Between Us Story Lab™

Santosh Kumar
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I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other. Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up. Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully. That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope. As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space. For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together. Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices. It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard. If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome. Let’s make every conversation count Santosh Kumar Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™ Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator

  1. Oct 22

    The 'Mujhe Pata Hai' Trap in Healthcare | Jyoti M. Tiwari with Santosh Kumar

    Why do the smartest professionals, leaders, andthinkers get trapped in the illusion of certainty? What does it cost a humanbeing to admit: 'I don't know'?In this reflective and transformative conversation on Between Us, Santosh Kumarspeaks with Jyoti M. Tiwari about self-awareness, shedding performative masks,and navigating profound career and personal pivots.Key Discussion Highlights:• 00:00 - The 'Mujhe Pata Hai' Syndrome: Why Certainty Blocks Growth• 06:15 - The Fear of Being Seen Without Your Career Armor• 14:30 - How to Break Free from People-Pleasing & Performative Roles• 22:45 - The Courage to Rebuild from Scratch in Mid-Life• 31:10 - Learning to Listen to Your Quiet Inner TruthGuest: Jyoti M. TiwariHost: Santosh Kumar (Between Us Story Lab™)Subscribe to Between Us for weekly unscripted human stories and narrativemasterclasses.

  2. Oct 19

    The Surgeon’s Burden & Precision Under Pressure | Prof. Shailesh Shrikhande with Santosh Kumar

    What happens in the operating room when a surgeonholds a patient's life in their hands, and how does leadership function underacute surgical pressure?In this deeply moving dialogue on Between Us, Santosh Kumar hosts Prof.Shailesh Shrikhande, renowned surgical oncologist and global leader ingastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer surgery.Key Discussion Highlights:• 00:00 - The Mindset of a Master Surgical Oncologist• 05:20 - Overcoming Complications & Navigating Surgical Doubt• 13:40 - How AI & Robotic Platforms Assist (and Fail) at the Bedside• 21:15 - Training the Next Generation of Indian Cancer Surgeons• 28:50 - The Human Truth Behind Saving LivesGuest: Prof. Dr. Shailesh V. Shrikhande (Deputy Director & Head of GISurgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre)Host: Santosh Kumar (Founder, Between Us Story Lab™) Follow Between Us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

  3. Oct 19

    Building Clinical AI Doctors Actually Trust | Dr. Bipin Chevale with Santosh Kumar

    Why do 90% of healthcare AI pilots fail when theyleave the sandbox and enter the surgical theater or emergency ward?In this premiere episode of Between Us, host Santosh Kumar sits down with Dr.Bipin Chevale, Managing Director & CEO of Gleneagles Hospitals India, touncover what hospital leadership and surgical adoption actually demand.Key Discussion Highlights:• 00:00 - The Reality of Hospital Governance• 04:15 - Why Clinicians Reject Black-Box AI Algorithms• 11:30 - Pre-Analytics, Diagnostic Scale & Bedside Adoption• 18:45 - The Culture Shift: Moving Doctors from Fear to Partnership• 26:10 - Future of Indian Super-Specialty HealthcareGuest: Dr. Bipin Chevale (MD & CEO, Gleneagles Hospitals India)Host: Santosh Kumar (Founder, Between Us Story Lab™)Listen, follow, and rate Between Us on Spotify and ApplePodcasts. Visit betweenusstorylab.com for research notes and institutional white papers.

  4. Mar 26

    Power Rarely Announces Itself | Ranjana Maitra on Women in Leadership, STEM & Finding Your Voice

    Power Rarely Announces Itself | Ranjana Maitra on Women in Leadership, STEM & Finding Your VoicePower rarely announces itself. It enters quietly — through education, through choices we make, and through the stories we stop questioning.This episode is not about achievement. It is about becoming.🎙️ In this conversation with Ranjana Maitra — Global Leader, Country Head of International Relations & Strategic Partnerships at University of New Haven, Chairperson of CII Indian Women's Network — we slow down, listen deeply, and explore not just what happened, but why it matters. From a steel township in Raurkela to the corporate corridors of TCS and Wipro, from leading 4,000 people across 13 global delivery centers to reshaping how Indian students access world-class education — Ranjana's journey is a masterclass in conviction without noise.In this episode, we go deep on:✦ The inner voice that refused to be silenced✦ What it meant to be the only Indian woman in the room — and thrive✦ The integrity moment that defined her career✦ Why women exit STEM (The 3 M's)✦ Gendered feedback patterns in corporate India✦ Profit to purpose — why she walked away from a 27-year career✦ What women in STEM must unlearn✦ The one habit that changed everythingStories don't just describe the future. They decide who gets to enter it.#BetweenUsStoryLab #RanjanaMailtra #womenleaders #womeninstem #leadership #globaleducation #conversationsthatmatter #podcast #MakeEveryConversationCount #purposedrivenleadership #UniversityOfNewHaven #CII #womenempowerment

    Power Rarely Announces Itself | Ranjana Maitra on Women in Leadership, STEM & Finding Your Voice

  5. 12/19/2025

    How Education in India Is Transforming at Scale | AICTE Chairman | Prof. T.G. Sitharam

    How Education in India Is Transforming at Scale | AICTE Chairman | Prof. T.G. SitharamIn this special and highly insightful episode of Between Us Story Lab™️, we are honored to host Prof. T.G Sitharam, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), for an in-depth conversation on the present and future of India’s education ecosystem.As the national regulator of technical and professional education, AICTE plays a pivotal role in shaping how millions of students learn, innovate, and transition into the workforce. In this conversation, Chairman TG Sitharam shares a first-hand perspective on how Indian education is moving beyond traditional classroom models toward innovation-driven, research-oriented, and entrepreneurship-focused learning.The discussion explores how initiatives led and supported by AICTE—such as Smart India Hackathon, Institute Innovation Councils (IICs), R&D Cells, Buildathon programs, and industry-integrated learning platforms—are transforming students from passive learners into active problem solvers and creators. These initiatives encourage collaboration, experiential learning, multidisciplinary thinking, and real-world problem solving at scale.A key highlight of the episode is the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in education. Chairman Sitharam explains how AI is not a threat to learning or employment, but a powerful ally that can enhance research, improve employability, support personalized learning, and accelerate innovation—when used responsibly and ethically. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of human values, empathy, and ethics alongside technological advancement.The episode further addresses India’s global impact in technical education, with Indian engineers and professionals contributing across industries and countries worldwide. The focus is shifting from education as a pathway to jobs to education as a foundation for job creation, startups, and long-term national capability building.Throughout the conversation, host Santosh Kumar and co-host Dr. B. Rao guide the discussion toward a broader vision—education as an ecosystem involving students, teachers, institutions, industry, mentors, and policymakers, all working together to prepare future generations for complex global challenges.This episode is especially relevant for:- Students and young professionals- Faculty members and academic leaders- Researchers and innovators- Startup founders and entrepreneurs- Policymakers and industry mentors- Anyone interested in the future of Indian education and global talent development#education #iks #indianeducation #indianeducationsystem #aicte_india #aicte #podcast I hope you enjoyed the whole episode. Don't forget to share this video with your friends and family members. Thanks for watching.

    How Education in India Is Transforming at Scale | AICTE Chairman | Prof. T.G. Sitharam

  6. 12/12/2025

    The Ratan Tata Lesson That Changed My Thinking on Leadership, Discipline & Character

    In this rare and deeply reflective conversation, Dr Thomas Matthew reveals the exact moment when Ratan Tata told him one powerful line that permanently shifted his thinking. This episode goes beyond titles, positions, or reputation—it is about the inner architecture of a leader: dignity, restraint, empathy, silence, clarity, and unwavering principles. Dr Thomas Matthew has spent decades across public service, national security, diplomacy, financial reform, and close interactions with some of India’s most influential decision-makers. In this conversation, he opens up like never before—sharing stories, moments, and insights that shaped him, challenged him, and ultimately transformed him. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, character, and inner clarity. Whether you're a leader, creator, professional, student, or simply someone seeking purpose and meaning, this conversation will challenge you, inspire you, and stay in your mind long after it ends. If this conversation spoke to you…• Share your reflections in the comments — your perspective may help someone else.• If a line or moment stayed with you, tell us which one and why.• And if you want more deep, meaningful, honest conversations like this…

    The Ratan Tata Lesson That Changed My Thinking on Leadership, Discipline & Character

