Fresh Ink Conversations

Vijay Kulkarni

Fresh Ink Conversations is a podcast featuring new and emerging authors—the voices behind the books you haven’t discovered yet. Each episode is a focused, honest interview covering: The core idea of the book (what it’s really about) The author’s writing and publishing journey (what worked, what didn’t) The lessons and mistakes they wish they had known earlier practical takeaways for readers and aspiring writers No hype. No fluff. Just real stories, fresh books, and the craft and courage it takes to publish.

Episodes

  1. Jan 24

    Fresh Ink: Surabhi Varshney on Rethinking Parenting

    In this episode of *Fresh Ink Conversations: New Authors, Real Stories, I am joined by Surabhi Varshney, an educator and counsellor from Greater Noida who has spent 18 years working closely with children and families. Surabhi’s book, “Rethinking Parenting: Creating an Ever-Lasting Bond with Your Child”, asks a blunt question most parents avoid: *Do we actually know our child, or are we parenting our own expectations? We talk about how comparison, control, and society’s definition of “success” quietly shape daily parenting decisions, and what it looks like to shift toward “conscious parenting”, active listening, emotional presence, repairing ruptures, and supporting a child’s individuality without turning every conversation into a power struggle. If you’re a parent who wants less conflict, fewer communication gaps, and a deeper bond that lasts beyond childhood, this conversation will hit home—without preaching or perfect-parent nonsense. Book Link: https://amzn.in/d/3Ux3ly8

    15 min

  2. 12/30/2025

    Fresh Ink: Lt Cdr Nishad A K on The Beautiful Detours

    This episode of "Fresh Ink Conversations" features an interview with Lt Cdr Nishad A K (Retd.), a commissioned officer with more than 22 years of experience leading teams, developing programs, managing projects, executing operations, and serving in senior management at global MNCs. His book "The Beautiful Detours" is not your usual polished "success story"; instead, it's a raw, honest military memoir that depicts the leadership transformation of a soldier. Nishad demonstrates how "Discipline, humility, and Resilience" are derived from life's challenges when rejection occurs, careers turn suddenly and sharply, and the ideal route is no longer available. If you're a corporate executive, a military officer, or a young officer struggling with uncertainty, obstacles, or setbacks, this is your golden guide to understanding conventional leadership traits. Also, The Beautiful Detours is not only for people with a military background, but for all people, particularly youth, young adults, and children, who will benefit from exposure to inspirational stories. The real question is not if plans fail. The real question is, "When everything is taken away from you, do you become a victim, or do you adapt and learn how to use a new way of thinking?" The Beautiful Detours will tell you that true leaders are created through missed opportunities, doors that are shut in your face and through taking detours to your destination, and never through shortcuts." We invite you to catch Nishad's insights, so you can learn how to apply them to your own life when the going gets tough. Amazon Book Link: https://amzn.in/d/e2GlDMu

    17 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    Fresh Ink: Aalok Bhavthankar on Sales, Served Hot

    Most sales books try to “teach you how to sell.” Aalok doesn’t.In Sales, Served Hot, he serves six real, non-fiction stories from a 15-year B2B sales journey across India and North America, where deals are won on trust, timing, psychology, and resilience (often far away from the slide deck). In this episode, we get into: Why do many deals close over lunch/dinner, not in meetings What resilience looks like when the “perfect strategy” fails Why psychology beats pitching in real negotiations How a structured sales process creates consistent wins Lessons from both small critical deals and $5M+ opportunities If you’re early in sales, stuck in a plateau, or just curious about what really happens behind the pitch—this conversation will sharpen your instincts and make you laugh. Call to action:Want the complete set of stories and takeaways? Buy Sales, Served Hot now. https://amzn.in/d/g203Qs9

