The Conscious Choice Podcast

Bhavna Toor
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The Conscious Choice Podcast (formerly The Conscious Woman Podcast) is your weekly space for meaningful conversations on what it truly means to live and lead mindfully. Hosted by Bhavna Toor, this podcast explores conscious leadership, inclusion, and purposeful living - through stories, ideas, and practices that inspire both inner and outer transformation. Grounded in the work of Shenomics and Bhavna’s debut book The Conscious Choice: 100 Ideas for Living and Leading Mindfully, each episode offers insights to help you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.

  1. 21. Take a Conscious Pause

    05/27/2025

    21. Take a Conscious Pause

    In this minisode, of The Conscious Choice Podcast (formerly The Conscious Woman Podcast), host Bhavna Toor—leadership coach, founder of Shenomics, and author—introduces her debut book The Conscious Choice: Ideas for Living and Leading Mindfully. She shares the first of 100 mindful ideas from the book: the Conscious Pause—a simple practice to shift from autopilot to intentional action. Drawing on wisdom from Victor Frankl and neuroscience, she explains how creating space before reacting can improve clarity, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Listen in to discover how one small pause can transform your day—and your life. You can:  Connect with Bhavna at http://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ Pre-order her book on Amazon https://amzn.in/d/dnqNpvA Know about the leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    9 min
  2. 20. Consciously Building your Visibility with Sally Helgesen

    10/07/2024

    20. Consciously Building your Visibility with Sally Helgesen

    How do women build conscious visibility in their careers without falling into the authenticity trap? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sally Helgesen, a leading expert on women's leadership and the author of "Rising Together" and "How Women Rise." Sally reveals why expertise, connections, and visibility are the trifecta for career success and offers practical advice on how women can strategically enhance their visibility. Despite common discomforts with self-promotion, Sally emphasizes that prioritizing recognition for your work is crucial for career advancement. Throughout this episode, Bhavna and Sally deep dive into the challenges women face in gaining recognition and explore the "language of contribution" as a powerful tool to highlight achievements. You get actionable strategies to balance individual accomplishments with team efforts, positioning yourself as a strategic leader without compromising a collective mindset.  We delve into the importance of mission and purpose in building a visible brand, and discuss how both women and organizations can foster a more inclusive culture. Tune in to gain valuable insights on overcoming the confidence-competence conundrum and leading with both mindfulness and compassion. About the Guest:  Sally Helgesen, cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership, is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which honors those whose ideas have shaped the field of leadership worldwide. She is ranked Number One in leadership by Global Gurus, and has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute for Management Studies. Sally’s latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace, offers practical ways to build more effective relationships with people we may perceive as different from ourselves. Rising Together builds on Sally’s remarkable success with How Women Rise, co-authored with legendary executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, which examines the behaviors most likely to get in the way of successful women as they move forward in their careers. Rights have been sold in 24 languages. Other books include The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership, hailed as the classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The Female Vision, Women’s Real Power at Work, which explores how women’s strategic insights can strengthen their careers. The Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, cited in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time, is credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business. For 35 years, Sally has delivered seminars, keynotes and master classes for companies, partnership firms and associations around the world, working in 37 countries. She is a contributing editor for Strategy + Business magazine and a member of the 100 Coaches Network and the New York and International Women’s Forums. She lives in Chatham, NY. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhelgesen/  Website: https://sallyhelgesen.com/  Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    32 min
  3. 19. Building your Personal Brand with Dorie Clark

    09/23/2024

    19. Building your Personal Brand with Dorie Clark

    What if you could future-proof your career with just a few small, consistent actions? Join your host, Bhavna Toor, as she chats with Dorie Clark, a leading expert in personal branding and long-term thinking. In this episode of the Conscious Woman podcast, Dorie reveals why intentional personal branding is not just a luxury but a necessity for every entrepreneur and corporate professional.  We explore how taking proactive steps today can create a buffer against uncertainties like job loss and pave the way for sustained business success. Dorie talks about the significance of networking, how introverts can ace it, and the long-game of content creation for personal branding.  We take a deep dive into strategic brand-building within organizations and the unique challenges women face. We also discuss the heightened scrutiny women often encounter and how to turn this awareness into an advantage. With core values like friendliness and the authority to define oneself, we emphasize the power of owning your narrative and presenting your identity on your terms.  Tune in for actionable tips and inspiration to build your brand and visibility effectively and consciously. About the guest:  Dorie Clark has been named three times as one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and was recognized as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards. Clark, a consultant and keynote speaker, teaches executive education at Columbia Business School, and she is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Clark has been described by the New York Times as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” A frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, she consults and speaks for clients including Google, Microsoft, and the World Bank. You can download her free Long Game strategic thinking self-assessment at dorieclark.com/thelonggame. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec/ Website: https://dorieclark.com/ Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    34 min
  4. 18. Negotiation Strategies for Women with Dr Ruchi Sinha

