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

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...

As we step into Year 2 of our podcast, we're turning up the volume on student voices.

This episode is a special one — hosted entirely by two of our own young communicators, Yuvan Bharath and Ken Kimura. This conversation takes you straight into the mindset of today’s students as they prepare for the next big chapter: college.

In a world buzzing with pressure, expectations, and endless choices, Yuvan and Ken reflect on what studen...

On this episode of OATS UNCUT!, host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with a guest who’s not just close to her heart, but also full of thoughtful reflections and remarkable achievements — her son, Vihan Khanna.

They talk about Vihan’s journey as the author of What’s Your Plus?, a book he wrote in his early 20s that encourages young people to discover their unique edge, especially during their college years. The conve...

🎙️ This episode is a little different—and a whole lot special.

This week on OATS UNCUT!, communication coach and host Vineeta Khanna handed the mic over to two spirited teens—Ava and Anika—and asked them to record an episode entirely on their own. What followed was a mix of nerves, giggles, awkward pauses, surprising honesty, and some pretty hilarious commentary on travel, airplanes, food, and the chaos of overpacking!

Usually full ...

Can you believe it? We've made it to 50 episodes of OATS UNCUT! 🥳

This one’s a solo ride with our fabulous host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna — no guest, no script (well, maybe a tiny one), just heartfelt moments, raw laughter, and the real story behind the mic. From public speaking mishaps to parenting podcast moments, from coaching wins to coffee spills — this milestone episode is packed with 50 quirky, thoughtful, a...

🎙 OATS UNCUT! with Vineeta Khanna — Featuring Aadya Tandon

Ever wondered what it feels like to have that much clarity and passion at just 11 years old?

In this heartfelt episode of OATS UNCUT!, our host and communication coach Vineeta Khanna sits down with the multi-talented Aadya Tandon — singer, performer, budding environmentalist, and the voice behind @AadyasFunTribe on YouTube.

From performing at Carnegie Hall multiple times to b...

Ever wonder what it’s really like to be a tween in today’s world?

In this episode of OATS UNCUT!, Vineeta Khann sits down with one of my most articulate and wise-beyond-her-years students — Spatika, an 11-year-old who sees life through a lens that’s refreshingly honest and incredibly thoughtful. They talked about everything from middle school transitions to the unexpected power of giving (and receiving) compliments, how to balance k...