Episode 51 – Shantanu Saha: Surviving Death, a Story of Leadership and Resilience

Episode 51 – Shantanu Saha: Surviving Death, a Story of Leadership and Resilience

CAREER & SPIRITUALITY

Conversations

We investigate where professional and spiritual journeys intertwine.

Episode 51 – Surviving Death: A Story of Leadership and Resilience

With Shantanu Saha

About this episode

In this powerful episode of Career & Spirituality Conversations, I speak with Shantung Saha, an HR veteran and executive search founder who’s lived through multiple near-death experiences, extreme health challenges, and emotional loss. Hannu shares how belief systems, mindset, and spiritual resilience helped him heal his body and redefine his leadership style—without losing himself in the process.

We talk about the placebo effect, spiritual growth after trauma, and how kindness in corporate roles can be radical. Whether you’re burned out, feeling stuck in your career, or navigating your own healing, this episode is a roadmap for reconnecting with purpose when everything feels uncertain.

About Shantanu Saha

Shantanu Saha is the founder of a senior executive search and HR consulting firm based in India. With a decades-long career in human resources across global companies like ABB and Oberoi Hotels, Shantanu brings a rare blend of leadership wisdom and deep personal insight. Diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic condition in his twenties, he has survived multiple surgeries, transplants, and near-death experiences—coming out stronger each time. Shantanu is also the author of a short autobiographical book on resilience and healing, and an active member of a nonprofit supporting kidney patients across India and beyond.

Episode Takeaways

  • The spiritual impact of surviving life-threatening illness (and what changes after)
  • How Shantanu’s out-of-body experiences reframed his view on life, death, and energy
  • Why belief in something bigger—God, the universe, or your subconscious—can heal more than medicine
  • What the placebo effect tells us about the body’s built-in intelligence
  • How to lead with empathy in corporate roles—especially in HR and recruitment
  • The unexpected link between confidence and survival (both in business and in life)
  • Why emotional intelligence matters more than performance metrics when building company culture
  • Advice for job-seekers on staying relevant, resilient, and aligned with your true value
  • The role of kindness in leadership, especially when letting people go
  • What Shantanu’s spiritual school education taught him about humility, detachment, and self-worth

Ready to discover how your greatest challenges might actually be doorways?

This episode is for you if you’re navigating challenges, health, career, or emotional, and need a dose of soul-level encouragement, if you’re curious about how spirituality and science can work together in healing, if you’re in leadership or HR and wondering how to make hard decisions with heart, or if maybe you just need to hear from someone who’s been to the edge… and came back wiser.

You’ll love this episode if you believe in the resilience of the human spirit.

About Shantanu

Shantanu Saha is the Founder & CEO of The Recruiters, an executive search and HR advisory firm headquartered in Gurgaon.

An Economics graduate with an MBA, he began his HR career with a global engineering firm, becoming their youngest Head HR at 25. He later held leadership roles in the hospitality and ITES sectors before starting his own venture. A published author and regular speaker at management forums, Shantanu is also a jury member at national-level events and a guest judge at a leading management institute.

Something Has Shifted Inside of Me on a Cellular Level

I completed a set of eight coaching sessions with Julie and I have to say that the transformation that has occurred ever since is incredible. From the first time I met Julie I immediately felt relaxed in her presence because she has a special way of letting the process be easy and natural. Unlike conventional coaching programs that tend to keep you lingering on the surface of “issues”, Julie’s method gets right to the heart of the matter. And although the breakthroughs were surprisingly profound, I always left the session feeling light. That was a notable difference from what I had experienced with other coaches in the past where I would feel like Pandora’s box had been opened which only added more complexity to my situation and little resolve.

I now feel that something has shifted inside of me on a cellular level. I am more calm and have a general sense that everything is in its rightful place. At first, I thought it was just an inner sensation but then I began to see the ripple effect of that cellular shift on the outside as well. Throughout the coaching process, many of my limiting beliefs just evaporated and it all happened smoothly and effortlessly. And now there’s a distinct current of optimism flowing through me that I seemingly didn’t have to work for.

