The Student Within

Melissa Ra
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

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.

Episodes

  1. Apr 7

    Training the body while tending the spirit with Anisa Guajardo

    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!

  2. Feb 24

    Resilience as a practice with Austin Gates

    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/

    Resilience as a practice with Austin Gates

  3. 10/30/2025

    Lifelong learner Matthew Kopp

    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

    Lifelong learner Matthew Kopp

  4. 10/29/2025

    Beloved Veteran student Jon Morton

    In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with a veteran student who opens up about his journey from undergraduate to graduate studies at Naropa. With honesty and vulnerability, he shares how returning to school shaped his understanding of healing, identity, and purpose. Now working at a nonprofit that supports fellow veterans, he reflects on the importance of community, mental health awareness, and finding meaning through service. His story offers a powerful reminder that education can be both an inner and outer act of transformation. Transpersonal psychology Stanislav Grof project: https://groflegacyproject.org/resources/history-of-transpersonal-psychology/ Warrior Pathh: https://www.travismillsfoundation.org/pathh/ If you are interested in reading and learning more about Ngöndro; Ngöndro (preliminary practices of Tibetan Buddhism) When Jon begins his practice: Also the word that we were looking for, which refers to the most auspicious time before dawn is brahma muhurta.

    Beloved Veteran student Jon Morton

  5. 10/29/2025

    Embodying the Goddess with Cynthia Abulafia

    Our dialogue explores her evolving relationship with Tantra and Śaivism, her dedication to contemplative study, and the balance between academic and embodied practice. She reflects on how each stage of learning continues to unfold new dimensions of insight and devotion. She is a very much adored student within our cohort. Cynthia is currently pursuing her second master’s degree (Yoga Studies) and studying Sanskrit. She brings over two decades of experience leading yoga trainings and retreats around the world. Cynthia's first book will be released on January 20, 2026. And you can preorder your copy here: Embodying the Goddess: How to Awaken Curiosity and Reverence on the Spiritual Path Visit her website and sign up for her yoga teacher trainings: Cynthia Abulafia website Her own words "Just the Goddess talking to Herself, dismantling the transcendence bias in patriarchal spirituality. Because it's time to remember pulsation." from her substack bio. Please check out her interesting and inspiring essay form posts: Cynthia substack

    Embodying the Goddess with Cynthia Abulafia
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Ra
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Naropa University
  • Show Website
    The Student Within