In this inspiring episode of Moments with Mamta, Rajeev Rajpal joins Mamta for an honest and uplifting conversation about dreams, resilience, reinvention, and the power of designing life with intention. A warm, charismatic personality and a lifelong dreamer, Raj’s story reflects decades of hard work, adaptability, and self-belief.

Growing up in a modest family in India, Raj was surrounded by ambition and driven by a desire to do better each day. While still in college, he unexpectedly entered the world of modeling and advertising, building a full-fledged agency that worked with some of India’s largest exporters. Balancing studies, family expectations, and entrepreneurship, his early years laid the foundation for a career defined by courage and calculated risk-taking.

After moving to the United States, Raj reinvented himself once again this time in the mortgage and finance industry. Entering a highly competitive and unfamiliar market, he relied on trust, integrity, and a simple philosophy: under-promise and over-deliver. Over a 35-year career, this mindset helped him rise to the top, earning national recognition and placing him among the top performers in the industry across the United States.

Raj also reflects on the life changes brought on by COVID, which prompted him to step back from full-time work and shift his focus toward music, teaching, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership. From using music as a source of healing and stress relief to supporting large-scale humanitarian initiatives in India and beyond, his journey today is guided by service, balance, and gratitude.

A thoughtful and motivating conversation about success, failure, friendships, time management, and what it truly means to live a fulfilled life.

Connect with Mamta Narula:
http://voiceofmamta.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula
https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/
https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

Connect with Rajeev Rajpal:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajrajpal/

Enjoyed the Episode?
✔ Subscribe to the podcast
✔ Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration
✔ Follow for more meaningful conversations each week

In this special episode of Moments with Mamta, Mamta welcomes not one, but two extraordinary guests, Chef Roshni Gurnani and Chef Hemant Mathur, whose lives and careers are a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of food as cultural storytelling. Together, they represent generations of dedication to Indian cuisine while redefining its place on the global stage.

Chef Roshni Gurnani shares her journey as a classically trained chef who chose to step away from cooking for others to focus on her own culinary voice. Rooted in Sindhi heritage, her work is deeply personal, driven by a desire to preserve a culture and cuisine that is slowly disappearing. Through thoughtful ingredients, traditional techniques, and bold authenticity, she brings lesser-known Sindhi flavors to life, introducing diners to a side of Indian food many have never experienced.

Chef Hemant Mathur adds his own powerful perspective, shaped by decades of experience, discipline, and mastery in the kitchen. Together, they reflect on the challenges of working in a demanding, male-dominated industry, the sacrifices required to pursue culinary excellence, and the courage it takes to follow passion over convention.

The conversation explores identity, cultural preservation, creativity, and what it truly means to honor one’s roots while evolving with the times. From childhood influences and family expectations to international recognition and leadership, this episode celebrates food not just as nourishment, but also as a memory, a heritage, and a legacy.

A rich and inspiring conversation for anyone who believes food has the power to tell stories, connect generations, and keep cultures alive.

Connect with Mamta Narula:
http://voiceofmamta.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula
https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/
https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

Connect with Chef Roshni Gurnani:
https://www.instagram.com/chef_rosh/?hl=en

Connect with Chef Hemant Mathur :
https://www.Hemant Mathur mathurcatering.com/hmc

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of Moments with Mamta, Menka Soni joins Mamta for a heartfelt conversation about purpose, resilience, spirituality, and service. A corporate leader, community builder, nonprofit founder, healer, and newly elected Redmond City Council member, Menka’s life is a reflection of impact-driven leadership.

Born and raised in Lucknow, India, Menka shares her journey of growing up in a conservative household, moving to the United States, and building a multifaceted life rooted in compassion and action. From a 30-year corporate career with organizations like Microsoft, Starbucks, and T-Mobile to founding a nonprofit that feeds thousands of homeless individuals weekly, her story is one of dedication and selfless service.

Menka opens up about navigating multiple roles through what she beautifully describes as a “piano analogy,” balancing life’s highs and lows with intention and grace. She speaks candidly about her spiritual practices, her path as a trained magnified healer, and a life-altering heart attack in 2019 that reshaped her outlook and deepened her commitment to healing herself and others.

The conversation also explores leadership, handling criticism, women empowerment, and the transformative work she has led through community initiatives, youth mentorship, pageants focused on inner strength, and civic engagement. Throughout the episode, Menka’s message remains clear: life is a gift, and true fulfillment comes from touching lives, serving with empathy, and living without regret.

A moving and enlightening conversation that encourages listeners to live with gratitude, purpose, and courage.

Connect with Mamta Narula:
http://voiceofmamta.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula
https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/
https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

Connect with Menka Soni:
https://www.instagram.com/menka_soni_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/menka-soni-pmp-12598b4/

Enjoyed the Episode?
✔ Subscribe to the podcast
✔ Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration
✔ Follow for more meaningful conversations each week

In this inspiring episode of Moments with Mamta, Chef Prasad Chirnomula joins Mamta to share the remarkable journey that led him to become one of Connecticut’s most celebrated culinary figures and a pioneer of elevated Indian cuisine in the United States.

