Latest Episode
Keeping Kalamkari Alive: Nikita Shah on Craft, Culture, and Conscious Creation
After a brief pause, Chai Break returns with a conversation that feels like a deep exhale.
In this episode, Shwetha is joined by Nikita Shah — a multidisciplinary artist, textile designer, educator, and researcher whose work bridges the 3,000-year-old craft of Kalamkari with contemporary storytelling, community, education, and healing.
From living and learning alongside weavers in Maheshwar, to studying at NIFT Kannur and FIT, to founding Untitle by Nikita and hosting Fursat, a monthly worksho
Recent Episodes
11
Dec. 18, 2025
Keeping Kalamkari Alive: Nikita Shah on Craft, Culture, and Conscious Creation
After a brief pause, Chai Break returns with a conversation that feels like a deep exhale. In this episode, Shwetha is joined by Nikita Shah — a multidisciplinary artist, textile designer, educator, and researcher whose work bridges the 3,000-year-old craft of Kalamkari with contemporary storytelling, community, education, and healing. From living and learning alongside weavers in Maheshwar, to studying at NIFT Kannur and FIT, to founding Untitle by Nikita and hosting Fursat, a monthly worksho
10
Aug. 21, 2025
Thrifting, Upcycling & the Future of Fashion, Meghana Khanna, Founder of The Bindi Project
In this episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I sit down with Meghana Sharma—serial entrepreneur, style therapist, and founder of some of India’s most creative ventures, including Levitate, The Preloved Co., and now, The Bindi Project. From her early days curating Bangalore’s iconic boho boutique Levitate to co-founding a social enterprise thrift store, Meghana has always believed in making sustainability stylish and accessible. Her latest venture, The Bindi Project, is more than just about bindis
9
June 30, 2025
Rethinking Period Products: Sustainable, Compostable Pads with Rashmi Prakash of Aruna Revolution
💡 In this episode, we talk about: Rashmi's journey pre-Arun Revolution and what led her to leave the corporate world to build a climate solution rooted in equity What most menstrual pads are really made of—and why that’s harmful The science behind Aruna’s compostable pads and ethical supply chain Period cups vs. pads: Pros, cons, and finding what works for you How Aruna Revolution is scaling across Canada and beyond The surprising challenges (and joys) of innovating in taboo spaces Plus, d
8
May 15, 2025
Soil to Soil: The Chemistry of Conscious Fashion with Jiwya’s Aishwarya Lahariya
In this episode of Chai Break , we dive into the world of regenerative fashion with Aishwarya Lahariya , textile scientist and founder of Jiwya , a 100% plant-based clothing brand based in India. Aishwarya shares how her background in chemistry, sustainability research, and passion for ethical design led her to create a fashion label rooted in zero-waste living , artisan empowerment , and soil-to-soil systems . If you're curious about the real impact of your clothes—from water usag
7
April 9, 2025
Bite-Sized Climate Action: Shivani Ramesh on Community & The Sustainability Mindset
In this inspiring episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I'm joined by Shivani Ramesh—a Strategy & Implementation Analyst at ENGIE Impact, environmental engineer, and passionate sustainability advocate. Shivani takes us on a journey from her roots in India to her career in global decarbonization, offering practical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate anxiety and wondering, “What can I do?” We explore the power of bite-sized climate action—small, intentional steps we can take in our homes, commu
6
March 4, 2025
Everyday Sustainability: Zero Waste Living with Bare Necessities' CSO, Deepti Kharbanda
Deepti Kharbanda’s Journey to Sustainable Living In this engaging episode of the Chai Break Podcast,I Shwetha Ravishanakr reconnects with longtime college friend Deepti Kharbanda, Chief Sales Officer at Bare Necessities, as she shares her inspiring journey toward a zero-waste lifestyle and sustainable living. From her early days in Bangalore to becoming a passionate sustainability advocate, Deepti reveals how everyday habits—like carrying a reusable water bottle and composting—can make a big imp
Never miss an episode! Sign up
Listen On
Recent Blog Posts
Jan. 31, 2025
Sustainable-ish: Figuring Out How to Live Green Without Going Off the Grid
Let’s be real—sustainability can feel overwhelming. Between deciphering what “carbon neutral” really means and figuring out if your oat milk obsession is actually helping the planet, it's easy to feel lost in a sea of greenwashing. That’s where Cha…
July 23, 2024
How Sustainable Fashion Has Always Been a Part of South Asian Culture
Table of Contents 1. Introduction Overview of Sustainable FashionSouth Asian Culture and Sustainability 2. Traditional Clothing Practices in Sustainable Fashion Textile and Fiber Products Made from Plants Handwoven Textiles in Sustainable Fas…
June 23, 2024
The Perfectionism Trap: How It Affects Women's Mental Health and Well-being
Table of Contents IntroductionUnderstanding PerfectionismTypes of PerfectionismThe Psychological Impact of Perfectionism on WomenReal-Life Stories and TestimonialsThe Social and Cultural FactorsThe Physical ConsequencesCoping Mechanisms and Solut…