Abel Pathways Podcast

Ted Munter is a teacher, educator, and coach who has taught in the US, South Africa, and the Netherlands. He works with college presidents, heads of independent schools, and people who want to do their thing in service of the world. He is building a philanthropic community (an online town) around the idea of helping people do that thing, paying them to do so, and paying them to give through the Th...

Awiskar Rai shares his journey from mathematics to filmmaking in a unique community of young artists within Sikkim, India. His thoughtful and insightful approach to life is full of wisdom and curiosity. Watching: Big World Listening: Requiem by Thom Isaacs Reading: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Buddha by Osamu Tezuka  Other Recommendations: Progressive Learning Foundation, Kuna Studios

Content warning for mention of depression and suicidal thoughts. Guest: AJ is a trained engineer who became a designer and entrepreneur. He founded Studio Sensorium in Sikkim, which aims to bridge the gap between academic design education and real-world application through books, websites and historical projects with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. AJ shares his journey to finding his passion...

Pema Wangchuk shares his story of how he found his way into journalism and the many interesting twists and turns that brought him across the Himalayas to Sikkim, India.  Pema has been a journalist in Sikkim since 1994. He is the co-author of ‘Khanchendzonga: Sacred Summit,’  ‘In The Land of The Lama,’ and co-editor of  ‘The birds have lost their way’. Listening: One54 podcast, The Seen and the Uns...

This conversation explores the journey of a dedicated teacher, Ms Prerna, who shares her insights on education and the transformative power of teaching. From her early experiences as a student to her current role as an educator, she reflects on the importance of empathy, community, and continuous learning in the teaching profession. Ms Prerna emphasizes the need for mentorship and feedback in her...

Lawyer, Mountaineer, and the General Manager of Alice Himalayas of Follow Alice. Puru shares his deep love and commitment to the natural world and how he shaped his career around his education, his strengths, and his passions! You can reach out to him @puru1511 Watching:  Dark Reading:  Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari; Psycho-Cybernetics Series by Maxwell Maltz Other Rec...

Ms Yolmo shares her journey of becoming a teacher, her love for teaching literature, and her insights into what middle and high school students need to thrive and find their voice.  Reading:  Mother Mary Comes For Me by Arundhati Roy Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Other Recommendations:  Taktse International School Himalayan Teacher Professional Development Foundation (HTPDF)

Tenzing Nyentsey is a professor of design at Anant National University and has over 19 years of professional experience spanning design, education and social innovation. He focuses on project-based learning, enabling students to build deep understanding, transferable skills and meaningful community impact.  Recommendations:  Reggio Method & Project Zero ( www.theprojectzero.org ) BREW ( https:...

Tshering Eden is a dedicated journalist from Sikkim who is helping to shape local journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape and making pathways to enable her to report on a national level. We discuss historical influences, cultural heritage, and the importance of local journalism. Watching:  The Accused (movie) Reporting Recommendations:  101reporters.com   sikkimko.com   thefederal.com  

Coach K shares his journey from a young football player to a passionate coach and manager. He discusses the challenges of pursuing a career in coaching against family expectations, the joy of working with kids, and the complexities of managing a diverse team. The discussion emphasizes the need for belief in oneself and the collective effort to make the world a better place, highlighting the interc...

Lisa Smulyan shares her incredible 40 year career in education as a teacher, professor, researcher, curriculum designer, and her new endeavors helping to build a teaching university in Sikkim, India. Reading:  García-Peña, L. (2022) Community as Rebellion: A syllabus for surviving academia as a woman of color. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books Mother Mary Comes For Me by Arundhati Roy The God of Small...

Today, we are exploring how taking a slightly different path from the usual academic route led to some unexpected lessons with Rohan Pradhan, whose approach to professional growth has been shaped by a mix of experience, curiosity, and learning along the way. We’ll trace the path that led to these insights and reflect on what they might mean going forward. I’m delighted to be joined by Rohan, an as...

Aranck Veer Kunzang, the librarian at Taktse International School, is passionate about helping kids discover the magic of reading. He reflects on how his psychology studies equipped him with tools to understand himself and those around him better and how he uses those insights to inspire readers, young and old! Reading:  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes The Bell Ja...

Amit’s journey reminds us that progress often begins with self-awareness—the courage to recognize when something isn’t aligned, the willingness to change direction, and the patience to grow through uncertainty. From seeking mentorship and surrounding himself with people he aspires to become like, to staying curious about the systems and ideas shaping our world, his story reflects growth that’s qui...

Description: Samuel Khaiba is the Director of Progressive Learning Foundation - a Learning Service Provider to schools and educators based out of Sikkim, India. In this episode we will explore how his work at Taktse International School, in Sikkim, is changing the landscape of modern education by implementing important practices for new teachers who are beginning their journeys as educators. Liste...

Peter Pintso Wongdi Azubah Lauenstein Denjongpa, founder of Taktse International School and Khangchendzonga Buddhist University, is a revolutionary social education entrepreneur in Sikkim, India. He shares his origin stories to becoming a Chief Learning Officer and leader, delving into personal experiences, the importance of community, and the transformative power of education. The discussion high...

Today we're exploring the experience of leaving a high-control group with Adam Jones, ex-evangelical, reflecting on his personal and therapeutic journey. We’ll trace the path that led to his discovery of the resources that helped him through the process of deconstruction. Watching: Eagle Cam Listening: The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall Reading:  Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell Jesus and Jo...

Content Warnings : Incarceration of adults and children, injustice in the carceral system, illness and loss of a loved one, experiencing grief. Today we're exploring how Gunjan Koul (she/her) came into her work as a therapeutic horticulturalist, founding Seed & Bloom, which works to empower incarcerated individuals at any stage of their journey by offering recreational solutions for re-entry i...

Today we're exploring Rachel Krompinger’s path from teaching to coaching to executive leadership that centers on both personal and professional growth across multiple mission driven organizations.  Watching: Hard Knocks (HBO) Listening: Coaching for Leaders (visit: coachingforleaders.com )  Reading: Monica Guzman’s ‘I Never Thought of it That Way’ (visit: moniguzman.com ) & Alison Wood Brook’s...

Leah Potter-Weight shares her path from engineering, to farming and agriculture, to becoming a therapist. Watching : Alien Earth (Hulu) Reading : adrienne maree brown’s ‘We Will Not Cancel Us’ (visit: adriennemareebrown.net )  Organizations & People: Seed & Bloom: theseedandbloomproject.com (Seed & Bloom’s mission is to empower incarcerated individuals at any stage of their journey. Se...