Small Talk: Work | Play | Build

We all have fears and many times these fears save us from doing something dangerous. Some fears turn into limiting beliefs - negative judgments about ourselves that we hold to be true. Hold so strongly that we say no to good opportunities because we believe that we aren't capable and hence decide not to give something a try. Are you saying yes to a new role at work? Are you saying yes to trying so...

Everywhere you look there is talk of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it will change all our lives. For the better or is there danger lurking behind the hype? And do we really understand what AI means in the many apps and tools we use? Are science-fiction movies defining our expectations or will the Metaverse really be our next holiday destination? All this and more, from the basics and made a...

Hybrid work has a particular penchant for being trickier than it sounds. Do we over-communicate when we aren’t all around each other? Can we leave a notification be and let it do its job? How do we talk to each other when one person is virtually available and the other wants to be in an actual room? These are some questions we try and answer in this episode. Subha Chandrasekaran is an ICF certifie...

When Meeta Sharma Gupta returned to India with her two young boys and struggled to find sustainable playthings, shumee toys was born. One toy at a time, Meeta works closely with artisans across India and her young team of product designers to create new and innovative wooden toys and kids products that align with her vision of making playtime 90% child and 10% toy.  Today her venture is a bra...

We don’t always know what does or doesn’t maketh a person, but feedback certainly breaketh us. Why do we hate giving and receiving feedback so much? Why do we take it so personally each and every time? In this episode, we pick up everyone’s least favourite F word, and see how we can make it a little bit less painful and a little more productive for everyone. Subha Chandrasekaran is an ICF certifie...

Whether you are building a professional brand or your personal brand, it can feel quite overwhelming to be on multiple platforms and create content and generate visibility. Yet, more and more people are discovering that you don't have to be everywhere all the time and business happens in the deep pauses too. Can you stay true to doing more of the work you enjoy while also staying away from the dai...

A conversation on burnout is both relevant and necessary today. Where does the individual locus of control on burnout end, and what aspect of burnout becomes an organisation’s responsibility? More importantly, what is and isn’t burnout? How can you tell if this is just a tough couple of weeks, or if there might be something more significant going on? And assuming that what you’re experiencing is i...

Across generations, across diverse contexts, we’re all human. We need support, and help, and a nudge in the right direction to help us achieve our full potential. In this episode, Yash , Founder, SuperBeings, talks about his two-year journey discovering powerful concepts in positive psychology, neuroscience and best practices in motivation. We talk about how behavioural nudges can help us become b...

Who am I? That’s a question that can be answered on the spiritual, philosophical, metaphysical, and practical levels. We are the product of what we do over and over again. We are also the sum total of our choices, the products of our pasts, and so much more.  In this episode, Subha and Hasita talk about deciphering your interests, your identity, and the ultimate digital-age goal of becoming a...

What is it like to WFH when you are a skilled courtroom litigator? Is the profession what it’s made out to be in John Grisham novels and Good Wife episodes? Jayna Kothari is a senior advocate in the Karnataka High Court and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Jayna’s research and practice interests include constitutional law, gender and sexuality law, disability rights and discrimination law. She...

When was the last time one Insta reel led to another and 20min later you are wondering why you are watching kitchen remodelling videos? When was the last time just a glance at the latest ping on your phone didn't lead to checking messages on four other Whatsapp groups? When was the last time you had a video conversation where you did nothing but watch the speaker and listen, without a silent toggl...

Intentionality is everything. Do you believe this to be true? We certainly do, after meeting Sonia. In this episode, Subha sits down with fellow coach Sonia Saini to understand how to drive change in individuals, with a clear focus on empathy and positivity. Sonia generously shares her views and personal stories about the power of positivity (her superpower!) and how each of us can refocus ou...

Small Talk with RainKraft is a pandemic project that outgrew its pandemic status early this year. Let's now look ahead to learning and growing with optimism. Subha and Hasita invite guests for conversations that will inspire you to know more about a person or an idea or the work people do. Challenge yourself to listen with an open mind and take away a whole lot (or just a little bit) that will get...

