Waking Youth

If there's a central inquiry to the Waking Youth podcast it's this: How might we consciously initiate ourselves—as individuals and as a species–into the next stage of our evolution? Turn our ecological emergency, our polycrisis, into an opportunity for global transformation?Daniel Pinchbeck has dedicated his life and career to living this question.Author of Breaking Open the Head, 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl, How Soon Is Now, and more recently, the Substack newsletter Liminal News, Daniel's work explores consciousness, politics, mysticism, and social change.He has spent decades not just writing about change, but actively seeking it through projects like the Evolver Network, The Elevator's Substack, and online courses on the ecological emergency.In this episode, we unpack Daniel's story of becoming—from his early days as a child of the Beat Generation in New York, to his awakening into a more mystical paradigm.We talk about writing as a tool for transformation, how to catalyze social and environmental shifts, the war between the genders, and the connection between non-normative relational models (like polyamory) and social healing.Last but not least, we listen to Daniel's words of wisdom for the younger generations, coming of age in this pivotal evolutionary moment.Enjoy!References:* TAZ: The Temporary Autonomous Zone* Techno-Feudalism: What Killed Capitalism* Why Materialism is Baloney* Morphogenetic Fields, Rupert Sheldrake* Manifesto for the Noosphere* The Myth of Male Power* The Red Pill* The Outrage Machine* Sexual Personae* Existential Kink* Eros Unredeemed* The Case Against the Sexual Revolution* Internet for the PeopleCredits:* Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra* Producer, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org

Hannah Close is one of those human beings whose life's work defies easy static bios. She's a brilliant writer, to start with, author of METAXU, a Substack newsletter that delves into themes as personal as they are collectively relevant. Some of my favorite essays include Lives Never Lived, a musing on the ethics of bringing children into the world amidst our polycrisis, and Reading Fiction Again, a reflection on the social value of fiction. Her words have appeared in publications such as the Dark Mountain Project and Evolve. While her images, since she's a brilliant photographer too, have been featured in the Guardian, The Telegraph, the Times, among others. With a Ma in Engaged Ecology from Schumacher College, where she created the visual philosophy project ARCHIPELAGO: A Cartography of Relation, Hannah is currently making Islandness, a documentary expanding on the theme of islands and what they can teach us about resilience, togetherness, and our connection to the natural world.Beyond her artistic pursuits, Hannah is curator. In 2018 she founded the Experimental Thought Co, a network that convened events on culture change. More recently, she partnered with the transformational learning platform advaya (whose co-founder Ruby Reed I recently interviewed) to curate several courses, among them Contemporary Spirituality: Meaning and Mysticism in the Modern Age.Hannah lives between South West England, where she's from, and a wild Hebridean island where she occasionally hosts sailing residencies.I invited Hannah because, to me, she embodies the pursuit of wisdom and wholeness. Her art—whether in the form of an image, written piece, or Instagram post—emerges from a profound, quiet place. It moves the stuff of the spirit, and invites us to question who we are and what we're really here for. Together we unpack her early life as the daughter of a 17-year old mother in a working class household that revered flatscreen TVs and honest labor. We listen to the waking up moments that let Hannah to eventually commit to her artistic pursuits. We also talk about her reluctance to personal branding, and the subversive role of creativity in a consumerist culture. And, last but not least, how Hannah attempts to live her most waking life.Credits:* Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra* Producer, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org

As someone interested in both personal healing and social change, I often notice a divide between these two transformational movements. On one hand, spiritual seekers can become overly focused on their inner journeys, moving from retreat to retreat without reflecting much on the planetary events unfolding in the world and their relationship to them. On the other hand, changemakers and activists can become so obsessed about bringing forth their desired futures that they not infrequently neglect self-care, presence and even kindness and compassion towards self and others. One of the projects bridging this divide is Advaya. They are a transformational learning platform that offers courses on ecology, spirituality, mysticism, embodiment and culture facilitated by visionaries like Vandava Shiva, Alnoor Ladha, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake and our former guest Chiara Baldini.In this interview, I talked with Ruby Reed, co-founder of Advaya to learn more about what led her to start this platform with her sister Crystabel Reed back in 2015. In 2019, Ruby and Christabel also started the EcoResolution campaign, encouraging people  to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle in partnerships with several celebrities. This initiative eventually led them to the creation of Earthed, a non-profit that offers courses on nature restoration, covering topics from climate adaptation to permaculture and urban gardening. In this episode, we listen to Ruby's personal history as an introverted girl with a fascination for all things magical. We explore her experience of starting Advaya and Earthed, as well as some of the challenges and lessons along the way. We also discuss Ruby's views on social media as a network builder, and how she  feels about our collective future, with all its challenges and possibilities. I hope you enjoy our conversation.Credits* Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra* Creator, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org

