She Ventures Podcast

Finding Your Voice: Representation, Language, and Love in Children’s Books with Rupy Khatkar

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of the She Ventures Podcast, host Georgina Miranda welcomes Manrup “Rupy” Khatkar, a children’s book author and pediatric speech-language pathologist, to discuss her journey in writing Rupy and Papaji: Soulmates for Life. Rupy shares how her deep bond with her grandfather, Papaji, inspired her book, and how her work in speech therapy has shaped her understanding of language development, childhood learning, and the importance of diverse representation in children’s literature.

Episode Notes

🎙️ Podcast Show Notes: Honoring Family, Language, and Representation with Rupy Khatkar

In this heartfelt episode of the She Ventures Podcast, host Georgina Miranda welcomes Manrup “Rupy” Khatkar, a children’s book author and pediatric speech-language pathologist, to discuss her journey in writing Rupy and Papaji: Soulmates for Life. Rupy shares how her deep bond with her grandfather, Papaji, inspired her book, and how her work in speech therapy has shaped her understanding of language development, childhood learning, and the importance of diverse representation in children’s literature.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• The inspiration behind the book: Rupy shares her childhood memories of learning language alongside her grandfather, highlighting the power of intergenerational relationships.
• The importance of diverse representation in children’s books: Growing up as a first-generation Indian-American, Rupy discusses the lack of cultural representation in literature and her passion for ensuring kids today see themselves in the stories they read.
• How speech therapy plays a role in language development: Rupy provides insights into early childhood speech milestones, the importance of early intervention, and how books serve as valuable learning tools.
• Navigating loss through storytelling: The book also explores themes of grief and resilience, helping children process loss in a meaningful way.
• The self-publishing journey: Rupy talks about her decision to self-publish through Amazon KDP, the challenges of bringing a book to life, and how she collaborated with an illustrator to make her vision a reality.
• The power of belief and taking action: Rupy reflects on overcoming self-doubt and shares how she trusted the process to bring her book into the world—offering encouragement to aspiring authors.

🔊 Why Listen?

If you’re a parent, educator, aspiring author, or someone passionate about diverse storytelling, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights. Rupy’s journey is a testament to the power of belief, perseverance, and representation in literature.

🌟 Tune In Now!

Join Georgina Miranda and Rupy Khatkar for a conversation that celebrates the magic of storytelling, the impact of strong familial bonds, and the importance of embracing our cultural roots.

📖 Order "Rupy and Papaji: Soulmates for Life" on Amazon
📍 Follow Rupy on Instagram: @rupy_papaji
🔗 Learn more at: www.rupyandpapaji.com

✨ Because every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.