Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to creativity & creatives. This episode spotlights sustainability & sustainable jewelery with Riddhi Patel. She's a costume jewelry designer from NIFT, Mumbai. She is a maker at heart and she loves to paint; capture vivid colors, patterns, and textures around. She believes to make a little contribution to the planet while pursuing her interest in jewelry design. Riddhi's recent jewelry work has revolved around sustainably designed jewelry. Check out her brand Irida at http://www.iridabling.com She has a new purpose for things that were destined for the rubbish bins and transforms them into something beautiful. Connect with her on Instagram @_ridkid_

Reading non-fiction books can be a drag for some. If you read just 2-3 non-fiction books per year and always feel like you're falling short, tune into this episode. Megha Upadhyaya talks about the things you might be missing while reading this genre. It's said that non-fiction reading transforms your life, but for that, you need to build your own retention system: go slow & let it become a steady habit for yourself.

Being an indie or non-traditional writer is a tough path. They're are tenacious, determined to get their work out there, with or without the traditional means. But actually being able to support themselves with their work can be a huge challenge. Megha Upadhyaya talks about ways to help indie authors rise above the stigma that is self publishing. "It is such a thrill for us to see our books out in the world, making an impact on other people’s lives! We really, truly want to connect with our readers. Your support and love helps us grow!"

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to creativity & creatives. This episode spotlights creating and writing an audio drama with Elliot Somerfield. He's a writer, sound designer and a voice actor, making podcasts and plays. He loves to read, listen to indie music and cycle. You can find him on Twitter @SameOlSatellite. You can also find his latest project, sci-fi horror podcast The Waystation on Twitter @waystation_pod

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to creativity & creatives. This episode spotlights writing and publishing with Melody Pendlebury. She is an elementary school teacher by day, and an author any time she has left. She has published five books and has founded her own publishing liaison company, The Publishing Room. She also works for a writing organization called Hope*Writers. She is currently working on a middle grade novel. Reach out to her at https://www.melodypendlebury.com/

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to creativity & creatives. This episode spotlights Voice over talent with Sean Lambourne, a working Voice Over for the last couple of years. He originally went to college to get his bachelors to go to law school before deciding he wanted to take this route. Lambourne is grateful to be a part of an industry where he can work with so many passionate and creative people who want to bring their visions to life. You can find information on his roles as well as links to them and his demo reel at seanlambourneva.com

Have you ever seen something and you wish you could have said something — but you didn’t? Has something ever happened to you and you never said anything about it — but you should have? You can use creative writing to unsilence things we’ve been keeping silent. It’s a way of unburdening ourselves in just 3 simple steps. Tune in to know!

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights poetry & its form with Tyler R. Martin, a veteran having served in the US Army and now a published poet living in New York. His poetry attempts to put life under a microscope revealing the good, the bad and the horrible. He spends his days reading Charles Bukowski, chain smoking and drinking bourbon. Read his works at https://bourboncigarettesandsyllables.com/

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing/inspiration. This episode spotlights mental health and suicide prevention along with Social and Emotional Leaning with Shalmali Jadhav. She's a founder and director at Empathy for You, founder and CEO at You Lead, an International Youth Council Member. Empathy for You is an organization that works in spreading awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. You Lead is an organization trying to bridge the gap between mentors and wanna-be entrepreneurs by providing them with mentoring sessions, guidance and support.

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights poetry writing and impact of social media on a writer's life with a poet/writer, Robert Birkhofer. He's a dreamer, and a coffee drinker who enjoys writing short stories and poetry, and his work has been published in several anthologies, including Static Dreams and The Poets Symphony. Samples of Robert’s writing are available to read on his website, TheMadPuppeteer.com.

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights content writing and freelance writing with a freelance Content Writer/ Ghostwriter and blogger from the Philippines. Currently, she's working as a freelancer in an insurance company based in Denver Colorado. She's a Content Marketer and SEO Strategist. Dona wrote articles and blogs that are SEO-Friendly which helps her clients in reaching their target market. Writing blogs promoting Women Empowerment is one of her passion.- " The Two Kinds of Women " and "Strong is the New Sexy: The Many Faces of Self-love " are just a few of her blogs. Also, she's a workout momma and believes that loving yourself first is a must. Oh, Dona also loves eating in buffets and savor wine! You can learn more about her and her work at donabuenaseda.wordpress.com donabuenaseda.contently.com

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights bookwriting and playwriting with an incredible artist, Alex Freeman. Alex is a New York City based audiobook narrator, actor, and director. He has been seen on stages across the country, and his voice can be heard on over 50 audiobooks (and a few phone systems). He is also the co-host of the Michigan & Trumbull podcast, a weekly show about the Detroit Tigers. Learn more about him and his work at asfreeman.net.