The following are some of the changes that I have experienced:

  • Out of nowhere and without lifting a finger, I suddenly received a large sum of money from a completely unexpected source and I realized that I can choose to trust.
  • The relationship with my parents that used to be conflicted has become light-hearted because my perception of them has changed.
  • My house doesn’t need as much looking after since everything is already in the right spot.
  • I had struggled to get back to my walking routine but now I wake up early every morning and look forward to my 30-minute walk to start the day.
  • I’ve spent many years reading about nutrition, listening to health coaches and trying different diets and have been relieved of all of that stress just by giving up sugar and flour. That clarity was suddenly there.
  • I find myself not participating in situations that don’t favor my wellbeing when I would have automatically done so before.
  • I’ve been reconnected with an innocence within and I’m committed to taking proper care of it. There is a willingness to take charge of my life and it feels good.
  • My mind has shifted from overwhelm to knowing that I can do less before doing more; a result from having more mental and emotional poise.
  • Random bits and pieces of technical things on my “to do” list that I was avoiding have become less “scary” and I just get things figured out without much fuss. Life is flowing.
  • But the most impressive thing is that although I enjoy learning from teachers, I am less needy of their validation because I understand that I possess my own repertoire of knowledge, experience and teachings. The skills that I have acquired and polished in my lifetime are sufficient. I don’t need “more” to be successful in my endeavors.

Julie’s coaching has given me tangible evidence that all it takes is a slight yet powerful inner shift rather than a tedious progression of small steps towards a desired goal. It’s an approach that actually gives results. I’m very grateful and looking forward to working with her again.

Delphine R. Rose | Italy

I Feel Stronger, Empowered and More Resilient

I have explored life purpose with Julie in the past and attend her Monday Intention setting activations on zoom, which I find powerful.
More recently I was going through quite a challenging time and Julie supported me using ‘The Compassion Key’.
I feel it helped me transmute a lot of negativity, to realise the purpose of significant relationships in my life and to trust my intuition even more now. I feel my spiritual gifts have heightened, I have deepened my self awareness and have more capacity to be forgiving, kind and compassionate, I really feel stronger, empowered and more resilient.

Marie M. | Dublin

Episode 50 – Rosemary Loughlin: A Lawyer’s Shakespearean Journey

Episode 50 – Rosemary Loughlin: A Lawyer’s Shakespearean Journey

CAREER & SPIRITUALITY

Conversations

We investigate where professional and spiritual journeys intertwine.

Episode 50 – A Lawyer’s Shakespearean Journey

With Rosemary Loughlin

About this episode

In this episode, I sit down with Rosemary Loughlin—a lawyer, actor, writer, and passionate Shakespeare enthusiast—who followed a series of clues that felt divinely orchestrated: What began as a love of classical acting became a deeper investigation into the Shakespeare authorship debate, ultimately leading her to write and perform a one-woman show inspired by her findings. Her story beautifully illustrates how it’s possible to pursue creative work alongside a professional career, blending analytical rigour with artistic expression.

Whether it’s how she constructed her legal career, how she approached her independent Shakespearean research, or how she brought her creative vision to the stage, Rosemary did it all “one small step at a time”. Her story is a lesson in creative discipline, letting go, and trusting the process—cornerstones not just of productivity but of a truly spiritual journey.

But this episode isn’t just about Shakespeare. It’s about the possibility of living your passion alongside your professional career. Rosemary proves that it’s not always about sacrificing one for the other—it’s about making thoughtful choices and finding ways to integrate your creative pursuits into your life.

About Rosemary Loughlin

Rosemary Loughlin, a lawyer by trade, was living her passion for classical acting when her sharp, analytical mind led her to question the authorship of Shakespeare’s works—joining the ranks of other skeptics, many of them lawyers themselves. Following a trail of clues that felt almost divinely orchestrated, she pursued her own independent research, leveraging her legal skills to methodically investigate the evidence. This journey not only advanced the authorship debate but also inspired her to create and perform a one-woman show that brings her discoveries to life

Rosemary’s professional career as a legislative drafter didn’t just provide financial stability to support her creative projects—it also honed her analytical skills, giving her the tools to tackle historical mysteries with a sharp, investigative mindset. Along the way, she learned to mitigate professional pressures to preserve the bandwidth needed for her creative passion, demonstrating that it’s possible to live both lives without sacrificing fulfillment.

