The Wise Why

Hello and welcome to the Wise Wire. This morning I am joined by Taruna Ramani. Taruna and I have an awful lot in common. But as usual, I’m not going to take up the airspace because that is not what the Wise Wire is about. The Wise Wire is all about my guest because that’s what I set it up for.

So, Taruna, please introduce yourself and explain why we have so much in common.

Hi, Kirsty. It is great to be here. Yes, we have so much in common because we are two women empowering people to find their voice, go up there and share their stories, their highs, their lows, their successes in the most impactful way that they can. That’s what you and I have in common, and it’s incredible.

People often think they can’t public speak or address a room or tell a story. Yet stories are the foundation of our entire life. I wondered if you could expand a bit more on that.

I completely agree. There’s this huge smile on your face and my face because literally, before we went live, we were sharing our stories. Isn’t it? They bring everything to life. Christy, you and I are so far from each other, right? I haven’t seen you in person; you haven’t seen me in person. But what connects people with each other? It’s always stories, right? They invoke emotions—hope, faith, pure happiness—it all comes through stories. It’s nothing else but stories, right?

Absolutely! If you think about it—and this is where I love it—we start with our children; we start telling stories to them. Stories have been passed down through generations. I know one of my techniques as your dog… oops! Sorry about that.

Please don’t apologize! That’s the thing with stories; it’s like I use a lot of Shakespeare in my coaching. Both he and Stanislavski were great storytellers. But how did you get here? You didn’t just pop up and launch a business; you came from somewhere and have a whole backstory that I’d love you to share with the audience—where you’ve come from and what inspired you to launch the business that empowers others.

I love that you empower children too! So again, it’s about memories now—let me put it that way.

I come from India, Christy. My dad was very ambitious for us—my siblings and me; there are three of us. He wanted us to be articulate. I come from a very small town in India, so the kind of exposure kids in bigger towns get—we could not get that exposure. English is not our first language either. My dad was ambitious for us; he would make us read books in front of him and audio record ourselves speaking while he listened and gave suggestions on how we could improve.

It all came from home for me; it was just one of those many things we did as kids—not like my entire childhood was focused on this—but this was one thing that stuck with me. I grew as a speaker; I enjoyed getting on stage doing debates at school, hosting events at our local social club—all encouraged by my dad.

Again, this is not the only thing I did growing up; it was just one of those things that stuck with me. My family consists of doctors; I was the only one who was clear—I didn’t want to be a doctor! So I kept sorting through professions until finally realizing no one thought of public speaking as a profession back then.

The two things that came together were my interest in public speaking and my love for children—that’s where I started working with children! When coaching them, I wanted them to free flow without being contained in a box regarding how they should present themselves.

Honestly, that became the basis of everything that I do now, Christy—I do not want to make more clones of Taruna Ramani out there! You resonate with me on this because when we were talking earlier, you mentioned something along those lines: this is not what you like to do with the people you coach.

In that instant, it resonated with me because I don’t like putting people in boxes either—saying there’s a tight structure to follow and you’ll become a great public speaker if you do so.

Your personality is yours; mine is mine—and that’s what should shine out! As teachers, we should smoothen the edges and fix things while letting each unique personality shine through.

Absolutely! One of the biggest things we have here in the UK is different regional dialects. I’ve had experiences where accents or dialects become foundational to how we talk or connect. The minute we stop trying to be ourselves—particularly on camera—the camera sees fakeness; it sees tension; it sees someone trying to be what they’re not.

The reason I said absolutely to having this conversation about public speaking and our journeys was because I also started with children—I directed and taught drama to them before moving into teaching self-taping during auditions since nobody was teaching how to self-tape at that time!

Of course, when the pandemic hit everyone had to go online—and for me it was a natural progression into public speaking coaching later on since initially I’d tried to shy away from it thinking there were already so many coaches out there until uncovering people like yourself!

Now let’s talk about your journey: you’ve come all the way from India—how did you end up in the United States?

It’s interesting how life unfolds sometimes! While in India getting a preschool constructed—I followed my husband when he got an opportunity here thinking I’d complete my master’s then return home using all I’ve learned back there.

But things changed; my kids loved it here—they enjoyed their newfound freedom compared to Delhi—so we decided we’d stay back instead! At that point though—I had to reset myself professionally.

God has his plans—they’re beautiful too!

Can we talk about how many women experience similar situations—including myself? Many find themselves running businesses after their husbands move for jobs or due to unexpected circumstances like losing jobs during pandemics—which leads them into switching careers completely!

