The Time Given Us

Action Over Aspiration with College Success Story Paramveer Grewal

Going into college, he realized that his newfound freedoms meant he could do whatever he wanted. But that fact also had consequences: the grades slid, the discipline faded, and he found himself face to face with goals but no path to achieve them. Fast forward to senior year, he finds himself with a job lined up after graduation and years of self-growth, actionable habits, and leadership experience under his belt. Paramveer Grewal is a senior Computer Engineering major at The College of New Jersey. After a first year spent enjoying the luxuries of college life, PG wanted a change: he evaluated his place at school, the friends he was making, the person he was becoming, and ultimately decided he could do more than he ever thought. While figuring out his social group at school, he ultimately met Danny in their professional fraternity -- and the two have been inspiring one another ever since. The story of these two friends reveals the nuances of residential life, fraternity culture, and how to become the best version of yourself in college. It may feel like just four years before the real world begins. But the moment you realize the real world has already begun, its time to level up your game. This is The Time Given Us.

Someone in Your Corner with Reborn Building Men Mentor Xavier Mota

Born to teenage parents. Father not present in his life. Living in fear of another beating from his mother. The pain endured in childhood became resentment and, with no way out, he turned to self-harm. Xavier Mota is a senior at Belleville High School, New Jersey. This was his childhood -- one that threatened to destroy him and his family. Then, at his lowest point, he found Building Men. Two years later, the bad behaviors have disappeared; in fact, he is now trusted to mentor other students at his school with similar issues while preparing attend a great college this fall. Compared to his younger self, he has become unrecognizable. What happened? What changed? Xavier's story reveals the incredible power of self-help and the integral role of having someone -- even just one person -- in your corner. It also explores the challenge of seeking out help, especially as a young man, and the responsibility we have to hold each other accountable to our actions. Each of us comes with our own baggage. But we can't handle the weight of our struggles on our own. The sooner we understand that, the sooner we can work toward real change. This is The Time Given Us.

There and Back Again with American-to-European Student Vitek Sabath

Four years ago, two friends began their journey together as naive, hopeful college roommates. Now, they find themselves on two continents, separated by a common problem, and implementing two very different solutions. Vitek Sabath is an undergraduate student at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. After spending his first year at Stevens Institute of Technology with his roommate, Vitek realized he needed to transfer schools to better fit his college goals. However, rather than looking for a local change, his next location would be across the Atlantic. His roommate, facing the same dilemma, thought his choice would be the same. However, life had a different plan for the two ex-roommates. The story of these two friends reveals cultural differences in education in the United States and Europe, factors motivating college decisions, and the various pressures of being a student. It may only be 3 or 4 years, but the time spent in college sets a standard for the rest of our adult lives. Use it wisely. This is The Time Given Us.

ALONE at the End of the World [Episode 6]

Travel is supposed to be life-changing. But what happens when the journey feels empty and misaligned? In this episode, I share my solo trip to Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city in the world — and the surprising lesson I learned about loneliness, burnout, and the hidden cost of chasing every travel opportunity. This isn’t the side of travel you see on social media. It’s not just about where you go. It’s about how you go.

Del SILENCIO al MICRÓFONO [Episodio 5]

Después de seis semanas como voluntario en Argentina, encontré algo que llevaba tiempo buscando: mi voz. En este episodio, comparto cómo la experiencia con Mensajeros de la Paz me inspiró a iniciar este podcast, y por qué creo que hablar —con honestidad, vulnerabilidad y propósito— puede cambiar vidas. Bienvenidos a The Time Given Us.