The MyndStories Podcast

MyndStories

Welcome to The MyndStories Podcast! This is India's most diverse mental health podcast. We have music. Poetry. Open conversations. Therapist interviews. Insights from start-up founders. What do we speak about? About life. Grief. Pain. Loss. Joy. Meaning. Resilience. About coping mechanisms. Attachment styles. Conflict resolution. The ways in which life bends and shapes. Join us for new episodes each month. Write to podcast@myndstories.com to tell us what you would love to hear about more. Please rate, review, and subscribe to our podcasts! Visit www.myndstories.com for your daily dose of mental wellness. Find us on Instagram @wearemyndstories and on LinkedIn. 

  1. Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan: How to stop losing yourself in your relationship

    3D AGO

    Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan: How to stop losing yourself in your relationship

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. Do you sometimes struggle to make decisions without checking with them? Or feel guilty for wanting space or independence in a relationship? In this episode, Ankit talks with Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan, a psychologist who works extensively with couples, about a pattern that quietly erodes many relationships: enmeshment. It's the slow fade of your own routines, the friends you stop seeing, the hobbies you let go of, all while thinking everything's fine because the relationship feels good.  She examines how growing up in collectivist Indian households sets us up for enmeshment without even realizing it. She maps out what healthy separation actually looks like, and why sitting with discomfort beats avoiding it every time. If you've ever felt like you're performing a relationship rather than living one, this conversation offers a way back to yourself. About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where we talk to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal.  We discuss Why having a strong sense of self matters in relationships.What enmeshment looks like in a relationship.What makes enmeshment different from feeling deeply connected, and how one can start to see signs of it early.Why women tend to think more about relationships while men tend to act more.How we learn to set healthy boundaries and communicate them.Why self-reflection is rare until something goes wrong in the relationship.Small, gradual steps to reclaim your sense of self without blowing up the relationship.Dr. Rachel’s bio Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan is a Bangalore-based psychologist with over 14 years of clinical experience. Trained in NLP, Career Counselling, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Master Level Hypnosis, she uses an eclectic, client-centred approach. She is also a certified Sleep Consultant. Her work centers on young adults and premarital relationships, with a special focus on relationship security — the subject of her doctoral research. Dr. Rachel has conducted 300+ workshops on communication, anxiety, depression, and healthy relationships, and has been featured in the Times of India and Deccan Herald. She is the founder of Wellness Within. Connect with Dr. Rachel  Wellness Within | LinkedIn Credits Ankit Narasimhan, host and episode planner.Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor.Liked this podcast? Write in to us and tell us your thoughts or if you want to be our next guest - podcast@myndstories.com  Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show

    46 min
  2. How memoirs make us feel less alone

    FEB 25

    How memoirs make us feel less alone

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. There is something uniquely powerful about hearing someone say, “This is what happened to me. This is how it felt. And this is how I survived.” In Episode 2 of The MyndReaders Podcast, Anima and Swati talk about memoirs. The episode steps away from to-do lists and expectations and shows how memoirs hold space for vulnerability and why they resonate so deeply.  Swati brings a curated collection of books that span generational trauma, anxiety, anticipatory grief, and more. The range of these stories demonstrates that there is no single way to experience mental health challenges. Anima complements this with a memoir that shows how humour and absurdity can coexist alongside depression and anxiety without diminishing their seriousness. Together, the conversation is a map of the human interior and a reminder that healing is rarely linear and that self-compassion often begins by witnessing someone else’s vulnerability. We talk about Why mental health memoirs matter Generational trauma expressed differently in graphic memoir formatHow humour can coexist with lifelong anxietyThe concept of anticipatory grief where we mourn someone before they are gone. How birdwatching becomes a practice of presence and finding a way back to yourselfReframing happiness as rebellion against depressionRecommendations from a selected member of the MyndReaders community Meet the hosts  Anima is CPD-Certified Neurodiversity Practitioner, TEDx speaker, and advocate. She is dedicated to promoting neuro-inclusive practices in the corporate world. Anima loves to read classics and fantasy, write about neurodiversity and parenting a child who lives with autism, and spend time with her pet dog and cat. Swati is the co-founder of MyndStories where her mission is to hear more conversations, see more action on mental health. She reads all the time, watches too many movies, and obsesses over her fitness. Connect with the hosts Swati | Anima  Resources Remember Us to Life - Joanna Rubin DrangerMy Mess Is a Bit of a Life: Adventures in Anxiety - Georgia PritchettBirds Art Life: A Year of Observation - Kyo MaclearFuriously Happy - Jenny LawsonRemnants of a Separation - Aanchal MalhotraBorn a Crime - Trevor Noah Loved this episode? Write to us to be part of the conversation to make mental health cool - podcast@myndstories.com Support the show

