Melting Pot

After 52 years of marriage, Jane Jones lost her husband, Roy, following a long illness. In this raw and honest conversation, Jane opens up about grief, not the sanitized version we're taught to expect, but the real, messy, ongoing work of it. She talks candidly about what it actually feels like to lose the person you built your life with, the moments no one prepares you for, and how she found her way through. Jane is the author of Be Prepared, We Are All Going to Die, and in this episode she shares the wisdom, humor, and hard-won honesty that shaped her book. If you've ever wondered how people deal with grief, this conversation is for you.[Grief Journey, Losing A Loved One, Grief Support, Healing From Loss, Awareness, Author, Debut Book Podcast Episode, Real Conversations, Talk About Death, Family, Melting Pot Podcast, Payal Nayar] #DebutBook #Author #DealingWithGrief #Podcast

Why does the mind work so hard to protect us from the truth and what does it take to look anyway? In this episode, we sit down with two very different minds asking the same question. Carrie Tan, former Member of Parliament turned transformation coach, unpacks the micro-moments that quietly sabotage our decisions, relationships, and leadership. Jared Poon, philosopher and author of City of Others, explores how fiction and storytelling reveal the blind spots reality tends to hide. One rooted in real-world leadership, the other in myth and imagination, together, they trace how self-awareness, however we arrive at it, might be the real work.[Self-awareness, Mindset, Subconscious Mind, Mental Blind Spots, Personal Transformation, #Singapore Leadership Coaching, Member of Parliament, Singapore Public Service, Philosophy, Storytelling, Speculative Fiction, Psychology, Philosophy of Mind, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]#Fictionbooks #Psycology #Storytelling #Author #Podcast

Amy Meislin Pollack has been telling stories about a fourth-grader named Jelly Bean since 1960, first as a nine-year-old herself, then across 40 years in the classroom, and later with her own children and grandchildren. In this episode, Amy talks about turning six decades of storytelling into her three-book middle-grade series, The Adventures of Jelly Bean, and why she chose to write honestly about the things kids actually deal with, friendship, death, race, addiction and feeling unseen at home. We get into what four decades of teaching taught her about kids navigating change, and why she believes middle-graders are ready for harder conversations than adults often give them credit for.[Jelly Bean Books, Teenage Books, Children's Author, Tween Reads, Parenting Books, Teacher, Parenting Teens, Childhood Grief, Real Talk For Kids, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]#TeenParenting #ChildrenBehaviour #BooksForTeenagers #AdventuresOfJellyBean #Podcast

In conversation with psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt, this episode of The Melting Pot explores how childhood trauma quietly shapes who we become as adults. Drawing on over three decades of clinical work with individuals, couples, and families, Phyllis unpacks how early wounds show up in our adult behavior, from the patterns we repeat to the walls we build in relationships. She shares what healing actually looks like, and why understanding our past is often the first step toward reconnecting with the people we love. A grounded, deeply human conversation about trauma, growth, and the ongoing work of becoming whole.[Childhood Trauma, Trauma Healing, Emotional Healing, Generational Trauma, Psychotherapy, Mental Health Awareness, Healthy Relationships,Podcast, Mental Health Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodTrauma #Psychotherapist #Podcast

What does it take to build a restaurant that stands out in one of Europe's biggest food cities? In this episode, we sit down with Anoushka Dasgupta of Little Andaman, a coastal Indian restaurant in the heart of Barcelona. Anoushka shares how her family opened the restaurant during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of building recognition in a highly competitive dining scene. She also talks about what makes Little Andaman unique, from its fresh coastal Indian cuisine to its creative cocktails, and how winning Joc de Cartes' Best Asian Restaurant award became a defining moment in their journey.https://littleandaman.es/home/[Little Andaman Barcelona, Ankita Dasgupta, Barcelona Restaurants, Coastal Indian Cuisine, Award-Winning Restaurant, Joc de Cartes Winner, Creative Cocktails, Restaurant Business, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar Podcast]#LittleAndaman #BarcelonaRestaurants #IndianRestaurant #Barcelona #PodcastEpisode streaming on your preferred streaming platforms and on YouTube. 

For over four decades, Galería Cortina has been a part of Barcelona's vibrant art scene, bringing Modern, Contemporary, and art to collectors and visitors from around the world. In this episode, Roque shares what it takes to run a gallery beyond the exhibitions we see. From curating collections and working with artists and collectors to managing the logistics behind every show, he offers an honest look at the dedication involved. We also explore what makes Galería Cortina unique, how it has built its niche over the years, and why creating a meaningful gallery experience is about much more than simply displaying great art.https://www.galeriacortina.com/[Barcelona Art Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery, Modern Art, Fine Art,  Art Collection, Gallery Management, Art Exhibitions, Curation, Barcelona Art Scene, Melting Pot Podcast, Galeria Cortina, Art World Insights, Payal Nayar]#Galeriacortinabarcelona #Barcelonaart #Artgallery #PodcastEpisode available on all podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube

Ceramic artist and founder of Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori shares her journey into the world of porcelain and how a workshop years ago changed the direction of her creative life.She talks about discovering a material she instantly connected with, the inspiration behind her handcrafted pieces, and how experimentation plays an important role in her process. Marta also reflects on how her thoughts, emotions, and everyday observations influence what she creates, allowing each collection to evolve naturally over time.This conversation offers a thoughtful look into craftsmanship, creativity, and the patience behind making objects that are designed to be both beautiful and meaningful companions in everyday life.[Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori, Porcelain Ceramics, Ceramic Artist, Handmade Ceramics, Barcelona Ceramic Artist, Porcelain Workshop, Ceramic Workshop, Creative Career, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar, Podcast]#LaboriCeramics #Ceramics #Artist #CeramicStudio #Barcelona #PodcastEpisode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platform and on YouTube

Esther Maré's creative journey is a story of embracing change and trusting the creative process.After beginning her career as an economist and later working in graphic design, she followed her passion to create Ate bonita, a handcrafted accessories brand rooted in originality and craftsmanship. She shares how discovering polymer clay opened up new creative possibilities, the importance of experimenting with materials. From changing careers to building a brand by hand, this conversation offers an honest look at creativity, craftsmanship, and the value of making something meaningful at your own pace.https://www.atebonita.com/[Esther Mare, ate bonita, Handmade Jewellery, Polymer Clay Jewellery, Polymer Clay Artist, Jewellery designer, Creative Journey, Career Change, Graphic Designer, Independent Designer, Craftsmanship, Barcelona, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot]#atebonitha #handmadejewellery #clayjewellery #PodcastEpisode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube.