The Brave Table with Dr. Neeta Bhushan

Welcome back, Brave Table fam. I’m so excited to share with you today this powerful conversation with Reshma Saujani, Founder of the Marshall Plan for Moms, Girls Who Code, and Author of Brave, Not Perfect. She also just dropped her latest book,' Pay Up: The Future of Women in Work, And Why It’s Not What You Think'. 'Pay Up...' is about the big lie we’ve been told about corporate feminism, why we need to ditch ‘Lean In’ culture, and fiercely and actively championing gender equality in the workplace.  Reshma has spent more than a decade fighting for women's and girls’ economic empowerment. She also ran for Congress back in the day, where she learned about how the system is rigged against women from the top down. But it was when she became a mom herself and covid hit that things really started to shift for her, as she saw all the working mamas around her (herself included) burn out. As Reshma says, “Moms don’t break, but moms right now feel like they’re broken.” The workplace hasn’t traditionally been empathetic towards women and mothers, and there’s no doubting that this has been heightened over the past two years.  Being a mom is something a lot of us feel unconscious shame around—announcing our pregnancy at the last possible minute so we don’t mess up promotion opportunities, apologizing for our kids yelling in the background on Zoom, and basically ‘hiding our motherhood’.  But mamas and ladies, there is hope for a better future. Reshma says that right now, we have the opportunity to make women and moms feel like they matter. The US is seeing one of the biggest job booms in recent history, and CEOs are desperate. You have the chance to say “I’ll do this on my terms” and create lasting change in the workforce that doesn’t require you to choose between motherhood and your career.  To change the narrative, we have to change the patriarchal structures currently in place at the top. For example, how many of you have a paid leave structure and childcare, or as a business owner, do you have this for your team members?  If you’re lucky enough to feel well-supported in these areas, then I invite you to think of the moms and women in your life, your fellow sisters, who might be struggling. Share this conversation with them as your way of saying “I see you” and inspire hope in them that real change is happening.   Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode:  - What is the Marshall Plan for moms and how to start investing in economic recovery and empowerment for women - How to build the muscle of asking for what you need in order to thrive - Why it’s not your job to fix or mother your partner, but rather to figure out what you need for you  - Coping with guilt and shame surrounding what we see about motherhood on social media  - How building the workplace for the most vulnerable ends up building it in the most supportive way for everybody - Looking at toxic masculinity, changing our preconceived ideas around gender roles, and encouraging corporate policies that encourage men to take paid leave - The 4 forces of change, and the practical tips they offer that you can apply today - How to bring up the gender gap with your partner and set tangible boundaries around co-parenting - Releasing perfection as moms and learning how to “mother out loud” and mother authentically If you loved this episode, make sure you check out…  - Reshma’s website https://reshmasaujani.com/, where you can grab your copies of Pay Up and Brave, Not Perfect https://reshmasaujani.com/books/  - Her work on the Marshall Plan for Moms at https://marshallplanformoms.com/  - Find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reshmasaujani/ and follow Girls Who Code here https://www.instagram.com/girlswhocode/  - Listen to my journey with motherhood here. - My conversation with Ajit on fatherhood. I hope this conversation empowered you to be an agent of change for what’s happening to women in the workplace and the gender gap in our society. And if it did, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star review. After you do, send a screenshot to support@globalgrit.co to receive my FREE course on Emotional Mastery as my gift to you. Thank you again for being here, and see you next time!

