What happens when a straight-A student drops out of college and gets arrested at 19, as part of a peace march? Meet Dr. Elise Temple, whose unconventional path from college dropout to corporate neuroscientist proves there's no single blueprint for a meaningful life.

At 19, Elise was a lost soul on a nine-month peace march across America when she met her future husband Knox, both of them college dropouts with no clear direction. Fast-forward four decades, and they're still together, having built a life that defied every expectation. Elise didn't return to college until 27, as a mother of two, yet went on to earn her PhD from Stanford and become a respected professor before transitioning to corporate neuroscience.

In this deeply honest conversation, Elise shares how a teenage mental health crisis stripped her down to her core and ultimately became the foundation for everything that followed. She reveals how embracing uncertainty and refusing to pretend she had it all figured out became her greatest strength—both in her unconventional career and in maintaining a 40-year marriage that friends describe as a fairy tale.

From navigating academia as a non-traditional student to supporting each other through multiple career pivots, Elise and Knox demonstrate how genuine partnership can weather any storm. Their secret? "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be together?"

This episode challenges the myth that success follows a linear path and explores how authenticity, even when it looks like failure to the outside world, can lead to a deeply fulfilling life. Elise's story is a masterclass in listening to your inner voice amid external pressures and proof that sometimes the most beautiful lives emerge from the messiest beginnings.

Key themes: Non-traditional paths to success, authentic living, long-term relationships, mental health recovery, academic vs. corporate worlds, redefining success on your own terms.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that’s thoughtful, relatable, and deeply human.

Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast platform: [Insert podcast link]

Follow for behind-the-scenes and reels: @EudaimoniaWithRhitu

Know more about Elise:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisetemple/

What does financial security really mean and how does it connect to the way we live, work, and dream?

In this episode of Eudaimonia with Rhitu, I sit down with Venkat Chalasani, CEO of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and former senior banker at SBI, to explore the intersection of money, well-being, and meaningful living.

We unpack India’s growth story and its future as a global economic leader, while also reflecting on the everyday financial decisions that shape our lives. Venkat shares insights from over 37 years in banking and financial services, weaving together practical advice and human stories:

• How to set financial goals that align with your life priorities
• Why financial resilience is key to peace of mind and overall well-being
• The cultural habits holding Indians back from better investment returns
• Why financial literacy and inclusion matter for ourselves, our parents, and the people who work in our homes
• Planning for retirement, healthcare, and the emotional decision of buying vs. renting a home
• The role of continuous learning in adapting to technology, AI, and career shifts

From serving small villages in his SBI days to shaping India’s mutual fund industry today, Venkat brings clarity, perspective, and purpose to the way we think about money.

This is more than a conversation about finance. It’s about resilience, growth, and building lives that feel secure and meaningful ✨

🎧 Tune in to hear Venkat’s journey and reflections on what it takes to flourish in today’s changing India.

What does it take to stay at the top of your craft for 53 years—without burning out, losing joy, or compromising who you are?

In this deeply inspiring episode of Eudaimonia, I sit down with legendary Carnatic violin virtuosos Ganesh & Kumaresh Rajagopal, brothers who began playing at ages 2 and 3 and have performed for over five decades with unmatched mastery, simplicity, and grace.

This conversation is not just about music—

It’s about sadhana, discipline, humility, parenting, values, and the mindset required to build a lifelong career.

Whether you’re an artist, parent, teacher, leader, or someone building a meaningful life, this episode is filled with timeless wisdom.

🎻 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• The secret to 53 years of mastery:

Why true greatness comes from deep practice (sadhana), not just talent.

• Being siblings AND gurus:

How one brother became the other’s teacher—and how humility makes learning possible.

• The simplicity behind virtuosity:

Why the greatest masters stay grounded, grateful, and childlike.

• Growth mindset through music:

How music teaches discipline, focus, resilience, and lifelong curiosity.

• Parenting for life skills:

Why their father believed in “earn it yourself,” and how that shaped their values.

• Discipline = freedom:

Why discipline is your best friend, not your enemy—and how it leads to true creative freedom.

• Childhood stories that shaped them:

Including earning ₹1000 at age 10 from temple donations to buy their own TV.

• Humility & the Guru-Shishya Parampara:

How surrendering to the guru opens the mind, softens the ego, and strengthens mastery.

• Handling distractions & modern life:

Why today’s generation struggles with focus—and how to rebuild it.

• Why lifelong learning is non-negotiable:

What keeps them excited after 50+ years on stage.

ABOUT THE GUESTS:

http://ganeshkumaresh.org/

https://www.facebook.com/GaneshKumaresh

http://www.youtube.com/user/GKfiddlingmonks

https://twitter.com/GaneshKumaresh