SEEK Human Spaces

Episode Notes Networking is often seen as a chore. But what if networking could be a way to build community rooted in depth and intentionality? In this episode, Betty Durverger, Deputy Director of SEEK Baruch, shows us that the most powerful network is often the one we already have. She shares how she deeply connects with the people already in her circle. Here's what's covered: A simple step you can take to make a memorable impact and truly stand out in your relationships Mastering the art of listening to understand (not just to respond) and how learning this skill allows you to relate more genuinely with others How the word "networking" can trigger fear and how to shift your perspective so relating to others become second nature How leading with vulnerability creates the space for others to show up more authentically Practical ways to find opportunities for meaningful connection

Episode Notes Living with a chronic illness, like Type 1 diabetes, can present professional challenges, but it can also forge a path to authenticity and connection. In this episode, Tanuja Ramchal chats with Brislenny Alvarez, who shares her journey with Type 1 diabetes. They explore disclosing a chronic illness in the workplace and how the fear of being perceived as "unprofessional" can conflict with survival needs. Brislenny also talks about what it means to be your strongest advocate. Here's what's covered: Brislenny's story of diagnosis and journey toward acceptance Practical strategies for deciding when and how to disclose a chronic illness at work Managing the emotional toll of misinformation and assumptions Why listening to your body and building a strong support system are non-negotiables How living with type 1 diabetes has unlocked a deeper sense of community, compassion, and openness to differences in others for Brislenny

Episode Notes Let's be honest, networking can often feel sleazy and transactional. It can leave you feeling like you have to be someone you’re not to get ahead in your career. And the importance of networking is not just in your head. It’s reported that over 85% of jobs are filled through referrals, leading to a model where opportunities aren’t always based on merit but more on access and who you know. But what if there’s a different way to network? In this podcast episode, Tanuja Ramchal reframes networking as a way of developing genuine relationships while fostering community. You’ll also learn how to navigate an inequitable system without sacrificing your integrity as you build your career. Here’s what’s covered in the episode: Moving away from a performative way of networking and start connecting in ways which are nurturing and mutually supportive Unpacking your own baggage: how your fear of rejection and hidden assumptions keep you from developing relationships that are genuine How to move beyond stuffy professional events and connect in ways and contexts that suit your style Why trying hard to impress people can backfire in networking scenarios and the importance fine tuning your listening skills Practical steps to create authentic relationships that lead to career growth and new opportunities

Episode Notes For many immigrants and marginalized communities, money is synonymous with survival and obligation -- secure a stable job, buy a home, avoid debt [other than a mortgage], and work tirelessly for 40+ years to “earn a living”. But what if money could be more than just a means to endure? What if it could be a tool for liberation? In this episode, Alan Chen and Tanuja Ramchal explore how immigrants and children of immigrants can redefine their relationship with money -- moving beyond scarcity and fear to embracing opportunity, choice, and freedom. Here's what's covered: Why navigating personal finance can feel overwhelming for marginalized groups and understanding the power of community in building wealth The reason it can be hard for children of immigrants to “follow their passion” and take risks in their career Redefining work as optional (not compulsory) and why you haven't learnt this in school The misalignment between employer and employee values that makes it difficult to be true to yourself Reframing the narrative around retirement and exploring the possibility your own course when the traditional path doesn’t work for you

Episode Notes Life is full of challenges, including global crises, political upheaval, and personal struggles. It can leave you feeling drained, anxious, and even helpless, especially when there seems to be no end in sight. Join Matthew Makak and Tanuja Ramchal as they explore how to navigate difficult times with compassion, resourcefulness, and agency so that you feel supported and don't lose yourself in the process. Here's what's covered: Embracing joy, imagination, and childlike wonder as acts of self-care How "safe spaces" can sometimes keep us feeling stuck and what can help us to move forward When "holding it together" becomes another form of suffering Why liberation requires empathy and allowing yourself to be changed by your experiences Finding community & belonging in unexpected places and fleeting moments

Episode Notes Improv isn’t just theater or comedy—it offers practical tools for handling uncertainty, building relationships, and staying adaptable in your career. In this episode, Christine Browne-Munz and Tanuja Ramchal explore improv principles which have helped them to take risks and embrace possibilities outside of the status quo. Whether you’re interviewing, delivering presentations, or working with others on projects, the skills discussed in this episode can help you form deeper connections, respond to unexpected situations with presence, and bring a sense of play, creativity, and innovation to your work Here's what's covered: How improv helped Christine deal with performance anxiety and embrace the unknown How the principle of "Yes, AND" fosters collaboration—even when you don’t agree with others Why inclusive workplaces feel like an improv stage: psychological safety, trust, and room to take risks The reason Christine celebrates getting turned down for jobs instead of fearing rejection Why authenticity isn’t a one-time choice but a daily practice that requires awareness

