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Episode 10: Rooted in Joy — Shruthi Desai on Emotional Safety, Mindful Kids & the Power of Community
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Company Stats
Guest: Shruthi Desai, Founder
Industry: Child Wellness / Education / Mindfulness
Company: Mudita Circles
Focus: Yoga-based emotional wellness tools for children and families
Tech Stack: In-person + digital curriculum, community workshops, breathwork, movement-based learning
Episode Highlights
✅ Shruthi shares how personal burnout and motherhood sparked the vision for Mudita Circles.
✅ Learn how yoga, storytelling, and movement help children regulate emotions and build resilience.
✅ Discover why emotional safety is the foundation for confident, compassionate kids.
✅ Explore Shruthi’s unique approach to "circular leadership" and co-creating with communities.
✅ Get inspired by the idea that joy is not a luxury—it’s essential for healthy development.
Episode Summary
In this heartfelt episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins welcomes Shruthi Desai, founder of Mudita Circles, a wellness education initiative that’s helping children and families reconnect with joy, regulation, and emotional literacy.
Shruthi opens up about her journey from corporate business roles to a soulful mission: helping the next generation feel safe, seen, and supported. She explains why emotional safety is non-negotiable for children—and how mindful movement, storytelling, and breathwork can empower kids to handle stress, express themselves, and thrive.
The conversation explores how Shruthi blends ancient yoga practices with modern child development insights, why parents must first model emotional health, and how community—when rooted in empathy and kindness—can transform how we support children and each other.
Notable Questions We Asked
Q: What sparked the creation of Mudita Circles?
A: My burnout as a mom led me to yoga, and what I learned there became the foundation for how I now support children’s emotional wellness.
Q: What does “emotional safety” look like in real life for a child?
A: It’s knowing that you can cry, laugh, or be unsure—and still be loved and accepted.
Q: How does yoga help children build resilience?
A: Through breath, movement, and playful awareness, kids learn how to feel what they feel without shame. That’s powerful.
Q: Why is community so essential in your work?
A: Healing and learning don’t happen in isolation. Mudita is about circles—everyone has a role.
Q: What’s next for Mudita Circles?
A: Expanding our tools into schools, training educators, and making emotional wellness accessible to every child, no matter their background.
Chapters
00:00 – Meet Shruthi & The Mission of Mudita Circles
01:45 – From Burnout to Breakthrough: A Mother's Journey
04:00 – What Is Emotional Safety (And Why It Matters)
06:30 – Movement, Breath, and Regulation for Kids
09:00 – The Role of Parents in Modeling Calm & Connection
11:15 – Circle Thinking: Teaching as Co-Creation
14:00 – Why Joy and Play Belong in Emotional Learning
17:00 – Mudita in Schools: Bridging Wellness & Education
20:00 – Shruthi’s Leadership Philosophy: Purpose Over Pressure
23:00 – Tools for Parents, Educators & Communities
25:30 – Looking Ahead: Spreading Joy Through Circles
Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of The Innovator’s Impact. Want to stay inspired by more tech-forward business stories? Subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us keep delivering powerful conversations with real-world innovators! And and you can learn more about our work at 81westcyber.com
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