Gems With Harakh

This week, we sit down with a true gem of a person — a man who's spent his career making people feel lighter, brighter, and more connected. Mark DeCarlo is a three-time Emmy Award winner, comedian, and TV host known for ABC's Windy City LIVE, Travel Channel's Taste of America, and voicing Hugh Neutron in The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.But long before the Emmys, Mark learned a lesson most people spend their whole lives avoiding: fear is never the reason to stay where you are. Two brushes with his own mortality as a teenager rewired how he thinks about risk, happiness, and what it actually means to live without regret.In this episode, Harakh and Mark dig into risk, fear, and chasing the life you actually want. Mark makes the case for spirituality without the middleman, shares the story behind his grandfather's ring and a deathbed promise to God, and leaves us with maybe the simplest, most useful gem of an insight all year: tell your fear to take a hike.00:00 Precap — "Fear is always and only bad for you"00:49 Introduction — Gems With Harakh01:33 Meet Mark DeCarlo02:32 Born funny or built that way? Mark's path into comedy04:40 Discovering Second City as a teenager07:07 The childhood events that shaped his entire outlook07:46 250 pounds in eighth grade — and the public bet to change it10:55 The shot put accident that nearly killed him12:01 Life is short: chasing joy over wealth12:35 Harakh — what his name means and his higher purpose14:02 A life with no schedule — corporate speaking and travel16:35 Risk: Mark's bet vs. Harakh launching his own brand in 201718:18 Failure as the real teacher19:46 Mark's mantra for fear and unhappiness22:05 Find the diamond in the rough27:14 Spirituality as the soul of the HARAKH brand28:14 Eastern vs. Western spirituality — removing the middleman34:32 The grandfather's ring — a deathbed promise to God38:06 Gem of an Insight — tell your fear to take a hike40:51 What's next for Mark — corporate events and new projects42:07 Closing and outro

Julie Feldman is the founder of Orenda, a line of yoga towels and apparel rooted in chakra science, mantra, and compassionate design. The towels are made from recycled plastic bottles. The colors are mapped to the chakra system. And every hoodie carries words of intention on the inner sleeve — just for you.In this episode, Harakh Mehta sits down with Julie to explore what it means to build a business from the inside out — why self-worth is the foundation from which everything blooms, how a single piece of jewelry became an act of self-reclamation, and what happens when two founders discover their brands were built on the exact same frequency.Gems of insight you won't want to miss.00:00 Precap00:35 Introduction — Julie Feldman & Orenda01:12 Chapter 1: What is Orenda and how was it born?02:40 Chapter 2: The name, the logo, and the infinity connection04:35 Chapter 3: Harakh's name means joy — the Drops of Joy collection06:45 Chapter 4: Compassion as a core value — it's in the genes08:30 Chapter 5: The Feldman Family Foundation — wealth as a tool for good10:18 Chapter 6: How intention elevates a product beyond what you can see12:00 Chapter 7: Chakras, colors, and building the Orenda product system14:45 Chapter 8: Unlocking the throat chakra — finding your voice and worth17:25 Chapter 9: Growing up between two worlds — luxury, struggle, and identity19:40 Chapter 10: Choosing your own path21:55 Chapter 11: The crown necklace — jewelry as self-reclamation23:25 Chapter 12: Jewelry as talisman — grandmother's earring worn close to the heart24:55 Chapter 13: Quiet luxury — what jewelry really means to those who collect it26:24 Chapter 14: HARAKH artisans break for yoga — intention in every piece27:55 Chapter 15: Recycled bottles, Reiki on every box — building with responsibility30:15 Chapter 16: Gem of an Insight — know your worth; choose your 'I am'32:08 Closing — I am Harakh. I am joy.

