Inspire Someone Today
Inspire Someone Today
E169 | Breaking The Ice | Change Makers - Palakh Khanna
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A single whispered conversation about periods during COVID became a wake-up call and a launchpad. We’re joined by Palakh Khanna, founder of Break the Ice, a youth-led nonprofit that creates spaces for honest dialogue around the topics many communities still treat as taboo: menstruation and period poverty, mental health, gender equality, sustainability, climate action, and youth empowerment.
We dig into why stigma survives even when people “know better.” Palakh breaks it down into two powerful forces: lack of awareness and misinformation. Using mental health as a clear example, we talk about how unclear language and casual labels can blur real conditions, and why safer conversations need both empathy and accurate information. You’ll also hear what it takes to build non-judgmental, peer-led rooms where people feel comfortable speaking up, plus when it makes sense to bring experts into the circle so doubts can be clarified without shame.
The conversation gets personal, too. Palakh shares her growth from being a “massive introvert” to becoming a speaker, and the small habits that helped, including journaling, setting micro-goals, and seeking mentorship. We also explore a future-facing idea: moving young people from participants to decision makers and co-creators, not just beneficiaries.
If you’ve ever felt “too young,” “not ready,” or unsure how to start, this one offers a grounded path forward. Subscribe for more reflective conversations, share this with someone who needs the nudge, and leave a review if you want these stories to reach more people.
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Welcome And The Power Of Quiet
SPEAKER_00I'm also someone who transitioned from being an introvert to a speaker. That's also been an additional part of my journey. Was a massive introvert throughout my school life and gradually became a speaker. So I have now been on many, many stages. And I also am the regional representative for Asia with the Commonwealth Student Association. As an individual, I again, the growth journey was massive. And I went on to be selected as one of Asia's hundred women power leaders for 2023. And I was also part of Business World Wellbeing's 30 and 30 for the same year. So yes, it's been like a massive journey of learnings, growth, so much, so much more.
Meet Palak Hanna
SPEAKER_01So the power of an idea, the power of wanting to do something to the community, not only kind of has galvanized something for the community, it has changed and shaped you as well as an individual. Not everything that matters needs to be loud. Some conversations help you pause, some help you see differently, and some stay with you long after they end. Welcome to Inspire Someone Today, my dear listeners. A space for honest conversations about life, work, and the choices that shape who we become. No quick fixes, no borrowed certainty, just real stories, thoughtful reflection, and the quiet courage to live with intention. This is Inspire Someone Today, where conversations are human, reflective, and meant to stay with you. Change doesn't begin with answers, it begins when we choose not to stay silent but what makes us uncomfortable. In this episode of Inspire Someone Today, I am joined by Palat Karna, founder of Break the Ice, a youth-led initiative working to bring open, honest conversations to topics most societies prefer to avoid. Palad believes that building a globally aware community isn't just about education, it's about mental readiness, responsible dialogue, and raising a generation that can think, feel, and act with awareness. This conversation is part of a change maker series, and it explores what happens when silence is replaced with dialogue and awareness becomes a shared responsibility. Let's begin. Palak, welcome to the show.
SPEAKER_00Thank you so much, sir. I think it's such a pleasure to be a part, and it's good to have this conversation and talk more about change making. So, yes, looking forward.
SPEAKER_01Likewise, even before we get started, Palak, let's start with you. If you can give me and my listeners a backdrop to who Palak the founder is, who Palak the person is.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um, so hi everyone, whoever is tuning in and listening. I am Palak Hanna. I am currently 22. I uh I'm a youth change maker. I run my own nonprofit that's called Break the Ice, as Sir introduced. Uh, we work to literally break the ice about conversations that matter, but often get ignored. Um, so everything which is often stigmatized, but is crucial. We try to have a conversation around it. We work on awareness building, on advocacy, and on action. Alongside that, I'm also someone who transitioned from being an introvert to a speaker. That's also been an additional part of my journey. Uh, was a massive introvert throughout my school life and gradually became a speaker. So I have now been on many, many stages. And I also am the regional representative for Asia with the Commonwealth Student Association. So, yes, that's just a bit about me and my journey.
