<![CDATA[Where We Place Ourselves | Identity, Life Stories & Personal Growth]]>Where We Place Ourselves is a reflective podcast about identity, personal growth, and how we understand our lives over time.

Through slow, thoughtful conversations, each episode revisits a moment, a feeling, or a shift in perspective. We explore memory, relationships, and self-awareness.

If you're interested in psychology, life stories, and personal reflection, this podcast creates space to think more deeply about who you are and how you’ve changed.

]]>www.archanamohan.netRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 04:16:35 GMTTue, 17 Feb 2026 18:44:14 GMT60Archana Mohan<p><i>Where We Place Ourselves</i> is a reflective podcast about identity, personal growth, and how we understand our lives over time.</p><p></p><p>Through slow, thoughtful conversations, each episode revisits a moment, a feeling, or a shift in perspective. We explore memory, relationships, and self-awareness.</p><p></p><p>If you're interested in psychology, life stories, and personal reflection, this podcast creates space to think more deeply about who you are and how you’ve changed.</p>episodicArchana Mohanamohan_03@yahoo.comno<![CDATA[Finding placement: On podcasting, pleasing, rejection, and making something true]]>In this reflective solo episode of Where We Place Ourselves, Archana explores the emotional backstory behind making a podcast and the quiet struggle of creating something public.

Beginning with Mira Nair’s words, “You cannot be an artist if you strive to please,” this episode asks whether that is as true in life as it is in art.

Archana reflects on the desire to be taken seriously, the pull towards polish and credibility, the disappointment of rejection, and the moment when striving becomes visible enough to question. What begins as a reflection on podcasting becomes a wider meditation on creativity, belonging, visibility, and the difference between being well known and being truly known.

This episode is about the mess behind the making, the people worth knowing, and the question that sits at the heart of the series. Where do you place yourself when things feel unresolved?

]]>a733e1a2-f6d2-4f58-87da-735abaa61e65Mon, 25 May 2026 09:09:54 GMT<p>In this reflective solo episode of <i>Where We Place Ourselves</i>, Archana explores the emotional backstory behind making a podcast and the quiet struggle of creating something public.</p><p></p><p>Beginning with Mira Nair’s words, “You cannot be an artist if you strive to please,” this episode asks whether that is as true in life as it is in art.</p><p></p><p>Archana reflects on the desire to be taken seriously, the pull towards polish and credibility, the disappointment of rejection, and the moment when striving becomes visible enough to question. What begins as a reflection on podcasting becomes a wider meditation on creativity, belonging, visibility, and the difference between being well known and being truly known.</p><p></p><p>This episode is about the mess behind the making, the people worth knowing, and the question that sits at the heart of the series. Where do you place yourself when things feel unresolved?</p>no00:12:34Finding placement: On podcasting, pleasing, rejection, and making something truefull<![CDATA[The sound that stays: on music, memory and understanding]]>In this episode of Where We Place Ourselves, I explore how music, attention, and reflection shape the way we think and communicate.

What looks like distraction may actually support deeper thinking. Drawing on a simple moment from everyday life, this episode reflects on listening, focus, and how we show up in conversations at work and beyond.

Topics include:

  • listening and communication
  • focus and deep thinking
  • music and memory
  • leadership and presence
  • reflection and self-awareness
]]>d35ef567-4646-4a5a-8797-22e5d0683c74Sun, 03 May 2026 08:16:50 GMT<p>In this episode of <i>Where We Place Ourselves</i>, I explore how music, attention, and reflection shape the way we think and communicate.</p><p></p><p>What looks like distraction may actually support deeper thinking. Drawing on a simple moment from everyday life, this episode reflects on listening, focus, and how we show up in conversations at work and beyond.</p><p></p><p>Topics include:</p><ul><li>listening and communication</li><li>focus and deep thinking</li><li>music and memory</li><li>leadership and presence</li><li>reflection and self-awareness</li></ul>no00:03:49The sound that stays: on music, memory and understandingfull<![CDATA[Being Alone: What Solitude Teaches Us About Identity]]>A quiet reflection on what happens when we stop filling space. This podcast was previously titled Where We Place Ourselves. It is now continuing as Echoes, from Els.

In this first episode of Echoes, from Els, a summer spent mostly alone becomes something unexpected. Not isolation, but recognition.

Through small moments, this episode explores solitude, the idea of the “uncarved block,” and the subtle thresholds we cross when we step back from the noise. Not as something to solve. But as something to enter.