  7. 12/02/2025

    Most People Never Use Their Potential — These 5 Principles Will Change Your Life

    In this inspiring and deeply personal conversation, Sarah D. Carlson—author, speaker, self-advocacy expert, and reinvention mentor—joins us to explore the truth about purpose, clarity, self-belief, and rebuilding your life from the inside out.Sarah’s life journey—from law school to Wall Street, from burnout to healing, from achievement to alignment—is a powerful blueprint for anyone who feels stuck, unseen, or disconnected from their true calling. Together, we discuss how to recognize your inner compass, advocate for yourself with confidence, and rewrite the stories that have held you back.This episode is filled with emotional storytelling, practical frameworks, spiritual insights, and empowering tools like Sarah’s Five Principles of Self-Advocacy and her proven “Big Five” time-mapping method that helps you align your daily life with your bigger purpose.If you’re navigating transition, questioning your direction, or searching for meaning—this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.What You’ll Learn in This Episode1) What self-advocacy really means (and why most people misunderstand it)2) How to rebuild self-belief after burnout, trauma, or failure3) Why purpose is not a luxury—it’s a birthright4) How cultural norms shape our confidence and voice5) The difference between passion, ambition, and true purpose6) How to navigate reinvention with clarity and courage7) Why wasted potential is a global crisis8) How leaders and organizations benefit when people self-advocate9) The “puzzle piece” metaphor and why your contribution matters10) Practical steps to start advocating for yourself todayAbout Sarah D. CarlsonSarah is a renowned self-advocacy coach and author who helps people reclaim their value, articulate their gifts, and build lives aligned with purpose. Her work blends psychology, faith, leadership, and lived experience—making her insights both relatable and transformative.LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdcarlson-liberateyourself/ Website - https://www.sarahdcarlson.com/ Who This Episode Is For1) Anyone feeling stuck, lost, or undervalued2) People navigating life or career transitions3) Leaders wanting to build healthier, empowered teams4) Individuals healing from burnout or emotional exhaustion5) Anyone searching for faith-based clarity and inner guidance6) Students or professionals struggling with confidence7) Creatives, founders, and dreamers wanting direction❤️ If This Moved You…📝 Write down one insight that resonated.💬 Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.📲 Send this episode to someone who needs encouragement today.🔔 Subscribe for more deep, meaningful conversations every week.

    Most People Never Use Their Potential — These 5 Principles Will Change Your Life

  8. 09/05/2025

    Beyond Balance Sheets Legacy, Leadership & Listening to Life | In Conversation with Tushar Kansal

    What defines true success? How does leadership evolve with experience? And what role do legacy, mentorship, and intuition play in shaping a meaningful life? In this episode of Between Us Podcast, host Santosh Kumar sits down with Tushar Kansal to explore the human side of leadership—beyond startups, investments, and valuations. This is a fireside-style conversation about reflection, growth, and the truths that rarely make it into boardrooms or headlines. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Legacy Beyond Valuation → What truly compounds over time: relationships, values, and impact. Leadership & Mentorship → Why great leaders create successors, not followers. Intuition & Pauses → How slowing down and listening can redirect your life. The Loneliness of Conviction → Standing firm when your truth isn’t widely accepted. Spiritual & Emotional Anchors → Practices that keep leaders grounded in uncertain times. Startup Challenges → The unseen realities of building and sustaining companies in India. This episode goes beyond balance sheets—it’s about living with conviction, creating legacy, and listening to life. Don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that matter. Tag someone who needs to hear this today. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The idea of ‘Between Us’ stems from the fact that every conversation matters, especially the one that we have with ourselves. Using podcast as a medium, I am fortunate to bring folks who have made an impact in everyday lives, from diverse backgrounds, to engage in a meaningful conversation. The topics are as diverse and deeply interconnected - from climate justice to big tech to healthcare as a constitutional right to millennial expectations to gender equality and inclusiveness. I warmly welcome you to join me in this journey. #Leadership #SuccessMindset #Legacy #Mentorship #EmotionalIntelligence #Entrepreneurship #StartupIndia #FounderJourney #CareerGrowth #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualityAndLeadership #LifeLessons #BusinessLeadership #SelfReflection #SantoshKumar #TusharKansal #BetweenUsPodcast

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About

I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other. Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up. Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully. That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope. As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space. For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together. Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices. It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard. If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome. Let’s make every conversation count Santosh Kumar Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™ Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator

Information

  • Creator
    Santosh Kumar
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Santosh Kumar
  • Show Website
    Between Us Story Lab™