Hi, I'm Neelam—a small business owner, mother, daughter of immigrants, social justice advocate, and spiritual seeker in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m passionate about exploring what it truly means to be well, both personally and collectively. My healing journey has led me to build a vibrant community of creatives, entrepreneurs, social justice leaders, and healers. On "Are We Well?," I connect with these inspiring voices to challenge us to think deeper, live consciously, and heal together. This podcast is for those who want to pause, reflect, and explore what wellness really means—an invitation to check in with yourself and ask, are you well?
Publisher
Neelam Chand
Category
education · health & fitness · religion & spirituality
Burnout, Worth & Letting Go: Sonya Martinez on the Cost of Overachieving as a Woman of Color
In this episode, Neelam sits down with Sonya Martinez Ortiz, a Chicana therapist, consultant, and founder of Rooted Soul. They explore the intersection of individual healing and systemic change, discussing how wellness and social justice are intricately linked. Sonya shares her extensive background in trauma recovery, community development, and social change, highlighting her recent role as executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City. Together, they emphasize the importance of collective healing as a means to restore wholeness in both individuals and systems. Tune in to discover how creating accessible, restorative spaces can lead to sustainable growth and transformation.
"The world and systems are not set up for us to thrive. They extort everything from us, our physical, emotional energy, and even our resources."
Notes:
[00:02:30] Women of color and burnout.
[00:04:12] Work-life balance and burnout.
[00:10:34] Importance of taking time off.
[00:12:49] Leadership transition during good times.
[00:18:24] Taking time for self-care.
[00:22:36] Work ethic and personal values.
[00:27:24] Finding neutrality in embodiment.
[00:31:34] Trust and surrender for women.
[00:32:30] Leadership roles of women of color.
[00:39:16] Burnout as a workplace phenomenon.
[00:41:10] Forced resiliency and health risks.
[00:45:58] Organizations' lack of personal care.
[00:50:36] Values assessment for self-reflection.
[00:54:24] Values and personal choices.
[00:58:45] Role inventory for job sustainability.
[01:01:35] Values aligned work and organizations.
[01:05:40] Somatic body-based coaching.
Follow Sonya
Website (https://rootedsoulpractice.com/)
Follow Neelam
Website (https://arewewell.com/)
LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chand)
12 Aug 2025
Say it Like you Mean it: Dr. Tamara Stevenson on the Future of DEI
In this episode, Neelam welcomes Dr. Tamara Stevenson, a distinguished higher education leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Stevenson shares her journey as the first African-American faculty member in Westminster University's communication program to earn multi-year contracts and achieve the rank of associate professor. With a strong background in organizational communication and leadership, she discusses her mission to align institutional values with practices that foster a culture of belonging. Together, Neelam and Dr. Stevenson explore the significance of creating inclusive environments in both academic and corporate spaces.
"We've gotta get away from this big, beautiful, sexy DEI programming. And get to the structural, infrastructural work that creates and makes, facilitates access and opportunity, period."
Notes:
[00:03:19] Power of communication.
[00:04:31] The development of personal voice.
[00:10:06] Identity and self-awareness.
[00:14:00] Safety and bias in communication.
[00:18:55] Masterful co-optation of DEI.
[00:22:10] Inclusion by exclusion in education.
[00:29:18] Diversity, equity, inclusion challenges.
[00:32:03] Dismantling of higher education.
[00:36:34] Community colleges and access.
[00:41:25] Navigating leadership and trust.
[00:44:38] Integrity in professional identity.
[00:52:10] Calling out structures of inequity.
[00:54:06] Coalescing for effective change.
[00:57:48] Creating a supportive environment.
[01:02:10] Self-care and community support.
Follow Dr. Stevenson
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-n-stevenson-ed-d-42510734/)
Follow Neelam
Website (https://arewewell.com/)
LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chand)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/are.we.well/)
5 Aug 2025
Listening Inward: Heather MacDonald on Inner Wisdom & Choosing Yourself.
In this episode,Neelam welcomes Heather MacDonald, founder of Contemplating Life Choices, a coaching and leadership development practice aimed at supporting diverse women and mothers dealing with burnout and career transitions. Heather shares her journey and expertise in helping clients get unstuck and take actionable steps towards their goals. With a background in strategy and communications, she discusses her role in revitalizing initiatives like the Women in Tech program in Utah and her current position at Pluralsight, where she aids Fortune Global 500 companies in developing scalable learning strategies. The conversation touches on the challenges of motherhood, personal growth, and the importance of creating supportive environments for women in the workforce.
"If we're constantly seeking external validation, you're never going to find it because the bar is always going to raise."
Notes:
[00:03:02] Midlife career transitions for women.
[00:08:03] Challenges faced by working moms.
[00:14:18] Prioritizing impactful work.
[00:20:33] Education vs. Experience in Careers.
[00:27:43] Choosing yourself and self-worth.
[00:36:08] Legacy and personal choice.
[00:42:28] Body signals of burnout.
[00:47:30] High performance and burnout.
[00:48:20] Unfulfilled positions and stability.
Follow Heather
Website (https://contemplatinglifeschoices.com/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatheryukiko/)
Follow Neelam
Website (https://arewewell.com/)
LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chand)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/are.we.well/)
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
19 ratings
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