Small Talk: Work | Play | Build

Career Conversations by RainKraft
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Careers are rarely just one thing anymore. Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly conversation about the work we do, the things we play with for joy, and the things we build on the side. Hosts Subha Chandrasekaran (executive coach) and Hasita Krishna (brand strategist) talk with leaders, founders, and thinkers about ambition, mid-career pivots, women at work, first-time managers, AI and the workplace, and the passion projects that keep us whole.

  1. Sep 25

    Season 7 Wrap: We Were in the Room | Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

    Close to 40 episodes. Our first season in video, in studio. And many conversations that happened before the topic hit the headlines or became a meme. In this season finale, Hasita Krishna and Subha Chandrasekaran look back at Season 7. They talked about AI and the careers it will reshape before it arrived in force. They discussed quiet quitting while it was still new, and they covered moonlighting, toxic managers, hybrid work, and why trust is what really builds a business. The finale also returns to the guests who stayed with them: a sports psychologist to Olympians who wanted to talk about elephants, an aerospace manufacturer who makes time to ski, dancers on the guru-shishya bond, and the people building communities for migrant children, for men, and for young changemakers. They also talk about what's coming next. That includes conversations across opposing ends of the same spectrum, such as a climate scientist and an AI evangelist in the same room, plus the trend they want to end the season on: we're struggling to say what we mean in a way that makes each other feel something. Thank you to every listener and viewer for every like, comment, WhatsApp message, and DM. See you on the other side. It won't be long. Chapters 0:00 We were in the room 3:03 Meet the hosts 4:11 Guests who surprised us 6:06 Trends we called early 6:44 Careers of the future 8:32 Communities that change lives 10:44 Impact beyond numbers 13:27 What's next 15:04 Thank you Subscribe for Season 8, and tell us in the comments which Season 7 conversation stayed with you. Link to donate to Diya Ghar: https://diyaghar.org/ #SmallTalk #Podcast #SeasonFinale #FutureOfWork #Careers #Leadership #Communication #IndianPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close. 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902 📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb 📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

    Season 7 Wrap: We Were in the Room | Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

  2. Sep 4

    Food, Health & the Art of Mid-Life Reinventions with Monika Manchanda | S7E40

    What does getting healthy actually look like when you’re a woman approaching 50? Is it about losing weight? Going to the gym? Eating more protein? Taking a GLP-1? Or is the real challenge changing your relationship with your body, food, and the idea of what being healthy is supposed to look like? In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, we speak with Monika Manchanda, food writer and culinary professional, about her very personal journey into fitness and better health. Monika talks openly about starting small after years of not working out, learning to feel comfortable in the gym in a larger body, navigating changing health needs as she approaches 50, and why loving your body and wanting to improve your health don't have to be contradictory ideas. We also get into one of the biggest health conversations right now: GLP-1 medications. What do they actually mean for a health journey? Are they a shortcut? What role do strength training, protein and fibre play alongside medication? And how do you make sense of wildly conflicting health advice online? Plus, Monika answers a question many Indian vegetarians struggle with: how do you get enough protein without completely overhauling your diet? Chapters 00:00 Loving Yourself, Getting Healthier 01:41 Monika Manchanda’s Health Journey 11:04 Starting Fitness From Scratch 12:13 Being a Bigger Woman in the Gym 15:39 The Truth About GLP-1s 24:41 Body Positivity vs Better Health 25:24 Women’s Health After 40 38:09 Health Influencers and Bad Advice 45:41 Can Sharing Your Journey Help Others? 1:02:09 How Vegetarians Get Enough Protein 1:15:49 Social Media, Hobbies and Work 1:16:42 Getting Older and Getting Healthier One of the ideas that runs through this entire conversation is simple: health isn’t a 30-day transformation or a shortcut. It’s a relationship with your body that keeps evolving.And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is stop waiting to become the “right kind of person” before you start taking care of yourself. Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between. #WomensHealth #Fitness #HealthJourney #Nutrition #Protein #GLP1 #Perimenopause #StrengthTraining #WomenOver40 #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast --------------------- If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902 📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb 📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb 🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it. © 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