Ending the year and a season, on a high! For the last episode of season 2, we talk about the things that were and the year that will be. Give it a listen for hope, good vibes, and a ton of recommendations, approved by the team at RainKraft. Links of the recommendations we threw at you! 1. Escape to DeviVilla Estate in Coorg this holiday season or any season! Vishal and Aparna will make you feel so...

What do our teams look like today? How are they different from before the pandemic? In this episode, Subha and Hasita cover the nuances of growth, building a team, and learning to let go too. Hiring better also means knowing the difference between getting someone onboard for the long term vs dipping into the gig economy to get work done.  Subha is an executive/leadership/career coach at...

Welcome to Small Talk with RainKraft, where Subha and Hasita discuss the workplace's most pressing challenges, and how to resolve them. Have you ever juggled conflicting expectations in a new environment? Do you struggle with boundaries in the hybrid work world? How do you stay professional when the workplace is also the dining table or bedroom corner? We face the exact same challenges and work to...

A truly inspiring and insightful conversation with Kartik Hosanagar , a multipotentialite with careers in academia, entrepreneurship, angel-investing and now jumpstarting a new venture in movie-making. We talk about numerous things that hold true for professionals in any sphere of work. Kartik generously shares the guiding principles that have shaped his work and life - from the stereotypical care...

An honest and brave Notes to Self , where Hasita shares her personal mental health journey. A journey that takes courage, compassion, and commitment, to know and understand that it's ok to not be ok. And in knowing that, you will be ok.  ________________ Catch all our podcast episodes on life, work and more at www.rainkraft.in/podcast Get links to the podcast on your favourite streaming servi...

It is a truly challenging time for most families around the world and India especially. Everywhere you look there is a loved one in need of something that should be so fundamentally easy to get your hands on. It is also a time for personal grief. Grief that I, Subha Chandrasekaran, am channeling into a tribute for a man I loved oh so much.  ______________________ Catch all our podcast episode...

When building teams or solving a problem, what's the best set of people to have? Are you really looking at diversity from all angles? Notes to Self, by Subha Chandrasekaran, explores the notion of Cognitive Diversity and the work of Matthew Syed, an Olympian with an interesting new career. Give it a listen? Hear from from Matthew Syed at https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/matthew-syed/id9253571...

Royal dramas, Oprah’s ability to ask the right questions, and why we need to ask more and listen more in a world that’s connected, probably more than it needs to be. In this episode of Small Talk with RainKraft, Subha Chandrasekaran (Founder, RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (That Content Girl) discuss what it means to ask the right questions, how to do this well every single time, and more that’s on...

How would we fare if we were asked to give a speech this very moment? In this episode of Small Talk with RainKraft, Subha Chandrasekaran (Founder, RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (That Content Girl) find out and you can too. It's all things Clubhouse, elevator pitches, serendipity and beating FOMO in life. Give it a listen? Catch all our podcast episodes on life, work and more at www.rainkraft.in/po...

After 'Pandemic', this word is the next P-shaped villain of 2020. Productivity has been thrown around like party confetti, raining down on us and yet dampening our spirits. Don't let it define how you think of your self, at work or otherwise. Own what works for you! Listen in to know just how to do that. So let's get Season 2 going! Catch all our podcast episodes on life, work and more at www.rain...

Going on a trip down memory lane, a few life lessons that hold everyone in good stead, but mostly just us talking to you about 2020, and our hopes for the future.  Hope you can take some time off to wrap up this year and maybe even find a few minutes to catch up on or re-listen to Small Talk! Our LinkedIn profiles if you want to drop us a note!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrase...

We welcome our first podcast guest Manoj Madhusudanan, Head of dunnhumby India, to talk about managing a virtual workforce, especially aspects of virtual hiring such as onboarding virtually, getting people on the same page, and building a people-driven culture at work. There are some amazing insights here from Manoj so tune in!