My First Step Ever

Ishani Nigam
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We all have dreams, goals and desires to do extraordinary work in our lives. But, we often get intimidated with the very first step that leads to our journey. What if we only keep dreaming? The real success lies in dreaming, planning to achieve those dreams and then most importantly ACTING on those plans. If just the thought of doing it makes your heart beat faster then don’t worry my friend. I was as nervous once as you are now! But, then one day I went beyond that daunting first step and life became easier. So, I have now embarked on a journey to interact with accomplished people, who went past that first step, in my new podcast series called My First Step Ever. Through this podcast series, I aim to bring forth real success stories, of people, from various professions and discuss strategies they employed to overcome their fears. So, get ready to fuel your dreams through these insightful conversations and let yourself fly high. Logo courtesy Manash Parui. Insta - @myfirststepever_in

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep 198 - From a refugee camp to the TEDx stage—in just one lifetime

    In Episode 198 of My First Step Ever, Ishani Nigam welcomes Rukaiya Khan, a transformational leader, smile strategist, and founder of Smiltastic, for a heartfelt conversation about conviction, resilience, and the power of self-expression. Rukaiya shares her journey from a childhood shaped by cultural expectations and empathy, to discovering her voice through poetry, and later navigating the upheaval of displacement during the Gulf War. Through every transition, one thing remained constant — her ability to listen deeply, connect authentically, and believe in the power of words. This episode explores: Why self-conviction matters more than motivation How early life experiences shape empathy and leadership The healing power of writing and communication Resilience during cultural shock and emotional upheaval Transforming life challenges into purposeful impact Rukaiya’s story is not just about success — it’s about becoming, about honouring where you come from while courageously choosing where you’re going. If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, leadership, or personal growth, this episode offers grounding insights and gentle reminders that clarity often comes after courage. Learn more about Ruqya here: https://ruqyakhan.com/ About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    56 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    EP 197 - Wes Towers: Resilience, Experimentation & Redefining Success

    In Episode 197 of My First Step Ever, Ishani is joined by Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 — a digital agency elevating how trade and construction businesses show up online. Wes is known for blending AI with authentic human storytelling. But behind his professional success is a powerful personal story of emotional resilience, learning through experimentation, and embracing the mindset of “let’s give it a try.” In this episode, we explore: The emotional and mental resilience needed to grow The foundational building blocks of personal and business success Why being willing to experiment opens life-changing opportunities How authenticity wins in a crowded digital landscape What success really means — and how it evolves over time If you’re navigating uncertainty, building something new, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, Wes’s journey will leave you inspired and equipped with practical wisdom. Tune in, take a breath, and take your first step ever. Learn more here: Learn more: https://uplift360.com.au/ About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    47 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    EP 196: Matt Ellis: Success, Values & Building a Life That Truly Fits

    In this episode of My First Step Ever, Ishani sits down with Matt Ellis, host of The Cricket Library Podcast and long-time educator, commentator, writer and content creator. Matt has spent years telling stories from the world of cricket, inspiring young people, and serving regional communities through his work with Cricket NSW. But his personal journey offers even richer lessons — about choosing values over validation and designing a life that feels true. We explore: How unconventional decisions have shaped Matt’s career and relationships Why questioning society’s definition of success is essential How to prioritise family, purpose and meaningful work What it means to create a life aligned with your principles The magic behind asking: “What would this look like if it were easy?” Why fulfilment is found in contribution, not comparison Whether you're feeling stuck, pressured, confused or ready for change — Matt’s story will remind you that there is no single “right” path. There is only the path that fits you. Tune in, reflect, and take your first step ever toward a life designed with intention. Learn more here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ellis-cricket/About Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com***Subscribe and follow the podcast on :Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJEApple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW***Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    58 min

  4. 12/06/2025

    Episode 195: Think Less, Do More — with Akshat Agarwal

    This week on My First Step Ever, we welcome Akshat Agarwal, a fearless creator and founder who believes that life expands only when you do. A proud college dropout and a true outside-the-box thinker, Akshat brings a refreshing, grounded, and deeply practical perspective to innovation and decision-making. In this episode, we explore: How conviction becomes your biggest superpower The mechanism behind quick, high-quality decision-making Why overthinking is the death of creativity Akshat’s unconventional, experiment-driven life What holistic learning looks like in real life How to analyse situations with logic, not fear The mindset behind “think less, do more” Akshat’s journey will inspire you to trust your instincts, take bold steps, and rewrite the rules you’ve been conditioned to follow. Tune in, reflect, and take your first step ever toward a more intentional and courageous life. learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat418/?originalSubdomain=au learn more: Website: https://ryangottfredson.com/ Becoming Better: https://ryangottfredson.com/books/becoming-better/ ---- About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    43 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    Ep. 194 – Alan Lazaros: Redefining Success & Building a Life of Fulfillment