What does it mean to live from our intuition, beyond the expectations of our communities of origin? This is the question that accompanies this episode. Chiara Baldini, the first woman in her family to attend university, was born in rural Florence, in Italy. Throughout her twenties, she took on various jobs  – waitress, translator, tour guide – anything that allowed her the freedom to travel and open herself to life. After attending Boom, one of the largest transformative festivals in Europe, Chiara knew she wanted to get involved. By 2010, she had become the program curator of Liminal Village, the cultural area of the festival, which sheds light on topics ranging from psychedelic science to regeneration and social justice. It was at Boom too, following a transcendental experience at the dance temple, that Chiara felt called to initiate her independent research on the evolution of ecstatic practices in the West, weaving the threads from primitive culture to present-day electronic music events.In 2019, Chiara co-edited the ‘Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine', an anthology on the intersection between the feminine principle and altered states of consciousness.Currently, Chiara is a PhD candidate at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She lives in Costa Vicentina in Portugal, where she often plays as DJ Clandestina.Together we talk about Chiara's early life, growing up as a good catholic girl, and her initiation into alternative culture and transformative festivals. We listen to some of the challenges and learnings of her decade-long career as a curator, including her efforts to re-integrate social justice into new-age culture. And lastly, we explore what it takes to live a wholehearted life, even when it means embracing the inevitable tragedy present in love. Credits:- Creator, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes;- Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra.If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org

A conversation with Cristina Bernardo Kullberg about how we might navigate the limiting beliefs that so often get in the way of where we want to go and who we want to be, as women, as humans, for ourselves and our communities.Together we delve into Cristina's personal history as a Cuban American with nine siblings. We explore some of the challenges and learnings throughout her career as a business and non-profit leader, and political appointee for the Obama administration. We also talk about work-life balance as a parent. And how the loss of Cristina's baby daughter Aviva, deepened her commitment to living intentionally and uplifting women across the world.Guest Bio: Cristina Bernardo is the co-founder of Open Dreams, a non-profit that assists high-achieving, low-income youth from Cameroon apply for and receive international scholarships to some of the best universities across the world. She also served as the business developer and executive director of EmzingoU, a firm that designs and facilitates leadership development experiences for university students.In 2016, Cristina served as a political appointee for the Obama administration to support the growth of small businesses, renewable energy, and community economic development throughout the most impoverished rural and tribal areas of the US. Currently, in addition to running her non-profit, Cristina is a certified integral coach, supporting women through her She Shines Worldwide initiative. Credits:- Creator, Writer & Host: Carlota Guedes- Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos SierraIf you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :)Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the project here. To hear more, visit www.wakingyouth.org

A conversation with Cristina Bernardo Kullberg about how we might navigate the limiting beliefs that so often get in the way of where we want to go and who we want to be, as women, as humans, for ourselves and our communities.  Together we delve into Cristina's personal history as a Cuban American with nine siblings. We explore some of the challenges and learnings throughout her career as a business and non-profit leader, and political appointee for the Obama administration. We also talk about work-life balance as a parent. And how the loss of Cristina's baby daughter Aviva, deepened her commitment to living intentionally and uplifting women across the world.  Guest Bio:  Cristina Bernardo is the co-founder of Open Dreams, a non-profit that assists high achieving, low-income youth from Cameroon apply for and receive international scholarships to some of the best universities across the world.  She also served as the business developer and executive director of EmzingoU, a firm that designs and facilitates leadership development experiences for university students.  In 2016, Cristina served as a political appointee for the Obama administration to support the growth of small businesses, renewable energy, and community economic development throughout the most impoverished rural and tribal areas of the US. Currently, in addition to running her non-profit, Cristina is a certified integral coach, supporting women through her She Shines Worldwide initiative. Credits: Creator, Writer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A conversation with the regenerative farmer and entrepreneur Fausto Araújo. Alongside his partner Maria Pussig, Fausto has spent the last five years transforming his family's estate, Quinta do Pinheiro, in Guimarães, Portugal, into a pioneering lab of what it looks like to produce food more wisely. Together we explore Fausto's story of becoming. What is syntropic farming and how it differs from mainstream agriculture. Some of the challenges and learnings of managing a farm. And, among much more, how Fausto feels about our collective future. To learn more about, visit or volunteer at the farm PinusSintropico click here. To book accommodation at the Quinta do Pinheiro click here. To learn more about the syntropic farming method developed by Ernst Götsch click here. Credits: Creator, Writer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A conversation with Tatjana von Steiger about how she become a diplomat and mediator. Together we explore Tatjana's early life, including how her unlikely studies in Russian Literature shaped the way she approaches her work. We listen to some of the challenges Tatjana encountered as a rather shy woman learning to play the diplomacy game. We talk about her experience navigating the high-stakes negotiations of the SDGs as one of the representatives of Switzerland. And, despite the sobering reality that only 15% of the UN-defined goals are on track, we listen to what gives Tatjana hope. Guest Bio: Tatjana von Steiger is the Head of Global Policy Outreach at Wyss Academy for Nature. Throughout her twenty year career in diplomacy, she has served for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, representing Switzerland in the executive boards of the main UN development agencies and the World Bank, where she developed partnerships and solutions to global challenges ranging from climate change, water, and food security to health and migration. Credits: Creator, Writer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What is the role of stories in shaping our understanding of reality? What is failing in our current media landscape and what might alternative models look and feel like? Who are the people experimenting with them and what do they value? These are some of the questions we explore with our guest Maria Almeida. Together we talk about Maria's early life and her dreams of becoming first, a football player, then a storyteller, one of them which she rescued as a journalist at Fumaça, an award-winning media organization she co-founded in 2016 during her twenties.  We listen to Maria's professional challenges of being taken seriously as a rather short woman in height with a tendency to people please. And the difficulty of making ends meet within a precarious financial reality in Portugal.  We discuss the state of the media, and Fumaça's organizational style. And lastly, we listen to the advice Maria would give her younger self, namely to care less about what people think of her, and more about what brings her to life.  Guest Bio: Maria Almeida is the co-founder and journalist at Fumaça, an independent media based in Lisbon with a focus on thoughtful investigative audio journalism. Learn more about her work here. Credits: Creator, Writer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

