The Journey Podcast

EP 17: What Does it Mean to Bring Your Whole Self to Work?

 
Today, we’re diving deep into what it truly means to “bring your whole self to work” and how you can feel comfortable being yourself in the workplace. 
This episode was inspired by a recent lived experience session I delivered for my team as part of our new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiative. 
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
My philosophy for embracing your authentic self and taking your whole authentic self to work 
My personal journey & reflections on bringing my whole authentic self to work 
Leading the change as a leader and aspiring leader
Practical steps to help you feel more comfortable and confident bringing your whole self to work
 
Reflective Question: 
“What is one action you can take today to be true to yourself and share your authentic self at the workplace?”
 
I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to DM me on Instagram or LinkedIn if today’s episode resonates with you or if you’d like to share your experiences of bringing your whole self to work.
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
 
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
 

EP 16: 10 Lessons from My Corporate Career - 40 Lessons from 40 Years of Life (Part 2)

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 lessons I’ve learned in my corporate career of 20 years. This is Part 2 of the 4-Part Series - 40 Lessons from 40 Years of Life. 
Part 1 was my 10 lessons from my personal life, and you can listen to this episode here.
The remaining two episodes will be the lessons I learned from my Yoga journey as a student and teacher, and starting and building my own business.  
 
Here are the 10 lessons from my corporate career. Tune into the episode to find out the journey I’ve gone through to learn these lessons!
 
Don’t be afraid to try different things! 
Your education, job title, grade and profession don’t determine your self worth
I’m not anti-social - I’m an introvert and that’s ok
I enjoy public speaking!
My health & wellbeing is my most important asset  
When we do things in a rush, we can exclude people 
Not having a formal education or degree should not hold you back (even if it can be challenging!)
Don’t be afraid to challenge the norm
I learn from my team members everyday 
Gratitude practice
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
 
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
Thank you for listening! 
 

EP 15: How Yoga's Ethical Principles Can Transform Your Leadership

In this episode, I explore the power of Yoga's ethical principles and how they can transform your leadership. 
I share my personal experience of leading a small team without prior experience, and how the 5 Yamas, the ethical principles from the 8-Fold Path of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga in Sanskrit) from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, guided me through challenges and helped me become a more embodied, authentic, and effective leader.
Whether you're an aspiring leader or someone seeking to embody authentic and effective leadership, this episode offers valuable insights and journaling prompts to help you apply these ancient principles in modern corporate settings.
Key Takeaways:
Ahimsa (Non-Violence / Non-Harming): Learn how practicing kindness and non-harming in thoughts, words, and actions can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Satya (Truthfulness): Discover the importance of authenticity in leadership and how speaking your truth can build trust and integrity within your team.
Asteya (Non-Stealing): Explore how avoiding stealing of time, attention, and credit can lead to a more collaborative and empowering workplace.
Brahmacharya (Non-Excess): Understand the value of energy management and how slowing down can enhance productivity and decision-making.
Aparigraha (Non-Greed & Non-Attachment): Reflect on the importance of letting go of unhealthy attachments and fostering a mindset of abundance and generosity in leadership.
 
For journaling prompts for each Yama, go to the full show notes: https://risakawamoto.com/how-yoga-ethical-principles-can-transform-your-leadership/
Reflections:
How can you integrate these Yogic principles into your daily leadership practices?
Which Yama resonates most with you, and how can it transform your leadership style?
Tune in to discover how embracing these ancient Yogic principles can help you become the leader you aspire to be!
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
 
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening! 

EP 14: Rawnak's Journey - Growing Up in a Religious Household, Being Intentional, a Passion for Yoga & Creating Inclusive Spaces for Women

Welcome to another episode of the Journey Podcast!
In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Rawnak Jassm. 
Rawnak has a background in community engagement & participation. She is also a yoga teacher with a passion for creating inclusive spaces for women and linking up her practice with other passions - spirituality, mysticism, justice and nature. 
In this episode, she shares how she grew up in a religious household, how she was very intentional with traveling, her yoga and spiritual journey, and her passion for teaching yoga and creating inclusive spaces for women.    
Her story is truly inspiring and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Highlights of the episode:
Growing up in a religious household
Her journey of spirituality & faith  
Relying on motivation vs. discipline
Passion for justice and equality 
Playing football growing up and being present 
Studying business management with marketing at university  
Her yoga journey  
Being intonational with her traveling
Yoga teacher training
Teaching inclusive yoga
Creating inclusive spaces for woman 
Prioritizing and listening to your body  
 
Connect with Rawnak on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_ruru/
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
 
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening! 