Takeaways

  • Solitude doesn’t take you away from yourself; it brings you closer
  • Much of what we think is “us” is learned, not innate
  • Distance can create clarity in ways activity cannot
  • Small pauses (thresholds) change how we see
]]>287caa26-97f5-4172-b5ec-dfab517bdc0fSat, 25 Apr 2026 16:53:04 GMT<p><b>A quiet reflection on what happens when we stop filling space. </b>This podcast was previously titled <i>Where We Place Ourselves</i>. It is now continuing as <i>Echoes, from Els</i>.</p><p></p><p>In this first episode of <i>Echoes, from Els</i>, a summer spent mostly alone becomes something unexpected. Not isolation, but recognition.</p><p></p><p>Through small moments, this episode explores solitude, the idea of the “uncarved block,” and the subtle thresholds we cross when we step back from the noise. Not as something to solve. But as something to enter.</p><h1><b>Takeaways</b></h1><ul><li>Solitude doesn’t take you away from yourself; it brings you closer</li><li>Much of what we think is “us” is learned, not innate</li><li>Distance can create clarity in ways activity cannot</li><li>Small pauses (thresholds) change how we see</li></ul>no00:03:1921Being Alone: What Solitude Teaches Us About Identityfull<![CDATA[Growing Up Together: How Shared Experiences Shape Who We Become with Robin Wohlstetter]]>What does it mean to be known over time?

In this episode of Where We Place Ourselves, I speak with one of my closest friends, Robin. Someone who has known me since the mid-90s, when we were both just beginning to understand who we might become.

This is a conversation about growing up, friendship, and the quiet beauty of being there for someone not just in the easy moments, but across the many versions of a life.

We talk about the feeling of being unstoppable when we were younger, and how that shifts as life unfolds. About the different versions of ourselves we bring to work, to relationships, and to the spaces where we feel most at ease.

Robin shares how humour became a way of holding perspective not because life is always light, but because sometimes it’s what makes it livable.

And one line from this conversation stayed with me:

“The world is tough… but not in here.” 

A reminder that while we can’t always control what happens outside of us, we can create spaces in our homes, in our friendships, where something softer, lighter, and more human exists.

This is a conversation about being witnessed, about growing alongside someone, and about the rare gift of a friendship that stays.

We explore:

  • What it felt like to be “unstoppable” in our early twenties
  • How friendship changes as we grow and what allows it to endure
  • The difference between who we are at work and who we are at ease
  • Why humour can be a form of perspective, not avoidance
  • What it really means to “not let someone down”
  • How time and distance reshape how we understand our lives

It left me thinking about how the most meaningful relationships in our lives aren’t the ones that change us, but the ones that stay with us as we change.

If this conversation stayed with you, following the podcast helps it reach the people who need it and lets you know when the next episode is released.

And if you’re thinking of someone who has known you across time…maybe send this to them.

]]>8ca43146-d8cb-43c2-a8c6-6f18f2b79a9dTue, 14 Apr 2026 19:29:59 GMT<p><b>What does it mean to be known over time?</b></p><p></p><p>In this episode of <i>Where We Place Ourselves,</i> I speak with one of my closest friends, Robin. Someone who has known me since the mid-90s, when we were both just beginning to understand who we might become.</p><p></p><p>This is a conversation about growing up, friendship, and the quiet beauty of being there for someone not just in the easy moments, but across the many versions of a life.</p><p></p><p>We talk about the feeling of being unstoppable when we were younger, and how that shifts as life unfolds. About the different versions of ourselves we bring to work, to relationships, and to the spaces where we feel most at ease.</p><p></p><p>Robin shares how humour became a way of holding perspective not because life is always light, but because sometimes it’s what makes it livable.</p><p></p><p>And one line from this conversation stayed with me:</p><blockquote><p>“The world is tough… but not in here.” </p></blockquote><p>A reminder that while we can’t always control what happens outside of us, we can create spaces in our homes, in our friendships, where something softer, lighter, and more human exists.</p><p></p><p>This is a conversation about being witnessed, about growing alongside someone, and about the rare gift of a friendship that stays.</p><p></p><p>We explore:</p><ul><li>What it felt like to be “unstoppable” in our early twenties</li><li>How friendship changes as we grow and what allows it to endure</li><li>The difference between who we are at work and who we are at ease</li><li>Why humour can be a form of perspective, not avoidance</li><li>What it really means to “not let someone down”</li><li>How time and distance reshape how we understand our lives</li></ul><p></p><p>It left me thinking about how the most meaningful relationships in our lives aren’t the ones that change us, but the ones that stay with us as we change.</p><p></p><p>If this conversation stayed with you, following the podcast helps it reach the people who need it and lets you know when the next episode is released.</p><p></p><p>And if you’re thinking of someone who has known you across time…maybe send this to them.</p>no00:25:02111Growing Up Together: How Shared Experiences Shape Who We Become with Robin Wohlstetterfull<![CDATA[Being With Dana Galin: How Relationships Shape Who We Become]]>In this episode, I speak with Dana Galin about voice, belonging, and the quiet ways we come to feel at home in ourselves. Dana’s work sits in the space before reaction, before performance. She helps people notice how they are showing up, not just what they are doing.

