I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other.
Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up.
Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully.
That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope.
As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space.
For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together.
Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices.
It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard.
If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome.
Let’s make every conversation count
Santosh Kumar
Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™
Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator
I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other.
Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up.
Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully.
That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope.
As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space.
For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together.
Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices.
It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard.
If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome.
Let’s make every conversation count
Santosh Kumar
Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™
Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator
Welcome to Episode 43 of Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count, where we dive into transformative conversations about education, empowerment, and innovation. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Aliya Jafri, a constructivist educator, literacy specialist, and the visionary founder of Pangea: Learning without Borders. With nearly 20 years of experience in education spanning the U.S., Egypt, Pakistan, India, Switzerland, and Jordan, Aliya brings a unique, global perspective to early childhood education.
Aliya Jafri is on a mission to ensure that every child receives not only education but an engaging, high-quality, and personalized learning experience. Her work embodies a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a world where children can become curious, empowered, and self-directed learners. In this conversation, Aliya shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities within early childhood education and offers actionable strategies for educators and parents alike.
Key Themes Discussed:
Join us for this deep dive into shaping young minds and building a brighter future for children worldwide! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more impactful conversations!
Host: Santosh Kumar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshk73/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andbetweenus?igsh=MWxqaHJycG5keG5zMw==
Guest: Aliya Jafri
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-jafri-70426966/
Stay Connected
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- #spotify | #Apple Podcast | #Google Podcast: https://pod.link/1693184962
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The idea of ‘Between Us’ stems from the fact that every conversation matters, especially the one that we have with ourselves.
So using podcast as a medium, I am fortunate to bring folks who have made an impact in everyday lives, from diverse backgrounds, to engage in a meaningful conversation.
The topics are as diverse and deeply interconnected - from climate justice to big tech to healthcare as a constitutional right to millennial expectations to gender equality and inclusiveness.
I warmly welcome you to join me in this journey.
