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