Conversations with ordinary people around me doing extraordinary things. Through the episodes, I like to inspire and be inspired. But mostly, I like asking questions.
S2 Ep6: Krishna, Courage & the Game of Life ft. Rohini Manohar
In this episode, I sit down with Rohini Manohar to ask her some of the questions that have been on my mind. About Yoga, Krishna, trust, surrender, meditation and this thing we call, life. We talk about self-doubt, the importance of community (satsang), meditation as a practice of staying with discomfort, and why surrender doesn’t mean avoiding difficult choices. We also explore the tension between kindness and people-pleasing. And Rohini shares a simple place to begin a daily practice: ten conscious breaths before reaching for your phone every morning. Her knack for story-telling and child like joy is so contagious that even a few minutes with Roh (how she is fondly known) will set you up for an excellent day.
Rohini Manohar is a Chennai-based yoga teacher, storyteller and founder of Chennai Yoga Studio. Through classes, retreats and workshops, she brings traditional yogic teachings into everyday life, combining philosophy with breathwork and mindful practice. Her storytelling makes space for reflection, connection and a more personal relationship with spiritual learning.
Timestamps -
00:56 From life in Australia to a new path in yoga
02:47 What is yoga, beyond the physical practice?
06:16 The Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
07:29 Karma yoga: doing your best without clinging to results
09:36 Bhakti yoga: love, devotion and faith
10:49 Who is Krishna?
11:59 Human potential and remembering the good
14:15 Self-doubt, community and asking for support
16:42 Surrender and meditation as the gym of the mind
18:21 Trust, letting go and opening to possibility
19:14 Understanding scripture, ritual and lived wisdom
23:43 Why a daily practice matters
24:55 Begin with ten breaths before your phone
26:15 Life as a game—and remembering your role
27:05 Meditation, presence and courage
27:35 Kindness, authenticity and people-pleasing
32:20 Surrender doesn’t remove the need for hard choices
33:31 Closing thoughts
Chennai Yoga Studio website - https://chennaiyogastudio.com/ (https://chennaiyogastudio.com/)
Rohini's Instagram - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/yogini_rohini/)
14 Jan 2026
S2 Ep5: Voice and choice ft. Jananie SV
Jananie shares her journey from being the reluctant "family showpiece" singer to recording tracks that echo through theater speakers. Growing up in Chennai's vibrant music scene, she discovered her voice through college radio hunts and formal Carnatic training. Now balancing life as a copywriter at Ogilvy in Bangalore (India) with her passion for playback singing, Jananie opens up about recording for films, collaborating with artists like Sid Sriram on the hit track "Kannil Mazhai," and the magic of performing live. She leaves us with powerful advice: know what you don't want, find magic in the mundane, and always get your basics right.
2 songs -
1. Kannil Mazhai - https://youtu.be/t60uDwyxzWQ?si=fidJ-uLuxWlpeP7k (https://youtu.be/t60uDwyxzWQ?si=fidJ-uLuxWlpeP7k)
2. Ennil Nee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-c2X31jus&list=RDV_-c2X31jus&start_radio=1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-c2X31jus&list=RDV_-c2X31jus&start_radio=1)
Some of her voiceovers - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VTaZzx_AQZHs3zvqYRApdLVHJR6QwCNI?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VTaZzx_AQZHs3zvqYRApdLVHJR6QwCNI?usp=drive_link)
Timestamps:
2.00 - Early childhood
3.30 - How the passion for singing developed
7.00 - Job at Ogilvy
9.00 - Chennai's influence on the singing
11.15 - Songs that have made it to the theaters
12.30 - Internship and love for Satyam
14.00 - 3 singing career highlights
20.00 - Voiceovers
23.15 - Tips for aspiring singers
26.00 - Favorite 5 singers
27 Nov 2025
S2 Ep4: The Friendship Episode ft. Rudra Vishweshwar
On Season 2 episode 4 of In Conversation with Ashwin, I chat with Rudra about a topic very close to both our hearts, Friendship. Rudra is my first and best friend and we met 27 years ago in a queue to our school admissions line up, not knowing that we'd be tied to the hip for years to come. There's so many things I admire about Rudra, but most of all his generosity and attentiveness to his friends. And his compulsive need to spread smiles everyday even if it means cracking the lamest dad joke three times in a row because he didn't get the timing right the first 2 times. Please enjoy this 45 min long conversation that I did not want, to end.
Childhood and Family Influence on Friendship: Rudra shared with Ashwin how his upbringing in a joint family in Chennai, especially his mother's kindness and selflessness, shaped his approach to friendship and hospitality, leading to a home that was always open to friends and fostering deep connections from an early age.
Evolution and Meaning of Friendship: Rudra and Ashwin explored how the meaning of friendship has evolved for Rudra over time, from seeking validation as a 'top friend' to embracing unconditional support, measuring life through relationships, and recognizing the importance of honest communication and growth.
Work, Boundaries, and Vulnerability in Friendship: Rudra explained to Ashwin that while friendship itself is not 'work,' it requires ongoing effort, including setting healthy boundaries and fostering vulnerability, which he learned through personal experiences and therapy, leading to more sustainable and supportive relationships.
Checking In and Communicating Needs in Friendship: Rudra discussed with Ashwin the importance of checking in on friends, adapting frequency and mode of communication to individual needs, and openly sharing both good and difficult experiences to foster trust and mutual support within friendships.
Book and Quote Recommendations: Rudra answered Ashwin's closing questions by recommending the Harry Potter series for its lessons on relationships and emotional growth, and shared his personal motto for a billboard: 'Spread a smile a day,' reflecting his ethos of making others feel special.
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5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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