In this episode, I talk about change and whether it’s okay to be ugly.

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The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho...

Youtube Videos and Podcasts I liked!

00:00 Overcoming Anxiety to Start Recording

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/18-solo-is-it-bad-to-be-chopped-unattractive-or-ugly 

We talk about the challenge of maintaining good posture and projecting confidence, particularly around individuals perceived as having higher social status. We discuss self-worth, the fear of being different, and “being natural.” We also delve into my struggle with inauthenticity and the pressures that have shaped my interactions. The episode concludes with new music likings, reflections on subjective happiness, and a comment on who should have won “best style."

00:00 Introduction and Initial Setup

00:21 Discussing Art and Its Value

00:45 Podcast Publishing and Redemption

01:15 Questions and Conversations

03:14 Technical Difficulties and Fixes

04:55 Posture and Social Interactions

13:35 Authenticity and Self-Worth

29:46 Talking to Girls and Confidence

42:03 Exploring the Moment

42:36 Balancing Inward and Outward Perspectives

44:02 The Challenge of Being Yourself

45:07 Reflections on High School and Teachers

47:57 Podcast Dynamics and Self-Expression

57:59 Struggles with Authentic Connection

01:13:36 Subjectivity of Happiness and Enjoyment

01:18:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/17-khyber-mcfarland-can-you-get-that-infinity-stones-aura-or-nah 

uhhhhhh...type shit

High school seniors Lauren and Maggie engage in a deep conversation about their strong bond, the dynamics of their friendship, and their personal growth throughout high school. They discuss various topics such as authenticity, dealing with social anxiety, the challenges of maintaining individuality, and the importance of therapy. They also touch on experiences of peer pressure, substance use, and the significance of forming genuine connections. We talk about aspirations, summer plans, and their upcoming transitions to college.

00:00 Introduction and Class Expectations

00:45 Friendship Dynamics and Communication

02:58 Building Confidence and Authenticity

09:31 Introversion vs. Extroversion

21:29 Therapy and Personal Growth

39:33 Navigating Social Dynamics at Parties

40:06 The Joy of Dressing Up and Making Memories

41:02 Finding Personal Style and Confidence

43:35 Thrifting Adventures and Fashion Finds

48:10 The Thrill of Concerts and Music Discovery

01:02:32 Struggles with Addiction and Overcoming Challenges

01:15:51 Starting Smoking to Fit In

01:16:39 Finding Joy in Concerts and Puppy Love

01:17:25 Struggles with Nicotine Addiction

01:18:38 Avoiding Substance Use at Parties

01:20:53 The Reality of Party Relationships

01:29:37 The 'It Girl' Pyramid

01:36:27 Navigating High School Friendships

01:39:58 Crying and Emotional Expression

01:43:59 Preparing for College Separation

01:49:04 Navigating Friendships and Personal Growth

01:49:27 The Complexities of Crying and Empathy

01:52:15 The Burden of Being the Therapist Friend

01:54:13 High School Stress and Panic Attacks

01:55:57 Creating Safe Spaces in School

01:57:08 The Concept of Stimming and Neurodivergence

02:01:58 Fears and Reflections on Life

02:17:52 Summer Plans and Future Aspirations

02:24:24 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/14-maggie-krongard-and-lauren-holst 

Minh-Vy and Jason.

Short Description:

Siblinghood. Dating and Girls; Relationships. College Applications.

Minh-vy talks about his parents, his relationship with his older sister, and his girlfriend. We are joined by a few audience members in the beginning. Half-way through, Kelan, Aneesh and Owen come in. The conversation delves into dating and romantic relationships and the experience of building friendships. We open up several college apps. We further explore the importance of authentic social interactions in romantic relationships and friendships, ambitions in sports, and Jason’s transition from middle school to high school in relation to studying and parents.

Chapter Markers and Podbean Link:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:38 Sibling Relationships and Family

03:28 Parenting Styles and Cultural Differences

05:39 Secret Relationships and Dating

07:16 Crushes and Romantic Interests

37:17 Friendship / Social Anxiety

50:35 College Decisions and Future Plans

57:42 College Preferences and Decisions

57:58 UCLA and Other Apps

59:54 Rejections and Waitlists…

01:04:24 Eating Lunch with Your Friends

01:13:11 Basketball Ambitions and Thoughts

01:32:13 Parental Expectations and Plans

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/mihn-vy-jason 

Recorded Friday, March 21 (2025) in a music room. Ended at 5:15 pm. 

Jared D’Onofrio is an English and Creative Writing teacher at the Francis Parker School.

Short Description- Social Dynamics; Gender; Love with Mr. D’Onofrio

He talks about the notion of having multiple social selves. He shares his thoughts on authenticity, dating, and the balance between adapting behavior and being oneself. The conversation also explores greatness, the need to be in a group, and cultural constructs of masculinity and femininity. Then we shift to expressing love and saying sorry in family relationships. Finally, he explains the importance of maintaining a positive experience for his students, likening his role to that of a waiter ensuring a good dining experience.

