Portraits of Strength

About Portraits of Strength

Everyday People with Extraordinary Stories

Publisher

Harry, The Anecdotist

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Mar 2026

Latest episode

18 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Sept 2026

   "I Felt Useless Until I Learned to Think in Pictures" with Haritha Chitta

   Haritha Chitta is an illustrator, animator, and storyteller whose art lives at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern emotion. She doesn't think in words first, she thinks in pictures, and every idea she has arrives as an image before it ever becomes a script or a drawing. In this conversation, Haritha traces her path from an overthinking, image-obsessed kid in Chennai and Bangalore to the artist behind a body of work that's quietly helped thousands of strangers feel less alone. We talk about the "useless" years before she found her medium, the moment motherhood cracked something open in her, and what it actually means to build unshakable inner peace instead of performing it.Growing up across Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, and always being "the silent observer"How her role models shifted from Stephen Hawking to figures defined purely by stillness and self-awarenessThe years of feeling "useless" while searching for her purpose, even while surrounded by love and stabilityHow becoming a mother at the same time she discovered digital illustration changed everythingWhy she thinks entirely in visuals, and what that mental process actually looks like day to dayThe difference between seeking external validation and creating from her own internal compassHer definition of strength: unshakable peace that isn't shaken by good, bad, health, or diseaseWhat's next: a long-term project bringing Vedic stories to life through illustrationA Moment That Will Stay With You Haritha describes finishing a painting last November that she says she'd be at peace taking to her grave. One piece, decades of searching, and finally landing somewhere still. It's a quiet reminder that the work that matters most rarely announces itself.Connect with Haritha Instagram: @haritha_chittaListen & Subscribe Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review, it genuinely helps more stories like this one reach the people who need them.

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   What Gymnastics Taught Them About Falling Apart with Freya, Hilly, Poorvi & Savannah

   Four teenage gymnasts. Two back injuries. Two elbow injuries. One truth they all discovered the hard way: strength isn't built in the gym, it's built in the moment everything falls apart. Hilly, Freya, Poorvi, and Savannah sit down to talk about the injuries that took them off the floor and what it actually took to get back on it. What We Cover How each of them found gymnastics, and why none of them think they chose it so much as it chose them What a normal week looks like when you're a teenager balancing school, work, and 12 to 16 hours of training The exact moment each injury happened, told in raw, unfiltered detail The surgeries, the casts, the six month recovery, the summer spent watching everyone else move without them How they coped mentally when their bodies wouldn't let them do the one thing they loved The first day back in the gym, and the specific moment each of them thought "I'm back" How their relationship with the sport changed after almost losing it A Moment That Will Stay With You One of the girls kept a journal for three months during recovery, writing down one thing every single day that she was excited to do again once she got back to gymnastics. She still has it at home. It's the kind of quiet, private discipline nobody sees, and it's exactly what got her through. Listen & Subscribe Available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. If this episode moved you, leave a review, it helps more people find these stories.

3. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Two Equals: Love, Respect, and the Courage to Change Course with Meera & Prashant

