Awkward Talks

What if one of the most uncomfortable truths about life is also one of the most liberating? This episode explores a question that has stayed with me for years—about purpose, meaning, legacy, and what truly deserves our attention while we're here.Do listen.. Might trigger something deep!

This episode is about the friendships that quietly shape your life. The ones who stay, the ones who drift, and the loneliness we don’t talk about enough. It’s about growing up, growing apart, and realising how rare it is to have someone who truly knows you. If you’ve ever felt like you had people around you but no one to really turn to… this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.You might think of someone while listening to this… and maybe, even reach out.

You call it ambition. Responsibility. Being mature. But what if your discipline, your silence, your constant need to get it right have been driven by one quiet fear — losing approval? What if the confidence you show the world is just careful performance? And if the applause stopped tomorrow… would you still be the same?This episode might make you take an uncomfortable look at the voice you’ve been obeying for years. The one that whispers to you, “Don’t disappoint.”

Self-love was meant to heal us.Somewhere along the way, it changed us.This conversation explores a shift most people sense but rarely question. How is the new self-love culture quietly shaping how we handle pain, responsibility, relationships, and ourselves.Do listen If you’ve ever felt that something about modern self-love doesn’t fully sit right,

We spend so much of our lives chasing more... more money, more success, more certainty. We feel that once we reach a certain point, life will finally feel settled. But what if the real question was never how much is enough, but what is enough?This is a quiet and honest conversation about the things we rarely admit we want and the aspects of our life that feels true to us. This just might change how you look at where you already are.

What do a street dog, a tired father, and a penguin in -60° have in common?This episode isn’t just about parenting — it’s about the kind of love that doesn’t need words, rewards, or even recognition. It’s about what we inherit, what we carry, and what we forget to question.If you think you know what parenthood means… listen again.

We spend so much of our lives chasing respect from others — only to lose respect for ourselves in the process.This episode dives deep into the paradox of respect.If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or not enough, this episode will stir your heart, challenge your beliefs, and remind you of one powerful truth — you don’t need to earn respect, you just need to stop giving it away.Listen in!

What if you’ve been living someone else’s dream?What if your success feels empty?What if your truth has been buried beneath roles, routines, and fear?Are you really living… or just surviving?And if you had the chance—would you start again?This episode will make you ask the questions you’ve been avoiding.And it might just change everything.Listen now. If you’re ready to remember who you are.Do follow us so that you don't miss any of our episodes!

You’ve tried loving yourself — but something still feels off.Maybe… it’s because you skipped the most important step.In this gentle, heart-opening episode, discover why self-love fails without self-friendship — and how to rebuild the most important relationship in your life: the one with you.This isn’t self-help.It’s self-connection.Press play. Begin again.

Awkward Talks launches its powerful new segment, "Veteran’s Talk", where veterans break the silence on topics that matter.In this opening episode, Col Arun Iyer—a decorated Special Forces officer, Author, NLP , TA Practitioner and Life Coach—shares how he turned his inner battle against smoking into a mission. From personal struggle to helping others quit in just 14 days, this story is about more than quitting—it's about reclaiming strength, purpose, and pride.Know more at https://transforminds.in

40 plus is a time of transition, especially for women. They undergo changes physiologically, mentally, emotionally. Often, society marginalizes them, pushing them to feel neglected, unwanted, disrespected... thinking they have become 'less'.But the opposite is the truth.Women blossom into their powers in their 40s. They know who they are, their values are in place and their focus is steadfast and when given the opportunity, they shine.I had the fortune to moderate a session of incredible women at The Projekt 40's May 2025 session. They were a picture of poise and strength, passion and purpose.You can get insights and updates about The Projekt 40 from:https://linktr.ee/TheProjeKT40

I’m a proud veteran, and this podcast is my tribute to the greatest force in the world — The Indian Armed Forces.I take you on a fact-driven journey through the evolution, strength, and spirit of our military. No emotional stories — just verified history, strategic milestones, and the unshakeable pride that every Indian must feel.If you stand for Bharat, this episode is for you. Jai Hind !!

We keep hearing about live in partners getting murdered. Naturally it's easy to form opinions about "this kind" of relationships especially in India.Have you ever tried to find out the nuances of it? Maybe you are young and you are considering one. Maybe you are a parent of a young adult who may be considering one.We need to get educated about Live in relationships instead of forming blanket opinions. This podcast is all about that...Please do rate us if you like the episode :)

Some conversations are awkward, but they’re the ones we need to have. This episode dives into a topic we usually avoid. Maybe it's time to challenge norms and force us to rethink what we’ve been taught. It’s time to break silence, question the status quo, and reflect on things we often take for granted. In this episode, you might find answers, or you might leave with even more questions, but one thing’s certain—you won’t see things the same way after this. Ready to uncover some truths and spark new thoughts? Tune in and let’s start this conversation together. Please do share your comments on this episode!

Well, I have been told so many times that money cannot buy happiness. Instead of carrying it through my life, I decided to question it. Is it really true that money cannot buy happiness? Listen to the episode and then you tell me :)

It is rightly said... "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". Sharenting is a classic proof of this statements. In our eagerness to share about our kids and their achievements and milestones, we could be putting our children at risk. At times, very grave ones. Are you one of them? Listen and find out more!

Should women be in entertainment industry? Why not! Right? Behind the glitz and glamour, there is also a dark side. This episode draws inspiration from the "Justice Hema Committee Report" that has come out regarding women in malayalam film industry. Listen in to know all about it.

In this episode, we journey through the painful topic of sibling rivalry. We will explore the hidden battles, the lifelong impacts, and the journey toward healing. Let's uncover the roots of our sibling conflicts and find the strength to mend broken bonds.

Join us as we explore how this age-old practice of unfairly blaming individuals manifests in our professional and personal lives. From the new guy at work to the youngest sibling at home, no one is safe from being the fall guy. We discuss the psychological roots of scapegoating, its impacts on mental health and relationships, and provide actionable strategies to prevent and address it. Listen in to know more...

I am a coach and a good one. I help people process their childhood traumas and other difficult experiences that they may have experienced in their lives. Even I did not realize that I have been through multiple situations of Adult-Onset Trauma in my own life. Most of us have been through this in the past few years but may not even be aware of this. Listen in to know more...

Beta, Shaadi Karlo Such a standard line is it right? Once someone reaches a 'marriageable age', the society and uncles and aunties falls over themselves to get people married. But let us think, does a wedding have to be the ultimate reason for happiness? Drawing from personal experiences and societal influences, we examine the notion of "happily ever after" portrayed in Disney movies, familial narratives, and cultural norms. Is it right to force our kids to get married?

As a parenting coach, I always tell parents that it's not just enough that you love your children. They should feel the love from you, their parents. However, some parents confuse showing love with making the children happy always. They feel that the child feels loved only when they are happy, and all their challenges are removed by the parents. This is not only unhealthy but can have long term ill effects even into their adulthood. Listen in to know more about this!

We are the most populated country in the world. Yet, an epidemic of Loneliness is sweeping through India. What and why is this happening? Why are we hearing more and more stories of people slipping into social isolation, leading to adverse effects on mental health? In this podcast I deep dive into this epidemic. The causes, the most affected demographics and most importantly, what we can do about it. Do rate our podcast if you like it.

This episode was one of the toughest for me to record. I had to stop several times to collect my emotions while recording this because the topic is personal, is emotional and is sensitive. I talk about caring for aging parents and about how the guardians of our lives are now in need of support. And how, one day you suddenly become THE caregiver. I talk about the love, challenges, and quiet sacrifices behind caring for the elderly. The challenges are many and fraught with emotions, guilt and heart wrenching decisions. This is about me and each one of you, who have parents who are growing old and are in need of care, patience and tonnes of love. Please do rate our podcast if you like it. Do share with others !

In moments of conflict, pride, or overwhelming love for our daughter, I instinctively turn to my wife, sharing every parenting high and low. This unity makes me deeply admire single parents' incredible strength and resilience. How do they navigate parenting's challenges and joys alone? In this episode, we talk about the tough parts and the strong parts of raising kids alone in India. Please do share this with the Single Parents you know. Please do rate our podcast if you like it 😊🙏🏼

There is a new breed of couples emerging rapidly in India. They are the DINK couples. They are often criticized and called selfish, especially in India since parenthood comes very high in our families. In this episode, I explore the possible reasons for people to choose this lifestyle. After listening, I would like YOU to decide if they are Smart or Selfish!

What is Autism? It is the third most common developmental disorder. In India more than 18 million people have Autism. However, there is a lack of knowledge about this condition leading to a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance. This podcast is meant to demystify Autism. They are amazing individuals whose brain functions differently. Just changing the statement from I have Autism to I am Autistic is very powerful as it embraces Autism as part of their identity. This is not a problem to be fixed. It is part of humanity. Our hope is that after listening to this, you would be more understanding and accepting towards those who are Autistic!

