In this episode, our host, Mayra Rios, will interview our guest speaker, John Kneedler. They will discuss about mindfulness and lead you through a short mindfulness exercise near the end of the episode.

John Kneedler is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. He received his BA in Psychology from Duke University. Over the last decade John has had the opportunity to teach mindfulness in pretty much any setting you can think of. Grade schools, law firms, medical centers, Fortune 500 companies. He currently holds the role of part-time faculty through the Physical Education & Mind Body Health Department and teaches the Introduction to Mindfulness course.

In this episode of the USC Honesty Hour Podcast, hosts Nathan and Vanessa delve into meditation practices, topics of identity, and adaptation to new environments, aiming to destigmatize mental health challenges and promote open conversations. Joined by Vraja Kumuda, Director of the Music Meditation Club and a practitioner of Bhakti Yoga, the discussion explores his personal background, involvement with the club, and insights into self-care practices, including Mantra meditation. Kumuda shares his experiences of overcoming identity struggles and offers advice on adapting to new environments, drawing from his relocation from India to LA in 2016. The hosts invite listeners to engage further and express gratitude for their participation, leaving them with a sense of connection and anticipation for future episodes.

Timestamps:

• 1:19 Intro

• 2:07 Can you introduce yourself and your background for the audience?

• 3:05 How did you get involved with the Music Meditation Club?

• 4:24 So we know you are involved in Mantra meditation, could you please go over what that is and some of its benefits?

• 8:40 How does Mantra meditation differ from other forms of meditation?

• 11:10 Now let’s shift gears and talk about identity. Have you ever struggled with identity? What was the context of it? How did you overcome it?

• 16:05 How has the clarity from mediation helped guide you to find your identity or help reinvent your identity in some way? With that new understanding of your identity, how has that helped with your fulfillment and happiness?

• 31:28 Since you moved from India to LA in 2016, do you have any advice on adapting to new environments?

• 41:00 Do you have any self-care practices you recommend?

• 49:05 What advice would you give those looking to incorporate meditation and self-care practices into their lives?

• 53:12 Guided Meditation

• 57:55 Conclusion - Closing Comments

In this episode, our host, Darin Jawahar, will interview our guest speaker, Sabrina Atkin. Sabrina is a senior at USC studying mechanical engineering with a minor in dance and a minor in computer programming. She has been a classical ballet dancer her whole life and really enjoys watching stand up comedy. This past February, she started the USC chapter of a mental health org called IfYou'reReadingThis with the hopes that is would help to destigmatize mental illness and promote people connecting with and helping those around them. She is very grateful to have had a strong support network for her own mental health struggles, and wants to help provide that support to her fellow Trojans.