Are We Well?

Neelam Chand
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hi, I'm Neelam—a small business owner, mother, daughter of immigrants, social justice advocate, and spiritual seeker in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m passionate about exploring what it truly means to be well, both personally and collectively. My healing journey has led me to build a vibrant community of creatives, entrepreneurs, social justice leaders, and healers. On "Are We Well?," I connect with these inspiring voices to challenge us to think deeper, live consciously, and heal together. This podcast is for those who want to pause, reflect, and explore what wellness really means—an invitation to check in with yourself and ask, are you well?

  1. 19/08/2025

    Burnout, Worth & Letting Go: Sonya Martinez on the Cost of Overachieving as a Woman of Color

    In this episode, Neelam sits down with Sonya Martinez Ortiz, a Chicana therapist, consultant, and founder of Rooted Soul. They explore the intersection of individual healing and systemic change, discussing how wellness and social justice are intricately linked. Sonya shares her extensive background in trauma recovery, community development, and social change, highlighting her recent role as executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City. Together, they emphasize the importance of collective healing as a means to restore wholeness in both individuals and systems. Tune in to discover how creating accessible, restorative spaces can lead to sustainable growth and transformation. "The world and systems are not set up for us to thrive. They extort everything from us, our physical, emotional energy, and even our resources." Notes: [00:02:30] Women of color and burnout. [00:04:12] Work-life balance and burnout. [00:10:34] Importance of taking time off. [00:12:49] Leadership transition during good times. [00:18:24] Taking time for self-care. [00:22:36] Work ethic and personal values. [00:27:24] Finding neutrality in embodiment. [00:31:34] Trust and surrender for women. [00:32:30] Leadership roles of women of color. [00:39:16] Burnout as a workplace phenomenon. [00:41:10] Forced resiliency and health risks. [00:45:58] Organizations' lack of personal care. [00:50:36] Values assessment for self-reflection. [00:54:24] Values and personal choices. [00:58:45] Role inventory for job sustainability. [01:01:35] Values aligned work and organizations. [01:05:40] Somatic body-based coaching. Follow Sonya WebsiteFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedIn

    1h 8m

  2. 12/08/2025

    Say it Like you Mean it: Dr. Tamara Stevenson on the Future of DEI

    In this episode, Neelam welcomes Dr. Tamara Stevenson, a distinguished higher education leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Stevenson shares her journey as the first African-American faculty member in Westminster University's communication program to earn multi-year contracts and achieve the rank of associate professor. With a strong background in organizational communication and leadership, she discusses her mission to align institutional values with practices that foster a culture of belonging. Together, Neelam and Dr. Stevenson explore the significance of creating inclusive environments in both academic and corporate spaces. "We've gotta get away from this big, beautiful, sexy DEI programming. And get to the structural, infrastructural work that creates and makes, facilitates access and opportunity, period." Notes: [00:03:19] Power of communication. [00:04:31] The development of personal voice. [00:10:06] Identity and self-awareness. [00:14:00] Safety and bias in communication. [00:18:55] Masterful co-optation of DEI. [00:22:10] Inclusion by exclusion in education. [00:29:18] Diversity, equity, inclusion challenges. [00:32:03] Dismantling of higher education. [00:36:34] Community colleges and access. [00:41:25] Navigating leadership and trust. [00:44:38] Integrity in professional identity. [00:52:10] Calling out structures of inequity. [00:54:06] Coalescing for effective change. [00:57:48] Creating a supportive environment. [01:02:10] Self-care and community support. Follow Dr. Stevenson  LinkedInFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    1h 5m

  3. 05/08/2025

    Listening Inward: Heather MacDonald on Inner Wisdom & Choosing Yourself.

