In this engaging conversation, Rituparna Ghosh and Roma Balwani explore the evolution of communication over the past 40 years, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in corporate settings. Roma shares her journey from a marketing executive to a leader in corporate communications, highlighting the role of mentorship and the challenges faced in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the significance of personal branding, especially for women in leadership, and the need for organizations to foster a supportive culture. The conversation concludes with insights on navigating the digital age and the importance of human connection in communication.

Takeaways

• Storytelling has been a powerful tool in communication for decades.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping careers and guiding young professionals.
• The VUCA world presents unique challenges that require resilience and adaptability.
• Women must take charge of their stories and careers to overcome barriers.
• Organizations need to invest in their people to foster growth and development.
• Personal branding is essential for career advancement and leadership roles.
• Humanizing communication is vital in today's digital landscape.
• Curiosity about others' stories enriches personal and professional growth.
• Leaders must empower their teams to foster a positive organizational culture.
• Patience and self-reflection are key to navigating career challenges.

About Roma Balwani

Roma Balwani is a veteran communications leader, ESG advisor, and passionate mentor with over 40 years of experience across Mahindra, Vedanta, L&T, and Aptech. She currently serves as CEO & Brand Custodian of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association, and Co-founder of the RB Foundation.

Roma has been recognized globally for her leadership in brand strategy, sustainability, and purpose-led storytelling — including a spot on the Holmes/Provoke Influence 100 and multiple lifetime achievement awards. Her story is featured in Sheroes Amongst Us – Real Women, Real Stories.

Connect with Roma Balwani | Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen to ⁠Golpo: Stories from Around the World⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

What does it mean to be a childist? How can stories be a way of being rather than just a performance? In this soulful, stirring conversation, Rituparna Ghosh sits down with the multi-faceted Valentina Trivedi – writer, educator, performer, TEDx speaker, and one-half of the storytelling duo behind Aao Suno Kahani.

From telling stories to a single child under a tent to adapting Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne as a Dastangoi performance, Valentina’s storytelling journey is filled with wonder, deep insight, and fierce joy. Like Rituparna, she feels compelled to share stories with her audience. Valentina unpacks her philosophy of storytelling as presence, vulnerability, and listening—and her belief in leading with the child.

This is a conversation not just for storytellers and educators, but for anyone seeking to slow down, listen deeply, and let stories fall on them like rain.

Takeaways

Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with children.A child's attention is a sacred privilege for storytellers.Vulnerability enhances the storytelling experience.Adults often fear looking foolish when telling stories to children.Storytelling should be a natural and spontaneous act.The joy of storytelling comes from sharing and giving.Translation of stories can be a meditative and enriching experience.Listening is as important as telling in storytelling.Podcasts are a vital medium for sharing stories today.Stories help individuals understand themselves better.

About Valentina Trivedi

Valentina Trivedi is a writer, educator, performative storyteller, and TEDx speaker whose life is steeped in stories. Her work spans scripting and directing films, editing, translating, adapting classics, and performing across stages and screens. She is the creative force behind Aao Suno Kahani—a beloved storytelling podcast and YouTube channel that brings timeless tales to life in Hindi.

Valentina scripted and directed a biopic on the legendary yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar and has reimagined iconic narratives such as Satyajit Ray’s Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne into Urdu-Hindustani Dastangoi performances for children—complete with translated songs and rich theatricality.

As an education consultant, she is a passionate advocate for the child’s point of view, conducting workshops for parents and teachers, and speaking at international forums on learning and storytelling. She is also a trailblazer in education governance, serving as the first alumna on the Board of Governors of The Doon School.

Listen to Valentina’s Podcasts | Treasures from the Puranas | Prabha Prasad ki Kahaniya

Connect with Valentina | Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen to Golpo: Stories from Around the World

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective

In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh sits down with Dr. Swati Popat Vats, globally awarded early childhood education expert and President of the Early Childhood Association India and the Podar Education Network. Together, they dive into the transformative role of storytelling in early childhood education, parenting, and teacher training.

Dr. Vats shares powerful insights on how oral storytelling traditions, when used intentionally, can foster emotional growth, cognitive development, and parent-child bonding. Drawing from pioneers like Gijubhai and educational models like the Panchakosh, this episode is a rich resource for educators, parents, and curriculum designers alike.

The conversation touches on:

• Why storytelling is not just for fun, but a scientific and emotional tool in pedagogy
• How stories help children make sense of values, conflict, emotions, and the world around them
• The need to revive India’s oral storytelling traditions in a fast-paced, digital world
• How educators can become co-storytellers with parents to shape more resilient, empathetic learners

Whether you're an early years educator, a parent navigating bedtime stories, or someone passionate about child development and education, this episode is a must-listen.

Takeaways

• Storytelling enhances emotional intelligence and cognitive growth in young children
• Oral storytelling builds connection, trust, and reflection—skills children need for life
• Teachers and parents must become story partners, not just content deliverers
• Stories allow children to explore tough topics in safe, age-appropriate ways
• Gijubhai’s storytelling legacy offers a timeless, scientifically grounded pedagogy
• The Panchakosh model complements storytelling in understanding holistic development

About Dr Swati Popat Vats

Dr. Swati Popat Vats is the founder and president of the Early Childhood Association India and the Association for Preparatory Education and Research. As President of Podar Education Network she leads over 490 preschools and Daycares in India, Nepal, UAE, and Qatar. Dr. Vats has coined the term ‘Kiducation’ for early childhood teachers and parents to help them understand that young children need education from the point of view of their development. She is also an expert on the global think tank of Kidzania.

In her career spanning over 34 years, Swati has authored many books for parents, teachers, and children, her most recent works are two books on Coding for Children and books on educators like Gijubhai, Froebel, and Vygotsky. She has also helped train more than 3,00,000 children on Good Touch Bad Touch and over 60,000 teachers on POCSO awareness. She is a globally awarded early years leader.

Connect with Dr Swati Popat Vats | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective