Between Dreams & Deadlines Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/between-dreams-deadlines Between Dreams & Deadlines is a podcast about the tension every ambitious person lives in, chasing goals without losing themselves along the way. Hosted by Sashi, each episode explores leadership, purpose, and self-discovery through honest conversations with people who've built success on their own terms. © 2026 Sashi Iyer 453342ec-76bb-549f-8b1d-483034cac640 yes en Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:15:42 +0530 Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:16:06 +0530 https://img.transistorcdn.com/HmKD3mhqjjB8EmKAXh_K_6hM6fee_3slLTOrs1UCvLc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wMzc1/NzY3ZTUyM2NmNmNk/NDNkMTI5YTFhYzk0/ZTI0ZC5wbmc.jpg Between Dreams & Deadlines episodic Sashi Iyer Between Dreams & Deadlines is a podcast about the tension every ambitious person lives in, chasing goals without losing themselves along the way. Hosted by Sashi, each episode explores leadership, purpose, and self-discovery through honest conversations with people who've built success on their own terms. Between Dreams & Deadlines is a podcast about the tension every ambitious person lives in, chasing goals without losing themselves along the way. leadership, ikigai, purpose, self-discovery, ambition, personal growth, founders, coaching. Sashi iyer sashiiyer44@gmail.com No No Fable Series, Episode 6: The Tortoise Who Could Not Stay Silent 6 6 Fable Series, Episode 6: The Tortoise Who Could Not Stay Silent full 21e1528b-2265-4033-9f8c-ab08e9bb10cf https://share.transistor.fm/s/f713d448  A tortoise is offered the gift of flight — carried through the sky by two devoted friends, on one condition: he must not open his mouth. But as the world below marvels at him, the urge to speak, to explain, to take credit becomes unbearable. This retelling of a classic Panchatantra tale is about the costly pull to always respond — and how we so often undo our own progress not through a lack of ability, but through an inability to stay silent at the one moment silence was everything. 

]]>  A tortoise is offered the gift of flight — carried through the sky by two devoted friends, on one condition: he must not open his mouth. But as the world below marvels at him, the urge to speak, to explain, to take credit becomes unbearable. This retelling of a classic Panchatantra tale is about the costly pull to always respond — and how we so often undo our own progress not through a lack of ability, but through an inability to stay silent at the one moment silence was everything. 

]]> Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:15:39 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 148  A tortoise is offered the gift of flight — carried through the sky by two devoted friends, on one condition: he must not open his mouth. But as the world below marvels at him, the urge to speak, to explain, to take credit becomes unbearable. This retelling of a classic Panchatantra tale is about the costly pull to always respond — and how we so often undo our own progress not through a lack of ability, but through an inability to stay silent at the one moment silence was everything. 

]]> silence, self-control, restraint, communication, leadership, Panchatantra, fable, life lesson, wisdom, patience No Fable Series, Episode 5: The Season of Roots 5 5 Fable Series, Episode 5: The Season of Roots full 960649a8-90b5-455c-aeb0-72a7c96b1c51 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4806098d Two seeds are planted on the same morning. One rises fast, tall and admired. The other works in the dark, growing roots no one can see — and quietly begins to wonder if it’s failing. Then the rains stop. Episode 5 of the Fable Series is a story about the hardest kind of work: the kind no one claps for yet. Because the doubt you feel in a quiet season isn’t proof you’re falling behind. Sometimes it’s simply the feeling of growing roots — deep enough to survive what’s coming.

A short story with a quiet lesson, from Between Dreams & Deadlines.

]]> Two seeds are planted on the same morning. One rises fast, tall and admired. The other works in the dark, growing roots no one can see — and quietly begins to wonder if it’s failing. Then the rains stop. Episode 5 of the Fable Series is a story about the hardest kind of work: the kind no one claps for yet. Because the doubt you feel in a quiet season isn’t proof you’re falling behind. Sometimes it’s simply the feeling of growing roots — deep enough to survive what’s coming.

A short story with a quiet lesson, from Between Dreams & Deadlines.

]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:10:38 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 155 Two seeds are planted on the same morning. One rises fast, tall and admired. The other works in the dark, growing roots no one can see — and quietly begins to wonder if it’s failing. Then the rains stop. Episode 5 of the Fable Series is a story about the hardest kind of work: the kind no one claps for yet. Because the doubt you feel in a quiet season isn’t proof you’re falling behind. Sometimes it’s simply the feeling of growing roots — deep enough to survive what’s coming.

A short story with a quiet lesson, from Between Dreams & Deadlines.

]]> patience, self-doubt, growth, resilience, comparison, trusting the process, fable, life lesson, personal growth, perseverance No Fable Series, Episode 4: The Regret Nobody Talks About 4 4 Fable Series, Episode 4: The Regret Nobody Talks About full d9c23b98-bb39-407d-aff5-a4a643a16876 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1e52f4bb At her 90th birthday, a woman is asked what she would do differently if she could live again. Everyone expects the usual answers: travel more, work less, take more risks. Her answer surprises the room.

