BEYOND HARVARD

Podcasts

A curated archive of long-form conversations, interviews, and guest appearances featuring Rashana Shanella.

Disclaimer: Beyond Harvard is an independent platform. All views are individual and do not represent Harvard University.

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Building the World's First Water Bottle with Cutlery
Episode 07 April 11, 2026

Building the World's First Water Bottle with Cutlery

Featuring Steffek Rainey

In Episode 7, we meet Steffek Rainey, a Master’s Candidate in Design Engineering (MDE) at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Steffek shares his journey into design, his decision to pursue the MDE program, and what he’s building with Evera Bottle to address the plastic pollution crisis.

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Jeopardy! Champion to Congress Campaign Trail
Episode 06 March 26, 2026

Jeopardy! Champion to Congress Campaign Trail

Featuring Tyler Vandenberg

In Episode 6, we meet Tyler Vandenberg, a Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Prior to grad school, Tyler was in the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years, and is a 2x Jeopardy Champion. Now, as he wraps up his final year at HKS, Tyler is campaigning for Congressman in California's Sixth District. Tyler shares his journey pursuing a career rooted in service, impact, and leadership.

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From Kerala to Kennedy School
Episode 05 March 7, 2026

From Kerala to Kennedy School

Featuring Nidhi Nair

In Episode 5, we meet Nidhi Nair, a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and Schwarzman Scholar with a background in Economics and Statistics. Nidhi shares her journey from growing up in Kerala to navigating global education opportunities, reflecting on the moments that shaped her path and how she learned to seize opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

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Decisions Through Design
Episode 04 February 14, 2026

Decisions Through Design

Featuring Wyatt Roy

In Episode 4, we meet Wyatt Roy, a Master’s Candidate in Design Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Wyatt studied Psychology at Stanford University, and has a background working with emerging technologies as a Narrative Technologist. In this conversation, Wyatt shares ideas, lessons, and frameworks, he's picked up through design.

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Cultures, Castings, and Classrooms
Episode 03 January 21, 2026

Cultures, Castings, and Classrooms

Featuring Minori Ito

In Episode 3, we meet Minori Ito, a Master’s Candidate in Human Development and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Minori shares how navigating multiple cultures and working as a fashion model have influenced her sense of self, and how these experiences continue to shape her commitment to education.

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Entrepreneurship in Education
Episode 02 December 12, 2025

Entrepreneurship in Education

Featuring Nand Javia

In Episode 2, we meet Nand Javia, a Master’s Candidate in Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In our conversation, we discussed Nand's journey to Harvard and his experience as an entrepreneur in Education.

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Between the Borders
Episode 01 October 11, 2025

Between the Borders

Featuring Salomey Ampadu

In Episode 1, we meet Salomey Ampadu, a Master’s Candidate in Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Tune in to learn about her background, journey to Harvard, and her non-profit built to improve outcomes for children in Ghana.

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