Half Indian, Half Normal

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

What happens when you say something as a joke…

and then realise it reveals something much deeper?

Writer and poet Ramanique Ahluwalia joins me for an honest, powerful conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet pressures that shape us.

From growing up between cultures to navigating sexuality without the words to describe it, this episode is full of moments that will stay with you.

What we cover:

🔥 Joking about being "half normal"

and why it was a painful moment.

🔥 Fitting in vs. being yourself

the messy reality of figuring it all out.

🔥 The pressure to conform

why we seek validation, even when it hurts us.

🔥 Taking back pride

the joy of a defaced Pride flag protest.

🔥 Owning her identity on her terms

why it took years to feel like her full self.

Real human stories have the power to change

How we see ourselves and each other.

This episode is for anyone

Who has ever felt ‘not enough’:

Not Indian enough,

Not straight enough,

Not anything enough.

And for those who want to understand the world through someone else’s eyes.

🎧 Listen now.

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:
https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com
Host: Mira Magecha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha
https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha
Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey
Episode bought to you by: Trust Lab formerly play for change
https://www.trustlabhq.com
https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

Ever feel like you're just making it up as you go?

You're not alone.

What happens when you stop chasing what you should do.

And start figuring out what actually makes you happy?

Dave Buonaguidi is back.

From career highs and failures to social media, money, and the strange stigma of just being happy, this conversation goes deep (with a few Pringles analogies thrown in).

It's as raw, funny and unexpectedly deep as the first.

We talk about midlife wake-up calls, creative risks, and why some people look like they want to punch you in the face when you say you’re happy.

From social media chaos to the 80 summers rule.

This one’s packed with the kind of insights that hit you days later.

We talk about:

🔹 Happiness guilt:Why people don’t trust it when you say you’re doing great

🔹 Purpose vs. ambition:

Using drive for something meaningful, not just more work.

🔹 Midlife wake-up calls:

When your priorities shift and everything looks different.

🔹 Creative satisfaction:

Why making things (even badly) matters more than success.

🔹 The 80 summers rule:

A perspective shift that might change everything.

It’s honest, funny, and packed with insights you’ll want to sit with.

No life hacks, no fluffy motivation, just a real conversation about what makes life feel good.

*** Contains swearing ***

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997

Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad

Social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast

Website:https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com

Host: Mira Magecha

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha

https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha

Creative Director: Alex Payne

https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne

Editor: Josh Partridge

https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker

Music: Jay Witsey

https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

Would you let Fear hold you back?

If it was the only thing standing between you and the life you want.

In part two, Nishma Patel Robb gets brutally honest about ambition, reinvention, and finally backing herself.

🔥 From blagging her way into a dream job to leading at Google.

- She shares the hustle, the fear, and the reality

💰 "Without money, you don’t have choice"

- The mindset that shaped everything

📖 Work bucket lists & big pivots

- Taking the risk from financial security at 50

💔 A breakup before the bitterness

- Ending her marriage the right way

👊 Fighting the gremlins

- Self-doubt, confidence, and getting out of her own way

No sugarcoating, no clichés, just the real, messy, and sometimes terrifying path to building a life on your terms.

Turning 50 the milestone for change.

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:
https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Host: Mira Magecha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha
https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha
Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

Nishma Patel Robb’s journey is a mix of rebellion, resilience, and redefining success on her terms.

From a salesgirl with “phenomenal blag” to a managing director, she shares her story of ambition, humour in the darkest times, and navigating life's non-linear path.

What we cover:

• Starting from the bottom: Saving £300 a month and chasing security for her family
• Finding love at work: Falling for the first man who wasn’t intimidated by her
• IVF and twins: The frustration, hope, and joy of her journey to motherhood
• Rebellious ambition: Turning mischief into motivation and taking risks in her career
• Running Women at Google: Using her platform to create change, even when stepping away felt scary

Nishma’s story reminds us that life doesn’t follow a straight line. The squiggle is often where the magic happens.

Listen now to hear her unfiltered take on career, family, and finding strength in humour.

Guest

Nishma Patel Robb

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishmapatelrobb
https://www.instagram.com/nishinosh
https://www.glittersphere.com
https://www.nishma.co.uk

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:
https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Host: Mira Magecha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha
https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha
Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

What happens when you spend your life pretending everything’s fine?