We explore:

  • The difference between reacting and choosing
  • The idea of being “above the line” and “below the line”
  • Why we are all meaning-making machines
  • How our internal “parts” shape our behaviour under pressure
  • The gap between intention and impact
  • And the quiet practice of offering ourselves a little more grace

This is not a conversation about fixing yourself.

It’s about recognising yourself.

And from that place, choosing how you want to show up.

This is Where We Place Ourselves.

Key Moments

  • Why Dana focuses on how safe people feel to speak—not just how they speak
  • Understanding “above the line” vs “below the line” leadership
  • How quickly we create meaning from small signals
  • The idea of leading your “internal team”
  • Why perfectionism and people-pleasing are protective, not flaws
  • The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselves
  • Parenting, leadership, and learning to respond with intention
  • The power of pausing before reacting

A Moment That Stayed With Me

“Don’t believe everything you think.” And: “Offer yourself a little more grace than you did yesterday.”

Continue the Conversation

If this episode resonated, I explored a more personal version of this idea in this week’s Ordinary Love essay:

📖 The Look They Remember
www.archanamohan.net

About the Podcast

Where We Place Ourselves is a series of conversations about identity, meaning, and how we understand our lives.

Not advice, not success stories. Just perspective. Moments where something that once felt confusing begins to make sense, when we step back and see it differently.

This is part of Well Placed. A space that explores how we live, lead, and love from the inside out.

About Dana

Dana works at the intersection of communication, leadership, and self-awareness. Her focus is not just on how people speak, but on how safe they feel to speak.

She helps leaders recognise the patterns that shape their behaviour so they can move from reaction to intention, and lead in a way that feels more aligned with who they truly are.

https://www.imprintlp.com/bio

If You Enjoyed This Episode

Follow the podcast, share it with someone who might need it, or leave a review. It helps more people find these conversations.

Credits

Where We Place Ourselves is written, produced, edited and hosted by Archana Mohan.

