The Conscious Choice Podcast

In this minisode, of The Conscious Choice Podcast (formerly The Conscious Woman Podcast), host Bhavna Toor—leadership coach, founder of Shenomics, and author—introduces her debut book The Conscious Choice: Ideas for Living and Leading Mindfully.She shares the first of 100 mindful ideas from the book: the Conscious Pause—a simple practice to shift from autopilot to intentional action. Drawing on wisdom from Victor Frankl and neuroscience, she explains how creating space before reacting can improve clarity, emotional regulation, and decision-making.Listen in to discover how one small pause can transform your day—and your life.You can: Connect with Bhavna at http://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Pre-order her book on Amazon https://amzn.in/d/dnqNpvA Know about the leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

How do women build conscious visibility in their careers without falling into the authenticity trap? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sally Helgesen, a leading expert on women's leadership and the author of "Rising Together" and "How Women Rise." Sally reveals why expertise, connections, and visibility are the trifecta for career success and offers practical advice on how women can strategically enhance their visibility. Despite common discomforts with self-promotion, Sally emphasizes that prioritizing recognition for your work is crucial for career advancement.Throughout this episode, Bhavna and Sally deep dive into the challenges women face in gaining recognition and explore the "language of contribution" as a powerful tool to highlight achievements. You get actionable strategies to balance individual accomplishments with team efforts, positioning yourself as a strategic leader without compromising a collective mindset. We delve into the importance of mission and purpose in building a visible brand, and discuss how both women and organizations can foster a more inclusive culture. Tune in to gain valuable insights on overcoming the confidence-competence conundrum and leading with both mindfulness and compassion.About the Guest: Sally Helgesen, cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership, is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which honors those whose ideas have shaped the field of leadership worldwide. She is ranked Number One in leadership by Global Gurus, and has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute for Management Studies.Sally’s latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace, offers practical ways to build more effective relationships with people we may perceive as different from ourselves.Rising Together builds on Sally’s remarkable success with How Women Rise, co-authored with legendary executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, which examines the behaviors most likely to get in the way of successful women as they move forward in their careers. Rights have been sold in 24 languages.Other books include The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership, hailed as the classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The Female Vision, Women’s Real Power at Work, which explores how women’s strategic insights can strengthen their careers. The Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, cited in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time, is credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business.For 35 years, Sally has delivered seminars, keynotes and master classes for companies, partnership firms and associations around the world, working in 37 countries. She is a contributing editor for Strategy + Business magazine and a member of the 100 Coaches Network and the New York and International Women’s Forums. She lives in Chatham, NY.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhelgesen/ Website: https://sallyhelgesen.com/ Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

What if you could future-proof your career with just a few small, consistent actions? Join your host, Bhavna Toor, as she chats with Dorie Clark, a leading expert in personal branding and long-term thinking. In this episode of the Conscious Woman podcast, Dorie reveals why intentional personal branding is not just a luxury but a necessity for every entrepreneur and corporate professional. We explore how taking proactive steps today can create a buffer against uncertainties like job loss and pave the way for sustained business success. Dorie talks about the significance of networking, how introverts can ace it, and the long-game of content creation for personal branding. We take a deep dive into strategic brand-building within organizations and the unique challenges women face. We also discuss the heightened scrutiny women often encounter and how to turn this awareness into an advantage. With core values like friendliness and the authority to define oneself, we emphasize the power of owning your narrative and presenting your identity on your terms. Tune in for actionable tips and inspiration to build your brand and visibility effectively and consciously.About the guest: Dorie Clark has been named three times as one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and was recognized as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards. Clark, a consultant and keynote speaker, teaches executive education at Columbia Business School, and she is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Clark has been described by the New York Times as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” A frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, she consults and speaks for clients including Google, Microsoft, and the World Bank. You can download her free Long Game strategic thinking self-assessment at dorieclark.com/thelonggame.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec/Website: https://dorieclark.com/Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com 

