What Even Is...?

In this episode, host Donna Truong speaks with Dr. Avinash Singh about "What even is the Caste System in India?" Dr. Singh explains:

• How did the caste system begin
• The different castes - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits (Untouchables)
• How are people categorized into these castes
• Effects of caste system in contemporary India 
• And more!

Dr. Avinash Singh grew up in India and has experienced the caste system firsthand. He went to Panjab University and earned his Ph.D. in English Literature and later went to  Brandeis University and earned his Ph.D. in History with a specialty in Modern South Asia. He currently works as a history, South Asian studies, and  International and Global Studies Program professor at his alma mater Brandeis University.

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song!

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

In this episode, host Donna Truong speaks with wedding planner Alexis Eliopoulos O'Mara on "What even is it like to plan a wedding?"

In this episode, some of the topics they go over are:

• tips on how to plan a wedding on a small budget
• wedding ceremony cost
• how to plan a destination wedding
• briefly go over a wedding planning checklist
• wedding planner responsibilities
• wedding planner cost
• and more!

Alexis Eliopoulos has been wedding planning for 18+ years and is a Master Wedding Consultant, which has been earned by only about 100 wedding planners worldwide.  She also was a former president of the Boston Wedding Group and is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, the National Association of Catering and Events, and the Better Business Bureau.

Note from host: "Alexis clearly knows what she's talking about and I only interviewed her for this episode but based on this conversation, I would trust her with my wedding."

Learn more about her services, visit her wedding weddingsbyalexis.com.

And, check out her social media:
Instagram @weddingsbyalexis
Twitter: @nostresswedding
Pinterest Unique Weddings by Alexis
Facebook Unique Weddings by Alexis

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song!

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

On this episode, host Donna Truong speaks with Jennifer Nakhai LICSW of Aeon Counseling to discuss "What Even is a Healthy Relationship?" where they go over:

• Healthy relationship characteristics
• Healthy vs unhealthy relationships
• What is needed to build a healthy relationship
• Rebuilding trust in a relationship
• And more!

Jennifer Nakhai has earned her Masters in Social Work from Simmons College and has furthered her education in social work in multiple programs in establishments like Harvard Medical School, Wheelock College, and University of Massachusetts Medical School. She has been in the social work and counseling realm for more than 10 years and has nurtured her practice with Spanish-speaking populations. She is also the Founding Owner and Executive Director of Aeon Counseling.

To learn more about her private practice, visit https://getaeonhelp.com/.

Find her on:
Instagram @aeoncounseling
Facebook Aeon Counseling & Consulting
YouTube Aeon Counseling & Consulting

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song!

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

In this episode of "What Even Is...?", host Donna Truong speaks with an organ transplant recipient Megan Cairns about "What even is it like to be an organ donation recipient?" Please be aware that there are many different types of organ donation. Megan is only speaking about her experience with her kidney transplant.

Check out Megan's Instagram @megancairns and her blog: https://mcairnsfundraising.wixsite.com/cairnsandherkidney.

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song!

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

In this episode, host Donna Truong asks Your Money BFF Money Coach Lindsey Cassell "What Even is Stock Investing 101?" Basically, an episode about investing in stocks for beginners.

They discuss a multitude of topics like:

• What is a stock market?
• How does the stock market even work?
• What is an index fund?
• What is a mutual fund?
• How to start investing?
• Investing for beginners books

Lindsey Cassell is a money coach that helps 20-30 somethings become financially secure through investing.

Check out her free workshop "How to Grow Your Money Through Investing WITHOUT Spending Years Figuring Out Where to Start": https://your-money-bff.mykajabi.com/invest

Find her on:
Instagram @your_money_bff
Tik Tok @your_money_bff

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song and Amanda Pech and Veronica Uk for this topic podcast and for their input to this episode!

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

Confused about what a music producer does? Have no fear, music producer Bryan Hinkley speaks with host Donna Truong to answer: "What even is a music producer? What do music producers do?" 

In this episode, some topics that they go over are:

• the responsibilities of music producers
• what music producing software and tools are used by music producers
• how music affects the mood, memory, and body

Bryan Hinkley is a Boston-based music producer who has been in the music industry for decades. He started his music career in the 7th grade when he joined a band with his friend and their teacher. In high school, he joined the punk rock band Tree. Since then, he has recorded multiple albums, worked with bands Clutch and Gang Green, has toured internationally, and worked as a stage manager, tour manager, and guitar tech. Not only that, he has also written and produced his own songs in EP "We Live Through It." 

