#8. Stories Seldom Told: Smita Tharoor on Cultural Identity, Unconscious Bias & Listening Without Judgment

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What happens when your cultural identity spans the breadth of an entire subcontinent? Smita Tharoor takes us on a journey from Mumbai to Kolkata, Rajasthan to Kerala—and into the heart of what it means to live, work, and connect across cultures.

An expert on cultural behaviour and organisational change, Smita reframes unconscious bias as “making judgments without realising that you do.” She explains how these instinctive perceptions—while natural—can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, and why awareness is key to fairer decision-making.

As the host of Stories Seldom Told—heard in 108 countries—Smita shares voices the world might otherwise miss, from a woman minister in Kabul to a triple-amputee photographer who calls himself “the one-armed chef.” Her message? Approach the world with openness, curiosity, and a clean slate, and you’ll discover more meaningful ways to make a difference.

From travel tips for first-time visitors to India to reflections on resilience, inclusion, and the power of listening without judgment, this is a conversation to inspire anyone ready to expand their worldview.

Smita Tharoor was born and raised in India and now lives in London. She’s the host of the Stories Seldom Told podcast, a Motivational Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, Coach, and a thought leader in Conscious Inclusion & Unconscious Bias.

🎧 Listen to the Stories Seldom Told podcast: Spotify

Highlights

• Born in Mumbai, raised in Kolkata, educated in Rajasthan, with roots in Kerala
• Grew up in an inclusive, non-judgmental home in 1970s India
• Advises global organisations on cultural behaviour and organisational change
• Hosts Stories Seldom Told podcast, reaching listeners in 108 countries
• Explains unconscious bias as the human brain’s natural protective instinct
• Advocates big-picture thinking before narrowing your focus to create change
• Travel insight: India offers everything from beaches and mountains to heritage cities and wildlife reserves—choose based on your interests
• Believes resilience grows when challenges are faced positively

Connect with Smita

• Instagram: instagram.com/sm

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