Meet Kanika Chadda Gupta

Kanika Chadda Gupta has built a career rooted in storytelling, truth-seeking, and elevating voices that shape our world. With a background as a CNN television journalist and a respected television personality, she understands how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and heart. Her journey into podcasting and motherhood expanded her mission: to honor the often unseen influence of parents, especially mothers, and to highlight the power of living with purpose.

Kanika is a mother of three, including twins, and brings her lived experience to her work with remarkable honesty. Her message focuses on the long-term impact of modeling values, intention, and meaning for the next generation. This blend of personal depth and professional polish makes her a stand-out voice on stages across the country.

A Voice for Purpose, Parenting & Modern Leadership

As a speaker, Kanika covers a wide range of timely and influential topics. She addresses modern motherhood with nuance, acknowledging its complexities while offering actionable tools and perspective. She champions women’s empowerment and embeds DEI principles into her talks, highlighting how cultural identity, representation, and community shape leadership.

Kanika also works closely with organizations to help them better support employees who are parents—providing insight on parental leave, benefits, workplace belonging, and family-forward culture. She is equally at ease discussing the pursuit of one’s dharma, guiding audiences toward deeper alignment, purpose, and intentional living. Her South Asian and AAPI heritage informs her voice and allows her to connect directly with diverse audiences navigating identity, tradition, and modern ambition.

Host of That’s Total Mom Sense

Kanika is the creator and host of That’s Total Mom Sense, a top-ranked podcast exploring life lessons, parenting journeys, and legacy with public figures. Her guest list ranges from Chelsea Clinton and Kelly Rowland to America Ferrera and Kareena Kapoor Khan, offering listeners a rare window into both public and personal narratives.

The show has earned significant recognition, including reaching the #1 spot on Goodpods for the parenting vertical. Her work has led to partnerships with Mom 2.0, Meta, and The White House, expanding her platform and bringing depth to global conversations on family, leadership, and community. She has been featured in Forbes and has appeared on ABC, NBC, Fox, Cheddar, and CBS, further solidifying her presence as a respected voice in media and culture.

Recognition, Leadership & Influence

Kanika’s impact is reflected in the honors she has received. In 2023, she was named one of the 100 Women to Know in America by J.P. Morgan Chase, Industrious, and KNOW Women an acknowledgment of her influence across media, culture, and community leadership.

In 2024, she was appointed by Meta to attend the National Governors Association summit, working alongside New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s chief of staff. Her expertise continues to serve organizations looking to navigate the evolving landscape of family, work, and wellbeing.

She is also the Official Podcast Partner of Mom 2.0, operated by Everyday Health and BabyCenter, and serves as the Director for Women in Media for HeyMama. These roles position her at the intersection of media innovation, women’s leadership, and community building.

Cultural Roots & Creative Expression

Beyond journalism and podcasting, Kanika carries a rich cultural legacy. She is a former Miss India Maryland and Miss India East Coast pageant winner. She is also a trained Indian classical vocalist and Kuchipudi dancer, a tradition she now shares with her daughter.

These experiences add dimension to her story and deepen her message on identity, representation, and the importance of passing cultural heritage to future generations. Her background helps her connect with audiences navigating similar intersections of tradition, ambition, and belonging.