Is the 11+ right for every child? And are parents preparing for it in the right way?

In this episode of Unblur the Path, Lakshmi Seth speaks with experienced 11+ tutor Deepa Kirpalani about the grammar school 11+ journey.

Deepa explains why the 11+ is not only an exam for children, but also a process that requires parents to be informed, realistic and emotionally prepared. From choosing the right schools to understanding catchment areas, consortiums, tutors, mock exams and exam formats, this conversation gives parents a clear roadmap through the grammar school process.

We discuss when preparation should begin, what groundwork children can build from Year 3, how to choose target schools, why mock scores should be treated as indicators rather than final predictions, and how parents can support their child without turning the journey into unnecessary pressure.

Deepa also shares a powerful reminder: children may forget their mock scores, but they will remember how their parents supported them throughout the journey.

In the next part of this conversation, we will discuss the independent school process in more detail, including applications, exams, interviews and results.

A practical episode for parents beginning—or already navigating—the 11+ journey.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:19 Is the 11+ Right for Every Child?

02:12 When Should 11+ Preparation Begin?

05:42 Should Every Child Take the 11+?

07:27 Grammar, Independent and Super-Selective Schools

11:01 Catchment Areas and Consortiums Explained

16:45 Common Mistakes Parents Make

19:29 How to Choose the Right 11+ Tutor

21:04 How Many Schools Should Parents Apply To?

25:13 School Reputation vs the Right Fit

32:55 Making the 11+ Journey Less Stressful

40:18 Subjects, Online Resources and Exam Formats

43:43 Mock Exams and Time Management

50:50 Preparing for Different Grammar School Exams

54:45 Henrietta Barnett and QE Boys Explained

59:27 Managing the Wait for Results

1:03:56 CAF Form and School Ranking

1:06:01 National Offer Day and Next Steps

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Can yoga become a full-time career? Can you study psychology after engineering? And what does it really take to build an unconventional career in wellness and mental health?

In this episode of Unblur the Path, Lakshmi speaks with Swathi, a yoga teacher and counselling psychologist, about her journey from engineering and IT to yoga teaching, psychology, counselling, and mind-body healing.

Swathi explains how yoga first became part of her personal recovery, how she trained professionally as a yoga teacher, and how she later studied MSc Psychology to deepen her understanding of the human mind. She also shares the realities of freelancing, financial uncertainty, building a client network, burnout in mental health careers, and the difference between a counsellor, counselling psychologist, clinical psychologist and psychiatrist.

This episode is useful for students, parents, career changers, and anyone exploring careers in yoga, psychology, counselling, wellness, mental health, or holistic healing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:58 Swathi’s work as a yoga teacher and counselling psychologist
03:47 From engineering and IT to yoga
07:59 How to study yoga professionally
12:19 Life after yoga certification: training, observation and teaching
14:43 Studio teaching, freelancing and building a network
19:28 The real challenges: money, uncertainty and risk
26:06 Yoga, science and the mind-body connection
28:09 COVID, upskilling and the shift towards psychology
34:01 Studying MSc Psychology after engineering
38:41 Combining yoga and counselling in practice
45:39 Counsellor, psychologist, clinical psychologist and psychiatrist explained
54:27 Advice, work-life balance and Swathi’s life mantra

Listen to Swathi’s career journey on Unblur the Path.

SPOTIFY KEYWORDS

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In this episode of Unblur the Path, Poonam Gehlot continues her inspiring career journey from nuclear engineering and systems engineering to personal growth, confidence and becoming Ms Asia Empress UK 2026.

Poonam shares how she moved through the nuclear and defence industry, dealt with self-doubt, took a career break, travelled solo, learned the power of saying no, and stepped into the pageant world.

This conversation is especially useful for students, parents, young professionals, women in STEM, and anyone exploring engineering careers, career growth, confidence building or personal development.

We discuss nuclear engineering, systems engineering, women in STEM, career breaks, burnout, solo travel, self-doubt, public speaking, pageant journey, AI in engineering, apprenticeships vs university, and what success really means.

A powerful reminder from this episode: confidence does not always come first — courage does.

Chapters:

00:00 Courage, Confidence & Self-Doubt
01:39 Welcome Back to Poonam’s Journey
02:40 From Nuclear Engineering to Systems Engineering
07:26 Desk Job vs Site Work in Nuclear Engineering
09:00 Career Break, Burnout & Finding What’s Next
14:26 The Power of Saying No in Your Career
16:45 Overcoming Self-Doubt at Work
20:12 Solo Travel, Personal Growth & Facing Fear
28:59 Why Courage Comes Before Confidence
31:36 Poonam’s Pageant Journey Begins
36:35 The Costume Round Inspired by Her Nani
39:28 Becoming Ms Asia Empress UK 2026
41:44 Work-Life Balance, Career Choices & Switching Companies
46:29 University vs Apprenticeships in Engineering
48:38 Resilience, AI & the Future of Engineering
51:06 What Success Really Means
53:03 Final Takeaway: Confidence Follows Courage

Subscribe to Unblur the Path for honest career conversations that help students, parents and professionals make informed career decisions.

[Poonam Gehlot, Ms Asia Empress UK 2026, nuclear engineer, nuclear engineering career, systems engineering, women in STEM, female engineer, defence industry career, chemical engineer, career break, burnout, self doubt, confidence building, courage over confidence, public speaking, pageant journey, South Asian women in STEM, women empowerment, career podcast, career guidance for students, Unblur the Path, Lakshmi Seth, engineering careers, STEM careers for girls, AI in engineering, apprenticeships vs university, career growth, personal development,unblurthepath, lakshmiseth]