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
In this episode of Between Us, host Santosh Kumar engages in a meaningful conversation with Umesh Rathod, a seasoned mentor and innovation expert at AICTE. Together, they unravel the transformative potential of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
As the Indian startup ecosystem witnesses exponential growth, the focus on bridging education with real-world problem-solving has never been more critical. Umesh shares insights into how education can empower young minds to think beyond conventional boundaries and create impactful solutions for global challenges.
Episode Highlights:
- The significance of STEAM education in building entrepreneurial skills.
- India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape and the challenges within.
- The critical role mentorship plays in shaping the future of innovation.
- Umesh’s take on aligning education with 21st-century demands.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Coming Up
00:02:28 Intro
00:03:41 What does a thriving Eco System looks like?
00:06:46 Role of Education in this eco systems?
00:12:02 Idea Labs
00:20:14 A message for aspiring entrepreneurs !!
00:21:20 Importance of Failure & Resiliency
00:29:30 Importance of Regional Education
00:35:08 STEAM Education
00:42:59 Public & Private Sector Collaboration
01:05:59 Importance of Mentorship
01:10:16 Biggest Blind Spot in Startup ecosystem
01:15:55 Sustainability & Balancing Profits & Social Impact
01:23:34 Bharat & Global Collaborations
01:37:17 Rapid Fire Question !!
Whether you’re a student eager to learn, an educator aiming to inspire, or an entrepreneur looking for actionable insights, this episode offers valuable takeaways for everyone.
Listen to the full episode now!
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and hit the to stay updated with more impactful conversations on at www.andbetweenus.com
Follow our guest Umesh Rathod:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umesh_rathore?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umeshrathore?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAdCOroBYQK-VvIBES58K2D3sZvbZe2lDzY&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3B3cNBIlDgTayg787CdPINIQ%3D%3D
Follow us on social media for more content:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshk73/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andbetweenus?igsh=MWxqaHJycG5keG5zMw==
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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. Let’s make every conversation count..!!
#TheStartupSeries #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #STEAMEducation #IndianStartups #Innovation #Mentorship #Podcast #BetweenUsPodcast
