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The Student Within

The Student Within

By: Melissa Ra
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More than just a podcast, The Student Within is a growing community, fostering understanding, building networks, and investing in the bright, unfolding potential of each student voice. Through open conversation, we explore what it means to learn, grow, and navigate the unfolding path of education and life. This is a space to listen, learn from one another, and find connection in shared experience. The Student Within offers a platform for the unheard voices of the students in Naropa University, to speak about their career and contemplate life together. We frequently hear from established experts, published authors, and seasoned professionals, and we rarely get insight into those just beginning their journey. Students brimming with fresh ideas, that with the right support, can blossom to their highest potential. We aim to bridge that gap.

Naropa University Biographies & Memoirs Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Training the body while tending the spirit with Anisa Guajardo

    Training the body while tending the spirit with Anisa Guajardo
    Apr 7 2026

    In this episode, we sit with student Anisa Guajardo, whose journey moves between intensity and introspection. As professional athlete and winner of the 10th season of Exatlón, she reflects on what it means to move beyond intellectual understanding and into embodiment. Now, studying a master's in Transpersonal Mindfulness Counseling at Naropa becomes part of her self-discovery journey. Our conversation explores what happens when the rigor of physical training meets the subtle work of inner awareness.

    Her story reveals that strength is not only built as we physically train, but when we learn from within.

    Follow Anisa on Insta

    Watch the season finale where Anisa won!
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    45 mins
  • Resilience as a practice with Austin Gates

    Resilience as a practice with Austin Gates
    Feb 24 2026

    In this episode, we sit with a lifelong student Austin Gates, whose path is shaped by devotion to practice, inquiry, and community. From contemplative psychology to meditation instruction, research, student organizing, and even Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he reflects on what it means to remain a student throughout. Through stories of study, service, and embodied practice, this conversation becomes an invitation to meet challenge not as failure, but as initiation into deeper learning.

    Visit his youtube channel:

    The Rad Futurist

    The Charis Foundation for New Monasticism & Interspirituality:

    https://charisinterspirituality.org

    And their Naropa University partnership:

    The Keating-Schachter Center (KSC) for Interspirituality at Naropa University

    The Zendo project, the company we discussed that sets up at festivals:

    https://zendoproject.org/
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    45 mins
  • Lifelong learner Matthew Kopp

    Lifelong learner Matthew Kopp
    Oct 30 2025

    In this uplifting conversation we meet Matthew, a student in his third year of graduate Yoga Studies at Naropa University. He is pursuing his third master’s degree. With warmth and humor, he shares his perspective on embracing life without the weight of academic stress and how spiritual connection to his ancestors encourage a life full of meaning.

    Radiating energy and curiosity, Matthew reminds us that learning is not confined to classrooms but is a lifelong rhythm, one that nourishes both mind and spirit.

    Follow him on IG @ mattsinglebean

    You can find the "Great Swan Meetings with Ramakrishna" book by Hixon Lex here
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    34 mins
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