In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, host Neetu interviews Priyamvada Srivastava, a life coach who holds dual master’s degrees in law and counseling psychology. Priyamvada shares how her early exposure to the legal profession and later natural inclination toward counseling shaped her career trajectory, leading her to blend legal insight with therapeutic techniques. The conversation explores the universal need for mind‑management across professions, especially for entrepreneurs and mentors, and delves into Priyamvada’s coaching focus areas—relationships, parenting, and emotional wellness. She emphasizes that emotional well‑being is the overarching niche that ties all her work together. A recurring theme is the tendency of clients to ignore problems until they become overwhelming; Priyamvada stresses the importance of early acceptance, acknowledgment, and seeking help. The dialogue also covers belief systems, urging people to recognize and embrace change as a catalyst for growth. In the parenting segment, Priyamvada discusses generational challenges around screen time and technology, recommending time‑bounding and staying updated with children’s world. The episode concludes with Priyamvada’s parting advice to live fully in the present, give 100 % to one’s actions, and avoid future regret, inviting listeners to reach out for further support.
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Hello everyone and welcome to a new episode of We Rise Podcast. Today we have Priyamvada Srivastava with us. She has double masters, one in law and one in counseling psychology. She is a life coach. She coaches on parenting, behavior, relationships, and emotional wellness. Thank you so much, Priyamvada, for agreeing to come to us today and sharing your views with us. Really, really warm welcome from, uh, the entire team of VRISE, and, uh, welcome once again.
Thank you so much, uh, Anitu, for inviting me here on your platform, and, uh, with such a warm welcome and your big smile, I'm absolutely delighted to be here. So hello to your viewers, and thank you so much.
And, and I forgot to mention that Priyamvada is also an author, a podcaster, a speaker, and a corporate trainer. How did I miss that?
Thanks for adding it.
Thank you, thank you so much, Priyamvada. Uh, so let's start, you know, and try to, you know, gauge that, you know, what was it that made you, you know, take two masters, you know, one in law and one is counseling psychology. These are completely different, uh, you know, sectors and completely different line of, uh, thought process, if I would ask. So what was— what is your story, Priyamvada, around it?
Okay, so, uh, law was something which, uh, I always wanted to do. I always aspired to do because I— when I was a kid, my dad was the legal head of his company, and I used to visit different lawyers' chambers with him. So that always excited me, and it was an inner calling that I want to become a lawyer, and I want to go enter the Supreme Court someday and stand there and see everything. But, uh, counseling was something that came naturally to me, and it might sound different, Neetu, that law is one aspect and counseling is completely different, but both these are almost interwoven, I'll say. So lawyers are bound to counsel their clients. And how I realized my inner calling, it was when I finished my lawyer's degree, and I got married when I was doing my 5-year course. And as soon as I finished my college, I went abroad with my husband, and we had like different units all together, Indians, and it was like a family. So whatever happened in everybody's houses reached me, and I was the natural counselor for all of them. So that is how I jumped into counseling, and that is how I realized, okay, it is not just the divorce which is meant for lawyers, it is also that, you know, we can reunite the couples. And that is how I got into counseling, and that is how I realized, okay, this comes naturally.
Wow, superb! I think it's not just with the profession law, every profession needs, you know, mind management. In fact, every one of us need mind management. And I am a startup mentor. I understand that when I'm mentoring on business, it's not, not just about mentoring about business, it's also about entrepreneurs, uh, you know, mentoring also, because many a times they are stuck. They are stuck and they are not able to, uh, grow the business, and they don't even realize that they are the ones who are actually, you know, standing in the way of the business growing. So that's where, you know, the expertise of, uh, you know, counseling and, you know, therapy, it all comes in. And mind management different techniques works, uh, a lot, uh, in those mentoring sessions. So completely understand our work.
Absolutely true. Great.
So, uh, from being a relationship coach to a parent coach to emotional wellness, what is your, you know, highest point, uh, when, when it comes to coaching? Which is one that you really enjoy, uh, at topmost priority, I would say?
See, with every counseling session, especially when they are one-to-one counseling sessions— because I do both, you know, uh, training for groups, corporates, universities, and then I provide one-to-one counseling as well. So with every counseling session, there's an inner growth. I grow with it, be it relationship, be it behavior, be it parenting. So there's a learning with them. It is not just my clients who evolve with me, it is me as well who evolve with them in the process. So I can just pick and choose. Okay, no, relationship is my favorite, or guiding parents is my favorite. It is not that, uh, I enjoy doing all these and they are all my favorite. I cannot just say that, okay, no, I— this is one zone which attracts me. No, difficult.
