Pepperdine alumni Kenneth Vargas, RISE Podcast Producer, and Emily Shaw, RISE Program Specialist, sit around the RISE Roundtable to reflect on their resilience journeys at Pepperdine and post-grade and share some tips and insights they learned along the way.

We also hear from three more Pepperdine alumni, who each share what has supported their resilience throughout their college career and postgraduate experience: R.J. Wicks, Allie McMullen, and Devin Cooke.

Links:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• Recommend a guest: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• 5:46 Kenny shares how he optimized his limited time as a student at Pepperdine
• 9:42 Emily talks about how she thought about the time management building block of the life skills dimension while she was a student
• 11:12 Having a growth mindset and learning mentality when taking on new opportunities as students
• 12:17 Trying to operate from a mindset of gratitude rather than perfectionism
• 14:43 Reflecting on our relationships with our parents and loved ones
• 20:49 Being curious about and having empathy toward our parents and people we've known for a long time
• 23:06 Research that shows just how important relationships are for one's well-being and resilience
• 27:30 Prioritizing our physical resilience and why that's important
• 28:45 How to overcome mood changes when it comes to taking care of our physical resilience
• 30:56 The importance of time management as a life skill
• 33:49 Embracing creativity and nature as a resilience practice
• 39:12 Pepperdine's motto "Freely ye received, freely give"

Nicole Fashaw, rising senior, joins RISE Podcast Producer Bo Jaden James at the RISE Roundtable. The two discuss the power of music and songwriting to strengthen one's resilience, and Nicole does a special performance of an original song.

We also hear from three Pepperdine community members, who each share a song that reminds them about resilience: Seaver alumni (Class of 2024) Alyssa Medina, Lidia Qaladh, and Madilyn Henshaw.

Links:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• Recommend a guest: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• 0:30 Nicole Fashaw and all her commitments and leadership positions
• 2:48 Being a part of the RISE Interest Community
• 4:46 Managing different leadership roles and commitments
• 7:15 What gets Nicole out of bed
• 8:44 Music as a positive coping mechanism
• 11:02 The first song Nicole has ever written
• 12:58 Music-making and resilience
• 15:21 Navigating imposter syndrome and feelings of not being enough
• 18:22 Nicole’s relationship with God
• 23:39 The spiritual dimension of resilience
• 24:21 Nicole provides context for her song “Finally Seen”
• 25:32 Nicole performs her song “Finally Seen”

Dr. Jaz Gray, Professor of Communication Studies, joins RISE Program Specialist Emily Shaw at the RISE Roundtable. The two discuss the power of narrative storytelling in strengthening one’s resilience.

We also hear from three Pepperdine community members, who each share a story that has impacted their perspective on resilience: Hope Dease, Assistant Director of Connection; Young Yang, Seaver student; and Tehillah Mwenya, Seaver student.

Connect with us:

• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz?si=qtjB7yWoqwsJhte9
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Recommend a guest!: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• 0:00 Pepperdine community members share a story that has impacted their perspective on resilience
• 4:23 What a narrative researcher investigates
• 6:09 The various mediums of narrative that supported the different seasons of Dr. Gray’s life
• 10:38 The ways in which films can be a place of escape but also a place of empowerment
• 15:35 What happens when there’s no “fairytale ending” or no “ending” at all
• 19:56 Re-negotiating the “ending” and what the “problem” is to begin with
• 24:18 The power of radical honesty in the journey to self-acceptance
• 26:41 Stories you can only experience and not tell; honoring the chaos of a story
• 30:10 Building empathy when storytelling and listening to stories
• 32:35 How marginalized communities and identities can utilize narrative storytelling to build resilience, find community, and challenge systems
• 43:14 The connections between the dimensions of resilience and narrative storytelling
• 52:55 Life plotting as a tool for resilience building and humanizing oneself
• 59:28 When to share and when to not force yourself to share your story
• 1:04:48 Bouncing back and pushing forward

In this episode, Isaac Bonilla, a rising senior, joins RISE Student Lead Ethan Barragán at the RISE Roundtable, sharing his resilience journey to Pepperdine and how he practices resilience skills to support all of his various academic and co-curricular commitments.