    08/26/2024

    18. Negotiation Strategies for Women with Dr Ruchi Sinha

    What if the key to closing the gender pay gap lies in mastering negotiation skills? Join us as we welcome Dr. Ruchi Sinha, an esteemed organizational psychologist, to demystify negotiation for women. Dr. Sinha redefines negotiation as any discussion aimed at mutual goals, making the concept accessible and essential for everyone. We explore the significant role these skills play in avoiding buyer's remorse, securing better career opportunities, and building confidence in both personal and professional realms. Facing gender bias in negotiation is a reality for many women, but it doesn't have to be a barrier to success. Dr. Sinha sheds light on the social penalties women encounter for displaying assertiveness and ambition, such as likability deficits that can stall career progression. This conversation goes beyond the outdated advice of simply "leaning in" and highlights the systemic barriers that still exist, offering a more nuanced understanding of the challenges contributing to the gender pay gap. So listen in… About the Guest: Dr. Ruchi Sinha is an organizational psychologist and Associate Professor (Practice) in the Leadership, Management, and Organization (LMO) Department at Nanyang Business School. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University (USA), Dr. Sinha brings a unique blend of rigorous scientific methodologies and practical insights to both academic and professional arenas. Dr. Sinha's expertise spans a wide range of critical areas in organizational behavior and leadership. Her core research focus includes team dynamics, wellbeing, climate/culture, workplace conflict resolution, leadership effectiveness, and negotiation skills. She has developed particular proficiency in teaching negotiation skills and trust-building strategies, especially in remote and cross-cultural contexts, and leadership development programs tailored for emerging leaders and women in leadership roles.  As a thought leader, Dr. Sinha has gained international recognition through her TED talk on negotiation skills, which has garnered over 3.8 million views. She regularly contributes to public discourse through media appearances, conference presentations, and publications in outlets such as Harvard Business Review. Dr. Sinha is also recognized for her expertise in diversity and inclusion, career development strategies, and workplace well-being. Her work in conflict management and decision-making processes has been applied across various organizational settings, from startups to large corporations. With her multifaceted expertise and ability to bridge theory and practice, Dr. Sinha continues to make significant contributions to both scholarly advancement and executive decision-making in the rapidly evolving field of organizational management. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-sinha-6496489/ Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    52 min
  5. 17. Creating a Gender Equitable World with Swetha Totapally

    08/05/2024

    17. Creating a Gender Equitable World with Swetha Totapally

    Join your host Bhavna Toor as she uncovers with her guest Swetha Totapally the deep rooted gender biases women face right from their childhood thus emphasizing the need to address gender inequality as we intend to create a fair society. We also understand the intertwining of gender equity with broader societal issues like economic growth and market inclusion. Explore the complex relationship between government financing, military policies, and gender-based violence, and learn how policy decisions impact the safety and rights of women and girls. This discussion emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive legislation, robust support services, and the pivotal role of civil society in shaping norms and supporting victims.  Listen in to reflect on family values and actionable steps that can help promote gender equity in your own home and community.  About the guest:  Swetha Totapally is the Partner and Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, Dalberg Advisors. Over her 13-year career at Dalberg, Swetha has led the firm’s global gender practice and developed a portfolio focused on addressing issues such as violence against women and girls, sexual exploitation, and unpaid care work. Her work illuminates the social, economic, and political dimensions of these issues, driving decision-makers to recognize the need for transformative change within institutions and systems. Swetha has led multiple large-scale research-to-action efforts which are designed to bring the experiences and perspectives of people to decision-makers. This includes the world’s largest and most comprehensive effort to understand users’ experience with Aadhaar—India’s national ID system; a series of studies during the Covid pandemic that captured how women were impacted, how well government entitlements were reaching people, and the effects of the pandemic on early childhood development. Her work on The State of Digitization in Kenya, and the Next Half Billion in India, explore how people are engaging digitally today with an eye to how they can better participate in digital economies. Clients include the United Nations, Omidyar Network, the Freedom Fund, and the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery.  An advocate for building professional diversity within consulting, Swetha has shaped initiatives like the Dalberg Asia-Pacific Residency Program. She has helmed the region’s recruitment efforts and upheld Dalberg’s commitment to gender diversity within teams including senior management.   Prior to Dalberg, Swetha worked at JP Morgan Chase, where she served as an advisor to financial institutions. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Economics and Mathematics. She speaks English, Hindi, and Telugu. Swetha lives in Mumbai with her husband and three young children. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swetha-totapally-94784738/ Website: https://dalberg.com/who-we-are/our-leadership/swetha-totapally/ Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    46 min
  6. 16. Stories that hold women back at work with Mette Johansson

