In this episode, Michael Franklin, PhD—author, professor, and former chair of Naropa University's graduate Transpersonal Art Therapy program—joins us to explore art as a transformative path for healing the soul.

Franklin invites us into the contemplative language of art—through mediums like clay, paint, and film—and how these move us beyond just self-expression and into uncovering deeper layers of ourselves and our potential. Drawing from his journey into transpersonal art therapy, he explains why art may be the most precise language for emotion, and how fluency in creative practice helps us stay present with our own discomfort so we can more compassionately accompany others through theirs in the practice of Art Therapy. 

Special Guest: Michael Franklin.

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New MindfulU Podcast episode: The Journey of a Poet with poet, Naropa Summer Writing Program faculty, and Brown University professor Eleni Sikelianos.

In this episode, Eleni shares the unconventional path that led her to a life of poetry—from hitchhiking around the world to synchronistic events that brought her to Naropa for an MFA. She reflects on how her writing has transformed over the years, the beauty and importance of ecopoetics, the practice of deep listening, her thoughts on AI, and the many unexpected places she draws inspiration from.

Special Guest: Eleni Sikelianos.

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Laird is an alumnx of Naropa’s MFA Creative Writing program, former Naropa core faculty and Summer Writing Program faculty for 15 years, author of 9 novels, and current professor of writing at Brown University.

In this episode, he takes us on the journey of finding his writing voice, the experiences that allowed him to become a published author and teacher, and what he believes about what it takes to make it as a writer.

Special Guest: Laird Hunt.

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A new podcast episode is out: A Look at Career & Life.

Curious what Career & Life Services at Naropa has to offer you as a student or alumnx?

Jessica DelCastillo, Senior Director of Academic Advising and Career & Life Development, and Danielle Swaser, Associate Director of Career & Life Development, sat down with MindfulU podcast host, David Devine, to share what career & life support looks like and what they offer—from interviewing and negotiations skills to strengths assessments, career workshops, and career change exploration.

This episode helps you understand what’s available to you as student, future student, or alumnx looking for support in developing an aligned career.

Special Guests: Danielle Swaser and Jessica DelCastillo.

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Did you know that translating poetry from one language to another is an art unto itself?

In our latest episode of Mindful U podcast author, translator, and veteran, Bill Porter, who goes by the pen name Red Pine, takes us through the process of finding the true heart of poem that’s hidden beneath words.

Hear his journey of how he began translating thousand-year old Chinese poetry and Buddhist and Taoist texts, and how that has shone a light on the nature of language itself. As a translator, he sees language as an experience that cannot be replicated and perfectly transformed from one into another, but when we dance with the rhythm that’s behind words themselves, and immerse ourselves in the world view of another we can find the true heart and meaning of an author.

Special Guest: Bill Porter.

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Mitchie Takeuchi is the writer and producer of the "The Vow From Hiroshima" a film about an atomic bomb survivor in Hiroshima who has dedicated her life to nuclear disarmament and activism. Mitchie is also a descendant of survivors of the atomic bomb and the film follows their friendship and mission to abolish nuclear weapons worldwide.

On this episode, Mitchie shares about her life and work, how this film came together, and the impact she hopes it will have on nuclear guardianship and more.

“Nuclear weapons and humanity can’t coexist”

Special Guest: Mitchie Takeuchi .

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Reggie Hubbard is a yogi, political campaigner and activist, speaker, and meditation instructor.

On this episode he speaks to working with grief and how to heal, he tells his story of how he aligned his professional and spiritual life into an integrated path of purpose, and he explains why he believes mindfulness is essential to political activism.

Special Guest: Reggie Hubbard.

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Artist, author, and leadership development trainer, Rosi Greenberg, breaks down the concept of the inner critic and redefines imposter syndrome.

Our inner critic isn’t going anywhere, but it can become an ally when we come into relationship with the wisdom that underlies it. She also examines imposter syndrome as something that is often a product of systems of oppression and in recognizing this, how can we look at systems change while also applying compassion to ourselves and our current experience.

Special Guest: Rosi Greenberg.

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Hear from Harmony Kwiker on the magic that is gestalt therapy.

Harmony is a visiting professor of Naropa’s master's program in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling. She shares about how the gestalt therapy model has helped her bridge her spiritual path with a practical way to help others and provides a framework to treat patients as equals who are empowered in their own healing journey to come into contact with the deepest parts of themselves.

Special Guest: Harmony Kwiker.

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Our latest podcast with Jen Berlingo, MA, LPC, ATR is out today!

Jen is a Naropa Alumnx of the MA Transpersonal Therapy program, a practicing coach, licensed therapist and author of her new book Midlife Emergence: Free Your Inner Fire.

In this episode you’ll hear about her Naropa experience and how getting a degree in counseling served her true calling of art, therapy and coaching after leaving the corporate world. She also shares her journey of coming out as queer in midlife and what it looked like to alchemize her midlife transition into a Midlife Emergence of true authentic living.

Special Guest: Jen Berlingo .

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