Unlearning Silence: Reclaiming Empathy as a Leadership Strength

What does it mean to lead with empathy in a world that seems increasingly polarized and divided?

In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Gayathri Shukla sits down with Dr. Vidya Chamundeswari - senior scientist at Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals and Chair of the Board at Lotus STEMM (2021-2025) - for a heartfelt conversation on unlearning silence, navigating identity in the workplace, and leading with courage and care.

Together, they explore:
Why empathy is a strategic strength, not the so-called soft-skill or weakness
The tension of holding power and vulnerability - building on insights from the Breaking Barriers project at Lotus STEM
Why “you shouldn’t have to be brave to belong”
Tune in for this rich and reflective conversation on people-first leadership.

Resources mentioned in episode:
Lotus STEMM Breaking Barriers
https://campfirekinship.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-chamundeswari-n/