Proof of Concept

It's Dame Time! The boys are joined by friend of the pod, the 703's finest, Stevenson University Small Forward #13, Damon Koskovich (@trecedame)   With graduation upon him, Dame reflects on what he would tell his freshman year self (06:45), the role his mom played in supporting his student-athlete career (20:42), & the importance of checking in on those around you (33:09)  Tune in for an all-around insightful conversation with one of the realest to ever do it! Outro: "These Days" by Infraction 

We chat about Kenan's spring family vacation in Europe, talking points at the dog park, Newark airport, youth soccer szn, borrowing items from neighbors, Arthur chilling out, train rides, do's and don'ts of dog walking, Alex's long-standing wish to be a bartender, 1883, dogs appreciating routines, being at peace > happy (?), and changes in how we view our parents as we get older. www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept

Alex and Kenan discuss their current reads (The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer by Christopher Clarey and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway) and how self-talk affects our mental states and perspectives. We conclude with some thoughts on how to “break loops.” Editor's Note: This episode was recorded prior to Kenan's NYC Half Marathon (Sunday, 3/20).

Racing Szn continues! With his half in the rearview, Alex- who's a bit teed up due to his self-imposed caffeine break- rants on not having Macs at work, people always 'shipping movie co-stars, Puss in Boots, & the SXSW Austin grunge crowd Meanwhile, fresh off completing the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, Kenan shares key moments, learnings, & reflections from his race, including: How a moment of crisis almost unrolled his entire race before it even started! (17:30) Going from competing against to coaching with yourself over the course of a race (23:00) Why you don't need to PR every race! (32:00) Crossing the starting line after half a year in NYC (38:42) Outro: "We Were Young" by Vendredi Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgL-g_0GN-AEndPhfycej6A Follow the IG: https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/

In Part I of Racing Szn, Alex recaps his Seton Ascension Austin Half Marathon, Kenan outlines his prep for the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, and, later on, Addison Mooradian joins to discuss her Hilton Head Marathon. www.instagram.com/addison_mooradian/

After way too much time off, the boys are back with updates to share! Alex starts by introducing us to Arthur, the cutest puppy within Austin City Limits (3:40) while Kenan wonders if he's come down with a case of "Midnight in Paris Syndrome" (10:28). Later on, they call up the eloquent and wonderful Jeanne Rockwell to discuss a recent Atlantic article on how hobbies have “infiltrated American life” (15:46). Jeanne elaborates on how social media has pressured us into finding "better" hobbies, underlines why hobbies should never be chores, and shares some of the positive benefits of her favorite hobbies. After bidding Jeanne adieu, the boys conclude by discussing winter training habits and preview their respective half-marathon races (43:42). Optional Reading: "How Hobbies Infiltrated American Life" by Julie Beck : www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2022/01/history-hobbies-america-productivity-leisure/621150/ www.instagram.com/jeannerockwell/ www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/

How was your year? Back home for the holidays, Alex & Kenan look back on the previous year by asking 21 Questions for 2021, including: • What was your favorite conversation? (26:50) • Who was your unsung hero of the year? (39:00) • Did you take enough risks this year? (42:45) • What's one goal for 2022 that excites/scares you? (53:50) In lieu of a recap, we hope this conversation serves as an engaging exercise for all of our wonderful listeners to share, reflect, & learn from your year. Wherever you are, we wish you a healthy end of year & look forward to all to come in 2022! https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/

Charlottesville residents and members of Prolyfyck Run Creww Paul and Littlez join us for a conversation about running, community, and coaching. Paul and Littlez both successfully completed the 2021 Richmond VA Marathon in mid-November, along with many other Prolyfyck runners. If you're in Charlottesville, VA, you can join Prolyfyck at 6 AM (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for a 4 mile run starting from the Jefferson School. Happy running! https://www.instagram.com/s1imstagram/ https://www.instagram.com/yunglittlez/

Class is IN SESSION! Jehú Martínez is a fourth year at the University of Virginia (UVA) majoring in Racial Studies & Architecture. The boys welcome Jehú to chat about how UVA's cloister design reinforces elitism & exclusion (8:00), the new wave of gentrification at the Cville Dairy Market (42:00), the work done by Harlem Run founder Alison Désir to overlay redlining maps with Strava runnning routes (50:00), & the importance of slashing the trash from your Spotify playlists (55:00)! Relevant Reading: https://timeline.com/charlottesville-vinegar-hill-demolished-ba27b6ea69e1 https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/diversity-in-running-towns-so-white/ Stay Connected: https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/ Music: “Tropical Fever” by LiQWYD & Luke Bergs; “Static” by Land of Fire

Alex and Kenan chat about work happy hour, why you should be proud of yourself for the little things, Seinfeld & Ted Lasso, taking the “long view,” and they look ahead to YAR and Kenan's trip to ATX. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/ Music: “Burst” by Land of Fire; “Static” by Land of Fire

More than a runner, David Johnson is a certified personal trainer/instructor at Formula Fitness, teacher at UVA, and an impact-driven community builder.  The boys welcome David to Proof of Concept for an enlightening conversation on the Charlottesville running scene (3:35), dealing with setbacks in training (10:00), competing against yourself (21:55), the importance of representation (32:57), how Cville sees UVA volunteers (36:38), Kanye West's Donda (57:45), and much more.  Follow David here: https://www.instagram.com/dreadsandalllat/ https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/  https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/  Music: “Think Tank” by Audionautix; “Treat Me Like That” by RYYZN

It's another ALEX & KENAN episode. We chat about moving, Kenan's twilight 5K, and more. Music: "Suede" by Mona Wonderlick, "Wakanda" by Mona Wonderlick https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/

Evan Kirsh is a co-founder of the social streaming app Bingebound, Technical Product Manager at PayPal, and a professional magician. The guys chat with Evan about his Bingebound journey, the art of failing fast, how not everything you start needs to be a "startup", and so much more! Bingebound makes it easy to discover what TV shows your friends are binging and was recently ranked Top 50 on the App Store Entertainment Chart. Download Bingebound here: download.bingebound.com/podcast Music: “Wakanda” by Mona Wonderlick “Vein” by KV https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/

Kenan and Alex discuss Messi's move to PSG, Rihanna's newfound billionaire status, and the practicality of work-life balance. Follow us on Instagram for more content. Music: “Constantinople” by Vendredi “Sunlight Cascading Through the Clouds” by Artificial.Music https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/

Alex and Kenan share life updates, followed by “Picks of the Week” and a short discussion on "the concept of balance" (thanks to @trecedame for the prompt). Follow us on Instagram for more content. https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ Music: “Winter Embrace” by Silent Partner, “Vein” by KV

Kenan and Alex talk about their trip to Miami (with the first ever segment of COMMON GROUND), training plans for the rest of the summer, and theories on why almond milk is called “milk” and not “juice.” #SorryAntonia Music: “Yo Cloud” by Peyrius, “Free Fall” by Vendredi https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/

Your esteemed hosts welcome Mrs. Christine & Mr. Iskender Besen to Proof of Concept as they chat about Bastille Day and French culture, Miami and Palm Beach, and some advice for young people on gaining new perspectives through traveling. Music: “Wakanda” by Mona Wonderlick, “Play Easy” by tubebackr https://www.instagram.com/_proofofconcept/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/

Alex and Kenan discuss vacation, England making the Euro 2020 final, SafeRide, Tenet, Rotten Tomatoes, streaming habits, Roku, O.T. Genesis, how we get our daily news fix, hot tubs and saunas, hot vs. cold treatment for recovery, a life update from Alex, Zoom reactions, being ready vs. feeling ready for a change, vlogs, types of readiness, approaching life with curiosity and openness, and our upcoming Florida trip. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ Intro Music: "Friction Looks" by Silent Partner Outro Music: "Himalayas" by Mona Wonderlick

Kenan and Alex welcome Mack Martin to Proof of Concept as they chat about Mack's background, wine preferences, France's loss to Switzerland in Euro 2020, performing in high-stakes moments, the "clutch gene," Kobe Bryant's work ethic, test-taking and knowing how to navigate a test, Spongebob and possible effects on brain power, cycling as a lifestyle and a sport, the Tour de France, Kenan's role as a connector, Mack's Scarface viewing, and our picks for the next James Bond. https://www.instagram.com/mack_martin2/ https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ Intro Music: "Trick or Treat (Instrumental)" by RYYZN Outro Music: "Friction Looks" by Silent Partner --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this episode of PoC, Alex and Kenan talk about weekend shenanigans, Porter's Five Forces, structuring a day, hobbies that heal, Father's Day, UVA's YAR announcement, and more. *Alex introduces the term "match fit," but he meant to say "match quality." https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ Intro music: "Trick or Treat (Instrumental)" by RYYZN Outro music: "Treat Me Like That (Instrumental)" by RYYZN --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Alex and Kenan talk about Spotify playlists, hotel spas, the environment, pushy salespeople, the wonderful world of Target, the business of higher education, routines while traveling, horror movies, NBA playoffs, Euro 2020, and more. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Alex and Kenan chat about leaving Charlottesville, Valley road shenanigans, being a respectful guest, small businesses and COVID guidelines, Kenan's OBX trip, Alex's ideal beach day, graduation photos, and more. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/alexppradhan/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/

Kenan and Alex chat about social media, personal branding, HBO documentaries, the finals of the NSAC competition, medieval castles, leadership, the wisdom of Kobe Bryant, and a second Tony Bennett sighting. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexpradhan_/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kenan and Alex discuss "World Travel" by Anthony Bourdain, people banging on pots in the street, future travel plans, Pirates of the Caribbean, merch, the burgeoning podcast industry, and morning routines. https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/alexpradhan_/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kenan and Alex chat about their first Prolyfyck run in awhile, mindset during recovery, dealing with stress, major checkpoints in life, messing up, first and second arrows, then Mr. Daniel Gerke joins them to chat soccer and the "Super League." *Editor's note: Alex was too tired to write up timestamps for this episode. If you would like them for future episodes, please let Kenan or Alex know. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this week's episode, Kenan and Alex cover a range of topics, including a half marathon race recap, college coming to an end soon, and picks of the week. Enjoy! Follow the Proof of Concept Instagram account, as well as Kenan and Alex's personal Instagram accounts, at the links below. https://www.instagram.com/proofofconcept_pod/ https://www.instagram.com/_alexpradhan/ https://www.instagram.com/kbesen99/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app