While the connection between football and social impact might not be an immediate one, in this episode we listen to the story of becoming of Alexia García, a football lover and activist, who will show us their joint potential. Guest Bio: Alexia García is a player, coach, director of business development and project manager at Dragones de Lavapiés. Located in the Madrid's most diverse neighborhood, ⁠Dragones de Lavapiés⁠⁠ is a grassroots football club on a mission to promote social integration, equality and respect through sports. Alexia is also a freelance tech and travel writer, and an occasional DJ. Credits: Creator, Writer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Ashanti Kunene, our guest, defines 'calling' as that which keeps coming back to you, whether you like it or not. In this episode, she tells us how she came into acceptance of hers as a social justice activist helping, mostly white, people walk their talk as leaders, and become more aware of and accountable to systemic discrimination, racism and inequality. What is the role of intuition in our lives? How can we discover what is our vocation? How might we cultivate the courage to align our thoughts, feelings and actions? Is the use of psychedelics inherently alienating or can it support our individuation? How might an intimate experience with death open us to the beauty of life? These are some of the questions we contemplate. Guest Bio: Ashanti Kunene is a social justice activist, a decolonial dialogue facilitator, a poet, the founder of Learning 2 Unlearn, the director of pedagogy at Culture Hack Labs, and an occasional painter. You can check out Ashanti's art on her Instagram. Learn more about the Boom festival here. Credits: Creator & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to support the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we listen deeply to the story of becoming of Pablo Esteves, a professional golfer turned social entrepreneur. Are you torn between following your professional bliss and opting for a path of more security? Are you curious about entrepreneurship and business? Are you interested in making the world a better place? If you've ever found yourself pondering some of these questions, this interview might keep you some company. Together we explore the thought processes guiding Pablo life's big decisions, the most significant challenges and learnings as a managing partner of Emzingo, why Pablo cherishes his privacy in a world often obsessed with self-promotion and shortcuts, and what he would like to tell his younger self where he in his twenties today. Guest Bio: Pablo Esteves is a managing partner and executive director at Emzingo, a learning design firm he joined in 2011 after finishing his MBA at IE Business School. His experience includes designing, managing, and facilitating over 70 innovation and leadership development projects and learning experiences in South Africa, Peru, Spain, the United States and beyond. Pablo is also a professor in Leadership, Innovation, and Creativity at IE University, a visiting professor for Trinity College Dublin and Universidad de Valladolid, and an Aspen Institute Fellow in Spain. Credits: Creator & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think might appreciate it. That's the easiest way to help the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

In this episode, we listen deeply to the story of Rui Quinta, a precocious pine nut seller who came of age as a self-proclaimed typefreak and graphic designer. In recent years, as he discovered the post-it-world of design thinking, Rui has transformed into a more systemic designer and conscious entrepreneur. Should we start our own business now or learn with others first? What does it mean to lead a business with consciousness? And how might the awareness of our inevitable mortality inspire us to participate more fully in the life-affirming story of our times? – are just some of the questions we sit with. Guest Bio: Rui is the co-founder of Toyno, a space experience design studio, and With Company, a transformative design consultancy that does a bunch of cool multidisciplinary projects in Portugal and beyond. In 2013, Rui co-founded Peixaria Centenária, a fish shop that artfully rewrote the narrative of his family business tradition for younger generations that is no longer in business. He's also a frequent lecturer at several universities, and the program director of Systems Thinking for Innovation at the Porto Business School. Credits: Creator & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with someone you think would appreciate it. That's the easiest way to help the show :) Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠here⁠. Additional Links: Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the end of Civilization

