Segment: Truth
• Q1. Truth Time – Ever felt like giving up? You’ve shared how in your 40s you had no CV and faced rejection after rejection from employers. Did you ever secretly think about giving up during that difficult time? What kept you pushing forward when doors kept closing in your face?
• Q2. “Life began at 44” – what’s the real story? It’s been said that for you, “life truly began at the age of 44” after a financial crisis forced you to reinvent yourself. What did that chapter teach you about who you are, and how did it shape the rest of your journey?
• Q3 . A truth about Sandi we don’t know: What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? Give us a truth about Sandi Rich Saksena that most folks don’t know – it could be a hidden talent, a fear, a quirky hobby – anything that shows a side of you we haven’t seen.
Segment: Dare
• Q4. 3-Word Dare – Sum up your journey: I dare you to describe your incredible life journey in just three words. Which three words encapsulate your story, and why those? (No cheating – you only get three!)
• Q5. On-the-spot pep talk: We’ve got a dare for you: Can you deliver a 10-second motivational pep talk for anyone out there who feels like it’s “too late” for them to succeed? Imagine speaking to someone half your age (or twice your age) who’s lost confidence – let’s hear your most passionate quick encouragement!
• Q6. What’s next on your bucket list? You’re no stranger to daring feats – you even went skydiving at 68 and walked the fashion runway at 71. So as a dare, tell us: What’s one “crazy” or bold adventure still left on your bucket list that you haven’t tried yet? We’re all curious what a fearless person like you wants to conquer next!
Segment: Controversy
• Q7. “Too old” to dream? Prove them wrong: When you decided to launch your own company at 73, some people thought it was unnecessary or even “foolish”. What do you say to those critics who believe there’s an age limit to entrepreneurship and chasing new dreams?
• Q8. Unpopular opinion – tell it like it is: What’s a controversial opinion you hold about success or the financial industry that might surprise people? Maybe there’s common career advice you disagree with, or a financial myth you’re ready to debunk. We’re looking for an honest take that might be a little against the grain.
• Q9. Empowerment’s untold truth: You’ve been a champion for women’s empowerment for decades. Is there a hard truth or a controversial issue in the realm of women’s empowerment that you feel isn’t talked about enough? (For example, something the empowerment movement might be getting wrong or needs to address more honestly.)
Segment: Hidden Industry Secrets
• Q10. Behind the scenes of a 90s financial advisor: Back in the 1990s you started selling life insurance in the UAE – a purely commission-based job that involved countless cold calls and rejections. What’s a behind-the-scenes reality of that job or the financial planning industry that outsiders would be surprised to learn? Give us a peek into the hidden challenges or tricks of the trade from those early days.
• Q11. Dirty little secret of finance: From your decades in finance, what is one hidden truth about money management or the financial services industry that the general public doesn’t often realize? (It could be something like how people think about money, a misconception about financial freedom, or an industry practice that you think should be more transparent.)
• Q12. The life of a global speaker – what we don’t see: People see you on stage or on camera, traveling the world and speaking to audiences. What’s something about being a global speaker and mentor that looks glamorous from the outside but has a hidden side to it? Maybe a ritual you do before speeches, the jet-lag, the preparation – any behind-the-curtain secret of the mentor life that would surprise your fans.
Segment: Challenges
• Q13. Darkest moment and how you rose above: You’ve endured some intense challenges – from a sudden financial collapse in your 40s (even seeing your husband collapse from stress) to a life-threatening moment in 2000 when you didn’t wake up on the operating table. What would you say was the darkest moment of your journey, and how did you find the strength to pull through that period?
• Q14. Starting at 44 with no experience: At age 44 you were, in your own words, a “middle-aged woman with no work experience” who didn’t even know how to use a computer. How did you overcome feeling unprepared and intimidated when you first entered the workforce? What were the first steps you took to conquer that steep learning curve and turn a lack of experience into an advantage?
• Q15. No plans to retire – what drives you? Most people start slowing down in their 70s, but you famously have “no thought at seventy-three to retire”. What keeps you motivated to keep challenging yourself with new projects and goals, even now? Where does that drive come from, and do you ever have days where you feel like taking it easy, or is it full throttle all the time?
• Q16. Bigger challenge: 44 or 71? Which was more challenging: starting a brand-new career at 44 with all odds against you, or walking down a fashion runway at 71 in front of everyone, defying stereotypes? And why? Both took courage in different ways – we’d love to know which felt like the bigger personal leap for you and what you learned from each experience.
Segment: Advice
• Q17. For anyone who thinks “it’s too late”: What is your message to someone watching who feels stuck or “too old” to make a change in their life or career? You often remind us that age doesn’t matter when passion propels ambition – so how can they start believing in themselves and take that first step toward a new dream, no matter their age or circumstances?