Jules Hurst coached executives, trained college students, and spoken at conferences — all on one simple idea: respect.Jules Hurst is an etiquette expert and founder of Jewels First, certified since 2006. She specializes in business etiquette, dining, teen programs, and afternoon tea — helping people show up as the best version of themselves in every room they enter.In this episode, Harakh Mehta sits down with Jules to explore the art of making lasting impressions — why putting your phone away is an act of respect, how a blazer can change the way you carry yourself, and why jewelry is the most underrated conversation starter in any room.Gems of insight you won't want to miss.Chapters00:00 Precap00:35 Introduction — Jules Hurst01:12 Chapter 1: How Jules fell into etiquette02:39 Chapter 2: Social vs. business etiquette04:10 Chapter 3: Where to start — etiquette basics for everyone05:00 Chapter 4: The phone rule — presence is respect07:32 Chapter 5: Etiquette is life skills, not just high society09:02 Chapter 6: Saying no with grace — respecting yourself11:25 Chapter 7: Digital etiquette — texting, email, social media14:26 Chapter 8: Respecting elders across cultures17:27 Chapter 9: Dress for confidence — the blazer rule20:33 Chapter 10: Jewelry etiquette — the art of 'know your audience'23:01 Chapter 11: Colorless diamonds and flawless etiquette26:26 Chapter 12: Where does Harakh find inspiration?28:22 Chapter 13: Gem of an Insight — don't make yourself small30:11 Chapter 14: What's next for Jules Hurst31:13 Outro

She had a doctorate, a data science career, and a life that looked perfect from the outside. She was falling apart on the inside.Dr. Nilufer Basara is a health transformation expert who built her methodology from two things: a rigorous science background in biochemistry and public health — and her own breaking point. In this episode, she shares the framework that guides her work with women: start with the body, calm the mind, open the heart, and live from the soul.Harakh Mehta sits down with Dr. Neelofer Basaria to explore the intersection of Eastern and Western wisdom, the yoga practice woven into his luxury atelier, and the invisible energy that makes a piece of jewelry more than metal and stone.A conversation about healing, legacy, and the courage to surrender. Gems of insight you won't want to miss.00:00 - Precap00:39 - Introduction01:26 - Meet Dr. Neelofer Basaria02:00 - Chapter 1: The Healing Framework — Body, Mind, Heart, Soul05:00 - Chapter 2: The Science Behind the System08:18 - Chapter 3: The Breakdown That Became a Breakthrough11:10 - Chapter 4: The Road Back — Surrender and Awakening15:46 - Chapter 5: Gut Health — Where to Start17:16 - Chapter 6: Eastern Meets Western — Two Worlds, One Truth18:04 - Chapter 7: The Invisible Ingredient in Luxury20:05 - Chapter 8: The Ring — Resilience in Gold23:42 - Chapter 9: The Gem of an Insight25:11 - Final Reflections26:46 - Outro

He had a Harvard degree, a Stanford Law education, and a $160K corporate offer waiting. He turned it all down.Afam Onyema is the Co-Founder and CEO of the GEANCO Foundation — an organization that has spent 18 years saving lives in Nigeria through surgical missions, solar-powered rural clinics, and scholarships for girls impacted by terrorism. His foundation is supported by Oprah, Angelina Jolie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.In this episode, Harakh Mehta sits down with Afam to uncover the story behind the mission — a father's promise, the courage to leap, and what it truly means to live a life rooted in kindness and service.Gems of insight you won't want to miss.Chapters 00:00 - Precap00:39 - Introduction01:26 - Meet Afam Onyema02:56 - Chapter 1: Where it all began05:40 - Chapter 2: Family above everything09:03 - Chapter 3: The beginning of the journey16:40 - Chapter 4: Defining moments20:46 - Chapter 5: Finding common ground26:24 - Mid-roll30:28 - Chapter 6: Understanding luxury37:12 - Chapter 7: Gem of an insight41:45 - Final reflections45:39 - Outro

What happens when a little girl from an abusive home makes a promise to change the world — and actually does it?Dr. Yasmin Davidds, CEO and organizational psychologist, joins Harakh Mehta to share the raw, powerful story behind her life's mission to empower women and build more compassionate leaders.In this episode we explore the leadership philosophy that changed thousands of lives — graciously assertive, purpose-driven, and rooted in healing. Dr. Yasmin reveals how pressure, trauma, and the stories we tell ourselves are exactly what shape us into the diamonds we are meant to become.Topics covered:Why better leaders make a better worldHow vulnerability becomes your greatest leadership toolThe invisible energy of diamonds and what jewelry truly carriesWhy luxury and giving back can and should coexistThe one question that will change how you lead yourselfSubscribe to Gems With Harakh for weekly conversations with extraordinary people who remind us that the rarest gems are not found in the earth — they are found in people.🎙 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📲 Follow us @gemswithharakh 💎 Exploreharakh.com