The Warm Story Show

Srikkanth Govindaraajan

The Warm Story Show is a storytelling podcast about everyday life, gentle growth, and becoming a little better—one small step at a time. Each episode begins with a warm, relatable story inspired by real life, history, or quiet human moments, and slowly unfolds into a reflection you can carry into your day. This podcast isn’t about preaching, productivity hacks, or loud motivation. It’s a calm space for honest conversations around habits, mindset, emotional wellbeing, and intentional living. The host isn’t an expert or a mentor—just a fellow traveler sharing stories, thoughts, and tiny challenges that we can practice together. You’ll find short, thoughtful episodes built around consistency, clarity, and positive habits without pressure or perfection. If you enjoy podcasts about personal growth, positivity, slow living, habit building, self reflection, and meaningful storytelling, this show is for you.

Episodes

  1. Apr 18

    Binge Eating & Emotional Healing

    Overcoming Emotional Eating: A Coach's Journey and InsightsDiscover how Nan Saysana transformed her relationship with food, moved beyond shame, and now empowers others through her coaching. This episode dives into the emotional roots of overeating, practical strategies to sit with emotions, and the importance of self-kindness in recovery. Key Topics Nan shares her personal journey from food obsession to emotional freedomRecognizing emotional triggers: loneliness, stress, boredomThe myths around emotional eating and its true naturePractical tools: mindfulness, checking your emotional weatherThe importance of kindness over punishment in behavioral changeThe power of sharing stories to reduce shame and foster connectionBuilding sustainable habits through gradual changeThe role of coaching and community support in healing Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Nan Saysana, emotional eating coach 02:15 - What Nan's story reveals about her transformation with food 03:45 - Early signs of emotional eating and childhood influences 05:08 - Recognizing when food becomes a coping mechanism 07:02 - The emotional patterns behind binge eating 10:33 - Turning point 12:10 - The importance of community and podcast support 14:16 - How sharing stories reduces shame and builds confidence 16:33 - Internal shifts: awareness and sitting with emotions 18:54 - Tools for emotional regulation and managing urges 21:06 - The misconception of emotional eating as a big event 24:26 - Handling setbacks and high standards in recovery 27:21 - The emotional significance of becoming a bodybuilder in later years 28:50 - The lessons learned from the journey and embracing self-compassion 33:49 - Myths about emotional eating and the everyday emotional landscape 47:27 - How trust and vulnerability accelerate healing 49:47 - Client success stories and their impact on Nan 52:26 - How to get started with coaching or self-coaching 55:34 - Estimated timeframe for lasting change 56:23 - Wise words for younger selves: reassurance and hope 58:43 - Closing insights: curiosity over judgment, kindness as a magic tool Resources & Links MiloBingeFix - Nan SaysanaTiny Habits by BJ FoggConnect with Nan Saysana: Instagram Remember, emotional eating is common—you're not alone. With awareness, kindness, and support, change is possible. Nan is currently training in hypnosis and is offering a small number of 90-minute practice sessions for 25€. It’s a real personalized session as part of her training. People often use it for things like stress, sleep, confidence, changing a habit, or simply curiosity about hypnosis. I thought it might be something you’d enjoy. Here are all the details:  https://bit.ly/4sCB55T If you’re interested or have questions, you can email her at nscoaching@outlook.fr with “Hypnosis practice” in the subject line.

  2. Mar 14

    Designing a calm financial future

    Opening:Discover how patience, consistency, and a long-term perspective can transform your financial journey. In this episode, we explore inspiring stories and actionable insights to help you build resilience and wealth over time. Whether you're just starting or your progress feels slow, this episode underscores that the key to financial freedom is rooted in steady, mindful effort. Main Content:The importance of thinking in decades, not months, for long-term financial successHow small, consistent investments like SIPs can grow significantly with timeThe psychological lesson: wealth is what you don't see — unspent income and resilienceMorgan Housel's insights on the power of patience and avoiding catastrophic mistakesPractical shifts: avoiding ruin through smart risk management and building a safety marginThe role of emergency funds, health insurance, and skill growth in safeguarding your futureThe 2008 financial crisis example illustrating how patience and diversification payoffEncouragement to visualize your financial state 10 years from now and share the feelingThe importance of community and accountability in maintaining financial disciplineClosing motivation: You're not late or behind; consistency is what countsTimestamps:00:00 - Why patience beats brilliance in achieving financial freedom00:30 - The story of Lakshmi: small steps leading to resilience00:58 - The concept of wealth being what you don’t see1:27 - The significance of starting today, not tomorrow1:54 - How time, consistency, and patience create compounding growth2:23 - Morgan Housel’s lessons on avoiding catastrophic mistakes2:53 - Long-term mental models: think decades, not months3:23 - Prioritizing stability over chasing high returns3:53 - Building margin: emergency funds, insurance, and skill growth4:21 - Lessons from the 2008 crisis: patience and diversification4:50 - Imagining your financial state 10 years from now5:19 - Encouragement and call to share progress and build communityResources & Links:The Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselConnect with Srikkanth Govindaraajan:LinkedInInstagram