Music: Lotus Pond by Akash Gandhi
Artwork: Created using Canva

]]>08f8527e-8d4a-4954-bbec-ccf48aca15c4Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:13:53 GMT<p>In this episode, I speak with Dana Galin about voice, belonging, and the quiet ways we come to feel at home in ourselves. Dana’s work sits in the space before reaction, before performance. She helps people notice how they are showing up, not just what they are doing.</p><p></p><p>We explore:</p><ul><li>The difference between reacting and choosing</li><li>The idea of being “above the line” and “below the line”</li><li>Why we are all meaning-making machines</li><li>How our internal “parts” shape our behaviour under pressure</li><li>The gap between intention and impact</li><li>And the quiet practice of offering ourselves a little more grace</li></ul><p>This is not a conversation about fixing yourself.</p><p>It’s about recognising yourself.</p><p>And from that place, choosing how you want to show up.</p><p>This is <i>Where We Place Ourselves.</i></p><h2>Key Moments</h2><ul><li>Why Dana focuses on how safe people feel to speak—not just how they speak</li><li>Understanding “above the line” vs “below the line” leadership</li><li>How quickly we create meaning from small signals</li><li>The idea of leading your “internal team”</li><li>Why perfectionism and people-pleasing are protective, not flaws</li><li>The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselves</li><li>Parenting, leadership, and learning to respond with intention</li><li>The power of pausing before reacting</li></ul><h2>A Moment That Stayed With Me</h2><p>“Don’t believe everything you think.” And: “Offer yourself a little more grace than you did yesterday.”</p><h2>Continue the Conversation</h2><p>If this episode resonated, I explored a more personal version of this idea in this week’s <i>Ordinary Love</i> essay:</p><p>📖 <b>The Look They Remember</b><br />www.archanamohan.net</p><h2>About the Podcast</h2><p><i>Where We Place Ourselves</i> is a series of conversations about identity, meaning, and how we understand our lives.</p><p>Not advice, not success stories. Just perspective. Moments where something that once felt confusing begins to make sense, when we step back and see it differently.</p><p>This is part of <i>Well Placed</i>. A space that explores how we live, lead, and love from the inside out.</p><h2>About Dana</h2><p>Dana works at the intersection of communication, leadership, and self-awareness. Her focus is not just on how people speak, but on how safe they feel to speak.</p><p>She helps leaders recognise the patterns that shape their behaviour so they can move from reaction to intention, and lead in a way that feels more aligned with who they truly are.</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imprintlp.com/bio" target="_blank">https://www.imprintlp.com/bio</a></p><h2>If You Enjoyed This Episode</h2><p>Follow the podcast, share it with someone who might need it, or leave a review. It helps more people find these conversations.</p><h2>Credits</h2><p><i>Where We Place Ourselves</i> is written, produced, edited and hosted by Archana Mohan.</p><p>Music: <i>Lotus Pond</i> by Akash Gandhi<br />Artwork: Created using Canva</p>no00:29:19110Being With Dana Galin: How Relationships Shape Who We Becomefull<![CDATA[John Amaechi on Leadership, Integrity, and the Systems That Shape Us]]>“If you want to understand culture, don’t look at the values on the wall. Look at what behaviour leaders tolerate.”

For years, food companies believed there must be one perfect spaghetti sauce. The recipe everyone would love. So they searched for it. The research revealed something surprising: There wasn’t one perfect sauce. There were many. Some people wanted chunky sauce.  Others smooth. Some spicy. Some sweet. What looked like a problem of taste was a problem of assumptions about human behaviour.

And I’ve been thinking about that idea a lot in the context of leadership. Because organisations often assume behaviour is driven primarily by motivation, values, or personality. But in reality, behaviour is often shaped by something else entirely.  The systems people operate within.

In my last episode of Where We Place Ourselves, I explore this idea with organisational psychologist and leadership expert @John Amaechi.

We talk about:

•       why incentives often override stated values

•       how decision-making structures shape outcomes

•       why culture is defined by what leaders tolerate

•       and why lasting change comes from designing better systems, not simply asking people to behave differently.

One idea from the conversation stayed with me.  Leadership isn’t just about who we are. It’s about the environments we create.

Connect with John Amaechi

Website
https://www.apsintel.com

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaechi

Books
The Promises of Giants
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529345871

It’s Not Magic
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394338279

]]>cf575df2-d5ea-4f22-a9ce-90dc354a7aa9Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p><b>“If you want to understand culture, don’t look at the values on the wall. Look at what behaviour leaders tolerate.”</b></p><p>For years, food companies believed there must be <b>one perfect spaghetti sauce</b>. The recipe everyone would love. So they searched for it. The research revealed something surprising: There wasn’t one perfect sauce. There were many. Some people wanted chunky sauce.  Others smooth. Some spicy. Some sweet. What looked like a problem of taste was a problem of <b>assumptions about human behaviour</b>.</p><p>And I’ve been thinking about that idea a lot in the context of leadership. Because organisations often assume behaviour is driven primarily by <b>motivation, values, or personality</b>. But in reality, behaviour is often shaped by something else entirely.  <b>The systems people operate within.</b></p><p>In my last episode of <i>Where We Place Ourselves</i>, I explore this idea with organisational psychologist and leadership expert @John Amaechi.</p><p></p><p>We talk about:</p><p>•       why incentives often override stated values</p><p>•       how decision-making structures shape outcomes</p><p>•       why culture is defined by what leaders tolerate</p><p>•       and why lasting change comes from <b>designing better systems</b>, not simply asking people to behave differently.</p><p></p><p>One idea from the conversation stayed with me.  Leadership isn’t just about who we are. It’s about the <b>environments we create</b>.</p><p></p><p><b>Connect with John Amaechi</b></p><p>Website<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.apsintel.com" target="_blank">https://www.apsintel.com</a></p><p>LinkedIn<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaechi" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaechi</a></p><p>Books<br /><i>The Promises of Giants</i><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529345871" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529345871</a></p><p><i>It’s Not Magic</i><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394338279" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394338279</a></p>no00:42:09110John Amaechi on Leadership, Integrity, and the Systems That Shape Usfull<![CDATA[The Diamond Edge with Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: On Growth, Pressure, and Transformation]]>In this episode, I speak with leadership communications expert Sarah Lloyd Hughes about what she calls the “Diamond Edge” of communication. The clarity, authenticity, and human connection that allow leaders to truly cut through the noise.