    Food, Health & the Art of Mid-Life Reinventions with Monika Manchanda | S7E40

  3. Aug 15

    AI Tools we'd pick to get the work done S7E39

    AI is everywhere. But which AI tool should you actually use for what?In this episode of Small Talk: Work | Play | Build, we stop trying to keep up with every new AI tool and try something more useful: imagine ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok as your colleagues. Who would you trust with research? Who would you send the boring repetitive work to? Who would you absolutely not give access to your Google Drive?We also step back from the tools themselves to ask some bigger questions. If AI is changing what we can do at work this quickly, what happens to careers, expertise and the idea of building a long-term professional identity? And if nobody, including the people building these systems, really knows where AI is headed, how do we make sense of it without getting overwhelmed?The answer might have less to do with becoming better at AI and more to do with becoming better at being human.00:00 AI Is Coming for Our Jobs. Or Is It?03:48 Why AI Power Is Concentrated07:56 From Automation to AI Agents11:35 Does a Career Still Exist?14:29 Work, Play, Build18:56 If AI Tools Were Colleagues20:24 ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as Colleagues26:42 Copilot, Perplexity, NotebookLM and Grok31:20 Which AI Tool Is Best for What?32:02 The 98% AI Problem34:08 AI May Make Us More Human34:55 Read, Watch, ListenWhat’s your AI colleague lineup? Tell us which tools you use, and what job you give each of them.Small Talk: Work | Play | Build is a podcast for curious people figuring out careers, work, passions and everything in between.#AI #AITools #FutureOfWork #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

  4. Jul 31

    Business Storytelling Secrets with Ameen Haque (Storywallahs) and Vinay Shenoy E38

    Business Storytelling Secrets: Why Facts Don't Change Minds, Stories Do Why do some people command attention the moment they begin speaking, while others struggle to make their ideas stick? In this episode, we explore the craft of business storytelling and why it's become one of the most valuable career skills today. Ameen Haque is a storyteller, entrepreneur, and founder of **Storywallahs**, where he helps founders, leaders, and organizations use stories to inspire action, build trust, and create lasting impact. Vinay Shenoy is a brand and communication strategist who has spent decades shaping narratives for businesses and leaders, helping them communicate ideas that people remember and act on. Together, they unpack why stories matter in business, whether AI is changing how we write, what success really looks like, and how anyone can become a better communicator. ### Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Meet Ameen Haque & Vinay Shenoy 04:00 How storytelling became their life's work 06:50 Is AI making us worse writers? 13:00 Rethinking success beyond career milestones 19:50 The stories we tell ourselves about success 26:50 Finding joy in work and choosing the right career 33:00 When expertise stops feeling fulfilling 39:00 Building an authentic personal brand in the AI era 44:45 Great storytelling is about the storyteller, not the tools 51:45 Standing out in a world fighting for attention 56:50 Why communication is becoming a career superpower 01:03:40 The stories that stay with us 01:10:05 Read Watch Listen If this conversation changed how you think about communication, leadership, or your career, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use it. #Storytelling #BusinessStorytelling #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #PersonalBrand #CareerGrowth #SmallTalkPodcast #Storywallahs ---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close 🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com 📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com 📅 New episodes every fortnight Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

    Business Storytelling Secrets with Ameen Haque (Storywallahs) and Vinay Shenoy E38

  5. Jul 17

    AI Is Rejecting Your Resume Before Humans See It | The New Job Search Reality E37