SPEAKER_01That's a lovely backdrop, lovely introduction to who you are, Palak. So, like I mentioned in the introduction, what was a moment of the experience that first made you feel that silent isn't okay?
SPEAKER_00Okay, so I'll actually tell you a bit about why I actually started Break the Ice. I happened to overhear a conversation between my mom and my domestic help. Uh, my domestic help had had her periods at our place, and she was very, very uncomfortable asking for pets. And, you know, in that very hesitant tone, she was trying to convey to my mom. And I had happened to overhear that whisper of a conversation. And this was during the COVID times, and that kind of was the aha moment, and that kind of made me realize we need to do something about this. Because, to be very honest, we must make sure that we don't continue the stigma forward. Even if it was a stigma uh in the past, right, we need to make sure it doesn't continue forward and we break that stigma as we go along. So, yes, I think that was the moment that kind of made me think and introspect. And I went to my mom and I said, you know, we have the access to resources and that is a privilege. So we must make sure that we utilize it in the right way and we make sure that this stigma breaks and it doesn't continue forward. So, yes, that was kind of the moment and the aha moment when I realized that we could do something and we need to.
SPEAKER_01That's a bold thought forward. And how old were you at that point of time? And why did you feel compelled to act instead of just listen to that conversation, reflect on it, and move on? What made you to kind of uh take that uh action?
What Break The Ice Does
SPEAKER_00I think, like I said, that was the aha moment, right? That was kind of the moment when I felt this is one of the purposes that I want to work on in my life. And also, you know, the why, right? When when we talk about why did you actually start, that was definitely a defining moment. And when I look back, I'm glad that I did. And I was actually 18 at that time, 18, 19-ish, I don't know. Uh, so COVID 2021. And yeah, so that was definitely a defining moment when I felt it was it was the moment that kind of made me reflect on why am I sitting silently. So it was it was actually a reverse moment of not just that I need to break the silence, but also on we all are accountable as individuals, and we must make sure we do our own bit. So, yes, I think that that was a thought that came to my mind, and I thought, let's do it.
SPEAKER_01And you didn't even you just didn't break the silence, you also broke the ice. The break the ice came into existence. Tell us a bit more about it. What is break the ice? How did it come into existence?
SPEAKER_00So, like I said, so the aha moment happened, and then I was like, okay, let's work on this. And uh I wanted to also be like, okay, what are the other things that we can include? So we started off, and again, the conversation started from menstruation and period poverty. And when more and more young people joined in, uh, we kind of realized together that there are so many other things that we need to talk about, right? It's not just period poverty, which is again one of the most important things we need to talk about because it is a natural process. Why is there stigma around it, right? It's such a natural process. We must be very open and honest about it, and it deserves that honest conversation. And when we, you know, when more and more young people joined in, we kind of, because this is for the youth, by the youth, we gradually realize that there are so many other topics that we can include, whether that's mental health, whether that's gender equality, whether that's sustainability, whether that's climate action, whether that's youth empowerment in itself as well. Because again, a lesser talked-about conversation, or maybe just a conversation where there is a lack of awareness. Right? So, yes, it kind of expanded to a lot of topics and we work on all of them now.
SPEAKER_01And you played with the fact of building communities. You said buy the youth for the youth.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01What's the idea behind that?
SPEAKER_00Again, because I was a young person myself. A lot of people in my uh network were also, you know, all of us together, we were young people trying to create a change. And when we realized that also breaking the ice means also helping those in the future to break the ice and continue that cycle forward, we want to make sure that it's young people for young people so that the future generations definitely break the ice at the initial stage itself. Or maybe there is no need to break the ice because all of them will be such normal and natural conversations. You know, at dinner table conversations, at volunteer positions, at everywhere. So yes.
Why Stigma Persists
SPEAKER_01So you're trying, you and your group of friends, your community is trying to normalize some of this conversation that seems to be tabooed. And having worked in this space for the last few years, uh Palak, why do you think some of these conversations are still tabooed? Talk about menstruation, talk about mental health. What's going on? What is your take on that?
