In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with fellow optometrist, educator, and entrepreneur Dr. Kriti Bhagat for an honest conversation about resilience, vulnerability, finding your voice, and embracing life's unexpected changes.

Kriti shares how an exciting career opportunity turned into a devastating setback when she relocated to Rhode Island, only to discover that her new position was no longer available. What initially brought uncertainty and self-doubt eventually opened doors to new experiences, professional growth, and the confidence to build her own optometry practice.

The conversation becomes deeply personal as Katie reflects on her breast cancer journey and the moment she realized that being strong didn't mean hiding her emotions. She and Kriti explore the expectations women often face to remain composed, put others first, and stay quiet, even when finding their own voice is exactly what they need.

They also discuss difficult relationship decisions, overcoming the fear of starting something new, and learning that asking for help is a strength rather than a weakness. Kriti shares how building her practice taught her that she didn't need to have every answer before taking the first step.

Ultimately, it's a conversation about discovering that strength doesn't always look the way we expect. Sometimes it means allowing yourself to be vulnerable, trusting your instincts, and finding the courage to move forward even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Strength doesn't always mean holding everything together. Katie and Kriti reflect on how vulnerability, uncertainty, and allowing yourself to experience difficult emotions can be important parts of resilience and healing.

Setbacks can create unexpected opportunities. What initially felt like a devastating career setback ultimately helped Kriti discover new possibilities and build the confidence to create something of her own.

You don't need to have everything figured out. Starting something new can feel overwhelming, but curiosity, determination, and a willingness to ask for help can take you further than waiting until you feel completely ready.

“At that time, I did not think there were any good reasons for this.”

“It is okay to be showing vulnerability.”

“You don't have to have all those answers.”

Dr. Kriti Bhagat, OD, FAAO, is an accomplished optometrist, educator, and entrepreneur. She is the founder and owner of Eyediology Vision in Providence, Rhode Island, where she specializes in corneal health and specialty contact lenses.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. Bhagat has built a career spanning clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Salus University, has published numerous professional articles, and regularly speaks at industry conferences. Her contributions to education earned her the Pennsylvania College of Optometry's Professor of the Year award.

Beyond her practice, Kriti serves on the boards of the Rhode Island Optometric Association and Junior Achievement of Rhode Island. She is passionate about mentoring others, advancing eye care, and helping the next generation of professionals succeed.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriti-bhagat-9a40b9218/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brew.reading

In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with longtime friend, fellow optometrist, and entrepreneur Dr. Osama Said for an honest conversation about success, family, perfectionism, personal growth, and learning when it's time to let go.

Osama shares his journey from electrical engineering into optometry, eventually building a successful group of practices before selling to private equity. Along the way, he discovered that growing a business meant learning to delegate, trusting others, and accepting that perfection isn't always necessary for success.

The conversation becomes more personal as Katie and Osama reflect on raising daughters and the challenges of watching them become independent adults. Osama admits that letting go has been harder than expected, while Katie shares how becoming an empty nester has opened the door to rediscovering herself, writing books, and pursuing new passions.

They also explore the expectations we carry throughout life, from the desire to please our parents to the pressure to keep achieving more. Katie opens up about finding the courage to leave an abusive marriage and why she now feels ready to share more of her story.

Ultimately, it's a conversation about recognizing that success doesn't always mean doing more. Sometimes the greatest growth comes from accepting what you've accomplished, releasing what you can no longer control, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the next chapter.

Letting go can be one of the hardest parts of success. Whether it's delegating responsibilities in business or allowing your children to become independent, growth sometimes means stepping back and trusting others to find their own way.

Perfection isn't the goal. Osama learned that allowing others to take responsibility, even when they approach things differently, creates opportunities for everyone to grow.

Every new chapter brings new possibilities. Katie and Osama reflect on redefining success, questioning old expectations, and discovering that personal growth doesn't stop when you've achieved your goals.

“It's hard for me to let go of them, although they are ready to fly.”

“Perfection really isn't attainable.”

“I'm actually having the best time of my life right now.”

Dr. Osama Said is an experienced optometrist and entrepreneur based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Throughout his career, he has built and managed multiple optometry practices, developing extensive experience in business growth, leadership, and patient care.

Specializing in comprehensive eye examinations, vision correction, and eye health, Dr. Said is committed to providing personalized care while helping patients maintain healthy vision.

His journey from engineering to optometry and entrepreneurship reflects his passion for learning, building businesses, and embracing new opportunities.

MyEyeDr: https://www.myeyedr.com/

In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with Rita Kandamkalam for a deeply personal conversation about growth, faith, identity, belonging, vulnerability, and learning to find more joy in the person you're becoming.

Rita shares how a recent trip to Italy unexpectedly shifted her perspective. Returning to Los Angeles, she realized that parts of her old life no longer seemed to fit in quite the same way. Friendships were changing, her idea of home was evolving, and she was discovering that even positive growth can sometimes feel uncomfortable.

Katie and Rita also explore faith, intuition, and learning to trust the voice that tells you when it's time to move forward. Rita reflects on her Catholic upbringing, questioning institutions while holding onto her faith, and why choosing to be baptized as an adult became such a meaningful commitment.

One of the most revealing parts of their conversation centers on Rita's desire to continually become a better version of herself. Her therapist challenged her to consider whether constantly focusing on who she's becoming might prevent her from appreciating who she already is.

It's a conversation about letting go of what no longer fits, trusting yourself through seasons of change, and moving beyond having "just enough" joy to creating a life that's truly filled with it.

Growth can be positive and still feel painful. As we change, relationships, places, and even our sense of home can change with us. Something falling away doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

Working on yourself doesn't mean doing it alone. Katie reflects on the importance of allowing her "village" to support her and realizing that asking for help can be part of becoming stronger.

Don't become so focused on growth that you forget to experience joy. There's value in becoming who you want to be, but also in recognizing and celebrating who you already are.

“The only person that could ever hold myself back is me.”

“I always say your intuition is God speaking directly to you.”

“Now I have to go and fill my life with complete joy.”

Rita Kandamkalam is endlessly curious about people, the lives we build, and the places and experiences that shape us. Born in Kerala, India, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now living in Los Angeles, she loves traveling, exploring unfamiliar places, writing, and finding meaning in both the profound and the beautifully ordinary.

Her career has spanned hospitality, brand, technology, workplace, and real estate, with a common thread of understanding how people experience the world around them and how thoughtful spaces, systems, and design can help them feel more connected and supported.

When she's not working or traveling, Rita can often be found tucked away in a coffee shop or exploring town with her dog, Theodore.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritamk_

Sensere Studio: https://www.instagram.com/sensere.studio