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights bookwriting with a co-author. Chelsi Arnold and JD Boudreaux authored 2 books - When Time Stood Still and Endings and Beginnings for a charity, the Cajun Navy Relief. Chelsi was born and raised in Texas. She grew up in a single stoplight town where she spent most of her time playing sports and going to rodeos. She is the author of the three book Sisterhood Series (Brave, Courage, and Honor) Find her at www.facebook.com/ChelsiAnneleArnold JD Boudreaux was born and raised in Opelousas, Louisiana. He developed a love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast at a very young age. The Sand Dollar Series is set in both locales with a love and appreciation for both. He also appreciates a good story, good friends, and a good cup of coffee! Find JD at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJDB

This episode spotlights mental health in conversation with Raashi Thakran, a mental health advocate, social activist and an engineer from Bangalore. As a changemaker from Change.org’s flagship program – She Creates Change, in July last year, Raashi started a petition asking the government to launch a National Helpline Number for Suicide Prevention in India which has received more than 3.9 lakh signatures. This led to the creation of the KIRAN mental health rehabilitation helpline number which was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 7th September. She's a WICCI (Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) council member. Raashi currently works as a marketing executive at YourDost and a certified QPR Instructor. She's an alt-pop lover and a big time book hoarder.

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights bookwriting with Penny Hooper (AKA The Girl Who Whispered). Penny is a multi-award winning author, blogger and activist based in the United Kingdom. Having grown up with Selective Mutism she now uses her voice to write, talk about her childhood growing up with selective mutism and bring about awareness on other issues. Find her published works on her website www.thegirlwhowhispered.com

This episode spotlights mental health, psychological problems, bridging social distance and more in conversation with Dr. Jyoti Sharma, a psychologist and mindfulness coach and practitioner. Since her childhood, Jyoti explored her world through her imagination and was a big dreamer. She wished to pursue her career in anthropology then geography. As she grew older, Jyoti delved her interest and mastery in Mindfulness & Alternate Medicine and Healing therapies. She has set the stage as a healer mainly in crystal and chakra healing, Integral somatic psychology and a certified Reiki Grand master. Her sessions explore the complexities of human emotions, cognitive & emotional distress and mindfulness and well being .Tune in to instil hope and help fight the situation.

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights fantasy writing with Cady Hammer. From the time she was a child of eleven, writing her first novel between classes, Cady explored her world through her imagination. She was often teased for being in her own world, but never hesitated to invite others along on the adventure. As she grew older, Cady’s studies in history and anthropology set the stage for the detailed worldbuilding that lets readers step into the story. Her stories explore the complexities of relationships crafted around the idea that love, friendship, and grief are all interwoven. Cady runs a website, Fluff About Fantasy for young writers to learn the genre-specific craft of writing fantasy and be inspired by what they can accomplish. Check out https://fluffaboutfantasy.com

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights science fiction writing with Chris Ritchey. Chris has published works in sci-fi, paranormal, slice-of-life, and hist-fiction. He grew up reading Jack London, and strives to bring the adventure elements into his stories. His first major foray into writing was Domus Prime Saga, a multi-author project Star Wars/Sailor Moon fan-fic crossover on a Star Wars fan-site. Chris is currently working on a sci-fi novella & informally works with beta-readers and editors. His journey into the US Navy as a Nuclear Machinist Mate & traveling experience has given him an expanded worldview and understanding of different cultures. You can find his works on his website - https://jesterslibrary.wordpress.com

Talking Real, a live talk show where Megha Upadhyaya and her guests bring you weekly insights dedicated to writing. This episode spotlights songwriting ft. Joanne T. Zuo En and Pek Si Ming, Singaporean singer-songwriters. Both are a long time friends sharing a lot of common music interest like Cosmos People (宇宙人), DAY6, BTS and Epik High. JamiJam (醬一醬) is a Mando-pop project duo formed by Zuo En 張祚恩 (IG: @joannetzuoen) and Si Ming 白詩敏 (IG: @whitenoisemin). They both have been extensively performing onstage for 4 years now at venues such as Esplanade Waterfront Stage/ Concourse and The Arts House. Zuo En and Si Ming enjoy having a lot of quirky and deep discussions about life and putting these thoughts into songs by JamiJam. You can find their covers on YouTube: @jamijamproject

This episode spotlights the art and science of game designing featuring Shikhar Juyal, a professional game designer working with Ubisoft Da Nang. He's an engineer turned game designer who has a keen interest in AR/VR and other immersive media and speculative design. Juyal spends most of his time tinkering with obscure stuff to make a new playful interaction or experience. He has had his share of amazing opportunities to travel, learn, grow and work with some great and diverse set of people and companies. Tune in to pick some tips and tactics!