Q&A with Chanchal Garg

  

Photo by Carolina Luna

 

 

 

 

Chanchal Garg is the author of the book Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & the Truths They Bury. She is also a speaker and executive coach.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write Unearthed?

 

A: Well, I never initially planned to write a book. Unearthed began as a personal journaling process. At first, I was just writing my own thoughts and experiences to process them and over time, it evolved into something I wanted to share with my children.

 

I wanted them to have an example of a woman who speaks up and doesn’t stay silent and confuse that silence for loyalty. In my lineage, I’ve seen generations of women who could not fully acknowledge their own existence. I did not want that to be the legacy I passed down.

 

I am also an executive coach and as I wrote, I began to see how universal these narratives are; how many women feel pressured to shrink themselves or people-please in ways that lead to losing themselves. I wrote Unearthed to share my story knowing that there are not yet enough of these stories out there.

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: The title Unearthed really emerged organically as I wrote. In the book, I explore a lot of the questions I had at those moments in my life, or even questions I wish I’d asked but couldn’t. That process felt like unearthing layers of my own story.

 

For me, the word “Unearth” is deeply tied to my cultural roots and that connection to the earth itself. I think of it as if I’m turning over what’s buried and asking, “What’s underneath all this?” Our culture can be beautiful, but it can also bury truths that we need to bring to light.

 

The title Unearthed signifies my own process of digging deep, reclaiming my own voice, sharing my story, and staying true to myself in relationships and leadership. It is about revealing the truths that were buried by narratives telling us to stay silent. The name came slowly, but when it did, it felt exactly right.

 

Q: The author Carole Robin called the book “a gift of vulnerability, strength, and transformation.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I think Carole’s description reflects her own experience of the book, and I’m honored by it. It’s meaningful to hear someone frame vulnerability as a strength and a doorway to transformation.

 

Often vulnerability is seen as weakness, so having someone like Carole acknowledge it as a powerful force is something I really appreciate and think we need more of in the world.

 

At the same time, I know that the book is deeply personal and that different readers will resonate with different aspects of it. While Carole’s words capture one beautiful angle, each reader might unearth something unique that speaks to them.

 

To me, that is the beauty of sharing a personal story. It can be a multifaceted experience that offers different gifts to different people.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: Writing Unearthed was a layered healing journey. Many of the experiences I write about in part three happened as I wrote. I didn’t always know where I was going in my writing as it was an active healing process.

 

After the book was published, I continued to question my own narratives as I engaged in conversations with readers. It’s been a reminder that healing is ongoing.

 

What I really hope readers take away is a sense of questioning and reclaiming their identity. I want them to use the book as a mirror to ask: “Is this who I really am, or is this who I was taught to be?” Unearthing those inherited narratives that could have been confused with their own identity and seeing if their actions truly align with what is in their heart.

 

I hope the book invites them into their own journey of reclaiming who they really are.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working closely with women leaders at the intersection of identity, power, and influence. When faced with challenging power dynamics, I’m working with women to hold onto their own power and dignity as they cultivate influence.

 

I’m speaking at women’s leadership conferences and within organizations that are actively supporting their women leaders. I’m guiding these women to rethink old conditioning and step into leadership where they have real impact, so their influencing outcomes rather than just navigating them.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Unearthed is not just a story, it is meant to spark reflection. There are questions at the back, perfect for book clubs or individual reflection, especially for women leaders thinking about their own choices and leadership. If that’s of interest, I’m always open to supporting that conversation.

 

If anyone reads the book and wants to share thoughts or ask questions, I’d love to hear from them.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb