In one of the most vulnerable conversations on Unlayered yet, Pan sits down with writer and podcaster Vishva to explore the invisible walls of a childhood built from trauma, fear, and the weight of unspoken truths.
Vishva shares his raw, unflinching story of navigating deep depression and the lasting impact of a physically abusive environment, all while wearing a smile for the outside world.
This is a deep dive into the process of escaping the past, not by running from it, but by turning inward to face, understand, and finally heal the child left behind.
𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱:
- The "life of the party" mask and the hidden reality of smiling depression.
- How a single dropped cup could trigger a deep, conditioned fear of being hit.
- The tools that helped: Using writing as a form of "prison escape" and a lifelong healing practice.
- Building a support system: The journey of finding people who truly understand.
- The critical distinction between psychological fear (thought) and physical fear (instinct).
- Navigating the stigma of mental health within a traditional culture.
- A powerful, heartfelt letter to his younger self on finding peace.
If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear they are not alone.
---------------------------------------------------------
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
00:00 - Intro: A Story That Needs to Be Heard
01:22 - Beyond Labels: Who is Vishva?
03:18 - Writing as a "Prison Escape"
06:47 - Unmasking "The Life of the Party": The Hidden Battle with Depression
09:42 - How Migration Shapes the Healing Journey
15:11 - The Roots of Fear: "Dropping a Cup Meant Getting Hit"
20:42 - The Support Systems That Helped and The Ones That Didn't
26:39 - What is True Awareness?
30:04 - The Inner Child: Building Space Around a Wounded Past
38:06 - Dissecting Fear: Psychological vs. Physical
49:53 - The Power of Surrender (and Why It's Not Giving Up)
57:41 - On Shame and Sharing Your Art with the World
59:56 - A Message to Parents: Nurturing a Child's True Nature
01:06:19 - The Role of Self-Compassion in Healing
01:11:42 - A Letter to My Younger Self
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pan.perera
𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁
Vishva Prasad
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/wroteabookonce
Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@wroteabookonce
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishvapl?
Vishva’s Book: Undercurrents | https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1791789005?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/panperera/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pan.perera/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@pan.perera
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/panpereraofficial
In this third episode of Unlayered, Pan sits down with Jen, an English language teacher from the UK who is navigating life and work in Australia.
This is a refreshingly honest and practical chat about the often-overlooked challenges of moving to a new country, even when you speak the language. Jen shares hilarious and insightful stories about decoding Aussie culture, from workplace communication to the baffling world of slang.
They explore how vulnerability, humour, and understanding the subtle rules of conversation are essential tools for not just finding a job, but finding your sense of belonging.
𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• The surprising communication differences between British and Australian workplaces. • How to use small talk to calm your nerves (especially on unexpected calls with recruiters).
• 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴: From 'doonas' and 'hospo' to being "flat out like a lizard drinking."
• Power dynamics in conversation and the art of "saving face" when you don't know the answer. • Why being your authentic self (and even mentioning you bake cake) is a superpower in interviews.
• Turning the feeling of being "in-between cultures" into your greatest strength.
If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone navigating their own unlayering.
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pan.perera
𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 Jen Entwistle | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-entwistle-297335116/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/learn_english_with_jen/
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/panperera/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pan.perera/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@pan.perera
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/panpereraofficial
In this second episode of Unlayered, Pan sits down with Rahul Bharadwaj, a business analyst, sports coach, and founder of Soulful Learning.
They reflect on the emotional undercurrents many of us carry into adulthood:
From growing up in a traditional household in India to questioning the education system, Rahul shares how he’s been slowly unlearning who he was told to be and instead building something meaningful for the next generation.
Topics explored:
Rahul’s difficult childhood shaped many of his reactions, beliefs, and decisions as an adult.
The deep craving for parental validation.
Why traditional education system may be broken.
The invisible skills children learn through sport.
Why “having a job” is no longer a safety net.
Personal growth through healing and reflection.
If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone navigating their own unlayering.
Episode Resources
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pan.perera
Guest
Rahul Bharadwaj | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-bharadwaj-20/
Free Workshop: Modern Parenting Series - 12 Soulful Conversations (August 2025 to July 2026)
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-modern-parenting-series-12-soulful-conversations-tickets-1491786717229
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/soulful_learning.au
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/soulful.learning.au
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@soulful.learning
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/soulful-learning/
Connect with Pan Perera
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/panperera/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pan.perera/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@pan.perera
What if the very things you hide are what holds the key to your healing?
In the first episode of Unlayered, Pan sits down with Sharan Bhinder, a senior leader at LinkedIn and someone who has had a profound influence on his own growth.
They discuss the hidden layers we carry: childhood stories, unspoken expectations, and the thoughts we accept without question.
Topics explored:
- What it means to embrace your shadows
- The lasting impact of being bullied or labelled in childhood
- Migrant identity and the search for belonging
- Mindfulness practices that actually work
- Self-awareness as the foundation of leadership
- How gratitude changes your inner world
- The quiet power of noticing your thoughts
It’s not a conversation about fixing. It’s about noticing.
Noticing who you are beneath the noise.
If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, or share with someone silently going through it.
Episode Resources
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pan.perera
Guest
Sharan Bhinder | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharan-bhinder/
Connect with Pan Perera
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/panperera/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pan.perera/
