Keywords

Immigration journey, belonging, intuition, change, travel, resilience, identity, personal growth, authenticity, family, identity, redefining home, self-acceptance, resilience, living authentically, India to Canada, healing, trusting yourself, identity and belonging

Summary

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Reet German to explore her transformative journey of immigration,identity, and belonging. From moving from India to Canada to traveling the world with her family, Reet shares how embracing change reshaped her understanding of home, self- acceptance, and personal growth. We discuss the role of intuition in decision-making, the challenges of embracing change, and how leaning into discomfort can lead to profound healing and resilience. Reet opens up about redefining success on her own terms, living authentically, and cultivating compassion for oneself during times of uncertainty. Her story serves as a call for us all act as active participants in our own lives.

This conversation is for anyone navigating life transitions, questioning where they belong, or seeking the courage to trust themselves more fully. Whether you’re an immigrant, a traveler, or simply someone longing to feel at home within yourself, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom for living a more intentional life.

If this episode resonates, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone navigating change or searching for belonging.

Takeaways

Reet's journey from India to Canada shaped her identity.

The quest for belonging is a lifelong journey.

Intuition plays a crucial role in decision-making.

Embracing change can lead to personal growth.

Traveling the world offers valuable life lessons.

Home is a feeling, not a physical place.

Resilience is built through facing challenges.

Leaning into discomfort can lead to transformation.

Living authentically requires self-acceptance.

Compassion for oneself is essential in the healing process.

Sound bites

"You are your own home."

“Be an active participant in your life.”

"Clarity comes after action."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living, with Dr. Monica Shah

00:33 Reet German: Coming Home to Yourself

02:12 Journey of Transformation: Searching for Self

11:08 The Quest for Belonging: Navigating Identity and Acceptance

22:05 Breaking Through: Facing Pushback, Uncertainty, and Change

28:57 Embracing Uncertainty: Deciding to Travel the World

34:03 You Are Your Own Home

35:52 Redefining Success, Creating Your Dreams

38:16 Lessons from Parenting and Self-Discovery

39:49 Joys of Choosing Your Path

41:51 Cultivating Compassion and Acceptance in Relationships

42:49 Be an Active Participant in Your Life

44:27 Progress Over Perfection

46:10 “Lean In” to The Challenge

50:34 Where to Find Reet

Instagram: @reetgerman

Podcast: Reignite with Reet

Keywords

authentic living, parallel careers, family dynamics, dance, law, personal growth, community support, unconventional paths, self-discovery, acceptance, unexpected opportunities, multi-hyphenate life, multiple passions, creative career paths, redefining family, overcoming fear, practice and preparation, self-discipline, staying curious, openness to possibilities, lifelong learning, happiness through authenticity, designing your life

Summary

In this episode we explore the journey of Natasha Bakht, an award-winning dancer and law professor who navigates dual passions through a parallel career. Natasha shares her influences, including her supportive family and the impact of her dance teacher, and highlights the importance of acceptance in creating a foundation for living uniquely. The discussion delves into how to lead a multi-hyphenate life, the significance of community, and the unexpected paths that can lead to fulfillment. Natasha emphasizes making choices based on oneself, using practice and preparation to combat fear, and the beauty of creating a family beyond conventional norms. We discuss how openness can lead to the most unexpected joys, underlining the importance of staying open to both possibilities that we can imagine and those that we cannot imagine.

Takeaways

Living authentically means honoring your truth.

Support and acceptance at a young age can shape one's identity.

Navigating parallel careers can be fulfilling.

Individual choices must be made when charting your own path.

Embracing unconventional paths leads to unique experiences.

Community support is vital for personal growth.

Curiosity keeps life exciting and fresh.

Practice and preparation are essential for overcoming fear.

Being open to new possibilities can lead to unexpected joys.

Creating a family can take many forms beyond convention.

Sound bites

"You're not alone on this journey."

"Curiosity allows you to remain new."

"Practice is key to overcoming fear."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living Authentically

02:00 Natasha Bakht: Defining Your Own Life

05:05 Influences Of Family and Culture

08:39 The Role Of Acceptance In Shaping Identity

12:10 Navigating Parallel Careers

14:32 Finding Balance Between Dance And Law

16:16 Embracing Individual Choices

18:43 Using Happiness As Your Guide

21:16 Charting A Non-Traditional Path

23:25 Leading A Multi-Hyphenate Life

26:22 Navigating Multiple Interests and Career Paths

27:39 Unexpected Joys Of An Unexpected Life

29:40 Embracing Curiosity And Lifelong Learning

31:57 The Importance of Practice and Preparation

35:32 Openness To Possibilities: Re-Defining Family

41:52 Where To Find Natasha

Photo Credit: Neo Media group

Keywords

artistic expression, cultural identity, personal growth, women's empowerment, dance, creativity, immigrant experience, self-discovery, resilience, life reinvention after 40, unlocking your true power, overcoming self-doubt and fear, finding your true potential, becoming your own champion, nurturing your desires, art and activism, starting over in a new city, growth through struggle, fertility journey, creative empowerment tips, New York arts scene

Summary

In this conversation, Rachna Nivas shares how personal struggles, cultural heritage, and artistic expression shape identity and fuel creativity. We explore the challenges and triumphs of the artist’s journey, uncover the transformative power of moving to a new place, and discuss how women in their forties experience a powerful awakening. Learn how nurturing your desires, embracing your cultural roots, and becoming your own champion can lead to personal fulfillment and self-discovery. Whether you’re an artist, a creative soul, or someone seeking life reinvention, this episode will inspire you to overcome self-doubt, recognize your true power, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Takeaways

Cultural heritage plays a significant role in personal identity.