What if the key to closing the gender pay gap lies in mastering negotiation skills? Join us as we welcome Dr. Ruchi Sinha, an esteemed organizational psychologist, to demystify negotiation for women. Dr. Sinha redefines negotiation as any discussion aimed at mutual goals, making the concept accessible and essential for everyone. We explore the significant role these skills play in avoiding buyer's remorse, securing better career opportunities, and building confidence in both personal and professional realms.Facing gender bias in negotiation is a reality for many women, but it doesn't have to be a barrier to success. Dr. Sinha sheds light on the social penalties women encounter for displaying assertiveness and ambition, such as likability deficits that can stall career progression. This conversation goes beyond the outdated advice of simply "leaning in" and highlights the systemic barriers that still exist, offering a more nuanced understanding of the challenges contributing to the gender pay gap. So listen in…About the Guest:Dr. Ruchi Sinha is an organizational psychologist and Associate Professor (Practice) in the Leadership, Management, and Organization (LMO) Department at Nanyang Business School. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University (USA), Dr. Sinha brings a unique blend of rigorous scientific methodologies and practical insights to both academic and professional arenas.Dr. Sinha's expertise spans a wide range of critical areas in organizational behavior and leadership. Her core research focus includes team dynamics, wellbeing, climate/culture, workplace conflict resolution, leadership effectiveness, and negotiation skills. She has developed particular proficiency in teaching negotiation skills and trust-building strategies, especially in remote and cross-cultural contexts, and leadership development programs tailored for emerging leaders and women in leadership roles. As a thought leader, Dr. Sinha has gained international recognition through her TED talk on negotiation skills, which has garnered over 3.8 million views. She regularly contributes to public discourse through media appearances, conference presentations, and publications in outlets such as Harvard Business Review. Dr. Sinha is also recognized for her expertise in diversity and inclusion, career development strategies, and workplace well-being. Her work in conflict management and decision-making processes has been applied across various organizational settings, from startups to large corporations.With her multifaceted expertise and ability to bridge theory and practice, Dr. Sinha continues to make significant contributions to both scholarly advancement and executive decision-making in the rapidly evolving field of organizational management.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-sinha-6496489/Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com 

Join your host Bhavna Toor as she uncovers with her guest Swetha Totapally the deep rooted gender biases women face right from their childhood thus emphasizing the need to address gender inequality as we intend to create a fair society. We also understand the intertwining of gender equity with broader societal issues like economic growth and market inclusion.Explore the complex relationship between government financing, military policies, and gender-based violence, and learn how policy decisions impact the safety and rights of women and girls. This discussion emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive legislation, robust support services, and the pivotal role of civil society in shaping norms and supporting victims. Listen in to reflect on family values and actionable steps that can help promote gender equity in your own home and community. About the guest: Swetha Totapally is the Partner and Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, Dalberg Advisors. Over her 13-year career at Dalberg, Swetha has led the firm’s global gender practice and developed a portfolio focused on addressing issues such as violence against women and girls, sexual exploitation, and unpaid care work. Her work illuminates the social, economic, and political dimensions of these issues, driving decision-makers to recognize the need for transformative change within institutions and systems.Swetha has led multiple large-scale research-to-action efforts which are designed to bring the experiences and perspectives of people to decision-makers. This includes the world’s largest and most comprehensive effort to understand users’ experience with Aadhaar—India’s national ID system; a series of studies during the Covid pandemic that captured how women were impacted, how well government entitlements were reaching people, and the effects of the pandemic on early childhood development. Her work on The State of Digitization in Kenya, and the Next Half Billion in India, explore how people are engaging digitally today with an eye to how they can better participate in digital economies. Clients include the United Nations, Omidyar Network, the Freedom Fund, and the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. An advocate for building professional diversity within consulting, Swetha has shaped initiatives like the Dalberg Asia-Pacific Residency Program. She has helmed the region’s recruitment efforts and upheld Dalberg’s commitment to gender diversity within teams including senior management.  Prior to Dalberg, Swetha worked at JP Morgan Chase, where she served as an advisor to financial institutions. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Economics and Mathematics. She speaks English, Hindi, and Telugu. Swetha lives in Mumbai with her husband and three young children.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swetha-totapally-94784738/Website: https://dalberg.com/who-we-are/our-leadership/swetha-totapally/Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com 

Join us as Mette Johansson unpacks some of the most pervasive myths that perpetuate gender inequality in the workplace. Mette brings her insightful expertise from her latest book, Narratives, on existing stereotype like women are too emotional for leadership roles.Listen in as we scrutinize the 'queen bee syndrome', the complex landscape of women's ambition, especially after they become mothers, and the misguided belief that women inherently fail to support each other in professional environments. The conversation also addresses the societal narratives that limit women's progress, emphasizing the collective effort needed to rewrite these stories. Tune in to be inspired by the arguments and skills that can empower women and their allies to forge paths toward a more equitable workplace.About the guest: Mette Johansson (MBA, PCC, CSP) is a highly awarded, sought-after consultant, speaker, author, social entrepreneur, trainer and coach.She worked in leadership roles across Asia and Europe for multinational corporations for 15 years before she founded MetaMind Pte Ltd, a training consultancy, which creates great people leaders by focusing on the “people side of leadership skills”. In addition, she is the Founder and Chair of the not-for-profit KeyNote Women Speakers. She speaks on Authentic, Inclusive and Inspirational Leadership to large corporations, including Pfizer, Citibank, Microsoft, UPS and Airbnb. Her latest book, “Narratives – the stories that hold women back at work” has been published in 2024 with Penguin Random House. She is regularly featured in media in Singapore, from Harper's Bazaar to Straits Times. Mette has lived in 12 countries and today divides her time between Singapore, the Middle East and Europe. Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com 

Join us for a candid conversation with Veda Persad, a highly respected executive at Northern Trust in India, as we explore the multifaceted nature of ambition and its impact on career growth. Listen in as Veda shares her personal narrative, detailing an organic journey to leadership that was fueled by a readiness to learn and an eagerness to embrace new opportunities. Her insights on aligning skills with passion and setting realistic expectations for job satisfaction offer invaluable guidance for those looking to climb the corporate ladder with purpose and integrity.About the guest: Veda Persad is the Country Executive Northern Trust, India. In this role, Veda is responsible for resiliency, statutory compliance, and the talent strategy to enable business priorities of the organization. Veda brings operational expertise and extensive global experience to the role.Since joining Northern Trust in 2004, Veda has held progressive roles within the company including Relationship Manager, Canada Chief Risk Officer, Global Head of Control - Income and International Tax, Division Head for India Entitlements and, most recently, Global Services APAC Operations Practice Executive.In her previous role, Veda was responsible for the execution of client Operational delivery. Her teams included Cash and Payment Operations, Banking & Loans, Asset Coding, Entitlements, Trade & Settlement, Asset Pricing and Capital Markets Operations.Veda has been recognized among the Top 100 Executive Allies by LGBT Great and is a passionate advocate for DEI.Prior to joining Northern Trust, she was Vice President, Client Services and Operations, Clarington Funds Inc. Veda began her career at State Street and IFDS Ltd. and has built extensive experience in all aspects of custodial, fund accounting and transfer agency operations.Veda holds a B.A. Economics degree from the University of Toronto and is a Six Sigma Black Belt certified professional.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veda-persad-3676a510/Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

Nilima Bhat is a visionary, speaker, facilitator and coach in the fields of Personal Mastery, Leadership, Gender Equality and Wellbeing.She is the author of two books, Shakti Leadership – Embracing Feminine and Masculine Power in Business, which is what we would be diving into today, and My Cancer Is Me – The Journey from Illness to Wholeness. An active supporter of Conscious Capitalism and Women’s International Networking (WIN), Nilima serves on the advisory board of several companies.She is an expert in Indian wisdom and wellness traditions, a certified Sivananda teacher and a practitioner of the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.Nilima is on a mission to create 100,000 women changemakers by 2030. I think there is alot we can all learn from her, so let’s dive in.    To learn more Nilima Bhat, go here: https://shaktileadership.com/book/authors/nilima-bhat/ To learn more about the host, Bhavna Toor, go here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ To sign up for weekly updates, go here: Shenomics.com

On today’s episode we take a look at Conscious Fashion – how each of us can make better choices to live and dress sustainably.   Joining us for this conversation is the lovely Kriti Tula.  A trained apparel designer and design manager from leading institutes like Pearl Academy and the London College of Fashion, Kriti has worked in the global apparel industry for more than 10 years.   She is the creative brain behind the much loved brand Doodlage. And, with Doodlage her aim is to create India’s first global sustainable and affordable fashion brand; focusing on reselling, repair and upcycling while including ethically made recycled fabrics.   Learn more about Doodlage here: https://doodlage.in/ Connect with the Host, Bhavna Toor, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Sign up for weekly updates and insights from Shenomics here: Shenomics.com

I am so happy I get to bring you all a conversation with a dear Mentor of mine, who has influenced my ideas on success and happiness more than any other thinker in the personal development space – and that is Dr. SrikumarRao. His ideas are deep and unconventional, but once you absorb the full power of his words, they are sure to transform the way you think and behave.   Dr. Rao holds a Ph.D. from Columbia Business School, and his courses have been among the most popular and highest-rated at many of the world’s top business schools. His work has been covered extensively by major media worldwide. He is the creator of the powerful best-selling course: Creativity and Personal Mastery. He is also an author of multiple best-selling books, including his most recent book that we dive into on this episode –Modern Wisdom. Ancient Roots – in which he distills the wisdom of ancient masters into strategies that you and I can apply to succeed in work and in life.   Learn more about Srikumar Rao here: https://theraoinstitute.com/ Learn more about the Host, Bhavna Toor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/

On this episode, I am so delighted to be speaking to Neelam Jain about how we can improve the livelihoods of the one crore trans-persons living in India today. Post a two-year stint in Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst, Neelam founded PeriFerry in 2017 with a mission to build a self-sustainable model that creates meaningful & inclusiveemployment opportunities for trans persons. PeriFerry is a purpose driven organisation that is deeply connected with the trans community. They not only help companies recruit trans persons but also helps them create a culture of inclusion, acceptance and empathy for the LGBTQI+ community. A Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, Neelam is also a Linkedin Top Voice on inclusion. Learn more about Neelam and her work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-jain/ Learn more about the host, Bhavna Toor, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ To sign up for weekly updates, go here: Shenomics.com

Dr. Ruha Shadab wears many hats - she is a medical doctor, a social entrepreneur; and a managementconsultant. She is also the Founder of LedBy Foundation, a unique leadership incubator that works on improving equity in the workplace, specifically for Indian Muslim women. A graduate of Harvard University, where she received her Masters in Public Policy, Ruha has also worked at the Government of India’s policy think-tank: NITI Aayog, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. She is also a Linkedin Top Voice for Diversity & Inclusion. In this conversation Ruha shares brilliant insights on how all of us can create a more equitable work place for the 100 million muslim women in India and beyond. Read more about Ruha here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drruhashadab/ Learn about the host, Bhavna Toor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ To sign-up for our weekly newsletter, and tips on conscious living and leading, sign up here: Shenomics.com

Thank you everyone for joining us for this episode on Conscious Finance with Aditi Sholapurkar. Aditi is a Co-Founder at SALT, a platform whose mission is to bridge the gender gap in Finance, and enable more women to make better financial decisions. Before starting SALT, Aditi had a long and celebrated career with leading companies in Finance, including Goldman BAML, Citi Group, PayTM, and NiuM where she led corporate development. Given Aditi’s unique exposure to payments, investment products as well as credit, she is now passionate about supporting and improving the financial lives of the most discerning customers – women.   So, Let’s talk about how we as women, can get more conscious about our relationship with money.    Connect with Aditi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditisholapurkar/ Website: https://www.salt.one/ Learn more about your host here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ And sign-up for more updates on this Podcast and more here: Shenomics.com

Thank you for joining us for this episode with Dr. Rohini Anand. Dr. Anand is widely recognized as a leading thought leader and expert in the global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or DEI) space. She was previously the Global Chief Diversity Officer for Sodexo. In fact, Rohini is credited with transforming Sodexo from an organization with a legacy of a race-discrimination class-action litigation against it into one with an iconic and award-winning DEI leadership brand – in fact, it was even featured in a Harvard Business Review case study. Dr. Anand is a highly sought-after DEI advisor, Board Member, published author and speaker. Her work has been featured in CNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and she has appeared on CNN, Bloomberg and the National Public Radio in the US. In her latest book, ‘Leading Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’, Dr. Anand offers five proven principles for multinational companies to advance DEI across countries and cultures. To learn more about Rohini, and for great resources on driving DEI change and progress, please visit www.rohinianand.com. Learn about, and connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Sign for our weekly newsletter with valuable content, important updates, here: Shenomics.com