Episode Notes Menstruation is often viewed as an inconvenience and seen as a taboo topic when it comes to career, even though it's a reality for all women. In this episode, Michelle Wolter and Tanuja Ramchal, explore the power of menstrual cycle awareness (MCA) and why women tracking and honoring their cycle is a radical act of self-care and a form of activism. Here's what's covered: Going Beyond the Bleed: why menstrual cycle awareness is about more than just having a period and understanding the four phases of a woman's monthly cycle Reframing PMS: embracing the “falling apart” and "emotional" phase of the cycle and what it looks like to meet the needs of your body during this time Listening to Your Body: learning to trust internal cues over external pressures and how to deal with your inner critic Confidence vs. Conformity – how forcing yourself to operate outside your natural cycle and fitting into patriarchal norms is often mistaken for confidence Standing in Your Truth – what it takes to go against the grain, align with your body’s wisdom in your career, and live cyclically

Episode Notes Effective boundaries are the foundation of honest relationships—whether in your personal life or career. They define what’s acceptable and what’s not. Yet, establishing boundaries can feel daunting, especially when you fear conflict or adverse consequences. In this episode, Trenia Parham and Tanuja Ramchal explore boundaries from both an individual and collective perspective to help you get your needs met while using your privilege to support others. Here's what's covered: The difference between bringing your full self and bringing your true self to your career What it looks like to have an internal anchor that helps you to speak up for yourself even when it's uncomfortable and fear is present How to be an ally for those whose voices are not centered and why Black women need more support in the workplace Why a workplace that doesn't have room for conflict stifles diversity and growth and how to recognize systemic issues which make it difficult to set boundaries The need for self-reflection, inner work, and the ability to regulate yourself in order to not view other people's boundaries as an affront

Episode Notes While a résumé includes your educational background and job history, it usually offers a standardized & superficial overview of your qualifications. That makes it difficult to showcase who you are and truly stand out for jobs you want. In this episode with Tanuja Ramchal, she explores the limitations of a résumé and what you can do to offset them. Here's what's covered: The primary purpose of a résumé (hint: it’s not about spotlighting yourself) The reason having multiple versions of your résumé work in your favor Why relying solely on a résumé to get a job can limit your opportunities How résumés often reinforce assimilation while penalizing diversity Why a résumé isn’t actually about selling yourself—and what you should focus on instead

Episode Notes Social media is an integral part of our lives -- from personal relationships to career. In this episode, Brislenny Alvarez and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their experience using social media to explore its impact of on our well-being and how social media can be used create meaningful connections and opportunities. Here's what's covered in the episode: The addictive nature of social media and why it can feel hard to stop scrolling even when you know its unproductive Why what you see on LinkedIn is only the tip of the iceberg/the importance of context How comparing ourselves to others can hurt us and how it can serve us Brislenny shares an example of she's been able to use social media to find community & support Ideas to use social media more intentionally without compromising your well-being or causing harm

Episode Notes In a culture where there's so much riding on your career, it can feel like there's no room for error. As a result, fear tends to take over and affects our choices and actions. In this episode, Tanuja Ramchal explores 5 ideas to help you be more intentional, embrace your humanness, and ease the pressure that comes with figuring out your career. Here's what's covered: Your career does not have to follow a linear trajectory where you stick to a single path It's okay to not know what to do in your career and how to approach the unknown Moving away from what you don't want doesn't get you what you do want You're not in competition with others and how that creates more space for diversity Your career does not define who you are and the freedom that comes with that

Episode Notes Our value and worth are often tied to work and achievements. In this episode, Christine Browne-Munz and Tanuja Ramchal, explore how linking your worth to your work can keep you from being remarkable and what you can do to own your value and shine in your career. Here's what's covered in the episode: The way in which the work model can lead to a scarcity mindset that erodes your sense of worth Christine shares how dealing with challenges helped her to see options in her career and trust her ability to get her needs met in spite of circumstance Why a resume is designed to weed candidates out and serve the goals of employers more than it is a tool to showcase your skills and qualifications and what you can do to communicate your skills/qualifications that are not easily conveyed on a resume The importance of always being a beginner at something and embracing the wobble How owning your value takes the focus off of having to prove yourself and creates room for more authentic interactions in your career

Episode Notes In 2023, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory declaring loneliness to be an epidemic, posing a serious threat to our physical and mental health. Loneliness has also been peaking among college students. In addition, the job search and career process can feel very isolating. In this episode, Matthew Makak and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their lived and professional experiences to explore cultural factors contributing to feeling lonely and what we can do to get the support we need. Here's what's covered in the episode: Matthew shares how his sexuality, ethnicity, and religion all contributed to feelings of loneliness and how that has morphed over the years The cognitive dissonance that exists between being told to "be yourself" and being rewarded for fitting in Why the goal of being in community is not necessarily to feel less lonely or to feel better and how acknowledging our struggles can bring us closer together Three steps you can take to feel seen, heard, and supported as a student or professional

