Career Small Talk: Work | Play | Build

RainKraft

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CAREERS
EVERY TWO WEEKS

Welcome to Career Small Talk: Work, Play, Build! Expect conversations about building a career, pursuing passion projects, and learning from inspiring guests who work, play, and build their dreams, As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true.

4 DAYS AGO

S7E31 The Watercooler Gap at Remote Workplaces

The Watercooler Gap at Work: What We Lost in the Race for EfficiencyWe’ve optimized work for speed, productivity, and endless Zoom calls. But in the process, did we quietly lose the part of work that helped us grow?The overheard conversations. The unexpected mentorship. The joke that made a hard day easier. The meeting you weren’t meant to learn from, but did. The senior leader you observed and thought, that’s who I want to become.In this episode of Small Talk, Subha and Hasita unpack the hidden cost of hybrid work, remote culture, and hyper-efficiency. Why do so many people feel disconnected at work today? Why are younger professionals missing skills no one formally teaches? And why can’t free pizza, team outings, or office perks solve a much deeper problem?If you care about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, hybrid teams, or the future of work, this conversation will change how you think about what work is really for.00:00 Highlights01:22 Intro02:57 What the workplace gave us06:04 Learning by osmosis10:27 Who is losing the most12:00 Early career lessons16:40 Efficiency vs human connection19:06 How organizations should respond29:13 Designing better in-person work37:24 Read Watch Listen--------------------- Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators. Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

39 min
10 APR

S7E30 Career Transition: The “Safe Career” Lie Is Over

The idea of a “safe career” sounds reassuring, but it’s quickly falling apart. In this episode, we unpack what happens when that certainty disappears and you’re left asking: what now?We get into the quiet panic of feeling replaceable, the identity shift that comes with change, and why waiting for clarity can actually hold you back. This is a real look at career transitions—how to experiment without blowing up your life, what trade-offs to expect, and why you don’t need a perfect plan to start moving.If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about your next step, this conversation might help you see it differently. 00:00 Highlights 01:02 Intro 02:26 Career uncertainty today 06:20 When to start transitioning 08:39 Learning and experimentation 12:16 Exploring new paths 15:03 Financial planning for transitions 17:05 Bridge roles explained 18:33 Ego and identity shifts 20:51 Experimentation mindset 25:36 Redefining career identity 30:27 Read Watch Listen --------------------- Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators. Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

33 min
28 MAR

S7E29: Participation to Performance [Sports Mini-Series] w/ Deepthi Bopaiah & Saumil Majmudar

In this episode of Small Talk, we go beyond athletes to unpack the real system behind sport, from grassroots participation to elite performance, and the careers that power it all. What does it actually take to build champions? Why do most sports careers remain invisible? And is India thinking about sport the right way? Featuring Saumil Majmudar, Co-founder & CEO of Sports Village, building large-scale school sports ecosystems, and Deepthi Bopaiah, Board Member and Ex-CEO of GoSports Foundation, enabling Olympic and Paralympic athletes through high-performance pathways. From the myth of “sports vs education” to the reality of funding, risk, and opportunity, this conversation reveals why sport is not just a career, it’s an ecosystem shaping health, leadership, and society itself. If you’ve ever thought about working in sport, returning to it, or understanding its true impact, this episode will change how you see the game. -------------------- This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian Sports Exploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field. -------------------- 00:00 Highlights 00:51 Intro 02:43 Meet the Guests 11:01 Access, Privilege & Early Sport 23:15 Careers in Sport: Myths vs Reality 41:22 Global Models & What India Gets Wrong 55:25 Education, Risk & Choosing Sport 01:10:29 Parents, Pressure & Pathways 01:20:17 Mid-Career Entry into Sports 01:31:24 Read Watch Listen -------------------- Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators. Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

1hr 34min
13 MAR

S7E28 The First-Time Manager Identity Crisis

First-Time Manager: Promotion or Identity Crisis?The day you become a manager, your job changes completely. You were promoted because you were a high performer. Suddenly, your role is no longer about doing the work — it’s about getting work done through others.In this episode, we unpack the real challenges first-time managers face: letting go of control, managing former peers, giving difficult feedback, and navigating imposter syndrome. We also explore how leadership expectations shift in remote workplaces, AI-driven environments, and India’s hierarchy-heavy corporate culture.We discuss:• The identity shift from individual contributor to manager• Why the skills that got you promoted can now hold you back• The first 90 days skills every new manager must learn• Delegation, feedback, and managing up• What makes managers future-proof in the age of AI• A simple self-review framework for first-time managersIf you’re a new manager, aspiring leader, or high-performing professional stepping into leadership, this conversation will help you navigate the transition with clarity.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, careers, and professional growth.#FirstTimeManager #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ManagementSkills #NewManager #futureofwork --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------

41 min
27 FEB

S7E27 Mid-Career Crisis or Crossroads?