SPEAKER_00I think there are two sides to it. So, and these are two very extreme ends of the spectrum. One is, of course, the lack of awareness, right? There is a lack of awareness because it has been presumed that these are conversations that are stigmatized and they're often just simply pushed under that carpet of ignorance of these are stigmas, we don't talk about them. And that is where the lack of awareness comes in. And of course, uh a sense of ignorance as well. And that has continued forward, so it's almost like a vicious cycle of, you know, generation after generation being like, this is an uncomfortable conversation, let's skip it. But the other side of the spectrum is misinformation. And I think we've realized this over the years that it's not just the lack of awareness or, you know, the silence. There's also misinformation and so much misinformation that that's kind of made it a stigma. Because with the lack of the right kind of information, with whatever information is available, that has created a sort of, you know, a bubble around that conversation, all that important topic, for example, mental health, where the dire need is a mindset shift, also. So I think, yeah, two very, very uh different ideas and challenges across the spectrum, which is lack of awareness and misinformation.
SPEAKER_01That's an interesting point. Lack of awareness or lack of information on one end of the spectrum and misinformation on the other end of the spectrum. Give an example of uh the work that you have been doing with both ends of the spectrum playing out.
SPEAKER_00So definitely mental health. Like I was saying, mental health as a conversation, and of course, this is not just common to our culture. I think it's across many, many cultures, uh, you know, across boundaries as well. The conversation on around mental health has been very stigmatized. So whether that's the lack of awareness of knowing this is as real as it gets, and you know, a lot of people face mental health challenges, and there needs to be a clear approach on what do I do if I face those challenges, right? So at one end is that lack of awareness on if I'm feeling low for a consistent amount of time, what do I call this? Right. And at the second end, there is misinformation on using the word, for example, depression very, very loosely. Oh, I feel depressed, right? Because there is so much min misinformation attached to it. And of course, the lack of awareness and misinformation they are closely connected. Because there is a lack of information, that is why any information about that topic becomes a common idea because you know, that's the only thing that you know about it. So I think mental health we've seen uh definitely both ends of the spectrum work very closely on it. Most people are either casually saying, Oh, I feel so depressed, but you're not. That is a very, uh, very, very different thing. Depression, you know, is a very different condition. So it's very important to understand that you can't use it very loosely just because there is miscommunication or misinformation across when you what you want to say is just I'm sad. Right? So yeah, I think mental health has been one of those examples because there are many, many others, but we've seen this most, you know, in the most sense in mental health.
SPEAKER_01I think it's a very valid point you bring in. Uh lack of awareness, lack of information leads to generalization of things. Okay. You tend to kind of look at everything with the same lens rather than saying that, okay, this needs a different definition, this needs a different validation.
SPEAKER_00Correct. Absolutely.
Building Safe Peer Led Spaces
SPEAKER_01And in the spaces that you have created, how do you go about creating these spaces where people who are part of these communities, these spaces feel that okay, they can speak up openly without being judged, can be honest. So, how do you go about doing this?
SPEAKER_00So, again, it has been challenging, of course, because uh there is also hesitancy from people, right? Because conversations that are lesser talked about, again, people also feel hesitant, they also feel that there's a sense of judgment. So the first thing that you have to do is create a safe, non-judgmental space. And I think for us, because it was youth for youth, that definitely helps. Because you are actually also much more comfortable with people of your age or maybe similar mindsets, right? So when you're in a room when you're like, okay, I'm surrounded by young people like myself, you are slightly more comfortable in sharing your opinions. So it's it's a much more uh peer-driven, peer-led dialogue and conversation as well. Uh, but of course, one more thing that we've tried to make sure is along with the safe non-judgmental space that we create, we also make sure that if a topic is relatively, again, if there is massive miscommunication about a topic, we make sure that there is also an expert who's a part of that conversation. For example, for mental health, we've made sure that that happens definitely because not just a safe non-judgmental space, but also a space where you can clarify your doubts. If there's, you know, a common misconception you have had in your mind, you can naturally ask the expert on, I think this is the case, is it not? And because it's such a safe space, you also get very honest, truthful answers. So again, you break the ice and you also take it forward in your own circles. On, you know, back to your house, you're having a conversation with your parents at your dinner table and you're saying, you know, what I learned about mental health today. So again, the ripple effect is what we're hoping to do. So starting from non-judgmental safe spaces, also expert-led wherever needed, and then taking it forward to the ripple effect.