Are you prepared for your death? Uncomfortable question. Isn't it? We don't like to think about it much. We want to live a full life, work hard and save up and secure the future of our families, right? Unfortunately, all your goodwill and effort can be of no use to your family if you haven't made your WILL yet. They may end up with much less than what you would've liked or worse, with nothing. Listen in to understand why this is one of the most important tasks for each and every person who claims that they love their families! P.S: I'm not an expert on this topic. This is purely my personal knowledge from my research and interaction with people involved!

I am sure you have made at least one New Year resolution for 2024. Do you know that more than 80% give up on theirs within just 03 months? Listen in to know why and how you can make sure that you not only stay on but also accomplish what you have set out to accomplish this year. Learn how you can ensure that this year will not be like your previous years. Have an amazing 2024!

Christmas is a festival that I have loved and enjoyed right from childhood. There are bright colors, lights, carols, cakes and so much more. We celebrate it as the birth of Jesus Christ, but is that really the truth? In this episode, I talk about how Christmas in its current form came into being by including different customs from different parts of the world. This does not take anything away from this lovely festival. So, enjoy your Christmas celebrations and the traditions of Christmas trees and gift giving!

We like someone, but somehow, they don't like us. Why does that happen? Why do some of us have the compulsive need to be liked by others? Girls are told from early childhood about behaving in a way that pleases others. How does it affect their individuality? Finally, is it really ok if people don't like us? Listen in to know it all!

Did you know that our education system originated from a model that was used to train soldiers in the 18th century? It was designed to teach them how to read and write and follow instructions without asking too many questions to the authority. Most of us do not know this. I too learned this only from my mentor Blair Singer. Listen in to know the truth about our education system.

We all have several bad memories stored in our brain that we want to forget. It takes a toll on us every time we remember them. If you have experienced a serious trauma, like domestic violence, or childhood abuse, they can take a serious toll on your life. How can we get over them? Is it even possible? Listen in to find out!

Most of us have heard of the term Toxic Masculinity. The term originated in the mythopoetic men's movement of the 1980s and 1990s. This talks about all the toxic "manly" traits that makes life difficult for people around. Have you heard of Toxic Femininity? This came into mainstream less than a decade back. What do you think does this mean? Listen in to find out the truth about Toxic Femininity! Let's discuss it in this podcast and see how to recognize it, overcome it and avoid it.

Well, I don't know if this is an "Awkward Talk" but is definitely an interesting talk. In this episode, I talk about the often misunderstood and lesser-known festival of Halloween. How it originated and how it reached the present form. Interestingly, India also has our own festivals to honor the deceased. You get to know about these also in this episode! Happy Halloween everyone!

Do you know what is discussed even less than mental health issues? The general well-being of the caregivers of mental health patients! Usually, the caregivers are untrained family members who go through physical, mental, financial and emotional turmoil. And often, their silent scream for help is overlooked/ unheard. It is time to recognize and acknowledge that the caregivers also need some care and love. This podcast is a hat-tip to those awesome people who are selflessly helping mental health patients, be it their child, spouse, parent or friend - navigate the chaos called life.

You don't get a response You don't get an acknowledgement to your statements You don't get relevant answers Infact, you feel the person you are speaking with is not even listening to you! How many of you feel the above when you share something with someone dear to you? Usually men, me included, are often the ones who are blamed for everything I mentioned. It is so common to accuse men of being emotionally distant or disconnected. Have we ever wondered why it is so? Is it about conditioning or, maybe it is an actual medical condition?

When emotions take over your brain, we call it an Amygdala Hijack. Anger, aggression, fear, and stress are all common emotional triggers that set off a chain of reactions we may not have had, if not for this hijack. The amygdala when triggered activates the fight-or-flight response when there is a perceived threat to a our safety. At times like this, we may not be able to develop a rational response. It is imperative we learn to recognize these triggers in ourselves and others and understand how to overcome it. This episode is about just that.

The number of student suicides in India is rising at an alarming rate, in 2022, student suicides increased by 4.5%, with around 35 deaths reported each day. The causes that lead youngsters to take this terrible step vary from peer pressure to identity issues, ragging to discrimination, societal stress to mental health, expectations to relationship issues. It is a burden like no other when a loved one chooses to end their life. This becomes far worse when the loved one is a child. We need to talk about this, because communication is the key.

As humans, we are hardwired in a way to be attentive to triggers, more so those that signal potential threats or dangers. This evolutionary trait has helped our ancestors survive in a world filled with risks. However, in our modern lives, where many of us are fortunate to live in relatively safe and stable environments, it is essential to shift our focus towards looking for glimmers rather than fixating solely on triggers. It's a shift in perspective that allows us to appreciate the richness of our experiences and the beauty that surrounds us, even in the midst of life's challenges.