I, I get it. I totally get it. But then there are times when, you know, as a trainer, as a coach, you want to have a niche in something. So I realized my niche is in, you know, both stress management and startup mentoring. So I figured out something which is like Stress to Business. That's my signature workshop, uh, where people can identify their stress areas and understand what's their life purpose and create business around it. So that is so—
I'm sorry to intervene, but it is so similar to my tagline because it is turning stress into peace.
I think birds are saying together Absolutely true.
And, uh, you know what, uh, emotional wellness is something which actually attracts me. So when you talk about niche, okay, be it any aspect of life, it is the overall balance which I want to create in my client's mind, that is their emotional well-being. Because somewhere, despite of being, you know, uh, nourished and flourishing in our lives we just keep our mental well-being at the back seat. We ignore it, we push things, or we just, you know, shut the doors. Okay, dekhi jaaye ki jaaf ho bhi toh. But that is where I want to actually focus, and I always focus. So whoever comes to me, I always tell them, I'll be focusing on your emotional well-being rather than, you know, just checking what is happening in your life. So emotional wellness is my niche, and it can be related to any aspect of your life.
I get it, totally get it, totally get it. So Priyamvada, tell me, what is that one, you know, uh, recurring question that comes to you from your clients where they are struggling with their life, uh, you know, be it stress, be it parenting, be it relationship? What is that one thing that you think if that can be fixed, uh, you know, uh, then a lot of problems would get resolved automatically for your clients?
You want to know that solution? So there is no one fixed formula for everything, everybody, because they come from different—
I'm asking about that one exact problem which is general problem with people. So when they come to you, they come with a general problem. I mean, which is the biggest problem you have identified in your coaching, uh, you know, career so far?
They ignore things for very long, Neetu. You know, they just ignore things, even if it is in front of them. They're like, okay, this might be normal, this might be normal. And this keeps on piling up. And one day when they are devastated, they are shattered, then they come to me. I have people who reach me, who talk to me, and then they're like, no, it is fine. I'll come back to you when I'll, you know, I think that I need you. And then after 2 years, they do come back to me, but that state of management is difficult for me and them as well. So to each one of you, whoever is listening us today, if you think that, you know, there's some trouble in your life, please don't feel ashamed or don't think that you are a superwoman or Superman, that you can handle everything alone. There's no harm in seeking out for help.
Absolutely. So I mean, asking for help is the first step to your well-being, is what I understand, because when I was struggling with my problems, my mental health issues. I was, by the way, diagnosed with chronic depression, uh, just 1.5 years back. So I started— I understood that this is something that I don't understand, okay, and I really need help. And I started reaching out to people for help, and I started hiring mentors and coaches and counselors for myself. And then I realized the value of someone who knows better, and, you know, they can, you know, basically help to navigate through that difficult situation? Because see, if you have to pass through that situation, you do have to pass through it. But if there is someone who understands and can take you through that process, it becomes a lot easier.
Absolutely. So the first step should always be acceptance. The day you accept that you are in trouble, the day you'll accept that, you know, you— there's something which you are unable to solve, that day you have won half of your battle. Then it will It will be acknowledgement. You need to acknowledge that trouble or that phase of your life, and then please take action. And action is only seeking out for asking for help. It can be from your family, from your friends, or from professionals like us.
Yes, yes, totally. And I think that has completely changed my life as well, and I'm a much better person from the time when I was diagnosed with depression. I've, I've always been very, very headstrong. And someone who just— who's a go-getter. But that also, you know, that did not help me when I was actually going through the entire process of depression. So what helped me was to seek help. First, acknowledge that I have a problem, uh, seek help. And then also, when I started working on my, uh, belief system, I think that's when things started to change. So belief system that we have formed from the childhood, we have no idea about it, Priyamvada. I mean, people don't know about it yet, and some people just, you know, spend their entire life without knowing what belief system they have, what value system they have. And what is your take on that? How can we help people, you know, identify and work for a, you know, positive belief system in them?