    16 min

  4. 12/28/2025

    Fresh Ink: Mohan R V on Walk In Their Shoes

    Most leadership advice is fluff. This episode isn't. If you’re struggling to motivate your team or navigating a workplace where you feel overlooked despite your hard work, you don't need more theory—you need perspective. In this episode, I sit down with Mohan R V, a veteran leader with over 31 years of experience in high-stakes operational excellence and digital transformation. He discusses his book, "Walk in Their Shoes: Empathetic Stories, Tools & Reflections for Leaders," and breaks down why empathy isn’t a "soft skill"—it’s a strategic advantage for driving bottom-line results. The Reality of the Indian Workplace: Moving past Western management clichés to solve real-world relationship dynamics. Upstream vs. Downstream: How to navigate pressure from leadership while effectively managing and inspiring your team. The Recognition Gap: Why some colleagues get noticed while others don't, and how to bridge that gap through inclusive leadership. Practical Frameworks: Actionable tools and checklists to solve tough problems and make stakeholder-aligned decisions. Mohan R V is a strategic powerhouse who has led massive digital transformations. He proves that you can be a data-driven, results-oriented leader while maintaining deep, empathetic connections with your workforce. Get the Book: https://amzn.in/d/4GJPR0E

    16 min

  5. 12/28/2025

    Fresh Ink: Richa Kumari on The Mindful Architect

    The Mindful Architect: Scaling Tech Without Burning Out Can you lead a high-stakes engineering team without sacrificing your sanity? Richa Kumari says yes—but only if you change your operating system. As a Senior Architect at Wipro and a founding member of the CTO Community, Richa has spent years at the intersection of complex systems and human leadership. In this episode, we strip away the corporate buzzwords to discuss why the next generation of tech leadership requires more than just technical prowess—it requires mindfulness, intentional design, and a refusal to equate "growth" with "pressure." In this conversation, we cover: The Architect’s Dilemma: Balancing technical excellence with team empathy. Mindful Leadership: Practical strategies from Richa’s new book to lead with purpose rather than panic. The CTO Mindset: Lessons from the founding frontlines of the CTO Community. Sustainable Growth: Why inner peace is the ultimate competitive advantage in a high-velocity tech world. Mindful Tech Leader by Richa Kumari.A guide for tech leaders who want to grow with confidence, empathy, and purpose—not pressure.👉 https://amzn.in/d/6Y8Bqoa Featured ResourceConnect with Richa

    13 min

  6. 12/28/2025

    Fresh Ink: Aakash Mate on The Health Equation

    n this episode, we sit down with Aakash Mate — an engineer by profession and a health-focused author by passion — to talk about the question that pushed him into writing: Why do some people work hard on their health yet still struggle, while others seem to thrive naturally? Drawing from experience, observation, and continuous learning around the mind, body, and human behaviour, Aakash shares the thinking behind his book: The Health Equation: A Logical Path to a Stronger You This isn’t a “quick-fix” health conversation. It’s a practical, logical approach to building a stronger life by understanding how your mind, body, and soul interact — and how that understanding turns into consistent action. We unpack: what “The Health Equation” really means in day-to-day life why effort alone doesn’t guarantee results the mindset shifts that make health sustainable, not stressful simple ways to build balance without obsessing over perfection If you’ve been trying to get healthier but feel stuck, this episode will help you reset your approach with clarity and calm. Book: The Health Equation: A Logical Path to a Stronger You https://amzn.in/d/2UOCnwl

    12 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    Fresh Ink Conversation — Welcome

    Discover books before they blow up. Fresh Ink Conversations is a podcast featuring new and emerging authors—the voices behind the books you haven’t discovered yet. Hosted by Vijay Kulkarni and presented by Inner Compass, each episode is a fast, honest interview about: What the book is really about (in plain language) Who it’s for and why it matters What it took to write and publish it The lessons the author learned the hard way If you love finding fresh reads—or you’re writing a book yourself—this show delivers real stories and practical insight without the hype. Are you a new author? Pitch yourself at leadandspeak@vijaykulkarni.com with your book link and a one-line summary. Follow Fresh Ink Conversations and find your next great read.

    1 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Fresh Ink Conversations is a podcast featuring new and emerging authors—the voices behind the books you haven’t discovered yet. Each episode is a focused, honest interview covering: The core idea of the book (what it’s really about) The author’s writing and publishing journey (what worked, what didn’t) The lessons and mistakes they wish they had known earlier practical takeaways for readers and aspiring writers No hype. No fluff. Just real stories, fresh books, and the craft and courage it takes to publish.

Information

  • Creator
    Vijay Kulkarni
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vijay Kulkarni
  • Show Website
    Fresh Ink Conversations