Artistic expression can be a powerful form of activism.

The journey of an artist is filled with challenges and triumphs.

Personal struggles fuel creativity and growth.

Moving to a new place can open new opportunities.

Women in their forties experience a powerful awakening.

Nurturing your desires is essential for personal fulfillment.

You must be your own champion in pursuing your dreams.

Self-doubt is overcome by recognizing your true power.

Sound bites:

“Answer the intuition.”

"Wisdom is sexy."

"Your plan is actually blocking you."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living

00:35 Rachna Nivas: A Journey of Artistic Expression

03:34 Influence of Family and Activism

08:45 Embracing Cultural Pride and Authenticity

12:05 The Unexpected Path to Arts and Activism

18:54 Deciding to Follow the Artistic Path

24:23 Confronting Financial and Societal Pressures

27:17 Challenges of Choosing This Path

31:09 Bridging Art and Activism

34:44 Confronting Loss: A New Chapter in NYC

39:30 Redefining Womanhood and Creative Power

41:32 Intuition as a Light Through Darkness

44:47 Embracing Age and Wisdom

47:31 Rewards of Risk-Taking

51:19 The Beauty and Power of Aging

55:49 Nurturing Desires and Going Against the Grain

01:00:13 Belief in Possibility

01:05:27 Where To Find Rachna

Rachna's bio:

Rachna is a performing artist, choreographer, educator, community organizer, scholar, and activist of Indian classical art. A radical artist whose practice is both deeply protective of tradition but also interrogative, her work is rooted in feminine consciousness and Eastern philosophies that challenge Eurocentric cultural paradigms.

She is co-founder and co-artistic director of Leela Dance Collective, and is building her own solo body of work in a generative chapter of her artistic journey.

As an educator and community organizer, Rachna also currently directs Leela New York’s thriving training institution. She was also a recipient of the New York Public Library for Performing Arts Dance Research Fellowship and is currently an artist in residence at 92NY's Harkness Dance Center.

Instagram: @rachnanivas

Website: www.rachnanivas.com

Keywords

creativity, uncertainty, intuition, career transition, creative career paths, overcoming fear, trusting the process, life transformation, making a career change, full-time creative career, diversifying career paths, creative entrepreneurship, leap of faith in life and work, transitioning from a stable career to a creative one, using intuition and trust to navigate life decisions, personal growth, community support, stress management, iconoclast

Summary

In this episode, we follow Ishita’s journey from aspiring doctor to full-time creative director and choreographer. Rejecting limiting labels, Ishita shows how embracing uncertainty and trusting your intuition can guide major life and career decisions. We dive into practical strategies for managing stress by controlling reactions rather than external circumstances, the importance of community support, and how diversifying career paths can provide stability in uncertain times. We also discuss leaps of faith, trusting the process, and self awareness fueling personal growth. If you’re considering a career pivot, pursuing a creative passion, or seeking guidance in navigating life transitions, Ishita’s story offers inspiration, actionable insights, and encouragement to trust yourself and embrace the journey.

Takeaways

Ishita rejects label culture, believing it limits human complexity.

Her journey involved a significant pivot from medicine to dance.

Embracing uncertainty is essential for personal growth.

Community support plays a crucial role in navigating career challenges.

Stress management is about controlling reactions, not the stressors themselves.

Diversifying career paths can provide stability in uncertain times.

Transitioning to full-time creativity requires a leap of faith.

Unexpected joys can arise from embracing spirituality and trust in the process.

Intuition is a vital compass for making life decisions.

Sound bites:

"Uncertainty is the rule."

"Stress is something that you choose to do."

"We're all making it up!"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living

00:33 Ishita Mili: From Medicine toMovement

02:57 Accepting Complexity, Rejecting Labels

05:10 Jumping Off "The Path" With No Plan

08:26 Uncertainty As The Rule, Embracing The Unknown

11:37 Dealing With External Pressure And Critics

15:02 Stress As A Choice, Managing Your Reactions

19:37 Self-Care As A Necessity

21:22 Transition To Being A Full-Time Creative

24:49 Taking The Leap, Doubting The Decision

29:05 Developing Faith In The Journey

30:44 Surrendering To The Flow of Life

33:00 Trying Without Knowing

34:22 Intuition As Your Compass

36:10 Accepting The Path As It Unfolds

38:38 Where To Find Ishita

Ishita's Bio:

Ishita Mili is a Bengali American director, choreographer, and scientist. She founded [IMGE] Dance as a performance company based in dance, film, and music, and over the last 8 years, IMGE has built bridges across concert, commercial, musical theater, academic, and independent arts industries through their distinct intersection between Indian and American classical to street styles.

Ishita was awarded Artist of Exceptional Merit by the Asian American Arts Alliance, received a Folks Arts Apprentice grant under theNJ State Council of the Arts, and taught the IMGE methodology at Princeton University and Gonzaga University. She most recently completed the LabWorks '24-'25 cohort at New Victory Theater and received a 2025 Individual Artist Fellowship award from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Ishita is also a deeply involved community advocate and activist. She is the founder of South Asian American Arts Solidarity (SAAAS), the co-host of the South Asian Performing Arts Summit, and is also the co-host of Kinetic Dance Film Festival.

Alongside her achievements in the arts world, Ishita holds a BS in Chemistry and MBS with a concentration in Drug Discovery and Development, and spent 5 years working in biotechnology.

Instagram: @ishitamili @imgedance

Website: www.imgedance.com