In Her Element : Unfiltered Stories of Women Finding Their Voice — and Their Power

Swati Upadhyay explores the profound question of whether your life truly fits you, challenging listeners to reflect on living on their own terms. This episode delves into the emotional and physiological impacts of living inauthentically and offers practical steps to align your life with your true self. Keywords : self-discovery, living on your own terms, authenticity, women’s empowerment, life sat...

Nobody teaches you how to grieve a friendship. But so many of us have been quietly doing it for years. Some friendships fade without a fight, without a reason, without a goodbye that felt like a goodbye. Others can go a year without a real conversation and pick up like no time passed the moment you're back together. Some friendships, over time, quietly become family. And some never happen at all —...

Nobody warns you that following the plan can be its own kind of trap. You work hard, you hit the milestones, you become the thing you set out to become — and then, quietly, without announcing itself, something starts to feel off. Not wrong, exactly. Just off. Like a song playing slightly out of tune. In this episode, we sit with the question most of us have had but few of us have said out loud: wh...

Swati Upadhyay explores the vital importance of listening to your body, understanding stress and hormonal health, and advocating for yourself in healthcare. This episode offers science-backed insights and practical steps to help women recognize signs of burnout and hormonal imbalance, emphasizing self-care and partnering with medical professionals.

Have you ever achieved exactly what you were supposed to achieve—and still felt like you were living in translation? In this episode, we dive deep into the immigrant paradox: the experience of straddling two worlds, two value systems, two definitions of success, and feeling like you belong fully to neither. Whether you're an immigrant, a first-generation professional, or anyone navigating between...

In this conversation, Swati Upadhyay explores the complexities of high-functioning individuals, particularly women of color, and the emotional and physical toll of burnout. She discusses the societal pressures that lead to constant overachievement, the impact of identity on mental health, and the importance of self-honesty and alignment in achieving true well-being. Through personal anecdotes and...

In this episode, Swati Upadhyay reflects on her journey through various seasons of change, particularly focusing on the quiet seasons of uncertainty and recalibration. She shares her personal experiences of transitioning from a medical career to public health, exploring themes of identity, grief, and the importance of acknowledging one's evolving self. The conversation emphasizes that the in-betwe...

Keywords women's leadership, transformational leadership, collective action, empathy, mentorship, women empowerment, leadership styles, gender equality, women in leadership, support systems Summary In this episode, Swati Upadhyay discusses the importance of women's leadership, emphasizing that it is often framed as instinct rather than skill. She highlights the transformational leadership style th...

Your 30s have a way of quietly changing everything. In this solo episode of In Her Element , Swati reflects on what it means to stop living on autopilot and start choosing yourself — in friendships, family dynamics, work, and the way you love and live. This is a conversation about people-pleasing, emotional safety, boundaries, loss, and the relief that comes when you stop apologizing for who you a...

The episode begins with an introduction to the purpose of the solo episode, which is to explore the question of self-identity when no one is watching. It delves into the discovery of comfort and relaxation in solitude, the shift in perspectives on rest and self-worth, unlearning and redefining self-identity, the burden of strength and expectations, internalized messages and guilt surrounding rest,...

What happens when we stop shrinking our desires and start asking for what we truly want? In this solo episode of In Her Element , I reflect on the quiet courage it takes to ask for big, sometimes unreasonable things, especially when we’ve been taught to justify our wants, stay grateful, and not ask for too much. From leaving behind a familiar life to starting over in a new field, to navigating gri...

In this gentle, grounding episode of In Her Element , Swati sits down with Dr. Nayeema Tazeen , a practicing gynecologist, mother, and women’s health educator, for a conversation that feels like chai with an old friend. From growing up as the first doctor in a family of engineers to practicing medicine in India, Nayeema shares how kindness, empathy, and lived experience shape the way she cares for...

