OATS UNCUT! Orator Academy Talks…unscripted, unfiltered, uncut!

This week on OATS UNCUT!, Host and Communication Coach Vineeta Khanna takes us into a conversation that feels especially fitting for Thanksgiving — not the holiday version of gratitude, but the real, everyday kind we often rush past.

We meet gratitude the way it actually shows up in our lives: quietly, unexpectedly, sometimes after moments that tested us.

And through honest stories, student reflections, and the small reminders life l...

In this episode of OATS UNCUT!, Host and Communication Coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with a remarkable young guest — Myra Gupta, an 11-year-old student who has already stepped into leadership and learned what it means to speak up, show up, and keep going.

Myra opens up about her journey through elementary school governance: losing an election in third grade, gathering courage to run again, and eventually becoming Student Council Pr...

This week, Host and Communication Coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with Personal Stylist Katie Kabel to talk about something we all use every day—clothes—as a language. From first impressions to everyday confidence, Katie shows how what we wear can say “you matter” long before we speak.

We go from relatable closet chaos to practical choices, from trends to true style, and from heirlooms to identity. There’s a lovely moment on turning ...

What happens when a number becomes the word of the year?

This week on OATS UNCUT!, Host and Communication Coach Vineeta Khanna unpacks one of the quirkiest cultural moments of 2025 — a phrase that’s everywhere but still leaves most of us wondering what it even means.

From TikTok trends to school hallways, “6'7” has quietly become a universal inside joke — a verbal wink shared among the younger generation. But beyond the humor lie...

This week on OATS UNCUT!, we bring you an episode that’s equal parts awareness, curiosity, and thoughtful conversation - A candid discussion led entirely by Orator Academy students, Yuvan, Saanvi, Ava, and Ken, about the New Jersey Gubernatorial Elections.

Even though these students aren’t of voting age yet, their questions and reflections show a level of awareness and engagement that’s inspiring to hear. Together, they explore how ...

Happy belated Diwali from Host and Coach Vineeta Khanna and the OATS UNCUT! team. 🪔

In this special festive episode, Vineeta shows up in her regalia — not with lessons or lists, but with a gentle reminder inspired by the season of lights. For her, Diwali has always been more than celebration — it’s a pause. A time to slow down, connect with loved ones, and be truly present, not just capture moments for the world to see.

But somewher...

This episode takes you outdoors — into the stillness of fall — where nature becomes the most eloquent communicator. Through shifting colors, silent transitions, and quiet grace, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna invites you to see how change and communication share the same rhythm.

As the leaves turn and let go, they remind us that endings don’t have to be loud or painful. They can be beautiful, filled with gratitude, and ...

Have you ever paused to think about how many of the words we use every day weren’t originally English?

From karma to déjà vu, wanderlust to bungalow, each word carries a passport stamped with history, travel, and culture. In this episode, we trace how language travels—crossing oceans, cultures, and time—to remind us that communication is the ultimate connector.

Join Vineeta Khanna as she unpacks how words shape the way we see the wor...

This episode is a conversation about change, courage, and the many roles we grow into. Host Vineeta Khanna sits down with Shalini Shamnath—a woman whose story spans cultures, generations, and careers—to explore how communication shapes identity, relationships, and legacy.

From understanding the Indian honorific “Ji” (rooted in Jeev, meaning “being”) to navigating two very different family cultures, Shalini’s journey shows how respec...

Blanking out mid-speech.

It’s one of the most dreaded moments for any speaker—the stage lights are on, the audience is waiting, and suddenly your mind goes empty. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and you wonder if everyone can see the panic.

The truth is—it happens to everyone. From President Obama to Emma Watson to Malala Yousafzai, even the best speakers in the world have gone blank. What defines you isn’t the blank itself, but ...

In this episode, Vineeta Khanna takes you through the other side of speaking in front of others—the part that often gets overlooked. From turning nervous energy into enthusiasm to finding genuine joy in connecting with people, this conversation is all about discovering what makes communication effective and meaningful.

Here’s what we explore:

1. Connection: Why sharing a laugh, a nod, or a story with your audience changes everything.

...

Meet Sid: calm, witty, and—as he jokes—“good-looking and modest.” In this episode, Vineeta Khanna sits down with one of Orator Academy’s young voices for a free-flowing conversation that swings from school life and friendships to AI, humor, and the small choices that shape how we show up every day.

Sid’s take is refreshingly simple: “AI is a tool. It’s there to help you grow, but it’s not there to be you.” From there, the talk wande...

“Just be yourself.” We’ve all heard those words before. But what does that really mean?

In this episode, Vineeta Khanna unpacks the difference between personality and individuality—and how bringing the two together can shape the way we live, connect, and lead.

👉 Personality is how the world experiences you: your style, your energy, your presence.

👉 Individuality is who you are at your core: your values, your beliefs, your non-negoti...

Life has its rhythms — new days, new years, and for students, every September brings a new academic beginning. With fresh notebooks, heavier backpacks, a mix of nerves and excitement, and goals yet to be set, school always marks a new chapter.

In this special episode of OATS UNCUT!, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with a few students from the Orator Academy Summer Session — Cameron, Kavin, Myraa, Anaya, Smira, ...

Everyday life is changing faster than we can keep track of—and kids are noticing it just as much as adults.

In this episode of OATS UNCUT!, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with Prisha, one of the bright and thoughtful students at Orator Academy. What started with a simple story about relying on GPS turned into a lively conversation about how technology is reshaping everything around us.

Together, they explore:

- ...

On this episode of OATS UNCUT!, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with a remarkable guest—her student, friend, and seasoned registered nurse, Mintie-Inder-Maraj. Their meeting years ago was pure serendipity—Mintie had been preparing for a presentation, looking for someone to sharpen her public speaking skills, and one Google search led to a connection neither of them expected but both came to value deeply.

In thi...

In this episode, our host Vineeta Khanna opens a door to a conversation many of us have had in hushed tones, in school corridors, car rides home, or while watching our child remain quiet in a room full of raised hands.

This one’s for the adults—the parents, the teachers, the mentors—who’ve ever looked at a quiet child and wondered, “Should I be worried?”

But what if quiet doesn’t mean unconfident?

What if silence isn’t something to fi...

What happens when you give an eight-year-old the mic? You get honesty, humor, and a refreshing look at learning, life, and siblings with golden toilets. 😄

In this episode of OATS UNCUT!, Host and Communication Coach Vineeta Khanna sits down for an unscripted, unfiltered conversation with one of Orator Academy’s youngest students — Devyan. From Sunday morning sessions to spelling bees and Taekwondo woes, this episode captures the ho...

In this heartfelt episode of OATS UNCUT!, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna reflects on a recent conversation with one of her preteen students about fitting in, being judged, and the quiet fear of how others see us. It stirred something deeply relatable—how often even adults walk through life performing, constantly managing perceptions, and hiding parts of themselves to stay acceptable.

From stifling laughter to avoiding v...