The WorkWise Pod

Epizodes

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  "Earlier they were beneficiaries. Now they are shareholders." 24.02.2026 1h 20min

  In this episode of Work Wise Pod, Sujatha Rao, Deepak Menon, and Mohit Dave speak with Rajendra Joshi (Founder, Saath), Chinmay Desai, and Pooja Singh about Saath’s shift from beneficiary-led development to member-owned economic democracy.Saath began 36 years ago in Ahmedabad’s informal settlements with a simple belief: “Ability is equal. Opportunity is not.” With donor support, Saath ran Urban Resource Centers — one-stop community spaces that mapped households, facilitated access to education, government schemes, and nurtured women’s and youth leadership.But the nagging question “What happens if the funding stops?” resulted in the creation of a Multipurpose Cooperative - Saath Jan Vikas Multipurpose Cooperative .Not only was this new model more resilient, but the power shift was palpable. As Pooja puts it, “Earlier they were beneficiaries. Now they are shareholders.” Members ask, “When will this happen?” They expect timelines. They hold the system accountable.Rajendra argues that NGOs must reinvent themselves — becoming “facilitators between markets and communities,” not just service providers. This episode explores Saath's reinvention.This conversation is in both English and Hindi.
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  Hidden in Plain Sight: The Global Cooperative Movement 16.01.2026 59min

  The cooperative movement is one of the largest economic and social movements in the world; yet it remains poorly understood and rarely spoken about. Globally, cooperatives involve over a billion members, millions of enterprises and provide livelihoods for around 10% of the world’s working population.In this episode, we speak with Rebecca Harvey, Executive Editor of Co-op News, about how cooperatives function across countries, sectors, and social contexts. And why such a vast movement continues to remain “hidden in plain sight”. Drawing on global examples, the conversation spans cooperatives in retail, agriculture, healthcare, housing, education, and technology, with particular attention to women’s work and leadership, youth participation, and platform cooperatives. We also speak about the role of cooperatives in reshaping the world of work marked by inequality, unpaid care, and exhausted workers.Rebecca is the 15th editor of Coop-News’ 151 year history, and only the second woman to hold the post.
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  The past, present and future of Cooperatives 18.12.2025 1h 3min

  This is the first episode of our new series' Social and Solidarity Economy'. The Social and Solidarity Economy explores the world of cooperatives, collectives, platform workers, unions, and other democratic enterprises that are rooted in collaboration, equity and shared prosperity. Cooperatives are often dismissed as small, old-fashioned, or inefficient, but what if some of the world’s biggest and most resilient businesses weren’t driven by shareholders—but by members? In our first episode, Balu Iyer, the Regional Director for Asia–Pacific at the International Cooperative Alliance breaks down the cooperative model: where it came from, how it works, and why over a billion people around the world are part of it. Drawing on Indian examples such as Amul, IFFCO, SEWA, and ULCCS, the conversation explores how cooperatives combine professionalism with participation, values with viability, and democracy with business—offering a powerful alternative to extractive economic models and unfair work places.
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  Meena's Story: Life behind & beyond bars 19.11.2025 39min

  Prisons@Work is a series of 6 episodes that step into Indian Society’s most hidden workplaces -the Indian Prison System. Through conversations with prison reformers and ex-convicts we explore life in prison, after prison, and unearth the complex web of justice, caste, gender, stigma and survival. We also look at possible reforms and restorative practices that could redefine the justice system.This is the last of the three episodes where we examine the lived realities of incarceration through first-person narratives from three formerly imprisoned individuals. Their stories offer a direct, unfiltered look at daily life in prison, how they navigated institutional life, power structures, and their long arc of rebuilding life afterward. In this episode, we meet Meena, whose sudden incarceration left her feeling invisible, distressed and voiceless. But with quiet encouragement from her family, jail staff and access to mentoring, Meena found the courage to step out of her shell and rebuild her life slowly. All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the speakers’ privacy.This episode is in Hindi.
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  Aman's Story: Life behind & beyond bars 19.11.2025 49min

  Prisons@Work is a series of 6 episodes that step into Indian Society’s most hidden workplaces -the Indian Prison System. Through conversations with prison reformers and ex-convicts we explore life in prison, after prison, and unearth the complex web of justice, caste, gender, stigma and survival. We also look at possible reforms and restorative practices that could redefine the justice system.This is the second of the three episodes where we examine the lived realities of incarceration through first-person narratives from three formerly imprisoned individuals. Their stories offer a direct, unfiltered look at daily life in prison, how they navigated institutional life, power structures, and their long arc of rebuilding life afterward. In this episode we meet Aman, a former inmate of Tihar Jail, whose years inside prison became an unexpected journey of survival, self-discovery and skill building. Through his candid account, we explore the informal networks of support and resilience within Tihar’s jails, and we reflect on the emotional labour of rebuilding identity in a system designed to erase it. All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the speakers’ privacy.This episode is in Hindi.
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  Rajiv's Story- Life Behind & Beyond Bars 19.11.2025 40min

