The Paragon Project

There is so much information about COVID-19 out there, and I wanted to get information from a trusted source in person. It was an honor to interview Dr. Gonzalo Bearman. I'm extremely grateful that he found time out of his packed schedule to sit and talk to me about COVID-19 during these chaotic times. Please share this podcast to help spread better information about COVID-19. At times like this, we need to know what we are truly facing. This interview was done on March 11th! Time stamp: 2:00 -What is COVID-19, and how is it different from something like the flu? 3:02 -If someone is infected with the virus with mild to moderate symptoms, are there any at-home or over-the-counter treatments we can use to prevent more severe symptoms from developing? 4:28 - How long do you expect this virus to last? 4:51- If the virus continues to spread in densely populated areas, what are our options when facilities fill up? 5:23 - How much do people's “fear of the unknown” play a part in magnifying the dangers of COVID-19? 6:30 - The xenophobia that came along with the COVID-19 virus 7:40 - What are some severe and non-severe symptoms of COVID-19 10:00 - How do we de-cyphe the information overload we see in the news? 11:46 - What are our alternative protection options besides the normal gloves and mask? 13:10 - Final words about COVID-19 and what VCU health is doing?

Happy Valentine's Day! In this episode, I combined my interviews with Julie Wilcox and Mary Davis from the previous two episode to answer three important questions: What makes a healthy relationship, what are some misconceptions of a healthy relationship, and how do you love yourself? If you guys like what you heard, please check out the episodes Communication is Key with Julie Wilcox and Needs = Expectations with Mary Davis to learn more about relationships! Also please share this podcast on Facebook and tag me in your Instagram story @paragonproject1! Have a wonderful rest of the day. Links to the interviews used in the episode: Needs = Expectations: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iiwSl6VeiZ0ksJDdbG0k0 Communication is Key: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lUuCYu9DJqiZ3oKdURtOZ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Julie Wilcox is a license relationship councilor at Thriveworks Short Pump. In our interview, we talked about polyamorous relationship, the 5 love languages, the honey moon phase and much more! She was a great guest, and I hope that y'all learned something from this interview. If you like what you hear, let me know by sharing on Facebook or tagging me on Instagram @paragonproject1. Thank you so much and have a awesome rest of the day. Below are the time stamps for the video: Times stamps: · 1:08- Expectations and communications · 2:23- Making a comfortable place to voice expectations · 4:30- “Fair Fighting Rules” for conflict resolutions · 6:30- Having multiple partners (Polyamorous relationships) and the expectations for them · 9:26- Get to know each other again · 11:34- Being a best friend with your partner · 12:34- What is something your clients think are healthy for a relationship but are actually unhealthy · 13:48- How do you bring up a problem without accusing them · 16:06- Transparency is a lot healthier than we think · 19:25- Handling long distance relationships · 21:17- The honeymoon phase? Not realistic at all · 22:55- The 5 love languages and our basic needs · 26:41- The role of a counselor in a relationship · 28:05- What does it really mean to love yourself? · 29:05- What does it mean to be a Paragon?

Mary Davis is a license couples therapist at Thriveworks Short Pump who is very knowledgeable and passionate about relationships. I had an amazing time interviewing her and gained an important perspective on relationships and we talked about self-love, expectations, etc! If you got any value from this episode, please let me know and share in on Facebook and Instagram story @paragonproject1. Thank you and have a nice rest of the day! Below are time stamps for the episode. Times stamps: 1:01- Introduction to Mary 2:17- What are the foundations of any healthy relationship? 3:04- What to do when trust has been lost in a relationship? 4:26- How much of our past should we reveal to our partner? 5:54- Why would people rather direct their love towards other people than themselves? 8:04- How to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself without being too self critical 9:50- Perfectionism blocks vulnerability 10:20- What makes unhealthy relationships with ourselves? 12:06- What are healthy expectations we should have for our partner? 13:51- Should we have little to no expectations for our partner? Title? Our needs are ultimately our expectations 16:08- What do your clients believe are unhealthy to have in a relationship but are healthy to have? Could use this to transition to self love after healthy relationship 17:03- Why an individual identity is healthy for a relationship? 19:50- What are somethings your client believe are healthy in a relationship but are actually unhealthy to have? 21:19- What's a soulmate and could there be such thing? 23:30- How do you get your clients to open up about their past? 26:32- How do you maintain a healthy long distance relationship? 28:33- What does it mean to be a paragon?

With the new year comes a new season! I revisited several interviews I during season one, incorporated my commentary, and used some research to bring a new style and format to the podcast! Below are some of the references I used to make this podcast. If you like the new format and want more of this, let me know and share my podcast to promote the new season! Thank you and have an awesome new years. References: YMCA commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho8Xuwbfa-0 Statista Research Department: https://www.statista.com/statistics/378105/new-years-resolution/ Health.us.news.com link: https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2015-12-29/why-80-percent-of-new-years-resolutions-fail Journal of personality and social psychology: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.88.6.918 Previous podcast episode: Alex Vega: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rYChhdYzTeT7hSLwTjSnk Sam Thana: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WyrxPFyaqjSMlMo74KyQ0 Vinny Seng: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FKptPLvBSvv5fMKi0Jh1S --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I first met Charles Andrean at the national convention for Lambda Phi Epsilon. The speech he gave was very moving, and I wanted to have an opportunity to talk to him one day. Well this past week was the day, and I had a very interesting conversation about masculinity, authenticity, and vulnerability. Charles mentioned Brene Brown in this episode, and I think shes a great reference to learn more about vulnerability. The link to her Ted talk is below! If you got any value from this episode, please share the podcast or let me know how it impacted you! Ted talk link: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en Episode 17 timestamps: 0:56 - Your dedication to Greek life 2:50 - Our identity box and defining masculinity 6:35 - How do we make an authentic identity box that is true to us? 10:56 - How can communities create environments to help individuals find their identity 13:30 - The self-help movement and what the right mindset for that is 16:18 - The stigmas of being vulnerable and why we should be more vulnerable 19:06 - The right time to be vulnerable? 23:30 - What does it mean to be a Paragon? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Domestic violence (DV) is a very broad topic that is very complex. I really loved the perspective that I got from this episode, and I am really grateful to interview Ruth Glenn. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is doing amazing work to prevent and bring awareness to domestic violence. The Remember My Name and the Take a Stand for Health Relationships are two great programs the NCADV have, and we touched on these programs briefly in the podcast. Below are the links to all the references mentioned in the podcast and the times stamps. Thank you for listening! References: - The NCADV homepage: https://ncadv.org/ - The NCADV webinars: https://ncadv.org/webinars - Remember my name: https://ncadv.org/remember-my-name - Take a Stand for Health Relationships modules: https://ncadv.org/teens4healthyrelationships - Understanding arms regulations for victims of DV: https://www.disarmdv.org/ Time Stamps: 1:20- How did you get to your position as President of NCADV 2:45- The definition of domestic violence (its more than just physical or sexual violence) 5:35- Why do abusers abuse? Why do victims stay? 10:36- How is the NCADV helping survivors get over their fear caused from domestic violence 13:47- The goal of the "Take a Stand for Health Relationships" Program and its future 22:00- The Remember my Name Program. What it is about and its future. 25:41- The next step for NCADV 28:56- What does it mean to be a paragon? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had the honor of interviewing an incredible man who took the leap of faith and pursued his passion. As a founder of the Ronin, he has a strong desire to elevate other so that they can someday pursue their passions. This man has a mindset and perspective that we can all learn from. I truly learned a lot from this interview, and I know that everyone listen will learn something too! Below are the timestamps for the episode and the link to the Ronin website and facebook page. Enjoy and have a nice rest of the day! The Ronin FB: https://www.facebook.com/theroninmedia/ The Ronin Website: https://www.theroninmedia.com/ Alex's fb: https://www.facebook.com/roninvega Time stamps: 0:42- How your childhood thought you what it means to survive 6:35- Moments that defined your mindset 11:50- Defining moment that made you pursue your passion 17:10- What would you change about your past? 19:45- Why aren't people taking the leap of faith? 21:53- Methodology of success; put your head down and work 23:55- You need to learn how to communicate 25:14- The biggest risk is not taking one at all 26:01- Support from family and Asian culture 31:55- An Asian american success story and being giving in nature 35:09- Using and acknowledging your core strengths. 37:00- What is a Paragon to you? 41:31- Sacrifice is key. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For my second BCA episode, I came in contact with Deb Kirkland through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and it was an honor to have her on the podcast! Deb is a breast cancer survivor who dedicates her life to breast cancer advocacy by being a part of the Young Survivor Coalition, a former advocate reviewer for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the DoD, and is currently working in the Mercy Hospital in Baltimore Maryland. There are several important links below about self assessment, the young survival coalition and metastatic breast cancer! Furthermore, the timestamps for the episode are below! Important links: Self assessment that tells you your risk: Brightpink.org More information about metastatic breast cancer: http://www.metavivor.org/take-action/ This is a great resource for young women who are diagnosed: https://www.youngsurvival.org/ Timestamps: 1:00- Being diagnosed with breast cancer 2:55- Ways of detecting breast cancer 4:45- Your role in the Young Survivor Coalition and the Mercy Medical Center 7:31- Stigmas with breast cancer in countries outside the U.S 8:47- Are we doing enough to find the cure? 9:45- How can we contribute to the cause? 11:23- Common breast cancer myths 12:42- What should men do if they think they have breast cancer? 13:40- Metastatic breast cancer 14:50- Being an breast cancer advocate reviewer for the DoD and Susan G. Komen 16:20- How to be an advocate reviewer --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