This book is the culmination of my long pending dream... In this book, I have bared my life... My challenges, frustrations and desperations when I faced major setbacks in life and how it changed me as a person and how I learned to overcome them with a two-word mantra... This can be read as an autobiography of my life and also as a powerful self-help book that can help you get out of any desperate situation you might be going through. This book is the result of the deadly combination of an intense desire to write a book and daily nagging from my best friend that forced me to translate my desire into action... I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Do pick it up at. Please don't forget to give your honest review... What Next: The Art of Bouncing Back : Cdr Bimal Raj: Amazon.in: Books

Marital Rape is an issue that even our government and judiciary are not willing to take a stand on. In a patriarchal society like India, this becomes an evil that a lot of women go through in silence. Despite a woman's achievements or position at work and society, despite their societal stature, this evil perpetuates even into affluent bedrooms. We need to have more discussions about this topic but more importantly, we need to create safe spaces for women to come forward and speak about it openly, without feeling judged.

Narcissists and danger are inextricably linked. Those who have been affected by narcissism are more likely to suffer as a result. They use force, dominate, gaslight, and disrespect boundaries. This type of behavior, in addition to frustrating and demeaning, affects the self-esteem of the people around them negatively. Covert narcissists are passive, but they can be just as destructive to relationships as the extroverted or Overt types. The emotional abuse might be more silent and subtle, but can wear you down and demoralize you. In this episode, I talk about Narcissistic behavior, difference between covert and overt ones and how you can protect yourself from them.

We have spoken about perimenopause and menopause. It is time to also speak up about its male equivalent - Andropause or Male Menopause.  The emotional upheaval men experience at this time is often seen as a 'refusal to ageing'. It is imperative to understand that andropause is different from mid-life crisis and though it affects several areas of life, it is largely a biological process. In this episode of Awkward Talks, I speak about How it is different from Menopause or Midlife crisis, What that can you do about itWhat you should not attempt to do.

It's always awkward talking to your child about sex and sexuality. Especially in our country, where it is looked upon as something that should be hidden or worse, looked at as a sin. Sex education is important and it is best if parents help their children understand sex, sexuality, consent, precautions and sexually transmitted diseases. It not only helps the child believe that their parent understands them, but also builds their confidence in themselves as individuals. In this episode, I have shared when you should have the "talk", what to share at what age and how to answer curious questions from the child.

Have you ever wondered why interacting with some people can leave you tired and drained? The term 'Energy Vampire' is used to describe a person who gets increased energy around other people, but leaves those other people exhausted or "drained" of energy. In this episode of Awkward Talks, let's discuss how you can identify and protect yourself from Energy Vampires.

We see a lot of people who just carry on in-spite of being miserable. We are in no way saying that you give up on relationships at the first hint of trouble, but we are asking you to question a status quo that is leading to immense unhappiness ... for all parties involved. In this episode, we discuss the questions and scenarios you need to envision and answer in order to make a logical decision with regards to a marriage that is not working.

Loss of concentration, skin and hair issues, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety ... Did you know all these symptoms plus plenty more are often caused by the onset of Perimenopause in women (usually aged between 40-44)? Did you know perimenopause is the precursor of Menopause - aka end of periods? We didn't know much about Perimenopause before we read up about it. When women form such an important part of our lives and society, shouldn't we learn about what troubles them so much? In this episode, my friend Uma Iyer and I will be sharing some basic information about Perimenopause. We hope to be able to delve deeper in subsequent episodes.

One perennial question for many men post their marriage is - Who do I support? The Mom or the Wife? On one side is your mother who has been your everything from birth and on the other side is your wife who will be with you for the rest of your life. This episode explores the complexities of these relationships and suggests ways to handle it and make life easier for everyone in a respectful, loving manner.

I turned 50 last month. For a week or so before my birthday, I felt terribly low and anxious. I questioned every decision I had made till date. I fretted over future plans. Suddenly a cough or mild fever was made a huge deal in my head. I was furiously making plans to maximise every moment of the day. I was constantly looking for an adrenaline rush. I was not this person. So why this sudden fear? Mid-life crisis. It happens. When it hits, it hits hard. Some men get off with minor lifestyle changes, while others take off on a trajectory. This podcast is about making you aware that something like this exists. It happens to the best of us. But there is nothing to fear... All you need to do is understand the inevitable and be kind to yourself.