Season 2 begins with a conversation that feels like sitting in a sunlit room with a cup of chai — gentle, grounding, and unexpectedly healing. In this episode, Swati speaks with the radiant Shruti Mohanty, whose journey spans quiet girlhood in Odisha, the whirlwind of immigrant life in the U.S., the hidden storms of postpartum depression, and the bold courage of stepping into the world of pageantr...

In this episode, Swati talks with Abhipsa Nanda — a multi-hyphenate woman balancing a career in tech, motherhood, creativity, and community with remarkable honesty and intention. Together, they discuss: Growing up in an Indian household and finding autonomy later in life Building a support system while living away from family The importance of women friendships and non-judgmental spaces Why creati...

What happens when women stop competing and start creating space for one another? In this heartfelt solo episode, host Swati Upadhyay reflects on what it truly means to dream big—and to do so with kindness, courage, and community. Swati opens up about the women who shaped her, the lessons she learned growing up, and why safe spaces for women matter more than ever. She talks about friendship in diff...

Summary In this conversation, Swati Upadhyay explores the profound impact of sisterhood and community among women. She reflects on how the support and celebration from other women have shaped her identity and growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of building each other up, recognizing that success is not a competition but a collective journey. Takeaways Every version of me has been carr...

Keywords self-discovery, personal growth, women empowerment, individuality, community support, life transitions, embracing change, purpose, resilience, belonging Summary In this episode, Swati Upadhyay reflects on her journey through her 30s, exploring themes of self-discovery, individuality, and the importance of community among women. She emphasizes that each person's path is unique and valid, e...

Keywords women empowerment, self-care, resilience, personal growth, life choices, joy, feminine energy, mental health, self-love, creating life Summary In this heartfelt solo episode, Swati Upadhyay explores the theme of empowerment and self-creation, emphasizing that women have the power to shape their lives. She reflects on her own journey, the importance of making ordinary choices that bring jo...

In this milestone episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay celebrates the journey of Baisakhi Nishibanya, a vibrant woman from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, who has made her mark in the US as a staff product manager. The conversation explores themes of cultural identity, the importance of support systems, and the balance between professional ambitions and personal passions. Baisakhi shares her expe...

Summary In this episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay speaks with Amanda Ojeurega, a PhD candidate in epidemiology, about her journey from Nigeria to the United States, her experiences as an international student, and the importance of community and resilience in navigating the challenges of a PhD program. Amanda shares her passion for health equity and disparities, the significance of...

In this episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Sumaita Chaudhury, a public health researcher and her first friend in the PhD program. They discuss the challenges of navigating identity and belonging as a teenager in a new country, the journey into public health and behavioral science, and the importance of mental health. Sumaita shares her ins...

This episode was chaotic in the best way — three friends from medical school, catching up across miles and years. With Dr. Vartika (Fetal Medicine Specialist) and Dr. Pranoti Toshniwal (Pediatric Cardiologist), we laughed, we got real about our journeys in medicine, and we shared the kind of life nuggets that only come out when you feel completely at home. It’s also an episode threaded with grief....

In this episode of In Her Element, host Swati Upadhyay speaks with Dr. Deepali Ernest, a public health scientist and epidemiologist, about her journey through academia, the challenges of completing a PhD, and the importance of support systems and creativity in science. They discuss the unique experiences of women in STEM, particularly immigrant women, and the need for kindness and mentorship in ac...

Guest: Dr. Sreyashree Bose, Scientist in Biotech | PhD Graduate | Immigrant in STEM What does it really mean to pivot — not once, but again and again? And what if success, as you imagined it, no longer fits the life you’re building? In this powerful and intimate episode, we sit down with Sreya, a scientist working in biotech, who reflects on her journey from academia to industry — and the moments...

Some episodes feel like conversations, and some feel like coming home. This one is the latter. In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends and collaborators in academia, Amrita. What started as a professional connection while we were both navigating our PhDs turned into something so much more — a friendship rooted in shared values, support without ego, and the kind o...