Something for the Soul

Emotional Boldness with Raoul Joshi

After a little hiatus I'm pleased to bring you this 3rd episode of Season 2, recorded during the Teach for All Social Innovators gathering in South Africa. Raoul shares the challenge he faced when pivoting from a career in management consulting at McKinsey to becoming a teacher on the Teach for Sweden fellowship. Through emotional boldness he followed his heart and intuition to pursue a new path in education, one that he had long thought of but took courage to navigate. Raoul talks openly about how the fear of failure stopped him from taking the road less travelled until a serendipitous moment led to a conversation that sparked him to be emotionally bold. I think this is such an important conversation that many listeners, particularly those working in corporate mainstream jobs, will relate to. Raoul talks about breaking free from the hamster wheel 'path of least resistance' to challenging the status quo and reskilling to a new career that is aligned with your dreams. Raoul's pivot from McKinsey has led to him founding Joshico, which partners with Swedish municipalities to design and deliver interventions that align schools, social services, police and healthcare around child welfare. Set up in 2023, Joshico’s programmes have already reached 11,000 school students and they are currently launching work with 3 new municipalities with a reach of 25,000 students. Raoul has also founded Puffin, an organisation that builds lightweight formative-assessment and feedback tools. Both of his ventures tackle systemic barriers to educational equity: Joshico at the policy and service-delivery layer, Puffin at the classroom and family interface. Raoul has co-authored a global study on the impact of artificial intelligence [https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/artificial-intelligence/notes-from-the-ai-frontier-modeling-the-impact-of-ai-on-the-world-economy]. This is a heart warming episode on creating a liberating career in the world of education. Guest speaker: Raoul Joshi, Founder of Joshico. If you enjoyed this episode then share it on your social media and tag @sanjuthinks on Instagram [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks] and Twitter [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.twitter.com/sanjuthinks] or connect on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sanju-pal-64b96166]. -- Social media: Sanju Pal @sanjuthinks [https://www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks/] RISE @risecharity [https://www.instagram.com/risecharity/] Raoul Joshi @raouljoshi [https://www.instagram.com/raouljoshi] Joshico [https://joshico.org/] Teach for Sweden @teachforsweden [https://www.instagram.com/teachforsweden] Teach for All @teachforall [https://www.instagram.com/teachforall] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sanju thinks about racism, breaking convention and community

Sanju thinks about racism and what we can do as individuals to combat discrimination of black and brown people, inspired by the guest episode with Jacob Adams, Founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab. Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month, Sanju talks of the ways she has embraced community and co-founded The Bangali Story in the spirit of the theme 'Roots to Routes'. This episode speaks to the notion of breaking convention, and empowers anyone listening to do exactly this, with Sanju highlighting her work to change the law for women with endometriosis. The 'Sanju thinks...' episodes are released on the 3rd Thursday of every month. They contain Sanju's reflections on the challenge that the guest speaker has shared earlier in the month so make sure you've listened to that episode first! This episode was released a little later than usual and recorded on 24th July 2025. If you enjoyed this episode then share it on your social media and tag @sanjuthinks on Instagram [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks] and Twitter [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.twitter.com/sanjuthinks] or on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sanju-pal-64b96166]. -- Social media: Sanju Pal @sanjuthinks [https://www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks/] RISE @risecharity [https://www.instagram.com/risecharity/] Jacob Adams @elsnakeob [https://www.instagram.com/elsnakeob] Inner Spark Learning Lab @innersparklab [https://www.instagram.com/innersparklab] @sathnamsangera [https://www.instagram.com/sathnamsanghera] @kiran.landa [https://www.instagram.com/kiran.landa] @anoushkad6 [https://www.instagram.com/anoushkad6] @jasminesamra99 [https://www.instagram.com/jasminesamra99] @1928institute [https://www.instagram.com/1928institute] @shalinapatel [https://www.instagram.com/shalinapatel] @sushmajansari [https://www.instagram.com/sushmajansari] @anishaparmarstudio [https://www.instagram.com/anishaparmarstudio ] @rheatulipartridge @runnymedetrust @shabnabegum25 @crowdjustice_ @neelamheerashergill @cystersgroup @reachacademyfeltham @awaawardsuk @loveliff @caryrajinder @rimadas13  @southasianheritagemonth_uk @smokeandlime [https://www.instagram.com/smokeandlime/?hl=en#] @playsamosa @aiyyoshraddha @mohua_chinappa [https://www.instagram.com/mohua_chinappa/] @thebangalistory [www.instagram.com/thebangalistory] @damsel.collective  @tulipsiddiq @pointsoflight @indogenius  @housegospelchoir @neerscreenprints @westlondonsinf @vegetarianbrowngirls @aakashodedracompany @ranikhanum.kathak @rushilmusic ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Positive Disruption with Jacob Adams