SPEAKER_01You were lucky, I would say, to have this conversation early on with your mom about a taboo subject, and that you took onto a community youth for youth forums. How do you envisage this to be the dinner table conversations? What needs to be done to make it front and center?
SPEAKER_00I think, like I said, the number one thing would be awareness. And again, that's what we hope to do as well. The second thing that we work on is advocacy, right? Whatever you learn, you take it back to your own circles. So that again, that ripple effect of change happens. Uh, so we encourage that. But since you're saying how do we make sure it's a front and center conversation, it can only begin with young people in this space. Not just, you know, from an organizational perspective, but more from a daily perspective. Every individual young person, what you need to do is step up and be like, maybe this is a conversation I need to have. Maybe even if it's not directly aligned with, you know, what I am facing, maybe just having this conversation with my parents was also enable a space where I can share more. So I think it's it's more of what individual young people can do at their own levels as well. Because, you know, when I am sitting at my dinner table, I am definitely having conversations about everything with my parents. And I understand, yes, absolutely, that's a privilege. But we also need to make sure as a young person, because I know a lot of young people will be listening to your podcast. So you have to make sure that you also go back and you take that initiative. Even if it's that starting from your family, then moving on to your friends in school, maybe bringing in a few teachers, you know, you're just sharing it with your friends and a couple of teachers. And I just want to be open about my mental health struggles today, something like that. When you create those spaces for yourself, I think that's when more conversations around it will come up.
Resistance Introversion And Growth
SPEAKER_01And what did Palak had to go through when you picked up these subjects, these topics for conversing? What resistances had you to face? What pushbacks you had to kind of overcome?
SPEAKER_00I think, of course, externally there is uh a sense of hesitancy from people. Uh because again, the first thing about a conversation less talked about is people will say, Why are we talking about this? Because it's not talked about. So of course there's a sense of why are we picking up a conversation that is not needed for a lot of people, right? That's what the assumption is. And I think internally, very interestingly, like I was mentioning, because I was a massive introvert, I think it was a whole different challenge to also push myself out of that comfort zone. So I think that's a I don't share this very often, but of course that's been a different struggle on of course, that was a growth journey. But initially I was like, I'm so awkward talking to people. How will I break the ice about such important topics, right? So yeah, I think internally it was a massive struggle on just pushing myself out of my comfort zone that yes, I want to work on this. How do I make sure that I'm confident? So, you know, those daily struggles, those daily fake it till you make it women. I think a lot of that was uh a part of that journey. But yes.
SPEAKER_01And what was the internal dail along the way?
SPEAKER_00There was so much. Absolutely. Absolutely. Like I was saying, I was such a big introvert that for me to actually step out was a challenge. So I used to set out goals for myself as well. That I'll speak to five new people every day. I'll speak to five new people this week. I'll have a conversation about a taboo with one of my friends, you know, starting off with my own self and then building on that journey together with everyone.
SPEAKER_01And you got support from your friends? Did they join hands in that?
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01No, sitting here, Palak in 2026, this was a conversation that happened during COVID. You took this on, and the journey, I again from what I have seen and heard has just been fantastic. Just for the benefit of our listeners, walk us through what happened after you took on this initiative, created Break the Ice, and where we are today. Walk us through that journey for the last four or five years.