    At 26, after a near-fatal car accident, Alan Lazaros’ life took a sharp turn — from external success to internal discovery. Today, he’s the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Podcast empowering people worldwide to achieve true success in health, wealth, and love. With more than 10,000 hours of coaching and over 2,100 podcast episodes, Alan believes that success isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming more. 💬 In this episode, we talk about: How tragedy shaped his drive for purpose and growth Why success looks different for everyone The 4 Quadrants of living a balanced life How to sustain success without losing your peace The truth about entrepreneurship and personal fulfilment Alan’s heart-driven yet no-BS approach to growth has transformed thousands of lives. His story will challenge how you define success — and inspire you to build a life that’s both powerful and peaceful. 🎧 Listen now to discover what it truly means to live your next level. Learn more here: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    48 min

  6. 11/21/2025

    Ep. 193 – Dr. Len Lopez: 5 Steps to Feed Your Body, Mind & Spirit | Habits, Health & Inner Strength

    n this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Len Lopez, Nutrition and Fitness Expert, Inventor, and Host of Natural Health Made Simple. With over 25 years in health and wellness, Dr. Lopez has helped thousands transform how they approach food, fitness, and mindset. His journey from business and acting to wellness coaching is filled with lessons on reinvention, resilience, and balance. 💬 What we talk about: Why life truly begins after high school Learning by doing vs waiting for clarity Facing and overcoming life-shattering challenges The mental reset that turns failure into growth The birth of The 5 Steps a Day Framework — to track how you feed your Body, Mind & Spirit ✨ This episode will shift how you think about success, health, and happiness — inside and out. 🎧 Stream now and start feeding every part of your being, one step at a time. Learn more:www.DrLenLopez.comAbout Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

    54 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Ep. 192 — The Science of Becoming Better | Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D.

    In this illuminating episode, I chat with Ryan Gottfredson, PhD, bestselling author and global authority on vertical leadership development. Ryan shares the psychology behind transformational growth — not just incremental improvement — and teaches how our subconscious mental models determine the success we experience. We dive into the emotional experience of being fired, why we feel destined for more, and how to shift from a deficit mindset (fear, scarcity, proving) to an abundance mindset (growth, curiosity, possibility). 💡 Highlights you’ll learn: Why “better things” begin within your internal operating system The mindset patterns that lead to stagnation or sabotage How to recognise and break out of deficit thinking Ryan’s proven framework for personal transformation Tools to elevate from “doing leadership” to being a leader Ryan’s work has transformed leadership development for global organisations and has been featured in top journals, including Leadership Quarterly and Journal of Management. 🎧 Press play to learn the science of becoming the version of yourself you know you’re meant to be. --- learn more: Website: https://ryangottfredson.com/ Becoming Better: https://ryangottfredson.com/books/becoming-better/ ---- About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    55 min

  8. 11/07/2025

    Ep. 191 – Ros Cardinal: From Adversity to Authentic Leadership | The Story Behind Shaping Change

    This week on My First Step Ever, I chat with Ros Cardinal — founder of Shaping Change, award-winning leadership coach, and creator of the Women’s Leadership Archetypes model. Ros’s career has been anything but linear. From managing farms as a teenager to leading major corporate initiatives, she’s faced rejection, workplace challenges, and a life-threatening illness that became her greatest turning point. Today, she helps leaders and teams across the world embrace change, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. 💬 In this conversation, we discuss: How early responsibilities shaped her leadership mindset The painful yet powerful lessons from career rejection Her battle with cancer and how it redefined success Building a business with purpose after corporate life How women can lead authentically through self-awareness The importance of resilience in leadership and life 🎧 A must-listen episode for anyone navigating change, self-doubt, or career reinvention. Learn more: https://www.courses.shapingchange.com.au/🎧 Tune in to discover how to shape your change — and live a career with meaning, courage, and compassion About Your Host – Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action. 👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com *** Subscribe and follow the podcast on : Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW *** Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

    49 min
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About

We all have dreams, goals and desires to do extraordinary work in our lives. But, we often get intimidated with the very first step that leads to our journey. What if we only keep dreaming? The real success lies in dreaming, planning to achieve those dreams and then most importantly ACTING on those plans. If just the thought of doing it makes your heart beat faster then don’t worry my friend. I was as nervous once as you are now! But, then one day I went beyond that daunting first step and life became easier. So, I have now embarked on a journey to interact with accomplished people, who went past that first step, in my new podcast series called My First Step Ever. Through this podcast series, I aim to bring forth real success stories, of people, from various professions and discuss strategies they employed to overcome their fears. So, get ready to fuel your dreams through these insightful conversations and let yourself fly high. Logo courtesy Manash Parui. Insta - @myfirststepever_in

Information

  • Creator
    Ishani Nigam
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    215
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ishani Nigam
  • Show Website
    My First Step Ever