A Class of Their Own

Half Indian, Half NormalThe Stories We Tell OurselvesWhat 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 yourselfthe messy reality of figuring it all out.🔥 The pressure to conformwhy we seek validation, even when it hurts us.🔥 Taking back pridethe joy of a defaced Pride flag protest.🔥 Owning her identity on her termswhy 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/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.comHost: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagechahttps://www.instagram.com/mira_magechaCreative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayneEditor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witseyEpisode bought to you by: Trust Lab formerly play for changehttps://www.trustlabhq.comhttps://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/id1732288997Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45adSocial media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcastWebsite:https://www.aclassoftheirownpodcast.comHost: 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 Witseyhttps://www.instagram.com/jay.witseyEpisode bought to you by:Trust Lab formerly play for changehttps://www.trustlabhq.comhttps://www.instagram.com/trustlabhqhttps://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 wayNo 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/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.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcastHost: 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.witseyEpisode bought to you by:Trust Lab formerly play for changehttps://www.trustlabhq.comhttps://www.instagram.com/trustlabhqhttps://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 familyFinding love at work: Falling for the first man who wasn’t intimidated by herIVF and twins: The frustration, hope, and joy of her journey to motherhoodRebellious ambition: Turning mischief into motivation and taking risks in her careerRunning Women at Google: Using her platform to create change, even when stepping away felt scaryNishma’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.GuestNishma Patel Robbhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nishmapatelrobbhttps://www.instagram.com/nishinoshhttps://www.glittersphere.comhttps://www.nishma.co.ukListen 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.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcastHost: 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.witseyEpisode bought to you by:Trust Lab formerly play for changehttps://www.trustlabhq.comhttps://www.instagram.com/trustlabhqhttps://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 allWhat 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/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.comHost: 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.witseyEpisode bought to you by:Trust Lab formerly play for changehttps://www.trustlabhq.comhttps://www.instagram.com/trustlabhqhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/trustlabhq