We also hear from three Pepperdine undergraduate students, who each share risks they’ve taken and the outcome of those decisions: Julie Joy Oliveira, Andrew O’Brien, and Adrielle Lanae Zindler.

Connect with us:

• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz?si=qtjB7yWoqwsJhte9
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Recommend a guest!: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• 0:00 Undergraduate students share what risks they’ve taken and the outcome of those decisions
• 5:08 Isaac takes a risk while applying Pepperdine
• 9:52 Isaac’s Pepperdine Posse strengthens his social resilience
• 11:00 How Isaac manages the many hats he wears at Pepperdine
• 12:10 The power of journaling, “gyming” and leaning on your social support during tough times
• 13:45 Isaac’s one word to describe his journey at Pepperdine: Patience
• 19:00 The toll of imposter syndrome and how Isaac works through it
• 20:50 “Anything is truly possible if you put your mind to it,” AND “Sometimes a door that closes is another door that opens”
• 22:30 How to have a full rest day
• 24:10 Finding rest in community
• 26:00 Isaac de Jesus Bonilla finding his faith journey
• 29:05 A tour guide’s words of wisdom to prospective students

In this episode, Paul Kim, Professor of Screen Arts, joins RISE Podcast Producer Kenneth Vargas at the RISE Roundtable. Paul shares his resilience journey as a member of his family, professor, and filmmaker.

We also hear from three Pepperdine faculty, who each share how they find a sense of deep enjoyment in life: Martin Premoli, Assistant Professor English; Dr. Karie Riddle, Assistant Professor of Political Science; and Kelsey Brereton, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

Connect with us:

• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz?si=qtjB7yWoqwsJhte9
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Recommend a guest!: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode:

0:00 Pepperdine faculty members share what allows them to find a sense of deep enjoyment in life

5:00 Paul shares his background and his journey to discovering his passion for the arts

11:30 How to find a sense of fulfillment from enjoying the process and the experience of making work

17:11 Paul describes his resilience journey as “trial and error”

19:10 Paul shares a recent difficult challenge he’s encountered within his family

22:45 Paul discusses how a difficult experience led to the development of a new perspective on his family and his heritage

29:56 How exercise and cycling has supported Paul in his capacity to be “better prepared” in moving through challenges and in practicing mindfulness

35:20 How Paul support students in honing their craft by creating an environment for them to enter a mind state of “flow” or “optimal experience” and mindfulness

44:49 How to take in feedback and criticism from others on our work or art

47:05 How to combat irrational thoughts such as filtering, perfectionism, catastrophizing, and equating our value with our work performance

56:25 “The other side” of irrational thinking — how we can transform our “weaknesses” into “strengths”

58:44 Remembering to lean on and reach out to your community, the people you trust and who love and care for you

1:06:30 How to stay connected with RISE

Esther Chung, Manager of Alumni Engagement for Seaver Alumni Relations, joins RISE Program Specialist Emily Shaw at the RISE Roundtable. Esther discusses how she’s navigated being there for someone she loves, while also learning more about herself and her relationship with God in the process.

We also hear from three Pepperdine staff, who each share how they have leaned on their faith to help them through difficult times: Shelby White, Director of Student Employment; Jadyn Gaertner, Assistant Director of Worship & Service; and Jacob Moonen, Academic Advising Associate.

Here’s what we learned from our conversations:

• The power of a faith community and friends in supporting one’s resilience through a difficult time
• How to “choose to have faith” and “trust God” when things have been especially challenging
• The importance of honesty with yourself and loved ones about your feelings and what you need
• How to embrace all emotions, both the “good” and the “bad”
• How faith, knowing God is with you and that God understands what you’re going through, can carry one through difficult times
• Finding ways to serve while also receiving from others

Connect with us:

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@PepperdineRISE-fb2vz?si=qtjB7yWoqwsJhte9
• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/
• Recommend a guest!: https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A 

In this episode, we discuss…

0:00 Pepperdine staff members share how they have leaned on faith

4:03 Esther shares her background and how she grew up

6:24 Esther discusses a recent difficult time she’s been going through with her family

7:51 Trust and honesty are two words Esther uses to describe her resilience journey

10:36 Esther highlights Hebrews 4:15 from the Bible

13:04 Esther’s mom’s faith and service heart

17:03 Learning to trust God

21:33 The power of a faith community and friends

25:05 “Sometimes, maybe, it’s not going to be OK.”