Welcome back to The Brave Table! Question for you—do you ever feel not like yourself? I don’t just mean feeling off your game or in a funky mood—I’m talking about a deep, to-your-core, soul-level feeling of not being the real you.  Who are you when you’re not the person your parents expect you to be? Who are you when you’re not in a relationship with a partner who has certain projections of you? How do you know what lights you up if you aren’t always trying new things, exploring, and giving yourself permission to reinvent yourself?  When I think about the ultimate reinvention queen, going from the conventional to completely UNconventional, I think of today’s guest, Vasavi Kumar.  Vasavi has lived many lives. She grew up a first-generation Indian immigrant in a household with strict rules that expected her to follow a conservative life path like her parents (her mother was a cardiologist; her father an accountant).   She tried it out for a while, going to an Ivy League school, getting married to a traditional and conventional Hindu man, and becoming a therapist—all the South Asian ‘good girl’ checks. But ultimately, Vasavi was a brown sheep, and never did things just because. From a young age, she wouldn’t take no for an answer, and was always asking the question—why? As she began asking herself why and questioning her own life—her marriage, her career, her likes and dislikes—everything changed. Following a divorce after 4 years of marriage, changing careers, a battle with drugs and alcohol, and refusing to be her family’s scapegoat, Vasavi stepped into her power and became the impactful coach she is today (and a chef, and a stand-up comedian—she’s seriously dabbled in it all!) Vasavi poses a powerful question that she would ask herself as she sought out new life experiences that I’d love for you to ponder as you listen: How do you get closer to yourself?  How do you break free from the expectations others have placed on you and get closer to the truth of who you truly are?  Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode: - Reparenting yourself, and how to practice what you wish your parents had given you - Softening into your feminine energy, staying in your power even when you’re confronted and being real, not performative - How to cope with shame, guilt, and secrecy in your family around topics like mental health, substance abuse, and divorce - Dealing with feelings of abandonment when you’re not supported by your family and countering them with radical self-love  - Being multi-passionate and always seeking out experiences and new ways of being to better understand yourself and love yourself - Breaking free from giving your energy to trying to fix everything around you and channeling it into healing yourself instead - Examining the role you play in your family unit and establishing boundaries - What are trauma bonds and how to break free of them so you can thrive If you liked this episode, you’ll also want to check this out… - Vasavi’s work at https://www.vasavikumar.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mynameisvasavi/  - Listen to her podcast, Say It Out Loud with Vasavi.  - Listen to my episode on Healing Generational Trauma & Breaking Free From Asian Immigrant Parents. - Learn more about pursuing your purpose—and perhaps even becoming a coach like Vasavi—in the episode How To Know If You Are Ready To Pursue Your Purpose & Change Your Life. Thanks for listening! I hope this episode inspired you and gave you your daily dose of bravery. If you enjoyed it, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star review so you can help others find the show. Thank you for being here with me, and see you next week!

Hey Brave Table fam, welcome back—you’re in for a goodie today! In this chat with Miki Agrawal, the ultimate girl boss queen, we go all in—touching on everything from infertility and motherhood; to deep healing and inner work; to navigating big challenges that may come up as an entrepreneur in your journey. Miki is the founder of Tushy, Thinx, and Wild. All of these companies have been disrupted by who she is and what she stands for. She is also the author of the #1 best-selling books Do Cool Sh*T and Disrupt-Her, and was named "Fast Company's Most Creative People", “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, and INC's “Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs”. Miki is a true visionary when it comes to making periods, poop, and organic food sexy— completely disrupting and dominating industries that most others shy away from.  Hear why she stepped down as CEO of her own company and a breakdown that led to creating another 9-figure business—but not before sinking into the depths of an inner reckoning. She shares how to use traumatic life experiences as a means for massive growth, an opportunity for learning/unlearning, and having even more conviction in your work.  We also talk about feminism and the importance of celebrating women instead of clawing each other for a seat at the table in our patriarchal society. Instead, can we be inspired by other women and not envious? Can we choose to lift each other up and not want to take each other down? How do we change the system that’s keeping us small—in a fear-based world—and start operating from a place of abundance rather than lack?  Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll experience in this episode:  - Overcoming struggles during your most vulnerable moments  - The dangers of ‘extremism’ and leaning too much into alternative stances - Having gratitude for even your worst feelings and what it means to feel truly alive - Learning how to choose every single day what you focus on and put your energy into - The importance of creating diversity in the workplace and your community, and learning the true depths of diversity - How to be brave in the face of cancel culture, share your truth, and attract the right people to your work - Observing yourself in your toughest moments, finding the beauty in the breakdown, and extracting lessons from your sucky human moments - Letting go of reacting to low-vibrational shit, letting your work speak for itself, and doing things out of integrity - Moving into the matriarchy, awakening the divine feminine, and how to be a seductress in your life - The importance of meeting people where they are  - Miki’s healing regimens & nourishing practices that you can use when going through a tough time If you liked this episode… - Check out Miki’s website here https://mikiagrawal.com/ and on Instagram at @mikiagrawal - Buy Miki’s books on Amazon: Do Cool Sh*t and Disrupt-Her  - Listen to Being Brave in Building Your LifePass with Payal Kadakia.  - Check out How to Build Unconventional Wealth & Abundance with Codie Sanchez. - Find out how to know if you are ready to pursue your purpose & change your life, as Miki did. Thanks for listening, fam. I hope you loved this episode. And if you did, please leave a 5-star review so you can help others find The Brave Table! Thanks for being here, loves! See you again soon.