Should we follow a conventional career path, or pursue our artistic longings? Can the pursuit of knowledge coexist with a spiritual journey? How might a radically honest approach to our relationships foster personal and collective evolution? In this episode, we converse with filmmaker Caveh Zahedi to listen deeply to his experience of living the questions above mentioned. Caveh is a film director, actor and professor at the New School, in New Work. Some of his movies include In the Bathtub of the World and I Am a Sex Addict. More recently, he created ⁠The Show About the Show⁠, a meta-TV series in which each episode is about the making of the previous one, as well as the podcast Recording Myself And Everyone Around Me All Day for 365 Days Was Destroying All My Relationships So Now I'm Doing a Daily Audio Journal Instead. Credits: Creator & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media here.

Have you ever pondered dedicating your life to making the world a better place? Are you curious about what motivates people to choose a humanitarian career? In this episode, we sat with Amanda Huits to explore the roots of her decision to venture into a humanitarian career, in part influenced by the experience she had when visiting her mom's original home in a favela in Brazil. Amanda holds a bachelor's degree in Internal Relations and a master's in Political Science from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Since 2020, she's been working in the Learning and Operations Team at GPPAC⁠, the world's largest member-led network of civil society organizations working to prevent conflicts and build peace. Credits: Creator & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ Music Audio Producer & Editor: ⁠Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our newsletter and contribute to the Waking Youth Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on social media ⁠here⁠.

How many failures precede success? How many books are written before one of them becomes a best-seller? How many anxieties and insecurities hide underneath the surface of a "successful" career? In this month's episode, I converse with Rebecca Seal, best-selling author of the book "Solo: How to Work Alone and Not Lose Your Mind" and host of the Solo Collective Podcast. Rebecca is also the author of over a dozen cookbooks, including "Lisbon: Recipes from the Heart of Portugal" and "Leon Happy One-Pot Cooking." As a freelance writer, she has written articles on food, drink, and lifestyle for numerous prestigious publications including The Guardian, TheObserver, The Financial Times, and National Geographic. Before venturing into solo work, Rebecca was a contributing editor for the Observer in London. I invited Rebecca to learn more about her story of becoming. How does a grad in International Relations from the LSE and a post-grad in International Peace and Security from Kings College ends up pursuing a career in writing and journalism with a focus on food, drink, lifestyle, and working alone? Listen to find out :) Themes: The roots of Rebecca's interest in writing and food; Rebecca's early academic and professional background; Rebecca's initiation into journalism; Rebecca's transition to freelance writing; Rebecca's advice across time to her younger self. Credits: Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠⁠. Music Audio Producer & Editor:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Joana Leite de Castro is from Porto, Portugal. A bright student throughout her school years, when the time came to pick a Bachelor's degree, Joana elected Business Management at Católica University in Porto. Her dream was to become the CEO of Coca-Cola or Google. After graduating with distinction, Joana got a job at a US pharmaceutical company where she worked in the nutrition department for three years. Though, in theory, she was living the dream, Joana soon realized she was unfulfilled. She decided to quit, pack her suitcase, and venture to Africa to build a school from scratch upon invitation from a US friend. Throughout the following years, with the money she had saved in her corporate job, Joana traveled the world in search of something…something she couldn't quite put her finger on. After a less glamorous three-month experience on a farm in Australia, where, despite the beautiful surroundings, existential melancholia knocked on her door, she moved back to Porto and slowly but surely started a path toward becoming a yoga teacher. Joana now runs the lovely Shambho Yoga Studio in Porto which you can find out more about here. Together we unpack Joana's story of becoming to discover insights and better questions to accompany us on our own journey of living into maturity more wisely. Themes: Joana's early background; Joana's experience as a global marketer at a US multinational pharmaceutical company; The thought process that led Joana to leave behind her corporate career; Joana's travel adventures; Joana's decision to pursue yoga as a life and career path; Limitations and the transformative potential of Western Yoga; Some of Joana's tools to live intentionally. Credits: Host: ⁠⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠⁠. Music Audio Producer & Editor:⁠⁠⁠ Carlos Sierra⁠⁠⁠. Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

