Episode #115
Episode 115 Featuring Attunigrate
When Therapy, Creativity, and Culture Collide “Are you being received? Is there somebody to receive you as a person?” - Nishani J “There is no limited space at the top. We all can get there.” - Gi Gi Joining us for a special cross-continental check-in are Nishani Jayawardena and Himgauri “Gigi” Alve, co-hosts of If I’m Being Honest. Nishani is a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC), strategic business coach, and the founder of Attunigrate, a clinical practice and holistic wellness brand based in Detroit, Michigan.Originally from Sri Lanka, Nishani’s personal and professional journey has been deeply shaped by her South Asian roots. Her experiences give her a firsthand understanding of the ways mental health can be viewed, stigmatised, and navigated within Asian cultures, as well as the impact this can have across generations. Through her therapeutic and coaching work, Nishani supports high-achievers, founders, and leaders in moving beyond hyper-vigilance, challenging the “mask of competency,” and creating space where their emotional wellbeing and professional lives can coexist more authentically. Joining her is Himgauri Alve, also known as Gigi, a graphic designer, creative founder, and the founder of Tessellations.Before moving to the United States, Gigi spent 13 years in the United Arab Emirates, working as a graphic designer with global and governmental brands and developing extensive experience in branding, visual communication, and design strategy. Her entrepreneurial journey began through her first branding project with Nishani for Attunigrate. What started as a creative collaboration eventually became the foundation for Tessellations, Gigi’s design studio dedicated to helping small businesses develop thoughtful brand identities, websites, and visual systems that feel intentional, clear, and authentic. Together, Nishani and Gigi co-host If I’m Being Honest, where they create space for open conversations around mental health, therapy, culture, identity, relationships, entrepreneurship, and the experiences that shape how we show up in the world. In this episode of The Check-In With Podcast, we explore culture and mental health, breaking generational patterns, the pressures of appearing capable, entrepreneurship, identity, creativity, and what it really means to integrate the different parts of ourselves. A thoughtful conversation about healing, culture, business, creativity, and the courage to show up more honestly. How therapy helped Gigi become more self-aware and confident creatively Nishani’s experience with mental-health stigma in South Asian and immigrant communities How their friendship grew into a creative partnership and podcast Why therapy should not be viewed only as a solution for crisis The risks of relying on unqualified mental-health advice on social media Why AI and online content cannot replace a licensed therapist or human connection The relationship between personal identity and branding How to hold space for others without making decisions for them Their advice for people who are hesitant to begin therapy Their vision for expanding conversations around holistic wellness To get in touch please use the following: https://www.attunigrate.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-i-am-being-honest/id1843172918
