

Play to Potential Podcast
Play to Potential Podcast
This Podcast is created and curated by Deepak Jayaraman (an Executive Coach and a Leadership Advisor). He lives in Mumbai and works with successful Senior Executives by helping them play to their unique potential but with a sharp focus on transitions (business or career). Just like businesses need to think about "where to play" and "how to win", leaders need to be coherent about "where to go" and "how to grow" in their journeys. Deepak works with them during pivotal moments to help them with these two questions. To know more click here.
The conversations in this podcast cover topics around Leadership, Transitions and Careers. Given that time is scarce and that you might be interested in only some of the segments of the podcast, the conversations have been broken down into nuggets to facilitate easier consumption. This is also a learning journey that the Podcast host Deepak Jayaraman is going through. At the end of each nugget he shares his key takeaway(s) in the context of his experiences. For accessing nuggets across speakers by a specific theme of interest, you might want to visit the Curated Playlists section. If you derive value from the podcast, please consider paying it forward to Antarang Foundation.
Deepak is an alumnus of IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School. Prior to Starting Transition Insight, he has been a Business Consultant at KPMG Consulting in UK/India, Strategy Consultant with McKinsey & Co. in the US and a Leadership Consultant (Executive Search, Board placements, Leadership Development) at EgonZehnder. He is a certified CEO Coach.
To subscribe to the podcast newsletter, kindly click http://eepurl.com/dogFtX
#Leadership #Transition #Career
The conversations in this podcast cover topics around Leadership, Transitions and Careers. Given that time is scarce and that you might be interested in only some of the segments of the podcast, the conversations have been broken down into nuggets to facilitate easier consumption. This is also a learning journey that the Podcast host Deepak Jayaraman is going through. At the end of each nugget he shares his key takeaway(s) in the context of his experiences. For accessing nuggets across speakers by a specific theme of interest, you might want to visit the Curated Playlists section. If you derive value from the podcast, please consider paying it forward to Antarang Foundation.
Deepak is an alumnus of IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School. Prior to Starting Transition Insight, he has been a Business Consultant at KPMG Consulting in UK/India, Strategy Consultant with McKinsey & Co. in the US and a Leadership Consultant (Executive Search, Board placements, Leadership Development) at EgonZehnder. He is a certified CEO Coach.
To subscribe to the podcast newsletter, kindly click http://eepurl.com/dogFtX
#Leadership #Transition #Career
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 16min
688: EP 2. FLAVOUR-ful Lives - Sangeeta Shahaney
GUEST:
In this episode of FLAVOUR-ful Lives, we feature Sangeeta Shahaney, an inspiring figure whose life journey exemplifies resilience and intentional living. Daughter of one of India's pioneers in Executive Search, Sangeeta initially chose the path of being a homemaker after marrying a sailor. However, the sudden loss of her husband led her to reexamine her life and navigate a transformative path that culminated in building a successful SAT coaching practice in Pune. Her story is a powerful testament to embracing reality, simplifying choices, and staying resilient. Discover her journey as highlighted in the Play to Potential book.
The Book: Play to Potential - Lead a full life, become the best you (Published by
Penguin RandomHouse) is now available to order (1-30 copies) on Amazon - https://qr1.be/29Z6
Published on January 2025.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Play to Potential offers a refreshing exploration of human potential, emphasizing discovery through play rather than work. Deepak Jayaraman weaves insights from his eponymous podcast, his coaching work and his lived experience to share a powerful yet simple framework (FLAVOUR) that can act as a guide to navigate the pulls and pressures of life.
This book is a guide to living a fulfilled life, integrating family, aspirations, value creation, and deep relationships. It transcends traditional career advice, providing actionable insights for personal growth and fulfillment.
While there are many books that act as a North Star for people to navigate their journey, this book strives to be a torch light that can show people the way through the imperfections and the messiness to lead a full life and unlock their human potential.
HOST
Deepak Jayaraman's mission is to help individuals with a growth mindset play to their full potential. He works as a coach and a sounding board to growth-minded leaders on multi-year journeys as a trusted confidant and counsel. He does that by immersing himself in the full context of their lives - professional and personal. Deepak has been curating the Play to Potential Podcast since 2016, where he has distilled the wisdom of 100+ distinguished guests across disciplines (business, academics, sports, art, politics and more). Prior to setting up his independent practice in 2016, Deepak has worked across US, UK and India with KPMG Consulting, McKinsey & Co and EgonZehnder. Deepak is an alumnus of IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School (MBA) and is a certified CEO Coach.
DISCLAIMER
All content and opinions expressed in the podcast are that of the guests and are not necessarily the opinions of Deepak Jayaraman and Transition Insight Private Limited. Views expressed in comments to blog are the personal opinions of the author of the comment. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Company or the author of the blog. Participants are responsible for the content of their comments and all comments that are posted are in the public domain. The Company reserves the right to monitor, edit, and/or publish any submitted comments. Not all comments may be published. Any third-party comments published are third party information and The Company takes no responsibility and disclaims all liability. The Company reserves the right, but is not obligated to monitor and delete any comments or postings at any time without notice.

Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 31min
687: EP 1. FLAVOUR-ful Lives - Ravishankar Iyer
GUEST:
In the first episode of FLAVOUR-ful Lives, we engage with Ravishankar Iyer, a storyteller and podcast host whose journey embodies positivity, simplicity, and the pursuit of passion. Coming from an Indian middle-class background, Ravi’s love for stories began in childhood and set him on an unconventional path. Though he started traditionally—ranking 11th in CA and graduating from IIMA—he made deliberate, sometimes difficult, choices to follow his true calling. With deep inner work, he has found balance, understood ‘how much is enough,’ and crafted a life rich in meaning alongside his wife, Praveena. Ravi’s story, featured in the Play to Potential book, offers valuable insights into aligning passion with purpose."
The Book: Play to Potential - Lead a full life, become the best you (Published by
Penguin RandomHouse) is now available to order (1-30 copies) on Amazon - https://qr1.be/29Z6
Published on January 2025.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Play to Potential offers a refreshing exploration of human potential, emphasizing discovery through play rather than work. Deepak Jayaraman weaves insights from his eponymous podcast, his coaching work and his lived experience to share a powerful yet simple framework (FLAVOUR) that can act as a guide to navigate the pulls and pressures of life.
This book is a guide to living a fulfilled life, integrating family, aspirations, value creation, and deep relationships. It transcends traditional career advice, providing actionable insights for personal growth and fulfillment.
While there are many books that act as a North Star for people to navigate their journey, this book strives to be a torch light that can show people the way through the imperfections and the messiness to lead a full life and unlock their human potential.
HOST
Deepak Jayaraman's mission is to help individuals with a growth mindset play to their full potential. He works as a coach and a sounding board to growth-minded leaders on multi-year journeys as a trusted confidant and counsel. He does that by immersing himself in the full context of their lives - professional and personal. Deepak has been curating the Play to Potential Podcast since 2016, where he has distilled the wisdom of 100+ distinguished guests across disciplines (business, academics, sports, art, politics and more). Prior to setting up his independent practice in 2016, Deepak has worked across US, UK and India with KPMG Consulting, McKinsey & Co and EgonZehnder. Deepak is an alumnus of IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School (MBA) and is a certified CEO Coach.
DISCLAIMER
All content and opinions expressed in the podcast are that of the guests and are not necessarily the opinions of Deepak Jayaraman and Transition Insight Private Limited. Views expressed in comments to blog are the personal opinions of the author of the comment. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Company or the author of the blog. Participants are responsible for the content of their comments and all comments that are posted are in the public domain. The Company reserves the right to monitor, edit, and/or publish any submitted comments. Not all comments may be published. Any third-party comments published are third party information and The Company takes no responsibility and disclaims all liability. The Company reserves the right, but is not obligated to monitor and delete any comments or postings at any time without notice.

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 24min
686: 103.00 Ricardo Sunderland on The Energy Advantage
Ricardo Sunderland, an author and CEO transformational coach at Egon Zehnder, shares insights from his book, 'The Energy Advantage.' He emphasizes the importance of mastering energy over mere time management. Listeners will discover the seven levels of energy, from self-love to universal connection, and learn how emotional intelligence fosters effective leadership. Sunderland advocates for vulnerability and authenticity in leaders, encouraging them to understand their inner energy and its impact on creativity and relationships. Practical tips on aligning purpose with energy add depth to the conversation.

Jul 25, 2024 • 54min
685: EP 9 Connecting the Dots: Parenting - Helping our children play to their potential
This episode of Connecting the Dots is on Parenting - something we are all winging. We go to colleges, trainings and leadership development programmes for all sorts of capabilities, but there is none for parenting. In this episode, we learn from Roger Federer’s parents, Nandan, Nilekani‘s parents and many other successful leaders who reflect on their childhood. We also learn from some of the researchers on how we can be mindful as parents. If you have a child 10 years or above, the chances are, you will find this of value.
We also realise you are short on time. So I have handpicked 10 nuggets from across the various episodes on parenting that I have found of value. Members can access it at https://www.playtopotential.com/playlist/DeepakJ/djs-picks-parenting.
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the Whatsapp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
Whatsapp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 (https://wa.me/8591452129) to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Info on the podcast:
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM
About the Host Deepak Jayaraman - https://www.playtopotential.com/aboutdeepak

Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 1min
684: EP8 Connecting the Dots: Judgment - Making sound decisions amidst complexity
This episode of Connecting the Dots deals with Judgment - Making sound decisions amidst complexity. VUCA - (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) is a term that is used to describe the state of the world. Some people use BANI - (Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear, Incomprehensible). Whatever the terminology, it is fair to say that the world has gotten more grey, nebulous and harder to predict. Sound judgment, today, is arguably more relevant than ever. Tune in as we peel the layers on this nuanced topic.
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the Whatsapp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
Whatsapp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 (https://wa.me/8591452129) to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Info on the podcast:
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM
About the Host Deepak Jayaraman - https://www.playtopotential.com/aboutdeepak