Matt Ebbage opens up about the pressure to suppress anything that wasn’t “positive” how that led to years of anger and self-doubt, and the slow, uncomfortable process of facing it all

What we discuss:

Toxic positivity: The hidden damage of suppressing emotions to keep up appearances. The overthinking spiral: Why Matt always second-guessed himself and how therapy shifted his mindset. Anger and shame: Unpacking the emotional baggage he didn’t realize he was carrying. The kindness gap: Why being nicer to yourself feels impossible at first—and how he’s learning to do it. Breaking the mould: How letting go of old friendships and identities helped him move forward.

This isn’t a conversation about easy solutions.

It’s about breaking free from toxic patterns, confronting the truth, and learning to live without the mask. For anyone who’s ever felt “not good enough,” this one’s for you.

Guest:
https://www.instagram.com/mebbstagram https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-ebbage-545a5657
https://www.mattebbage.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:
https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com

Host: Mira Magecha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha
https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha
Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

This week’s episode explores the complexities of identity, fairness, and growth in a way that feels deeply personal and universally relatable.

Highlights include:

Embracing life’s unfairness: Why accepting that “life isn’t always fair” can be liberating, and how shifting our mindset allows us to thrive

Mixed-race challenges: A candid discussion on raising mixed-race children, understanding the unique struggles they may face, and the lessons from navigating identity within family dynamics

Supportive partnerships: How the strength and encouragement of a partner can ignite confidence and fuel shared dreams

Building a black employee network: Growing a network overnight, discovering the diversity within Black experiences, and the importance of representation, “you can’t be what you can’t see”

Navigating vulnerability and change: Unpacking how conversations around race can feel polarising, and why creating space for dialogue and learning is crucial.

This episode is about finding confidence in who you are, supporting the people you care about, and leaning into the uncomfortable conversations that create meaningful change

Guest: Nyambe Sumbwanyambe

https://www.instagram.com/theblacksherpapodcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyambesumbwanyambe

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com

Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagechahttps://www.instagram.com/mira_magechaCreative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayneEditor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmakerMusic: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

A story about leadership. Not really.It’s about survival.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Sal Naseem peels back the layers of what it actually takes to drive change in a system built to resist it. A system that doesn’t just push back—it pulls you apart.

Sal doesn’t sugar-coat it: the racism, the denial, the people who tried to break him from the inside out.

But here’s the thing—Sal’s not here for pity. He’s here for truth. He lays bare the cost of being the first. The cost of speaking up. The cost of doing what’s right when everyone else is too afraid.

This episode cuts to the heart of what it means to fight for change when the odds—and the system—are stacked against you.

Why You Need to Listen:

"They Tried to Break Me": Sal’s searing account of fighting institutional racism while facing betrayal from his own organisation.

The Glass Cliff, Up Close: Sal reveals the impossible pressures placed on him as the first senior Muslim leader in his space - and what it taught him about leadership and survival.

Resilience Redefined: Forget the polished leadership buzzwords. This is raw. It’s messy. It’s real.

A Call to Action: Sal doesn’t just want you to listen - he wants you to choose. What kind of leader are you willing to be?

What cost are you willing to bear?

The Reality Check:Change isn’t a strategy. It’s a fight. Sal knows that better than anyone.

So if you’re comfortable where you are—this episode isn’t for you.

But if you’re ready to see it, hear it, and own it—you’re in the right place.🎧 Listen now. This is Part 2. And it’s not pulling any punches.

Guest: https://www.instagram.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-naseem

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997
Watch on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast
Website:https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com

Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagechahttps://www.instagram.com/mira_magechaCreative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayneEditor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmakerMusic: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

Forget the 'new year, new me' clichés.

This episode is about building momentum and making intentional decisions that last.

In just 19 minutes, hear powerful insights from our incredible guests Samantha, Santanna, Amardeep, Ravinol, Sara and Naroop.

They've overcome challenges, embraced change, and created habits that truly work. Ready to shape your 2025 on your terms?

Here's a snippet:

🎯 Deciding what truly deserves your energy

🤝 Building meaningful connections and boundaries

💪 Turning ideas like sobriety and fitness into non-negotiables

📝 How journaling and vision boards can actually work (no gimmicks)

📆 Why planning your next year sets you up for long-term success

If you're done with empty resolutions and want to kick off 2025 with clarity, purpose, and a plan, this one's for you.

It isn't about perfection; it's about direction.

Whether it's setting boundaries, letting go of negativity, or simply asking the right questions, our guests have shown that small shifts can lead to big impact.

So, what's your first step?

Thanks for tuning in, here's to your best year yet. 🌟

Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45adSocial media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcastWebsite:https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.com

Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagechahttps://www.instagram.com/mira_magechaCreative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayneEditor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmakerMusic: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustlabhq

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq

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