A Millennial Mind

What if the heartbreak that broke you was actually the beginning of becoming who you were always meant to be? In this episode I sit down with spiritual teacher and author  ⁨@SaharaRose⁩  for a deeply personal conversation about betrayal, heartbreak, identity and what she calls the “dark night of the soul.” Sahara opens up about the night her then-husband confessed he had been unfaithful throughout their relationship and how that discovery completely dismantled the life and identity she thought she knew. We explore why heartbreak can feel like losing yourself, the “good girl” conditioning that teaches women to find validation through relationships, and why healing isn't about rushing to become happy again. Sahara shares the Triple E Method Emote, Embody and Express that she developed while navigating the darkest period of her life. We also unpack why love alone isn't always enough to sustain a relationship, choosing yourself after betrayal, celibacy after heartbreak, feminine energy, Dharma, rebuilding trust in your intuition and the powerful ritual Sahara used to hold a “funeral” for her former self. If you're going through heartbreak, betrayal, a breakup or simply a chapter where you no longer recognise yourself, this conversation is a reminder that losing the life you knew can sometimes create space for a life you couldn't yet imagine. In this episode: • Sahara's experience of discovering infidelity • What the “dark night of the soul” really means • Why women can lose their identity in relationships • The psychology of heartbreak and attachment • Why love isn't always enough • The Triple E Method for processing difficult emotions • Why Sahara chose celibacy for 2.5 years • Finding yourself instead of searching for another relationship • Sacred feminine vs masculine energy • Breaking “good girl” conditioning • The funeral of your former self • Rebuilding trust in your intuition • Practical ways to rediscover yourself after heartbreak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having a baby doesn’t just change your life it can completely change your relationship. In this episode I sit down with Shan Boodram, certified sex educator and sexologist, to have an honest conversation about what really happens to love, intimacy, identity and connection after becoming parents. Shan opens up about reaching a point eight months after having her first child where she genuinely questioned whether her marriage would survive. We unpack why the first year can put enormous pressure on couples, how resentment builds when parenting starts to feel transactional, and why both mothers and fathers can experience profound identity shifts after having children. We also talk about mum guilt, maintaining your career after motherhood, navigating judgement from other parents, sharing the mental load, keeping intimacy alive when you're exhausted, and why sometimes saving your relationship means creating an entirely new relationship with the same person. If you're pregnant, already a parent, questioning whether you want children, or simply want to understand how relationships evolve through major life transitions, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: • How motherhood and fatherhood change your identity • Matrescence and patrescence • Why the first year after having a baby can be so difficult for couples • The invisible pressures placed on mothers • Mum guilt and choosing to continue your career • How unequal parenting creates resentment • Why fathers need emotional support too • Maintaining sex and intimacy after children • Sleeping separately without losing connection • Why choosing not to have children isn't selfish • How to rebuild a relationship that's struggling • Protecting the parts of yourself you don't want motherhood to erase matrescence, patrescence, postpartum relationships, intimacy after baby, mum guilt, working mothers, parenting relationships, relationship advice, motherhood identity, maintaining intimacy, parenting resentment, modern motherhood💛 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can your birth date really reveal who you are, who you're meant to become and even when major changes could happen in your life? I'll be honest: before this conversation, I knew absolutely nothing about numerology. And I had a LOT of questions. In this episode of A Millennial Mind, I'm joined by numerologist and spiritual teacher Kaitlyn Kaerhart to understand what numerology actually is, why people believe our lives move through nine-year cycles, and whether numbers can really tell us anything about our relationships, careers, money and future. Kaitlyn even decodes my own numbers, including why she believes this year makes sense for marriage, pregnancy and family and some of what she told me genuinely surprised me. But I also wanted to challenge it. Where is the evidence? Why do some descriptions resonate while others don't? Are angel numbers actually meaningful? And is there a danger in allowing spiritual tools to make our decisions for us? In this episode, we discuss: ✨How to calculate your Life Path Number ✨ What Life Path Numbers 1–9 mean ✨ The Master Numbers 11, 22 & 33 ✨ My own numerology reading ✨ Life Path vs Life Destiny Numbers ✨ What "karmic debt" means in numerology ✨ The nine-year cycles Kaitlyn uses to interpret love, money and career ✨ Why Year 6 is associated with relationships ✨ Why Year 8 is associated with money ✨ 11:11, 777 and the truth about "angel numbers" ✨ Whether numerology can really predict the future ✨ The danger of becoming too dependent on spiritual tools ✨ How Kaitlyn uses numerology alongside intuition and manifestation Whether you're deeply spiritual, completely sceptical or simply curious, this conversation isn't about telling you what to believe. It's about asking whether the patterns we notice in our lives can teach us something about ourselves. Let me know in the comments: what's your Life Path Number and does it actually sound like you? And if you enjoy conversations that challenge the way you think about yourself and your life, make sure you're subscribed to A Millennial Mind. 