Episode Takeaways

  • How small, consistent steps—and a willingness to let go of control—became Rosemary’s foundation for both career growth and creative breakthroughs.
  • How a professional career can fuel your passion—not just by paying the bills, but by providing transferable skills that elevate your creative work.
  • What it really looks like to balance professional stability with artistic freedom—and how to ease the pressure to make room for what you love.
  • Why finding joy in the process (not just the outcome) can lead to surprising synchronicities and unexpected magic.
  • How Rosemary’s deep dive into the Shakespeare authorship debate became a spiritual path, where logical inquiry met intuitive guidance.
  • Why the Shakespeare authorship debate matters—and what makes the Oxfordian theory so compelling to a growing number of thinkers and creatives.

Ready to Integrate Passion and Profession?

This episode is for you if you’ve ever questioned whether it’s truly possible to pursue your creative calling while building a stable career. Discover how Rosemary integrated law and art, logic and intuition—and how you can begin to align your career and creativity, one step at a time.

About Rosemary

Rosemary is a lawyer, actor, writer and lover of Shakespeare.  

In 2008 she began weekly classes in classical acting in Dublin, learning how to perform Shakespeare. A few years later on watching a documentary about Shakespeare called “Last Will and Testament” she became acquainted with what is known as the Shakespeare Authorship Question. This is the question examining what evidence there is that a business man from Stratford upon Avon wrote the plays and poems attributed to William Shakespeare and whether the name William Shakespeare was a pen name for a hidden writer. This lead her to conduct her personal research, and write a play relating her discoveries.

In 2022 she debuted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival her one woman show “A Rose by Any Other Name”. The show describes her travels in England and Northern Italy on the footsteps of a sixteenth Century courtier poet Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford who many now consider is the hidden writer using the name William Shakespeare.

Episode 49 – Sabine Gedeon: Career & Faith Without a Safety Net

Episode 49 – Sabine Gedeon: Career & Faith Without a Safety Net

CAREER & SPIRITUALITY

Conversations

We investigate where professional and spiritual journeys intertwine.

Episode 49 – Career & Faith Without A Safety Net

With Sabine Gedeon

About this episode

What happens when you stop outsourcing your knowing? When you step away from external validation—whether from corporate structures, religious institutions, or even family—and trust yourself fully?

In this episode, I sit down with leadership and personal development expert Sabine Gédéon to explore the journey of deep transformation—one that requires leaving behind familiar identities, embracing uncertainty, and walking in faith without a backup plan.

Sabine shares her personal evolution from corporate leadership to spiritual alignment, her breaking point that forced a radical shift in how she saw power, and the courage it takes to turn away from opportunities that don’t align. We also dive into what true leadership looks like in today’s world and why now is the time for spiritually conscious leaders to step forward.

About Sabine Gedeon

Sabine is a transformational coach, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and startups. She helps high-achieving leaders embrace their power, break free from limiting identities, and lead with authenticity. She is the author of Transformed: The Journey to Becoming and the host of the Leading with Power and Purpose podcast.

Episode Takeaways

Some of the highlights from this episode include:

  • From corporate identity to spiritual truth: How Sabine redefined success beyond titles and external validation.
  • Breaking cycles of fear and control: Recognizing and stepping out of familiar patterns that no longer serve you.
  • Faith in the unknown: The real meaning of trust when there’s no safety net, no guarantees, and no clear path ahead.
  • Power, leadership, and authenticity: Why leadership is no longer about titles, and how true influence comes from inner alignment.
  • The future of spirituality in corporate spaces: Is the workplace finally ready for authenticity and conscious leadership?

Ready for a Leap of Faith? 

This episode is for you if:

  • You feel stuck between the life you’ve built and the truth calling you forward.
  • You’re craving deeper alignment but afraid to let go of security.
  • You’re ready to trust yourself—and life—in a whole new way.

About Sabine

Sabine Gedeon is a leadership and personal development expert with nearly 20 years of experience empowering leaders in startups and Fortune 500 companies. As the Founder of Transformed Leadership Institute and CEO of Gedeon Enterprises, she specializes in guiding leaders through transitions, fostering growth mindsets, and creating purposeful, connected lives.

An accomplished author of LeadHership Reloaded and Transformed: The Journey to Becoming, Sabine is dedicated to inspiring leaders to unlock their potential and create meaningful impact in their organizations and beyond.

She holds a Master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).