SPEAKER_00Ah, so it's been a journey of a lifetime, actually. So started off with just a simple idea. More and more young people joined and we expanded to a lot of taboos as well that we wanted to cover. We collaborated with some incredible partners, 25 plus partners in counting. We were able to reach out to so many people across boundaries as well that we actually never imagined. Uh so, you know, just young people sharing their opinions, young people watching our content, young people sharing, you know, this helped me as well. So yeah, it went across boundaries. There were so many young people who joined hand with us as volunteers, as youth changemakers leading their own ways. And yeah, so it's been a journey. And of course, uh continuing forward. So looking forward to also 2026 being one of the most crucial and important years for us. Yes.
SPEAKER_01Well, as a bit more. You were also selected as the top voice of uh the community. You were on the UN uh HDPs, right?
SPEAKER_00So yes, I um as an individual, I again the growth journey was massive, and I went on to be selected as one of Asia's 100 women power leaders for 2023. Uh, and I was also part of Business World Wellbeing's 30 and a 30 for the same year. So, yes, it's been like a massive journey of learnings, growth, so much, so much more.
SPEAKER_01So, the power of an idea, the power of wanting to do something to the community not only kind of has galvanized something for the community, it has changed and shaped you as well as an individual.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely, yes. So, again, not just from like the lens of things I was able to achieve, but also from the lens of how much I changed.
SPEAKER_01Give us some examples.
Speaking Up As Responsibility
SPEAKER_00Like I said, the introvert uh speaker journey, I think that was one of the main things that happened for me. Because now when some people from my school meet me, they're like, This is we would have never imagined this for you. So I'm like, yes, I never imagined this for myself as well. And I think uh we are that's been a journey as well.
SPEAKER_01So a lot many times we make a point saying this should be the case or this shouldn't be the case, right? So when does speaking become a responsibility rather than just a choice?
SPEAKER_00Oh wow. I think speaking up becomes a responsibility when when staying quiet does more harm than doing good. I think that's what I've often realized, right? You need to speak up for a cause, you need to speak up for change, you need to speak up and take up responsibility when you think, no, my staying quiet is doing much more harm than doing good. And I think that will be a moment in everyone's life. There will be moments that come in for a topic that you're extremely passionate about when you're like, no, no, this is my moment and I need to speak up for it. And at that point, to be very honest, it doesn't remain a choice anymore. I think it's about looking out for people who have been affected by it, or maybe using whatever voice, space, platform, uh opportunities, resources that you have to make sure that you are doing your bit. So I think, yep. Responsibility, to be honest, it will start from that moment of awareness when you notice that okay, this is a silence that I need to work on, and this silence is what matters. At least that's what happened for me. And then acting in reverse on how do I act on this, how do I work on this, even if I'm maybe not fully ready myself. But taking that leap of faith and then working on it and then implementing it.
SPEAKER_01Let's pause here for a moment. You may have noticed one idea quietly settling in. Something that doesn't need an answer. Just awareness. Inspire someone today has always been about conversations that stay with you beyond the episode. Sometimes they continue reflection, sometimes in action, and sometimes in community. If you'd like to engage beyond the podcast, there is an IST community where these conversations are carried forward thoughtfully. And if you prefer your own quiet space, the book inspire someone today, gathers many of these ideas for slower reflection. Let's continue. Well, that's so loudly, um beautifully said. How do you seize that moment? How do you, for somebody who is hesitant, reluctant to kind of take on that, how do you seize that moment? What's your one or two tips to seize that moment?
SPEAKER_00I think it's just to be in a very cliche way, say just get started. But at a deeper level, it is even if you need a day or so to actually. Really think about what you're hoping to do. And you know, I think journaling about it really helps. And it's a very simple thing. But journaling about what I'm thinking of, why do I want to do this and what is stopping me? That is an introspection which will help you in the longer run. I think it helps me a lot. Of course, it was not for break the eyes, but it is again in moments when I'm feeling self-doubt, when I'm feeling maybe overwhelmed, or there is something that I want to do, but I'm still constantly overthinking about should I or should I not? That's when I write down on what is stopping me. Because when you actually write it down, or even if you share it with someone, that's when you really think about is this such a massive deal that's stopping me from implementing something? And 60 to 70% of cases you'll actually realize maybe I was just overthinking too much about it. And maybe the struggle or the challenge or even the confusion I'm thinking about, it's much lesser than the purpose that I'm hoping to implement. So I think journaling for sure helps.