   About This Episode In this episode, Harry sits down with a couple whose journey spans continents, careers, and courage: Girija, an architect by training and a chef by passion, and Prashant, an AI product leader, marathon runner, and stage performer at heart. From building a life together in the US to returning to India and redefining success on their own terms, their story is about self-awareness, reinvention, and the quiet strength it takes to choose your own path even when it's uncertain. This conversation goes deep. We talk about growing up under very different kinds of pressure, the astrologer who told each of them separately that they had no future in education, and the years Girija spent building financial independence from the ground up. But this isn't just a story about two individuals. It's about what it looks like to build a life and a partnership at the same time, through career pivots, a return home, health struggles, and the daily discipline of choosing each other. What We Cover Two very different childhoods — Girija's rebellion against a joint family's expectations, and Prashant's constant moving and love of the stage The astrologer who told both of them, separately, that they had no future in education — and how they proved him wrong Girija funding her own education through tutoring and loans, and choosing architecture against her parents' wishes What first drew them to each other, from Prashant doing dishes at home to Girija refusing to fit any mold Moving from Chicago to India for Prashant's MBA at ISB, and later relocating permanently to be closer to family Girija's unexpected pivot from a 20-year architecture career into professional cooking, and how it started with learning to cook for herself in graduate school The moment Girija was told she was "as qualified as any chef" despite having no formal training Prashant hosting a global AI summit while sick, and what marathon running taught him about pushing through Girija's health struggles after losing her father and going through early menopause, and the two years it took to get answers What each of them leaned on the other for — and why mutual respect matters more than love in a long partnership Their advice to young couples: define happiness together, set boundaries with family, and let go of ego A Moment That Will Stay With You "I have to get education and get out. There's no way I'm going to be depending on somebody else's income." "I think if it was anybody else, I don't think our relationship would have survived, or I would have survived this." "You are stronger than yesterday. You are better than yesterday." "Often there may be love, there may not be respect. I think more than love, respect is important. Once you let go of the ego, that becomes the barrier for both of you." Connect with Girija & Prashant: https://www.instagram.com/prashant.ivaturi (https://www.instagram.com/prashant.ivaturi) https://www.instagram.com/vankayakura_n_tales (https://www.instagram.com/vankayakura_n_tales) This episode is sponsored by Sri Krishna Jewellers ~ with over 50 years of craftsmanship, now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, Texas. Explore their collection at srikrishna.com or call +1 430-231-1111.

4. 

   6 Aug 2026

   The Mirror Is Enough with Pritha Lal

   In this episode, Harry sits down with Pritha Lal ~ HR professional turned authenticity life coach, global citizen, and mother. Pritha spent the first seven years of her life with selective mutism, unable to speak a word outside her own home. Raised across Kolkata, Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kuwait, and now living in Utah, she's built a life and a career around a question she spent decades answering for herself: what happens when you stop looking outside yourself for permission to be okay? This conversation goes deep. We talk about the second-grade teacher who broke her silence in a single sentence, surviving the first Gulf War as a teenager with no word from her father for three and a half months, three car accidents in one month that led to an undiagnosed depression, and the moment in front of a bathroom mirror that finally pushed her toward the work she does today. This isn't a story about arriving. It's a story about learning, again and again, to trust yourself over the crowd. What We Cover Growing up selectively mute, and the second-grade teacher who handed her the class and changed everything Moving across five Indian cities and Kuwait, and what that taught her about difference vs. sameness Surviving the 1990 Gulf War, and 3.5 months without word from her father Choosing to remain childless for 15 years, and the judgment that followed her and her parents Three car accidents in one month, and the PTSD-induced depression she didn't know she had Her therapist's "strings" exercise ~ learning to cut the ties that let outside things control her The difference between confidence and self-trust Becoming a "recovering people pleaser" and what that recovery actually looks like The bathroom mirror moment that pushed her toward coaching Building "Be the Sequoia" ~ why authenticity is the root everything else grows from Writing a book on high-functioning depression in high-achieving people Rapid fire: favorite book, song, quote, and her definition of strength A Moment That Will Stay With You "For the first time in my seven years, I decide I am worth more than my silence." "The mirror is good enough for me to tell me how I look today. I don't need a compliment." "You cannot stay in your part of the forest forever. At some point you have to come out." Connect with Pritha Find her coaching practice, Be the Sequoia, and follow her journey online. www.BeTheSequoia.com (http://www.bethesequoia.com) @bethesequoiacoaching Listen & Subscribe Available on Spotify and YouTube. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it today. A quick shout-out to today's sponsor, Sri Krishna Jewellers ~ over 50 years of craftsmanship, now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, Texas. Visit srikrishna.com or call 430-231-1111. Portraits of Strength is a podcast where everyday people share the extraordinary stories that shape their lives. Hosted by Harry, the Anecdotist.

5. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Born to Do Great Things with Tejaswini Vaidya

   What does success look like when you stop counting it? In this episode, I sit down with Tejaswini, VP of Financial Services at InComm Payments and co-owner of Zest Kitchen and Porch here in Utah. She's a tech and operations leader with 20+ years in fintech. A restaurateur. A wife and mom. And someone who told herself at 5 years old, "I'm born to do great things." We talk about growing up as the eldest daughter in a middle-class Indian family, moving to a new city every three years, and the quiet lessons her father taught her without ever saying them out loud. She shares how a health scare last year changed the way she leads, why she believes consistency beats motivation every time, and what finally gave her permission to pause. Fun fact: the morning we recorded this, she worked a server shift at her own restaurant because no one showed up. Then she sat down and gave me this conversation. That's the whole episode in one moment. What we cover: Growing up across India and learning early that everybody is different, but at the end of it, all of us are the same Her father's unspoken lesson: talent means nothing without hard work Learning about stocks, bonds, and mutual funds at 18, and why women need to be in those conversations How her definition of success went from grades, titles, and promotions to slow mornings and Tuesday evening walks Why she calls herself a follower disguised as a leader Opening two restaurants while climbing the corporate ladder, and the humility that came with it The health scare that taught her to trust her people and let go of control "It's lonely at the top" and why nobody tells you the truth once you get there Her advice for anyone afraid to take a risk: know your why, calculate it, and ask yourself how badly you want it Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open 01:24 – Meet Tejaswini 02:41 – Childhood in India and being the silent, ambitious eldest daughter 05:00 – A new city every three years 09:02 – Her father, her biggest influence 12:07 – Learning finances at 18 14:19 – How her definition of success evolved 20:21 – Early signs of leadership 24:55 – Why open restaurants during a corporate career? 30:02 – The health scare that changed her leadership 33:13 – Every decision is a calculated risk 35:12 – Why high achievers struggle to pause 38:18 – Consistency over motivation 41:36 – Advice for anyone afraid to take the leap 46:27 – Rapid fire round 49:10 – Closing thoughts Connect with the show: Follow @portraits.of.strength.podcast on Instagram New episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts Today's sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Sri Krishna Jewellers. Over 50 years of craftsmanship, now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, Texas. If you have someone special worth celebrating, check out their collection at srikrishna.com or call 430-231-1111.

6. 

   26 Jun 2026

   Choosing Joy: A Mother, a Son, and the Dance That Saved Her with Sarika Nayak

   In this episode, Harry sits down with Sarika Nayak — IT professional, Bollywood dance instructor, community builder, and mother to Ranch, her son on the autism spectrum. Born and raised in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Sarika has been dancing since she was three years old, training for over a decade in the classical Indian dance form Odissi under a guru who shaped not just her art but her spirit. Now rooted in Salt Lake City, Utah, she leads the Bollipop dance community — a space she built from scratch that has become, in her own words, a home away from home. This conversation goes deep. We talk about what it felt like when Ranch was first diagnosed, the silence and isolation of those early days, and how dance became the lifeline that pulled Sarika back. But this isn't just a story about surviving hardship. It's about what it looks like to choose joy — deliberately, repeatedly — and how that choice ripples outward into everything you build. What We Cover Growing up hyperactive and happy in Bhubaneswar, and a mother's quiet wisdom in channeling that energy into Odissi The "Indian checklist" — academics, job, marriage — and the buried dream of dance that never quite went away Moving to Utah in 2014, Ranch's diagnosis at eighteen months, and the first time Sarika felt truly low How a recreation center instructor's offhand suggestion sparked the Bollipop community in 2015 Reimagining milestones, accepting different timelines, and what resilience actually looks like for a special needs parent The Bollipop community as mutual healing — comeback moms, IT professionals, people who just need to move What autism has taught Sarika about unconditional love, purity of heart, and living without judgment Her advice for parents just beginning their autism journey: get the diagnosis, accept it on your own timeline, and know that you are the difference Why staying passionate isn't selfishness — it's the thing that keeps you showing up A Moment That Will Stay With You "I think I never left dance. And I think it was mutual — dance never left me." "When you look at a heart rate monitor, it's the ups and downs that tell you the person is alive. If it's flat — he's dead. Life is that. If you have the ups and downs, you're actually living." "Ranch has come into my life to make me a better person." Rapid Fire Favorite book: Autobiography of a Yogi Favorite song: Love Me Favorite quote: "Miles to go before I sleep" — Robert Frost Favorite movie: Titanic Greatest fear: That Ranch won't know what to do without her Philosophy of life: Be happy. Make others happy. Everything will magically change around you. Connect with Sarika Find her and the Bollipop community on Instagram and in Salt Lake City, Utah. Listen & Subscribe Available on Spotify and YouTube. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it today. A quick shout-out to today's sponsor, Sri Krishna Jewellers — over 50 years of craftsmanship, now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, Texas. Visit srikrishna.com or call 430-231-1111.