  3. Mar 7

    Why Building Habits is Tough? Candid with Narthana - Founder of HabitVerse

    Building Consistency with Habits: A conversation with Narthana Sharan - Founder of HabitVerse. In this episode of The Warm Story Show, we explore the human struggle with habits, self-doubt, and system design through the inspiring journey of Nartana Sharan, founder of Habitverse. Discover how understanding elastic habits and accountability can transform personal growth and lead to sustained change. Key Topics The quiet frustration of broken promises and self-doubtThe concept of elastic habits versus traditional disciplineHow system design can help overcome motivation dipsThe role of accountability in habit formationThe importance of small, manageable goals in behavioral changePersonalized approaches to dopamine detox and phone addictionReal user stories of overcoming challenges and achieving balancePractical features of Habitverse that promote consistencyStrategies for managing dropouts and setbacksTips for anyone feeling stuck in a habitual loop Timestamps: 00:00 - The quiet struggle of broken promises and self-doubt 02:09 - How mood and system design influence habits 04:15 - Blaming systems, not motivation 05:10 - Introducing elastic habits for flexibility 06:37 - Practical example of elastic habits in daily life 07:36 - Common mistakes in habit formation 08:34 - The realization that habits are a widespread problem 10:16 - The birth of Habitverse from personal search and validation 12:10 - Challenges faced in launching and marketing Habitverse 13:31 - Motivating oneself to return after breaks 14:29 - Key features of Habitverse: Dopamine Detox 15:56 - Personalized plans for phone addiction and digital detox 18:16 - Handling dropouts and setbacks 19:42 - The power of short-term challenges like 21-day detoxes 21:29 - Additional habit challenges offered by Habitverse 22:26 - Addressing small but vital daily actions like calling family 24:21 - User story of Suganya and balancing personal growth 29:11 - Reflection on setbacks and managing dropouts 30:06 - How to connect with Habitverse and reach out 30:59 - Final advice: Embrace your unique path and options 31:57 - Gratitude and closing remarks Resources & Links: Habitverse WebsiteDopamine Detox ChallengeHabitverse InstagramThe Warm Story Show on Instagram

  4. Mar 1

    Why Smart People Feel Broke (EP08)

    Why Earning More Doesn't Make You Feel Secure — The Secrets of Financial ResilienceIn this episode, Srikkanth explores why higher income often doesn't lead to greater financial peace, revealing the behavioral patterns that sabotage wealth and security. Learn how lifestyle inflation and mindset traps keep even high earners feeling "broke," and discover practical strategies to protect your margin and build resilience. Key TopicsThe story of a product engineer who upgraded his lifestyle, yet remained fragile financiallyThe concept of lifestyle inflation and how it silently sabotages wealthThree behavioral traps: identity spending, emotional reward spending, and subscription driftThe importance of maintaining a margin between income and expenses for resilienceHow to allocate income increases wisely—saving 50% to build financial securityThe difference between wealth and resilience: why feeling secure matters more than just earning morePractical ways to detect and prevent lifestyle inflationThe role of discipline in safeguarding your financial margin and reducing stressTimestamps:00:00 - Why earning more doesn't automatically increase your financial security 0:28 - Introduction to Financial Freedom February and the story of the Pune product engineer 0:57 - How lifestyle inflation quietly grew alongside income 1:24 - The moment of realization: fragility and the importance of resilience 1:53 - The shift: using only 50% of income increases for lifestyle upgrades 2:22 - What financial resilience really means – not just wealth, but peace of mind 2:51 - The behavioral traps that keep people feeling poor despite earning well 3:20 - The power of margin as the key predictor of long-term wealth (Psychology of Money insights) 3:49 - Reflecting on personal experiences with lifestyle inflation and margin protection 4:17 - Wrap-up: grow income, but grow your margin faster; next episode teaser 4:45 - Call to action: share, subscribe, and practice margin protection Resources & Links:Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

  5. Feb 19

    EP06 - Changing Your Relationship With Money

    Changing Your Relationship with Money: Finding Peace and Clarity In this episode of The Warm Story Show, we explore how our emotional relationship with money influences our sense of peace and security. It’s not about earning more, but about shifting from reaction to intentionality, cultivating financial clarity and calm. Key topics How money is tied to emotions and childhood storiesThe difference between financial stress and financial vaguenessAnanya’s story: small, intentional steps to build confidenceThe importance of simplicity, clarity, and self-awarenessWarren Buffett’s approach to financial peacePractical exercises for observing your money mindsetReframing financial freedom as a peaceful relationship, not a destinationInvitation to reflect on your own money beliefs and emotions Timestamps 00:00 - Why opening your bank app can cause anxiety00:30 - Money is about fear, comparison, and guilt00:58 - Introducing Financial Freedom February and its focus on peace01:27 - How money ties into our nervous system and childhood stories01:56 - The impact of societal and social media narratives on money beliefs02:26 - Ananya’s story: small, intentional savings change everything03:54 - The power of clarity and intentional action over dramatic changes04:53 - Reducing financial stress through visible, purposeful money management05:22 - Redefining financial freedom as peace, confidence, and control05:52 - The relationship analogy: avoidance vs. understanding06:21 - Practical exercise: observe your money emotions and stories06:51 - Warren Buffett’s simple, peaceful approach to wealth07:20 - Upcoming episodes and reflection on small, manageable steps07:50 - Engaging the community: share your money stories and emotions08:48 - Closing remarks and encouragement to share the episode