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ad | Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at Taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app and use the promo code MILLENNIALMIND' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever gone through a season of life that completely changed the way you see yourself? As I come to the end of my second trimester, I've found myself reflecting on the biggest lessons pregnancy has taught me not just about becoming a mum, but about life, relationships, health and learning to trust myself. Pregnancy has been one of the most beautiful, exciting and vulnerable experiences I've ever been through. It's challenged me in ways I never expected, forced me to slow down, and made me realise what truly deserves my energy. In this episode, I share the four biggest lessons I've learnt so far, including: • Why protecting your energy is more important than listening to everyone else's opinions • How pregnancy strengthened my intuition and taught me to trust myself • Why your health is your greatest investment—long before pregnancy • The reason choosing the right life partner is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make Whether you're pregnant, trying for a baby, navigating a major life transition or simply feeling uncertain about your next chapter, I hope these lessons remind you that growth often comes through change. I'd love to know which lesson resonated with you the most? Let me know in the comments below. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe and share it with someone who might need to hear it. This is a paid ad by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/MILLENNIALMIND. That's Better H-E-L-P dot com slash MILLENNIALMIND. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever looked around at your life and thought... "I've done everything I was supposed to do... so why don't I feel fulfilled?" In this episode of A Millennial Mind, Shivani sits down with @Krista Williams, co-founder of the  ⁨@almost30podcast⁩  coach and retreat host, to explore why so many women feel lost during major life transitions. Together they unpack why burnout isn't always caused by working too hard but by living out of alignment with who you truly are. From people-pleasing and perfectionism to hyper-independence, intuition and purpose, this conversation is for anyone questioning what's next. We discuss: • Why so many women feel lost in their 30s • The hidden signs of burnout and misalignment • Why achievement doesn't always lead to fulfilment • Hyper-independence and learning to ask for help • How to trust your intuition again • Redefining success on your own terms • Why purpose isn't something you find it's something you grow into • Practical journaling exercises to reconnect with yourself ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 Why So Many Women Feel Lost Today 01:42 Meet Krista Williams 04:28 What It Really Means To Be On The Edge Of A Breakthrough 09:18 The Female Friendship That Changed Everything 13:48 Why You Feel Lost In Your Career & Relationships 18:45 Betrayal, Intuition & Rock Bottom 25:12 How To Start Trusting Your Intuition Again 30:08 Why Women Feel Lost In Their 30s 35:55 Stop Chasing Your Purpose 41:46 Why High Achievers Burn Out 47:12 The Truth About Hyper-Independence 52:48 How To Redefine Success 58:42 Finding What You're Actually Good At 1:03:05 You're Not Behind, You're Becoming 1:05:48 The Journaling Exercise That Can Change Your Life If you've been feeling disconnected from your career, your relationships or even yourself, this conversation will remind you that you're not behind you’re becoming. 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is cheating always a choice? Can a relationship ever truly recover after infidelity? And is monogamy really right for everyone? Most people think cheating is simple: someone betrays you, the relationship ends, and that's the whole story. But what if infidelity is actually a symptom of something much deeper? In this episode of A Millennial Mind, I'm joined by renowned sexologist, relationship expert and author Dr. Tara to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern relationships. We explore why people really cheat, the psychology behind jealousy, emotional and physical infidelity, whether someone can genuinely love more than one person, and what it actually takes to rebuild trust after betrayal. Whether you've experienced infidelity, are questioning your own relationship, or simply want to understand modern love on a deeper level, this conversation will challenge the way you think about intimacy, desire and commitment. In this episode we discuss: • Why almost everyone has experienced some form of infidelity • The different types of cheating beyond physical affairs • Can cheating ever be unintentional? • Why people really cheat • Emotional neglect vs personal responsibility • Is jealousy a sign of love or insecurity? • Can someone love two people at the same time? • Monogamy vs ethical non-monogamy • Can relationships survive infidelity? • How to rebuild intimacy after betrayal • Why self-esteem plays such a big role in relationships • The biggest mistake couples make after someone cheats If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Motherhood changes far more than your body it changes your identity. While everyone prepares you for the baby, very few people prepare you for what happens to YOU. In this episode, I'm joined by Michelle Ranavat, founder of Ranavat Beauty, to talk about the realities of postpartum recovery, hair loss, skin changes, confidence, and the ancient Ayurvedic rituals that helped her reconnect with herself after becoming a mother. We explore why so many women feel pressure to "bounce back," how motherhood can leave you feeling disconnected from your identity, and why looking after yourself isn't selfish it's essential. Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, planning a family, or simply curious about the science behind Ayurveda, this conversation is full of practical advice and a refreshing perspective on healing from the inside out. In this episode we discuss: • Why motherhood feels like the birth of a new identity • The emotional reality of postpartum hair loss • Why so many mothers feel isolated after having children • Ancient Ayurvedic traditions that support postpartum recovery • The science behind scalp massage, Amla and Saffron • Pregnancy-safe skincare and ingredients to avoid • Stretch marks, pigmentation and skin changes after birth • Why modern beauty focuses on fixing rather than healing • Daily rituals that help mothers reconnect with themselves • How to create healthy family boundaries after having a baby If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might need this conversation! Every self-made person started somewhere. Your journey starts for free at  shopify.co.uk ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn't belong, despite everything you've achieved? In this episode of A Millennial Mind, we unpack the psychology of imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the stories we tell ourselves that keep us feeling small. If you've ever questioned whether you're good enough, worried you'll be "found out," or felt like everyone else has it figured out, this conversation is for you. We explore why perfection is an impossible standard, how our minds create convincing narratives that aren't based on facts, and why confidence isn't something you wait for—it's something you build through action. If you've ever felt like a fraud despite working hard to get where you are, this episode will remind you that you're far from alone and that confidence comes from showing up, not from being perfect.  Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at Taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app and use the promo code MILLENNIALMIND 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we keep attracting the same relationships, repeating the same patterns, and struggling to find lasting love? In this episode of A Millennial Mind, Shivani Pau sits down with Kabbalah teacher, entrepreneur and spiritual coach David Ghiyam to unpack the deeper forces shaping modern relationships. Together they explore masculine and feminine energy, soulmates, dating, marriage, manifestation, childhood wounds, and why the relationships we attract may be reflecting parts of ourselves we haven't healed yet. David shares his perspective on how fear, control, abandonment wounds, and limiting beliefs can influence who we choose, what we tolerate, and why certain relationship cycles keep repeating. Whether you're single, dating, married, divorced, or trying to understand relationship dynamics on a deeper level, this conversation offers a thought-provoking perspective on love, personal growth, and emotional patterns. 🎙 What we cover: • Why people keep attracting the same relationship patterns • The difference between masculine and feminine energy • Why some men pull away when they feel pressured • How childhood wounds shape adult relationships • The hidden fears driving dating decisions • Why successful women can struggle with relationships • The connection between self-worth and attraction • The spiritual perspective on soulmates and marriage • How to stop repeating unhealthy relationship cycles • The role of trust, respect, and emotional safety in love 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most people think enmeshment is love. They think it’s loyalty/ being a close family or maybe it’s just caring deeply about the people around them, but what if the reason you struggle to make decisions, set boundaries, trust yourself, or put your partner first has nothing to do with love and everything to do with enmeshment? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with therapist Aliza Shapiro to unpack one of the most misunderstood relationship dynamics: enmeshment. We explore how family loyalty can sometimes become control, why so many eldest children become parentified, how cultural expectations shape our identities, and what it takes to build healthy relationships without losing the people we love. Whether you’re constantly seeking your parents’ approval, feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions, or struggle to put your own needs first, this episode will help you understand where those patterns come from and how to begin changing them. If you’ve ever felt guilty for choosing yourself, this conversation is for you. 🎙 What we cover: ・What enmeshment actually is ・Signs you’re too emotionally responsible for others ・The difference between love and control ・Why parentified children often become people pleasers ・How family dynamics affect romantic relationships ・Why your spouse should come before your parents ・How to have difficult conversations without destroying relationships ・The healthiest way to set boundaries ・How to rediscover your identity after years of living for others 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Enmeshment, Family Dynamics, Parentification, Relationships, Psychology, boundaries, Mental Health, Self Development, Therapy, AMillennialMind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why you keep repeating the same patterns in your relationships, career, or life, even when you know they're not serving you? In this weeks episode explores how our childhood experiences shape our self-worth, decision-making, and the things we're drawn to as adults. We dive into why familiar doesn't always mean healthy, and most importantly, how to start breaking the patterns that are keeping you stuck. This is a powerful conversation about healing, self-awareness, and learning to choose differently. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up today for your £1 a month trial with Shopify and start selling today for at ⁠⁠shopify.co.uk⁠⁠ 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's stopping you from taking action? Most people don't fail because they lack talent. They fail because they never take action. In this solo episode, I unpack the mindset shifts, habits, and lessons that have helped me stop overthinking and start moving. We explore why action creates confidence, how perfectionism keeps us stuck, and the simple steps you can take today to create momentum in your life. If you've been waiting for the perfect time, the perfect plan, or the perfect version of yourself, this episode is your reminder that progress begins the moment you start. The question isn't whether you're capable. This video is going to remind you why you are! 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would you do if a stranger on your morning commute told you she couldn't have children — and you offered to help? In this episode, I sit down with Gini Bhogal (@ginibhogal), a celebrity bridal hair and makeup artist and a household name in the Asian bridal scene. But behind the brushes and bridal chairs is a story she kept quiet for nearly 30 years... until now. Gini shares how a chance encounter on the London Underground led her to donate her eggs to a complete stranger, for free, against her husband's wishes, without telling her family, and with no idea how it would all unfold. 26 years later, the child she helped bring into the world reached out and found her. If you've ever felt pulled to do something that made no logical sense but felt completely right, this one is for you. 🎙 What we cover: - How Gini met Anita on the London Underground and made a split-second decision to donate her eggs - What the egg donation and IVF process actually involved - How she convinced her husband and navigated family and cultural pressure - The emotional process of detaching — and why she never wavered - The moment Christopher was born and Gini went to meet him - How and why they told Christopher the truth at age 26 — and how he guessed it was her - Taking him to Santorini to meet the family - Her parents' reaction — and why it completely surprised her - Breaking generational cycles in South Asian families - Faith, destiny and the belief that everything is written ⏱ Timestamps: - 0:00 – Intro - 2:51 – Gini's story begins: the stranger on the tube - 6:37 – How old Gini was and why she said yes - 8:46 – Telling her husband and convincing him - 11:55 – Shivani on organ donation and selflessness - 18:04 – Navigating conservative family and cultural pressure - 22:38 – Advice for following your gut when everyone disagrees - 39:37 – How IVF and egg donation actually works - 44:26 – Going through the process alone while working and raising a child - 49:14 – The extraction, the embryos, and the one egg that worked - 51:55 – Finding out Anita was pregnant - 1:00:40 – Christopher asking "are you my mum?" as a child - 1:05:14 – Deciding whether to ever tell him - 1:09:49 – How and when they told Christopher — and how he guessed - 1:14:15 – Christopher reaching out and coming to London - 1:15:32 – Taking him to Santorini - 1:17:01 – Telling Gini's parents and their reaction - 1:22:54 – Did Gini judge her parents unfairly? - 1:26:40 – What Gini gained from the whole experience - 1:27:06 – Do you believe in destiny? - 1:30:12 – Would Gini encourage her own children to donate? - 1:40:28 – Advice