The MyndStories Podcast

Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan: How to stop losing yourself in your relationship

Tell us what you feel. Message us. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025698/fan_mail/new] Do you sometimes struggle to make decisions without checking with them? Or feel guilty for wanting space or independence in a relationship? In this episode, Ankit talks with Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan, a psychologist who works extensively with couples, about a pattern that quietly erodes many relationships: enmeshment. It's the slow fade of your own routines, the friends you stop seeing, the hobbies you let go of, all while thinking everything's fine because the relationship feels good.  She examines how growing up in collectivist Indian households sets us up for enmeshment without even realizing it. She maps out what healthy separation actually looks like, and why sitting with discomfort beats avoiding it every time. If you've ever felt like you're performing a relationship rather than living one, this conversation offers a way back to yourself. About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where we talk to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal.  We discuss * Why having a strong sense of self matters in relationships. * What enmeshment looks like in a relationship. * What makes enmeshment different from feeling deeply connected, and how one can start to see signs of it early. * Why women tend to think more about relationships while men tend to act more. * How we learn to set healthy boundaries and communicate them. * Why self-reflection is rare until something goes wrong in the relationship. * Small, gradual steps to reclaim your sense of self without blowing up the relationship. Dr. Rachel’s bio Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan is a Bangalore-based psychologist with over 14 years of clinical experience. Trained in NLP, Career Counselling, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Master Level Hypnosis, she uses an eclectic, client-centred approach. She is also a certified Sleep Consultant. Her work centers on young adults and premarital relationships, with a special focus on relationship security — the subject of her doctoral research. Dr. Rachel has conducted 300+ workshops on communication, anxiety, depression, and healthy relationships, and has been featured in the Times of India and Deccan Herald. She is the founder of Wellness Within. Connect with Dr. Rachel  Wellness Within [https://wellnesswithincares.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-jayaseelan-b33ba022/] Credits * Ankit Narasimhan, host and episode planner. * Ravi Kumar [https://rkeditz.com/], sound designer and editor. Liked this podcast? Write in to us and tell us your thoughts or if you want to be our next guest - podcast@myndstories.com  Find us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/wearemyndstories] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/myndstories/]. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show [https://rzp.io/rzp/myndstories]

How memoirs make us feel less alone

Tell us what you feel. Message us. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025698/fan_mail/new] There is something uniquely powerful about hearing someone say, “This is what happened to me. This is how it felt. And this is how I survived.” In Episode 2 of The MyndReaders Podcast, Anima and Swati talk about memoirs. The episode steps away from to-do lists and expectations and shows how memoirs hold space for vulnerability and why they resonate so deeply.  Swati brings a curated collection of books that span generational trauma, anxiety, anticipatory grief, and more. The range of these stories demonstrates that there is no single way to experience mental health challenges. Anima complements this with a memoir that shows how humour and absurdity can coexist alongside depression and anxiety without diminishing their seriousness. Together, the conversation is a map of the human interior and a reminder that healing is rarely linear and that self-compassion often begins by witnessing someone else’s vulnerability. We talk about * Why mental health memoirs matter  * Generational trauma expressed differently in graphic memoir format * How humour can coexist with lifelong anxiety * The concept of anticipatory grief where we mourn someone before they are gone.  * How birdwatching becomes a practice of presence and finding a way back to yourself * Reframing happiness as rebellion against depression * Recommendations from a selected member of the MyndReaders community Meet the hosts  Anima is CPD-Certified Neurodiversity Practitioner, TEDx speaker, and advocate. She is dedicated to promoting neuro-inclusive practices in the corporate world. Anima loves to read classics and fantasy, write about neurodiversity and parenting a child who lives with autism, and spend time with her pet dog and cat. Swati is the co-founder of MyndStories where her mission is to hear more conversations, see more action on mental health. She reads all the time, watches too many movies, and obsesses over her fitness. Connect with the hosts Swati [https://www.linkedin.com/in/swati30/] | Anima [https://in.linkedin.com/in/anima-nair-805baa85]  Resources * Remember Us to Life - Joanna Rubin Dranger * My Mess Is a Bit of a Life: Adventures in Anxiety - Georgia Pritchett * Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation - Kyo Maclear * Furiously Happy - Jenny Lawson * Remnants of a Separation - Aanchal Malhotra * Born a Crime - Trevor Noah Loved this episode? Write to us to be part of the conversation to make mental health cool - podcast@myndstories.com [social@myndstories.com] Support the show [https://rzp.io/rzp/myndstories]