• Q18. One financial tip for the next generation: If you could instill one piece of financial advice in every young person (say in their 20s or 30s) today, what would that be? Perhaps something you wish you had known about money when you were younger.
• Q19. Advice to 20-year-old Sandi: If you could go back in time and talk to 20-year-old Sandi, what would you tell her? Any wisdom or warning? (And do you think the 20-year-old you would believe everything you’ve accomplished now – from the skydives to the awards – or would she be totally shocked?)
• Q20. Life lesson beyond the textbook: You’ve said that you don’t measure success in money or titles, but in “peace of mind, health, happiness, and the ability to make informed choices”. What is one life lesson or value you hold dear that you wish more people knew – something we don’t usually learn in school but is crucial for a fulfilling life?
Segment: Career Journey
• Q21. Defining “I made it” moment: Your career path has been anything but traditional. Was there a particular turning point or victory in your journey when you thought, “Wow, I really made it” or “this is what success feels like”? Maybe landing a big client, being invited to speak internationally, or even a personal moment of triumph – what moment stands out for you as a validation that you were on the right path?
• Q22. Only woman in the room: You became the first and only female sales manager among 36 male managers at your firm, leading an all-women team in a male-dominated industry. How did that achievement feel at the time? Can you share how you navigated being the only woman in that room – any challenges you faced or changes you brought about by proving women deserve that leadership spot?
• Q23. Master of reinvention: You’ve worn so many hats – homemaker, financial consultant, sales manager, magazine editor, speaker, entrepreneur, even model and adventure enthusiast. How did you navigate switching roles and industries so fluidly? What’s your secret to continually adapting and reinventing yourself at each stage of your career?
• Q24. The power of mentorship: You’ve mentioned that a mentor (your first boss) saw potential in you and coached you when you were just starting. How important was mentorship in your success story? And now that you’re an accomplished mentor figure yourself, how do you pay it forward – what do you do to guide or uplift others following in your footsteps?
Segment: Financial Wisdom
• Q25. Biggest money mistake to avoid: In your experience, what is the #1 financial mistake or bad habit that you see people (especially young people) make, and how can they avoid it? We’re looking for that one common pitfall that you wish you could warn everyone about.
• Q26. What is financial freedom, really? You’ve said you view money not just as wealth but “as a form of energy exchange… representing opportunities and the potential for positive change”. With that perspective in mind, how do you define financial freedom or financial success? Is it a number in the bank, a mindset, a lifestyle? What does true financial freedom mean to you personally?
• Q27. Empowering everyone to manage money: Financial literacy is a big theme for you – you stress that it’s non-negotiable for freedom. How can we encourage more people, especially young women (and men too), to take charge of their finances? Are there simple steps or habits you recommend to start becoming more financially empowered and educated?
• Q28 . The best investment you ever made: What would you say is the best investment you’ve ever made in your life? (It could be an actual investment like a stock or property, but it could also be an investment of time, education, or even an investment in yourself.) What made it the best, and what can we learn from it?
Segment: Empowerment
• Q29. What empowerment means to you: You talk a lot about empowerment and independence. What does “empowerment” truly mean to you on a personal level? Paint us a picture – how does an empowered person think, act, or live differently?
• Q30. Building aggressive self-belief: You credit “aggressive self-belief” and unwavering confidence as the foundation of success. For someone out there who struggles with self-doubt, how can they start building that kind of self-confidence? Any practical tips or exercises to develop a stronger belief in oneself?
• Q31. Most inspiring mentee story: You have impacted so many lives. Can you share a story of someone you mentored or inspired that really moved you or made you proud? Maybe a person who came back to you and said, “Sandi, your advice changed my life.” We’d love to hear about one of the transformational moments you’ve been part of in someone else’s journey.
• Q32. Your source of strength: You’ve been called “a beacon of strength and determination”, and we can all see why. Where do you draw this incredible strength from? Is it faith, family, a personal mantra? And how can others tap into their own inner strength during tough times, just like you have throughout your life?
Segment: Audience Interaction
• Q33. A challenge for our audience: As we wrap up, can you challenge our viewers with one actionable dare? What’s one thing you’d like to see everyone watching do this week to improve themselves or move closer to their goals? (It could be anything from starting a budget, having a difficult conversation, waking up early to exercise, or writing down a plan – something tangible to get people moving.)
• Q34. Advice for a viewer scenario: Let’s say someone in our audience comes to you with this scenario: “I feel lost and I haven’t found my passion, and I’m doubting myself.” What would be your advice to that person? How should they go about discovering their purpose or gaining confidence in themselves?
