Chetana Deorah explores what it means to step off the career treadmill , rediscover creativity beyond metrics , and build a life rooted in connection, community, and courage —sharing why the most meaningful design often begins within .
 
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Episode Chapters:
 
00:00 – Growing Up in a Sheltered Business Family

00:30 – Welcome and Introduction

02:11 – Meet Chetana Deorah

03:24 – Opening with a Poem by Sri Aurobindo

04:30 – Leaving Silicon Valley and Returning to India

07:30 – Life and Purpose in Auroville

12:00 – Yoga as Union, Not Just Asana

13:34 – Leaving India to Resist Cultural Norms

17:38 – The Marriage Path She Refused

20:16 – Her Father’s Rebellious Influence and Strength

25:00 – Seeing India Change While Living Abroad

29:00 – Asking: “Is There Another Ladder to Climb?”

33:01 – From Busyness to Learning How to Do Nothing

42:54 – Creativity and Community Projects in Auroville

50:00 – Rethinking Money, Growth, and Human Unity

57:30 – Lessons From Silicon Valley on Bravery and Growth
 
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Who is Chetana Deorah?
 
Chetana Deorah is a seasoned design leader, educator, and community builder whose career bridges tech, creativity, and social impact .
 
She has:
Led product design at Netflix, Scribd, Yahoo, Pivotal Labs, and Pentagram  
Shaped global digital experiences for hundreds of millions of users  
Founded community projects in India focused on art, sustainability, and human connection  
Chosen a new path outside Silicon Valley to explore soulful, human-centered design
 
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Find Chetana Deorah here:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetanadeorah/
 

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Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:

Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/  

The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/