It's wonderful to be able to bring you this 2nd episode recorded during the Teach for All Social Entrepreneurs gathering in South Africa, on my Birthday no less! Jacob shares his experience on the Teach for America programme in a black majority school in Brooklyn, here high poverty levels meant over 95% were on free or reduced cost lunches. He witnessed how rigid discipline policies and top-down control stripped black students of their autonomy. Resolute in his ambition to bring his students an education where they could harness their potential rather than be hindered, Jacob was a disruptor. He challenged the norm by breaking convention and implementing his own methods and ideas for education, despite them not being aligned with the school's rules. Jacob leans into vulnerability to unpack how the strong identity he built as a bi-racial person, gave him the strength of courage to stand by his values and beliefs to be an exemplary teacher, centred in positive disruption. As a positive disruptor, Jacob has founded Inner Spark Learning Lab where black and brown students have the opportunity to be involved in hands-on, community-driven learning projects designed to foster critical thinking, self-awareness, and social impact. Utilising an holistic approach that integrates STEAM `Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, Inner Spark Learning Lab has grown to annually serve over 1,500 youth through their direct service programs. They have over 30,000 beneficiaries through their curriculum and professional development programs, igniting a ripple effect that extends to schools, families and communities across California. Jacob is recognised as an inspirational leader, having been honoured with multiple fellowships including from 4.0 Schools, Black Equity Collective and Science Sandbox. In this episode, Jacob's humility shines through and makes his words even more empowering - you're going to love listening to him! Guest speaker: Jacob Adams, Founder and Executive Director of Inner Spark Learning Lab. If you enjoyed this episode then share it on your social media and tag @sanjuthinks on Instagram [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks] and Twitter [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.twitter.com/sanjuthinks] or connect on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sanju-pal-64b96166]. -- Social media: Sanju Pal @sanjuthinks [https://www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks/] RISE @risecharity [https://www.instagram.com/risecharity/] Jacob Adams @elsnakeob [https://www.instagram.com/elsnakeob] Inner Spark Learning Lab @innersparklab [https://www.instagram.com/innersparklab] Teach for America @teachforamerica [https://www.instagram.com/teachforamerica/] Teach for All @teachforall [https://www.instagram.com/teachforall] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sanju thinks about her life's work, family support and identity (and beauty!)

