The LIFTER Podcast

Hosted by Anya Parasher, a Stanford freshman and youth advocate, The LIFTER Podcast dives into the biggest challenges facing young people today — from mental health and education to inequality and opportunity. Each week, Anya interviews leading experts, changemakers, and innovators to uncover bold ideas and real solutions that empower the next generation. Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or just passionate about youth issues, this podcast is your front-row seat to conversations that matter.

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Episodes

The Life-Changing Truth About Purpose from a Stanford Psychologist

Stanford psychologist Dr. William Damon has spent his life studying how young people find purpose. In this episode, he shares the moments, questions, and choices that can lead you there.linktree: https://linktr.ee/thelifterpodcast

Apr 07, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Education and the Economy with Dr. Erik Hanushek

On today’s episode of The LIFTER Podcast, I interview Dr. Erik Hanushek, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and one of the world’s leading experts on the economics of education. His groundbreaking research has shaped how we understand teacher quality, student outcomes, and the long-term economic impact of education policy. We talk about what really makes a difference in schools, why investing in learning outcomes matters, and how smarter policy could change the futu...

Apr 02, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5

HB134- How to get Menstrual Products in all Public School Bathrooms in NM with Mireya Macias

Welcome back to the LIFTER podcast, where we talk about current youth issues and their solutions! My name is Anya Parasher. I'm a high school student, and advocate for mental health. For today's podcast, I talk with Mireya Macias. As a high schooler this past year, Mireya worked alongside her friends to write and pass legislation that will provide menstrual products in all public school bathrooms in the state of NM. In today’s episode, we talk about the process of passing legislation, the inters...

Aug 05, 2023•18 min

Mental Health Awareness Month with Dr. Kristina Sowar- Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UNM

It's Mental Health Awareness month, so for this episode, I talk to Dr. Kristina Sowar, who is Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UNM. We discuss a range of topics regarding mental health, teenage depression, and how to create better solutions around the mental health crisis at a societal level. Enjoy!

May 26, 2023•19 min•Ep. 3

Dr. Sanjeev Arora- Founder and Director of Project ECHO

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sanjeev Arora, the Founder and Director of Project ECHO. We talk about Project ECHO, the ECHO model, how to create change within a community, and issues that youth face today throughout the world.

Apr 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 2

Christina Anaya- Conversations about education, SEL, and advice for teachers in New Mexico

During this episode, I talk with Christina Anaya, who is a Project Manager at Project ECHO for Education. We discuss SEL (Social Emotional Learning), issues with the education system in New Mexico, and advice for teachers who want to introduce SEL into their classrooms.

Mar 25, 2023•32 min

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