She has buried her husband, lost friends, and survived illness. Yet she says some of the longest suffering of her life came from disasters that only ever existed in her imagination.

In this episode of the Fable Series on Between Dreams & Deadlines, Sashi reflects on anticipatory anxiety. It's the habit of living through pain that hasn't happened, and may never happen. She shares one simple question to bring yourself back to the present: Is this happening now?

A short reflection for anyone who has ever lost sleep to "what if."

]]> At her 90th birthday, a woman is asked what she would do differently if she could live again. Everyone expects the usual answers: travel more, work less, take more risks. Her answer surprises the room.

She has buried her husband, lost friends, and survived illness. Yet she says some of the longest suffering of her life came from disasters that only ever existed in her imagination.

In this episode of the Fable Series on Between Dreams & Deadlines, Sashi reflects on anticipatory anxiety. It's the habit of living through pain that hasn't happened, and may never happen. She shares one simple question to bring yourself back to the present: Is this happening now?

A short reflection for anyone who has ever lost sleep to "what if."

]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:26:15 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 108 At her 90th birthday, a woman is asked what she would do differently if she could live again. Everyone expects the usual answers: travel more, work less, take more risks. Her answer surprises the room.

She has buried her husband, lost friends, and survived illness. Yet she says some of the longest suffering of her life came from disasters that only ever existed in her imagination.

In this episode of the Fable Series on Between Dreams & Deadlines, Sashi reflects on anticipatory anxiety. It's the habit of living through pain that hasn't happened, and may never happen. She shares one simple question to bring yourself back to the present: Is this happening now?

A short reflection for anyone who has ever lost sleep to "what if."

]]> anticipatory anxiety, overthinking, worry, fear of the future, mindfulness, being present, mental wellbeing, self-reflection, life lessons, regret, wisdom, personal growth, ikigai, leadership mindset, stress, peace of mind, fable, short story, Between Dreams and Deadlines, Sashi No Fable Series, Episode 3: The Boy Who Chose Himself 3 3 Fable Series, Episode 3: The Boy Who Chose Himself full 0273d34d-fd48-4b96-a63e-696f619f517a https://share.transistor.fm/s/654ee599 A boy showed up to learn from the greatest, with respect, hunger, and real talent, and was turned away. Not for lack of ability, but because he "didn't belong." Most people would have stopped there. He didn't. This fable is about the quiet power of choosing yourself when the world doesn't, and why the fastest growth never comes from being selected, but from starting. Because growth doesn't wait for permission. 

]]> A boy showed up to learn from the greatest, with respect, hunger, and real talent, and was turned away. Not for lack of ability, but because he "didn't belong." Most people would have stopped there. He didn't. This fable is about the quiet power of choosing yourself when the world doesn't, and why the fastest growth never comes from being selected, but from starting. Because growth doesn't wait for permission. 

]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:50:19 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 94 A boy showed up to learn from the greatest, with respect, hunger, and real talent, and was turned away. Not for lack of ability, but because he "didn't belong." Most people would have stopped there. He didn't. This fable is about the quiet power of choosing yourself when the world doesn't, and why the fastest growth never comes from being selected, but from starting. Because growth doesn't wait for permission. 

]]> self-belief, resilience, discipline, rejection, motivation, growth mindset, perseverance, fable, life lesson, self-reliance No Fable Series, Episode 2: The Mirror That Only Reflected Others 2 2 Fable Series, Episode 2: The Mirror That Only Reflected Others full 42255b94-67dc-477a-9296-ea755c65a145 https://share.transistor.fm/s/145b6547 There was once a mirror that reflected everyone who stood before it, their beauty, their worth, their light, everyone except the one who cared for it most. Episode 2 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about what happens when we spend so long seeing, holding, and pouring into others that we slowly disappear from our own reflection. Because you can't give from a mirror that has forgotten how to show you to yourself. 

]]> There was once a mirror that reflected everyone who stood before it, their beauty, their worth, their light, everyone except the one who cared for it most. Episode 2 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about what happens when we spend so long seeing, holding, and pouring into others that we slowly disappear from our own reflection. Because you can't give from a mirror that has forgotten how to show you to yourself. 

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:47:44 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 113 There was once a mirror that reflected everyone who stood before it, their beauty, their worth, their light, everyone except the one who cared for it most. Episode 2 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about what happens when we spend so long seeing, holding, and pouring into others that we slowly disappear from our own reflection. Because you can't give from a mirror that has forgotten how to show you to yourself. 

]]> self-worth, self-neglect, people-pleasing, being seen, self-love, identity, boundaries No Fable Series, Episode 1: The Weight of Our Thoughts 1 1 Fable Series, Episode 1: The Weight of Our Thoughts full ed76cf4d-f7bd-44da-b4b0-f62470ad675c https://share.transistor.fm/s/8e0c8e40 A feather agrees to carry a small pebble, and soon feels like it's carrying a mountain. Episode 1 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about how our worries grow heavier the longer we hold them, and how much lighter life feels the moment we set them down. Sometimes it isn't the weight of the situation, it's the weight of our thoughts about it. 