Sanju thinks about what it means to commit to your 'life's work', the importance of family support and how identity and feeling beautiful is rooted in the sense of possibility to take action, inspired by the guest episode with Quim Sabrià, Co-founder and CEO of EdPuzzle. This is a chunky episode highlighting the connections made that have inspired me to take action recently - take a look at all the social media links below to connect with the amazing people I talk about! The 'Sanju thinks...' episodes are released on the 3rd Thursday of every month. They contain Sanju's reflections on the challenge that the guest speaker has shared earlier in the month so make sure you've listened to that episode first! If you enjoyed this episode then share it on your social media and tag @sanjuthinks on Instagram [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks] and Twitter [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.twitter.com/sanjuthinks] or on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sanju-pal-64b96166]. -- Social media: Sanju Pal @sanjuthinks [https://www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks/] RISE @risecharity [https://www.instagram.com/risecharity/] Quim Sabrià @quimsabria  [https://www.instagram.com/quimsabria] EdPuzzle @edpuzzle [https://www.instagram.com/edpuzzle] Empieza por Educar @empiezaporeducar [https://www.instagram.com/empiezaporeducar] Teach for All @teachforall [https://www.instagram.com/teachforall] R Labs South Africa @rlabsza [https://www.instagram.com/rlabsza/#] Wendy Kopp @wendykopp [https://www.instagram.com/wendykopp/?hl=en#] Natasha Porter @natasha_unlocked [https://www.instagram.com/natasha_unlocked/?hl=en#] Ruth Penfold @ruthpenfold [https://www.instagram.com/ruthpenfold/#] Jhumur Ganguly @jhumur.ganguly [https://www.instagram.com/jhumur.ganguly] Mohua Chinappa @mohua_chinappa [https://www.instagram.com/mohua_chinappa/] James Biggin-Lamming [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jamesbigginlamming?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name] South Asian Sisters Speak @weare_sass [https://www.instagram.com/weare_sass/?hl=en#] Sohini Banerjee @smokeandlime [https://www.instagram.com/smokeandlime/?hl=en#] Anita Bhagwandas @itsmeanitab [https://www.instagram.com/itsmeanitab/?hl=en#] Megha Joshi @meghamillions [https://www.instagram.com/meghamillions/#] Giulia Reichmann @djuleeah [https://www.instagram.com/djuleeah/?hl=en#] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Taking Action with Quim Sabrià

Hello and welcome to Season 2 of Something for the Soul! I’m delighted to bring you this first episode recorded during the Teach for All Social Entrepreneurs gathering in South Africa! My first guest this season is going to blow you away, as he did me during our very first conversation on the first night of the conference in Cape Town. We grabbed some time between sessions to talk about changing your life - by taking action.  Quim talks with such heart about how a conversation with his grandma about the challenge he was having with his students provoked him to shake things up in his classroom - he actively listened to his students and their parents to understand barriers to learning. It compelled him to take action and build a solution. This led him to the journey of co-founding the edtech platform EdPuzzle at the age of 23 with his 3 best friends, who he had known since they were toddlers. He took a leap of faith and moved from Spain to the United States in seek of support from Silicon Valley startup accelerator Y Combinator and raised $4 million to launch EdPuzzle. Quim made a decision aged 18 that he would commit his life to education and now in his mid-thirties he remains resolute in his ambition to change the world. Quim's journey into educational innovation began as a teacher through the Empieza por Educar program in Barcelona where he sought to use interactive video content in the classroom. Taking action has led Quim to expand EdPuzzle globally and serve millions of teachers and students across more than 150 countries. Quim talks so beautifully about how he was able to make bold decisions because a different 'perception of risk', which he attributes to the unwavering support of his parents. Quim's story is one of relentless pursuit for enabling children to have an excellent education, he says it is the clarity of commitment that keeps him going on the hardest days. This is an episode that will get you moving and shaking and taking action! Guest speaker: Quim Sabrià, Co-founder and CEO of EdPuzzle. If you enjoyed this episode then share it on your social media and tag @sanjuthinks on Instagram [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks] and Twitter [https://open.acast.com/networks/65919652e90f1d001782f4de/shows/6591ab72aa48e0001624ed29/www.twitter.com/sanjuthinks] or connect on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sanju-pal-64b96166]. -- Social media: Sanju Pal @sanjuthinks [https://www.instagram.com/sanjuthinks/] RISE @risecharity [https://www.instagram.com/risecharity/] Quim Sabrià @quimsabria  [https://www.instagram.com/quimsabria ] EdPuzzle @edpuzzle [https://www.instagram.com/edpuzzle] Empieza por Educar @empiezaporeducar [https://www.instagram.com/empiezaporeducar] Teach for All @teachforall [https://www.instagram.com/teachforall] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.