Chavadi: The Meeting Place
Chavadi: The Meeting Place is a podcast that creates a communal space for storytelling, where guests share humorous, poignant, and reflective experiences. Hosted by Siddhant Shetty, a Gen Z professional, and Lalitha Shetty, a retired Baby Boomer, the show facilitates cross-generational conversations. Each episode explores how personal influences and viewpoints shape the lives of the guests. It aims to highlight the connections that build and strengthen communities.
Episodes
#29 - Puja Shetty
Puja Shetty, recognized by the Bunts Association of North America for her excellence as the 2026 BANA Regional Leader, gives Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, glimpses into the source of her strength and closeness to community in this narrative of her experiences with natural and man-made events and her determined yet quiet responses to them. * BANA Excellence Award Write-up
Episode #28 - Gita Shetty
A Chavadi one year anniversary special!Gita Shetty, whose birthday marked the launch of Chavadi: The Meeting Place, reluctantly agreed to talk to co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha. Not fond of talking about herself or her impact on people, this special guest who has lived through diverse decades since the 1940s, provides insight into her life as one of the younger of 10 siblings, gives a humorous, to
Episode #27 - Ashima Shetty Dcosta
Ashima Shetty Dcosta shares her personal journey with Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, with a directness, candor, and ‘very chill’ (as she describes her nature) manner that belies the practicality, resilience, and courage with which she faces the highs and lows that life puts before her.
Episode #26 - Arjun Adyanthaya
Arjun Adyanthaya brings honesty, youthful charm and humor to this Chavadi Chat, entertaining co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha with stories of childhood and collegiate antics, his brief interlude with the underworld, his views on romance and spirituality, and his philosophy that a leopard does not change his spots, but life marches on.
Episode #25 - Pallavi Narvekar
Pallavi (Shetty) Narvekar joins Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, speaking with sincerity about her love for family and her belief in the importance of education, her sense of independence, and a strong, supportive community that helped build a beautiful life in a new country across an ocean, while still following familiar, special traditions from her childhood.
Episode #24 - Kamala Raghunath
Kamala Raghunath (originally Hegde), livens this Chavadi chat with co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha with a ‘never give up’ perspective of her journey as tennis star, entrepreneur, and proponent of women and child empowerment, while also facing the unexpected life challenges of having a premie baby in adulthood and deteriorating eyesight as an older adult.
Episode #23 - Laxmi Sheehan
Laxmi Sheehan brings honesty and candor to her chat with Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, opening up about the many changes in her life, from moving schools in her adolescence to new jobs, marriage, and motherhood as a young adult; all with a vulnerable yet a fierce confidence and sense of pride.
Episode #22 - Usha Banerji
Usha Hegde, now Banerji, talks with Chavadi co-hosts, Siddhant and Lalitha, providing insight into life back in the day, connections to and experiences in cosmopolitan Bombay (now Mumbai), building family relationships and bonds, accepting life’s lessons matter-of-factly, and creating and embracing passion projects along the way.Check out one that is close to her heart...St. Jude's India Chil
Episode #21 - Shrima Shetty Makhija
Shrima, a natural story-teller, shares her love for family, community, and life, with Chavadi co-hosts, Siddhant and Lalitha, and with honesty, humor, and pride, talks about multiple identities, romance with her Prince, her move to the United States, and a lot more!
Episode #20 - Gayathri Shetty
Gayathri, co-owner of Gayathri and Namith Architects, exudes passion and vision on this slightly longer but down-to-earth Chavadi chat with hosts S & L, on topics ranging from early loss, arranged marriage, and career, to her love of hockey, preserving heritage, and doting grandma.
Episode #19 - Shashank Shetty
Shashank, attributing some of his introvertedness to early childhood travels, sits down with hosts, Siddhant & Lalitha, with the disclaimer that he is no expert…and these are just his life’s recollections and sundry musings.
Episode #18 - Mithali Shetty
Mithali brings authenticity to the forefront in this Chavadi chat with Siddhant & Lalitha, invoking nostalgic childhood memories and the intentional choices that have helped her emulate the strong, independent women with quiet authority, who have been a part of her life.
Episode #17 - Manish Shetty
Manish takes time away from his dad duties to chat with Siddhant & Lalitha, reliving stories of childhood travel, reflecting on parenthood, and reiterating the need for a wealth that is community.
Episode #16 - Karthik Shetty
Karthik joins co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha for a candid conversation on family bonds, romance, navigating the balance between his Indian and American identities, and the many leaps he’s taken through life’s adventures - sharing thoughtful reflections and a few pearls of wisdom as Chavadi’s youngest guest.
Episode #15 - Shalini Shetty
Shalini opens up to cohosts Siddhant & Lalitha, bringing to life her experiences as a child, a young adult, an immigrant, a mom, and a grand-mom, adjusting to changing times while staying true to the line of strong women that she is a part of.
Episode #14 - Siddharth Shetty
Siddharth shares some of his ideals with co-hosts Lalitha and Siddhant in this condensed narrative from childhood to new dad, of a life built on discipline, respect, and honesty.
Episode #13 - Lakshmi Shetty
Lakshmi Shetty’s warm, creative, story-telling style makes for a longer than usual episode with co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, but we’re sure you too will enjoy delving into her journey from Bengaluru Babe to Michigan Mom, sharing in tales of her childhood, her romance, and her parenting of twins!
Episode #12 - 2025 Wrap-Up
At the end of their first season, Siddhant & Lalitha talk about their experiences as first time podcasters - how the podcast came to be, takeaways big and small, and their appreciation of Chavadi guests and listeners! 11 episodes and 1250+ downloads y’all!
Episode #11 - Dr. Ashwin Shetty
Ashwin Shetty exudes kindness and the wisdom of a life filled with experiences, in his chat with cohosts Siddhant & Lalitha, painting a picture of love and respect for family, community, and academia.
Episode #10 - Ashok Shetty
Ashok Shetty shares life experiences with cohosts Siddhant and Lalitha (his wife), with a little bit of nostalgia, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of reminiscing and lessons learned.
Episode #9 - Paul Niezgoda
Paul Niezgoda, Chavadi’s first SOB, steps out of his introverted self to share some life moments with hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, opening about his career path, his inter-racial relationship, and the enjoyment of his retirement era.
Episode #8 - Swathi Shetty
Swathi Shetty and cohosts Siddhant and Lalitha audit her evolving millennial life with honesty, reflection, and a joie de vivre on her part, touching on the impact of village life, parental beliefs, career choices, and much more.
Episode #7 - Shreenath Shetty
Shreenath Shetty brings his warm personality to Chavadi, talking to cohosts Siddhant and Lalitha about highs and lows, the love of his life, and the importance of community and communication.
Episode #6 - Dr. Asha Hegde-Niezgoda
Dr. Asha Hegde-Niezgoda sits down with co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, reliving inspirational experiences from her life, academia, and her continuing journey of self-realization.
Episode #5 - Pooja Harris
Pooja Harris joins Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, bringing nuggets of millennial wisdom and personal observations with vivid directness, honesty, and humor.
Episode #4 - Sunia Shetty
Sunia Shetty goes down memory lane with cohosts Siddhant and Lalitha, recollecting her time in India and the United States, musing on what peer pressure, woman power, and family bonds mean to her.
Episode #3 - Paresh Shetty
Paresh Shetty, a millennial from Dubai, talks candidly to Chavadi co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha about his move to Canada and the United States and reflects on the advantages of stepping out of his comfort zone at different phases of his life.
Episode #2 - Dr. Divya Shetty
Divya relaxes on Chavadi with co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha, taking us along on her journey from Arsikere to Austin, sharing her go with the flow outlook and highlighting the trials and triumphs of small town life and big city experiences.If you would like to meet Divya in her happy place: https://mydentalsmiles.com/
Episode #1 - Nanditha Jagannath
Nanditha Jagannath, Chavadi’s first guest, talks to co-hosts Siddhant and Lalitha about life back in the day, adjusting to life in the US, and creating a life of fulfillment with her own special brand of charm and humor. Link to Nanditha's Fundraising Page: https://secure.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/MoreThanPinkWalk?px=5581332&pg=personal&fr_id=10961
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