The Freelance Mindset Studio with Joy Batra

Joy Batra
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Are you torn between a corporate career and building a business of your own? Maybe the freedom of freelancing calls to you just as much as the stability of a full-time job. Or maybe full-time jobs don't seem as stable as they used to, and freelancing offers you more security now. Host Joy Batra tackles these career questions and more in The Freelance Mindset Studio podcast. Episodes feature guests who have been through messy transitions and made it to the other side. Together, let's learn how to create a career that solves for both your work and your life!

Episodes

  1. Overcoming Financial Anxiety for Better Pricing - ft. Neha Vadrevu

    Jun 17

    Overcoming Financial Anxiety for Better Pricing - ft. Neha Vadrevu

    Freelancers often leave corporate to feel free, only to find that financial anxiety keeps them stuck in the same patterns that made them feel trapped in their prior jobs. Neha Vadrevu, an applied anthropologist, actress, dancer, tech founder, and former researcher at Capital One's Innovation Lab, knows this tension firsthand. In the podcast’s first-ever live in-person episode, Neha explores the emotional and cultural stories that shape our relationship with money, from generational financial trauma to the shame that keeps freelancers from charging what they deserve. She shares how she's used AI as a pricing sounding board (and why you shouldn't accept its first answer), why going back to corporate isn't a failure, and how to be imaginative and responsible at the same time when designing a career that actually lets you breathe. Key Topics: What financial trauma is and how it silently drives freelancers' pricing and career decisionsUsing AI as a negotiation partner to find your true market rate before talking to clientsThe freelance-to-corporate toggle: why going back is a design choice, not a defeatScaling beyond trading time for money through brand-building, advisory work, and passive incomeFinding community as a freelancer through co-working, volunteering, and intentional connection"Be imaginative and responsible at once" — how to pursue bold career moves with safety nets in place Connect with Neha: LinkedInInstagram Connect with Joy: LinkedInInstagramWebsite

    33 min
  2. From Tech Founder to Fractional Sales Leader: Building a Career Around Family ft. Neeharika Bhartiya

    Jun 10

    From Tech Founder to Fractional Sales Leader: Building a Career Around Family ft. Neeharika Bhartiya

    Description: Many mothers assume that stepping back from a full-time career means stepping back from ambition. Neeharika Bhartiya, fractional sales leader, sales coach, and former tech founder, proves otherwise. After leaving her role leading strategy at Fivetran, Neeharika fell into fractional work while pregnant with her second child, and discovered she could more than triple her hourly rate working twenty hours a week. She walks through the practical playbook behind her business: setting up her entity and banking, pricing on retainer instead of by the hour, and structuring engagements so clients renew month after month without long-term commitments. You'll discover how to weigh the real tradeoffs between fractional and full-time work, and why being the "less stressed parent" might be the most valuable benefit of all. Key Topics: Neeharika's path from tech founder to fractional sales coach for early-stage foundersThe honest pros and cons of fractional work: income unpredictability, health insurance, and paceHow an S-Corp structure unlocked paid family leave and tax advantages as a solopreneurRetainer pricing that anchors on impact and revenue goals rather than hours workedRedefining success as a working mother—from "not good enough" to "as good as it gets" Connect with Neeharika: LinkedIn Connect with Joy: LinkedInInstagramWebsite

    24 min

  3. Jun 3

    The Hidden Legal Risks of Side Hustles - ft. Erika Todd

    In this week’s episode, Erika Todd, a partner at Sullivan and Worcester focusing on employment litigation, shares what can go wrong when professionals juggle a full-time job along with a side hustle. Erika describes some of the common pitfalls freelancers face when they are starting, keeping, or leaving a full-time job.   Key Topics: Essentials of employment agreements: non-competes, invention rights, full-time commitments, conflicts of interestLegal protections for freelance workers vs. employees by stateHandling mid-career shifts in side hustle monetization Connect with Erika: LinkedInFirm Profile at Sullivan & Worcester Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

    32 min
  4. Unlocking Scalable Revenue for Consultants and Thought Leaders with Amanda Northcutt

    May 27

    Unlocking Scalable Revenue for Consultants and Thought Leaders with Amanda Northcutt

    In this episode of the Freelance Mindset Studio, Amanda Northcutt, founder and CEO of Level Up, shares her insights on building sustainable, scalable businesses as a consultant or thought leader. Discover how value-based pricing, productized services, and leveraging your expertise can transform your consulting practice. Key Topics: The journey from solo consultant to scalable business ownerHow to transition from hourly billing to value-based pricingPractical tips on structuring retainers and proposal strategiesStrategies to find and attract the right clientsOvercoming mindset barriers such as scarcity and fear of saying no Connect with Amanda: LinkedInLevel Up

    33 min
  5. Why Success Doesn't Have to Come at the Expense of Your Well-Being featuring Janine Mathó

    May 20

    Why Success Doesn't Have to Come at the Expense of Your Well-Being featuring Janine Mathó

