The Rita Date Podcast

Your gut isnot just about digestion. It's running your immune system, your hormones, yourskin, and your mood — and most of us are unknowingly destroying it every day. In thisepisode, Rita sits down with Dr. Shivani Doctor, Integrative Health Specialistand founder of Integrative Health and Aesthetics (Washington DC). Trained incardiothoracic surgery and functional medicine, Shivani now works wi...

From engineer and global consultant to ultramarathoner, yoga scholar, breathwork facilitator, and founder of the Billion Habits Movement, Manjunath KB has lived many lives in one. In this episode of the Rita Date Podcast we explore success, purpose, resilience, breathwork, relationships, and why mastering your energy may be the key to mastering your life. A thoughtful conversation about what reall...

Do you havetrauma—even if nothing “bad” happened to you?   In this RitaDate Podcast episode, I’m joined by trauma counsellor Shreya Choudhary for a thoughtful conversation about what trauma really is, how it affects ourmental health, and why healing involves more than simply understanding ourpast. We explore: • The hidden signs of trauma • High-functioning trauma and why so many people miss it • T...

She Built a Restaurant Empire on Food That Actually Heals You What if eating healthy wasn't a sacrifice — but the most satisfying thing you did for yourself every day? Sonal Barmecha built Santé Spa Cuisine at a time when "healthy restaurant" was almost a contradiction in terms in India. Ten years and multiple cities later, she's proven that food can be nourishing, delicious, and...

The Sleeping Brain: What a Neurologist Wants You to KnowWe are supposed to be sleeping for one-third of our lives. Sounds too much, but in fact it is crucial. In this episode of The Rita Date Podcast, senior paediatric neurologist Dr. Nandan Yardi returns for Part 2 of our series on the brain, lifestyle, and neurological health. This time, we go deep on sleep — what actually happens in your brain...

Horses and humans have been connected for centuries. What if the best leadership training didn’t happen in a boardroom — but in a field with these beautiful creatures? On this episode of the Rita Date Podcast, I speak with Gaurav Rampal, who runs The Horseman’s Way — a powerful leadership program that uses interactions with horses to reveal how we show up in the world. Because horses don’t respond...

Stop Copying the West. India Already Has the Answer. The US has overhauled its nutrition guidelines — shifting back to a food pyramid and dramatically increasing recommendations for animal protein. What America eats doesn't stay in America. And India needs to take notice. In this episode of the Rita Date Podcast, I defend ICMR's My Plate for the Day — a simple, practical, science-backed fr...

Cardiovascular Nutrition with Devika PillaiHeart disease is no longer just a late-life concern — it’s showing up earlier, more aggressively, and often silently. In this episode, we dive deep into cardiovascular nutrition with clinical expert Devika Pillai to understand what truly supports heart recovery and long-term cardiac health. We discuss what patients should actually eat after a heart attack...

India’s Health is in Trouble — Here’s How We Fix Itwith Prasad RangnekarOur Bodies Are Suffering. Our Well-Being Is Slipping. Our Inner Balance Is Lost. Can Yoga Help India Heal? Prasad Rangnekar explains how a deeper yoga path can change everything. Prasad Rangnekar is a Yoga educator and mentor. He mentored thousands of students, teachers, and spiritual seekers on their yoga journey and beyond f...

Maitreyee Joshi: Movement, Body–Mind, and the Nervous SystemMaitreyee Joshi is Movement Artist based, contemporary dancer, choreographer, and performer whose work explores the philosophies of the body and the significance of vitality and movement in today’s world. She weaves together contemporary dance, theatre, and yoga to examine themes of identity and accessibility. She has foundational trainin...

Prasad Rangnekar is a Yoga educator and mentor. He mentors students, teachers, and spiritual seekers on their yoga journey. How do children as well as adults come to yoga and why? We talk to Prasad on how our culture fosters yoga, how has yoga changed through the years and much more. More info on Prasad:https://prasadrangnekar.com/about/https://www.instagram.com/yogaprasad_institute/?hl=en……………………...

Doctors Stunned: What Yoga Actually Does to Neurological Disease | Ft. Dr. Nandan Yardi | Ep 30Dr. Yardi is senior paediatric neurologist in Pune with over 3 decades of experience. He is a fellow of the American Epilepsy Society and the American Neurology Association, and is known for his work in epilepsy. He started the comprehensive epilepsy centre known as EpilepsyIndia. Dr. Yardi has done and...

EP-30Brahmavidya is a traditional Indian science that studies the relationship between breath, mind, and life energy. To help us understand this system in a structured, scientific way, I’m joined by a Brahmavidya teacher Mukul Talwalkar who has spent years studying and teaching its principles. In this conversation, we’ll explore the foundations of Brahmavidya, how it explains the functioning of th...

Chanting is much more than reciting prayers or words. Chanting draws you into a deep, rhythmic flow that helps regulate your breath, calm and balance the nervous system, lowers the blood pressure reduces stress and improves overall health and well-being. Mantra chanting is known to improve brain health as well leading to improved mood, less anxiety and depression, reduced fatigue, etc. Mrunal Pawa...

Move It or Lose It!!The lack of movement is a big problem in India contributing to a slew of health concerns including diabetes, cardiac issues, and orthopedic problems. Zumba is a dance come exercise form that has become quite popular. Shahin Sheikh is one of the most sought after Zumba instructors in Pune and she explains the ins and outs of this popular exercise form. You can find more info on...

“Not Just Kegels: Talk With Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Moushumi Kuvawala”The pelvic floor—this often-overlooked group of muscles plays a critical role in everyday life: from bladder and bowel control to core stability, pregnancy recovery, and even intimacy. Today, we’re honoured to welcome Moushumi Kuvawala, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, Pilates instructor, and owner of Moushu’s Pilates. Moush...

“Counselling for Weight – The Psychology Behind Obesity | Ft. Dr. Grish Lad | PART 2 | EP 25This is the second of a 2 part series with Dr. Girish Lad. Dr. Lad is the founder of Texas School of Mental Health, an institution offering education in psychological counselling. Their education has counselling specialities in Obesity and Oncology. Our first episode highlights the importance of psychologic...

Want Happiness? Science Says Stop Taking and Start Giving | Ft. Dr. Sanat Phatak | Ep 24Stress, Immunity and You -- A Rheumatologist’s View on Holistic HealthIn this episode, Rita has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Sanat Phatak, MD, Rheumatology, on the mind-body connection, particularly in relation to autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia...

Doctor Burnout: What you need to know | Ft. Dr. Jaydev Panchawagh | EP - 23Today’s episode sheds light on a topic rarely discussed—doctor burnout in India. Rita talks to Dr. Jaydev Panchawagh, a leading neurosurgeon practising in Pune. He shares honest insights into the emotional toll of saving lives, the pressures of the Indian healthcare system, and what it takes to stay mentally strong in the m...

Solo Podcast 3 –Cancer and Nutrition FAQsRita Date, the host of The Breathing Room podcast, is the author of “Fighting Cancer with the Thali”, in which she coined the acronym MNM – Mind, Nutrition Movement, 3 pillars to a healthy, balanced life. In the book, all stages of cancer during and after treatment are discussed, as well as prevention. In this episode, Rita answers the questions she gets mo...

Mind Over Diagnosis – The Importance of Counselling During Cancer TreatmentOn this episode, we discuss onco-psychology, a specialisation in counselling for cancer patients and their caregivers with Dr. Girish Lad. Dr. Lad is the founder of Texas School of Mental Health, an institution offering education in psychological counselling. Among their specialities are Obesity and Oncology. We explore how...

Heart to Heart – A Conversation with Laleh Busheri on why women need to protect their hearts | EP 18Laleh Busheri is the CEO of a Prashanti Cancer Care Mission (PCCM), a non-profit NGO working in Pune, India since 1996. Laleh has helped thousands of women in their cancer journey. It was a shock to her when she needed open heart surgery. Laleh speaks candidly with Rita about the importance of heart...

#podcast #innerpeace #weightloss #innerpeace #motivation Embracinglife Your Body & Mental HealthToday, we’re diving into a topic that affects so many people but isn’t talked about enough—body positivity, mental health, and the realities of living in a world that often judges bodies before knowing the person inside. Our guest today is Meenal Sanjagiri. Meenal is an RJ at Fever FM. Rita and Meen...

Movement and Recovery with PilatesMoushumi Kuvawala combines physiotherapy and pilates for rehabilitating patients with injuries and chronic ailments, making those with severe mobility issues stronger and pain-free. She is a Certified Manual Therapist and a Comprehensive Pilates Instructor from APPI(UK) and Balanced Body(USA). Her expertise lies in the analysis and treatment of various orthopaedic...

You Ask, Rita AnswersToday in an age of information overload, so many reach out to Rita seeking clarity on various health topics. This is a series where Rita answers your questions concisely with simple language. Topics are on mental well-being. nutrition, movement and mental – MNM!Today’s questions are:Why are Carbohydrates bad? Can I change my metabolism? Are all calories created equal? What is...