The Cellular Alchemist

Can we ever truly know what 'enough' means in a society that's entranced in the culture of 'more'? This episode takes us on a profound exploration of our human condition, of our insatiable desire for more – more food, possessions, love, happiness, and security, among other things. Join your host Ritu Malhotra in this episode where she helps us reflect on the perils of our relentless quest for succ...

Do you grapple with the feeling of self-doubt, that nagging feeling that makes you believe you aren't good enough? In this introspective episode, host Ritu Malhotra narrates her personal experience with self-doubt, tracing it back to her childhood. She also analyzes how self-doubt can transform into what psychologists call the "Imposter Syndrome."  Discussions about the impact of overpraising chil...

Have you ever felt like there's an empty void in your life that you just can't fill, no matter how hard you try? It might be an outcome of the deep-seated impact of emotional deprivation on individuals battling with childhood abuse or neglect. This episode is a deep exploration of the struggles and shadows of emotional deprivation, a problem that many grapple with, often without recognizing it. We...

Have you ever wondered why some people constantly put themselves last, sacrificing their own needs for others, only to end up feeling bitter and resentful? Well, you're about to discover the hidden motivations behind such self-sacrificing tendencies, as we journey through the life of my cousin, who has mastered the art of playing the martyr in her relationships.  We unmask the roots of this behavi...

Ever found yourself marooned on the island of disappointment? Do you often bear the weight of unmet expectations and victimhood? Then in this episode we are going to pivot the narrative! We're diving headfirst into the turbulent ocean of disappointment, excavating its impact on our relationships, our propensity for change, and even our core values. We're not stopping there, though.  We're also exp...

Ever consider why we're so often enticed by the perpetual chase for success, fame, and wealth? Can we find true happiness in this relentless pursuit, when it often leads to an endless cycle of dissatisfaction? This episode invites you to rethink the way you measure success, through the lens of a successful consultant named Sheila.  Sheila's story reveals the harsh reality of an achievement-focused...

Have you ever wondered why we are so susceptible to our own negative emotions? The Seduction Series is here to shed light on the unconventional side of seduction; the seductive power of our own emotions, moods, thoughts, and habits.  Let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore how to shift from self-absorption to empathy, the key to human connection and kindness. We will unravel the in...

Ever find yourself ensnared in the dark allure of negative emotions? Ever have those days when the smallest things just bug you to no end? We know we have.  In the latest episode of Seduction Series on The Cellular Alchemist, your host Ritu Malhotra will take you on a deeply personal journey, exploring how we are often seduced by our own negativity - whether that be anger, disappointment, or even...

Do you love your mind as much as you love your body? Do you take care of both equally or the body often wins? Tune into this new series from the Cellular Alchemist Podcast- Seduction. Seduction is a superpower as it has a subtle effect but it can hold us tightly in its grit. And no, we aren’t talking about seduction between a man and a woman.  This is the unconventional side of seduction and it’s...

What is one of the most comforting things we experience? It\'s when we understand anything completely. It\'s more of an aha moment filled with gratification. But what adds more thrill to it? The feeling of being understood.  As humans it is important to us that the other person can pinpoint our feelings. In fact, most of the times when you don’t understand yourself, you will realize that people wi...

Communicating on various devices has become a big part of our lives. We keep on texting through the filter of the screens but we have never been more disconnected. Many times in our day, we are asked, “How are you doing”? And often our response to that is, “All good” or “I’m fine, can’t complain”. It is an automatic robotic answer because these are template questions that aren’t looking for a conv...

How do we view addiction as a society? Do we look down upon the addicted because they are reckless and irresponsible? But their behavior is often the tip of the iceberg. The major reason behind their addiction is often deep rooted with some kind of trauma and pain. Medical Science defines addiction as a disease but we need a more multi-dimensional approach to understand the reasons behind addictio...

