The Zensei Podcast

Hariprasad Varma
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The Zensei Podcast is about leadership that matters in today's times. Zensei is a metaphor for a new paradigm of leadership that is anchored in a concern for the well-being of all beings. This podcast brings to you idea innovators, thought leaders, and change-makers who are shaping the contours of this new possibility. You will also get to listen to the experiments from the playground of Zensei Leadership where Hariprasad Varma integrates theatre, art, yogic principles, and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® in his work with individuals and groups.

Episodes

  1. Building Your Personal Brand - Pranika PS & Hariprasad Varma - Zensei Podcast (Ep. 5)

    08/24/2025

    Building Your Personal Brand - Pranika PS & Hariprasad Varma - Zensei Podcast (Ep. 5)

    The Zensei Podcast is an attempt at connecting the dots between well-being, leadership and intuitive wisdom. In this podcast, I speak with and share ideas and insights with leaders in the social sector and corporate worlds as well as coaches, facilitators and mentors worldwide. Summary In this engaging conversation, Hariprasad Varma and Pranika discuss the intricacies of personal branding, particularly in the context of marketing and entrepreneurship. Pranika shares her journey from corporate branding to establishing her own identity as the 'Mommy of Marketing' and the founding of her agency, Shy Shark. They explore the challenges of building a personal brand, including overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of authenticity, and the role of cultural norms in branding. The discussion also touches on practical strategies for pricing, audience engagement, and the unique SharkBite sessions designed to help individuals clarify their brand strategies. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐏𝐒 Pranika is the founder of ShyShark, a creative agency and venture studio that blends personal storytelling with sharp brand strategy. She has worked across early-stage startups, D2C brands, and nonprofits - often stepping in as the marketing brain before there’s even a marketing team. She has also built bold, low-cost experiments that test what actually moves people online (not just what looks good in decks). Before this, she led brand and content at high-growth startups, hired my own teams, and learned the hard way how to build trust through clarity, especially in noisy markets. 🦈 Book Your SharkBite Session at https://bite.shyshark.co 🦈 More About ShyShark https://www.shyshark.co 🌐 IG:  mommy.of.marketing 🌐 LI: pspranika   𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 Hari is the founder of Zensei Consulting, a boutique executive coaching and organisation development consultancy that empowers leaders and organisations on their quest to be their best. He works with various embodied, creative, and intuitive modalities such as the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Flow Game, as well as ideas and practices from Indian wisdom traditions such as Yoga Sūtrās and Mahābhārata to support his client's transformation journey. He is also a trauma-informed Yoga therapist and Somatic Coach. 📆 Book Your...

    43 min
  2. Building Dharmic Business - Milind Katti & Hariprasad Varma

    07/20/2025

    Building Dharmic Business - Milind Katti & Hariprasad Varma

    Summary In this conversation, Hariprasad Varma and Milind Katti explore the evolving landscape of business, focusing on the concept of Dharmic business, which emphasizes balancing profit with well-being for all stakeholders. They discuss the importance of employee well-being, trust, and psychological safety in organizations, as well as the role of intuition in leadership. Milind shares his personal practices for inner work, including yoga and journaling, and emphasizes the need for a cultural shift away from profit maximization towards a more holistic approach to business. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation 02:53 The Concept of Dharmic Business 05:39 Shubh and Labh: Balancing Well-being and Profit 08:51 Employee Well-being and Corporate Culture 11:43 Trust and Freedom in the Workplace 14:44 The Role of Time in Modern Business 17:39 Navigating Growth and Sustainability 20:45 Lessons for New Entrepreneurs 23:28 Historical Context of Business Practices 26:34 Defining Success: Beyond Profit 29:25 Conclusion and Reflections 30:35 Balancing Stakeholder Interests 34:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Employee Engagement 37:28 Fostering Vulnerability and Trust in Organizations 41:07 The Role of Leadership in Employee Development 44:58 Rethinking Human Resources 48:45 Investing in Employee Well-being 53:21 Intuition in Leadership Decisions 59:09 Inner Work for Leaders Submit your interest for the 'Yoga of Leadership' program at below link: https://forms.gle/HemYsfo9B6sAoqit9