    You spent hours perfecting your resume. AI helped you rewrite it. You hit apply... and then nothing.Where did your application go?In this episode of Small Talk: Work Play Build, Subha Chandrasekharan and Hasita Krishna unpack how AI is quietly transforming hiring. From ATS filters and AI interviews to "resume scores" that may follow candidates across applications, they explore why job hunting feels harder than ever, even for highly qualified professionals.More importantly, they discuss what still works: building genuine networks, finding human advocates, standing out beyond your resume, and adapting to a hiring landscape where algorithms are becoming the first recruiter you'll meet.If you're job hunting, hiring, or simply curious about how AI is changing work, this episode is for you.00:00 Highlights01:18 Why AI has changed job hunting forever08:47 Why applications disappear without a response13:03 How ATS and AI filters really work18:17 AI interviews and the human cost of hiring23:10 What job seekers should do differently today26:20 Finding opportunities beyond the resume pipeline29:20 Why networking beats algorithms35:39 Making your resume sound human again38:50 Read, Watch, Listen👍 Like this episode if it changed how you think about job hunting.💬 Have you experienced AI screening, ATS rejections, or the "resume black hole"? Share your story in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on careers, work, leadership and building a meaningful professional life.#JobSearch #ArtificialIntelligence #Careers #Leadership #Hiring #ResumeTips #FutureOfWork #SmallTalkPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

  6. Jun 19

    Permission to Play: Why Indian Women Stop Playing | Dr Vijay Krishnamurthy & Swetha Subbiah | S7E35

    Most Indian girls stop playing sport in their teens. Most never come back. Subha and Hasita speak with Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy (sports researcher, executive coach) and Swetha Subbiah (co-founder Sisters in Sweat) on the safety, infrastructure, cultural pressure, and quiet guilt that keep women out of sport long after school ends and what it actually takes to play again. This conversation examines why participation in sport drops so dramatically for women and what it will take to change that.From safety and infrastructure to cultural expectations and community, Vijay and Swetha unpack the invisible barriers that keep women out of sport long after school ends. They explore why access isn't just about stadiums and funding, but about well-lit spaces, supportive environments, role models, and the freedom to prioritize movement without guilt.The conversation also dives into careers in sport, the rise of women-led fitness communities, grassroots sports policy, and why India's biggest challenge isn't producing elite athletes—it's getting more people to play in the first place.For anyone who's ever quit a sport they loved or watched someone they care about quit one.---------------------This episode is part of our mini-series: The Careers Behind Indian SportsExploring the people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of sport in India, beyond what you see on the field.Dr. Vijay Krishnamurthy — https://vijaykrishnamurthy.comSwetha Subbiah, Sisters in Sweat — https://sistersinsweat.com------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Why Indian Women Quit Sport01:07 What 'Permission to Play' Actually Means03:13 Meet the Guests05:00 Swetha's Journey from Hockey to Sisters in Sweat12:48 The "Sports Don't Pay" Mindset18:07 How Sisters in Sweat Started23:39 Access, Privilege & Why Women Stop Playing27:13 Safety, Infrastructure & Hidden Barriers37:29 Building a Community for Women in Sport46:03 What India Can Learn from Global Sports Models50:45 The Business of Building Sisters in Sweat57:43 Why Communities Matter More Than Competition01:00:40 Permission to Play01:06:36 Women's Health, Fitness & Starting Late01:10:13 What Sport Teaches Us About Life01:13:19 Read Watch ListenWhen did you stop playing? Or when did you start again? Tell us in the comments. The patterns are striking. #careerpodcast #WomenInSport #PermissionToPlay #CareerPodcast #SistersInSweat #IndianWomenInSport #SportsCareers #FutureOfWork---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

    Permission to Play: Why Indian Women Stop Playing | Dr Vijay Krishnamurthy & Swetha Subbiah | S7E35

  7. Jun 6

    How Podcasts Shape the Way We Think, Work & See the World | Career Podcast | S7E34