    29 min
  3. Dr. Mahima Sahi: Understanding modern love

    JAN 20

    Dr. Mahima Sahi: Understanding modern love

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. In the first episode of The Therapy Room in 2026, Smitha sits down with Dr. Mahima Sahi, a therapist who works extensively with couples and individuals guiding them on relationships. In their conversation, they explore why love today feels harder, messier, and lonelier than ever before and what we can do about it. Dr. Mahima takes a compassionate look at the struggles of today's relationships and walks through the difference between wanting and needing a partner, why situationships have become emotional limbo, and how control disguised as concern is the biggest red flag to watch for. About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where our host Smitha Murthy talks to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal. We talk about The most common patterns Dr. Mahima sees in therapy within relationshipsWhat safety in a relationship actually meansWhy Gen Z shuts down during conflict despite being more mentally health-awareHow to navigate dating today with consciousness rather than checklistsWhy we confuse chemistry and intensity for connectionAttachment styles and how they act as an invisible GPSThe one major red flag everyone should watch forWhat actually constitutes green flagsWhy modern loneliness has little to do with being single or coupled and how to overcome itDr. Mahima Sahi's bio Dr. Mahima Sahi is a clinical psychologist who has clocked over 3,000 therapy hours and has vast experience as a clinician, researcher, and educator. She is also the program director at eMbrace where she leads initiatives focused on building quality care for neurodiverse populations and advancing evidence-based therapeutic practices. She helps individuals facing a wide spectrum of challenges, from emotional regulation and trauma to social anxiety, relationship dynamics, self-work and career transitions.  Connect with Mahima Website | LinkedIn  Our partner This episode is made possible thanks to support from eMbrace, a platform that provides evidence-based therapeutic services to those impacted by mental health and developmental disorders. Credits Smitha Murthy, host and episode planner.Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor.Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show

    1h 8m
  4. Returning to calm with Anitha Aswath

    JAN 10

    Returning to calm with Anitha Aswath

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. In this calming episode of Myndful Moments, host Anitha Aswath takes us through a gentle breathwork practice. The session begins with noticing the breath. Anitha then introduces a simple breathing rhythm creating a foundation of ease and steadiness. The episode progresses into a grounding pattern with inhaling and exhaling rhythms to make space to rest, allowing the breath to move like a tide. The session closes with a powerful affirmation: "I don't have to push right now. I can pause. I can return to myself." Listeners are invited to carry this sense of ease into the rest of their day. Episode highlights Simple 3-2-4 breathing rhythm to establish calm Visualization technique for releasing tensionFocus on the quiet center behind the heartGrounding breathwork pattern to calm the nervous systemAffirmations to pause and return to oneselfAnitha's bio Anitha Aswath is a Leadership Coach Consultant Facilitator and DEI Consultant with 26 years of rich experience. She has trained over 4100 leaders and professionals and has more than 1100 hours of coaching hours to her credit.  Anitha’s other pursuits include blogging, photography, travelling and of course, music. “Perseverance is a virtue: an invaluable lesson music taught me,” she says. She is a voice over artist and trained singer. She is an eternal student of Indian Classical music. Connect with Anitha LinkedIn  Credits Anitha Aswath, host and episode planner.Enjoying our podcasts?  Visit www.myndstories.com for all the guidance you need on your mental health journey. Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Support the show