7. 

   11 Jun 2026

   The Strength to Choose Yourself with Suha Lingam

   Guest: Suha Lingam — Managing Principal of Digi Trunk, former digital marketing leader at Studio McGee, Intermountain Healthcare, Zale Jewellers, and Claire's. MBA from BYU, digital marketing training from Cornell. Survivor of domestic abuse and someone who chose to rebuild life entirely on her own terms. Episode Summary: Suha's story begins long before the boardroom. Born in Sri Lanka, raised between India and the U.S., she grew up carrying the weight of generational trauma, cultural expectations, and a family defined by survival rather than thriving. Her parents escaped war. Safety was the ceiling. Ambition wasn't in the vocabulary. What followed was decades of quiet unlearning — about what strength means, what loyalty actually requires, and what it costs to finally trust yourself. Suha opens up about leaving a domestically abusive marriage, not because she had found herself, but because she became a mother and couldn't unsee what she was seeing. She talks about the compartmentalization that got her through, the vision of a better life that kept her going, and the surprising grief of healing — the relationships, beliefs, and versions of herself she had to leave behind. Today, she's intentionally stepped away from a two-decade corporate career to simply figure out who Suha is. Not the digital marketer. Not the immigrant daughter. Not the wife. Just Suha. This conversation is about what it takes to stop defining yourself by your roles, set real boundaries with the people you love most, and build a life in alignment with who you actually are. Key themes from this conversation: What "strength" meant growing up — and how that definition has completely transformed. The role of intuition as the clearest compass she has. Why healing costs you relationships you never expected to lose. How becoming a mother gave her the courage she couldn't find for herself. The difference between surviving and thriving — and the decades it took to claim the latter. What it means to be "complete on your own" before inviting anyone else in. Why she stopped caring about how her LinkedIn looks — and why that matters. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Sri Krishna Jewellers — over 50 years of craftsmanship, now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, Texas. Visit srikrishna.com or call 430-231-1111.

8. 