As many of y'all know, this month is breast cancer awareness month. Many different organizations around the world are pushing to fund more research in order to find the cure for breast cancer. I decided to take the time to interview a local foundation in my area who is actively working towards the cause. The perspective and informative interview was amazing, and I hope that y'all who are listen become more aware of this movement and decided to contribute to it! Below are the time stamps for the episode : Link for the VBCF (Also check out their events!): https://www.vbcf.org/ Timestamps: 0:34- What does it mean to be education manager for Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) 1:09- Newly diagnose, care giver, surviver, and metastatic info packets 1:55- A possible side effect from breast cancer surgery: Lymphedema 3:26- The history of the VBCF and what they do 6:50- Why don't we have a cure for breast cancer yet? 8:48- Hormone Receptor Positive & Negative, HER2 Negative, and Triple Negative Breast Cancer 10:58- Metastatic breast cancer 13:09- Common ways to detect breast cancer 14:14- How to contribute to the cause! 15:33- How has breast cancer affected you? 16:28- Support VBCF! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Mindset is something that can take you very far. This episode goes to everyone who doesn't know what they want to do in the future, the confused, and those who are at rock bottom. Sam and I converse about how he started out with nothing and building his way up, surrounding yourself with people like you, going above and beyond to achieve the lifestyle you want, and more. Below are the timestamps for the episode and contact info: *Sam Thana: - insta: @Sammythana *The Ronin: - insta: _theronin - facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theroninmedia/ *Timestamps: - 1:25 - Being homeless and a first gen Asian american - 2:55 - Being yourself through entrepreneurship - 5:12 - If you don't like what you're doing and don't know where to go next.... - 6:56 - Getting a house at 19 years old for your mom - 9:10 - Choosing your own path over what your parents desired path - 10:47 - Getting into entrepreneurship when you're in college? Are you ready and can you take it? - 13:50 - From rock bottom to real estate - 15:59 - Feeling hopeless at rock bottom? Listen to this! - 18:07 - Surround yourself with people who are like minded - 20:24 - Building your network by giving value to others - 22:43 - How to join The Kinyu, a creative network by creators, for creators. - 24:23 - Being lonely when you think so differently from others - 27:15 - Why its more important to be a leader than a mentor - 29:20 - What does it mean to be a paragon? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During her years as a teacher, Ames Hart had 3 students who died by suicide. She is also a survivor of suicide. Because of her experience from suicide, she decided to participate in the suicide prevention community by being an active member in it. She participates with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and started her own organization call Enter Hope LLC. In this podcast, we talk about her story, her role in the suicide prevention in the community, and more. Below are the time stamps of the podcast and the resources we talked about! 0:45 - How Enter Hope LLC is contributing to the suicide prevention movement 3:53 - Suicide terminology. Using "commit suicide" to "died by suicide" to reduce stigma. 5:32 - Counselors are our coaches. Its okay to get help! 7:42 - Is our friend at risk, or are they just joking about suicide? 9:18 - The pain of losing 3 students to suicide. 11:50 - The feelings and thoughts of someone who was at risk. 13:47 - How can we promote suicide prevention and make it an open conversation. 15:52 - National resources for suicide prevention 17:08 - How to be active in the suicide prevention community 21:20 - What does it mean to be a paragon? Resources mentioned: Enter Hope LLC: enterhope.net AFSP Virginia: afsp.org/virginia Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk: https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=6157 National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text line: Text CONNECT to 741741 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hello everyone! Its been a while since I have uploaded an episode, but I really wanted to find the right individuals to interview for suicide prevention month. For my first suicide awareness episode, I had the honor to interviewed a VCU councilor who works with a wide array of VCU students. We talked about stigmas of counseling, national counseling resources, signs of suicide, steps you should take to when you see these signs and more. Below are the time stamps for the episode. Furthermore I put the link to the resources we talked about below. Give it a listen and have a nice day! - 1:08 - Stigma of going to counseling for mental health - 2:31 - How to recommend counseling without pressuring people to come to counseling  - 3:49 - National counseling resources -  5:23 - Signs of suicide   - 7:13 - steps you should take if you see these signs - 9:38 - When should you go find help for others - 11:55 - Accompanying your friend to counseling - 13:32 - What to do when you have suicidal thoughts Resources we talked about in this episode: - https://www.7cups.com/ - National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 - Crisis Text line: Text CONNECT to 741741 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I had the honor of interview an incredible friend of mine who has brought a lot of perspective to my life. Deven Mithal has an unique perspective that I believe will bring value to your life. Below are the time stamps to some of the important topics we talk about. - 02:10 - the transition from Zimbabwe to the US - 03:25 - Expectations of the US - 07:45 - The appropriate way of creating your identity with other cultures - 10:57 - What in Zimbabue made you the person you are? - 16:07 - Developing relationships with gratefulness and empathy & losing sight of empathy - 20:10 -Opportuities you found at NYU - 26:15 - Mericratic earning a perstegious Careers - 28:42 - EQ is one of the essential things you need to climbing the social ladder - 30:34 - What makes a Paragon? - 34:15 - Leaving the world with something that lives beyond your time Thank you for listening! I hope you have a nice rest of your day --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hello podcasters! I'm back after a short break and back at it again with another podcast! In Ep 8, my good friend Vinny Seng, and I talked about very important topics that I think everyone should hear. Here is a link to NOVA Productions Insta and Youtube and Vinny's insta. NOVA Productions insta: https://www.instagram.com/novaprodinc/?hl=en NOVA Productions Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyoiLKiklJThunvVdQuiJw?view_as=subscriber Below are the time stamps for some of the topics we hit. 4:22 - Convincing Your Parents That You're Making the Right Choice for Your Future 9:04 - Stepping Back From Toxic Relationships 13:55 - The Beginning of our Content Creating Journey 22:48 - NOVA Production's Future/ Vinny's Future Content 25:00 - Using Failure as Your Mentor vs Having People as Your Mentors 27:59 - Finding Motivation and Social Norms 30:27 - Calling All Creator! 33:13 - Your Drive/Motivation and Support Systems Ends Fear 41:37 - What Does it Take to be a Paragon? Thank you so much for listen and have a nice rest of your day! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Everyone has a voice. Its time to create content and share your voice and values to the world. In this podcast, I discuss what I have learned so far on my podcast journey and how you can apply what I learned into your content! Furthermore, I am looking for people to interview for my podcast in September in efforts to bring awareness to suicide prevention. If you're interested in sharing how suicide has effected your life, send me a message and I can find a way to incorporate your story! If you're a up rising content creator, I can help share your content through my platform! Have a wonderful day. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Boundaries is important and is not a sign of weakness. We all need boundaries or we will be taken advantage and disrespected. Here is my take on what boundaries are, why its hard to create boundaries, the consequences of not having boundaries, and how to set up boundaries! Thank you so much for listening and tell me any tips you have for setting boundaries! Thank you. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Why do we feel lonely when we have many friends? Why are relationships so hard to maintain? Why is empathy so important? In this episode Nina and I discuss what it means to be a Paragon! Also we have a fitness challenge for you! Rules of the challenge: o Take a picture or short video of yourself being active (can be in the gym or outside) o Tag @thejoyinfitness09 and @kev_htd o Share this podcast o Include #theparagonproject Winner will be selected at the end of the week! I will donate $10 to the charity of their choice! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

First, I want to say happy birthday to Hugh Chung.! Just got a new mic set up and interviewed two of my friend from high school! We shared our experience from high school, talked about getting out of your comfort zone, and out paths as college students. Thank you guys so much for listening. I'm officially doing two podcast a week. One is gonna be solo and one will be interview style. Please like and share my podcast with every to get the word out! I hope you guys have a nice rest of the day! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Trying something really really new and I hope this brings some perspective and value to you guys. If this does really really well, I'm going to continue solo episodes along with interview episodes (total to two podcast a week). I might have the solo episodes be more Q&A but we shall see! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hi everyone. Thank you for the support on the last episode. In this episode I got over various topics such as anxiety, art theory, and a self-care day. Currently, I am trying to find a way to donate to this non-profit org, and I have contacted them to do so. Here is the link to their main page to learn more about them: http://www.thehartcenter.org/ Also here are the rules of the self-care day challenge. 1. Share my podcast on your instagram story and tag kev_htd (which is my Instagram username) 2. Take a picture of yourself take yourself out on a date and post it on your Insta story. Include the hashtag #SelfCareDay, hashtag #TheParagonProject and tag me at kev_htd At the end of the week I will select a participant at random and donate $15 to the charity of their choice! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kevin Duong here and thank you for listening to my first podcast! I really hope that our conversations about the topics above are inspiring, relatable, and helpful! Share this content if you think others need to hear this! Because this is my first podcast, I would love some criticism to make this better. I hope to get another podcast up in a week, and big shout out to Karthik Sathi for being my first guest.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app