 

Sarah is the founder of Ginger Leadership Communications, an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author of How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking. She works with leaders around the world to help them find their voice, communicate with purpose, and inspire meaningful change.

 

We explore what the Diamond Edge means in practice, how leaders can sharpen their message, and why the most powerful communication starts with being authentically human.

 

Learn more about Sarah’s work:

]]>8171dfa5-289a-43a0-aee9-d7922768b277Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:51:41 GMT<p>In this episode, I speak with leadership communications expert <b>Sarah Lloyd Hughes</b> about what she calls the <b>“Diamond Edge”</b> of communication. The clarity, authenticity, and human connection that allow leaders to truly cut through the noise.</p><p> </p><p>Sarah is the founder of Ginger Leadership Communications, an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author of <i>How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking</i>. She works with leaders around the world to help them find their voice, communicate with purpose, and inspire meaningful change.</p><p> </p><p>We explore what the Diamond Edge means in practice, how leaders can sharpen their message, and why the most powerful communication starts with being authentically human.</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Learn more about Sarah’s work:</b></p><ul><li>Ginger Leadership Communications: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://uk.gingerleadershipcomms.com/teammember/sarah-lloyd-hughes" target="_blank">https://uk.gingerleadershipcomms.com/teammember/sarah-lloyd-hughes</a> ()</li><li>Sarah’s book <i>How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking</i>: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://us.gingerleadershipcomms.com/resource/how-to-be-brilliant-at-public-speaking" target="_blank">https://us.gingerleadershipcomms.com/resource/how-to-be-brilliant-at-public-speaking</a> ()</li><li>Sarah on LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarahlloydhughes" target="_blank">https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarahlloydhughes</a> ()</li></ul>no00:25:4918The Diamond Edge with Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: On Growth, Pressure, and Transformationfull<![CDATA[Storytelling with Robin Bayley: How We Make Sense of Our Lives]]>In this episode, Archana Mohan speaks with Robin Bayley about the power of storytelling, finding one's truth, and the impact of personal narratives on our lives. They explore the art of storytelling, the pursuit of truth, and the role of leadership in guiding others to their truth. The conversation explores the power of storytelling and its impact on communication. It delves into the realization of personal narratives and the resonance they create with audiences. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of connecting with the audience through storytelling and the role of curiosity and light heartedness in effective communication.

Takeaways

  • The power of storytelling lies in its ability to convey truth and connect with others.
  • Leadership involves guiding others to discover and live their truth, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and their impact on the world. Power of personal narratives
  • Resonance and connection through storytelling

Connect with Robin here: robinbayley.com and keynotedoctor.com.

]]>7d212577-6238-4ec1-a6e1-ac45af641c1cTue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Archana Mohan speaks with Robin Bayley about the power of storytelling, finding one's truth, and the impact of personal narratives on our lives. They explore the art of storytelling, the pursuit of truth, and the role of leadership in guiding others to their truth. The conversation explores the power of storytelling and its impact on communication. It delves into the realization of personal narratives and the resonance they create with audiences. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of connecting with the audience through storytelling and the role of curiosity and light heartedness in effective communication.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The power of storytelling lies in its ability to convey truth and connect with others.</li><li>Leadership involves guiding others to discover and live their truth, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and their impact on the world. Power of personal narratives</li><li>Resonance and connection through storytelling</li></ul><p></p><p>Connect with Robin here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://robinbayley.com" target="_blank">robinbayley.com</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://keynotedoctor.com" target="_blank">keynotedoctor.com</a>.</p><p></p><p></p>no00:39:0919Storytelling with Robin Bayley: How We Make Sense of Our Livesfull<![CDATA[Commitment and Impact with James Walker: What It Means to Follow Through]]>The conversation explores the themes of trust, commitment, and integrity in the context of work and life. It delves into the importance of shifting perspectives, letting go of fear and judgment, and finding space to reflect and listen without judgment. The chapters cover the introduction to the podcast, exploring trust and commitment, shifting perspectives on work and life, the difference between being busy and being true to oneself, defining commitment and its importance in relationships, and finding space to reflect and listen without judgment.