Chapter Markers and Podbean Link:

00:00 Introduction and Previous Interviews

00:30 Social Media and School Policies

01:13 The Concept of Social Selves

05:55 Dating Advice and Authenticity

11:24 Social Buoyancy and Intimacy

15:03 Making Friends and Social Interactions

31:14 Pursuing Greatness and Personal Fulfillment

37:02 Exploring Humility vs. Modesty

39:14 The Pitfalls of Comparison and Competition

41:14 Masculinity and Femininity: Cultural Constructs

46:34 Navigating Male Friendships and Social Norms

51:49 Expressing Love in Family Dynamics

57:33 Managing Conflict and Apologies in Families

01:06:18 Finding Joy and Coping with Fear

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/12-jared-d-onofrio-2 

Recorded in the Francis Parker music room. Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Ended 5:22pm.

Sammie and Evan are seniors. They run (and eat Crumbl), are part of a culture and faith, respectively, and like to hang out with their friends, among other things.

Short Description- Faith, Running, and Friendship

We discuss the concept behind the 'Unswamped' podcast. The conversation shifts to personal beliefs about Christianity and Judaism and the patterns and beliefs of faith. Evan and Sammie touch on the challenges and benefits of running, and offer their advice and stories on training and diet. Finally, we go to rapid-fire questions on their favorite beaches, TV shows, movies, and how they spend their free time.

Chapter Markers and Podbean Link:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Origins

01:15 Goals and Future of the Podcast

03:53 Personal Beliefs and Political Stances

05:36 Religion and Personal Growth

38:55 Exploring Faith and Nature

40:08 Personal Reflections on Religion

44:08 Philosophy and Religion Intersect

01:02:25 Running: A Journey of Discipline and Community

01:16:17 Starting a Running Routine

01:16:40 Understanding Tempo Runs

01:23:05 Structuring Your Weekly Workouts

01:35:32 Balancing Running and Diet

01:43:26 The Struggles and Realities of Running

01:45:36 Natural Talent vs. Hard Work

01:54:55 Friendship and Personal Growth

01:59:39 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun

https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/evan-sammie/ 

Recorded Monday, March 24. 

Matthew is a senior in high school. He played volleyball, went to parties starting Sophomore year, and made good friends.

Short Description- Parties, Friendships, Emotional Journeys.

We talk about party culture and the feeling of freedom parties can sometimes offer. We talk about exclusivity in private school parties versus public school gatherings. Then we pivot to address topics like self-consciousness, the feeling of being left out, and the different perceptions others have of us. Matthew opens up about his struggles with volleyball, detailing how a coach's belittling comments led to burnout and a shift in his career aspirations. We also discuss crying and how he copes. We talk about different types of friendship and Matthew explains forcing versus letting friendships develop.

Chapter Markers and Podbean Link:

00:00 Starting the Podcast

00:33 Introducing the Guest: Matthew Sedano

01:31 Party Culture: Experiences and Opinions

05:18 Popularity and Social Dynamics

07:41 Personal Struggles and Emotional Growth

16:44 Volleyball Dreams and Disappointments

22:13 Coping with Emotions: Crying

37:46 Introversion vs. Extroversion: Perceptions

40:39 The Nature of Arguments in Friendships

47:26 Middle School Memories and Regrets

51:40 The Evolution of Friendships

56:50 The Natural Process of Building Friendships

01:00:21 Conclusion and Sign Off

Podbean Link: https://unswamped.podbean.com/e/matthew-sedano/ 

Recorded in the music room. Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Ended 4:36 pm.

Jason.

Short Description- Personal Life, Friendships, School Life.

In this episode, we dig into a range of topics. We start with casual banter referencing Billie Eilish and TikTok, but shift to discussions about our life experiences. The conversation meanders through various personal anecdotes, including college experiences, social interactions, insecurities, and childhood memories. We also explore their health issues, like digestive problems and asthma, while occasionally touching on their eating habits and favorite foods. The episode ends with thoughts around getting out there, insecurities, and being hungry.

Chapter Markers and Podbean Link:

0:00 Introduction and Initial Banter

00:29 Discussing Billie Eilish and TikTok

00:48 Podcast Recording and Setup

01:28 Casual Conversation and Jokes

14:32 The Role of Religion and Guilt

36:03 Taking Matters into Your Own Hands

38:09 Questioning Beliefs and Self-Reflection

39:03 Defining Good and Bad Actions

41:39 High School Social

59:43 Study Habits

01:03:01 Social Interactions and Insecurities

01:14:54 Friendship Jealousy

01:19:50 Personal Growth and Regrets

01:25:01 Health and Dietary Challenges

01:47:40 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Facts

01:53:36 Wrapping Up the Podcast

Podbean Link: https://unhttps://unswamped.podbean.com/e/jason/

Recorded in a music room--Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Ended at 6:28 pm.