Episode Notes In exclusionary spaces, we fit in and betray ourselves to feel a sense of belonging. In inclusionary spaces, we're safe to be ourselves and feel a sense of belonging by being who we are. In this episode, Eileen Makak and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their experiences in higher education to explore what it means to cultivate a sense of belonging, build authentic relationships, and take responsibility for how we show up in creating spaces where humans feel accepted and are valued for who they are. Here's what's covered: How shame & guilt of not meeting societal/academic markers can lead to feeling like an outsider Why you don't need to prove yourself to be deserving of a sense of belonging & how this shows up in the college setting and workplace How to relate beyond commonalities and what it requires to meet people where they are in spite of differences The limitations and struggles of operating in larger institutions and relating within the confines of policies and rules that feel exclusionary

Episode Notes In this episode, leadership coach & consultant Trenia Parham joins Tanuja Ramchal to talk about how to identify and deal with burnout. Trenia shares her experience with burnout and what it takes to recover. Topics covered: What it means to experience burnout and the symptoms & contributing factors to be aware of How burnout leads to an incremental chipping away at your personhood, which is accepted as normal and makes it hard to identify Burnout is a "below the neck" experience and the importance of connecting to your body rather than listening to a clouded mind and following societal/career norms that make you feel stuck Why it's hard to come up with solutions when you're burnt out and what you need to do to make more aligned decisions Questions to reflect on to avoid losing yourself in the pursuit of success

Episode Notes Creative expression is innate to you as a human being, yet it can feel unsafe to express yourself. In this episode, Drew Georges and Tanuja Ramchal explore the importance of creative expression in having a fulfilling life & career and the challenges that can arise from expressing yourself creatively. Topics covered: Drew and Tanuja share their struggles with expressing themselves and strategies they use to confront their fears and societal programming, including professionalism and gender norms The power of spontaneity and why that requires unshackling from internalized perfectionism The way in which creative expression can be used to channel and process painful experiences Why the desire to monetize your creativity can add another layer of resistance and how to shift that How to create safety within yourself and get the support you need to take creative risks in your career

Episode Notes In this episode, relationship coach (and previously a teacher, lawyer, personal trainer, health coach, and life coach) Angela Han joins Tanuja Ramchal to share her journey as a multi-potentialite & serial career changer. We explore what it takes to express yourself in your career, relationships, and life and why confidence is overrated. Angela shares why she believes confidence is a construct and not a requirement to express ourselves How the desire to express ourselves in a way that's true to who we are can be a result of pain and why silence can be a form of expression Why "fake it 'til you make it" is rooted in feminism based on patriarchal norms What it means to build capacity in order to act based on your desires, process the overwhelm of information that comes with taking risks, and hold the consequences of your actions An exploration of power and leadership in effecting change while regarding others' humanity Questions to ask yourself in order to set aside your fears and show up in a sustainable manner in your career

Episode Notes Change, whether voluntary or involuntary, can trigger our deepest fears. In this episode, Matthew Makak and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their personal and professional experiences of transition and change to explore how to navigate intentionally while unshackling from norms which limit our expression as humans. How the Western perspective conditions us to view change as an exception, leading us to cling to the status quo for safety Seeing yourself as a fixed identity limits your diversity as human and can result in career stagnation + what you can do to allow for greater fluidity Why the fear of change never really goes away and how to shift your relationship with that fear so it doesn't stop you The way in which a hyper-individualistic approach makes it difficult to take risks in your career Why there's nothing wrong with "being all over the place" in your career and the importance of normalizing experimentation and failure What you can do to tap into your resourcefulness and share the burden of change with others

Episode Notes This is the second part of the conversation with Christine Browne-Munz and Tanuja Ramchal. In this episode, they explore the challenges that come with charting your own career path and how to deal with them. Here's what's covered: Christine shares the reason she chose to walk away from the "safe" and popular path even though that felt scary Understanding employer-employee power dynamics at play in order to take a stand for your needs/values and have empowering (and sometimes difficult) career conversations The importance of exposing yourself to multiple work environments as a student Why systems and institutions require you to operate in fear mode in order to maintain the status quo and what you can do to break the cycle Choosing a career that aligns with your needs and values is not necessarily an easy path and why we need to normalize discomfort and loneliness as part of that process Find out more at https://seek-human-spaces.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Charting your own career path within existing structures and systems requires courage and self-awareness. In this episode, Christine Browne-Munz joins Tanuja Ramchal to share how she created a non-linear career by drawing on various interests, a liberal arts background, and a degree in business to work in multiple fields, including hospitality, the arts, and accounting. Here's what's covered: How financial instability growing up influenced Christine to be brave and take risks in her career The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and facing your fears in order to make choices aligned with your values How unconscious classism & structural hierarchy based on job functions can cause you to feel trapped Why being okay with not knowing what to do creates space for possibilities outside of the status quo and more freedom The limitations of a resume in showcasing who you are and how to avoid diminishing valuable skills