SPEAKER_01So the big resistant breaker for all the listeners out there is write about it than overthinking about it. In the same context, Palat, you are an change maker. What does responsible change making look like in spaces that resist conversations?
SPEAKER_00So I think since you said responsible change making, I think that's a beautiful word, right? It's really about reflecting on it, doesn't have to be perfect. Like I said, you don't have to feel fully ready. You don't have to be loud about it. It's much more about showing that empathy. It's also about when you're acting, act with care. Listen with care. You have to listen as much as you speak, you have to take that feedback, you have to push conversations forward, even in spaces where people might be hesitant, might be uncomfortable. And sometimes honestly, it's something really small. Sometimes it's just about creating a room for others to be heard. Maybe it's just about raising a question that people are bound to reflect on, or sometimes it's just sharing a story to at least, you know, break the ice. So it's it's again, it's really about that courage to show up with empathy and then to start acting with a lot of care that can take you a long way, I think.
Youth As Decision Makers Next
SPEAKER_01I love that comment. You said making room for others to be heard. Such powerful statement out there. And that's a small shift, right? What can I do in my own agency to create those spaces, create those rooms so that the unheard can be heard? Lovely. So what's next for break the ice? What is your vision? What's the road ahead for break the ice?
SPEAKER_00I think we are actually so one of the, of course, this is already something that we are working on, but a next silence that we want to tackle is actually young people as decision makers, not just participants, because we've often realized that young people, they are now a part of decision-making tables, yes. But much more as beneficiaries rather than co-creators. So we want to make sure that young people today, they are not just a part of the conversation, they are part of the systems, they are part of the dialogues, that they are taking leadership roles, they are influencing policies, ideas, everything. So what we're hoping to do is create spaces where their voices are not just heard. Again, that's one of the major things that we want to do. But not just heard, but also conversations that can help them actually shape decisions in whichever agency.
SPEAKER_01Tell me more about it. It's very intriguing, right? Youngsters as decision makers. Why, where, and how?
SPEAKER_00So, what we are hoping to do is again make sure that we are able to bring in more stakeholders, more collaborators, and conduct sessions, conduct uh break the ice circles across India where young people are at the table shaping the decisions. Maybe we release uh, you know, the ideas that come in as a report and we actually share it across with institutions that can take that conversation forward and actually implement it because we want to make sure that again, young people are the co-creators. Because I think as a 22-year-old myself, I've realized things are changing, but again, there's a long, long way to go. So we have to also, you know, be a part of it.
SPEAKER_01Nice. So you kind of answered my next question that was basically what's the next silence that you're compelled to work on? And you said you want to kind of bring decision making to the youth of this uh world. And how do you want to work on this? How do you see this evolving? Uh is it through the same uh break the eye circles? Uh are there any other thoughts?
SPEAKER_00So again, it's in the works, but break the eye circles would definitely be one. Yes.
SPEAKER_01What was early influence for Kalak to kind of go down this path that you have kind of taken up now? What was your early influences? What made you to do what you have been doing today?
SPEAKER_00Ah, I think the Aha moment itself, why not? I come back to that story again.
SPEAKER_01That's your grounding point.
SPEAKER_00Mm-hmm. But I think uh that and again the the young people that joined us as well, uh, you know, their stories, their journeys, and also their struggles in their own ways. I think all of that combined kind of made me realize this is definitely something I will continue till very, very long. Yep. And I'll make sure I do.
SPEAKER_01Wonderful. In the short journey that you had, Palak, any stories, anecdotes that you would want to share that makes you feel that okay, this journey was worth taking. And why did I have to wait till I turn 18? Why not earlier? And similarly, stories that made you regret on one of those off days saying that why the heck did I take on this journey?
SPEAKER_00I think I'll talk about the positive first. To be very honest, I don't have too many negative stories.
SPEAKER_01It's wonderful.
