Tech Beyond Gender Talks

Episode 67 - From Craft to Joy: The Truth About Great Mentorship with Sid Kumar

What does it really mean to be a mentor? In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Sid Kumar to explore the art, craft, and joy of mentoring beyond buzzwords and frameworks.With over 25 years of experience across technology, finance, and leadership, Sid shares a refreshing and deeply human perspective on mentorship.In this conversation, we explore:- - Why mentoring is a craft before it becomes an art - The difference between mentoring, coaching, and training - How real mentoring is like a dance not a script - The importance of listening (and why it’s so hard) - How mentoring helps break self-limiting beliefs and invisible barriers - The role of mentoring in creating more inclusive workplaces - Why you should never create a “mini version of yourself” - And the powerful moments where true growth actually happens “It is in that moment… when something clicks… that’s where the joy comes.”

Episode 62 - What Actually Changes After International Women’s Day? - A Panel Discussion

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world every year — but what actually changes once the events are over?In this special Tech Beyond Gender panel conversation, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by returning podcast guests Camy Bhandari, Noor-Un-Nissa Syed, and Amanda Watson to explore the reality behind diversity conversations in the workplace.Together, they discuss the gap between awareness and action, the challenges women continue to face in leadership and technical roles, and what organisations need to do to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful change.

Episode 66 - Exec Leader, CEO and Author John Bessey on Resilience, Leadership and Success

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with John Bessey to explore what success really looks like beyond titles, beyond linear career paths, and beyond the highlight reel. In this honest and deeply reflective conversation, we explore: * The reality of starting from scratch and building a career without a clear path * The role of resilience, mindset, and inner work in shaping success * Navigating mental health challenges alongside leadership responsibilities and many more topics! This is not just a story about success, it’s a story about reinvention, self-awareness, and doing the work to become who you are meant to be.

Episode 65: The Future of Software Engineering, AI, & What Really Matters with Jeevan James

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Jeevan James, a strategic technology leader with over 20 years of experience across banking, insurance, and FinTech. Together, they explore how software engineering has evolved from small, agile teams and generalist roles to highly specialised functions and why the industry may now be coming full circle in an AI-driven world. This is not just a conversation about technology. It’s about how the role of engineers is shifting, what skills truly matter, and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. #TechBeyondGender #MeenaSatishkumar #SoftwareEngineering #AI #FutureOfWork #CareersInTech #WomenInTech #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #TechCareers #EngineeringCulture #Innovation #LearningMindset

Episode 64 - Rituals of Impact: How to Lead with Clarity Without Burning Out

In this powerful episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, Meena Satishkumar is joined by John Bessey, Katy Sweetman, and Noor Syed for a deeply insightful conversation on leadership, focus, and creating meaningful impact.At a time when professionals are stretched thin, juggling priorities and navigating invisible workloads, this conversation explores a powerful idea:Leadership is not about doing more — it’s about focusing on what truly matters.John and Katy share the thinking behind their book Rituals of Impact — introducing simple, repeatable “rituals” (or systems) that help leaders and professionals:Cut through complexityPrioritise what actually drives resultsBuild high-performing teamsLead with clarity, purpose, and energyNoor brings a deeply personal perspective on how rituals shape resilience and grounding, while Meena connects these insights to real workplace challenges — especially for women and gender-diverse professionals in tech.