I actually believe that if you want to work upon your belief system or, you know, focus on more positive aspects of life. Please acknowledge changes in your life because change refers to growth. So the day you'll acknowledge, okay, there is some change happening, you will evolve with that change. But the more you repel that change, you'll be there behind. And, you know, even your family members or siblings with whom you grew up, they'll just step ahead. It is not a race that I'm saying that you lose or lose, but it your belief system which will not evolve in the process. And the more it will be, you know, obstructed, the more it will be difficult for you to evolve in the phase of life. So please accept changes and grow with change.
I, I really, really feel that, you know, this, this whole concept of mind management and creating positive belief system should start at a very early age. And, you know, it should be a part of our curriculum. Uh, had I known this thing before, I mean, I would have been a different person. And I would— I mean, I would have been, you know, doing leaps and bounds. But still, I mean, one, you know, since I understand what is the belief system now, I think for as parents, we have a responsibility to imbibe it in our children that they also understand this thing. And you are a parent coach, right? So what kind of parenting questions do you come across and you feel that, okay, this is something that the parent is also not understanding and Uh, you know, I need to help them with that. So what kind of challenges do you come across in those sessions?
Um, there are lots of things, but again, at the moment, the last answer which I answered you by, you know, accepting change— similarly it is with parents also. We are always— most of us are stuck where we were or how we were brought up. So with this evolving world, we are unable to pace with, we are unable to walk with, you know. And when our kids ask for something which is very much relevant in today's world, we are unable to connect with it. When our kid comes and like other children, they ask for video games or some time on screen or some screen time or Insta account, our first reaction is no. Why? How? Why do we need it? Create that environment for your child. Stay involved in your child's life. And plus, please stay updated what is happening in the world around them so that, you know, you can give them what is happening. You cannot just say, ki nahi, asa nahi hota tha. So most of the parents who come to me, it is, you know, they have a conflict with this change in the world. They are unable to accept it, and that is where the trouble begins. And I think every generation has faced it. You know, all the generations, be it our generation or the next generation which will take over us, or the earlier generation, they all, uh, those who accepted change wholeheartedly, they had no problem in upbringing their kids. Those who couldn't, they actually found it difficult, and they made it difficult for their kids as well.
I think I am also guilty of that. I have a teenager who is a lot into video games, and it kills me every time I see him doing that dot dot dot on video games. I just try to calm myself down that, you know, okay, maybe this is a phase, this will pass. So I mean, I know that I have to work with my anxieties when I look at him, and but maybe what he's doing is something which is, uh, normal now. It doesn't feel normal to me because I have not seen that, but in today's world, the way technology has advanced maybe it is normal and I am the one who is not able.
You can always, you know, you can always time-bound those things. Like when we used to go out to play, our parents used to time-bound us. Ek kante mein aajana. You know, you can always time-bound it for your kids or decide the days for your children that 2 days a week, 3 days a week, and they'll also gladly accept it. The more you'll, you know, just shut it for them, they'll hide it from you, they'll seek in there. Mute. So it is better, better.
I think I need a separate session with you on parenting because I am right now going through a time where, you know, my son is a teenager, he's 14 and he's in grade 9 and he's going through a lot of transition himself. And I see when I try to talk to him, he completely shuts down. So, you know, slowly and gradually I'm just trying to make conversations with him so that, you know, this whole transition phase is easier for him. And maybe even I need help right now to know how to help.
You're most welcome anytime. Great, great.
So any parting words, Priyamvada? I mean, lovely talking to you, but one thing that you think that you want to leave the, you know, audience with, uh, that should stay with us. For a long time.
Ah, sure. So never, uh, you know, uh, before I conclude with the words, I want to just relate where I read these words. So I read a beautiful line by Geet Chaturvedi. It was yesterday night only when I was doing my reading session, and those lines were So please, uh, make your present so relatable and so informative that you do not have this regret in your future. Please, uh, you know, just, uh, be focused on what you're doing and give your 100% to whatever you do, be it, uh, in whichever phase of life you are, in whichever age of life you are, so that you do not, or you never have any regret in your future about your past. Have a wonderful, uh, day and life ahead. So whoever wants to reach me out for anything, you all are most welcome. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, Priyamvada, once again for coming and sharing your insights. Lovely talking to you, and I think I need to connect separately for, uh, you know, better session and a bigger session. Thank you so much once again, Priyamda, for coming.
Thank you so much, Neetu, for having me here. I'm literally obliged.