   29 May 2026

   The Woman Who Said No to the Checklist with Rajyalakshmi Kola

   What does it look like to build a thriving company in a male-dominated industry, stay grounded in your identity, and still make time to dance? Rajyalakshmi Kola — co-founder of Sunworks Energy, IIT Madras and Virginia Tech alumna, and a force in India's renewable energy sector — joins Portraits of Strength for a conversation that is equal parts grounding and inspiring. With over 12 years of experience and more than 1,400 megawatts of solar capacity delivered, Rajyalakshmi has built something remarkable — not just professionally, but personally. In this episode, we explore: The woman behind the work. Rajyalakshmi traces her roots to her grandmother — a doctor, Red Cross volunteer, and MLC who was working until the age of 80, back when that was virtually unheard of for a woman. Growing up with that model of strength shaped everything. Navigating a male-dominated path — from day one. The gender ratio didn't start at the boardroom. It started at IIT prep, where women made up less than 10% of her class. Rajyalakshmi shares how she got used to being the only woman in the room long before she co-founded a company — and how that prepared her for the moments that would have rattled someone else. The assumption that almost made her walk away from a client. A prospective client once opened a call by asking which of her partners was her husband. She stayed composed through that half-hour conversation — and then called her partners the moment she hung up. What happened next says everything about her character and her team. Why she came back to India. After graduating from Virginia Tech around 2009–10, Rajyalakshmi tried to find work in the US in her field. When the opportunities didn't materialize, she made a deliberate choice: travel, see the country she'd been living in, and leave with no regrets. Then she went home and built something extraordinary. Leadership lessons from scaling to 100 people. The math and engineering were never the hard part. People management was. From delaying a necessary firing for six months to learning how to build a culture that holds at scale, Rajyalakshmi is honest about what they got wrong and how they course-corrected. The proudest moment she almost dismissed. When four board members from a company — each independently reaching out through their own networks — all came back with the same name: hers. She called it small. We disagree. Dance as a lifeline. Rajyalakshmi has been dancing since she was two and a half years old. Bharatanatyam, contemporary, hip hop, belly dance — she has trained in them all. After a 25-year gap, she picked Bharatanatyam back up during COVID, starting from scratch alongside six-year-olds. She performs regularly with a small troupe in Hyderabad and dances at weddings when asked. No hesitation. CrossFit as the foundation. What started as a way to become a stronger dancer became a non-negotiable daily ritual. She does her own programming, meets her crew every morning on a terrace in Hyderabad, and credits the discipline of movement with pulling her out of the most anxious period of her professional life. Advice for South Asian women caught between expectation and ambition. Stop explaining yourself to people who aren't listening. Find the path of least resistance, move forward, and stop waiting for permission that was never yours to need. Connect with Portraits of Strength 📺 YouTube | 🎙️ Spotify 📸 Instagram: @portraits.of.strength.podcast Portraits of Strength is proudly supported by our Founding Sponsor - Sri Krishna Jewellers.

9. 

   14 May 2026

   Determined, Not Stubborn with Dr.Maddy Manchi Nukala

   Dr. Madhavi Manchi Nukala (Maddy) — Sociologist, Researcher & Human Ethics Manager What does it mean to stay rooted in who you are when life keeps uprooting you? In this episode, Harry sits down with Dr. Madhavi Manchi Nukala ~ sociologist, researcher, fierce advocate for social justice, and self-described "politely persistent" human being. Born into a Telugu-speaking family that moved across India over generations, Maddy now calls Auckland, New Zealand home, where she serves as Human Ethics Manager at the University of Auckland. This conversation is about the quiet, water-like strength it takes to navigate cultures, challenge expectations, and build a life on your own terms , without ever losing sight of who you are. What we talk about: From childhood memories of Ek Do Teen and a head always buried in a book, to kicking math's ass at 92% just to prove she could, Maddy's story is full of those small rebellions that quietly become a life. She shares what it was like growing up across Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai as a kid who could never quite answer "where are you from" — and why she now sees that shapeshifting quality as a superpower. She opens up about the long, lonely road of a PhD at TISS Mumbai, meeting her husband three days before saying yes, shuttling between India and New Zealand for three years to finish her thesis, and what it meant to be the first woman in her family to earn a doctorate. She also takes us inside the world of human research ethics — why AI and indigenous data sovereignty are keeping her up at night, why ethics is the canary in the coal mine, and how you hold empathy and assertiveness side by side when the conversations get hard. And she leaves us with something worth sitting with: strength doesn't have to be loud. Sometimes it looks like water — taking the shape of its container, but quietly eroding everything in its way. Highlights: Growing up across cities in India and never being able to answer "where are you from" Choosing sociology over engineering in a Telugu family, and what that fight looked like Six years, two countries, a new marriage, and one PhD The advice that got her through: "Come have a cup of chai, every day" Being the first woman in her family to earn a doctorate Navigating race, gender, and invisibility as an Indian woman in New Zealand Why AI and Māori data sovereignty are the biggest challenges in research ethics right now Clog dancing on Thursdays and why getting out of your head is serious self-care Imposter syndrome, quiet strength, and calling stubbornness what it really is: determination Books Maddy loves: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran · The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin · Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Connect with Portraits of Strength: Spotify | YouTube | Instagram @portraits.of.strength.podcast

10. 