In addition, Bryan founded the music production house Gratitude Sound, where the main focus is advertising music. He even won a Clio Award for best original music in a Cheerios commercial. And, that's not even half of this man's credentials!

Interested in working Bryan's music production house Gratitude Sound? Check out their website:  https://www.gratitudesound.com/

Wanna learn more about Bryan's personal music? Take a look at his website: https://www.bryanporterhinkley.com/

And of course, find him on his social media on:
Spotify Bryan Porter Hinkley
Instagram @bryanporterhinkley
Twitter @bryan_hinkley
Facebook Page Bryan Porter Hinkley Music
YouTube Bryan Porter Hinkley


Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

Thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as our theme song!

In this episode, host Donna Truong speaks with Oak Tree Learning Center's Executive Director and host of Mrs. C's Podcast for Parents, Teachers, and Administrators Jennifer Carter.

In this insightful conversation, we learn about the differences between daycares and preschool, preschool education including what activities are done in her preschool, and touch on what her preschool curriculum is, preschool age, and what is universal preschool. We even get some parenting gems from Jennifer!

Jennifer Carter is a former teacher who has a background in educational research and curriculum development for early childhood to adult education. She is currently the Executive Director of Oak Tree Learning Center located at San Bernardino, CA and Los Angeles, CA. She also hosts the podcast: Mrs. C's Podcast for Parents, Teachers, and Administrators.

Visit Jennifer's preschool website: https://www.oaktreelearningcenter.com/

And/Or follow the preschool's social media:
Instagram @oaktreelearningcenter
Facebook Oak Tree Learning Center in San Bernardino, CA
YouTube Oak Tree at Home
Yelp Oak Tree Learning Center
Pinterest OakTreeLearning

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

A huge thank you to Amalie Ducasse for inspiring me to do this episode!

Thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as our theme song!

First-time home buyer and don't know where to start? No worries because this is the episode for you! In this episode, we speak with Realtor & Real Estate Investor John Bernabel to answer the question "What even is it like to buy a house?"

Some of the things we go over are:

• the requirements to buying a house in America
• the steps of buying a house
• the difference between a realtor and a real estate agent
• what should you look for in a realtor and real estate agent

Find John Bernabel on his Instagram @ohjohny for some real estate tips and content.

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song and Amanda Pech and Veronica Uk for giving us this topic idea for this episode.

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

In this episode, host Donna Truong speaks with Cambodian Culture Expert Dr. George Chigas to answer the question "What even is the Khmer Rouge?" where they speak about the Cambodian Genocide, the Khmer Rouge history, the Khmer Rouge meaning, how the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot came into power, why did the Khmer Rouge kill intellectuals and more.

Dr. George Chigas grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, which currently holds the second-largest Cambodian population in the United States, during a time many Southeast Asians - particularly Cambodians - were seeking refuge from the war and turmoil that was occurring in their countries. It was then his interest in Cambodian culture was sparked.

After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Classical Studies at Tufts University, Dr. Chigas spent some time in refugee camps along the Thai/Cambodian border, received his Master's degree in Asian Studies at Cornell University, and his Ph.D. in Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

 In addition, Dr. Chigas was a former Associate Director of the Cambodian Genocide Program at Yale University and is currently an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Clearly, this man is a big deal. He even has his own Wikipedia page!

A huge thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as his theme song and Amanda Pech and Veronica Uk for giving us this topic idea for this episode.

Don't forget to rate, review, and follow this podcast! And, follow us on Instagram to get updated on our latest episodes and have easy access to DM us about a topic that makes you wonder "What even is that?"

In the last episode of this season, Malden Islamic Center Mosque Youth Leader Mohamed Chouiki discusses the Islamic religion with host Donna Truong. They discuss the Islam religion history, Islam beliefs and practices, the 5 Pillars of Islam, Ramadan, and more!

Learn more about Mohamed's mosque Malden Islamic Center on visiting their website: http://www.maldenislamiccenter.org/

To learn more about the Islamic religion, email the mosque at [email protected].

And, check out Mohamed's YouTube Channel If Oceans Were Ink by clicking here.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @thewhatevenispodcast and subscribe to the podcast to get a heads up when season 2 is released. Oh, and please rate and review the podcast! It will be much appreciated!

Thank you to Joseph McDade for letting us use his song Elevation as our theme song!