's classrooms? How has education changed over the years, and what can parents learn from the UK education system? In this episode of Unplugged and Rooted, we're joined by Maria, a UK primary school teacher, for an honest conversation about the realities of modern education. Maria shares her journey into teaching, how classrooms have evolved throughou...

What does it really take to help children thrive in today's fast-changing world? In this episode, we sit down with Manpreet Kaur, educator, author, literacy innovator, and founder of "The Learners Pathway" to explore how parents can move beyond the traditional tutoring mindset and empower children with the skills they need for lifelong success. Manpreet shares her personal inspiratio...

What has changed in education over the past two decades, and are students, teachers, and schools better prepared for the future? In this episode, we sit down with Coryn, an American educator who has taught in both the United States and Denmark, alongside Camilla, a Danish teacher, for an honest conversation about how classrooms have evolved on both sides of the Atlantic. Together, we explore the r...

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Saba S., a content creator and advocate for daughters still learning to be themselves, to explore the complex journey of balancing culture, family expectations, identity, and personal choice. Saba shares her insights on marriage pressure, arranged marriages, independence, and why more women are questioning traditional expectations around relationship...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kal Dosanjh, law enforcement officer and founder of KidsPlay Foundation, TEDx speaker, proud father, and community leader. Kal shares his journey from policing to creating meaningful change through mentorship, youth empowerment, and community engagement. We explore the experiences that shaped his passion for helping young people, the importance of buildi...

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Life Coach and Writer Nisha Mody to explore the winding journey of career reinvention, personal transformation, and finding freedom beyond expectations. From IT consulting and recruiting to voiceover work, speech-language pathology, and life coaching, Nisha shares the lessons she has learned from navigating a nonlinear career path and embracing chang...

In this episode, we sit down with Sunaina M., MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker, therapist, and founder of Decoding Desis, for an insightful conversation about mental health, parenting, and the cultural challenges facing South Asian families today. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey, Sunaina shares practical advice on fostering healthier relationships, breaking gen...

What happens when life's greatest challenges become the beginning of your deepest healing? In this inspiring episode, we welcome author, inspirational women's advocate, and breast cancer survivor Franca Bartella to discuss her powerful book, *The Broken Link*. Franca shares her journey through divorce, breast cancer, and personal transformation, revealing how she found the courage to break...

In this episode, we sit down with Kamalpreet, a Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in supporting Punjabi-speaking and bilingual families raising Punjabi-English-speaking children. Kamalpreet shares her journey into speech therapy and what led her to focus on bilingual language development within Punjabi communities. She walks us through what her day-to-day work looks like when helping chi...

Parenting has changed, and many families are feeling the weight of it. In this episode, I'm joined by Opal Anchel, Neuro Coach, an NLP and NVC Practitioner and creator of "The Guided Divorce Method", for a powerful conversation about the challenges facing parents today, and how we can better support our children through life's most difficult transitions. We explore why so many fa...

In this episode, we sit down with Linda Shi, Owner and Occupational Therapist at Bright Little Minds Therapy, a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to supporting children and families through a collaborative, whole-child approach. We explore the wide range of services offered at Bright Little Minds, including Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Behaviour Support, and Psychology, and ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Goebel, certified teacher and founder of Numbers in Bloom, to discuss math confidence, growth mindset, and helping children thrive. Erin shares her journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship, why she's passionate about empowering girls in math, and practical ways parents can build resilience, confidence, and a love of learning at home. We also explore...

From strict parenting and gender expectations to emotional healing and breaking generational cycles, this episode dives into the conversations many Punjabi families are finally starting to have. Joining me is Sukhi Dhillon, a registered dental hygienist, educator, and mother whose work extends far beyond healthcare. While she teaches future clinicians about the connection between oral health and w...

What is it like to move from a traditional public school to a learning environment designed specifically for students with learning differences? In this episode, we hear directly from a student with dyslexia and ADHD who shares their personal journey through both public and private education. They reflect on the challenges they faced, what led to the transition, and how finding the right learning...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with representatives from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to explore some of the most pressing issues facing youth and families today. We discuss the real challenges young people are navigating—from mental health struggles, social media influence, and family breakdown, to the growing risks of drugs and gang involvement. The conversation also looks at how par...

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Carmen Balkejian, a former scientist whose passion for education, psychology, and the arts led her to a rewarding career teaching English to both children and adults. Drawing on her scientific background, Carmen shares how analytical thinking, curiosity, and evidence-based approaches have shaped her teaching philosophy, while emotional intelligence and hu...

🐾 What does it take to raise a happy, well-behaved dog and build a lifelong bond? In this episode, professional dog trainer Courtney Hollis shares her journey into dog training and provides practical advice for families, first-time dog owners, and anyone considering adding a dog to their home. We explore how to choose the right dog, the realities of adopting rescue dogs, common training mistakes,...

What is really happening in today’s classrooms? In this candid conversation, Jennifer Losito from Tired But Teaching shares her experiences on the front lines of education and reflects on how teaching has evolved over the past two decades. We explore the growing influence of technology, smartphones, and social media on student learning, behaviour, and attention spans, as well as the changing relat...