    In this episode,Neelam welcomes Heather MacDonald, founder of Contemplating Life Choices, a coaching and leadership development practice aimed at supporting diverse women and mothers dealing with burnout and career transitions. Heather shares her journey and expertise in helping clients get unstuck and take actionable steps towards their goals. With a background in strategy and communications, she discusses her role in revitalizing initiatives like the Women in Tech program in Utah and her current position at Pluralsight, where she aids Fortune Global 500 companies in developing scalable learning strategies. The conversation touches on the challenges of motherhood, personal growth, and the importance of creating supportive environments for women in the workforce.  "If we're constantly seeking external validation, you're never going to find it because the bar is always going to raise." Notes: [00:03:02] Midlife career transitions for women. [00:08:03] Challenges faced by working moms. [00:14:18] Prioritizing impactful work. [00:20:33] Education vs. Experience in Careers. [00:27:43] Choosing yourself and self-worth. [00:36:08] Legacy and personal choice. [00:42:28] Body signals of burnout. [00:47:30] High performance and burnout. [00:48:20] Unfulfilled positions and stability. Follow Heather WebsiteLinkedInFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    50 min

  4. 29/07/2025

    The Future of BIPOC Banking with Zachary Smith

    In this episode, Neelam engages in a thought provoking conversation with financial expert Zachary Smith about the concept of financial healing and reimagining money as a tool for liberation. Zachary, a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of experience at notable institutions, shares his insights on generational wealth and its significance. He emphasizes the importance of time as a resource in building generational wealth and how his personal story has shaped his commitment to empowering minority and women led businesses. Together, they explore the transformative potential of financial institutions when they prioritize community, equity, and long-term impact.  "Generational wealth allows you time, time to spend with people you want to spend it with, time to do the things you want to do." Notes: [00:06:43] Barriers to capital access. [00:11:20] Access to capital for entrepreneurs. [00:16:20] Breaking generational cycles of money. [00:25:17] Entrepreneurship and funding disparities. [00:31:23] Community support for financial access. [00:40:21] Redefining wealth beyond money. Follow Zachary WebsiteRedemption BankFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    43 min

  5. 22/07/2025

    No One Told Us: Perimenopause in South Asian Women with Chandani Patel

    In this episode, Neelam welcomes Chandani Patel, the Inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion at Roland Hall. They explore the often overlooked topic of perimenopause, particularly focusing on the experiences of women of color. Neelam and Chandani share their personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of open conversations surrounding perimenopause symptoms. Chandani discusses her background as the daughter of Indian immigrants and her professional journey in creating inclusive educational environments. Tune in for a candid discussion that aims to empower women through shared experiences and knowledge about well-being during this transitional phase of life. Notes: [00:02:10] Perimenopause in women of color. [00:07:25] Mood swings and mental health. [00:16:44] Women's health secrecy in culture. [00:19:34] Hormone replacement therapy benefits. [00:25:36] Shame around menstruation and aging. [00:28:58] Strength training and wellness journey. [00:36:47] Feminist parenting and household roles. [00:44:46] Advocacy in relationships. [00:50:08] Self-care for women of color. [00:59:25] Embracing aging as a gift. [01:05:03] Hormone replacement therapy myths. Follow Chandani WebsiteFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    1h 7m

  6. 15/07/2025

    Children, Gender & Queerness with Dr. Kathryn Stockton

    In this episode, Neelam welcomes Dr. Kathryn Bond Stockton, a distinguished professor and expert in queer theory, to explore the complexities of gender queerness and identity through the perspectives of children and their caregivers. With a rich background in equity, diversity, and literature, Dr. Stockton discusses her extensive work, including her recent book, "Genders," and highlights her contributions to LGBT studies. Tune in for an insightful conversation that addresses the challenges and joys of understanding gender identity in today’s society, as well as the importance of support from adults in nurturing the well-being of gender diverse children. "The sheer act... of simply admitting that there are gay and trans children in our midst and wanting to have a loving embrace of those children... does absolutely zero damage to any other child." Notes: [00:03:35] Exploring gender identity in children. [00:06:25] Childhood understanding of gender. [00:09:09] Hollywood kiss and gender identity. [00:21:07] Biological approach to gender. [00:28:42] Gender identity and societal norms. [00:39:05] Gender expression and identity evolution. [00:46:10] Gender and sexuality discussions. [00:50:54] Redefining masculinity in society. [00:56:00] Self-examination in parenting. [00:57:23] Lifelong examination of whiteness. Follow Dr.Stockton WebsiteFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    1h 5m

  7. 08/07/2025

    Same House, Different Children: Sibling Reflections on Inner Child Healing with Dhiraj Chand

    In this heartfelt episode, Neelam welcomes her brother, Dhiraj Chand, for a unique sibling check-in that doubles as a love letter to their inner children. Dhiraj, a Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer at the University of Utah, shares insights from his extensive 16-year career in higher education, focusing on transformational giving and the importance of building meaningful connections. The conversation delves into themes of social justice, personal growth, and the impact of storytelling, with Dhiraj reflecting on his role in introducing Neelam to the world of social justice and advocacy. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and a celebration of family bonds. "My inner child is very, very sensitive, but also it is very, I would say a bit judgmental, and it doesn't seek joy as often as it seeks safety and it seeks reliability." Notes: [00:06:20] Inner child exploration and growth. [00:10:08] Inner child's expression and creativity. [00:15:09] Inner child's confidence and resilience. [00:18:10] Gender identity and childhood experiences. [00:24:14] Inner child creativity and joy. [00:28:33] Hospitality and personal boundaries. [00:32:15] Coping through humor in families. [00:35:06] The burden of self-criticism. [00:39:45] Exploring queer identity and representation. [00:44:24] LGBTQ representation in Bollywood. Follow Dhiraj WebsiteLinkedInFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    52 min

  8. 24/06/2025

    Racial Battle Fatigue and the Cost of Racism with Dr. William Smith

    In this episode, Neelam welcomes Dr. William A. Smith, a distinguished professor at the University of Utah and a leading voice on the psychological impacts of racism. They explore the concept of racial battle fatigue, which Dr. Smith coined in 2003 to describe the chronic stress experienced by black and brown communities due to racism. With appointments in psychiatry, education, and ethnic studies, Dr. Smith shares insights from his extensive research and discusses its implications for mental health and education. The conversation also touches on his recent recognition as one of the world's top scientists, highlighting his significant contributions to the field. Join Neelam and Dr. Smith as they delve into the complexities of healing and the importance of mental health justice in today's society. "Sometimes a partner might think there's something wrong with them, when it's just him experiencing these negative treatments out in the larger society, and really not trying to bring it home, but he doesn't have a space to process." Notes: [00:02:29] Racial battle fatigue's origins. [00:06:04] Racial battle fatigue defined. [00:12:27] Racial battle fatigue manifestations. [00:20:03] Racial microaggressions and fatigue. [00:23:06] Racial epigenetics and trauma.. [00:34:15] Racial battle fatigue impacts communities. [00:39:43] Psychological impacts of racism. [00:45:05] Mental health of black men. [00:49:03] Black fathers' engagement statistics. [00:51:43] Thriving beyond resilience. [01:00:21] Movement as healing through dance. Follow Dr Smith WebsiteFollow Neelam WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

    1h 3m
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Trailers

About

Hi, I'm Neelam—a small business owner, mother, daughter of immigrants, social justice advocate, and spiritual seeker in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m passionate about exploring what it truly means to be well, both personally and collectively. My healing journey has led me to build a vibrant community of creatives, entrepreneurs, social justice leaders, and healers. On "Are We Well?," I connect with these inspiring voices to challenge us to think deeper, live consciously, and heal together. This podcast is for those who want to pause, reflect, and explore what wellness really means—an invitation to check in with yourself and ask, are you well?

Information

  • Creator
    Neelam Chand
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Neelam Chand
  • Show Website
    Are We Well?