How do you address safety?  You either feel it or not, but seldom anyone talks about it. Isn’t it? If you are at home during the scorching heat or blizzards, you definitely feel safe. You even feel safe when you have enough money in your bank. But these are examples of physical safety.  What about Emotional Safety? How do you define it? For example, if you are in a crowded place where you don’t kn...

Have you ever stopped and wondered what is normal? Ever noticed when you tell someone that you feel hurt because you were criticized or you can’t stop once you start eating chocolates, their usual answer is that is being normal.  As human beings we are hardwired to belong as we are deeply concerned with not being out of line. But what if you are feeling compulsive or fraud or mean. Is that called...

Was Cinderella your favorite story growing up? If yes, then did you end up having the Cinderella complex? Cinderella complex is also known as the fear of independence. The story of Cinderella is about a young girl who rises above her miseries when a prince comes to rescue her. Lot of young girls are told by their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and friends that they can’t survive without a man. They...

What is the common fear that we all have faced once in our life even for a microsecond? The primal basic fear of abandonment. The feeling of not considering ourselves worthy of love. These thoughts might have crossed a few people for mini seconds in their lives while for others it is a deep-rooted issue. The fear of abandonment usually begins in childhood when children don’t get proper security fr...

Have you ever dealt with a control freak? Don’t they always have a critical say in everything? It is either their way or the highway. Most people who cannot be dominated have arguments with controlling people while others who agree to them hold on to resentment for them. However, there is a better way to deal with such people.  Use the right words around controlling people. Avoid replying to them...

People who are depressed don\'t all walk around with long faces or cry at the slightest provocation.  Instead, they start with statements like \'I feel down.\' \'Everything seems gray.\' \'I feel so helpless.\' Or \'Who could be more useless than me.\' This is what depression sounds like, how it shows up, and how can we see it in action. Sometimes maybe fatigue or hopelessness or helplessness or p...

Anxiety doesn’t come from thinking about the future but stems from the need to control it. Can’t decide between two salad dressings? Or do you find it difficult to conduct a presentation, meet a friend or just complete small tasks for the day? Does deciding things make you sweaty and your breathing becomes faster? Then, you probably have anxiety. In this episode your host Ritu Malhotra shares the...

Regret is the price we pay for free will. Ever dwelled on past situations or relationships? Are you caught in a web of could haves and should haves? Then, this episode is definitely for you.  Regret stops you from living a fulfilling life. In fact, it even hampers your present decisions as you continuously protect yourself and ensure that you never make a decision that your future self will regret...

Can\'t stop overthinking every life situation? Is it affecting your overall well-being as it doesn\'t allow you to catch a break or rest peacefully? Overthinking has plagued our generation. It is the root cause of depression and anxiety. Most people feel that if they think about a situation long enough, they might find a better solution. But remember, there is a difference between obsessively thin...

Do you feel angry quickly? Does your anger affect your relationships? The only thing that brings us together as humans is our feelings. Anger is also a feeling, but it isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, it helps you to raise your voice against wrong things but learning to cope with anger is a little tricky. You have to be mindful and replace your anger with something more beneficial.  In this episode...

Are you a people pleaser? Do you give into easily to people pleasing people? Well not trying to have a word play here - but when people applaud you, say nice words to you in order to meet their vested interests - it can become a big stresser for you.  It can be hard to say no to something after a few words of appreciation or applause. We also tend to say yes to requests and demands because we want...

Here is the beginning of yet another series - Everyday questions for everyday life. Relationships and events are constants in our lives; some we can handle, some we can comprehend and find reasons for, while other events can be quite confusing and disturbing. So in this series, we are trying to answer some of these queries that you come across very often. Let’s begin with relationships.  It is ver...

We are surrounded by mediocrity. People are in the habit of choosing mediocre products. Mindless movies sell more than talented theatres. Shallow novels outsell deep literary works. Even in food, people will prefer unhealthy foods like pizza and hamburgers over healthy fruits and salads. Everywhere we see around us, where there is a choice between profound and shallow, we tend to choose the shallo...