On today’s episode we have the incredible Sameer Chadha talking about Compassionate and inclusive leadership. Sameer is a two-time CEO. Currently, he is the CEO of KPMG Global Services (KGS), that employs over 12,000 professionals, across 4 locations in India. Prior to that, he spent eight years with Barclays Shared Services, initially as the COO and then CEO for close to six years. Sameer is passionate about creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, and under his leadership, KGS has consistently ranked among the top companies to work for, for women. In this episode, Sameer talks about how leaders can consciously, and with compassion, create an inclusive workplace, especially so for women. As always, Sameer speaks from the heart, and shares practical insights and tips that anyone interested in diversity can benefit from. A must listen for anyone passionate about inclusion in the workplace! Sameer Chadha’s Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameer-chadha-a072952/ If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network of colleagues and close friends! We would be grateful for your support. Please share your feedback / comments with me on contact@shenomics.com Your host for this show: Bhavna Toor https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ And, here is who we are and what we do: www.shenomics.com

Tanuj Bhojwani is a storyteller who codes. He is the co-author of 'The Art of Bitfulness: Keeping Calm in the Digital World' with Nandan Nilekani. Tanuj holds a chemical engineering degree from IIT Bombay. He also attended Ashoka University and studied liberal arts at the Young India Fellowship. His training in the sciences and humanities allows him to craft narratives about technology that are accessible without sacrificing technical depth. As a Fellow at iSPIRT Foundation, Tanuj works on policy issues related to digital identity, payments, data protection and drones. Prior to iSPIRT, Tanuj has been a VC and an entrepreneur. When not reading or writing, Tanuj spends his time obsessing over board games, digital productivity systems and magic. He lives and works in Bengaluru. In this insightful conversation, Tanuj speaks about how all of us can be more mindful in our use of technology.

Shalini Prakash describes herself as an investor, writer and a spark igniter, in particular a spark that will help you build the life you love. She is also the founder of Purple Matter, which is a platform that helps you shape your growth matter - from investing to nurturing. The reason why I am especially excited to speak to her is because she has written a book called ‘Clueless at 30’- now an Amazon Bestseller, about being clueless about one’s purpose in life, which I know is something so many of us struggle with. I think Shalini has some words of wisdom for all of us on how we can find greater clarity towards our purpose, so let’s dive in.

Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist,executive coach, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author of two great books - Bankable Leadership and Insight, which Adam Grant calls one of the 3 books he recommends most often. She uses science to help successful leaders—from early-stage entrepreneurs to public company CEOs—achieve dramatic and measurable personal and organizational change. Her TEDx talks have been viewed more than seven million times. In this conversation, she talks about the power of Self-Awareness – what it is, why it matters, and how it can help all of us live and lead lives and careers with greater joy, meaning and success.

In this episode, we will explore how we can live more consciously – specifically can we organize our homes and our stuff in a way that not only looks good, but also makes us feel good, and turns our homes into a place just brimming with positive energy. We have just the most amazing guest to discuss this with - GayatriGandhi - who is India’s First KonMari Certified Consultant and founder of The Joy Factory – a clutter management company. Gayatri has trained directly with Marie Kondo, who is a world renowned tidying expert and star of the Netflix hit show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Gayatri has talked about her passion for Decluttering and Organizing on severalplatforms, including TEDx, and in this episode she talks about how all of us can benefit from conscious decluttering.

In this episode, we will explore how we can consume fashion more consciously - can we look good while also being kind to those involved in the process of making fashion, and the planet? We have just the most lovely guest to chat about conscious fashion with – and that is Shivangini Padhiyar. Shivangini is the co-founder and creative director of The Summer House, a lifestyle brand that marries sustainability and style. The brand works with organic and hand crafted fabrics to create timeless pieces in their beautiful sun-lit studio and ships to over 40 countries across the globe. Shivangini and her business partner Rekha have built the company on the philosophy that you are what you choose. They have chosen to be kind to the planet and those in the production chain of fashion, and are at the forefront of promoting mindful consumption of fashion. Let’s dive in.