EP 13: 10 Lessons from My Personal Life - 40 Lessons from 40 Years of Life (Part 1)

Welcome to another episode of The Journey Podcast!
In this episode, I’m sharing the first 10 lessons I’ve learned in my 40 year journey, to celebrate turning 40 this year!  
I’m breaking down my lessons into a 4-part series and in this episode I will be covering the lessons I learned from my personal life. The next 3 episodes will cover lessons I learned from my corporate career, Yoga as a student and teacher, and starting and building my own business.  
Here are the 10 lessons from my personal life. Tune into the episode to find out the journey I’ve gone through to learn these lessons!
Freedom comes with responsibility
My stubbornness is a gift
Answers come from within  
Creating positive ripple effects in everything I do
Learning to be ok, just to be me 
Learning to accept my family 
Putting myself first 
Acknowledging my privileges 
Sharing my struggles 
My scoliosis is a blessing
 
For full show notes of today’s episode, head to: https://risakawamoto.com/10-lessons-from-personal-life
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening! 
 

EP 12: Reshma's Journey - Being a Rebel, a Love for Football Growing Up, Finding a Sense of Belonging & Her Passion for Working with Leaders

Welcome to another episode of the Journey Podcast!
In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Reshma Karia, a Leadership and Executive coach and mental health employment advisor. Reshma brings a background in mental health, mindfulness and therapeutic approaches to her coaching.
Reshma is actually my coach and she works with Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic colleagues in the organisation I work in, and I have been working with her for over 6 months now. So in this episode, the role has been reversed and I enjoyed asking her lots of questions! 
In this episode, she shares the story of being a rebel growing up, her love for football, trying to find a sense of belonging.   
Her story is truly inspiring and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Highlights of the episode:
Born to Indian parents and refugees from Uganda to UK 
Being a middle child  
Having a dual cultural identity and trying to find a place 
Being a rebel as a child
Fighting for opportunities to play football as a young girl 
Studying Banking at University
Passion for working with people  
Working as a mental health Employment Advisor 
Her ‘why’ behind her passion for coaching leaders and future leaders 
For full shownotes, visit: https://risakawamoto.com/reshma-journey
Connect with Reshma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-karia-973541111/
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
 
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening!
 

EP 11: Sayeeda's Journey - Struggle to Fit in as a Child, Love for Music, Traveling & Teaching Yoga with Chronic Illness

Welcome to another episode of the Journey Podcast!
In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Sayeeda Alam, a Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor. 
I met Sayeeda on an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor training course last year. We got chatting during lunch and I was really inspired by her journey. I knew straight away that she would be an amazing guest for my podcast so I am super excited to share this episode with you! 
Highlights of the episode:
Challenging childhood
Passion for music
Traveling the world after university
Feeling disconnected from her body
Her first yoga experience 
Becoming a Yoga teacher
Building Yoga business with chronic illness
Combining Ayurveda with Yoga offerings
Letting go & learning how to take risks 
Sayeeda’s bio:
Sayeeda embodies dedication as a yoga student, teacher, and Ayurvedic lifestyle advisor and her passion lies in fostering holistic well-being and spiritual balance. 
Having navigated cycles of addictive behaviour, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness for much of her life, discovering Yoga & Ayurveda became the foundation of her ability to find inner peace & physical healing. 
Motivated by her personal transformation journey, she embarked on the path of becoming a yoga teacher & Ayurvedic lifestyle advisor, driven by a deep desire to guide others on their unique paths toward personal and spiritual growth. 
Her teaching style seamlessly blends ancient yogic wisdom with contemporary insights, guiding students to explore their bodies and minds through posture, pranayama, philosophy, and meditation. Sayeeda embraces the dynamic nature of each student's journey and recognises that their needs evolve, so she offers a diverse range of yoga styles to cater to this fluidity. 
Understanding that each practitioner seeks something unique on the mat, she aims to create a space where individuals can explore and find resonance in various practices. As an Ayurvedic lifestyle advisor, Sayeeda uses the wisdom of this ancient healing system to offer individually tailored guidance to enhance well-being and foster vitality. 
She works closely with individuals to assess their unique constitution and imbalances and offers practical guidance on daily routines, nutrition, stress management, and how to use herbs & spices to help restore harmony and balance in both body and mind. She deeply believes in Yoga and Ayurveda's transformative potential to instill equilibrium and well-being across every facet of life.
Sayeeda’s website: www.sadayoga.co.uk
Follow Sayeeda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadayogauk/
Follow Sayeeda on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sada.yoga.uk/
Follow Sayeeda on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_q6uNpUOPEHhEGc-uBnZw
Practice with Sayeeda on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/sadayogauk
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 

