the for us podcast

we're back to regular episodes this week! and today, i'm talking about something that i already talk about a lot... w/ some nuance. why is it important to stay grounded? what does that mean for someone about to go to college? that's what i tackle today. love, nandini

the last in our little marathon of book reflections! and honestly i think this is one of my favorite reads (if not my favorite) of the summer. such a compelling story about mental health, what it means to connect with someone else, and a reminder to LIVE. 10/10 absolutely reccommend!! love, nandini

cont. with our book reflections marathon, today i talk about jennifer niven's holding up the universe , a beautiful reminder of how healing relationships grounded in empathy can be. 10/10 recommend this book to everyone, but especially if you (like me) have struggled with vulnerability in your friendships <3 love, nandini

it's important to find value and draw lessons even from books that we may not have loved... and that's what i do in today's episode on dustin thao's you've reached sam. it's a novel that explores grief, closure, and connection in a world where technology is at the center of many of our close relationships. listen now! love, nandini

this book took me back to my anxious pre-teen years, but not in the way i expected. it reminded me to have compassion for the person i was, who helped me become the person i was today. amy sarig king's book is full of raw human emotion, the ways we cope with change, and a beautiful reminder to be patient with ourselves. highly highly recommend!! love, nandini

sometimes a little healthy change is just what we need to get that spark back. today, i dive into why that change is so important, what a healthy change of scenery looks like, and how small changes have helped me deal with the bigger ones. love, nandini

happy five years to our little podcast community! this year i wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on five books that have had a deep impact on my personal growth (and the podcast). these books have all been talked about on the show before, but i wanted to especially reflect on the impact they've had on my personal journey, and how they've changed both myself and the show. love, nand...

in this part of my ultimate guide, i share my top 5 tips for staying academically strong during my high school years. one of my biggest successes, i think, was being able to stay consistent with my studying and grades across all four years while never working myself so hard that i felt overwhelmed or exhausted by academics alone. listen to the episode to get more! love, nandini

back with the first book reflection of the summer!! this week i talk about roll of thunder, hear my cry by mildred d. taylor, and i don't know how it took me so long to pick up this book, but i couldn't have read it at a better time. it's culturally significant but also an gem of individual experiences that feel universal. stay tuned for more book reflections in coming weeks! love, nan...

shower realization to podcast topic pipeline is so real because this entire episode is based on something i realized last month... and it's that the things that we do while being scared, rather than trying to shove down that fear, are often the things we're the most proud of. today, i talk about how that fits in to times of change, why we don't need to fear our fear, and how we can sim...

college decisions aren’t just about where you get in. sometimes, that means choosing integrity over pride, even when it’s hard. in this episode, i’m talking about how pride can cloud judgement in the college decision process (people-pleasing, chasing prestige, ignoring your gut), and why living in your values means more than living up to external expectations. love, nandini

in this episode i continue my ultimate high school survival guide, focusing on junior and senior year. i talk about how junior year becomes a time to challenge yourself, but in a way that’s actually for you and not just for validation or external pressure. then senior year shifts again. it’s less about proving anything and more about appreciating how far you’ve come, being present, and learning to...

in this episode i start my ultimate high school survival guide, starting w/ freshman and sophomore year. i talk about how freshman year is really about building routines, adjusting, and finding your footing in a new environment. then sophomore year becomes more internal. it’s less about figuring out the system and more about questioning yourself, letting go of old expectations, and starting to und...

in this episode i reflect on my senior retreat and the things that stayed with me after it ended. i talk about the moments that felt unexpectedly meaningful, the thoughts i keep coming back to, and what i’m choosing to carry with me moving forward. this isn’t really a recap, more just an honest reflection on what shifted, what felt real, and what i don’t want to forget as i move into this next cha...

easily one of my all-time favorites. t.h. white brings such humanity and depth to some of the world's favorite characters of all time. and not only that, but the modern commentary that he's able to make through those characters is just a beautiful reminder of the power of literature. give it a read! https://www.amazon.com/Once-Future-King-T-White/dp/0441627404 love, nandini

this book quite literally changed the way i think-- about leadership, about relationships, and about how i want to live my life. reading this book while in the midst of one of the most foundational leadership experiences of my life, i can easily say that the themes and message of brene brown's research in this book is applicable not just in a leadership setting, but in a human setting, in ever...

in this episode i talk about the idea that manifestation only works when it’s paired with real momentum. it’s easy to focus on visualizing the life you want, but imagining something isn’t the same as moving toward it. i reflect on the gap between intention and action, and how small steps, consistency, and effort are what actually turn dreams into reality. love, nandini

if you've been keeping up with the podcast for the past few months, you know that senioritis hit me like a ton of bricks. 3 months and a lot of self-reflection later, i have not just clarity, but a solution that has helped me through one of the most challenging seasons of my life. love, nandini

in this episode, i talk about what it really means to trust the process, especially during periods of change or uncertainty. we hear that phrase all the time, but it’s a lot harder to live it when you’re in the middle of uncertainty. i get into the uncomfortable waiting, the quiet growth that comes from these periods, and the tension between wanting answers and learning to let things unfold. love,...

in this episode i reflect on reconnecting with the things i loved as a kid and how returning to them helped me feel more aligned with my authentic self. i talk about what it means to listen to your younger self, follow joy without overthinking it, and let go of the pressure to outgrow what once made you feel alive. this is a conversation about remembering who you were before performing, and gently...

in this episode i reflect on "twice" by mitch albom and the quiet ways it reframes growth, love, and regret. i talk about how growth isn’t always about changing your life but about shifting your perspective, why the ordinary moments often end up being the ones that matter most, and how love can mean releasing control rather than holding on tighter. this is a gentle conversation about pre...

this episode is a reflection on the great divorce by c.s. lewis and the ways it made me think about growth, resistance, and the choices we make when change feels uncomfortable. i share the moments that challenged me, the questions the book left me with, and how it relates to the way we hold onto what’s familiar even when we know it’s holding us back.love, nandini

in this episode i reflect on how 2025 shifted my perspective and changed the way im approaching the year ahead. instead of jumping straight into goals and resolutions, i talk about the lessons that stayed with me and how they’re shaping my mindset, boundaries, and intentions for 2026. this is a conversation about moving forward with more clarity, less pressure, and a deeper sense of trust in mysel...

in this episode i talk about what it really means to live into your values. not just naming the things that sound good on paper but actually choosing them in the small, unglamorous moments that make up your day. i get into how our reactions, habits and relationships all mirror what we believe deep down and how those little moments of alignment slowly shape who we become. this is a conversation abo...

in this episode i talk about what ambition looks like when it isnt fueled by fear. as a high school senior standing on the edge of a new chapter, ive been rethinking what it means to want things without letting pressure or panic shape the process. i get into how our culture glamorizes stress, why purpose feels so overwhelming at this age and how slowing down actually gives you more clarity into yo...