    30 Apr 2026

    Work-Life Integration: The Real Secret to Success with Sai Mounika Potti

    What does it look like to rise to the director level in one of the most male-dominated industries in the world — while navigating motherhood, imposter syndrome, and life as a woman of color in Utah? In this episode, Harry the Anecdotist sits down with Sai Mounika Potti, Director of Product and Test Engineering at Texas Instruments in Lehi, Utah, for a conversation that is as honest as it is inspiring.Mounika doesn't just talk about success. She talks about the days she wants to quit, the pregnancy comments that stopped her in her tracks, the imposter syndrome she battles every single day, and the mentor who told her something she'll never forget. She also opens up about grief, dance, discipline, and what she believes sisterhood really means.This one hits different. Sai Mounika Potti is a Director of Product and Test Engineering at Texas Instruments in Lehi, Utah — and the first woman of color to hold a director-level role at her organization. Born in India, Mounika grew up across three continents — the US, UK, and India — before completing her bachelor's degree in India and her master's in Singapore, where she began her semiconductor career at Micron. She relocated to Utah in 2016 and has been building ever since.Beyond her corporate role, Mounika is a dancer with a growing social media presence who believes that self-expression and professional ambition are not in conflict — they're complementary. She is also a mother to a young toddler and a vocal advocate for women's leadership and sisterhood in the workplace.📸 Growing up across three continents and what constant movement taught Mounika about resilience and fitting in. How her father — who left a small town in Andhra Pradesh to pursue his IIT Madras degree — became her earliest model of ambition. The stark difference between working in Singapore, where her first manager was a woman, and arriving in Utah to find she was often the only woman in a room of 20. The pregnancy comment a supervisor made that she refused to let slide — and why she says you should never let those "funny" comments pass. Battling imposter syndrome as the first woman and woman of color director — and what a male ally told her that she still carries today. Why she rejects the concept of work-life balance and argues for work-life integration instead. Losing five close friends in a car accident — and how grief taught her to stay present. The maths teacher in Chennai who lit a lamp every evening at 6 PM and quietly taught Mounika the meaning of discipline. What the DISC profile revealed about how motherhood changed her leadership style. Her philosophy that the best leaders know when to fly high and when to fly low. Why she believes sisterhood — not just self-belief — is what women need more of right now.Standout MomentsOn imposter syndrome: "There's a reason you're here and there's a reason that you were chosen." — words from a mentor that Mounika says changed how she shows up every day.On the oxygen mask principle: "You need to wear your oxygen mask first before you can put it on for everyone else." A reminder she returns to whenever the weight of multiple roles becomes overwhelming.On work-life balance: "There is nothing called work-life balance. It is more of how do you make work a part of your life routine."On breaking down: "Every other day or every other week I break down — and that's normal. I think as women we are more emotional, and it's our strength."On sisterhood: "A lot of times we as women don't believe in sisterhood that much. I think we need to build that." Follow Mounika: https://www.instagram.com/mounika.dance

11. 