SPEAKER_00Whenever I, you know, have a challenge, I do reach out to a few of my mentors or even my mom, right? I just share it with her and just conversation kind of helps. And I know that's kind of become like a part of my own brand as well. But uh, more or less, that has helped me because I am a massive overthinker. I am a massive perfectionist, have been throughout my life. And with that, of course, there's a lot of challenge that comes in. But again, journaling, having conversations helps. So from the negative perspective, there aren't too many things that I look back on and think, why did I start? It's more on, oh my god, I never imagined I'll reach here. So I need to also be grateful for that. But for the positives, there are so many. I think um when we have sessions and there are people and parents who reach out to us and say, Thank you for having this conversation. And it made so much sense and it was so meaningful. I think all of those messages from parents actually stays with me. And uh, I actually keep them in my start folder on WhatsApp. On wherever there are moments when I'm feeling low or even tired, right? Just that overwhelming feeling of there's so much that needs to be done, then I go back and I check that start folder and I just feel grateful and happy again. On oh my god, there are so many people who've seen the work and who are grateful for that work, so we must continue.
SPEAKER_01Wonderful. Well, like if there's one insight this journey has given or clarified you, what is that one side that you would want to share with all of us?
SPEAKER_00It's definitely stepping out of your comfort zone. Even if that again, I know that a lot of young people will listen to this insight and be like, this is really simple. But the idea is that even if stepping out of your comfort zone is something we hear maybe every day or we see, you know, across courts and messages in every place, I think we don't really realize the importance of it. I did for sure. Because I think that's such a small action, but when you do take that step, and even if it means, you know, stepping out of that comfort zone 1% a month, right? A lot changes over in the year. When you reflect back on the compounding effect, it's enormous, and you suddenly realize, oh my god, the circle that I'd built for myself, I have expanded that circle many folds. So I think very simply stepping out of your comfort zone, whether that is working on that idea that they were, you know, lagging behind on for ages, maybe volunteering for a cause, maybe starting your own, maybe simply, for example, creating content. I know a lot of young people today want to, right? So if there are any things in your mind that you're like, this is way out of my comfort zone, or I'm feeling nervous about it, just a bit. If not, it'll be a great learning experience for you and it'll definitely take you to places.
SPEAKER_01Continuing this dialogue, one taboo I would want you to kind of help break to a lot of the English nurses. And I'm sure that the taboo that comes in, I'm sure you would have kind of encountered this is age. Or you're too young to do something like this. So what do you know? You don't have the experience, who are you to kind of come and talk? And that holds back a lot many people. So let's break that taboo now. You are the change maker, age is out of the equation, and you're making significant changes to your community, to the country, to the world. So let's break that taboo of age.
SPEAKER_00Definitely. Oh my god, absolutely. Plus one on that. I think age is very sadly still there is an age bias that exists. Whether that's like a mental bias or just like a, you know, a bias that just exists across rooms, right? On people saying, oh, they are too young to maybe know. Or maybe they know things that aren't enough because they are so young. But I think age can definitely be an advantage if utilized the right way. I often say this if you know how to utilize your age the right way, if you are open to learning, adapting, collaborating, getting the right mentorship, it's the biggest advantage because you're starting out earlier, you'll learn quickly, you'll make those failures also early on. So you're sure about, you know, that the time I've spent in learning when I was younger, that'll definitely reap good rewards in the future.
SPEAKER_01This is for those eng changemakers who want to make the change. How about those older listeners who can support these young change makers? What do they need to be doing?
SPEAKER_00Nothing. I think just providing that supportive environment. If, you know, because I'm glad to see that a lot of parents today are supporting young minds and they're also, you know, a part of the journey of breaking the ice about important conversations. And the best thing that I see is parents being like, okay, this is a safe space, share what you want. And if you're able to create that in your own houses, in, you know, in moments as well. It's not necessarily a daily conversation. Even if it's in moments, on let's check in monthly with our children, let's check in monthly with the young minds that are maybe feeling a challenge, or they just want to share something, I think it changes the game altogether.
Micro Experiments Mentorship And Goodbye
SPEAKER_01Super. Well look, what's one small reflection or a micro experiment that you would recommend all of our listeners to try this week?
