What up Leeward! Let's Dive Deep Podcast

Happy Talk Tuesday, listeners! Welcome back to the Live Pono, Love Pono podcast. We're continuing our February deep dive into the Five Love Languages, and this week, Summer and Alex are stoked to welcome back Professor Syreeta Washington!

We’re unpacking Words of Affirmation. But here’s the thing: speaking this love language takes way more than just saying "I love you" on repeat. It’s about getting specific, being intentional, and truly making sure your partner feels seen and heard.

To show you what we mean, Alex and Syreeta break out their acting chops for a lil' roleplay! We demonstrate how your tone and presence can completely change the impact of your words. Saying the "right" thing with a dry tone or while scrolling on your phone can actually make someone feel worse than if you said nothing at all. True affirmation requires you to actually be present.

As the violence prevention committee at Leeward Community College, Love Pono is here to help our campus build safer, healthier, and more authentic relationships. You never have to navigate these dynamics alone.

Tune in now, and remember: Live Pono, Love Pono!

Welcome to Career Connect—the podcast where real stories spark inspiration. In this episode, our host Kiani Verdugo is joined by Jaime Craycroft, a faculty member at Leeward Community College with a strong background in music, musical theatre, and vocal performance. Together, they explore Jaime’s journey from LCC student to returning as faculty, and what it takes to build confidence, master your craft, and pursue a career in music with determination and integrity.

🎧 Hosted by Leeward Community College’s ASUH🎙️ Rotating student host: Kiani Verdugo

💼 Topics include:– Finding your voice and building vocal identity– Continuing from community college to advanced music degrees– Balancing academics, family life, and performance– Managing performance anxiety and building confidence– Why you “really have to be determined” in a music career– The importance of networking with integrity– Creating safe spaces for creativity and growth

💡 Whether you’re considering a career in the performing arts or simply looking to build confidence and communication skills, Jaime’s journey highlights how creativity, resilience, and determination can shape your path—on stage and beyond.

#CareerConnect #PerformingArts #MusicCareers #FindYourVoice #VocalPerformance #StudentSuccess #LeewardCC #CampusToCareer #CareerDevelopment #ASUH #CreativeCareers #HawaiiArts #MusicEducation

Discussing our February topic, Five Love Languages, Summer and Alex sit down for an essential conversation with Jess from Title IX. While many see "Physical Touch" as a simple preference, we’re peeling back the layers to discuss what it means to give and receive affection in a way that is healthy, safe, and deeply respectful.

In this episode, Jess helps us navigate the nuances of physical intimacy—from the importance of non-sexual touch like hand-holding and hair-combing to the critical role of consent and sexual health. We tackle uncomfortable truths about gender stereotypes, debunk common myths about physiological responses, and discuss why "knowing" is the most important part of any agreement. Whether you’re practicing "Quality Time" or "Words of Affirmation," this deep dive into the language of touch will equip you with the tools to communicate boundaries and show up authentically for your partner.

Tune in, now!

Welcome to Career Connect—the podcast where real stories spark inspiration.

In this episode, we sit down with Leeward Community College counselor Kalei Ruiz to explore their powerful journey through identity, disability, education, and purpose. Joined by Kendal Ratliff, Leeward ASUH President and rotating host, this conversation dives into what it means to navigate higher education while learning to listen to your body, trust your abilities, and find spaces where you truly belong.

🎧 Hosted by Leeward Community College’s ASUH🎙️ Rotating student host: Kendal Ratliff, ASUH President

💼 Topics include:– Growing up māhū and navigating identity in academic and professional spaces– Living with fibromyalgia and managing an invisible disability– Questioning “Can I do this?”—and learning to say “Yes, I can”– Pivoting career paths and listening to your body– The importance of belonging, visibility, and representation– Counseling, education, and helping others find their way forward

💡 Whether you’re a student questioning your path, navigating personal challenges, or searching for a sense of belonging in higher education, Kalei’s story offers honesty, reassurance, and hope for moving forward—one step at a time.

#CareerConnect #StudentStories #HigherEducation #Belonging #DisabilityVisibility #LGBTQIA #MentalHealth #CareerDevelopment #LeewardCC #CampusToCareer #StudentSuccess #ASUH #Counseling #Representation

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward 

Aloha Love Pono Fam! 🍱💬 Welcome back to Mukbang Monday with Love Pono at Leeward Community College!In this Mukbang Monday episode, we explore the concept of the Five Love Languages—how they’re commonly used, why they resonate with so many people, and how they can unintentionally become unhealthy when taken to extremes.Joined by guest Syreeta, who has experience as a couples counselor and currently works as an Assistant Professor at Wai'anae campus, we discuss love languages through counseling, social science, and modern relationship lenses. This conversation looks at emotional needs, boundaries, and how care can shift into pressure or control—especially in a world shaped by constant communication and technology.──────────────🌐 Learn more about Love Pono: www.leeward.hawaii.edu/lovepono📧 Have any questions, concerns, or want to reach out to us? Contact us by email at [email protected]👥 Featured Guests:Love Pono: Summer + AJGuest Speaker: Syreeta Washington🍴 Food from: Big City Diner (Aiea).──────────────📲 Stay connected:Follow us on Instagram @lovepono for updates and more conversations.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more content like this!Turn on 🔔 notifications so you never miss a Monday.💡 Remember: support and resources are always here.#LovePono #leewardcc #leewardcommunitycollege #Relationships#MukbangMonday

This holiday retrospective bonus episode of Mukbang Monday, recorded on 11/13/2025, explores the pressures that often accompany the holiday season—gift giving, party planning, family expectations, and emotional burnout.