for doing something outside the norm 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 egg donation, fertility, ivf, selflessness, gut instinct, faith, destiny, south asian culture, punjabi culture, generational cycles, a millennial mind, shivani pau, gini bhogal, bridal makeup artist, infertility, acts of kindness, following your gut, cultural pressure, family expectations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt like you're burning out from a job you actually love? Dr Monika Sharma (@lifewithdoctormon) is an NHS GP, certified personal trainer and content creator who has spent years trying to balance life in and out of clinic. After nearly 15 years in medicine, Monika found herself running on empty — editing videos on her lunch break, answering emails on the commute home and slowly losing her joy for the job she'd worked so hard to get. In this episode we talk about what it really feels like to be a number in the system, the guilt of finally choosing yourself, why so many of us tie our worth to how much we suffer at work — and what actually changes when you stop. If you've ever felt like a fraud for enjoying your work day, or wondered whether you're allowed to want more than your job title gives you — this one is for you. 🎙 What we cover: • The reality of being an NHS GP vs the glamour people assume • Why Monika wanted to quit medicine multiple times • Reducing her hours and the guilt that came with it • Tying your identity and self-worth to your job title • Why we equate hard work with suffering • The pressure of doing both medicine and content creation • Choosing yourself without feeling selfish • Immigrant parent work ethic and redefining what productivity looks like • How to have the difficult conversations that change your life • Interracial marriage and challenging cultural expectations • Why the people closest to you matter more than strangers online 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram:   / amillennialmind   Shivani Pau Instagram:   / shivani.pau   Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shiva... Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshop... Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 --- burnout, career burnout, job identity, work life balance, NHS doctor, choosing yourself, burnout recovery, overworking, hustle culture, a millennial mind, shivani pau, dr monika sharma, lifewithdoctormon, work guilt, ambition and burnout, immigrant work ethic, interracial relationship, cultural expectations, reducing work hours, self worth and career Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sign up today for your £1 a month trial with Shopify and start selling today for at shopify.co.uk! Have you ever felt completely alone trying to help your autistic child, ignored by the NHS, judged by family, and running out of answers? Taiba Bajar (@autismbrainempowerment) is a former dentist, award-winning researcher and founder of Autism Brain Empowerment. When her son lost all his words, eye contact and sleep overnight at 20 months old, she was dismissed by doctors and told it was just genetics. She refused to accept that and spent years finding the answers herself. In this episode we talk about what autism actually is, why so many children are regressing and why parents keep getting gaslit about it, and the real environmental triggers including food, screens and toxins that are worsening symptoms. We also talk about why girls are still being massively underdiagnosed, what the NHS gets wrong about the diagnosis process, and the simple changes parents can make at home right now. If you're a parent on a waiting list, feeling overwhelmed, or just want to understand autism better, this one is for you. 🎙 What we cover: • What autism actually is and how it's diagnosed • Why autism rates are genuinely rising, not just better diagnosis • What regression really means and why doctors keep dismissing it • Why girls with autism are so often missed • The link between gut health and autism symptoms • How screens, food and environmental toxins worsen symptoms • What to do while you're on the NHS waiting list • Supplements that can help, including omega 3, magnesium and folinic acid • Why you shouldn't blame yourself as a parent • The importance of early intervention and neuroplasticity ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 4:57 – What is autism? 7:03 – Why so many people are undiagnosed 7:47 – Why girls with autism are missed 10:53 – Are autism diagnoses actually rising? 13:59 – Taiba's personal story 19:27 – What is stimming? 