]]> A feather agrees to carry a small pebble, and soon feels like it's carrying a mountain. Episode 1 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about how our worries grow heavier the longer we hold them, and how much lighter life feels the moment we set them down. Sometimes it isn't the weight of the situation, it's the weight of our thoughts about it. 

]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:43:41 +0530 Sashi Iyer Sashi Iyer 114 A feather agrees to carry a small pebble, and soon feels like it's carrying a mountain. Episode 1 of the Fable Series is a gentle story about how our worries grow heavier the longer we hold them, and how much lighter life feels the moment we set them down. Sometimes it isn't the weight of the situation, it's the weight of our thoughts about it. 

]]> overthinking, letting go, inner peace, mindfulness, worry, emotional weight, self-reflection Theme: No The Courage to Start Over (When You Have Everything to Lose) 2 2 The Courage to Start Over (When You Have Everything to Lose) full 27067e67-10c7-43d7-a18d-f02e15deed2a https://share.transistor.fm/s/c00b88c9 In this episode of Between Dreams and Deadlines, Rahul Zaveri shares a deeply personal journey of leaving behind a stable life, moving abroad in pursuit of a long-held dream, and facing uncertainty when the world came to a standstill during COVID.

What followed was not just a career shift, but a complete redefinition of purpose. From navigating fear, failure, and difficult decisions to building EduPathways and mentoring students towards clarity and confidence, this conversation explores what it truly means to start over when life doesn’t go according to plan.

A powerful episode on resilience, purpose, reinvention, and the courage to choose fulfillment over comfort.

]]> In this episode of Between Dreams and Deadlines, Rahul Zaveri shares a deeply personal journey of leaving behind a stable life, moving abroad in pursuit of a long-held dream, and facing uncertainty when the world came to a standstill during COVID.

What followed was not just a career shift, but a complete redefinition of purpose. From navigating fear, failure, and difficult decisions to building EduPathways and mentoring students towards clarity and confidence, this conversation explores what it truly means to start over when life doesn’t go according to plan.

A powerful episode on resilience, purpose, reinvention, and the courage to choose fulfillment over comfort.

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:08:22 +0530 Sashi Iyer Watch on YouTube Sashi Iyer 3237 In this episode of Between Dreams and Deadlines, Rahul Zaveri shares a deeply personal journey of leaving behind a stable life, moving abroad in pursuit of a long-held dream, and facing uncertainty when the world came to a standstill during COVID.

What followed was not just a career shift, but a complete redefinition of purpose. From navigating fear, failure, and difficult decisions to building EduPathways and mentoring students towards clarity and confidence, this conversation explores what it truly means to start over when life doesn’t go according to plan.

A powerful episode on resilience, purpose, reinvention, and the courage to choose fulfillment over comfort.

]]> resilience, reinvention, purpose, starting over, career change, courage, fulfillment No Episode 1: Ikigai Uncovered 1 1 Episode 1: Ikigai Uncovered full 0ce8dd19-0dee-4b93-8df7-1a7438b11fa9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0f2cf9db What if happiness wasn’t about choosing between passion and responsibility — but finding balance between both?
In the very first episode of Between Dreams & Deadlines, we explore Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy that helps you discover purpose, fulfillment, and meaning in everyday life. Whether you're chasing dreams, building a career, or feeling stuck in routine, this conversation dives into how you can align what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs.
This episode is for anyone trying to figure out:
What is my purpose?
Why do I feel unfulfilled despite working hard?
How do I balance ambition with happiness?
Tune in as we uncover practical insights, personal reflections, and simple ways to start finding your own Ikigai.

]]> What if happiness wasn’t about choosing between passion and responsibility — but finding balance between both?
In the very first episode of Between Dreams & Deadlines, we explore Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy that helps you discover purpose, fulfillment, and meaning in everyday life. Whether you're chasing dreams, building a career, or feeling stuck in routine, this conversation dives into how you can align what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs.
This episode is for anyone trying to figure out:
What is my purpose?
Why do I feel unfulfilled despite working hard?
How do I balance ambition with happiness?
Tune in as we uncover practical insights, personal reflections, and simple ways to start finding your own Ikigai.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:45:02 +0530 Sashi iyer Watch on YouTube Sashi iyer 3993 What if happiness wasn’t about choosing between passion and responsibility — but finding balance between both?
In the very first episode of Between Dreams & Deadlines, we explore Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy that helps you discover purpose, fulfillment, and meaning in everyday life. Whether you're chasing dreams, building a career, or feeling stuck in routine, this conversation dives into how you can align what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs.
This episode is for anyone trying to figure out:
What is my purpose?
Why do I feel unfulfilled despite working hard?
How do I balance ambition with happiness?
Tune in as we uncover practical insights, personal reflections, and simple ways to start finding your own Ikigai.

]]> leadership, ikigai, purpose, self-discovery, ambition, personal growth, founders, coaching. No