Hi again, loves, and welcome back for part two of my conversation with @thatsexchick, Alexa Bowditch. We're going to dive even deeper into our discussion on sex — and what we really should know about it related to our pleasure, health, and relationships — not just the basics we learned in school.  I'm sure many of you mamas out there will agree when I say — it's scary thinking about what our children will find out about sex before we get to them. We all want our children to know how to properly and sensually engage in sex when the time comes, and as Alexa points out, this starts with us.  It starts with taking radical responsibility for our sexuality, unlearning what we think we know, and staying humble as we open ourselves up to new experiences. As parents and adults, we need to understand how we relate to pleasure and sexual fulfillment so that we can have grounded conversations with our kids — and our partners.  Alexa talks about treating sex like you would anything else related to your well-being - you go to the gym for your physical health, you meditate for your mental health, and you need that same level of maintenance for your sexual health. Tune in to hear her insights on how to do this and a level of sex education that you definitely didn’t get in school.  What’s something you’ve learned through your sexual experiences that you wish you knew sooner? If you could go back in time, what is something you wish your parents had told you about sex, or what would have been helpful to learn in school? Knowing what you know now, how can you take ownership of your sexual education and desires to ensure that you (and if it applies, your children) can have a healthier relationship with sex?  ICYMI: Listen to part one of my conversation with Alexa here. Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode: - What is a “Want Will Won’t” list and how to create one and use it with your partner - grab your free copy here. - Taking ownership of your sexual desires instead of being a victim or laying blame on your partner - Practicing BDSM with communication, consent, and care - Being fully consensual in your sexual relationships, letting things be reversible, and how allowing the things you don’t actually want can cause harm - Infusing childlike innocence and play into your sexuality  - Reevaluating your approach to sex when things start to get mundane  - The anatomy of the vagina, a lesson on the clitoris, and what the vagina needs for a better quality orgasm  - How to orgasm without penetration through your unique sexual blueprint - Leveraging toys for deeper, more compassionate sex More resources on sex, relationships, and embodying your full self: - Follow Alexa on Instagram. - Grab her “Want Will Won’t” questions and other free resources here. - Listen to Alexa’s That Sex Chick Podcast. - Tune in to a conversation with my husband, Ajit, on difficult transitions and how we keep the spark alive in our relationship. - If you’re like Alexa, and people always come to you for advice on that thing you’re passionate about or an expert on, find out how you can leverage that to completely change the course of your life (like she did!). I’m so grateful to have you here, loves. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review so that more people can find the show and join us! Catch you next time for another juicy conversation at The Brave Table. 