    57 min
  3. Flow with Love - Amanda Zamparo & Hariprasad Varma

    06/07/2025

    Flow with Love - Amanda Zamparo & Hariprasad Varma

    The Zensei Podcast is an attempt at connecting the dots between well-being, leadership and intuitive wisdom. In this podcast, I speak with and share ideas and insights with leaders in the social sector and corporate worlds as well as coaches, facilitators and mentors worldwide. Show Notes Summary In this episode, I am in conversation with Amanda Zamparo. She shares her journey as a dialogic consultant, exploring the power of facilitation and dialogue practices like the Flow Game. She discusses her experiences with relationships, families, and taboo topics, emphasizing the importance of community and collective intelligence. Amanda highlights the therapeutic effects of the Flow Game in various contexts and the significance of breaking societal taboos surrounding money, power, and sexuality. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the creative impulse and the potential for dialogue to foster deeper connections and understanding. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dialogic Practices 03:24 Amanda's Journey into Facilitation 06:04 Understanding the Flow Game 09:12 Exploring Relationships through Flow Game 11:18 Therapeutic Effects of Flow Game in Relationships 14:53 Working with Families and Grief 18:54 Collective Practices and Community Engagement 20:59 Differentiating Dialogue from Conversation 26:07 Taboo Topics: Money, Power, and Sex 30:14 Breaking Taboos: A Cohort Experience 36:11 Personal Project & Collective Invitation 39:00 Creative Impulse and Closing Thoughts ----- Upcoming Flow Game Online Sign up for our upcoming online Flow Game on the theme of love and relationships on 22nd June 2025 at https://www.hariprasadvarma.com More on Amanda Zamparo Website: https://www.amandazamparo.com Amanda's Substacks: 1. Reimagining the Future of Work - https://reimaginingthefutureofwork.substack.com 2. Work on sexuality and research about love - https://amandazamparo.substack.com/ Subscribe to The Zensei Podcast 1. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zensei-podcast/id1743623922 2. Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1DNLOm9SvegM5Bx0Rjr45A?si=bd9ff0891c7f4c1a 3. YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hariprasadvarma 4. Zensei Substack - https://zensei.substack.com #zensei

    42 min
  4. Pursuit in Happiness - Ft. Sridhar Ramanthan & Hariprasad Varma

    05/25/2025

    Pursuit in Happiness - Ft. Sridhar Ramanthan & Hariprasad Varma

    Keywords yoga, mentorship, problem solving, creativity, happiness, intuition, equanimity, life lessons, personal growth, interdependence Summary In this enlightening conversation, Hariprasad Varma engages with Sridhar, a mentor and innovation coach, exploring themes of personal growth, the importance of mentorship, and the pursuit of happiness. Sridhar shares his insights on problem-solving, the value of connecting with younger generations, and the significance of responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. The discussion delves into the role of intuition in decision-making, the art of saying no, and the quest for equanimity over fleeting happiness. Throughout the dialogue, Sridhar emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, interdependence, and the continuous journey of learning and adapting in life. Takeaways > Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal growth. > Engaging with younger generations brings fresh perspectives. > Problem-solving is most exciting when solutions seem impossible. > Anxiety often stems from unrealistic expectations. > Responding thoughtfully is more beneficial than reacting impulsively. > Creativity is linked to the ability to see new possibilities. > Intuition can guide decision-making effectively. > Finding meaning in life is a personal journey. > Happiness is a choice and a function of mindset. > Saying no can be done gracefully and respectfully. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:21 What Makes Sridhar Alive and Kicking 04:44 Excitement in Meeting and Helping Younger People 06:08 The Excitement of Problem Solving 08:26 Response to Sridhar's Offer to Have 100 Conversations 09:09 Observations about the Younger Generation 11:55 Approach to Problem Solving 18:46 Link Between Creativity and the Capability to Respond 20:06 Applying the Capability to Respond in Personal Life 21:51 Defining Happiness 24:11 The Importance of Saying No 26:49 The Power of Responding with No 28:07 The Importance of Saying No 30:11 Finding Fulfillment in Actions and Choices

    44 min
  5. Redefining Masculinity - Ft. Asgeir Persson & Hariprasad Varma

    09/08/2024

    Redefining Masculinity - Ft. Asgeir Persson & Hariprasad Varma

    The Zensei Podcast is an attempt at connecting the dots between well-being, leadership and intuitive wisdom. In this podcast, I speak with and share ideas and insights with leaders in the social sector and corporate worlds as well as coaches and mentors worldwide. In this episode, I speak with Asgeir Persson, an educator and facilitator based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He has done incredible work in the space of gender equality and hosting men's circles for many years. He works with multiple modalities of facilitation including the Art of Hosting & Harvesting Conversations That Matter. We discuss a wide range of topics relating to men's mental health crisis.

    58 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

The Zensei Podcast is about leadership that matters in today's times. Zensei is a metaphor for a new paradigm of leadership that is anchored in a concern for the well-being of all beings. This podcast brings to you idea innovators, thought leaders, and change-makers who are shaping the contours of this new possibility. You will also get to listen to the experiments from the playground of Zensei Leadership where Hariprasad Varma integrates theatre, art, yogic principles, and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® in his work with individuals and groups.

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