What career path should I choose?—an all too prevalent question if you are a youngster (in age or at heart) like us. What if, instead, we asked: What do I want to experience? Where is there growth for me? With a Ba in History from the University of Porto and a Ma in History from the University of Edinburg, Mariana is a former academic and writer who published her first fiction book, The Voices - an existential journey across the multitudes contained in our internal worlds - with only 24 years old. More recently, Mariana transitioned into the corporate world, working as a consultant in London. Together we explore Mariana's motivation to switch "careers" with the pursuit of self-knowledge at its foundation. Themes: Mariana's early confrontation with death and the afterlife; The role of mentors & masters; How Eastern mysticism shifter Mariana's life view; Mariana's experience with writing, academia, and the corporate world; Relationships as a bridge to the beyond; How it can feel demotivating to be so far from your "goals" or ideal self" as a youngster and what to do about it. References: The Anarchist Banker by Fernando Pessoa. Credits: Host: ⁠⁠Carlota Guedes⁠⁠. Music Audio Producer & Editor:⁠⁠ Carlos Sierra⁠⁠. Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Happiness. What is the role of this word in your life? Does it signify a goal? A choice? A state? Does it resonate with you? Perhaps you find terms like fulfillment, purpose, or meaning more useful? What about your relation to melancholy? In what ways are happiness and melancholy connected? If they conversed, what would they say to one another? These are some of the questions we contemplate with Dr. Ibrahim Al-Marashi. Our hope is to become more intimate with these terms to perhaps discover novel ways in which they can shape our human experience in a wiser manner. This interview was originally recorded during the Happiness Week at IE University in Madrid.  Dr. Ibrahim Al-Marashi is a visiting professor at IE University and an Associate Professor at the California State University of San Marcos. Ibrahim holds a Ph.D. from Oxford University on the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. Themes: - The (un)usefulness of happiness as a concept ;- Definitions of happiness across time;- The ingredients for a fulfilling life;- The importance of meeting one's shadows toward a more wholesome experience of well-being;- Ibrahim's personal experience with psychotherapy;- Some resources to manage melancholy;- A few comments on why and how to find ethical motivation on a planet in crisis.  Host: Carlota Guedes Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter here. References: - Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - Man's Search For Meaning by Vitor Frankl - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb - Don't Look Up

How might we contribute to the planet's regeneration while pursuing our creative curiosities and material prosperity? - is the question that accompanies this episode. Grounded in Giancarlo Canavesio's story of becoming, in this conversation, we explore how a former investment banker boldly transitions into a career in film production and, later on, regenerative hospitality and agriculture in the hope of gathering perspective and tools on how to create a life-affirming career path. Giancarlo is a former investment banker in London and NY, documentary producer, and owner of Mangusta productions and Mangu.tv. He's recognized as one of today's best producers of mind-expanding themes such as conscious capitalism, mysticism, indigenous wisdom, plant medicines, and consensual non-monogamy. His documentaries 2012: Time for Change: and From Neurons to Nirvana made the lists for best social change docs. More recently based in Ibiza, Giancarlo is involved in regenerative projects in the fields of hospitality with Difuso and agriculture with Terra Viva Ibiza. Themes: - Giancarlo's early contact with movies; - Giancarlo's background studies and activities in business and investment banking; - Giancarlo's waking up moments that led to his career transition and deepening of his self-discovery journey; - Giancarlo's career transition; - How we might pursue creative endeavors while ensuring our material prosperity; - Exploration of the 4P's methodology developed by Giancarlo and his wife Stephanie Canavesio; - How Giancarlo reminds himself to not sleepwalk through his waking state. Host: Carlota Guedes Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter here. Links: - Mangu.tv - 2012: Time for Change: An optimistic alternative to apocalyptic doom and gloom, documentary produced by Giancarlo, starring Daniel Pinchbeck - Big Magic, book by Elizabeth Gilbert - The Wisdom of Trauma, documentary starring Gabor Maté

What would our relationships look like if, instead of being predefined according to unquestioned default modes, they were customized to the needs and desires of the people in them? In this episode, Dr. Jorge Ferrer walks us through his work aimed at transcending the binary monogamy-polyamory, culminating in Jorge's coining of the term novogamy. Jorge is the author of several books, including Love and Freedom: Transcending Monogamy and Polyamory; and Novogamia Mas Allá de la Monogamia y del Poliamor. Jorge is also a former professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he completed his doctoral research and served as a chair of the department of East-West Psychology. Currently based in Ibiza, Jorge continues to write, give talks and workshops, and provide relationships and psycho-spiritual counseling to individuals and couples. Themes: - Some of the episodes in Jorge's life that motivated his professional inquiry and research; - The definition of novogamy, the term coined by Jorge; - Whether society at large is ready to "accept" non-monogamy; - How younger generations might experiment with alternative relational modes in a responsible manner; - How we might navigate relationships where partners have different curiosities and desires regarding relational modes; - How Jorge reminds himself to not sleepwalk through his waking state. Host: Carlota Guedes Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra Follow the Waking Youth Newsletter here. References: - Love and Freedom: Transcending Monogamy and Polyamory by Jorge; - Novogamia Mas Allá de la Monogamia y del Poliamor by Jorge; - Grace and Frankie show.

