Chai Break

di Shwetha Ravishankar

Stagione 4

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 workshop centered on rest and reflection through textile-making, Nikita’s journey is rooted in patience, presence, and purpose. This episode is a powerful meditation on slow fashion, cultural memory, sustainability, and the quiet resistance of handmade work in a world addicted to speed, trends, and overconsumption. What We Talk About in This Episode Beginnings & Origins Nikita’s early relationship with textiles, craft, and sustainability Living within indigenous craft clusters across India Her formative six-month graduation project in Maheshwar, working directly with weavers How family memory, cotton saris, and lived experience shaped her artistic language Discovering Kalamkari What Kalamkari is — and the pen-based, natural-dye, multi-step process she practices Learning Kalamkari by living with weavers and printers in Andhra Pradesh for several years Navigating language, trust, and lineage in a traditionally gatekept craft Why Kalamkari chose her — and the responsibility that comes with carrying it forward Untitle by Nikita Why she founded Untitle by Nikita and what “Untitle” represents Working with deadstock textiles and memorial fabrics Creating garments in NYC’s garment district as an act of preservation and care How memory, craftsmanship, and sustainability are stitched into every piece Fursat: Community, Rest & Reflection What Fursat means — and why the concept feels radical today Reclaiming the joy of waiting, tailoring, and intentional creation How Fursat creates space for personal storytelling, emotional healing, and collective creativity Craft as a practice of rest in a culture obsessed with productivity Art, Healing & Sustainability The connection between textile-making and healing Teaching handloom language at FIT and independently at universities Why fashion should begin with textiles — not trends The missed opportunity in today’s over-the-top Diwali fashion culture Why handloom is still stigmatized as “not cool” — and how we shift that narrative Relearning how to shop, consume, and dress with intention The Sari as Identity Nikita’s love for saris and whether it was a conscious choice Saris as conversation starters, grounding tools, and cultural anchors Her involvement in the New York Sari Exhibit at the New York Historical Society What it meant to see the sari honored in such an iconic space ☕ Rapid Fire (Chai Break Style) How Nikita practices sustainability in daily life What she’s currently reading Favorite season How she takes her chai Her go-to chai-time snack

S4 · E11

18 dic 2025

45:19

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—it’s an ode to the feminine divine. By upcycling leather scraps, fabric remnants, and jewelry waste into handcrafted bindis, Meghana is reclaiming cultural identity, empowering women artisans, and proving that fashion can be circular, conscious, and deeply personal. We chat about: Meghana’s journey from Levitate to The Preloved Co. to The Bindi Project Why she believes in circular fashion and how thrifting can spark community change The roots of sustainability in South Asian culture—and how it went from way of life to taboo Her philosophy of SDA: Sustainable Differential Advantage—and how it applies to every business Style, maximalism, and finding your authentic fashion voice The women and role models who shaped her journey Whether you’re a fashion lover, a sustainability advocate, or someone curious about how culture and creativity intersect, this #chaiversation will leave you inspired. Grab your cup of chai and join us for a deep dive into fashion, feminism, and the future of sustainability—one bindi at a time. chaiversations.org

S4 · E10

21 ago 2025

34:21

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, don’t miss our fun wrap-up segment, “Spill the Tea,” where Rashmi shares her chai preferences, sustainability rituals, and life mantra. 🔗 Links & Resources Learn more at: www.arunarevolution.com Follow Rashmi on Instagram: @arunarevolution

S4 · E9

30 giu 2025

34:43

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 usage to labor ethics—and want to understand what truly sustainable fashion looks like, this episode is for you. The origins of Jiwya Aishwarya’s upbringing, chemistry background, and move from the U.S. to India to build her brand Why most cotton (even “organic”) is greenwashed—and what truly sustainable sourcing looks like What a soil-to-soil ecosystem really is and how Jiwya’s designs biodegrade in just 60 days The reality of fast fashion: mass production, clearance culture, and the “Oops we bought too much” problem Why ethical pricing still feels "expensive" and how to shift the consumer mindset The science behind plant-based dyes that use 1/10th the water of conventional methods—and return nutrients to the soil Empowering artisans and preserving textile crafts across 100+ clusters in India The challenge of scaling while staying true to values—and what it means to vote with your wallet Aishwarya’s thoughts on the future of fashion, the Buy Now documentary, and her work with Nadhi, a women in climate collective