    Ever lose track of time listening to a stranger's story? This episode is about why podcasts have that power and what they've quietly taught us about curiosity, belonging, and how we think.We spend a lot of time talking about careers, work, and personal growth. But where do those ideas come from? In this episode, Subha and Hasita take a detour into the medium that has shaped so much of their thinking: podcasts.From true crime and air crash investigations to leadership, psychology, sport, and storytelling, they explore why long-form conversations continue to matter in an age of endless scrolling. They talk about curiosity, rabbit holes, parasocial friendships, contrarian viewpoints, and the unexpected ways podcasts influence how we think, learn, and connect with the world.If you've ever found yourself losing track of time while listening to someone else's story, this one's for you.00:00 Why we can't stop listening to podcasts00:50 The episode that almost didn't happen03:09 Rabbit holes, lectures & air crash investigations04:41 Why long-form listening makes you smarter07:17 Why podcasts feel surprisingly intimate08:51 Contrarian views without the algorithm11:11 Curiosity, boredom & therapeutic listening13:39 Is podcast listening becoming social currency?15:45 What podcasts have taught us as hosts18:24 Permission, belonging & finding your people20:35 Podcasts in pop culture and everyday life22:33 Read Watch Listen: Randy Pausch & The RoosterListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.What podcast has influenced your thinking the most? Drop your recommendations in the comments.---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true, at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

  8. May 23

    AI at Work: Are you staying relevant? S7E32

    AI, Layoffs & Relevance at Work: Are We Falling Behind?You may not lose your job to AI. You might just quietly stagnate. Subha and Hasita on the uncomfortable middle ground most of us are sitting in: AI replacing teams, 'good enough' outputs becoming dangerous, and the human skills that suddenly matter more — not less — in 2026.Why are experienced professionals still in demand even as AI tools become more powerful? What happens when companies optimize too aggressively? And how do you stay relevant when the rules change every few months?The conversation moves through vibe coding, AI-generated websites, AI interviewers, consulting, coaching, content creation, and the growing importance of judgment, context, and human nuance.For mid-career professionals figuring out what to keep, what to delegate to AI, and what to learn next.00:00 The Stagnation Trap01:20 Why We Had to Have This Conversation02:43 Building with AI & vibe coding08:03 Why human experience still matters12:11 AI panic, layoffs & workplace relevance15:57 “You may not lose your job, but you may stagnate”19:33 Prompting, judgment & the future of work20:50 AI coaches, interviews & changing careers25:26 Leadership, expertise & navigating disruption29:06 The bigger societal impact of AI33:05 Read Watch ListenRelated episodes:→ S7E25 Who Are You Without Your Job Title? — what happens when AI dissolves your role→ S7E22 Dear 2026 — what we want from AI at work→ S7E20 Power Meets Nurturing with Nirupama Subramaniam — leadership without command-and-controlWhat’s changed most about your work because of AI? Are you optimistic, anxious, experimenting, or somewhere in the middle? Let us know in the comments.#AIatWork #FutureOfWork #CareerPodcast---------------------If this one landed, here's the one thing we'll ever ask: rate Small Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Five seconds. It's the only signal that decides who else gets to hear us. Stay close🎧 Listen everywhere · https://www.pod.link/1531495902📺 YouTube · https://www.youtube.com/@smalltalkpod_wpb📷 Instagram · https://www.instagram.com/smalltalkpod_wpb🌐 https://www.smalltalkpod.com📩 Write to us: smalltalkpod.wpb@gmail.com📅 New episodes every fortnightSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly podcast about careers, leadership, and the things we make outside our day jobs. Hosted by Subha Chandrasekaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/) (executive coach, founder of RainKraft) and Hasita Krishna (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/) (brand strategist, co-founder of Motley Crew). Seven seasons in, still about what it means to live a life that feels true — at work and outside it.© 2026 RainKraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

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Careers are rarely just one thing anymore. Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is a fortnightly conversation about the work we do, the things we play with for joy, and the things we build on the side. Hosts Subha Chandrasekaran (executive coach) and Hasita Krishna (brand strategist) talk with leaders, founders, and thinkers about ambition, mid-career pivots, women at work, first-time managers, AI and the workplace, and the passion projects that keep us whole.

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