She flips through her notes, the products of late-night brainstorming sessions and countless hours of research. With a deep breath, she turns on her microphone and gives her interviewee a gracious smile. “Thank you so much for your time!”
Two Lynbrook juniors stepped from their comfort zone into the world of podcasting. For Rhea Susarla, host of “Rheality Check,” and Mekhla Godbole, host of “Founders Forum,” it was a journey that took courage and reflection.
Rhea Susarla advocates for ethical technology
Susarla’s “Rheality Check” came to life in June 2024. Inspired by podcasts such as “The Burnouts” and “a16z,” she interviews tech entrepreneurs. Her podcast blends discussions of controversial topics in software and science, from period tracking apps to AI ethics, with stories of personal development.
“I noticed there was a lot of fear and concern over technology in dystopian novels and films,” Susarla said. “That got me into promoting ethical technology. It’s especially important to younger generations, since we’ll be living with the consequences the longest.”
A play on her name, “Rheality Check” reflects her commitment to candid conversations and authenticity. While Susarla’s self-assured tone may give the impression of being a natural speaker, she describes herself as the opposite.
“I’ve always been a shy person.” Susarla said. “I was always into YouTube and video editing, but I never thought of myself as someone who had the confidence to be on screen like that. Like entrepreneurship, it’s not just about learning the skills, but being brave.”
A recent feature of Jia Chen, college senior and co-founder of tech company Sorcerer was particularly impactful for Susarla. Susarla discovered Chen through her first start up, Sprint.dev, a DevTools distribution company, and began following her on Twitter.
“When I reached out to her, I thought there was no chance.” Rhea said. “When she responded, I was just by myself in my room crying over this random email. The whole episode was a fever dream for me.”
Though it began as a passion project, “Rheality Check” is now something Susarla plans to continue in college. With a microphone and a dream, each episode of Susarla’s podcast reminds listeners that meaningful conversations can start anywhere.
Mekhla Godbole uplifts teen business owners
A business enthusiast, Godbole was drawn to the idea of promoting entrepreneurs. She aims to represent students alongside professionals on her podcast, “Future Founders Forum.”
“I feel like teens are very underestimated in the field of business.” Godbole said. “People believe that they can’t succeed, but there are businesses out there doing good for the community and supporting real causes.”
Godbole’s experience podcasting for Cyber for Youth, an organization dedicated to promoting cybersecurity, inspired her to launch “Future Founders Forum” in the summer of 2025.
“My very first Cyber for Youth podcast episode was with a very established cyber security professional,” Godbole said. “I was really nervous about that, but after that initial experience, I built confidence and learned how to communicate effectively with people.”
The debut episode of “Future Founders Forum” welcomed sophomore Noor Ahmed, who owns a jewelry-making business. During the episode, Godbole asked Ahmed to share advice she would give to other young entrepreneurs. Ahmed attests to the importance of platforms like Godbole’s that highlight the effort and commitment it takes to start a business.
“People need to better understand how managing a business is like running a marathon.” Ahmed said. “During finals, during tests, there are weeks when it’s just so hard to keep up with it, but you always make time for your business.”
Godbole hopes to expand her audience beyond Lynbrook and implement new marketing and production strategies to promote her work. With meticulous planning for each episode and careful attention to analytics, Godbole represents the discipline it takes to actualize goals, serving as a reminder that meaningful storytelling often begins long before the microphone turns on.
“My message for teens is to not fear failure.” Godbole said. “All entrepreneurs start small and have to go through the necessary challenges to grow. In the end, you need to do it out of passion, and you’ll never know where that might lead.”