Born into a family of doctors in Hyderabad, Chef Prasad chose a completely different path one driven by passion, curiosity, and an unwavering love for food. From his early training in India to arriving in America with almost nothing, working as a busboy, and slowly rising through every position in the kitchen, his story is filled with resilience, humility, and grit.

He reflects on the challenges of introducing Indian flavors to American diners in the 1980s and 90s, the craft of building successful restaurants, the recognition he earned from The New York Times and the James Beard House, and the deep pride he carries in representing Indian cuisine on a global stage.

Chef Prasad also talks about his acclaimed monthly “Chef Collaborations,” where he brings renowned chefs together to create unforgettable culinary experiences celebrating community, creativity, and shared passion.

A motivating and heartwarming conversation for anyone who loves food, culture, and stories of hard-earned success.

Connect with Mamta Narula:
http://voiceofmamta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula

https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/

https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

Connect with Chef Prasad Chirnomula
https://www.chefprasad.com/

https://www.facebook.com/prasad.chirnomula/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasad-chirnomula-a51b73a7/

Enjoyed the Episode?
✔ Subscribe to the podcast
✔ Share this episode with someone who loves culinary stories
✔ Follow for more inspiring conversations each week

In this uplifting episode of Moments with Mamta, host Mamta Narula sits down with Dr. Kavita Gupta, a pain-management physician, wellness coach, mother, and lifelong learner who believes inspiration should be part of everyday life.

Dr. Kavita opens up about balancing a demanding medical career with emotional wellness, creativity, friendships, and family. She reflects on her early years as one of the few Indian-American children growing up in the U.S., her journey from engineering to medicine, and the rising challenges physicians face today, including burnout and stress.

With warmth and honesty, she shares powerful insights on mental health, resilience, handling failure, rediscovering childhood passions, and why “me time” is not a luxury but a necessity. From wellness to music to the fun confession of wanting to be a DJ. this episode celebrates the many layers of a modern woman who lives with purpose, curiosity, and joy.

🔗 Connect with Mamta Narula:

http://voiceofmamta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula

https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/

https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

🔗 Connect with Dr. Kavita Gupta
https://www.instagram.com/dockavitagupta/

⭐ Enjoyed the Episode?
✔ Subscribe to the podcast
✔ Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration
✔ Follow for weekly conversations on life, growth, and meaningful moments

In this flavorful episode of Moments with Mamta, host Mamta Narula sits down with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Chef Regi Mathew, the visionary behind Kappa Chakka Kandhari and the man responsible for bringing the true spirit of Kerala’s cuisine to New York City. The name Chatti refers to the traditional clay pot central to Kerala’s toddy shops and homes. This emblem of Kerala’s culinary heritage sets the stage for a dining experience that brings the bold flavors and rustic charm of toddy shop food – a micro-cuisine with a cult following- to the heart of New York City.

Chef Regi shares how childhood memories, village life, and his mother’s cooking shaped his culinary identity. He opens up about the three-year journey of researching Kerala’s traditional recipes, visiting 300 homes, learning from mothers and grandmothers, and discovering the cultural soul behind every dish. He also discusses the challenges of entering the New York food scene, the philosophy behind “touchings,” and why regional Indian food is becoming the next global movement.

This episode is packed with culture, nostalgia, authenticity, and beautiful insights into food, community, and staying true to your roots.

🔗 Connect with Mamta Narula:

http://voiceofmamta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula

https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/

https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

🔗 Connect with Chef Regi Mathew:

https://www.chattinewyork.com/

https://www.instagram.com/chatti.newyork/

⭐ Enjoyed the Episode?

✔ Subscribe to the podcast for weekly inspiring conversations
✔ Share this episode with a food lover or friend
✔ Follow us for more stories that celebrate culture, passion, and purpose

Description

In this inspiring opening episode of Moments with Mamta, host Mamta Narula sits down with Tariq Khan, a marketing leader, professor, author, and global traveler, to explore the meaningful moments that shaped his journey from corporate success to a life driven by purpose and fulfillment. Khan is a Clinical Associate Professor of Integrated Marketing and Communications at NYU, holding a BBA from Baruch College and an MBA from the University of St. John's, and is a recognized business leader, published author, and keynote speaker.

His expertise spans thought leadership, innovative marketing strategy, and cultural transformation, built upon a distinguished twenty-year corporate career in senior leadership roles at global Fortune companies like MetLife and ING, where he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Development; in 2010, he founded Global Diversity Marketing (GDM), a leading management consulting firm in New York.

Tariq opens up about choosing happiness over external validation, the powerful influence of the women in his life, and how travel, teaching, and leadership shaped his worldview. He also shares emotional reflections on loss, growth, and the values he wants the younger generation to carry forward, especially in a world led by AI and constant change.

Packed with wisdom, humor, and heartfelt insights, this episode encourages listeners to redefine success and embrace what truly matters.

🔗 Connect with Mamta

http://voiceofmamta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mamta.narula

https://www.instagram.com/voice_of_mamta/

https://www.instagram.com/mamta1g/

🔗 Connect with Tariq

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

https://shorturl.at/eJTMM

Enjoyed the Episode?
✔ Subscribe to the podcast
✔ Follow for weekly inspiring conversations
✔ Share this episode with someone who needs a dose of motivation

Your support helps the show grow and reach more listeners!