Episode Summary:

Cheers to the New Year 2025! 🥂 In this refreshing New Year Special episode Nikita and Pooja discuss fresh starts, goals, and the pressure of New Year’s resolutions. They reflect on how 2024 flew by (to some!), share their thoughts on setting achievable goals versus lofty resolutions, and explore the idea of new beginnings anytime — not just at the start of the year.

From discussing personal anecdotes of career changes and fitness goals to funny takes on the “New Year, New Me” mindset, this episode has just the right dose of inspiration as well as a reality check for those looking to embrace change at their own pace and be realistic about it.

Key points:

The Importance of Fresh Starts: The hosts discuss why every day, week, or month can be a new beginning.

Realistic Goals vs. Resolutions: They talk about breaking the cycle of overly ambitious resolutions and focusing on tangible, measurable goals - something that you can put on a checklist and that gives you the satisfaction of ticking it off when done!

Real Transformations: They ponder over how external events often lead to lasting transformations rather than making resolutions.

Hosts’ Goals: The duo talks about working out more this year with Nikita sharing that “just cardio without weight training makes it easier to gain all the weight back quickly”. Get more info about this on this video shared by Elina from Diet Funda - https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BAWL4yinO3

Personal Stories:

Pooja talks about her journey of changing careers and setting clear intentions.

Nikita talks about her accidental discovery of easing into routines for sustainable change, like skincare habits.

Additional Links and Resources:

DietFunda’s reel explaining sustainable weight loss

https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BAWL4yinO3

Watch the video version of the podcast by switching to video on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letspourandponder

Follow on socials for fun & behind-the-scenes content:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/letspourandponder

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@letspourandponder

For partnerships: letspourandponder@gmail.com

Website: www.letspourandponder.com

Episode Summary

In this cosy and festive episode of Let's Pour and Ponder, your favourite duo, Pooja and Nikita, bring you their usual gleeful chat session that’s sure to brighten your holiday spirit! From unwrapping thoughtful gifts to engaging in hilarious games, they take you a lighthearted journey through the joys of the holiday season. With mulled wine and mugs of hot chocolate in hand, they think about 2024 in reflection and also express gratitude for all the things that did go right! Finally, Pooja and Nikita even put their wits to the test in a few rounds of playful games and challenges.

Key points

1. Reflections

Pooja and Nikita reflect on their experiences in 2024 so far. Pooja describes the year as busy and feels she has been crankier as a result. Nikita discusses her personal experiences, describing how she began the year at a low point due to experiencing a low mood episode during the winter months.

2. Gratitude

The hosts express gratitude for various things in their lives. While Nikita is thankful for her child's nursery and the teachers there, Pooja is thankful for the idea that led to the creation of the podcast. Pooja also acknowledges the viewers who watch the podcast without commenting ;) and appreciates the friends who provide feedback and support, particularly those who share the podcast with others. Both agree that they are grateful for the positive reception the podcast has received so far, and they look forward to taking more creative risks in the future.

3. Games

Now what’s a Christmas episode without a bit of fun and games?

a) A-Z game: The first game involved naming gifts - one for each letter of the alphabet, with each person getting a point for each valid gift they could name. Round two was similar, but they had to name festive items, not limited to Christmas.

b) What would you do?: Next up the duo played a game called "What Would You Do," where they drew cards with hypothetical situations and described what they would do in the situation, while wearing funny Christmas glasses.

Additional Links and Resources:

Mulled wine recipe - https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/mulled-wine-recipe/

Watch the video version of the podcast by switching to video on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letspourandponder

Follow on socials for fun & behind-the-scenes content:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/letspourandponder

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@letspourandponder

For partnerships: letspourandponder@gmail.com

Website: www.letspourandponder.com

Episode Summary

In this episode of Let’s Pour & Ponder, Pooja and Nikita dive into the world of social media influencers, gurus, and online coaching trends. They explore how the internet has made “everyone an expert” and question what qualifies someone to guide others, while unpacking how marketing has become the ultimate superpower—enabling people to sell anything, even chapati-making courses!

The duo reflects on the rise of niche courses, from parenting to crafting, and share frustrations with repetitive trends like makeup transition reels. With a touch of 2000s Bollywood nostalgia (cue Asoka), they discuss how creativity in content has evolved and even brainstorm their own “how to podcast” course, laughing at the absurdity of selling expertise while still learning the ropes themselves. This episode is a candid, funny, and insightful look at guru culture on Instagram and beyond.

Key Points:

1. Defining Influencers and Content Creators and Influenzas

Here Pooja and Nikita discuss the distinction between an influencer and a content creator. An influencer intentionally promotes products, services, or ideas to sway opinions or decisions, often for compensation. In contrast, content creators focus on producing engaging or entertaining content without necessarily aiming to influence behaviour. While influencers are also content creators, not all content creators are influencers. The terms are closely linked, but the negative connotation surrounding “influencer” leads some people to prefer labels like “content creator” or “digital creator.”

2. Personal Perspective

Pooja also shares her preference for the term “blogger,” emphasising that her journey began with a focus on blogging. But also admits that regardless of labels, influencing even one person makes someone an influencer. The conversation also reflects on intentions, ethical practices in collaborations, and the broader implications of being part of this digital space.

3. Parenting Experts and the Gentle Parenting Movement

Nikita and Pooja then discuss how parenting content has exploded on social media, with numerous accounts promoting the idea of gentle parenting. While this movement offers valuable insights for modern parents, there’s an inherent challenge in gauging the authenticity of these experts. The conversation highlights how parenting in our generation often stems from mimicking our own upbringing and how the shift to more mindful parenting is necessary yet sometimes commercialised.

4. Life Coaches and Credibility Concerns

Life coaching has become a buzzword on Instagram, with many claiming to guide people toward personal and professional success. But what qualifies someone to be a life coach? The duo discuss the blurred lines between genuinely helpful mentors and those who capitalise on trends without significant expertise. From certifications to selling expensive courses, they explore how trust and transparency are often lacking in this space.

5. The Market for Everything

Lastly Pooja and Nikita reflect on the versatility of social media, and acknowledge that there truly is a market for everything—be it parenting courses, quilling workshops, or podcast guides. With the right marketing strategy, anyone can turn their passion into a business. This realisation sparked a fun brainstorming session about launching their own podcast course someday!

Join us for this laughter-filled yet thought-provoking discussion on Influencer culture, Social media Gurus, the power of marketing, and navigating social media’s ever-changing landscape.

Additional Links and Resources:

Watch the video version of the podcast by switching to video on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letspourandponder

Follow on socials for fun & behind-the-scenes content:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letspourandponder/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letspourandponder/

For partnerships: letspourandponder@gmail.com

Website: www.letspourandponder.com