27:33 Practicing self-compassion and self-care

31:14 Relinquishing control and unspiraling

34:06 Seaver College Alumni Relations Office resources

34:38 How to stay connected with RISE

On this episode, we sat down with Pepperdine First Lady Joline Gash, first-years Jalen Brooks and Jillian George, and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir at the RISE Roundtable. What unites them is that they are all first-generation college students/graduates, being the first in their families to attend and complete college. 

Nationwide, about half of all undergraduate students are first-generation college students, according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success. And yet, the Department of Education‘s NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) finds that first-gen students are more than twice as likely to leave school due to a variety of obstacles. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, first-generation college students often bring many strengths, including a strong work ethic, unique perspectives, and resilience that enrich campus communities.

Here’s what we learned from our conversations:

• The power of social support from friends, family, and faculty members in a first-gen student’s college journey 
• How to be open to new experiences and meeting new people
• The significance of finding a faith community and practicing gratitude in building resilience in college
• The importance of managing one’s time and prioritizing well-being as a college student
• The blessings and pressures associated with being a first-gen college student
• How to reframe irrational thoughts about having to be perfect to practicing self-compassion and seeking help from others

Connect with us:

• Email: Resilience@pepperdine.edu 
• Instagram: @pepperdinerise
• Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/ 
• Recommend a guest!: ​​https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A

In this episode, we discuss…

• 01:14 The definition of first-gen college student 
• 02:59 First-year first-gen students Jillian George and Jalen Brooks’ college experience
• 06:04 Sharing the first-gen college student experience with family
• 09:25 The importance of a spiritual journey 
• 09:54 Naming the people in life who provide support during hard times 
• 11:25 The challenges that come with managing a college student schedule
• 14:25 Pleasant surprises about the college experience
• 17:48 Jillian and Jalen’s advice to their high school selves
• 20:16 Resources for first-gen college students
• 21:27 First Lady Joline Gash and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir’s first-gen college experience
• 28:49 What it’s like to represent one’s family as a first-gen college student
• 35:17 The most rewarding parts of the college experience
• 40:48 Encouragement and advice for other first-gen college students
• 43:52 How to stay connected with RISE

Take a seat at the RISE Roundtable, a podcast from Pepperdine University’s Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program, where we share and discuss what it means to build and live a life of resilience.

On this first episode, we hear the origin story of RISE from the program’s founders: Connie Horton, Vice President for Student Affairs, and La Shonda Coleman, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Three RISE student employees: senior Liza Esquibias, junior Emily Luong, and senior Kenneth Vargas also joined us, sharing what resilience means to them and how it shows up in their lives.

Here’s what we learned from our conversations:

• How the RISE Program began and its vision for a resilient Pepperdine community
• How to consider the six dimensions of RISE resilience in your life: physical, social, cognitive, service, life skills, spiritual
• How one intentionally and unintentionally develops and strengthens their resilience, or their capacity to move through challenges
• How sharing stories of resilience can foster compassion
• How strengthening relationships and being present play a role in one’s resilience 

In this episode, we discuss…

• 02:30 RISE’s origin and vision for the Pepperdine community
• 06:09 The six dimensions of resilience
• 10:54 Definitions of resilience
• 14:56 The power of storytelling
• 17:40 Connie and La Shonda’s advice to their younger selves
• 22:22 Resilience from a student point of view
• 24:29 Navigating adversities as a student
• 28:30 The importance of making connections, being present, and having balance
• 32:38 How to reach out to others
• 38:50 How to stay connected with us

Connect with us:

• Resilience@pepperdine.edu
• Instagram
• Website
• Recommend a guest