  Prisons@Work is a series of 6 episodes that step into Indian Society’s most hidden workplaces -the Indian Prison System. Through conversations with prison reformers and ex-convicts we explore life in prison, after prison, and unearth the complex web of justice, caste, gender, stigma and survival. We also look at possible reforms and restorative practices that could redefine the justice system.This is the first of the three episodes where we examine the lived realities of incarceration through first-person narratives from three formerly imprisoned individuals. Their stories offer a direct, unfiltered look at daily life in prison, how they navigated institutional life, power structures, and their long arc of rebuilding life afterward.In today’s episode, we hear from Rajiv, a former inmate from Tihar Jail. Rajiv recounts the shock of his first night behind bars, the disorientation of losing freedom and the slow recalibration of reclaiming of his identity. All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the speakers’ privacy.This episode is in Hindi.
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  Prisons@Work: Incarceration and the Indian Prison System -Part 2 03.11.2025 1h

  Prisons@Work is a series of 6 episodes that step into Indian Society’s most hidden workplaces -the Indian Prison System. Through conversations with prison reformers and ex-convicts we explore life in prison, after prison, and unearth the complex web of justice, caste, gender, stigma and survival. We also look at possible reforms and restorative practices that could redefine the justice system.This episode is the 2nd part of our conversation with Mohit Raj. Mohit is an Obama scholar and Ashoka Fellow and the co founder of Project Second Chance, a first of its kind, prison reform and criminal justice intervention program in India. Project Second Chance works directly with incarcerated youth between the ages of 18 and 40, an guides them to be change agents in the prison ecosystem.
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  Prisons@Work: Incarceration and the Indian Prison System -Part 1 29.10.2025 50min

  Prisons@Work is a series of 6 episodes that step into Indian Society’s most hidden workplaces -the Indian Prison System. Through conversations with prison reformers and ex-convicts we explore life in prison, after prison, and unearth the complex web of justice, caste, gender, stigma and survival. We also look at possible reforms and restorative practices that could redefine the justice system.This episode is first of two parts of our conversation with Mohit Raj. Mohit is an Obama scholar and Ashoka Fellow and the co founder of Project Second Chance, a first of its kind, prison reform and criminal justice intervention program in India. Project Second Chance works directly with incarcerated youth between the ages of 18 and 40, and guides them to be change agents in the prison ecosystem.
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  Caste at Work 10.01.2025 1h 50min

  In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak are in conversation with Pratap Tambe and Christina Dhanuja about caste. Caste is a subject conspicuously absent from conversations concerning workplaces in India, although it is a historical reality and continues to pervade our social spaces - this must be acknowledged to make any meaningful change possible. Pratap and Christina shed light on their personal journeys, professional experiences and engage in a powerful discussion on discrimination, social justice, disruptive innovation, employment practices and much more.
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  Leadership Ascent and Biological Distress: Opening the Black Box of Menopause at Work 05.12.2024 1h

  In this episode, Sujatha, Deepak and Amoolya talk to Reena Dayal, about a topic that we tend to tiptoe around, menopause! Specifically, about what happens in the world of work when a woman, typically in her 40s and 50s, on her way to leadership positions, is beset by menopause. Is it a death knell to the ambitious aspirations of those women, or an inflection point, which can give rise to positive transformation and determine the next phase of her life? We discuss how menopause is defined, the diverse experiences of women going through it, and about what workplaces are doing and can do about this. Reena is a leadership development coach with more than 2 decades of experience in international corporate HR, who has been coaching mid-career women using insights from neuroscience.
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  Open Book: Talented's Employee First Culture 30.10.2024 55min

  In this episode, Sujatha, Deepak and Amoolya explore what it means to have an Open, Employee first work place. What approaches signal such a culture? What does it mean to walk the talk? And what challenges accompany such an approach. Talking to PG Aditiya and Goutam Reghunath about Talented, the ad agency they founded with a determination to be a markedly different advertising agency, they discuss Talented's open employee handbook, their lessons from this bold experiment and what lies in store in Talented's future.
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  Reframing our Work Reality through Appreciative Inquiry 24.09.2024 1h 4min

  Many times a problem-solving approach focuses only on what is wrong. Appreciative Inquiry instead takes a positive and enabling approach to individual and organisational growth, grounded in an abundance mindset. In this episode, Vish, Deepak and Sujatha share three stories about their experience with AI and explore the potential as well as challenges associated with an AI approach to human and organisational growth.
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  Mission Accomplished: How Non-Profits Can Design for Planned Closure 23.08.2024 58min

  In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Geoff Revell, who co-founded WaterSHED, a Cambodian non-profit organization working on water, sanitation and hygiene. WaterSHED was unique because it was designed to last only for 10 years. They speak on how WaterSHED’s planned exit influenced its goals, values, strategy, day-to-day operations. They also discuss the responses from the various stakeholders
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  Collaborating beyond Conflicts: Lessons from an Activist-Researcher 06.08.2024 49min