    Description: Most high achievers mistakenly believe that perpetual overwork is the price of success. Janine Mathó, author of Live Your Opus and former Harvard and Pearson executive, has a better alternative. Janine shares how she climbed the corporate ladder believing stress was an unavoidable part of the journey until a tragic loss and chronic burnout forced her to rethink everything. She shares the essential inner capabilities like energy management, emotional regulation, and discernment that allow high performers to do their best work without losing themselves. You’ll discover how to reconnect with your body, cultivate inner calm, and develop the agility to adapt in uncertain times. Key Topics: Janine’s transformation from corporate executive to authentic leadership advocateEssential inner skills for modern leaders: self-awareness and energy managementStrategies for adapting to changing work environments with resilienceOvercoming fears of failure and the upper limit to growthPreparing for the future of work with adaptability and inner agility Connect with Janine: LinkedInWebsiteInstagramBuy Janine’s book, Live Your Opus

    36 min
  6. How Strategy and Spontaneity Led A Doctor to Hollywood Success with Divya Chhabra

    May 13

    How Strategy and Spontaneity Led A Doctor to Hollywood Success with Divya Chhabra

    Description: Discover how Divya Chhabra navigates a multifaceted career, blending psychiatry, filmmaking, and writing. This episode explores her journey, transferable skills, and insights on balancing spontaneity with strategy. Key Topics: Divya shares her unconventional career path from psychiatrist and NYU professor to producing and advising on Emmy-nominated shows at Nickelodeon and Apple TV, and writing for Teen Vogue, ABC News, and The Huffington PostThe importance of both transferable skills and a beginner’s mindset across diverse fields, especially medicine and filmStrategies for managing long career cycles and the patience required in portfolio careersThe role of community, mentorship, and mental habits like riding the wave of uncertaintyThe significance of fun, rest, and boundaries in sustaining a dynamic career Connect with Divya: Divya’s WebsiteAwkward GoodbyesInstagram: @dchhabs

    31 min
  7. How Kameron Monet Merged Law, Content Creation, and Tech into a Thriving Career

    May 6

    How Kameron Monet Merged Law, Content Creation, and Tech into a Thriving Career

    Join Joy Batra and Kameron Monet as they explore Kameron’s inspiring journey of merging her passions for law, content creation, and technology into a thriving career. Discover how Kameron leveraged her diverse skills to become a tech founder in the creator economy, offering innovative legal solutions for creators. This episode is packed with insights on balancing multiple interests, embracing unconventional paths, and building a meaningful career. Key Topics: Kameron's journey from law school to content creation and tech entrepreneurship The intersection of legal expertise and the creator economy Founding Social Docket: Empowering creators with AI-powered legal tools Strategies for maintaining wellness and creativity in a busy schedule The importance of intuition and community in career decisions Practical advice for pursuing non-traditional career paths Connect with Kameron: Instagram TikTok YouTube LinkedIn Explore Social Docket: Social Docket

    34 min
  8. How a Portfolio Career Can Accelerate Your Creative Dreams ft. Shalene Gupta

    Apr 29

    How a Portfolio Career Can Accelerate Your Creative Dreams ft. Shalene Gupta

    Join Joy Batra as she interviews Shalene Gupta, a prolific writer and editor. Shalene shares her insights on building a flexible, portfolio career in a rapidly changing economy. Discover lessons on resilience, the real value of a day job, and the evolving landscape of work for creatives and parents alike. Key Topics: The early passion for writing and the influence of societal expectations Navigating career uncertainty during economic recessions Building a portfolio career through side gigs, freelancing, and side projects Current trends toward portfolio careers and the decline of traditional career ladders Advice for balancing creative pursuits with responsible careers Read more from Shalene: The CycleThe Power of TrustFast Company - Work Life Connect with Shalene: WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn

    34 min
  9. How Comedy Built a Thriving Corporate/Creative Career

    Apr 22

    How Comedy Built a Thriving Corporate/Creative Career

    Description: Join Joy Batra and Katie Dadarria as they explore Katie's multifaceted career journey spanning comedy, design, photography, and more. Discover how to balance diverse passions, leverage community connections, and maintain creativity while navigating industry challenges. Key Topics: The evolution of a multifaceted careerBalancing creative pursuits with a corporate careerThe importance of community and relationships in diverse careersLessons on flexibility and work-life balanceStrategies for exploring and transitioning between careers Connect with Katie: WebsiteInstagram

    35 min
  10. From Pharmacy to Photography: Navigating a Multifaceted Career with Natasha Mehra

    Apr 13

    From Pharmacy to Photography: Navigating a Multifaceted Career with Natasha Mehra

    Join Joy Batra and Natasha Mehra as they explore Natasha’s multifaceted career journey spanning pharmacy, dance, photography, and acting. Discover how to balance diverse passions, leverage flexibility in your career, and incorporate movement to stay balanced.  Key Topics: The evolution of a multifaceted careerBalancing creative pursuits with a professional careerThe importance of storytelling in diverse careersLessons on flexibility and work-life balanceStrategies for exploring and transitioning between careers Sound Bites: "You really can't do everything at one time""Everyone's journey takes years of persistence""Doing what you love is a form of success" Instagram: Natasha Mehra Photography Instagram: Natasha Mehra

    32 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Are you torn between a corporate career and building a business of your own? Maybe the freedom of freelancing calls to you just as much as the stability of a full-time job. Or maybe full-time jobs don't seem as stable as they used to, and freelancing offers you more security now. Host Joy Batra tackles these career questions and more in The Freelance Mindset Studio podcast. Episodes feature guests who have been through messy transitions and made it to the other side. Together, let's learn how to create a career that solves for both your work and your life!

Information

  • Creator
    Joy Batra
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Joy Batra