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What Makes Leaving Home So Bittersweet? - E7

Published on: 16th September, 2025

Mona, Minali and Ishana open their hearts to explore the complex emotions and life-changing lessons that come with leaving home. From Mona’s courageous leap across continents at 21 to Minali’s and Ishana’s personal journeys through college, careers, and independence, this conversation unpacks the raw truth of distance, growth, loneliness, and love. With stories full of laughter, tears, and wisdom, they reflect on what it really means to build a life away from the familiar, and how “home” is less about geography and more about connection, memory, and the people we carry with us.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Moving to the U.S. after marriage

(03:00) - Coping with loneliness and adjustment

(05:20) - The value of handwritten letters

(08:10) - Choosing independence for personal growth

(13:20) - Emotional challenges of living alone

(18:40) - Future hopes of moving back home

(20:00) - Gratitude, presence, and shifting priorities

(22:10) - Sacrifices made for opportunity

(25:30) - Embracing growth without regret

Key Topics Discussed:

Three Takes, Ishana Nigam, Minali Nigam, Mona Nigam, generational advice, leaving home stories, immigrant family experiences, mother-daughter conversations, emotional growth through distance, redefining the meaning of home

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About the Podcast

Three Takes: 3 Women, 3 Generations, 1 Family Unpacking the Questions We All Ask
A Gen X mom and her Millennial & Gen Z daughters share real conversations on career, wellness, family, and growth
Welcome to Three Takes, a multi-generational podcast hosted by Mona and her daughters, Minali and Ishana, representing Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z perspectives. Together, they explore the intersection of career, wellness, and family life, providing authentic conversations and valuable insights to empower women in their work, life, and relationships.
Each episode dives into a thought-provoking question, as they share their unique 'takes' on a diverse range of topics, from navigating professional challenges to fostering personal growth and maintaining healthy relationships. More than just a podcast, Three Takes is a shared space for us to evolve together as a growing community, inviting listeners to reflect and connect.