EP 10: My Yoga Journey to Mark the 10 Year Anniversary of Being a Yoga Teacher

Welcome to another episode of the Journey Podcast!
In this episode, I’m sharing my own personal Yoga journey to mark the 10 year anniversary of being a Yoga teacher, including my experiences as a person of colour Yoga teacher and my thoughts on the current Yoga industry.
This is something I’ve been wanting to share since I launched my podcast back in 2022. 
Highlights of the episode:
What is Yoga?
My first Yoga class at the age of 21
Started practicing Yoga regularly at the age of 29
Discovering Ayurveda
First 200 hour Yoga teacher training in 2014
My experience and challenges during the training 
Positive things that came out of the training 
Teaching private group Yoga classes 
Venturing out to online marketing & business coaching/consulting and web design
Yoga as a physical practice and advanced Yoga poses 
Rediscovering Ayurveda and my second Yoga teacher training in India 
Yoga as a way of life 
Getting clear with my core values 
The state of current Yoga industry 
My mission to offer accessible and inclusive Yoga
What training I’ve been doing 
 
My Core Values: https://risakawamoto.com/values/
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
Thank you for listening! 
 

EP 9: Azzees’ Journey - Aspiring Actor as a Young Girl, Political Career, Building a Social Enterprise & Passion for Helping Young People

In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Azzees Minott, who is a Director, Facilitator and Chief Operating Officer at 2-3 Degrees, the award-winning social enterprise committed to inspiring and empowering young people to fulfill their potential through engaging in confidence building and skills enhancing workshops and programmes across the UK. 
Since March 2016, they have worked with over 9,000 young people across the country, including reaching over 500 young people online during Covid-19 restrictions.
In our conversation, you’ll hear what her childhood was like as a British born young black girl, how she developed her political career as a young woman, and building her social enterprise with her university friend whilst working full-time. 
She has a lot of wisdom to share and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from our conversations!
Check out 2-3 Degrees website: https://2-3degrees.com/
Follow 2-3 Degrees on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2-3degrees/
Follow Azzees on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azzees-minott-aab25861/
Contact Azzees:  azzees@2-3degrees.com
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening! 
 

EP 8: Vish’s Journey - Growing Up in Hong Kong, Career Transition from Engineering and Executive to Spirituality & Coaching

In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Vish Chatterji, an accomplished executive-turned-coach with a spiritual twist, and author of The Business Casual Yogi: Take Charge of Your Body, Mind & Career.
In our conversation, you’ll hear what his childhood was like living in Hong Kong and moving to  America where he studied and developed his career, and built his unique business where he coaches and advises business leaders, through a unique blend of Western management thinking and Eastern wisdom traditions.
He has a lot of wisdom to share and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from our conversations!
Check out Vish’s website: headandheartinsights.com
Purchase Vish's book: The Business Casual Yogi: Take Charge of Your Body, Mind, and Career 
Follow Vish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vish-chatterji-b3b2681/
Follow Vish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinesscasualyogi/
 
If you enjoyed this episode or inspired you in some way, please rate and leave a review so we can reach as many people as possible, and take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @risa_kawamoto or share on your LinkedIn and tag me there!
Book a Discovery Call with me to discuss how I can support you to create a career & life you love: https://risakawamoto.com/somatic-coaching/
Visit Risa’s website: https://risakawamoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risa_kawamoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-kawamoto/
 
Thank you for listening!