Dr. Mahima Sahi: Understanding modern love

Tell us what you feel. Message us. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025698/fan_mail/new] In the first episode of The Therapy Room in 2026, Smitha sits down with Dr. Mahima Sahi, a therapist who works extensively with couples and individuals guiding them on relationships. In their conversation, they explore why love today feels harder, messier, and lonelier than ever before and what we can do about it. Dr. Mahima takes a compassionate look at the struggles of today's relationships and walks through the difference between wanting and needing a partner, why situationships have become emotional limbo, and how control disguised as concern is the biggest red flag to watch for. About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where our host Smitha Murthy talks to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal. We talk about * The most common patterns Dr. Mahima sees in therapy within relationships * What safety in a relationship actually means * Why Gen Z shuts down during conflict despite being more mentally health-aware * How to navigate dating today with consciousness rather than checklists * Why we confuse chemistry and intensity for connection * Attachment styles and how they act as an invisible GPS * The one major red flag everyone should watch for * What actually constitutes green flags * Why modern loneliness has little to do with being single or coupled and how to overcome it Dr. Mahima Sahi's bio Dr. Mahima Sahi is a clinical psychologist who has clocked over 3,000 therapy hours and has vast experience as a clinician, researcher, and educator. She is also the program director at eMbrace where she leads initiatives focused on building quality care for neurodiverse populations and advancing evidence-based therapeutic practices. She helps individuals facing a wide spectrum of challenges, from emotional regulation and trauma to social anxiety, relationship dynamics, self-work and career transitions.  Connect with Mahima Website [https://www.embracelives.com/]| LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahimasahi/]  Our partner This episode is made possible thanks to support from eMbrace [https://www.embracelives.com/about-us.php], a platform that provides evidence-based therapeutic services to those impacted by mental health and developmental disorders. Credits * Smitha Murthy, host and episode planner. * Ravi Kumar [https://rkeditz.com/], sound designer and editor. Find us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/wearemyndstories] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/myndstories/]. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show [https://rzp.io/rzp/myndstories]

Returning to calm with Anitha Aswath

Tell us what you feel. Message us. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025698/fan_mail/new] In this calming episode of Myndful Moments, host Anitha Aswath takes us through a gentle breathwork practice. The session begins with noticing the breath. Anitha then introduces a simple breathing rhythm creating a foundation of ease and steadiness. The episode progresses into a grounding pattern with inhaling and exhaling rhythms to make space to rest, allowing the breath to move like a tide. The session closes with a powerful affirmation: "I don't have to push right now. I can pause. I can return to myself." Listeners are invited to carry this sense of ease into the rest of their day. Episode highlights * Simple 3-2-4 breathing rhythm to establish calm  * Visualization technique for releasing tension * Focus on the quiet center behind the heart * Grounding breathwork pattern to calm the nervous system * Affirmations to pause and return to oneself Anitha's bio Anitha Aswath is a Leadership Coach Consultant Facilitator and DEI Consultant with 26 years of rich experience. She has trained over 4100 leaders and professionals and has more than 1100 hours of coaching hours to her credit.  Anitha’s other pursuits include blogging, photography, travelling and of course, music. “Perseverance is a virtue: an invaluable lesson music taught me,” she says. She is a voice over artist and trained singer. She is an eternal student of Indian Classical music. Connect with Anitha LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitha-aswath/] Credits * Anitha Aswath, host and episode planner. Enjoying our podcasts?  Visit www.myndstories.com [http://www.myndstories.com/] for all the guidance you need on your mental health journey. Find us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/wearemyndstories] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/myndstories/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3Baz5LzIgcT0GvQOCa1Ey0tA%3D%3D]. Support the show [https://rzp.io/rzp/myndstories]

Anchoring in stillness: A meditation with Anitha Aswath

Tell us what you feel. Message us. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025698/fan_mail/new] In this brand new podcast, Myndful Moments, host Anitha Aswath guides listeners through a grounding exercise designed to anchor the body and mind.  By visualizing roots growing from their feet or sitting bones into the earth, listeners are encouraged to feel supported and calm. The session includes deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, focusing on various body parts from the feet to the forehead.  Listeners are prompted to affirm their safety and presence in the moment with the mantra 'I am grounded here, I am safe in this moment, I am enough.'  The episode closes with an invitation to carry the sense of calm into daily life. Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction to Myndful Moments 01:17 Grounding visualization 02:06 Body relaxation 03:28 Focused breathing exercise 05:11 Affirmations and conclusion Anitha's bio Anitha Aswath is a Leadership Coach Consultant Facilitator and DEI Consultant with 26 years of rich experience. She has trained over 4100 leaders and professionals and has more than 1100 hours of coaching hours to her credit.  Anitha’s other pursuits include blogging, photography, travelling and of course, music. “Perseverance is a virtue: an invaluable lesson music taught me,” she says. She is a voice over artist and trained singer. She is an eternal student of Indian Classical music. Connect with Anitha LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitha-aswath/] Credits * Anitha Aswath, host and episode planner. Enjoying our podcasts?  Visit www.myndstories.com [http://www.myndstories.com/] for all the guidance you need on your mental health journey. Find us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/wearemyndstories] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/myndstories/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3Baz5LzIgcT0GvQOCa1Ey0tA%3D%3D]. Support the show [https://rzp.io/rzp/myndstories]