Hearth2Heart

Hearth2Heart - Episode May 25, 2026

Reclaiming Your Worth Through Telling Your Story | Serena Arora How do you tell your story—when the world keeps asking you what you are, instead of who you are? In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla sits down with author, yoga therapist, and Ayurvedic practitioner Serena Arora to explore a deeply personal journey of identity, lineage, and coming home to oneself. Drawing from her book Unbound, Serena shares what it means to grow up navigating mixed identity, cultural expectations, and the lifelong search for belonging. Together, they unpack: - The tension between “immigrit” and “immiguilt”—and how grit and guilt both shape our choices - What it means to carry (and eventually put down) the invisible “backpack” - Why belonging is not something to become, but something to just be - How generational patterns live in us—and how we begin to consciously shift them - How telling your story can help you find alignment This conversation is both grounding and expansive—a reminder that belonging is not found in a place, a title, or a path…but in the quiet, ongoing practice of returning to yourself. Resources mentioned: Serena Arora’s book, Unbound: An Immigrant Daughter’s Journey of Reckoning, Unraveling Shame, and Reclaiming Her Worth www.serenaarora.com [https://cjsw.com/program/hearth2heartwww.serenaarora.com] https://www.campfirekinship.com/ [https://www.campfirekinship.com/] [https://feedpress.me/link/23393/17346798.gif]

Hearth2Heart - Episode March 23, 2026

Between Worlds: Navigating Identity and the Stories We Carry | Lina Bahlawan & Yemi Adefulu What happens when two people from vastly different cultures come together not just to share stories, but to write a book about the in-between spaces of identity? n this Hearth 2 Heart episode, host Gayathri Shukla speaks with Lina Bahlawan and Yemi Adefulu, co-authors of Adventures of a Migrant Heart, about the surprising friendship that sparked their book—and the deeper lessons it holds for reimagining inclusion. Together, they explore: - Why storytelling with someone (not just about someone) creates a new kind of empathy - How curiosity and compassion can disrupt stereotypes—without losing complexity - The power of unlikely friendships to bridge global perspectives and lived experience - Why choosing collaboration over competition is a radical act, especially in systems shaped by scarcity This episode is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the best way to understand someone else’s story… is to co-write a new one. Resources mentioned: https://www.amazon.ca/Adventures-Migrant-Heart-Yemi-Adefulu/dp/196761668X [https://www.amazon.ca/Adventures-Migrant-Heart-Yemi-Adefulu/dp/196761668X] https://www.yemiadefulu.com/ [https://www.yemiadefulu.com/] https://www.campfirekinship.com/ [https://www.campfirekinship.com/] [https://feedpress.me/link/23393/17304821.gif]

Hearth2Heart - Episode February 23, 2026

Dreaming Boldly: From Surviving to Thriving | Najah Al-Atassi What does it take to thrive as an immigrant woman—not just survive? In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla speaks with Najah Al-Atassi, founder of Al-Atassi Leadership Consulting and its Peaks Program, about the emotional resilience, bold dreaming, and grit it takes to build a life—and leadership—on your own terms in Canada. Through heartfelt storytelling and sharp insights, Najah shares: - Why informed optimism gives way to informed realism—and how to stay motivated - How rejection, assimilation pressure, and “Canadian experience” myths can erode confidence - The power of perspective, networks, and beginner’s mindset in transforming your journey - What allies can actually do to support immigrant women—without assuming superiority - And why courageously being yourself is the first step to belonging Whether you’re new to Canada, navigating career transitions, or leading workplace inclusion, this episode is your reminder to dream boldly—and support others to do the same. Resources mentioned: https://www.alatassileadershipconsulting.com/ [https://www.alatassileadershipconsulting.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/najah-al-atassi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/najah-al-atassi/] https://www.amazon.ca/Landed-Transformative-Stories-Canadian-Immigrant/dp/B0B7PSHKMR/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 [https://www.amazon.ca/Landed-Transformative-Stories-Canadian-Immigrant/dp/B0B7PSHKMR/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8] https://www.campfirekinship.com/ [https://www.campfirekinship.com/] [https://feedpress.me/link/23393/17283293.gif]

Hearth2Heart - Podcast January 26, 2026

New Year Special: What Brings Us Home | Stanley Opara What does it mean to feel at home—across lands, timelines, and technologies? This New Year special features an openhearted dialogue, where host Gayathri Shukla and guest Stanley Opara weave together their personal stories of migration, identity, and imagination. From oil-rich Nigeria to the majestic Rockies, this episode journeys through the past, present, and future, exploring: - What it means to belong to a place, to people, and to oneself - How stories shape our sense of home - The impact of climate change on belonging - The risks and possibilities AI poses for human connection - Why humility, resilience, and hope are more urgent than ever This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and come home to yourself, wherever you are. Resources mentioned: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-immigrant-story-podcast/id1555915922 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-immigrant-story-podcast/id1555915922] https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanleyopara/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanleyopara/] https://www.amazon.ca/Landed-Transformative-Stories-Canadian-Immigrant/dp/B0B7PSHKMR/ [https://www.amazon.ca/Landed-Transformative-Stories-Canadian-Immigrant/dp/B0B7PSHKMR/] https://www.campfirekinship.com/ [https://www.campfirekinship.com/] [https://feedpress.me/link/23393/17264072.gif]

Hearth2Heart - Podcast December 22, 2025

Unlearning Silence: Reclaiming Empathy as a Leadership Strength What does it mean to lead with empathy in a world that seems increasingly polarized and divided? In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla sits down with Dr. Vidya Chamundeswari - senior scientist at Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals and Chair of the Board at Lotus STEMM (2021-2025) - for a heartfelt conversation on unlearning silence, navigating identity in the workplace, and leading with courage and care. Together, they explore: Why empathy is a strategic strength, not the so-called soft-skill or weakness The tension of holding power and vulnerability - building on insights from the Breaking Barriers project at Lotus STEM Why “you shouldn’t have to be brave to belong” Tune in for this rich and reflective conversation on people-first leadership. Resources mentioned in episode: Lotus STEMM Breaking Barriers [https://www.lotusstemm.org/breaking-barriers] https://campfirekinship.com/ [https://campfirekinship.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-chamundeswari-n/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-chamundeswari-n/] [https://feedpress.me/link/23393/17271200.gif]