Takeaways

  • Commitment over care
  • Letting go of fear and judgment
  • Listening without judgment
  • Disconnecting from digital noise
  • Authentic conversations over success hacks

Chapters

  • 00:00 Finding Space to Reflect and Listen Without Judgment
]]>ff6dd007-fde4-4cac-aa10-cd0c5e4298f0Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:06:56 GMT<p>The conversation explores the themes of trust, commitment, and integrity in the context of work and life. It delves into the importance of shifting perspectives, letting go of fear and judgment, and finding space to reflect and listen without judgment. The chapters cover the introduction to the podcast, exploring trust and commitment, shifting perspectives on work and life, the difference between being busy and being true to oneself, defining commitment and its importance in relationships, and finding space to reflect and listen without judgment.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Commitment over care</li><li>Letting go of fear and judgment</li><li>Listening without judgment</li><li>Disconnecting from digital noise</li><li>Authentic conversations over success hacks</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Finding Space to Reflect and Listen Without Judgment</li></ul>no00:35:2016Commitment and Impact with James Walker: What It Means to Follow Throughfull<![CDATA[Exploration Through Writing with Alison Jones: How We Discover Ourselves on the Page]]>The conversation explores the value of exploratory writing as a tool for self-coaching and gaining perspective. It delves into the significance of distance and perspective in understanding and communicating, as well as the impact of narrative, identity, and meaning. The discussion also highlights the importance of patience in understanding confusing situations and the nature-based exploratory writing workshop's benefits.

Takeaways

  • Exploratory writing as a tool for self-coaching
  • The value of distance and perspective in understanding and communicating

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
  • 10:18 Narrative, Identity, and Meaning
  • 16:19 Perspective and Distance
  • 29:21 Narrative, Identity, and Meaning
  • 37:11 Patience and Understanding
]]>a9718044-b552-439e-b218-684e505ff50bFri, 06 Mar 2026 12:22:49 GMT<p>The conversation explores the value of exploratory writing as a tool for self-coaching and gaining perspective. It delves into the significance of distance and perspective in understanding and communicating, as well as the impact of narrative, identity, and meaning. The discussion also highlights the importance of patience in understanding confusing situations and the nature-based exploratory writing workshop's benefits.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Exploratory writing as a tool for self-coaching</li><li>The value of distance and perspective in understanding and communicating</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to the Podcast</li><li>10:18 Narrative, Identity, and Meaning</li><li>16:19 Perspective and Distance</li><li>29:21 Narrative, Identity, and Meaning</li><li>37:11 Patience and Understanding</li></ul>no00:36:45Exploration Through Writing with Alison Jones: How We Discover Ourselves on the Pagefull<![CDATA[Remembering with Julianne Burk: How Memory Shapes Who We Are]]>There are cultures you inherit through books and cultures you inherit through smell. In this episode, Archana Mohan sits down with longtime friend Julianne Burk, creator of The Armenian Kitchen, a cooking show that’s less “food demo” and more living archive.

Julianne shares how recipes became her way of preserving a homeland: from learning in her grandmother’s kitchen (apron and all), to returning home to Fresno to care for her mother as memory began to fade. Together, they talk about inherited trauma, identity loops that become spirals, language loss, and why some traditions survive most faithfully through the hands not the history books.

A conversation about belonging, care giving, and the quiet truth that a kitchen can hold what a generation can’t always say out loud.

]]>0b5919b8-e6d1-4009-beb8-a4934a409782Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>There are cultures you inherit through books and cultures you inherit through smell. In this episode, Archana Mohan sits down with longtime friend Julianne Burk, creator of <i>The Armenian Kitchen</i>, a cooking show that’s less “food demo” and more living archive.</p><p></p><p>Julianne shares how recipes became her way of preserving a homeland: from learning in her grandmother’s kitchen (apron and all), to returning home to Fresno to care for her mother as memory began to fade. Together, they talk about inherited trauma, identity loops that become spirals, language loss, and why some traditions survive most faithfully through the hands not the history books.</p><p></p><p>A conversation about belonging, care giving, and the quiet truth that a kitchen can hold what a generation can’t always say out loud.</p>no00:45:12Remembering with Julianne Burk: How Memory Shapes Who We Arefull<![CDATA[The Stories We Live Inside with Catherine de Vries: How Narrative Shapes Identity]]>We often assume disagreements happen because people don’t have the same information.But what if they come from something deeper. The need to make the world feel understandable?