Welcome back, Brave Table squad - I hope you’re ready because today’s episode is an EXTRA spicy one. We’re going to talk about the one topic many of us avoid or feel uncomfortable with - sex - with @thatsexchick, Alexa Bowditch.  Before Alexa became a sex coach and business mentor, she grew up in the deep south of Louisiana in a Catholic household, trying to follow all the “rules” in order to live out the so-called American Dream - like getting married young, having kids, and a house with a white picket fence.  But this wouldn’t be her story. Seeing her grandparents bicker and her mom marry 5 times normalized co-dependent relationships, leaving her to stay with her high school sweetheart well past their expiration date. After investing everything she had in making the relationship work, she experienced anxiety for the first time when it all fell apart and a loss of her sense of self.  What followed was a 6-year adventure working on cruise ships that took her all over the world, and what she describes as "the relationship that taught her everything", cracking her open to experiences with kink, BDSM, and consensual non-monogamy - as well as a completely new exploration of her identity.  As you listen to Alexa’s story and hear her share how she braved a new paradigm of sex in her life, I invite you to keep an open mind and investigate your own feelings around sex. Maybe you’re in a relationship and have been yearning to tell your partner your deepest sexual fantasies and desires - but aren’t sure how to approach it. Or, you’re navigating your personal relationship with sex and thinking about what you need from your future person.  Whether you're currently sexually active or not - how can you stop listening to the noise of what we’re told sex is supposed to mean and just follow what feels good for you?  Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode: - How to cope with losing your identity and who you are when a long-term relationship ends - What does BDSM mean, and understanding both its physical and mental components - Viewing sexual development as a part of your personal development - How to be a high-powered woman who still wants to submit and surrender - How to discuss your sexual desires with your partner and leave judgment at the door - Viewing kink and BDSM as nurturing and healing when done with love and care  - Breaking down the idea of ‘taboo’ for traditional couples  - How to rekindle your sexual spark with your partner and tips for bringing it up in conversation - Showing up as the full expression of you in the bedroom so that you can be your best self in all the other roles you play in life (as a mother, a leader, head of your household, etc) More resources on sex, relationships, and embodying your full self: - Follow Alexa on Instagram. - Grab her “Want Will Won’t” questions and other free resources here. - Listen to Alexa’s That Sex Chick Podcast  - Tune in to a conversation with my husband, Ajit, on difficult transitions and how we keep the spark alive in our relationship. - Check out this conversation with Alyson Charles who also touches on what to do when you lose yourself in a relationship and the healing that can follow.    - If you’re like Alexa, and people always come to you for advice on that thing you’re passionate about or an expert on, find out how you can leverage that to completely change the course of your life (like she did!). Thank you for being here, loves. I hope this conversation inspired you. If you loved it, I would be so grateful if you could leave me a 5-star review - this helps other people find the show so they too can learn how to be braver in life, just like you are.  See you next time!

Hey Brave Table fam, I have a question for you: have you ever asked yourself if you’re truly pursuing your life purpose? This episode is for anyone who might be going through a life crisis right now or a pivotal shift. Maybe you’ve ended a relationship, just left your job, experienced a loss — whatever it is, you’re going through an initiation or awakening of some kind, and you know you need to make a change.  There are a few different ways you can approach it. You could ignore it and hope things get better or put a temporary band-aid solution on it, but eventually, the fall will be SO big that you’ll be forced to look at it. So, why not start now? First, I want to give you permission to feel uncomfortable with it all. Change is scary! But it’s what we need to ignite us into the next stage of our evolution. Use this as your opportunity to explore, try new things, and say YES to new potential and ways of being.  You have a life purpose. Period. Everyone does. And sometimes you might just need a little guidance in figuring out what it is. So I want to tell you about (DCI) Dharma Coaching Institute.  This is the first-of-its-kind dual certification to be a soul purpose & spiritual life coach. If you’re the giver in relationships, this could be the key to unlocking your secret gift. Or even if you’re not sure about becoming a coach, but you’re just looking to discover parts of yourself that are dormant, this is the course that could change your life.  We get into critical life skills like how to have difficult conversations, how to create habits that are going to fuel you, how to develop a wealth & abundance mindset, how to heal the patterns of your upbringing and so many more juicy lessons.  We’ve had hundreds of students pass through already and our next Spring cohort starts in April and doors have opened to DCI Dharma Coaching Institute. So check it out at https://dharmacoachinginstitute.com/ and find your Dharma Archetype by taking the quiz! https://www.dharmaarchetypequiz.com/. And I’m hosting a very special Q & A session to answer all of your questions on becoming a spiritual life coach on Sunday, March 27th so mark your calendars! I wish I had this training when I was going through my own awakening and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to share it with you! Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode - What it means to discover your dharma and how to take the first step in creating a life that you truly love - How to be okay with your discomfort and use it as your cue to seek something bigger - How to stop living in guilt, fear, and shame and worrying about what people think of you - Calling in an exciting new chapter and the next phase of your evolution - Learning how to create boundaries and identifying what you won’t settle for any longer - Leveraging your innate gifts to help others heal For more on pursuing your dharma, listen to my episode with Sahara Rose. Thank you for being here, loves! I hope you loved this episode, and if you did, I would be SO grateful if you could leave a review. This will help other brave souls like you find the show. I appreciate you all so much!