    16 Apr 2026

    Twice Traumatized - Thrice Empowered

    In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, host Harry reconnects with his childhood friend Dr. AJ — a relationship that goes all the way back to their school days at Nasr School in Hyderabad, India. What unfolds is part reunion, part masterclass in resilience, identity, and the power of self-belief. Dr. AJ shares her journey from a vibrant childhood in South India, to immigrating to the US at 14, to surviving two traumatic brain injuries that reshaped the entire trajectory of her life — and ultimately led her to her true calling. Key Topics Childhood & Early Influences Dr. AJ grew up primarily in Hyderabad after being born in the coastal town of Kakinada. Her aunt — just 10 years her senior — was her biggest early influence, shaping her sense of compassion, fairness, and boundaries through both positive experiences and the hardships she witnessed her aunt face as a woman in Indian society. Immigration at 14 Moving to the US after ninth grade, Dr. AJ navigated the cultural transition with her family structure intact at home, which she describes as a "warm blanket" — protective, though occasionally smothering. She adapted quickly, losing her accent within 10 days by immersing herself in the language, crediting Nasr's rigorous multilingual education as a key advantage. Traumatic Brain Injuries — The Turning Points First TBI (college): A concussion that went largely untreated and unrecognized as a brain injury at the time. In its aftermath, she experienced cognitive changes and personality shifts that led doctors to suggest a personality disorder — which ironically sparked her interest in psychology. Second TBI (grad school): Hit by a car just two days after being accepted into her doctoral program, she suffered a severe brain injury including multiple blood clots and a subdural hematoma. With minimal medical support due to student insurance, she rebuilt her cognitive abilities largely on her own — through crossword puzzles, Sudoku, gaming, and sheer determination — going on to pass her doctoral comprehensive exams with nearly a perfect score and defending her PhD on Ugadi (Telugu New Year) in 2012. Why She Calls Her TBI a Blessing Without prescribed PT or OT, Dr. AJ had no one telling her how her recovery "should" look. This removed all external limits and expectations, forcing her to discover what actually worked for her brain — a process she now sees as one of the greatest gifts of her life. On Resilience — And Why She Rejects the Word Dr. AJ offers a thought-provoking challenge to the concept of resilience. For many people — especially those from marginalized communities — bouncing back isn't a choice; it's the only option. Calling that "resilience," she argues, implies there was an alternative. Defining Strength Rather than offering a fixed definition, Dr. AJ describes strength as "whatever you choose to develop in that moment." She rejects the binary of strength versus weakness, arguing that what we call weaknesses are simply skills we haven't chosen to develop — and that most strengths, including mindset and clarity, can be cultivated with investment and intention. On Being Seen and Heard Dr. AJ's advice for anyone who feels invisible or unheard: start by seeing and hearing yourself first. Clarity about what you actually want — to be right, to be acknowledged, or simply to feel seen — is the prerequisite for communicating it to others. "Making the invisible visible" starts from within. Rituals That Keep Her Grounded Watching Chinese dramas (for their delightful absurdity and underlying human stories) Gaming (daily — especially puzzle games like Sudoku and Candy Crush when problem-solving) Art and creative expression "Not doing it was just not an option. It just wasn't an option." "A weakness is something you've just chosen not to develop." Memorable Quotes"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (Winnie the Pooh )

12. 

    2 Apr 2026

    Authenticity & Belonging with Dr. Chelsea Shields

    Episode SummaryIn this powerful episode, Dr. Chelsea Shields shares her journey from growing up in a large Mormon family to becoming an anthropologist who bridges science, strategy, and human behavior. She discusses her dual PhD in biological and cultural anthropology, her groundbreaking work on the placebo effect in West Africa, and her role in the Mormon feminist movement that changed 86 out of 100 policies. Chelsea opens up about the challenges of leaving her culture of origin, navigating two divorces, and finding strength through authenticity.Key Topics & TimestampsGrowing Up Mormon (03:09)The Mormon Feminist Movement (09:11)Influences & Family Values (15:35)Father's practice of compassion and serviceAcademic Journey (18:38)The placebo effect research with Harvard Medical SchoolDual PhD Journey (24:03)Challenges as a Woman in Academia (26:05)Brand Strategy & Human Behavior (30:33)Defining Strength (37:27)Source of Strength: Motherhood (39:43)Resilience Through Hardship (44:52)Misconceptions About Strength (50:33)Advice for Being Seen & Heard (53:44)Daily Practices (01:02:21)Rapid Fire Round (01:05:19) Favorite Books: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas; Bill Bryson's science writingFavorite Song: "Physical" by Olivia Newton-JohnFavorite Quote: "Well-behaved women seldom make history" - Laurel Thatcher UlrichFavorite Movie: The Fugitive, Indiana Jones seriesGreatest Fear: Bears (and statistically, men)Most Courageous Thing: Organizing Mormon feminist activism despite consequencesLife Philosophy: Focus on solving present-day human problems together rather than fighting over unknowable mythologiesKey Quotes"I went into anthropology because I needed cultural therapy.""It's really hard to leave your culture of origin and it takes a lot of strength.""Well-behaved women seldom make history." - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich"My definition of strength is someone who can be completely honest with themselves and show up authentically.""People don't really remember what you say. They remember how you make them feel.""When you live on your own and have that solidity and being able to make choices unencumbered by others, that is necessary to anyone's growth.""Being playful gets you quickest to your most authentic self."Resources MentionedLaurel Thatcher Ulrich (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Thatcher_Ulrich) - Pulitzer Prize winner, authorTed Kaptchuk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kaptchuk) - Harvard Medical School placebo directorBill Bryson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bryson) - Science writerGrande Cosmetics - Brand collaboration exampleConnect with Dr. Chelsea Shields (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchelseashields/)