    6 min
  5. Anchoring in stillness: A meditation with Anitha Aswath

    12/08/2025

    Anchoring in stillness: A meditation with Anitha Aswath

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. In this brand new podcast, Myndful Moments, host Anitha Aswath guides listeners through a grounding exercise designed to anchor the body and mind.  By visualizing roots growing from their feet or sitting bones into the earth, listeners are encouraged to feel supported and calm. The session includes deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, focusing on various body parts from the feet to the forehead.  Listeners are prompted to affirm their safety and presence in the moment with the mantra 'I am grounded here, I am safe in this moment, I am enough.'  The episode closes with an invitation to carry the sense of calm into daily life. Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction to Myndful Moments 01:17 Grounding visualization 02:06 Body relaxation 03:28 Focused breathing exercise 05:11 Affirmations and conclusion Anitha's bio Anitha Aswath is a Leadership Coach Consultant Facilitator and DEI Consultant with 26 years of rich experience. She has trained over 4100 leaders and professionals and has more than 1100 hours of coaching hours to her credit.  Anitha’s other pursuits include blogging, photography, travelling and of course, music. “Perseverance is a virtue: an invaluable lesson music taught me,” she says. She is a voice over artist and trained singer. She is an eternal student of Indian Classical music. Connect with Anitha LinkedIn  Credits Anitha Aswath, host and episode planner. Enjoying our podcasts?  Visit www.myndstories.com for all the guidance you need on your mental health journey. Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Support the show

    7 min
  6. The reading list every anxious mind should have

    11/28/2025

    The reading list every anxious mind should have

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. In this very first episode of the new and revamped "The MyndReaders Podcast", hosts Swati and Anima Nair explore not only how anxiety feels, but how books can become powerful companions through its many layers.  Their discussion begins with honest reflections on their own experiences on how anxiety creeps in, how racing thoughts take over, and how the pressure to function perfectly often leaves people feeling overwhelmed and alone. They share small, grounding practices which help them return to calm as well as the big role that books play. Comforting rereads, slow-paced classics, Buddhist wisdom, and contemporary fiction that mirrors emotional truths, all form part of a reading list that accompanies listeners through different shades of anxiety.  This episode blends personal reflection with literary insight, offering listeners a compassionate understanding of anxiety as well as a set of books that can soothe and help find comfort in words that understand us.  We talk about Honest reflections on what anxiety feels likeReaching for “anchor books” and why certain stories become lifelines during anxious momentsNovels that beautifully capture anxiety in its many formsListener-recommended healing fiction and a list of nonfiction books written by mental health professionalsHow stories can reveal the emotional patterns behind anxietyA bonus reading list from a Mynd Readers Book Club memberMeet the hosts  Anima is CPD-Certified Neurodiversity Practitioner, TEDx speaker, and advocate. She is dedicated to promoting neuro-inclusive practices in the corporate world. Anima loves to read classics and fantasy, write about neurodiversity and parenting a child who lives with autism, and spend time with her pet dog and cat. Swati is the co-founder of MyndStories where her mission is to hear more conversations, see more action on mental health. She reads all the time, watches too many movies, and obsesses over her fitness. Connect with the hosts Swati | Anima  Resources Terry Pratchett's Discworld seriesWhen Things Fall Apart - Pema ChodronEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail HoneymanLittle Fires Everywhere by Celeste NgAnxious People - Fredrik BackmanThe Midnight Library - Matt HaigBarely Functional Adult - Meiji NgAge of Anxiety - Amrita TripathiAnxiety: Overcome It and Live Without Fear - Sonali GuptaYeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat - Kim JiyunWelcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-ReumCredits Swati Nair and Anima Nair, hosts and episode planners.Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor.Loved this episode? Write to us to be part of the conversation to make mental health cool - podcast@myndstories.com Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show

