The Mountain in us
The Mountain in us
Podcast Description
As a poet, I have explored the adventures and ethos of human existence through the ink. I naturally gravitated towards podcasting, where observation, listening & silence create a bonding spell.In each episode of The Mountain In Us, I sit down with a kindling guest whose journey is more than a milestone; together, we unravel the human spirit of exploration, expression, and purpose. These conversations are candid, rejuvenating, and connective. I’m optimistic that the breadcrumbs from our trails will resonate with your beat and boost your courageous adventures and perspectives.“The Mountain in Us, a podcast where “The Journey gets its voice.” I’m Taran Singh, your host. Here, we greet the thrills, jolts, ascents, and descents of our uncharted adventures.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of personal exploration, cultural heritage, motherhood, and resilience, with episodes highlighting topics such as the impact of cultural identity on creative expression, the challenges of various life transitions, and inspiring journeys from finance to the arts.
“The Mountain in Us, a podcast where “The Journey gets its voice.”
I’m Taran Singh, your host. Here, we greet the thrills, jolts, ascents, and descents of our uncharted adventures.
As a poet, I have explored the adventures and ethos of human existence through the ink. I naturally gravitated towards podcasting, where observation, listening & silence create a bonding spell.
In each episode of The Mountain In Us, I sit down with a kindling guest whose journey is more than a milestone; together, we unravel the human spirit of exploration, expression, and purpose. These conversations are candid, rejuvenating, and connective.
I’m optimistic that the breadcrumbs from our trails will resonate with your beat and boost your courageous sojourns and perspectives.
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 her a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Her global travels and work within her local community further shaped her mission to foster inclusive spaces where people feel at home.
For Kristin, joy is not fleeting happiness but a foundational state of being. When rooted in purpose, it persists through uncertainty, conflict, and sorrow. Her work aligns individuals and organizations with their deeper meaning, often challenging complacency to amplify kindness. Central to this philosophy is gratitude—starting and ending each day with reflection on what she’s thankful for—and intentional living, even when it means disrupting norms.
Language plays a key role in Kristin’s storytelling. Fluent in Spanish and learning Arabic, she believes language reveals cultural values. For example, Spanish phrases like “Se me rompió el brazo” (my arm broke itself) reflect communal perspectives, contrasting with English’s individualistic framing. Learning languages, she argues, bridges empathy gaps and deepens human connection.
Kristin recently retraced Spain’s Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with fellow coaches. She describes the journey in three phases: grounding through physical struggle, growth through emotional turmoil, and finally, giving—shifting focus to uplifting others. Pilgrims greet each other with “¡Buen Camino!” (good journey), embodying the Camino’s spirit of shared humanity.
The episode closes with a nod to Michigan’s hidden gem, Sleeping Bear Dunes, where Kristin urges listeners to explore Lake Michigan’s stunning coastline and Indigenous legends.
Kristin’s mission—to be a “light” through joy—resonates in her stories. As she says, “Joy is our true essence. When we live aligned with purpose, we create ripples of kindness that transform communities.”
Exponential Joy™ | www.exj.global
Exponential Inclusion™ | www.exi.global
LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjoyekkens
www.inkofsingh.com
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