SPEAKER_00Oh, interesting. I would give two actually. One would be uh because we've been talking about stigmas, if they can go back, maybe notice one uncomfortable silence maybe in their own life, maybe a topic they normally avoid talking on or a conversation they've been postponing. Uh, just to reflect with yourself, ask yourself why does it exist? Why am I not talking about it? And just gently start that conversation, whether with yourself, whether with your parents, whether with your friends, wherever you're comfortable. So I think from a stigma perspective, let's do that. And from like a more introspective perspective, because I said one thing that I would love people to do is step out of their comfort zone. I think that's one thing I've learned in my journey. Maybe starting with networking with like-minded people. I think that's it's a great action to take. Like I said, I started out with giving myself a challenge on I'll talk to five new people this day or this week. If that's something that people also want to pick on, then reach out to five new people every week. Professionally, of course, uh online, offline, wherever you feel like you have the access to a network and build that across. Because I think networking is also extremely an underrated skill. Most people don't talk about it, most people are not taught it. But when you actually realize what a great network can do from the lens of mentorship, from the lens of opportunities, from the lens of simply meeting like-minded people as well. I think uh then you realize, oh my god, this was so, so important. Maybe I should have started out earlier. So, one action, reach out to five new people this week or talk about that one uncomfortable silence in your own life with your parents, uh, household, anyone, friends, anybody.
SPEAKER_01I love those micro experiments. One uncomfortable silence that you're sitting with. And I love the fact you mentioned about mentors. Uh, not to bring uh again an age into the conversation, but it's very heartening to see the impact of mentoring. Talk us a bit more about it. Why do you kind of gauge for mentoring what's been your personal decade and why do you encourage people to get into mentoring?
SPEAKER_00I think mentorship is like a great way to learn uh from the right minds. Because uh, to be very honest, when I used to reach out to people, I did not think of people will mentor me. And I remember once, because I used to create content on LinkedIn, I do uh still, but uh when I just started out with my journey on creating content on LinkedIn, there was a very senior person who reached out to me on, I love what you're doing, I love to mentor you. And I got on a coffee chat with her, a 10-minute virtual coffee chat, and she was like, Yes, I love to help. And I was screaming in my mind on why do you want to help me for free? You are such an established person. Why, you know, give up so much of your time to help a stranger, honestly. Uh, and that was the moment that I realized, okay, I think what most of us do not think of that because we're so afraid to reach out to people, we don't realize that people are actually ready to help. So that changed my perspective on mentorship. And now I've had so many mentors in my life. Mentorship really builds that capacity to experience, to experiment through someone else's views and lens as well. So it's a great way to get access to more viewpoints. Because all of us, of course, we have our own values, we have our old systems, we have our own experiences. So we look at every challenge through our own lens. But when you have more people looking at the same challenge through different perspectives, it's a great way to like really see on am I on the right path? Uh, can I improve maybe something around this? Or is this validation from my own viewpoint as well? So, yes, all of it.
SPEAKER_01Wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing that perspective, uh, Palak. This has been one lovely conversation. Loved everything that you stated, loved the mission that you're kind of carrying forward. On behalf of all my listeners, wishing you the very best on your mission that you are making, uh, what you are trying to kind of bring to the world. Uh, this podcast is all about creating ripples of inspiration. Before you and I sign off, what's your inspire someone today's message to all the listeners out there?
SPEAKER_00Oh, that's beautiful. Um, you should continue the work that you're doing. Keep going at it. Uh, step out of your comfort zone because you never know who takes you as an inspiration as well.
SPEAKER_01Thank you for spending this time with us. Conversations like these remind us that good doesn't always come from answers, it often comes from better questions. Inspire someone today began with the belief that each of us has a power to make a difference. Not through grand gestures, but through everyday choices. That belief still holds now with a little more depth and a lot more listening. If something from today's episode stayed with you, carry it forward. Share it, sit with it, or explore it further through the IST cabinet or the book inspire someone today. Until we meet again, stay curious, keep inspiring, and inspire someone today.