Though recorded prior to Thanksgiving, the themes discussed apply across the full holiday season and into the new year, offering space for reflection and self-compassion.

🍽️ Food featured includes spam fried rice prepared by Love Pono staff member AJ and chocolate-covered strawberries from Dipped by Dee.

🎙️ Special guest Janie from Social Synergy shares how students can stay connected and supported on campus. Follow them on Instagram at @socialsynergy.hi.

👥 Love Pono Staff: AJ, Summer

🗣️ Interested in joining a future Mukbang Monday?
👉 Fill out our Google Form:
https://forms.gle/zXXk7E91DrLnauLu9

📲 Follow & Watch Love Pono:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lovepono8085

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovepono/

💛 Learn more and access resources:
🌐 www.leeward.hawaii.edu/lovepono
📧 [email protected]

#LovePono #MukbangMonday #HolidayRetrospective #BonusEpisode #HolidayStress #MentalHealthAwareness #LeewardCommunityCollege

✨ Mukbang Monday 🍱 | Empowering Through Expression | Love Pono at Leeward CC (12/08/2025)✨

Aloha Love Pono Fam ♥️ Welcome back to another Mukbang Monday at Leeward CC!

🌲 Today, we are going to be talking about domestic violence during the holidays and how to navigate them. We dive deep into how to recognize abusive relationships within your own relationships, as well as from looking at relationships from the outside.

We are placing a big emphasis on available resources in this video if you ever need support.

The curriculum mentioned in this video can be found in our linktree!

https://linktr.ee/LovePono

🍴 Featuring: My Cafe [563 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707]

👥 Guests:

[Love Pono]

- Summer

-AJ

[Special Guest]

- Leinani Yahiku

🗣️We want YOU to get involved with Mukbang Mondays! Fill out our google form to eat and chat with us (link in Linktree).

💡Don’t be afraid to reach out to us for questions or concerns. Visit our resources below! We’re here for you ♥️

📌 Resources:

- Brightsky app: https://us.bright-sky.org/en

- Empowering Through Expression: https://empoweringthroughexpression.org/

- Title IX

📌 More Resources mentioned in video:

- PACT Hawaii (Parents and Children Together): (808) 526 2200

• Referrals to legal, medical, financial and housing assistance

• Ohia Shelter (survivors and children)

• Lehua Shelter (survivors with no children, up to one year)

• Hale Ola (6 to 25 months)

- Child and Family Services (Confidential Shelters)

• Oahu: (808) 841 0822

• West Hawaii Island: (808) 322 7233

•  East Hawaii Island: (808) 959 8864

- Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) hotline:

• Oahu Helpline: (808) 531-3771

• Toll-Free Helpline: (800) 690-6200

• Text Line: (605) 956-5680

🎧 Make sure to check out our podcast!

- Link: [https://library.leeward.hawaii.edu/lovepono/home]

#LovePono #LeewardCC #MukbangMonday #HolidaySeason #MentalHealth #DomesticViolenceAwareness #Resources #Support

Aloha Love Pono Fam ♥️

Welcome back to another Mukbang Monday at Leeward CC! Today, we are reflecting back on the year with our last episode for 2025!

Time flew by and many interesting conversations were had. We discuss our personal growths this year, goals for next year, our favorite topics we had, and more!🍴

Featuring: Forty Niner Restaurant in Aiea

4304, 98-110 Honomanu St, Aiea, HI 96701

👥 Guests:

[Love Pono]

Summer, AJ, Jenna

[Special Guest]

Sage

🗣️We want YOU to get involved with Mukbang Mondays! Fill out our google form to eat and chat with usLink: [https://forms.gle/DKrMQkG5TiQbXFEKA]💡Don’t be afraid to reach out to us for questions or concerns.

Visit our resources below! We’re here for you ♥️📌 Resources:

• Love Pono: www.leeward.hawaii.edu/lovepono | [email protected] | @lovepono on IG

• Brightsky app (DV awareness & safe disclosure): [http://us.bright-sky.org]

• UH Mānoa counseling group advocates (confidential support)

• Title IX

🎧 Make sure to check out our podcast!Link: [https://library.leeward.hawaii.edu/lo...]💬

Comment below: What was your favorite topic that we covered?

#LovePono #LeewardCC #MukbangMonday #mentalhealthawareness

'Ōlelo O Ka Mahina is ASUH’s short series started by the Student Services Counselors that identify as Native Hawaiian.  The purpose of ʻŌlelo O Ka Mahina is to provide an audio library that we can reference that allows us to continue to practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

Stay safe, stay connected, and continue to gain knowledge!

Connect with us!

IG: asuh_leeward