24:29 – What is regression, and does every child experience it? 27:00 – What's happening neurologically during regression 31:42 – What should a parent do first if they notice regression 35:23 – Why there's still so much shame around autism 42:43 – The environmental factors worsening autism symptoms 49:30 – Screens, working parents and the guilt around it 51:32 – Practical advice for exhausted parents 59:40 – How to talk about environment without blaming parents 1:04:31 – What to do if you can't afford to go private 1:06:32 – Gut health, anti-inflammatory diet and supplements 1:13:19 – What one small thing can a parent do tonight 1:18:30 – The most sedentary generation in human history 1:23:55 – Taiba's biggest regret and her son's transformation 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would you do if the family that was supposed to protect you spent your entire life tearing you down instead? Usha Singh-Das (@ushasinghdas) is the author of Breaking Free, a memoir about growing up in a toxic family environment shaped by a narcissistic father and relentless bullying from her sister-in-law. In this episode, she opens up about what it actually took to leave, go no contact, and rebuild her life from scratch. We get into the moments that broke her and the ones that made her. From being told she was too ugly to ever get married, to losing her dad, her baby and eventually her mum in the space of one year, and her family's response to all of it. This is one of the most honest conversations about toxic family dynamics we've had on this podcast. If you've ever wondered whether what you grew up with was actually normal, this one is for you. 🎙 What we cover: - Growing up with a narcissistic father and not realising it until adulthood - How toxic family behaviour becomes your normal - Surviving a toxic sister-in-law and the damage it does - Being told you'll never get married because of your appearance - Miscarriage, grief and being dismissed by your own family - Going no contact and what it actually costs you - Breaking generational trauma when you had no positive role models - How the right people can rebuild what the wrong ones destroyed - Learning to parent differently when you had no example to follow ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 2:34 - Usha introduces herself and Breaking Free 2:54 - What her childhood actually looked like 4:27 - When she first realised her dad was toxic 6:58 - Getting married and how it exposed everything 9:08 - Being the last child left at home from 16 to 32 13:25 - University, freedom and finding her confidence 13:32 - When the eczema started and what her family said 17:29 - Being told she was too ugly to ever get married 20:18 - How she dealt with the sister-in-law bullying 21:30 - Hitting rock bottom 21:48 - Losing her dad and finding out she was pregnant on the same day 23:20 - The miscarriage nobody took seriously 24:18 - The family meeting three days after her surgery 37:52 - Going to court against her own family 38:32 - Losing her mum and not being told she was dying 42:27 - How she stayed positive through all of it 44:03 - Getting pregnant again after the miscarriage 46:25 - How her in-laws rebuilt what her family destroyed 52:14 - How motherhood made her reflect on her own childhood 57:28 - How she stopped generational trauma repeating 1:06:49 - The advice she'd give anyone told they'll never get married 1:09:18 - How to deal with a toxic sister-in-law 1:10:46 - Putting your mental health above guilt in Indian families Follow Usha: @ushasinghdas Follow Shivani: @shivani.pau Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: A Millennial Mind 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you been avoiding a conversation because you're scared it'll ruin everything? I'm sharing the framework I actually use — the 5C Method — which I developed years ago for my TEDx talk. From friendships to family dynamics to relationships, this is how I've learned to say the hard thing and come out the other side with a stronger connection, not a broken one. Last week I had to confront someone and I was physically shaking. But the benefits always outweigh that two minutes of discomfort — and I want to show you exactly how to get there. If you've been sitting on something you need to say but don't know how — this one's for you. 🎙 What we cover: - Why avoiding difficult conversations builds resentment, not peace - How confrontation got a bad reputation (and why that needs to change) - The 5C Framework: Care, Cause, Consider, Cure, Compassion - Why you should lead with feelings, not facts - How to know if a conversation is even worth having - What to do when the other person reacts badly - Why the solution (cure) must be part of the conversation - The cultural silence around confrontation — especially in South Asian families ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: The difficult conversation I just had 1:30 – Why avoiding conflict builds resentment 4:00 – Growing up emotional in a big joint family 6:30 – The "golden goose" response — and why most people can't give it 9:00 – Reframing what confrontation actually means 11:30 – The cultural silence: South Asian families and not speaking up 14:00 – Introducing the 5C Framework 15:00 – C1: Care — why you care about this person 17:30 – C2: Cause — being specific about what upset you 20:00 – C3: Consider — seeing the other person's perspective 22:30 – C4: Cure — always bring a solution 24:00 – C5: Compassion — the thread that holds it all together 25:00 – Feelings over facts: what I learned in therapy 26:00 – Final message + outro 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 #difficultconversations #communicationtips #relationshipadvice #howtoconfrontsomeone #5Cframework #confrontation #amillennialmind #shivanipau #selfdevelopment #mentalhealth #southasianwomen #boundaries #conflictresolution #emotionalintelligence #personalgrowth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I hate to be the one to tell you this but you might NOT be caring for your hair as well as you think 🙈 In today's episode of A Millennial Mind, I sat down with Dr Aamna Adel (@dermatologist_adel), a consultant dermatologist and hair loss specialist based on Harley Street, to get the real answers. And honestly? Almost everything I thought I knew was wrong. The heatless curlers I swear by, the hair gummies I take every day, even the traditional Indian hair oiling I leave in overnight. All of it! This is the hair masterclass you didn't know you needed, and if you've ever worried about hair loss, postpartum shedding, grey hairs, or just want to actually understand your scalp, this episode is going to change the way you look after your hair and maybe finally be what convinces you to leave those greys alone! If you're losing hair, confused by the conflicting advice online, or just want to understand what your scalp is actually telling you — this one is for you. 