What if the best part of a festival isn’t the music but the people you meet?

This episode I chat with Bilal from Festival Sound to reveal the heart of festival culture: unexpected friendships, shared joy, and real conversations that happen far from the main stage.

Discover how festivals break down barriers, create space for everyone, regardless of background and a reminder that genuine connection is what really matters. Bilal shares personal stories about finding belonging at Glastonbury, sparking joy even in a crowd of thousands, and why the raw, unscripted moments are the ones that stay with us.

If you’re searching for a feel good episode that touches on human conversations such as meaning , or just need a reminder of the power of simple human connection, then ...

Tune in, drop your noise, and rediscover joy in togetherness.

Keywords: festival community, human connection, real stories, UK festivals, podcast, Glastonbury, Drop Your Noise, Festival Sound.

About Bilal

Creator of the music festival podcast, Festival Sounds, an independent podcast that reached number 1 int he UK music podcast charts within 12 months of launch.

www.festivalsounds.co.uk

What if happiness science isn’t just about positive thinking but about building a life you actually want to live.

This week I sat down with Dr. Louise Lambert to understand the real science behind happiness, why “feeling good” isn’t the full story, and more about quality of life.

Dr. Lambert shares actionable strategies for moving beyond “ill-being” and into a more intentional, joy-filled life (no fake positivity required).

Before we move on, if you enjoy our show, please give us a review. It helps us reach more listeners.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: “What does happiness really mean?”
03:13 – Happiness Science vs. Pop Culture Misconceptions
05:47 – The Spectrum: Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Happiness
12:01 – Timeless Habits for Fulfillment (At Any Age)
18:14 – Ill-Being & Over-Identification: Rethinking Mental Health
37:08 – How to Build Connection in a Distracted World
53:55 – Why Compelling Lives Matter
1:04:26 – Key Takeaways & Simple Next Steps

About

Dr. Louise Lambert is a consultant specializing in positive psychology and wellbeing in life, at work as well as in schools. Based in the United Arab Emirates since 2003, she is the Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology and a leading researcher in the field of regional positive psychology, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications, many stemming from her intervention work. A former professor and current workplace advisor, she designs programs to help organizations create high-quality connections and embed wellbeing into their culture. In addition to her organizational work, Dr. Lambert also offers a self-paced online course for individuals seeking to improve their happiness and life satisfaction in practical, science-based ways. Learn more at www.happinessmatters.org

https://www.instagram.com/dr_louise_lambert/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-louise-lambert-89434927/

How does life in a fast-moving city like Dubai change when AI steps into our conversations, our therapy sessions, and even our classrooms? This episode explores how AI can both help and hinder true emotional connection. We'll unpack what it means to be emotionally efficient vs. emotionally expressive, why context is king (even for chatbots), and how slowing down—just a little—can help us reconnect with ourselves and others. Plus, I share two powerful reminders from my books and some honest stories about facing speed, burnout, and the pressure to be 'productive.' Let’s get real about balancing comfort and connection in a world that’s always one step ahead

How do our layered heritages shape the stories we tell? In this deep and personal episode, Kirti sits down with Angela , author of the profound novel-memoir Meditations of a Former Statue, to talk about navigating identity, cultural legacy, trauma, and self-awakening.

Angela opens up about her fascinating life as a woman with Indian and Italian roots, growing up in the UK, and her transition from a banking career on the trading floor to finding her voice as a writer, and how heartbreak and self-reflection spurred her towards deeper healing and creative expression.

Get her book:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xlkq6

https://amzn.eu/d/359WIqm

Does our stories inspire you and want to step behind the scene: join our subtack newsletter: https://kirtana168.substack.com

Eden offers us a fresh perspective from intergenerational expectations, cultural shame, to the life-changing impact of sharing authentic stories. Their conversation shines a light on the importance of well-being support and culturally sensitive spaces in our AI-driven era.

Instagram

Name: Sesame Organisation

Website: sesameorganisation.com

Instagram: sesame_organisation

About Eden

Eden is a queer Chinese Malaysian woman, creative, and podcast host. Community-led changemaking and world building lies at the heart of her work. Her primary role is with End Violence and Racism (EVR), now Sesame Organisation, a grassroots community organisation and mental health service provider for East and South East Asians (ESEAs) in the UK. Eden also cohosts the podcast of global nonprofit Dear Asian Youth, called Dear Asian Generation, which uplifts and celebrates the stories of Asian girls, women, and gender diverse individuals all over the world.

Are we losing our wisdom to AI’s convenience? This episode dives deep into the power of human storytelling, urging us to protect our inner discernment and celebrate the real, messy stories that make us who we are. Tune in for an honest reflection on how sharing our voices shapes the next generation—and why now, more than ever, we need to connect on a truly human level.