    33 min
  7. Anamika: Understanding emotional abuse and the journey back to self

    10/08/2025

    Anamika: Understanding emotional abuse and the journey back to self

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. This episode is a conversation that takes us deep into the invisible yet deeply damaging forms of emotional abuse that many experience without realizing it. Smitha talks to Anamika, the founder of Let’s Heal who unpacks how emotional abuse can take many forms, from gaslighting and guilt-tripping to control disguised as care, and why so many people fail to recognize it when they’re living through it. Drawing from her own lived experience and her professional work as a trauma-informed therapist, Anamika explains how emotional abuse affects the mind and body alike, shaping the nervous system and distorting self-worth. They dig into the cultural and familial conditioning that often normalises such behaviour, keeping people trapped in cycles of guilt, fear, and self-blame. But this episode is as much about healing as it is about recognition. It's a reminder that healing begins the moment we start believing our own truth.  About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where our host Smitha Murthy talks to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal.  We talk about Understanding the many faces of emotional abuseWhy recognizing abuse can be so difficultThe long-term impact of emotional abuseHow social and cultural conditioning can normalise unhealthy relationship patternsPractical steps towards recoveryAnamika's bio Anamika is a trauma-informed therapist specializing in supporting individuals moving through complex trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, and relationship issues. She is also the founder of 'Let’s Heal', a space dedicated to helping people reconnect with themselves after emotional pain.  With years of experience in guiding individuals through recovery from emotional abuse, she combines her professional expertise with deep empathy and lived understanding. Her approach focuses on creating safety, self-awareness, and compassion as the foundations for healing.  Connect with Anamika LinkedIn | Instagram  Credits Smitha Murthy, host and episode planner.Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor. Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show

    1h 10m
  8. Deepti Chandy: How transactional analysis helps you understand yourself

    07/23/2025

    Deepti Chandy: How transactional analysis helps you understand yourself

    Tell us what you feel. Message us. In this episode of The Therapy Room, Smitha sits down with Deepti Chandy, Chief Operating Officer at Anna Chandy & Associates and a trained Transactional Analysis (TA) therapist to explore how our childhood experiences continue to shape our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships in adulthood. Deepti explains how TA gives us a clear, relatable way to understand internal narratives, sometimes created through messages like “Be strong” or “Don’t be vulnerable” and how to counter the persistent feeling of “I’m not enough”.  Here's a heart-to-heart conversation grounded in practical tools and deeply relatable experiences.  About The Therapy Room The Therapy Room is a segment where our host Smitha Murthy talks to mental health professionals for insights on life's challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety. Tune in as we explore topics around mental health issues, emotional wellbeing, and techniques to help you heal.  We talk about What transactional analysis is and why it's a powerful framework for personal growthHow the Parent, Adult, and Child ego states influence how we think, feel, and respondThe most common childhood messages people carry, like "be perfect" or "don’t show emotion"How these messages show up in our adult relationships and workplacesPractical tools to reframe self-criticism, manage emotional triggers, and start shifting long-held patternsTools and helpful strategies Deepti shares, which include recording voice notes when angry to process emotions before reacting, using simple “I” statements to express needs without blame, naming your inner critic, and moreDeepti's bio  Deepti Chandy is the COO and chief therapist at Anna Chandy & Associates, a counseling firm based in Bangalore. Her journey into mental health began through her own experience with Transactional Analysis therapy during a challenging period in her late teens and early adulthood. With an Advanced Counselling certification from a prestigious collaborative program between the Link Centre UK and Anna Chandy, Deepti specializes in supporting young adults and professionals navigating identity, relationships, and personal development. Beyond her professional roles, she maintains an active interest in fashion and fitness, embodying a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses both personal and professional growth. Connect with Deepti Visit Anna Chandy & Associates | Instagram  QOTD Have you tried transactional analysis therapy? Write in and tell us - podcast@myndstories.com  Resources What is TA?How TA worksCredits Smitha Murthy, host and episode planner.Ravi Kumar, sound designer and editor.Find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. *Disclaimer – The content in this podcast is only for educational purposes. It cannot be considered as individual therapy advice or counseling. Support the show

    1h 2m

About

Welcome to The MyndStories Podcast! This is India's most diverse mental health podcast. We have music. Poetry. Open conversations. Therapist interviews. Insights from start-up founders. What do we speak about? About life. Grief. Pain. Loss. Joy. Meaning. Resilience. About coping mechanisms. Attachment styles. Conflict resolution. The ways in which life bends and shapes. Join us for new episodes each month. Write to podcast@myndstories.com to tell us what you would love to hear about more. Please rate, review, and subscribe to our podcasts! Visit www.myndstories.com for your daily dose of mental wellness. Find us on Instagram @wearemyndstories and on LinkedIn.