Humans often make sense of reality in binaries. What would happen if we temporarily suspended such reductionist tendencies in the context of both gender identity and romantic relationship types? Esaú Gozalor will tell us all about it. Esaú is a multimedia designer who lives in Segovia, a small town in Spain. He's animated by the intersections across art and tech, social change, and spirituality. Themes: - Esaú's early experience exploring multiple gender expressions; - Esaú coming out of the closet as both he and they; (skip to 46m55s to listen to:) - Definition of traditional and serial monogamy; - Definition of consensual non-monogamy, polyamory, and monogamy; - Esaú's experience of opening up his romantic relationship; - How Esaú reminds himself to live a waking life. Check out our newsletter. Credits: Host: Carlota Guedes Music Audio Producer & Editor: Carlos Sierra Sources: - Love & Freedom by Jorge Ferrer - Clip from Teal Swan about break ups - Further sources included in our newsletter

How can we know we are not just sleepwalking through our waking state? And if we're sleeping how might we dream ourselves awake? Just like we woke up from the trance of childhood into adolescence, what would it take for the youth to initiate herself into maturity? Both the literal youth and the metaphorical adolescent consciousness of the human family as a collective. This is what this show (and season) is about. Inspired by the movie Waking Life by Richard Linklater, we'll explore a range of themes from love and philosophy to self-inquiry and social change to discover how to live into an examined existence. We invite you to subscribe to this monthly podcast and the newsletter that walks hand in hand with it at https://wakingyouth.substack.com/ The podcast episodes will explore the direct lived experiences of fellow earthlings on a path towards a waking life. And the newsletters will dive into the more intellectual side of things with research-based thought pieces. Our hope is that, together, we say yes to the challenges presented to our generation by being part of the solution to a planetary emergency while enjoying ourselves in the process. Host: Carlota Guedes Music Audio Producer: Carlos Sierra

A bonus meditation from our guest Carmen Mitroi. Enjoy. Carmen has been teaching Integral Yoga for more than 25 years. She studied Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing and Phytotherapy, at the Hippocrates Institute, Lisbon. She is also graduated in Psychology (Madeira University) and Law (Classical University, Lisbon). She lives in Madeira since 2002, where she founded the Sundari Personal Development Center, that includes the Sundari Integral Yoga School, accredited by the International Association Yoga Alliance.

Originally an interview recorded for the Resetting Homo Sapiens Podcast, in this episode I have a conversation with Carmen Mitroi and Eugen Manole on the definition of spirituality, the usefulness of contemplative practices, and how they can impact our life and beautify our days. Unfortunately, the audio quality of our videocall is not the best, though the quality of the message was too beautiful and profound to not share it. Enjoy :) Carmen has been teaching Integral Yoga for more than 25 years. She studied Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing and Phytotherapy, at the Hippocrates Institute, Lisbon. She is also graduated in Psychology (Madeira University) and Law (Classical University, Lisbon). She lives in Madeira since 2002, where she founded the Sundari Personal Development Center, that includes the Sundari Integral Yoga School, accredited by the International Association Yoga Alliance. Eugen is interested in Buddhism, Taoism, Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, and mindfulness and studied with various Masters in US, China, Portugal, and Romania. He earned a PhD from the University of Greenwich and is a Member of the Editorial Board of The International Journal of Hinduism and Philosophy (UK). He studied and graduated in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine with the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing. He is Co-Founder of the Sundari Personal Development Center where he is practicing and teaching Traditional Integral Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi.

A conversation with Mareile Paley about: - her professional and personal path as a traveler, freelancer, and entrepreneur - her experience in the wellness and retreat business - our thoughts on social media, generational shifts, self-representation - how we might catalyze social change - Mareile's most recent project CALM life, wellness, traveling, and social change. Mareile has been working in the Pilates & Wellness Retreat industry for almost a decade. Drawing from her professional background as a graphic designer, multimedia expert, and knowledge management consultant for the United Nations she brings practical talents as well as her unique vision to CALM, her most recent project in Portugal. Mareile is owner and co-founder of Paleymotion Ltd, a multimedia service company. Her retreat & wellness business Life in Movement Ltd is one of the most recognized Pilates retreat companies and she recently founded www.giveatree.life, an online community platform connecting global food forest and permaculture projects with individual sponsors.