    07/01/2024

    16. Stories that hold women back at work with Mette Johansson

    Join us as Mette Johansson unpacks some of the most pervasive myths that perpetuate gender inequality in the workplace. Mette brings her insightful expertise from her latest book, Narratives, on existing stereotype like women are too emotional for leadership roles. Listen in as we scrutinize the 'queen bee syndrome', the complex landscape of women's ambition, especially after they become mothers, and the misguided belief that women inherently fail to support each other in professional environments. The conversation also addresses the societal narratives that limit women's progress, emphasizing the collective effort needed to rewrite these stories. Tune in to be inspired by the arguments and skills that can empower women and their allies to forge paths toward a more equitable workplace. About the guest:  Mette Johansson (MBA, PCC, CSP) is a highly awarded, sought-after consultant, speaker, author, social entrepreneur, trainer and coach. She worked in leadership roles across Asia and Europe for multinational corporations for 15 years before she founded MetaMind Pte Ltd, a training consultancy, which creates great people leaders by focusing on the “people side of leadership skills”. In addition, she is the Founder and Chair of the not-for-profit KeyNote Women Speakers.  She speaks on Authentic, Inclusive and Inspirational Leadership to large corporations, including Pfizer, Citibank, Microsoft, UPS and Airbnb.  Her latest book, “Narratives – the stories that hold women back at work” has been published in 2024 with Penguin Random House.  She is regularly featured in media in Singapore, from Harper's Bazaar to Straits Times.  Mette has lived in 12 countries and today divides her time between Singapore, the Middle East and Europe.  Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    55 min
  7. 15. Amplifying Ambition with Veda Persad

    06/03/2024

    15. Amplifying Ambition with Veda Persad

    Join us for a candid conversation with Veda Persad, a highly respected executive at Northern Trust in India, as we explore the multifaceted nature of ambition and its impact on career growth.  Listen in as Veda shares her personal narrative, detailing an organic journey to leadership that was fueled by a readiness to learn and an eagerness to embrace new opportunities. Her insights on aligning skills with passion and setting realistic expectations for job satisfaction offer invaluable guidance for those looking to climb the corporate ladder with purpose and integrity. About the guest:  Veda Persad is the Country Executive Northern Trust, India. In this role, Veda is responsible for resiliency, statutory compliance, and the talent strategy to enable business priorities of the organization. Veda brings operational expertise and extensive global experience to the role. Since joining Northern Trust in 2004, Veda has held progressive roles within the company including Relationship Manager, Canada Chief Risk Officer, Global Head of Control - Income and International Tax, Division Head for India Entitlements and, most recently, Global Services APAC Operations Practice Executive. In her previous role, Veda was responsible for the execution of client Operational delivery. Her teams included Cash and Payment Operations, Banking & Loans, Asset Coding, Entitlements, Trade & Settlement, Asset Pricing and Capital Markets Operations. Veda has been recognized among the Top 100 Executive Allies by LGBT Great and is a passionate advocate for DEI. Prior to joining Northern Trust, she was Vice President, Client Services and Operations, Clarington Funds Inc. Veda began her career at State Street and IFDS Ltd. and has built extensive experience in all aspects of custodial, fund accounting and transfer agency operations. Veda holds a B.A. Economics degree from the University of Toronto and is a Six Sigma Black Belt certified professional. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veda-persad-3676a510/ Connect with the host, Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO Shenomics at www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/  Know about her leadership trainings and coaching programs at www.shenomics.com

    36 min

  8. 12/12/2022

    14. Feminine Leadership with Nilima Bhat

    Nilima Bhat is a visionary, speaker, facilitator and coach in the fields of Personal Mastery, Leadership, Gender Equality and Wellbeing.She is the author of two books, Shakti Leadership – Embracing Feminine and Masculine Power in Business, which is what we would be diving into today, and My Cancer Is Me – The Journey from Illness to Wholeness. An active supporter of Conscious Capitalism and Women’s International Networking (WIN), Nilima serves on the advisory board of several companies.She is an expert in Indian wisdom and wellness traditions, a certified Sivananda teacher and a practitioner of the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo & The Mother.Nilima is on a mission to create 100,000 women changemakers by 2030. I think there is alot we can all learn from her, so let’s dive in.    To learn more Nilima Bhat, go here: https://shaktileadership.com/book/authors/nilima-bhat/ To learn more about the host, Bhavna Toor, go here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavnatoor/ To sign up for weekly updates, go here: Shenomics.com

    44 min
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About

The Conscious Choice Podcast (formerly The Conscious Woman Podcast) is your weekly space for meaningful conversations on what it truly means to live and lead mindfully. Hosted by Bhavna Toor, this podcast explores conscious leadership, inclusion, and purposeful living - through stories, ideas, and practices that inspire both inner and outer transformation. Grounded in the work of Shenomics and Bhavna’s debut book The Conscious Choice: 100 Ideas for Living and Leading Mindfully, each episode offers insights to help you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.

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