In this episode of Where We Place Ourselves, Archana Mohan speaks with Catherine de Vries about how human beings create meaning in times of uncertainty. Together they explore why we hold onto certain beliefs, how shared narratives shape our sense of belonging, and why the explanations we choose can matter more than the facts themselves.

This is not a conversation about politics. It’s a conversation about orientation. One that explores how we find our place in a complex world, and how distance can quietly change what we see.

]]>088c611b-e00b-4824-b69d-f4d58da92a03Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:46:10 GMT<p>We often assume disagreements happen because people don’t have the same information.But what if they come from something deeper. The need to make the world feel understandable?</p><p></p><p>In this episode of <i>Where We Place Ourselves</i>, Archana Mohan speaks with <b>Catherine de Vries </b>about how human beings create meaning in times of uncertainty. Together they explore why we hold onto certain beliefs, how shared narratives shape our sense of belonging, and why the explanations we choose can matter more than the facts themselves.</p><p></p><p>This is not a conversation about politics. It’s a conversation about orientation. One that explores how we find our place in a complex world, and how distance can quietly change what we see.</p>no00:34:28The Stories We Live Inside with Catherine de Vries: How Narrative Shapes Identityfull<![CDATA[The Archaeology of Our Stories with Beverley Glick: Understanding Life Through the Stories We Tell]]>The conversation with Beverley Glick delves into the complexities of memory, personal narratives, and the power of reframing our own stories. Beverley shares her insights on the landscape of life and the transformative journey of reinterpreting her own experiences.

Takeaways

  • Memory is a tricky thing
  • The power of reframing and reinterpreting our own stories

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Landscape of Life
]]>37f36439-7068-414f-b3b8-c6f59fbb6455Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:41:34 GMT<p>The conversation with Beverley Glick delves into the complexities of memory, personal narratives, and the power of reframing our own stories. Beverley shares her insights on the landscape of life and the transformative journey of reinterpreting her own experiences.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Memory is a tricky thing</li><li>The power of reframing and reinterpreting our own stories</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Landscape of Life</li></ul>no00:32:26The Archaeology of Our Stories with Beverley Glick: Understanding Life Through the Stories We Tellfull<![CDATA[ON photography and distance]]>In this conversation with photographer Stephanie Belton, we explore the difference between looking at a life and actually seeing it.

Photography depends on distance. Stand too close and everything distorts; step back and proportion returns. Stephanie reflects on how that same principle quietly applies to people. Especially to the lives we are living from the inside.

We talk about attention, observation, and what it means to notice rather than evaluate. About the instinct to document moments you don’t yet understand, and how images like memories, often reveal their meaning long after they are taken.

The conversation moves through responsibility, presence, and the subtle way a person can become the role they inhabit. From behind the camera, Stephanie has spent years watching others, but the harder task has been learning how to see herself with the same patience.

This is not a discussion about photography technique. It is about perception. How time changes interpretation, how distance alters identity, and why clarity sometimes arrives only when you stop trying to resolve your life and instead allow it to come into focus.

Listeners may find themselves reconsidering not what has happened to them, but the angle from which they are viewing it.

]]>7b55575a-02e3-478b-9352-d04fe7078019Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:03:12 GMT<p>In this conversation with photographer Stephanie Belton, we explore the difference between looking at a life and actually seeing it.</p><p></p><p>Photography depends on distance. Stand too close and everything distorts; step back and proportion returns. Stephanie reflects on how that same principle quietly applies to people. Especially to the lives we are living from the inside.</p><p></p><p>We talk about attention, observation, and what it means to notice rather than evaluate. About the instinct to document moments you don’t yet understand, and how images like memories, often reveal their meaning long after they are taken.</p><p></p><p>The conversation moves through responsibility, presence, and the subtle way a person can become the role they inhabit. From behind the camera, Stephanie has spent years watching others, but the harder task has been learning how to see herself with the same patience.</p><p></p><p>This is not a discussion about photography technique. It is about perception. How time changes interpretation, how distance alters identity, and why clarity sometimes arrives only when you stop trying to resolve your life and instead allow it to come into focus.</p><p></p><p>Listeners may find themselves reconsidering not what has happened to them, but the angle from which they are viewing it.</p>no00:35:32ON photography and distancefull