Hey Brave Table crew - welcome back for another episode. Today I’m sitting down with one of my dear friends and the founder of Contrarian Thinking, Codie Sanchez. We’re going to dive into financial freedom, creating abundance, and building wealth through avenues you might have never even thought of.  Codie and I met during a weekend event and formed a sister bond immediately. We both shared the experience of having lived a super traditional life and longing for something more — something aligned with our soul calling. Both of us navigated first marriages, and divorces- Codie went from a white-picket-fence, country-club, 9-5-office-life to completely disrupting the finance space by breaking it down and making it accessible. She proves that a life of financial freedom is possible for anyone — even when you stray from a conventional life path. She shares the story of how Emotional Grit, my first book led to sparking her evolution, and how managing your mindset while going through transitions will help spearhead your next evolution. She is the founder of Contrarian Thinking, a media company, and newsletter dedicated to talking about money in an honest yet unintimidating way. She also invests in what she refers to as ‘boring businesses’ — we’re talking things like laundromats, car washes, vending machines — industry outsiders that people often overlook and how you can run them to earn passive income. Loves, how can you start calling in all that juicy abundance that is waiting for you? Without financial freedom, you’ll continue to seek safety in the conventional & traditional. So if there is something you long to do, do it right now; do the thing that lights you up. Because as Codie will let you know, there are so many ways to make money by following your heart.  Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll get out of this episode: - Figuring out your identity and discovering who you are after divorce, when you change careers, and when lose your social circle - Democratizing the traditional way of doing business & investing and making it attainable to anyone - Viewing every activity you do as a business and how to create a “You” Corp - How to create multiple streams of income and generate passive income, and why there’s never been a better time to do so - The difference between high-risk and low-risk businesses and how you can slowly begin to build an investment portfolio - even without tons of cash - And MUCH more. Grab your copy of emotional grit here at emotionalgrit.com.  Sign up for Codie’s newsletter at https://contrarianthinking.co/ and follow her on TikTok @realcodiesanchez for the hottest investment and finance tips. Thank you for tuning in, loves! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show and leave a review so you can help others find juicy conversations like this one on The Brave Table. 

Dr. Neeta Bhushan discusses healing generational trauma and breaking free from Asian immigrant parents. She explores the impact of trauma on genes, shares personal experiences with domestic violence and family pressure, and emphasizes the importance of reversing these changes. The podcast delves into the complexities of family expectations, cultural pressures, and navigating relationships with immigrant parents, highlighting the journey towards healing and creating a better future.