  6. Feb 2

    EP04 - The Silent Habits Draining Your Energy and How to Stop Them

    The Warm Story Show's pre-finale episode for No Junk January focuses on the impact of small habits on life and provides a practical framework for habit declutter. The conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness and design in changing habits. Takeaways Small habits shape lifeHabit change requires awareness and design Timestamps00:00 - Introduction: Why small habits determine how your life feels 00:07 - The deep impact of habitual patterns on mental and physical heaviness 00:29 - Habit junk: subtle behaviors that dim your life's brightness 00:58 - Examples of common draining habits and their effects 1:28 - Why motivation and discipline aren't enough to change habits 2:28 - The importance of awareness and environment in habit transformation 3:30 - Practical framework: four steps to declutter your habits 3:51 - Step 1: Identify one draining habit 4:15 - Step 2: Replace it with an easier, healthier habit 4:52 - Step 3: Make good habits visible and effortless 5:17 - Step 4: Anchor new habits to existing routines 5:51 - The power of small daily improvements—the 1% rule 6:21 - Guided exercise: reflect on your habits and choose one to start tomorrow 7:14 - Scientific findings: tiny daily tweaks linked to longer, healthier lives 8:11 - The myth that big overhauls matter more than small, consistent actions 8:38 - Call-to-action: start a tiny habit today and share your plan 9:08 - Closing thoughts: gratitude, reflection, and next steps Resources & LinksWarm Story Show on SpotifyWarm Story Show on Apple PodcastsUK Biobank StudyConnect with Srikkanth:Instagram LinkedInTwitterRemember, progress isn't about perfection—it's about small, consistent steps that build a better life quietly over time. Start with one tiny habit today, and watch how it transforms your tomorrows.

  7. Jan 15

    EP 02 - Decluttering your mind: How to stop carrying Mental Junk

    The episode introduces the concept of mental junk and its impact on daily life. It provides techniques and challenges for mental decluttering, emphasizing the importance of building the habit of mental clarity. The upcoming episode on digital clutter is also mentioned. Summary In this episode of The Warm Story Show, Srikkanth Govindaraajan delves into the concept of 'mental junk'—the invisible burdens we carry in our minds that weigh us down. He likens these burdens to invisible bags, heavier than any physical load, filled with worries, regrets, and anxieties that clutter our mental space. Srikkanth emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing this mental clutter, which can manifest as overthinking, emotional residue, and self-comparison. He introduces a practical three-step technique to help listeners declutter their minds: a brain dump to release thoughts, a filtering process to identify actionable items, and a reframing exercise to cultivate a kinder perspective on our worries. Srikkanth also shares a series of challenges designed to help listeners implement these techniques in their daily lives, such as dedicating screen-free time, practicing breathing exercises, and establishing a 'worry window' to manage intrusive thoughts. He concludes by highlighting the neuroscience behind writing as a tool for mental clarity, encouraging listeners to adopt these habits for a calmer, more intentional mindset. This episode sets the stage for a journey towards mental decluttering, inviting listeners to embrace a lighter, happier version of themselves. Takeaways Mental junk is invisible weight we all carry.Overthinking is your brain trying to protect you by scaring you.Writing doesn't just unload your brain, it rewires it. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Junk02:26 Understanding Mental Clutter04:54 Three Steps to Declutter Your Mind06:52 Practical Challenges for Mental Clarity08:39 The Neuroscience of Writing and Mental Clarity Neuroscience Research on Writing your thoughts on paper - https://www.psypost.org/neuroscience-explains-why-writing-creates-mental-clarity Image by freepik Sound Effect by DRAGON-STUDIO from Pixabay Sound Effect by Spin Opel

About

The Warm Story Show is a storytelling podcast about everyday life, gentle growth, and becoming a little better—one small step at a time. Each episode begins with a warm, relatable story inspired by real life, history, or quiet human moments, and slowly unfolds into a reflection you can carry into your day. This podcast isn’t about preaching, productivity hacks, or loud motivation. It’s a calm space for honest conversations around habits, mindset, emotional wellbeing, and intentional living. The host isn’t an expert or a mentor—just a fellow traveler sharing stories, thoughts, and tiny challenges that we can practice together. You’ll find short, thoughtful episodes built around consistency, clarity, and positive habits without pressure or perfection. If you enjoy podcasts about personal growth, positivity, slow living, habit building, self reflection, and meaningful storytelling, this show is for you.