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When arrived at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ as a freshman, she knew from the start that her experience would not be traditional. Having grown up attending creative schools, she was taught to ask questions, challenge the status quo.

Maruna approached college as an opportunity to explore her interests and create a path that felt true to her. As the first person in her immediate family to pursue a four-year degree, she entered CU ready to take advantage of new experiences, even without knowing exactly where they might lead.

One of those experiences came through a Designing Your Leeds assignment that required her to interview a business professional. She enjoyed the conversation so much that, when she later told her dad about it, he suggested she continue interviewing people and turn the idea into a podcast.

"He said, 'Why don't you just record it, do it again, edit it, and make it a podcast?' And I said, 'I can't start a podcast. I'm just a freshman. That's crazy.' And then I went to sleep, and I woke up the next morning and thought, well, maybe I could just try it."

That moment became the beginning of her podcast, , and a college experience shaped by her willingness to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

Building Her Own Path

Growing up in Portland, Maruna attended small, creative schools that encouraged her to question traditional approaches and explore new ideas. That environment helped shape both her mindset and her future ambitions.

She took on leadership roles early, founding her high school's Women in Business Club and serving as captain of her dance team. Those experiences influenced her interests in college, where she studies business management and leadership while pursuing a minor in dance.Ìý

When choosing a college, Maruna knew she wanted an education that extended beyond tests and lectures. She was looking for hands-on experiences that felt connected to real-world work.

Leeds stood out immediately because of its practical, collaborative approach to business education. Courses such as BASE became some of her favorites because of their focus on projects and presentations. Boulder also gave her opportunities to continue dancing with her minor, explore skiing, and build a community that supported both her personal and professional growth.

Turning Conversations Into Opportunities

As Maruna developed her podcast, her professional network and opportunities expanded alongside it. As It Turned Out features people whose careers demonstrate that success is rarely linear. Through each interview, Maruna explores the unexpected experiences that shape a person's path.

"There's not one way to do life. There's not one way to be successful. And success can look different to every single person, and the path to it especially does."

The guest list has grown far beyond that first conversation. Maruna has interviewed professors, military professionals, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and massage therapists, all connected by the idea that there is no single definition of success.Ìý

Guest outreach has become one of her favorite parts of the process. She researches CU alumni and professionals on LinkedIn, identifies people whose stories align with the podcast's mission, and creates personalized outreach for each potential guest. She also asks guests whom she should speak with next, allowing each relationship to lead to new connections.

That strategy has produced a guest-booking rate of approximately 24 percent, an accomplishment Maruna is especially proud of because she has built the podcast's audience primarily through word of mouth and her own outreach.

Starting the podcast has also shown her how strongly its message resonates with students. She often hears from friends who worry that missing one internship or opportunity has permanently changed their futures. Through the podcast, she hopes to remind them that one setback does not determine an entire career.

Expanding the show's audience among CU students is now one of her biggest goals.

Looking Beyond Graduation

Because Maruna is completing college in three years, graduation is approaching faster than it does for many students. Through her podcast, she has had the opportunity to learn directly from professionals across a wide range of careers and industries. One of the most valuable pieces of advice she has received is to build meaningful professional experience before pursuing a master's degree.

Maruna is currently exploring opportunities in technology and luxury sales. She is drawn to fast-paced, relationship-focused work and the opportunity to apply the communication and outreach skills she has developed through her podcast. She is also considering moving to a larger city after graduation, with New York and San Francisco among the possibilities.

She plans to keep the podcast going after graduation too. Although it is not currently monetized, the podcast has already created value through the relationships and community it has helped her build. Most importantly, it remains a project she created independently and continues to shape with purpose.

The podcast began with a single assignment and a simple decision to try something new. It has since become an important part of Maruna's college experience and professional identity.

But it all started not because someone told her to create it, but because she was willing to see where an unexpected idea could lead.