Yang-May Ooi is a former-lawyer-podcaster-performance-artist-bestselling-author who has been blogging for over 10 years. Her cross-cultural blog Fusion View gained 10,000 unique views a month and was featured on the BBC. She is the co-author of the social media chapters of International Communications Strategy, published by Kogan Page and nominated for the FT Goldman Sachs Business Book Award. She currently runs Tiger Spirit, a multi-media blog on creativity. In 2015, Yang-May published the memoir Bound Beet Blues: A Life Told in Shoes based on her one-hour solo stage show Bound Feet Blues where she steps in the shoes of several people of her life and family lineage. Together we explore: - our experiences with performances of femininity - our thoughts on wearing wheels - the concept of identity - the roles of values in our lives and how they guide our choices - the beauty and struggle of creative living - Yang-May's experience as a writer and performance artist - how Yang-May reminds herself to live an examined life Host: Carlota Guedes Find more about the Waking Youth Podcast here.

A lovely chat about befriending our fear, self-confidence v. confidence, and the Learn, Love, Leap Loop with Laura Amigone - a College Success Coach and Founder of Rudder Coaching. If you want to keep updated on future episodes follow me here.

How might we begin creating our purpose while in college? After several months of non-stop partying as a freshman, a physical and mental breakdown inspired Emilio Ortiz to do some soul-searching and pursue an alternative life-path. He switched his Grey Goose bottle for a mic to co-found Innergy Motto - a podcast that invites young souls to tap into the energy within and commit to self-growth. In this episode, we explore some of the tools that helped Emilio shift his consciousness and commit to creating a life of light and love. Find Emilio here. Find me here.

Do you want to create a purposeful life even though you aren't sure what purpose really means? If you too are a uni student or young professional trying to find your way in the midst of all this fog of uncertainty, I invite you to listen in to Shiva Roofeh comfort you with a virtual hug through her words. Shiva is a TEDx Speaker, a Program Designer, and a Global Educator teaching people how to take control over their mental programming aka how to not be assholes. To know more about the work Shiva is doing subscribe to her awesome newsletter where you can get a free guide on how to not be an asshole. Reach out to me on Instagram to continue the conversation. Get to know more about Brené Brown's work on Fitting in vs. Belonging.

Does it often feel like you have two voices inside your head: one that says you're not good/smart/pretty/skinny enough; the other that tells you to chill out and simply love yourself as you already are? Cristina Bernardo is a female leader in the journey of empowering women and other marginalized groups to live in their full power. Currently, she is serving as the Executive Director of EmzingoU. Dive in to listen to a down-to-earth female mentor with 10 years of experience in business and social impact share a bunch of food for thought on confidence, self-esteem, and body image. Cristina and EmzingoU are currently organizing a virtual WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL IMPACT WEEKEND happening on the first weekend of November. Join us to dive even deeper into the topic of Women Empowerment. To know more about the UNF*CK YOUR BRAIN PODCAST click here. To find more about Cristina click here. To find out more about me click here.

Onezwa Ndzimande (aka Oniey) is not only a Program Manager at EmzingoU, but also a 'chicktetarian', a secret rapper, and above all, an extraordinary human being. Listen in to learn more about her insights on... (drum roll, please): life in rural South Africa, following our dreams, aligning with our purpose, social impact, women empowerment, and MUCH more. EmzingoU is a global innovation and leadership firm dedicated to empowering conscious leaders and organizations, and being the change they want to see in the world. Find more about Oniey here. Follow me here.

Tarot. For some - a spiritual and personal development tool. For others - a question mark? For Diogo - a way of living and more importantly, a way of Being. Tune in if you want to discover how this rather young yet wise and unique human being thinks and feels about the mysterious art of helping people through (apparently) a mere deck of illustrated cards. What about you? What do you think and feel about Tarot? Find more about Diogo here and his work here. Follow me here. Find more about 'The Middle Pillar" here; Aleister Crowley here; Jodorowsky here; and the 'Rider Waite' here.

What if there was another way? What if we didn't follow the convention? DIOGO AFONSO chose the road less traveled. Driven by a desire to get to our society's roots, he tried pursuing a degree in History, only to find out that university wasn't for him. Currently, he is dedicating his professional life to Tarot and spirituality. In the first part of this episode, we explore his story and some of the tools that help both of us live more connected lives. In the second part of this episode (coming soon), we'll dive into the world of Tarot and discuss whether it can be used as a spiritual practice. What about you? What tools help you live a more connected life? Find more about Diogo here https://www.instagram.com/bramaterapias/?hl=es and his work here https://www.facebook.com/bramaterapias/. Follow me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/

After graduating with a degree in Psychology from IE University, Oskar decided to follow a less conventional path and pursue a career as a life purpose and productivity coach. In this episode, we explore what coaching is really about, as well as the impact ´learning by doing´ can have on creative confidence. Listen in on our conversation, and I hope you will take away some practical tools that will help you take ownership of your professional and personal future. Find more about Oskar here https://www.linkedin.com/in/oskarwoehr/ or here https://www.instagram.com/oskar.woehr/ and his work here here https://www.oskarwoehr.com/. Follow me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/