🎙 What we cover: - What alopecia actually means (it's not what you think) - The real causes of hair loss — and why it's rarely just one thing - What minoxidil is, how it works, and why shedding on it is a good sign - Why heatless curlers can be MORE damaging than heat - Hair oiling — the right oils, the right technique, and how long to leave it in - Are hair gummies actually worth it? The honest answer - Grey hair — causes, myths, and whether you can reverse it - Perimenopause and hair loss: what you can do immediately - Hair extensions and the vicious cycle they create - Three easy things you can do today for scalp health - Hair training — is it real? (Spoiler: no) - The pressure to look young and the Botox conversation ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 1:43 – Dr Aamna's background and her own hair loss journey 5:30 – What is a scalp disorder? Normal hair loss vs when to worry 8:00 – How much hair loss is too much? 9:15 – The most common causes of hair loss 11:05 – Why it's never just one thing 12:20 – What is minoxidil and how does it work? 13:45 – Why shedding on minoxidil is actually a good sign 15:00 – Is minoxidil a lifelong commitment? 26:20 – Heatless curlers: the myth debunked 29:45 – What "right type of heat" actually means 35:10 – Rosemary oil — hero ingredient or overhyped? 35:45 – Does washing your hair more cause hair loss? 37:45 – Sulphates — are they actually bad? 40:00 – LED scalp caps and devices: do they work? 42:30 – Hair gummies: are they worth the money? 44:55 – What supplements actually have evidence behind them 46:20 – Hair oiling — how long is too long? 50:40 – The best oils for scalp vs mid-lengths 53:25 – Can you reverse hair loss? 54:50 – What causes scarring alopecia 55:50 – Grey hair — what it is and what causes it 58:30 – Should you pluck grey hairs? 1:00:00 – The pressure to look young — Botox and ageing 1:09:30 – Perimenopause and hair loss: what to do 1:11:45 – Hair extensions and traction alopecia 1:13:30 – Three quick tips for scalp health 1:15:30 – Hair training — is it actually a thing? 1:17:15 – The best food for hair growth 1:17:35 – What to do first if you're panicking about hair loss 1:18:55 – Bleaching your hair and bond repair 1:20:35 – Split ends and breakage: the honest advice 1:21:30 – Outro Follow Dr Aamna Adel: @dermatologist_adel 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 -- hair loss, hair care, scalp health, dermatologist, minoxidil, heatless curlers, hair growth tips, alopecia, postpartum hair loss, perimenopause hair loss, grey hair, hair gummies, dr aamna adel, shivani pau, a millennial mind, hair myths, consultant dermatologist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this small section of this week's bigger episode of 'A Millennial Mind,' I sit down with the insightful Heather Elkington to explore why people, especially Gen Z, frequently change jobs due to career growth and feeling undervalued. Heather shares compelling statistics from LinkedIn and discusses the inherent need for people-pleasing and its impact on professional life. We delve into the challenges of difficult conversations, the importance of being transparent about our needs, and how to identify and prioritise tasks that truly energise us. Watch the full episode here! 💖 https://youtu.be/jDmZmTIWkto 00:00 Understanding People Pleasing and Job Hopping 01:13 The Evolutionary Roots of People Pleasing 01:50 The Modern Dilemma of Saying Yes 03:26 The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations 04:50 Evaluating Your Commitments 06:45 Defining and Leveraging Your Strengths 08:20 The Importance of Preparation and Caring 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's On Reflection series, we explore the three key lessons from the conversation with Sahil Bloom. First, we discuss finding purpose in any job, even if it doesn't directly align with your passion. Secondly, we explore the five types of wealth, particularly focusing on the value of time and how to make the most of it. Lastly, we reflect on recognising the blessings in things we once prayed for and how to appreciate them despite the challenges. Stay tuned for practical tips on visualisation and how to incorporate these insights into your daily life. 00:00 Introduction and Request for Support 00:30 Lesson 1: Connecting Your Job to Your Purpose 03:16 Lesson 2: Wealth Beyond Money 08:13 Lesson 3: Recognising Your Blessings 12:52 Conclusion and Upcoming Episode Teaser Let me know your favourite part in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices