Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast

Society & Culture

About

Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast explores stories of the Laie and BYU–Hawaii communities. Hosted by France Valerie Lucillo, Haley Cowan, and Abigail Adams they interview members of the community about their experiences, projects, and takes on life.

Episodes

  • Are We All Just Performing Now?

    To kick off the new season, new host Julia Aunai is joined by former co-host Myco Marcaida to explore individualism, the pressure to stand out and the concept of the "looking glass self" as they discuss what it means to build an identity i…

  • Why Your Brain Won't Focus

    BYU–Hawaii counselor Susiane Manning and student leader Shane Reinward discuss the challenges of distractibility and focus in college life. They explore factors like mental overload, curiosity, and environment, offering practical advice fo…

  • Behind The Winning Voice

    Adrian Pramoso recounts his experience as a music student, detailing his near departure from music studies, his success in a national singing competition, and the ongoing influence of purpose on his career.

  • The (Lost) Art of Conversation

    Lucy Miller examines the importance of intentional dialogue and curiosity in fostering connection and self-discovery. She also leads the hosts through the Cube–Ladder–Horse exercise to demonstrate a method for revealing conversation practi…

  • What Mental Health Looks Like in College

    BYU–Hawaii Counseling Services counselor Kaeokalei Alo and student leader Kalela Stone discuss college mental health, covering topics like sleep, relationships, community support, motivation, and imposter syndrome.

  • Stepping Off Autopilot

    Alan Pineda details his college experience of making deliberate decisions, such as leaving social media and co-founding Kahuku App. The episode explores the interplay between academics and practical experience, and the benefits of intentio…

  • Self-Love: Recovery Isn't Linear

    As a young child, Talea Bloomfield struggled with accepting her appearance.Because of her family and choosing to change, she was able to overcome her challenges. Listen and learn more about her journey on self-love, acceptance, and resilie…

  • Modern Dating: Island Edition

    Are we dating—or just talking? This episode dives into the gray areas of modern campus relationships, including first-date expectations, approach dynamics and the role of dating apps. Don't miss our myth vs. truth breakdown at the end.

  • Leadership Is Not About Being Irreplaceable

    After facing repeated rejection , Dominic "Dom" Belda reflects on how leadership, service, faith, and his educational background as a Communication background opened doors to campus leadership, club founding, and meaningful opportunities t…

  • There is Help: Knowing & Managing Anxiety

    Having anxiety? Don't know what to do about it? We got you! For today's episode, Sister Linda Wilson and Mika Konno of the Counseling Services will walk us through the process on learning more about what anxiety is how to manage it.

  • When Resolutions Don't Go As Planned

    France Valerie Lucillo and Haley Cowan open Season 14 of Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast by unpacking their New Year's resolutions, examining failed habits, false assumptions and the realistic changes they're making for themselves and the podcast…

  • Thank-yous, Goodbyes, and See-You-Laters

    In this season of Thanksgiving, Valerie, Haley and Abbey closes Season 13 reflecting on the episodes they loved recording and sharing what they are most grateful for. See you next season!

  • Life of a Thespian Family

    Lola, Mele, and Sam Morgan talks about their life as a family on and off the theater stage. Listen to their stories of how singing and acting strengthens their bond.

  • Where Music Meets Magic: A Peek Into the Woods

    Ever wondered what it is like to be on stage playing characters while performing songs? In this episode, Mya Muhlestein and Parker Stanley, shares about their roles in the play "Into the Woods," and what life looks like on stage. Mya plays…

  • Taking the chances and braving the challenge

    Preston Snyder, a sophomore from Vermont, majoring in business finance, shares his experience as a participant on Fox’s reality TV show called 99 to Beat and what it's like to perform under pressure.

  • A Halloween Special: Folklore (Ke Alaka'i's Version)

    Superstitions are created to offer comfort by giving explanations to the unknown, by serving as a reminder, and by honoring our roots from where we came from. In this episode, Ke Alaka'i editors joined us in discussing superstitions we enc…

  • Intercultural peacebuilding: A way of life

    Peacebuilding is more than just a major. It is any effort that aims to end conflict, says Nate Pierce, a senior from Washington, D.C., majoring in intercultural peacebuilding. In this episode, he shares his hope for the world and how he st…

  • Silver linings and tender mercies

    Rean Abancia, a senior from the Philippines majoring in communications shares about how faith, perseverance and resilience helped him overcome his challenges growing up.

  • Staying rooted to your purpose

    Fetuao Tuaina, a senior from Samoa, majoring in information technology, shares what keeps him rooted to his purpose as he furthers his education at BYUH.

  • Sharing aloha from Fiji to Hawaii

    Timoci Kean, a senior from Fiji, shares his experiences being featured on a documentary film "Sharing Aloha."

  • What you wish you knew during your freshman year

    Abbey Adams and Myco Marcaida share what they wish they knew during their freshman year and their biggest takeaway from college life so far.

  • Looking forward to another season

    Listen to Sai, Myco and Abbey as they reflect on the podcast's 5-year anniversary and their experiences as hosts this semester.

  • Memories in Meals

    Join Pim Hootini, one of the podcast hosts, as she shares how food and travel shape her memories and relationships with people.

  • Faith and music with Myshaan

    Myshaan Komene, a soulful R&B artist from Hamilton, New Zealand, shares how his Māori roots and gospel values influence his music.

  • 25 years in 25 minutes

    LeeAnn Lambert reflects on what she learned from the past two decades of her service as an adviser for Ke Alaka'i at BYU–Hawaii.

  • When Gospel Meets TikTok

    Tautai Kealakaikupaa Fano aka "Elder TikTok" shares about his life on social media and what is it like to share the gospel to all walks of life. He also shares about how his social media efforts and his podcasts are a safe space for everyo…

  • With a perfect brightness of hope as a young family

    Heiranie Lacour shares their family's story of faith and sacrifice leaving behind home and career opportunities to study at BYU-Hawaii with their two young kids.

  • Evolving through life transitions

    Kimmy Seechompu and Weerawat Meepralom share their growth from transitioning to another faith and from moving to a different country to study for college.

  • The ins and outs of podcasts

    Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast hosts welcomes two new hosts, Abigail Adams and Gene Cymmer Ramirez for the first episode of season 12 where they share their opinions about podcasts.

  • Love Language

    To wrap up this season, the Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast hosts: Pim, Myco and Valerie talk about their love languages, how they give love and their preference of receiving love.

  • Learning through the lens of self-taught photographers

    Rosalind Pedron a senior from Australia majoring in Pacific Island studies and political science and Didier Pedron a senior from Tahiti majoring in business marketing share their journey about how their passion with photography developed a…

  • Hope Squad: A Lifeline Among Peers

    Elder Greg Hudnall the founder of Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, and Michael Schaumann, an intern working with them share the reality of mental health and how peers can support and protect each other.

  • Miracles Behind the Scenes

    Club presidents of emerging clubs, Golden Mecca and Myanmar club, share how setbacks turned into miracles as they prepared for Culture Night.

  • When Gospel Meets TikTok

    Tautai Kealakaikupaa Fano aka "Elder TikTok" shares about his life on social media and what is it like to share the gospel to all walks of life. He also shares about how his social media efforts and his podcast is a safe space for everyone…

  • ASEAN Perspectives on Human Dignity

    Joseph Sant, a senior majoring in political science and peacebuilding who works as one of the key organizers of the ASEAN Perspectives on Human Dignity Conference share the purpose of the conference and why it matters to the students and t…

  • Pre-Law Society

    BYUH Pre-law Society Club officers Valerie Agustin and Reese Clarke share how the club can help students prepare for law school.

  • Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve

    Alohalani Housman, an associate professor of the Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian & Pacific Studies and the Dean of Culture, Language and Performing Arts at BYU-Hawaii joins us in this special episode for the 70th anniversary of BYUH. S…

  • 100 List with Elder Taniguchi

    Elder Stacy Taniguchi, a seasoned mountaineer and international expedition leader with an awe-inspiring resume of summiting some of the world’s most iconic peaks shares his passion and dedication for adventure. He now continues to inspire…

  • The Trail to Wellness

    BYU-Hawaii students Jatuphon Phakdeerat, a hike enthusiast and Jolina Vidal, a member of the running and hiking club presidency shares the lessons they have learned and the experiences they have had during their running and hiking activiti…

  • Creating Tala Learns to Siva

    BYUH alumna Kealani Netane joins to share the journey behind her book, Tala Learns to Siva—a heartwarming story about discovering inner strength through family love and guidance. Hosted by Myco Marcaida and France Valerie Lucillo.

  • Graduating side by side

    Graduating twins Kristen and Ashley Bull reflect on their BYUH journey, highlighting the importance of supporting others through mental health challenges. Hosted by Myco Marcaida and France Valerie Lucillo.

  • Life at BYUH as non-church members

    Luaupu Taaau, Mahealani Hunter and Poevai Ienfa join us to share their experiences at BYUH as non-church members with Myco Marcaida and Pim Suksuntiwijit.

  • Great Ideas: Preparing future entrepreneurs

    Great Ideas 2023 winner Talesha Jensen joins Willes Center’s Jonah Hunter to share tips for building confidence and expanding networks in preparation for the 2024 competition. Hosted by Myco Marcaida and Pim Suksuntiwijit.

  • Spooky stories with Micah Curtis

    Micah Curtis guides us through Hawaii’s so-called "haunted" sites, sharing eerie tales of the Waimea drowning pool and H3 Highway. Hosted by Myco Marcaida and France Valerie Lucillo.

  • Building your future with Career Services

    From personalized MBTI assessments to professional photoshoots, Career Services specialist Elder Darrel Brock and student supervisor Jerameel Recodig highlight the valuable resources available through Career Services to help students build…

  • KPOP CLUB

    From IU to BTS, KPOP Club members Eunji Choi and Mikah Cabanilla discuss their favorite KPOP artists and deep dive into the world of K-pop fandom. Hosted By Valerie Lucillo and Myco Marcaido.

  • A Conversation between Gen Z & Millennial

    Jeffrey Maloney, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education & Social Work discusses the use of slang across different generations with hosts France Valerie Lucillo and Pim Suksuntiwijit.

  • How to pass the ELAT test

    EIL Program Director Nancy Tarawhiti joins us to share tips to help prospective students prepare and pass the ELAT test. Hosted by Myco Marcaida and Pim Suksuntiwijit.

  • Writing about the Book of Mormon

    Meet the new Ke Alaka'i Podcast team—Pim, Valorie and Myco—as they introduce themselves and share heartfelt testimonies of the Book of Mormon. They offer personal insights and snippets of the upcoming Book of Mormon issue.

  • Finding the one

    From fleeting sparks to lasting love, Abigail Harper shares how she recognized her husband as 'the one' and discusses her research on finding true love. She delves into the importance of addressing red flags and growing together in relatio…