In this episode of the Meraklis Beings podcast, host Shwetha Sivaraman is joined by Aruna Gopakumar, founder of the School of You, psychotherapist, and co-author of And How Do You Feel About That?. They explore the powerful concept of life scripts—unconscious childhood narratives that shape adult behavior—and how understanding them can transform our relationships, leadership, and inner lives. Aruna shares deep insights into psychotherapeutic practices, reparenting, and emotional wellbeing in a heartfelt, enlightening conversation.

Timestamps:

01:00 – Introduction to Aruna and her work

02:24 – What shaped Aruna’s transformation journey?

05:21 – What are life scripts?

08:50 – Why they matter for leaders and professionals

12:55 – Can life scripts be positive too?

14:24 – How childhood shapes adult trust and emotion

15:29 – What are injunctions and how do they affect us?

17:25 – Is it possible to change our scripts?

21:25 – How early roles affect closeness and independence

24:18 – Reparenting: Reconnecting with the inner child

28:07 – Why unconscious dynamics impact success

33:08 – Getting stuck in our script loops

36:06 – Rapid fire: Books, shows, and inspiration

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In this episode of the Meraklis Beings podcast, host Shwetha Sivaraman is joined by Nidhi Mariam Jacob (NMJ), an independent artist whose works are deeply inspired by nature and spirituality. Together, they explore Nidhi’s transformative journey through personal challenges, rediscovering purpose, and building a meaningful career in the arts. This heartfelt conversation touches on financial independence, artistic perseverance, mental wellness, and staying true to your creative voice.

00:01 - Teaser

01:07 - Introduction to Nidhi and her work

02:15 - Childhood and early inspiration

05:26 - Key life turning points

07:15 - Coping with separation

10:26 - Starting from scratch

13:00 - Staying true to her dream

16:19 - Early artistic hurdles

20:08 - Motivation during tough times

23:03 - The "Breathing Canvas" project

28:51 - Financial advice for women

31:34 - Avoiding burnout

34:31 - Advice for beginners

36:37 - Importance of consistency

40:02 - Influential books & podcasts

42:13 - Her non-negotiable value

44:18 - Mental wellness practices

47:06 - Message to her younger self

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March 2025 marks 6 years of a rollercoaster ride being an entrepreneur for me and I wanted to record an episode where I share my journey and lessons so far. That’s what this episode is, but with a little twist. Instead of me sharing my reflections, we asked you listeners to poll in your questions and in this episode I answer the top questions I’ve received on this topic.

Do you like the Q&A format? Let us know on IG/Whatsapp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.