Advertise on podcast: Ke Alaka'i: The Podcast

Who has 10 siblings? Who got into K-pop during the pandemic? And who says LinkedIn might be the way to their heart? 👀   We’re starting Season 16 by turning up the heat on the people behind Ke Alaka‘i: The Podcast. Meet the team and hear what happens when everyone takes a turn in the “Hosts in Hot Seat.”

Making friends isn't about being the most outgoing person in the room. Counseling Services counselor Aliah Hall shares practical strategies for building meaningful friendships, navigating loneliness, respecting your social energy and understanding how different types of friendships can support you through different seasons of life.

From K-pop fans to book and movie lovers, fandoms have become a powerful way for people to connect through shared interests. In "Fandom or Phantom?," the hosts explore how healthy admiration can sometimes develop into unhealthy parasocial attachment, and discuss the ongoing debate over whether it's possible to separate the art from the artist.

As June marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, counselor Kaeokalei Alo discusses the pressures many men face to stay strong and push through challenges alone. In "Redefining Masculinity," Alo explores emotional suppression, healthy masculinity, and how men can recognize when resilience becomes avoidance.

Financial confidence doesn’t come from having more money—it comes from knowing how to manage what you have, said family and personal finance educator Elder Jeffrey Hill. In this episode, Elder Hill shares practical insights on budgeting, investing, and intentional spending to help students take control of their finances. Learn how living joyfully within your means can reduce financial stress and build lasting confidence and security for the future.

Sometimes the hardest boundaries aren’t with strangers—they’re with the people we love most, whether that’s family, friends, or someone we care about deeply. In this episode, BYUH psychologist John Suyama explore why saying “no” can feel like guilt, why family boundaries often feel more complicated than friendships, and how caring for others doesn’t have to mean carrying everyone’s burdens.

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 in a trend-driven world.

In this episode, BYU–Hawaii counselor Susiane Manning and student leader Shane Reinward break down what distractibility actually looks like in college life—from constant mental overload to the role of curiosity and environment. Drawing from research and real student experiences, they explore why focus is difficult to sustain and share practical ways to better manage attention in everyday academic life.

Adrian Pramoso shares his journey as a music student navigating the realities of pursuing a career in music. From nearly quitting music to winning three categories at a national singing competition, he talks about mentorship, the realities behind a music degree and how purpose continues to shape his path forward.

Lucy Miller shares how curiosity and meaningful conversations have shaped the way she understands others and herself. In this episode, she reflects on why the “art of conversation” feels lost today and how intentional dialogue can lead to deeper connection and self-discovery. She also demonstrates the Cube–Ladder–Horse exercise with the hosts, an activity you can try at home to help open up conversations in a simple but revealing way.

In this conversation, BYU–Hawaii Counseling Services counselor Kaeokalei Alo and student leader Kalela Stone discuss what mental health can actually look like in college life—from everyday habits like sleep and relationships to the role of community and support systems. The episode also answers common questions gathered from students, including motivation, imposter syndrome and how to better understand mental health in everyday life.

Alan Pineda shares his journey of making bold, intentional choices during college—from deleting social media after working in digital marketing to changing his major and co-founding Kahuku App. In this conversation, he reflects on the tension between school and real-world work, the risks of pursuing ambitious ideas early and why living intentionally can shape both personal growth and purpose.

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 resilience.

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.

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 to uplift others.