From Doing to Being: Leading with Pause
Her TEDx talk at TEDxGajuwaka in Visakhapatnam, under the event theme “The Power of Perspective”, now published on the TEDx Talks channel.
“For years, I believed that the answer to success was to do more. Work harder. Achieve more. Stay busy. Until life taught me a different lesson: who we are matters as much as what we do.”
The talk asks a simple question: what if success is not only about doing more, but also about learning how to be? The pause runs through all of her work, from Pause Talk, her podcast with women who had to take a pause but did not give up, to her award-winning book Leading with a Pause.
Recent engagements
Where she has spoken
- 2026
TEDxGajuwaka, Visakhapatnam
Speaker, “From Doing to Being: Leading with Pause”, 8 February 2026, at the event themed “The Power of Perspective”.
- 2026
One Day Summit on NEP 2020, Vista International School, Hyderabad
Facilitator for the table topic “The silent operators: helping teachers listen more and observe deeply”, helping teachers identify the fears and beliefs that stop them becoming learning architects.
- 2026
Rhetoric Rhapsody, Birla Open Minds International School, Hyderabad
Judge for the “TEDx for students” event on the theme “Hope”, at the 8th English Literary Carnival with 24 schools and around 200 participants.
- 2024
Miss Universe Telangana, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
Wellness partner for the week-long pageant, July 2024: judge of the prelims, which opened with a grounding meditation, and an experiential workshop on confidence and staying calm the day before the finale.
- 2024
IEEE Expert Lectures on Woman Empowerment, IARE, Hyderabad
“Being Exemplary: Women Trailblazing in Leadership Roles”, 6 May 2024.
- 2024
International WIE Day, IEEE JSSATEN WIE Branch
Talk on “Being Exemplary: Women Trailblazing the Leadership Roles” at Day 1 of International Women in Engineering Day 2024, themed “Smart Technology for a Sustainable Future”, on self-belief, self-worth and being your authentic self.
- 2024
Anwesha 2024, IIT Patna
A session on self-acceptance with students during the IIT Patna fest, helping them talk through their fears and aspirations and see that they are complete and whole.
- 2023
International Women’s Day, Ratnadeep
Spoke at the Women’s Day celebration at the Ratnadeep office in March 2023, encouraging women to find work-life balance and happiness, with daily tools for stress management and mindfulness for women who juggle home and work.
- 2021
Women’s Day symposium, Scale Up to Education 4.0
Master of Ceremonies for the symposium “Gender Equality is not a Women’s Issue. It’s a Human Issue”, 7 March 2021.
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Carnival of Hope, Season 3, Deep Parenting
“Happy teachers have happy students”, an interactive workshop and training for 115 teachers from cities across India on teacher well-being and its link to student success.
Podcast guest
Conversations with Dr. Monica
Podcasts and shows where she has been the guest, on the radical pause, leadership, parenting and inner peace.
Podcast · December 2025
Are Corporate Wellness & Parenting Failing Us?
On confidence, toxic work and modern parenting.
Gurucool Publishing · August 2025
She Paused the Hustle and Redefined Leadership
What it truly means to lead with presence.
The Goddess Show · July 2025
Pause, Reflect, Restart
Episode 9 with Tula Tzoras of Areti Goddess Events.
Truptti Sayani · April 2024
In conversation with Dr. Monica Nagpal
Holistic coach Truptti Sayani explores her work and insights.
Dr. Nitu Mohanka · June 2023
Episode 17: Dr. Monica Nagpal
The “doctor of hope and happiness” on mindfulness and parenting.
Her own podcasts
Pause Talk, Buniyaad & UDAAN
53 episodes of Pause Talk, 32 of Buniyaad and 11 of UDAAN, hosted by Dr. Monica.
Listen to her showsTalks & workshop topics
What she speaks about
Leading with a Pause
Mindful leadership and the power of presence, from her award-winning book and signature programme for corporates.
Women leaders & the power of the pause
Inspiring women to rediscover their strengths, drawn from Pause Talk conversations with women who turned life’s pauses into leadership. Delivered as the IEEE expert lecture “Being Exemplary: Women Trailblazing in Leadership Roles” at IARE, Hyderabad, in May 2024.
Mindfulness & self-acceptance
Self-awareness and self-acceptance for students, helping them embrace their authentic selves and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
Gratitude & personal growth
The simple act of pausing to express gratitude, and how it can transform your outlook and enrich your life.
Parenting with a pause
Mindful parenting: connect with yourself before connecting with your child.
Sustainability & Buniyaad
Sustainable living is the need of the time. Inner transformation is the key to sustainable behaviour.
Formats
How she can join you
- Keynote speaker
- Motivational speaker
- Webinars
- Workshops
- Facilitator and panellist
- Work-Life Integration Program for organisations
Past audiences include
Schools, colleges and organisations
Ratnadeep, CVR College, K.G. Reddy College, VJIT College, IARE (Institute of Aeronautical Engineering), IIT Patna, IEEE, Arena Animation, Vivere Imaging, Deep Parenting, Soul Sara, Noble Palm School, The Brilliant High School, Connecting Dots, Returning Mothers Conference JSS Academy of Technical Education, The Gaudium School, Success Gyan and Miss Universe Telangana, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh.
From past events
On stage
Invite Dr. Monica to your event
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