13. 

    19 Mar 2026

    From Ego-Centric Living to Soul-Centric Living with Lavanya Mahate

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of Portraits of Strength! Join host Harry in an intimate conversation with Lavanya Mahate, a celebrated restaurateur, entrepreneur, and community leader who has redefined success on her own terms. From a childhood in India where the kitchen became her safe haven, to building a restaurant empire in Utah, Lavana shares her journey of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. As the 2025 James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist and Utah Business Person of the Year, she's proven that success isn't just about external achievements—it's about inner fulfillment. Guest Bio Lavanya Mahate is the founder of Saffron Valley restaurants (6 locations), Rise Culinary Institute, and former owner of Biscotts Bakery Café. She's a 2025 James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist and was named Utah Business Person of the Year. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, India, Lavana moved to Utah in 2001 and has since become a champion for refugees, women entrepreneurs, and the culinary community. Key Topics Discussed From India to Utah: Navigating immigration, dependent visa challenges, and finding opportunity The Kitchen as Sanctuary: How childhood experiences shaped a culinary empire Breaking Through: From intern to director at Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Leap: Starting at farmers markets and growing to 10+ restaurants The Pivot Point: How an ankle fracture led to profound personal transformation Rise Culinary Institute: Training refugees and building community through food Redefining Success: Moving from ego-driven achievement to soul-centered fulfillment Daily Practices: Meditation, breathwork, visualization, and emotional regulation Women & Strength: The power of emotional resilience and self-awareness Memorable Quotes "The world will define you by whether you're successful or not, if the restaurant did well or not. But for me, I was already successful in taking that first step towards following my passion." "Build your foundation of self before you build success... the society teaches us the other way where we build success and then we look for ourselves." "What you focus on grows." "I was so successful on paper with all of these awards, yet I felt like a stranger in my own house." "True success is when the external success equals the inner fulfillment." Timeline Highlights Childhood: Growing up in Kakinada and Chennai, India; finding refuge in the kitchen 2001: Moved to Utah on dependent visa Early 2000s: Masters at University of Utah; volunteered at Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce 8 years: Career at Women's Business Center (intern → marketing manager → director) 2009: Started at farmers market with spice blends 2010: First Saffron Valley location opens in South Jordan 2010-2020: Expanded to 10+ restaurant locations (including London) 2020: Pandemic hit; closed London location 2022: Launched Rise Culinary Institute Present: Managing 6 locations, training refugees, and living with intention Resources Mentioned Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce - Women's Business Center Saffron Valley Restaurants Rise Culinary Institute Utah Refugee Center Rapid Fire Answers Favorite Book: Entrepreneurial biographies (currently reading Howard Schultz's story) Favorite Song: A.R. Rahman - "Roja" title track Favorite Quote: "What you focus on grows" Favorite Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean (first one) Greatest Fear: Losing self-awareness Most Courageous Act: Skydiving at 40 + moving across the world Life Philosophy: Build your foundation of self before you build success Connect with Lavana Saffron Valley Restaurants: Multiple locations across Utah Rise Culinary Institute: Sugar House, Utah Next Episode Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations with individuals who embody resilience, courage, and quiet strength. Host: Harry Production: Portraits of Strength Podcast Episode Length: ~53 minutes Subscribe and follow for more stories of resilience and strength.

14. 

    2 Mar 2026

    Launching Soon

    Strength doesn’t always look the way you think it does.

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