  In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak talk with K.J. Joy, an activist-researcher who has been working on people’s rights to natural resources at grassroots and policy levels for over four decades. Water is an essential resource with competing claims to its use. Conflicts while being inevitable can also lead to resolution of complex problems. Joy’s experiences as an activist, researcher, social scientist and social leader helps our understanding of conflict, its resolution, and management of multi-stakeholder interests.
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  12. Organisational Transformation of Gram Panchayats 30.07.2023 41min

  In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Sonali Srivastava, founder and CEO of ANODE Governance Lab to uncover the intricacies of Gram panchayats as organisations - their role in Indian society and governance; their transformative potential and changes in Gram Panchayats over the years. They also discuss the different Organisation Development processes, Change Management processes that Sonali has worked with a few Gram Panchayats; their impact on the Gram Panchayats as an organisation and societal institution. Finally, the conversation also touches upon the leadership qualities that cut across corporate, social and civic spaces.Resources Panchayat Raj, M.K. Gandhi  IDR Explains Local Democracy, IDR  Gram Panchayat Organisation Development (GPOD) Framework, Anode Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!
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  11. The Pointy End of Performance: Learning Agility from the Indian Army 15.06.2023 45min

  In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha speak to Lt. General A. Arun on what makes the Indian army autonomous, adaptable and agile on the ground, even though the army can be bureaucratic with very clear common and controls. We discover a systematic way of building camaraderie, bonding and team spirit amongst the soldiers, the efficacy of different leadership styles and the difference between leadership and management. Resources Book: Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World" by General Stanley McChrystal  Book: When Giants Learn to Dance, Rosabeth Moss Kanter  Book: Who says Elephants can’t dance, Louis Gerstner  Kellog Insight Article  What Does It Take to Foster a “Culture of Responsibility” like the U.S. Army’s?,  Forbes Article  How the Navy created a culture of innovation in Big Bureaucracy,  Book: Thinking Fast & Slow, Daniel Kahneman
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  10. What For-Profits can learn from Non-Profits 10.05.2023 49min

  The predominant narrative in the social sector ecosystem is what the Not-Profit Ecosystem can learn from the For-Profit Sector - in a sense about becoming more professional. Rarely if ever, the counter narrative is heard - of what the for-profit or the commercial sector can learn from non-profits, charities and social enterprises. In this open conversation, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and unpack lessons from the social world that the business world can learn from.Ravi Sreedharan is the Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM). He worked in the corporate world for 24 years, most of it with the MNC Bank – HSBC in Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Cairo. At HSBC, Ravi held numerous senior positions including CEO & President Director of Bank Ekonomi (member of HSBC Group), in Indonesia. He quit a successful corporate career in 2011, at the age of 49 to return to India and pursue a career in Social Work. Before founding ISDM, Ravi was part of the leadership team at Azim Premji Foundation 2011 to 2015. Ravi is an Engineer from IIT-BHU (1985) and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad (1988).  Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!
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  9. Democracy @ Work: The Case Study of Nilenso 27.03.2023 45min

  In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha speak to Steven Deobald and Deepa Venkatraman from Nilenso - a 100%, employee owned software cooperative based out of Bangalore. They discuss the practicalities, unique workplace practices and decision-making processes that enable Nilenso to practice democracy for over a decade. Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!
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  8: Beyond POSH: Gender Harassment in the Workplace 05.02.2023 43min

  Picture a Scientist, released in April 2020 on Netflix, is a movie that explores sexual harassment and gender bias in the scientific community through the narratives of three women scientists - biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring. In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Sharon Shattuck - one of the directors of the movie about the film, the making of the film and the explicit and subtle harassment faced by women at the workplace. Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!
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  7. Women on Top! How Women in Family-owned Businesses are Taking Control with Mala Paliwal 06.09.2021 29min

  More than ever today, women are making their presence felt in family owned businesses in India. In this episode, our guest Mala Paliwal, decodes why and what is happening with the second and third generations of women in family-owned businesses and how they are challenging patriarchy to establish themselves as leaders of their enterprises. About our guest: Mala is a negotiation coach, consultant, mediator and trainer who works with leaders in family-run businesses, higher education institutions and non profits. Mala has over 17 years of global work experience and also belongs to the 4th generation of a business family of pioneering glass manufacturers established in 1918.  Mala graduated from Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) with a Master’s in Public  Administration and a Certificate in Management, Leadership, and  Decision/Behavioral Sciences. At HKS, she was first a student and later a member of the teaching team for Negotiations  and Adaptive Leadership (two highly sought-after courses at Harvard Kennedy School) where she taught people and teams from all over the world  to lead and negotiate confidently with self and others. Resources (links): PwC India Family Business Survey 2019  Standalone Family Firms Lead on Gender Parity Redefining the Role of Women in Indian Family Businesses Business of Daughters: More Women Handling Reins of Family Businesses Now Increased Women Participation In Family Businesses In India: Research Start Preparing Daughters Now To Take Over The Family Business Murugappa group family feud: It's time for more women to join family businesses Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao  Produced, Mixed & Edited by Sowmya Karun  Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan  Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!