00:00:02 – Welcome & Theme Kirti introduces herself and sets the stage for this month’s focus: the intersection of AI and storytelling. She highlights why understanding personal and cultural narratives is essential in the age of technology.

00:00:42 – Workshop Reflections Kirti shares insights from a recent workshop in Dubai, diving into questions around AI dependence, personal wisdom, and self-trust in modern times.

00:01:46 – AI & Its Evolving Role She discusses a Harvard Business Review article on how generative AI usage has shifted from idea generation to therapy and life organization—and what that might mean for our sense of self.

00:02:51 – A Story on AI & Childhood An impactful Instagram story: an eight-year-old turns to AI for advice, leading to unintended emotional consequences. Kirti questions AI’s place in education and caregiving.

00:05:03 – The Power of Storytelling Kirti reflects on the origins of the “Drop Your Noise” podcast and emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human storytelling—nuances, culture, and compassion AI can’t replicate.

00:06:58 – Legacy & Human Connection Through personal family stories, Kirti explores why sharing our lived experiences—across generations—shapes identity, resilience, and empathy.

00:09:14 – Navigating Vulnerability She candidly shares her own struggles with self-doubt, perfectionism, and social pressure, highlighting the importance of real conversations over automated answers.

00:10:12 – Compassionate Communication Kirti encourages mindful communication and storytelling, not just for advice but to foster support and a stronger sense of community.

00:11:41 – What’s Next Previewing upcoming guests, Kirti teases powerful episodes featuring well-being in the South Asian community and a fiction writer inspired by family legacy.

• This week, I share my personal experience on dealing with self-doubt in a new place, Dubai to sharing my "pitch" . My insights from fitting into a new culture, struggling with comparisons, and figuring out how to trust myself without needing others' approval or advice from AI.

  A great listen for anyone who's feeling that pesky imposter syndrome or unsure about their own voice. You'll leave with some really heartfelt insights, useful mindfulness tips, and a little push to look for answers inside yourself.

  
  

  • Kirti’s confession of self-doubt despite expertise ([00:00:45])

  • Breaking through comparison and simply being real ([00:02:09])

  • Linking transformative mind-training practices to everyday multicultural challenges ([00:03:30])

  • Her honest struggle to integrate AI authentically ([00:06:25])

  • Questioning the lure of external solutions and underlining the necessity of self-trust ([00:07:46])

  • Invitation to introspective growth and practical habits for self-kindness ([00:10:18])

    
    

Thaisa shares her inspiring journey from Brazil to the UK and how her multicultural background helped her move from a corporate career to a rewarding life in massage therapy. Discover the power of resilience, turning fear into excitement, and the beauty of connecting across cultures. Thaisa’s story reminds us of the strength in diversity , the courage to follow one’s heart and explore how embracing life's challenges can lead to personal growth and thriving.

Show Notes:

• [00:00:01] Introduction: Kirti's thoughts on cultural transitions and surviving vs. thriving.

• [00:01:20] Thaisa's Motivating North Star: How her parents' sacrifices fuel her drive.

• [00:02:11] Moving to the UK: Thaisa's childhood memories of immigrating from Brazil.

• [00:03:36] School Days: Thaisa's first experiences understanding a new culture and language.

• [00:06:03] Bridging Cultures: Navigating life between Brazil and the UK to stay connected with family.

• [00:08:30] Identity Exploration: Striking a balance between being Brazilian and Londoner.

• [00:13:12] Multilingual Mindset: The quirks of thinking in one language and counting in another.

• [00:14:22] Raising a Multicultural Child: Incorporating diverse heritages into parenting.

• [00:17:40] Value of Multiculturalism: How diverse backgrounds enhance understanding in a sensitive world.

• [00:21:19] Insights on Well-being: Balancing personal wellness with professional care for others.

• [00:34:07] Career Transition: Leaving corporate HR for entrepreneurship in the massage industry.

• [00:41:00] The Greatest Gift: Facing the challenges of a fertility journey.

• [00:50:34] Resilience Reflections: Thaisa's advice on embracing fear and uncertainty to thrive.

About Thaisa:

I’m Thaisa, originally from Brazil but raised in the UK since I was 8. After university in 2012, I worked in corporate for almost 10 years until I realized I wanted a different path. During my 2021 maternity leave, I retrained as a massage therapist and transitioned into a more fulfilling career.Since then, I’ve co-founded Her Sanctuary to support women and the CW Female Entrepreneurs network. My personal experiences, both as a child and as a mother, have driven me to support others, especially women. I’m passionate about holistic wellness, working closely with people to improve their physical and mental well-being.

https://www.instagram.com/themassagespaceuk/ https://www.instagram.com/her_sanctuary_uk/ https://www.instagram.com/thaisa.uchoas/