Elena and I begin our conversation by sharing our experiences, thoughts, and feelings around eating disorders. Following, we explore several healing tools ranging from embracing our inner kid to gratitude, contemplation, and being of service to the world. On a different note, we cover how one can build courage and confidence from cockroaches. Join us if you are looking for some laughs, inspiration, and perspective. Find more about Elena here https://www.instagram.com/elena_broglia/ and Generation Terra here https://www.instagram.com/generation.terra/. Follow me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/ Disclaimer: This podcast represents the experiences and opinions of Carlota Guedes and her guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Nick and Nicole are the co-founders of Smergos - a company dedicated to inspiring motion towards a more inclusive, accessible, and courageous world, ultimately breaking down the barriers between those with and without disabilities. In this episode, we explore how to turn challenges into opportunities, how to approach disability, and how to be better, more empathetic human beings. Thank you, Nick and Nicole, for this immersive lesson of empathy, trust, and courage. You are awesome. For more on Smergos click here https://smergos.com/ or here https://www.instagram.com/smergos1/ For more on the Emzingo Virtual Impact Summer Program click here https://u.emzingo.com/

In this episode, Oliver Devillard guides us through a beautiful, heart-opening Letting Go Meditation after sharing his own process of acceptance, trust, and re-integration. I invite you to tune in, relax, open your heart, and let Oliver's soothing voice take you on this transformative journey through the inner depths of your being. Find more about Oliver and Alignment Academy here https://www.alignment.academy/ Reach out to me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/

Have you ever felt inspired to begin a new project, learn a new skill, or just start an uncomfortable conversation, only to find yourself not actually manifesting your initial intention? Do you also struggle with procrastination, self-sabotage, fear of the unknown, and sometimes even fear of yourself? Of not being good enough? Well, you are not alone. In this episode, Oliver and I invite you to cut the BS and face the hidden depths of your being, those you were too embarrassed to admit to being there in the first place. Find more about Oliver and Alignment Academy here https://www.alignment.academy/ Follow me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/

João Goís is not only an inspiring, insightful, and beautifully awkward human being, but also my best friend since I was 3 years old (yup, not my lover, Instagram photos can be misleading people). In this episode, we talk about our journey of leaving home, striving for authenticity, and exploring our sexuality (in a catholic school). If you are looking for an honest, vulnerable conversation between two individuals whose only thing they know is that they know nothing, go ahead and listen. Follow João here https://www.instagram.com/joaomgois/ Follow me here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/ Get to know Brené Brown and her work here https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame and here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7015403-the-gifts-of-imperfection Find Alan Down's the book here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49418.The_Velvet_Rage

In this episode, Gaurang Hrishi shares his story of leaving behind his life of devotion as a praised monk to become a passionate entrepreneur. Following, we expand on the magic of owning our story, living lives of purpose, and practicing perspective during hardships such as the Covid-19 outbreak (or having to repeat the recording of a podcast episode for the second time). Follow Gaurang here https://www.instagram.com/theswainheart/or https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurangrishi/ and TALE https://www.linkedin.com/company/taletribe/ Follow me for updates here https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/ or Check out my blog here https://www.carlotaguedes.com/

In this episode, Catharina shares her journey of going viral overnight after developing an awesome app that maps sexual harassment in Brazil with only 16 years old! Following, we explore what it means to be a young woman these days, more particularly, an unapologetic, bisexual one. We wrap up by expanding on why we should thrive to be a whole, juicy orange, instead of half one, and what kind of orange Catharina would like to be in the future. Follow Catharina https://www.instagram.com/cahdoria/?hl=es Follow me to stay updated https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/?hl=es Check out my blog here https://www.carlotaguedes.com/

Welcome! Waking Life, by Richard Linklater, is a movie that tells the story of a young man who keeps realizing he's in a dream, inside of endless other dreams, having philosophical conversations with distinct individuals about the meaning of life, consciousness, the nature of reality, etc. One of the central questions of the movie is: How can we really know we aren't just stuck in a perpetual dream? How can we make sure we are waking? This said, Waking Youth is a bi-weekly podcast that aims to inspire you and me to make sure we aren't sleepwalking through our waking state. Assuming, of course, that the life we consider our waking life isn't merely a dream (but I will hopefully leave such discussion to a whole other episode). I invite several young students and professionals to deconstruct how they make sure they are questioning reality, building the life of their dreams, and living up to their fullest creative potential. Follow me on Instagram to stay updated https://www.instagram.com/lota_guedes/?hl=es Check out my blog: https://www.carlotaguedes.com/