S4 · E8

15 mag 2025

51:18

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, communities, and careers to contribute to a more sustainable future. Shivani shares powerful stories of grassroots activism in her own family, from organizing neighborhood cleanups in Chennai to local government initiatives in Westchester, NY. This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how citizen-led action, climate-conscious careers, and community collaboration can drive change, no matter where you live. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why tiny, consistent actions can create large-scale impact Shivani’s journey from Rishi Valley School to ENGIE Impact and the spark that started it all The importance of civic engagement and how her mother’s clean-up drives led to launching Citizen Matters in India How her aunt’s sustainability leadership in Westchester County helped unlock funding for clean energy Local NYC tips: how to get involved in composting, community gardens, and more Why climate anxiety is real—and how to channel it into purpose A behind-the-scenes look at The Soapbox Project, a growing community turning worry into climate action How to pivot into a sustainability career or integrate climate-conscious thinking into your current work 5 bite-sized actions you can start today to live more sustainably 🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode: ENGIE Impact Citizen Matters The Soapbox Project NYC Composting 🎧 Grab your chai and tune in—this is a chaiversation you don’t want to miss.

S4 · E7

9 apr 2025

40:02

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 impact on our environment. About Deepti Kharbanda With a background in Human Resources and Computer Science, and nearly two decades of experience in business development and R&D engineering, Deepti blends analytical thinking with a heartfelt commitment to the planet. Her journey into sustainability began with motherhood and has evolved into a powerful mission for social impact. Key Topics Covered: The "Why" behind Deepti’s commitment to sustainability Overcoming common misconceptions about eco-friendly living Practical steps for adopting a zero-waste lifestyle How sustainable packaging and clean ingredients are changing consumer habits Innovative initiatives like workshops with Ikea that drive community awareness Spill the Tea: Deepti also shares fun insights about her love for chai, her favorite pairing, and the influencers who have shaped her path—revealing a side of her that is as warm and engaging as her professional journey. Discover actionable tips and inspiring stories that prove sustainability starts with simple, everyday choices. Learn more about Bare Necessities chaiversations.org

S4 · E6

4 mar 2025

38:24

Samudra & the Seaweed Revolution: How Joyeeta Das is Cultivating a Sustainable Future from the Ocean Up!

Samudra, Seaweed, and a Sustainable Future with Joyeeta Das 🌊🌱 Hello, hello! Welcome back to the Chai Break Podcast, where we sip chai and spill the tea on the world’s most pressing issues. And today, we’re diving deep—literally—into the future of sustainability. We all know climate change isn’t a far-off crisis; it’s here, now. But what if the key to reversing its effects wasn’t just on land but in the ocean? Enter Joyeeta Das, a powerhouse in deep tech, AI, and climate solutions, and the visionary CEO of Samudra Oceans. Her mission? Harnessing the power of seaweed farming to combat carbon emissions, restore biodiversity, and create jobs in coastal communities. From being a woman in the male-dominated world of ocean tech (where boats literally don’t have toilets for women—seriously?!) to building scalable blue carbon solutions, Joyeeta’s story is one of grit, innovation, and breaking barriers. 🚀 In this episode, we talk about: Why seaweed farming is one of the fastest, most scalable ways to capture carbon The engineering + AI revolution behind sustainable ocean farming The Jugaad mindset—stretching every penny to build a climate-conscious future Her take on female entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and navigating the funding landscape What a sustainable lifestyle looks like (spoiler: minimalism isn’t just for your closet!) Oh, and of course, we end with Spill the Tea—because no Chai-versation is complete without Joyeeta’s go-to chai and book recs! Tune in now and get ready to rethink sustainability from the ocean up. 🌊✨ 🎧 Listen to this very inspiring #chaiversation and Learn more at samudraoceans.com

S4 · E5

31 gen 2025

49:31

1 di 5

Chai Break

Keeping Kalamkari Alive: Nikita Shah on Craft, Culture, and Conscious Creation

Thrifting, Upcycling & the Future of Fashion, Meghana Khanna, Founder of The Bindi Project

Rethinking Period Products: Sustainable, Compostable Pads with Rashmi Prakash of Aruna Revolution

Soil to Soil: The Chemistry of Conscious Fashion with Jiwya’s Aishwarya Lahariya

Bite-Sized Climate Action: Shivani Ramesh on Community & The Sustainability Mindset

Everyday Sustainability: Zero Waste Living with Bare Necessities' CSO, Deepti Kharbanda

Samudra & the Seaweed Revolution: How Joyeeta Das is Cultivating a Sustainable Future from the Ocean Up!

Macro Problem, Micro Solution — Breaking it Down with Dr. Sukanya Punthambaker

Educate Girls, Empower the Future: Sumana Setty's Vision for Change

Planet Positive Gifting with Prateeksha Uday, Founder of Greenr Gifts