Could you expand on your mindset switch during such times?

Absolutely! It really comes down to mindset—you know? Just yesterday while coaching someone who felt nervous about sharing her story at an event—I reminded her of Henry Ford’s quote: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t—you’re absolutely right.”

If your mind tells you “I can’t,” then guess what? You’re right! Conversely if your mind believes “I can,” then that’s also right!

We must find our truth regardless of circumstances—deciding how best we’re going feed our minds towards success rather than limitations!

We’ve all faced roadblocks—you know? When starting my career late—I remember my parents questioning what direction my life was taking since they were both doctors!

But seeing their determination shaped who I’ve become today! They made choices without compromising who they were as individuals while still being good parents!

So ultimately—it’s crucial finding ways around obstacles instead focusing solely on negativity surrounding those challenges!

You talked about mindset—it’s fundamental indeed! Yesterday at an event where given choice between sharing something personal versus pitching for business—I chose vulnerability over perfectionism by sharing something deeply personal instead!

That required emotional control but set mindset beforehand allowed authenticity through vulnerability—showing others realness behind success stories!

Speaking of running marathons—you’ve completed several half-marathons right?

Yes! Though anyone who knew me previously would never believe I’d ever run anything beyond couch potato status!

My close friend pulled me into running marathons later during adulthood—all motivated by spending time together rather than competing against others!

The thrill comes from achieving personal goals within those 13 miles—not comparing myself against anyone else but rather celebrating each mile crossed along journey towards finish line!

Every step taken becomes reminder overcoming limitations while pushing past comfort zones leads growth opportunities worth celebrating afterwards too!

And isn’t celebrating achievements important? Recognizing progress made along journey helps fuel motivation further down road ahead!

Now let’s pivot slightly—let’s say someone watching feels paralyzed by fear when considering public speaking opportunities—what advice would give them?

You know what I’d suggest first? Quick exercise focused around self-reflection: let’s redefine who YOU really are before stepping into any networking event or presentation opportunity available out there today!

Everyone attending these events possess unique backgrounds filled successes worth acknowledging—even if they don’t realize it yet themselves initially upon entering space filled uncertainty ahead…

Encourage individuals reflect upon achievements thus far leading up moment arriving here today rather than dwelling solely upon fears inhibiting growth potential waiting just outside comfort zone boundaries established earlier life experiences faced previously encountered along way forward ahead…

Because ultimately—it’s YOUR story deserving recognition too!

Thank you so much for sharing your insights today—it’s been enlightening chatting together over past twenty-five minutes plus—we’ve covered vast array topics diving deep into narratives shaping lives experienced throughout journeys traveled thus far reaching present day moments cultivated together today onward towards brighter futures awaiting discovery ahead both personally professionally alike moving forward together onward side-by-side united purposefully toward inspiring change lives everywhere around world collectively striving uplift one another continuously throughout every step taken next steps unfolding future holds awaiting embrace welcoming wholeheartedly unconditionally forevermore always remember embrace uniqueness within yourselves above anything else okay?!

Before closing out episode today—how can listeners reach out connect directly with YOU personally learn more services offered by YOU specifically targeting audiences interested exploring pathways toward empowerment growth development personally professionally moving forward together onward side-by-side united purposefully toward inspiring change lives everywhere around world collectively striving uplift one another continuously?!

For anyone wanting reach out—you can find me via LinkedIn under name displayed below screen currently shown here today alongside description detailing types individuals serve specifically focused helping those lacking self-belief discover inner strengths within themselves enabling unlocking potential hidden away deep inside waiting patiently awaiting discovery finally unleashed power unleashed voices heard loud clear across platforms wherever needed most urgently next steps taken forward together onward united purposefully inspiring change lives everywhere around world collectively striving uplift one another continuously forevermore always remember embrace uniqueness within yourselves above anything else okay?!

Thank YOU once again joining conversation today Kirsty—it truly has been pleasure connecting over shared passions interests alike encouraging upliftment empowerment across board whether regions separated distance physicality barriers overcome entirely bridging gaps fostering connections meaningful impactful ways possible through storytelling shared experiences encountered throughout journeys traveled thus far reaching present day moments cultivated together today onward toward brighter futures awaiting discovery ahead both personally professionally alike moving forward together onward side-by-side united purposefully toward inspiring change lives everywhere around world collectively striving uplift one another continuously forevermore always remember embrace uniqueness within yourselves above anything else okay?!