At some point, if you’re paying attention, you look up and ask yourself: now what?Mid-career isn’t just about being in your 40s. It’s not a milestone defined by age or tenure. It’s that moment when the promotions have happened, the validation has come in, and yet something feels unfinished. Or unclear.In this episode, we explore what mid-career really means today. What happens when you don’t want the CXO title everyone assumes you’re chasing? What ambition looks like in a world of multiple careers. Why discomfort, impostor syndrome, and identity shifts are often signs of growth rather than failure.We talk about linear ladders that no longer exist, building your own path, redefining success, and the role of community when things feel uncertain.If you’ve ever felt restless despite doing well, unsure whether to pivot or persist, or quietly questioning the script you’ve been following, this conversation is for you.Mid-career may not be the middle of something. It might be the moment you finally get to choose.Chapters00:00 What Do We Mean by Mid-Career?01:01 Age, Tenure, or Identity?04:47 Multiple Careers and Non-Linear Paths06:37 The Shift from Manager to Leader09:42 What If There Is No Ladder?15:17 What If I Don’t Want to Be CXO?16:39 Redefining Ambition21:06 The Role of Community26:03 Autonomy vs Workplace Reality28:11 Living with Discomfort32:24 Read Watch Listen--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

35 min
13 FEB

S7E26: The Silent Crisis Among Men:Strong, Successful, Still Alone with Srini Ramaswamy & Nikhil Damle

What happens when men don’t feel safe enough to be vulnerable?For years on this podcast, we’ve explored ambition, leadership, and the realities women navigate at work.But growth isn’t one-sided. If workplaces and relationships are changing, so are the men inside them.This week, we turn the lens gently in another direction.We’re joined by Srini Ramaswamy, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriniramaswamycdp/) Co-Founder of Men’s Circle India, who has facilitated honest conversations with hundreds of men across the country, and Nikhil Damle, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilsdamle/) Founder of Iridium Coaching, who works closely with high-performing professionals navigating identity, pressure, and emotional blind spots.What happens when men are taught to provide, perform, and persist, but not to process?Why do so many men appear confident and capable, yet privately feel isolated?What shifts when gender roles evolve faster than emotional tools do?This conversation doesn’t take sides. It expands the frame. Because if we care about healthier workplaces, stronger partnerships, and more grounded leadership, we have to understand what’s happening beneath the surface for everyone involved.Listen with curiosity. You might hear something you didn’t expect.00:00 – Highlights and Intro03:19 – The Quiet Crisis Facing Men at Work17:51 – What Are Boys Hearing Today?21:53 – From Bedroom to Boardroom: The Pressure to Perform24:08 – The Only Time Men Switch Off33:31 – When Vulnerability Feels Forced52:03 – Why Most Men Aren’t Virat Kohli1:12:01 – Put Your Oxygen Mask On First1:30:22 – The Loneliness Data We Can’t Ignore1:40:38 - Read Watch Listen --------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalk_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

1hr 46min
30 JAN

S7E25 Who Are You Without Your Job Title?

From the moment we enter the education system, we’re sorted into lanes- science kid, commerce kid, arts kid. Soon after, those lanes turn into job titles. Banker. Engineer. Marketer. Manager.But what happens when the role disappears? When layoffs hit, when AI reshapes work, when burnout creeps in, or when the identity you carried for years no longer fits?In this episode of Small Talk: Work, Play, Build- Subha and Hasita unpack the uneasy truth many of us are sitting with: how deeply our sense of self is tied to work, and why learning to decentre our job title might be the most important career skill of the next decade.This is a conversation about career fluidity, loyalty, burnout, sabbaticals, parallel identities, and the courage it takes to ask a hard question: who am I beyond what I do?00:00 Highlights01:33 Why career identity feels so fixed04:50 Education, labels, and early narrowing07:40 Losing old identities and adopting new ones10:30 Layoffs, AI, and roles disappearing14:00 Long hours, 9-9-6 culture, and lack of real choice18:05 Loyalty, pressure, and parallel identities23:50 Burnout, boundaries, and learning to disconnect33:20 Decentring work without throwing it away41:28 Read | Watch | Listen--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. 📅 New episodes every fortnight📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltalk_wpb🌐 Website: https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Media enquiries: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) ---------------------If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

44 min
16 JAN

Apparently, Women Ruined The Workplace! | Small Talk S7E24

Did women ruin the workplace or did the workplace finally have to evolve?In this episode, Hasita and Subha with their long, hard-earned careers unpack why that question keeps resurfacing and why it feels wildly out of step with the realities of work in 2026.Sparked by a recent piece from The New York Times, we look past the headline and into what’s really being debated: power, change, and discomfort when old systems stop being centered by default.We talk about:- Why progress often gets framed as “decline”- What actually changes when women gain influence at work- Why flexibility, boundaries, and empathy get labeled as weakness- How blaming women distracts from deeper structural failures- And why this conversation feels more like 1986 than 2026This isn’t a rant. It’s a calm, clear-eyed conversation from people who’ve been in the room, built careers, managed teams, and watched workplaces evolve in real time.If you’ve ever felt gaslit by “back in my day” arguments, or wondered why equality still triggers backlash, this episode is for you.00:00 – 01:00 Highlights: Did Women Ruin the Workplace?01:00 – 02:10 Apparently, We Ruined the Workplace02:10 – 04:05 The NYT Podcast and Why This Debate Feels Ancient04:05 – 06:40 MeToo, Safety, and the Cost of Calling Out Harassment06:40 – 09:35 Old Boys’ Clubs, Networking, and Invisible Barriers09:35 – 12:00 Who the Workplace Is Really Built For12:00 – 18:00 Women at Work: Leadership, Community, and Real Progress18:00 – 23:55 Why We’re Still Here, Still Talking, Still Not Done23:55 – 26:40 Read, Watch, Listen--------------------Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a career podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it. Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpbWebsite http://www.smalltalkpod.comMedia enquiries smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.comCopyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.Small Talk: Work, Play, Build Subha Chandrasekaran Hasita Krishna---------------------

27 min

Welcome to Career Small Talk: Work, Play, Build! Expect conversations about building a career, pursuing passion projects, and learning from inspiring guests who work, play, and build their dreams, As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true.

Creator

RainKraft
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

102
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 495548
Show Website

Career Small Talk: Work | Play | Build