Send us a text The Seesaw of Stride and Harmony -Alana Zamora In this deeply philosophical episode, marketing leader Alana Zamora explores the delicate balance between ambition and inner peace with host Taran Singh. Zamora, who describes herself as an "ambassador for compassion," shares how her professional journey in advertising evolved from print to digital to AI, always keeping her learning and adapting. Her approach to life centers on finding harmony amid chaos, which she beau...

Send us a text In the latest episode of "The Mountain in Us," host Taran Singh interviews Debbie Feit, a marketing expert and author who found an unexpected voice as a poet after experiencing a significant personal loss. Debbie recounts her childhood in a conservative Jewish household in Brooklyn, highlighting the cultural traditions, Hebrew prayers, and strict rules for keeping a kosher home that influenced her early years. She shares a touching story about her father’s considerate flexibili...

Send us a text The Cosmic Play of Clay, Collision, and Colors" Host: Taran Singh Guest: Kim Larkin – Experiential futurist, creative, and gardener based in Taos, New Mexico Key Themes & Takeaways: 1. Taos & the High Desert - Kim shares her journey to Taos, New Mexico, drawn by its rich cultural history, stunning landscapes, and deep connection to nature. - She highlights the interplay of Indigenous (Taos Pueblo), Sp...

Send us a text Leslie Li, a global adventurer and expectant mother, joins host Taran Singh for an honest conversation about overcoming the fear of missing out in our hyper-connected world. Born into China's Zhuang minority and influenced by immigrant hustle culture, Leslie explains how her journey from Switzerland to Silicon Valley was filled with constant comparison and achievement anxiety. The episode examines how a career shift to tech and impending motherhood unexpectedly became catalyst...

Send us a text In this heartfelt podcast episode, Nancy Ayala opens up about the profound loss of her brother, Jose, and her journey toward acceptance and healing. She reflects on their close bond, describing him as both a brother and a father figure who shaped her life with love, music, and unwavering support. Nancy shares how her initial struggle with grief—a feeling she once saw as "the nastiest in the world"—gradually transformed as she learned to reframe it as an enduring expression of ...

Send us a text Some stories don’t just get told—they burn their way into you. In this powerful episode, writer Elly Donado guides us through the streets of Queens that shaped her, sharing how she transformed childhood trauma into breathtaking art. From experiencing over 30 moves (often packing her life in trash bags instead of suitcases) to discovering writing as her lifeline, Elly reveals how our deepest wounds can become our most potent creative fuel. Her concept of the "boomerang of brea...

Send us a text In this evocative episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh welcomes Emily—an open-water swimmer, Orcas Island resident, and mushroom cultivator—to explore what it means to find home in the wild embrace of the sea. Against a backdrop of the Salish Sea's shimmering waves, Emily describes the marine life that animates her world: "Otters trotting along the shore, porpoises gliding past, and orcas rising with their dorsal fins—it's a reminder that we share these waters with e...

Send us a text In this compelling episode, Taran Singh sits down with Jacqueline, filmmaker and writer, for a raw conversation about the transformative power of intuition. Jacqueline opens with a profound insight about her creative awakening: "At 13, I realized stories could do what conversations couldn't - they let people borrow courage through someone else's journey." She traces her path from film school to what appeared to be a dream job, where she ultimately discovered "the most dangerous...

Send us a text Liz Ma's journey exemplifies the transformative impact of a "rude awakening". After years of feeling disconnected despite a successful consulting career and worldwide travels, a freak accident forced her to stop. A severe injury resulted in vertigo, impaired vision, and a body that could no longer keep up with her hectic lifestyle. This painful pause became her turning point. In that stillness, she discovered meditation and inner reflection, realizing that the answers she sough...

Send us a text Rachel Wu's story begins in urban Inner Mongolia, far from the nomadic stereotypes many imagine. "Classmates would ask if I rode a horse to school—I'd say, 'No, I took the bus like everyone else!'" She laughs. Rachel carried her family's hopes as an only child, especially her mother and grandmother, who pushed her to seek opportunities beyond China's limits. "They showed me what women could lose when society boxes them in. I wanted more." This drive led her to Silicon Valley, w...

Send us a text In this episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh speaks with Kristin Joy Ekkens, founder of Exponential Joy and a Michigan-native storyteller dedicated to spreading joy, purposeful living, and adventures. Kristin’s journey begins in Michigan’s inner city, where her parents’ commitment to community taught her the value of belonging—growing up surrounded by Michigan’s natural beauty—camping trips, freshwater lakes, and adventures at Sleeping Bear Dunes—instilled in h...

Send us a text In this soul-nourishing episode, Collette Alvis shares more than her Guyanese recipes & Culture—she offers the secret ingredients to a life well-lived. Like the perfect curry, her story balances bold flavors of resilience with subtle notes of faith, all simmered in the broth of cultural heritage. Each dish she describes—from golden roti to hearty chana(Chick Peas)—carries generations of wisdom, love, and the unshakable spirit of her loving roots. At the heart ...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh sits down with Mackenzie Beckstad—poet, author, and advocate for queer representation—to explore themes of Belonginging, identity, resilience, and creative expression. Key Highlights: 1️⃣ Upbringing & Religious Shifts: Mackenzie shares her journey growing up in Utah and the seismic shift she experienced when her family left the church at age 15. She reflects on navigating isolation, redef...

Send us a text Hey, everyone. I enjoyed hosting Hannah V Warren on the podcast today. She’s a poet, translator, and keen observer of life. She's the author of the poetry collection Slaughterhouse for Old Wives' Tales and two chapbooks. Hannah is a creative force, full of originality, surprise, and depth, and it was such an honor to have her on the show. Hannah shared her journey into poetry, which began in rural South Mississippi, where she described having few opportunities to engage...

Send us a text In this captivating episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh engages with the inspiring Diana Nguyen, a multifaceted professional with a remarkable journey from finance to fashion. Diana shares her story of growing up in an immigrant family in Los Angeles, shaped by the propelling strength of her single mother and large extended family. Her career began in accounting, but she later transitioned to the fashion industry, founding Madison /Saville, a brand centered...

Send us a text Welcome to "The Mountain in Us" podcast, where host Taran Singh explores individuals' exciting, challenging, and heartfelt journeys. In this episode, Taran talks with Vic Alvarez, a Cuban-American educator, writer, and editor, as she expects her first child, Isabel, around Christmas. Vic shares her excitement and apprehension about motherhood, her strong cultural heritage, and its influence on her life and writing. Vic discusses her journey and challenges with endometriosis, as...