Where We Place Ourselves | Identity, Life Stories & Personal Growth

In this episode of Where We Place Ourselves , Archana sits down with coach and therapist-in-training Alice Thompson-Boyd to explore what happens when external success no longer feels like home. Together they unpack Alice's journey from co-founding one of Scotland's most celebrated social enterprises to stepping away from a life that looked successful on paper but felt increasingly disconnected fro...

In this reflective solo episode of  Where We Place Ourselves , Archana explores the emotional backstory behind making a podcast and the quiet struggle of creating something public. Beginning with Mira Nair’s words, “You cannot be an artist if you strive to please,” this episode asks whether that is as true in life as it is in art. Archana reflects on the desire to be taken seriously, the pull towa...

In this episode of  Where We Place Ourselves , I explore how music, attention, and reflection shape the way we think and communicate. What looks like distraction may actually support deeper thinking. Drawing on a simple moment from everyday life, this episode reflects on listening, focus, and how we show up in conversations at work and beyond. Topics include: listening and communication focus and...

A quiet reflection on what happens when we stop filling space. This podcast was previously titled  Where We Place Ourselves . It is now continuing as  Echoes, from Els . In this first episode of  Echoes, from Els , a summer spent mostly alone becomes something unexpected. Not isolation, but recognition. Through small moments, this episode explores solitude, the idea of the “uncarved block,” and th...

What does it mean to be known over time? In this episode of  Where We Place Ourselves, I speak with one of my closest friends, Robin. Someone who has known me since the mid-90s, when we were both just beginning to understand who we might become. This is a conversation about growing up, friendship, and the quiet beauty of being there for someone not just in the easy moments, but across the many ver...

In this episode, I speak with Dana Galin about voice, belonging, and the quiet ways we come to feel at home in ourselves. Dana’s work sits in the space before reaction, before performance. She helps people notice how they are showing up, not just what they are doing. We explore: The difference between reacting and choosing The idea of being “above the line” and “below the line” Why we are all mean...

“If you want to understand culture, don’t look at the values on the wall. Look at what behaviour leaders tolerate.” For years, food companies believed there must be one perfect spaghetti sauce . The recipe everyone would love. So they searched for it. The research revealed something surprising: There wasn’t one perfect sauce. There were many. Some people wanted chunky sauce.  Others smooth. Some s...

In this episode, Archana Mohan speaks with Robin Bayley about the power of storytelling, finding one's truth, and the impact of personal narratives on our lives. They explore the art of storytelling, the pursuit of truth, and the role of leadership in guiding others to their truth. The conversation explores the power of storytelling and its impact on communication. It delves into the realization o...

In this episode, I speak with leadership communications expert Sarah Lloyd Hughes about what she calls the “Diamond Edge” of communication. The clarity, authenticity, and human connection that allow leaders to truly cut through the noise.   Sarah is the founder of Ginger Leadership Communications, an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author of How to Be Brilliant at Public Spe...

The conversation explores the themes of trust, commitment, and integrity in the context of work and life. It delves into the importance of shifting perspectives, letting go of fear and judgment, and finding space to reflect and listen without judgment. The chapters cover the introduction to the podcast, exploring trust and commitment, shifting perspectives on work and life, the difference between...

The conversation explores the value of exploratory writing as a tool for self-coaching and gaining perspective. It delves into the significance of distance and perspective in understanding and communicating, as well as the impact of narrative, identity, and meaning. The discussion also highlights the importance of patience in understanding confusing situations and the nature-based exploratory writ...

There are cultures you inherit through books and cultures you inherit through smell. In this episode, Archana Mohan sits down with longtime friend Julianne Burk, creator of  The Armenian Kitchen , a cooking show that’s less “food demo” and more living archive. Julianne shares how recipes became her way of preserving a homeland: from learning in her grandmother’s kitchen (apron and all), to returni...

We often assume disagreements happen because people don’t have the same information. But what if they come from something deeper. The need to make the world feel understandable? In this episode of  Where We Place Ourselves , Archana Mohan speaks with Catherine de Vries about how human beings create meaning in times of uncertainty. Together they explore why we hold onto certain beliefs, how shared...

The conversation with Beverley Glick delves into the complexities of memory, personal narratives, and the power of reframing our own stories. Beverley shares her insights on the landscape of life and the transformative journey of reinterpreting her own experiences. Takeaways Memory is a tricky thing The power of reframing and reinterpreting our own stories Chapters 00:00 The Landscape of Life

In this conversation with photographer Stephanie Belton, we explore the difference between looking at a life and actually seeing it. Photography depends on distance. Stand too close and everything distorts; step back and proportion returns. Stephanie reflects on how that same principle quietly applies to people. Especially to the lives we are living from the inside. We talk about attention, observ...