Welcome back loves for another juicy conversation at The Brave Table. My guest in this episode is Payal Kadakia, Founder of ClassPass, Artist, and Author of LifePass.  Payal believes that your life purpose lies at the intersection of what you’re innately passionate about and what can impact others. At a young age, she was lucky enough to find her purpose — Indian dance — and used this as her North Star to guide how she would operate in this world. As a result, Payal has paved the way for what’s possible in entrepreneurship when you lead with your purpose and passion, turning her love of dance into a billion-dollar business.  So, if you’re feeling stuck, I hope this conversation inspires you to find and cultivate your true calling in life. It already exists within you, but sometimes you just need to get quiet and shut out all the noise of the world — like your parents who want to see you take a different path or the pressure from society to behave and act a certain way — to get clear on what it is.  What are the things you LOVED to do throughout your life? If you’re unsure, can you try new activities and hobbies to see what lights you up? Then, how can you use these passions to chase your dreams relentlessly? Let’s dive in.  Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll experience in this episode: - Growing up with different cultural identities and how to merge these identities with your passions and include them as a part of you, rather than hiding them or having to choose - How to create agreements with loved ones when their expectations of you are different than your own - The turning point of leaving your job to go after something much greater than you ever imagined  - Doing things out of authenticity and attracting the right people to your business - Merging business with creativity, and not having to choose one or the other - Finding your purpose through rekindling activities from your childhood and incorporating more of those activities into your everyday life - Why it’s important to create boundaries without guilt, surround yourself with the right energy, and clearly define your expectations - What being brave means to Payal, her daily rituals & practices, and her word to describe this season And SO much more. Grab Payal’s already super hot LifePass book that’s out now at www.lifepassbook.com. I hope you SO loved this episode! And before you go - make sure not to miss out on The Brave Table giveaway at www.thebravetable.com/giveaway  for your chance to WIN some amazing self-care prizes - this is my big THANK YOU for being here! Check out the site for all the ways you can enter to win - most important is that you leave a review and share it with a friend! This will also help more people find the show. Deepest gratitude to you all, and make sure to enter today because we’re closing the contest on March 15. Thanks for being here, love, see you next time!

Hey there Brave Table squad! Welcome back for another super juicy episode, this time with the Rock-Star Shaman (and my rockstar friend), Alyson Charles.  Internationally renowned Shaman, best-selling author, and host of Ceremony Circle Podcast, Alyson’s story starts with a traumatic experience followed by a spiritual awakening that shifted her out of her life as a national champion athlete, top-rated radio host, and national daytime television talk show host in New York City, and into her calling as a Shaman. The woman has led pop culture shows through her meditations workshops awakening spirituality in circles where they need it most, from HBO film festival, Art Basel, Elle magazine to brands like Tory Burch, The National Geographic, The New York Times  After 16 years of being in a codependent and very toxic relationship, Alyson shares the shocking moment that turned on her internal wisdom and spiritual gifts were heightened and allowed her to receive the call from Spirit that would send her down the path of Shamanism - but not before undergoing some intense shadow work and facing her greatest fears.  We dive into how to use these challenging seasons of life as a way to find your true soul calling, all the ugly and messy of shadow work and how it ultimately leads to so much beauty and growth, and why it’s so important during your down cycles to experience the FULL spectrum of human emotions and not try to push them away.  Alyson also talks about her new book, Animal Power: 100 Animals to Energize Your Life and Awaken Your Soul (which has been such a blessing for my whole household - it provides so much soul  medicine and the kids love looking at the beautiful illustrations!) Go check it out and order your copy at www.alysoncharles.com/animalpower, and you’ll also get access to a free guided shamanic journey from Alyson! Some of the juicy nuggets you’ll experience in this episode:  - How to embrace your gifts and trust your deep inner knowing - What is shadow work, how to begin, and facing your inner gremlins for self-development and personal growth - Naming and looking at your greatest fear so you can face it and overcome it - Dropping the veil of illusions in toxic relationships, taking the necessary steps to overcome abusive relationships, and getting out of your own way - Looking at where and how you give your power away, why you do it, and how to reclaim your power - Practicing patience in your healing journey and learning to trust yourself - How Alyson defines Shamanism and how you can tune into your own Shamanic journey  - Practices & rituals that you can do following a spiritual awakening to recalibrate - Unconditional love as a tool for practicing bravery - What medicine we can learn from the energy and spirit of different animals - The energy that’s guiding Alyson through this season of her life  I hope this conversation with Alyson was as inspiring for you as it was for me! If so, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review. Each one helps others find juicy conversations like this one on The Brave Table.  Let me know if you’ve left a review by going to www.thebravetable.com/giveaway so you can enter for your chance to WIN amazing prizes, like a pair of Apple AirPods Pro! I’ll also send you my Grow Your Grit 7-day mini-workshop for FREE to help you master your emotions, transform your thoughts, and change your world! Thanks again, loves, for tuning in! Until next time.