Feb 27, 2024 • 1h 27min
683: EP7 Connecting the Dots - Staying resilient through quakes
This episode of Connecting the Dots deals with STAYING RESILIENT THROUGH QUAKES. We explore what it takes to be resilient as an individual and go on to examine what it takes to create a resilient culture in an organization. Very often, even the notion of resilience is misunderstood. We examine the nuances in what the term means. Is it “bouncing back” to something or using the quake as an opportunity to shape-shift to something else. In the fragile and brittle worlds we live in, being resilient is turning out to be a super-power. Tune into this episode to learn and grow!
You can find nuggets on resilience from various speakers here - https://www.playtopotential.com/tags/resilience
00:00:25 - Intro
00:03:04 - Roopa Kudva - Clearing IIMA twice
00:05:58 - Dheeraj Pandey - Early formative years, including retaking JEE
00:08:08 - Atul Kasbekar - Being Tenacious through the Transition
00:22:21 - Deepa Malik - Dealing with the two possible fatalities
00:29:34 - Ramesh Srinivasan - Dealing with Lifequakes
00:34:42 - Bruce Feiler - Make sense of Scars and not Wounds
00:37:57 - Matt Dixon - Need for a grieving period
00:39:55 - Dan Pink - Counter Factual Thinking
00:48:09 - Rich Fernandez - 3 Levels of Resilience
00:56:06 - Carol and David - Waypower over Willpower
01:03:38 - Bruce Feiler - Shape shifting instead of Resilience
01:08:12 - Amy Edmondson - Rituals that drive Psychological Safety
01:12:28 - Suresh Narayanan - Maggi Crisis and Decoding Resilience
01:19:01 - Dheeraj Pandey - Building an Anti-fragile culture
01:25:41 - Wrapup
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the Whatsapp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
Whatsapp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 (https://wa.me/8591452129) to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Info on the podcast:
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM
About the Host Deepak Jayaraman - https://www.playtopotential.com/aboutdeepak

Jan 24, 2024 • 59min
682: EP6: Connecting the Dots - Building Habits that stick
This podcast explores building habits that stick and emphasizes the importance of systems over goals. They discuss how babies learn to walk and apply the concept of repetition without repetition. The power of fresh starts and moments of renewal is highlighted, along with Google's use of fresh start moments in behavior change. The challenges and opportunities of transitioning into a new role are discussed, as well as the process of untangling unwanted habits and raising awareness through 'pointing and calling'.

Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 23min
681: EP5: Connecting the Dots - Breathing Life into Work
This episode of Connecting the Dots deals with BREATHING LIFE INTO WORK. A lot of us, consciously or sub-consciously end up putting work on our pedestal and relegate the other elements of life to a distant second. In this episode, I share some of my learnings (from the 102+ episodes and from my lived experiences) around how focusing on Health, Personal Relationships, Social Impact work and Guitaring have helped me get better at my work!
While this episode is a compilation across many speakers, if you want to tune into the various nuggets around this theme of harmonizing across work and other elements of life, you could visit - https://www.playtopotential.com/tags/work-and-life
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the WhatsApp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
Whatsapp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 (https://wa.me/8591452129) to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Info on the podcast:
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM
About the Host Deepak Jayaraman - https://www.playtopotential.com/aboutdeepak

Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 39min
680: EP4: Connecting the Dots - Identity
This episode of Connecting the Dots deals with IDENTITY. When we look at issues around transitions, reinventing ourselves and navigating the pulls and pressures of mid-life, the key often is in reflecting on our identity. This episode, we go deep into how we think about Identity and how sometimes, we end up caging ourselves and end up being a prisoner of our own lack of imagination around our identity.
While this episode is a compilation across many speakers, if you want to tune into the various nuggets around this theme of Identity, you could visit - https://www.playtopotential.com/tags/identity
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the Whatsapp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
Whatsapp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 (https://wa.me/8591452129) to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Info on the podcast:
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM
About the Host Deepak Jayaraman - https://www.playtopotential.com/aboutdeepak

Aug 30, 2023 • 1h 4min
679: EP3: Connecting the Dots - Listening
Welcome to CONNECTING THE DOTS - Episode 3. The first two were on Internal and External Self-Awareness. This one is on Listening! How do we listen to others, ourselves, our heart, our body, our inner voice and much much more. The quality of our listening can have a significant impact on the lives we lead!
While this episode is a compilation across many speakers, if you want to tune into the various nuggets around this theme of Listening, you could visit - https://www.playtopotential.com/tags/listening
You can stay connected with the podcast by subscribing to the Email newsletter or to the WhatsApp distribution group. Details below.
Email Newsletter (~1 or 2 a month):
Join ~8500 + growth-minded individuals who take a baby step towards playing to their potential with the emails from the podcast. https://lnkd.in/d6TfFch4
WhatsApp (~1 or 2 a week):
We share snippets from the podcast. With the Connecting the dots series, we will share nuggets around related topics as we move forward. Just add +91 85914 52129 to your Phone Address book and send a message stating “Interested”.
Other Guests
Podcast Archives (102 guests, 1000+ nuggets) - www.playtopotential.com
Key guests and Stats ( as of July 2023) - https://bit.ly/3NCDIlM


