Desperate Times Podcast

In this episode of Desperate Times, hosts Sakshi and Varun engage in a deep conversation with Shaunakk about his remarkable journey from the hospitality industry in India to a marketing career in Germany. They explore the challenges of reinventing oneself in a new country, the impact of personal loss on career choices, and the cultural shocks faced while adapting to life in Germany. Shaunakk share...

What happens when you spend years behind a hotel front desk, handling some of the wildest guests and late-night stories… and then decide to pivot your entire career? In this episode of the Desperate Times Podcast, we sit down with Shouvik — someone who made a bold shift from hospitality to marketing and moved from India to Canada in the process. He shares what it’s really like to start over in a n...

That sinking feeling when a major festival like Diwali or a birthday passes, and you’re oceans away. We know the feeling. Homesickness isn't just missing home; it's a deep, desperate emotional impact that peaks during cultural celebrations. Join us as we get vulnerable about the pressure of cultural expectations from afar and how to find connection and community when you're navigating...

In this episode, we dive into the all-too-familiar feeling of financial desperation — when you’re waiting for that paycheck to hit and every dollar counts. We talk about the stress of living paycheck to paycheck, the mental load of money struggles, and practical ways to manage your finances when times feel tight. From budgeting tips to breaking the cycle of constant money stress, this conversation...

In this week's episode of "Desperate Times," hosts Sakshi Jalan and Varun Raheja sit down with Mannan, who shares his journey from Mumbai to San Jose. With the latest news on H1B visa policy changes, Mannan's candid story couldn't be more timely. He shares the raw truth about the journey to America, from the initial cultural shock and the unexpected challenges of university l...

Ever wondered how to go from being a chef to building a career in product development and food innovation? 🍴✨ In this episode of Desperate Times, we talk to Saahil Shah, who transformed his culinary skills into a thriving career in R&D and the food industry. Saahil opens up about his culinary journey, the reality of culinary education, and the skills that helped him transition from the kitch...

In this episode of the Desperate Times Podcast, hosts Varun and Sakshi delve into the challenges of job hunting, particularly for international students. Sakshi shares her personal experiences navigating the job market, including the difficulties of transitioning to entry-level roles despite prior experience, the prevalence of job scams, and the frustrations of ghosting during the application proc...

In this episode of Desperate Times, host Sakshi engages in a heartfelt conversation with  @theclerisavarghese  , who shares her journey from India to Canada, her experiences in human resources, and her transition into public speaking coaching. They discuss the importance of networking, the cultural differences in work environments, and the challenges faced by immigrants. Clerisa emphasizes the nee...

Looking for a job in today’s world feels like a full-time job in itself. In this episode of Desperate Times , Varun opens up about his own rollercoaster job hunt — from scam job offers and sketchy freelance gigs to endless rejections and exhausting application processes. He even shares a wild interview experience in a taboo industry and reflects on what these moments taught him about persistence,...

In this episode of the Desperate Times Podcast, Varun and Sakshi engage with Christelle Rosario, who shares her journey from hospitality to public relations. Christelle discusses her initial passion for pastry and the challenges she faced in the culinary industry, including a toxic work environment. She reflects on her career pivot, the skills she transferred to PR, and the realities of working in...

In this episode of Desperate Times, Sakshi and Varun sit down with Madhu Sri — a former corporate leader who made a bold pivot into the world of leadership coaching through neuroscience. 🌱 We explore her journey of transitioning from the boardroom to building her own practice, how burnout led her to re-evaluate everything, and why so many high-achievers struggle with the same patterns. Madhu shar...

In this episode of Desperate Times, co-hosts Sakshi and Varun engage with Simran Parekh, who shares her transformative journey from studying psychology to leading a marketing team. Simran discusses the challenges of navigating career pivots, the impact of COVID-19 on job opportunities, and the importance of personal growth and adaptability. She reflects on her experiences with imposter syndrome, c...

In this episode, Sakshi and Varun get real about what it feels like to be brown in 2025. From offhand comments and casual stereotyping to outright hostility, we’re unpacking the microaggressions and racism we’ve faced outside of India—some subtle, others not so much. We talk about how the global narrative around brown identities is shifting—how it's suddenly become “cool” to hate on brown peop...

In this episode of Desperate Times, co-hosts Varun and Sakshi chat with Dr. Rupali, who shares her experiences of moving to the UK from India. We discuss the challenges of starting over, navigating work-life balance, cultural adjustments, and the differences in lifestyle between the UK and India. Rupali also shares her thoughts on the food scene, weather comparisons, and the struggles of finding a...

Ever feel like everyone your age is ahead while you’re still rebuilding from scratch? In this episode of Desperate Times, we talk about the pressure of “catching up,” moving countries, career changes and why your timeline is still valid. Join the conversation and let us know: Do you feel behind, or just starting fresh? ✨ #DesperateTimesPodcast #ImmigrantStories #StartingOver #LifeInYour20s #Caree...

Two cities. Endless chaos. We’ve lived in both Toronto and Mumbai—and the similarities are hilariously real. In this episode: Dug-up roads & constant construction TTC delays vs. Mumbai locals Sweaty summers, freezing winters, and monsoon floods Food, space, and finding “home” in the chaos If you’ve ever lived in either city—or love immigrant stories—this one’s for you.🎧 New episodes drop ever...

Friendship in your 20s is nothing like the movies. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build and maintain friendships as adults—when schedules are packed, social circles are shifting, and boundaries actually matter. From making new friends in a new country to navigating conflict, growing apart, and learning what healthy friendships look like—we’re unpacking it all. If you’ve eve...

Toronto is vibrant, loud, fast-paced and honestly, kind of exhausting. In this episode, Varun and Sakshi get real about living in Canada’s busiest (and most expensive) city: 🚆 The TTC chaos that makes you question everything 💸 The rent? Let’s not even go there 🏙️ But also, the city’s energy that somehow keeps you going If you’ve ever tried to survive in Toronto or found joy in the madness, this...

Montreal: where French menus meet freezing sidewalks and fashion feels like New York—but in survival mode. In this episode, Sakshi and Varun unpack the highs and headaches of starting over in Montreal: Learning to live (and order food) in French Facing fashion pressure and frozen sidewalks Chasing Indian food, dodging inflation, and surviving the bureaucracy Whether you’re a newcomer, immigrant, o...

From bone-chilling winters to blink-and-you-miss-it summers, Canada’s weather is a full-time personality. In this episode, Sakshi and Varun talk about: Surviving -20°C days (and invisible black ice 😵‍💫) Celebrating the first 10°C like it’s July Mood swings, seasonal routines, and daylight savings chaos That awkward in-between weather that ruins your fits Newcomer or not, if you’ve ever questione...

Part-time job hunting as an international student in Canada? It’s not just resumes and interviews—it’s survival mode. Sakshi and Varun talk about what no one prepares you for: On-campus vs off-campus realities Under-the-table gigs and unpaid trials Cultural curveballs and mental tolls If you’ve ever stood in line with your resume or Googled “student job Canada,” you’ll feel this one. #DesperateTim...

What happens when two immigrants land in Canada with zero idea what’s going on? Absolute chaos—and some great stories. In this episode, Sakshi and Varun rewind to their first week in Canada: Orientation nerves and direction confusion Apartment hunting fails Bank accounts, phone plans, and other “simple” tasks that weren’t Major culture shocks and tiny wins that kept us going New country. No clue....

Think working at a 5-star hotel is all glam and luxury? Think again. In this episode, Sakshi spills the tea on her first job in hospitality sales—where the the politics was exhausting, and the sexism? Loud. From cold calls and corporate banquets to burnout and breakdowns, this one’s a raw look behind the velvet curtain.🎙 Varun takes the host seat this time, asking all the questions you’d want answ...

First jobs aren’t all free food and happy hours… sometimes it’s pure chaos. 🍔😭 In this episode, Varun spills the REAL story of his first job — the wins, the mistakes, and everything in between. #DesperateTimesPodcast #FirstJob #LifeAfterCollege #FirstJobStories #Burnout #Freefood #Podcast

Not every shift was chaos. Sometimes, it was the food , the people , or that one guest who made your week. Here’s to the good days, the great memories—and the reason we signed up for this industry in the first place. ✨ 🎙️ Tune into Ep 4 of Desperate Times — streaming now!