AsianBossGirl artwork

AsianBossGirl

364 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 894 ratings

Melody Cheng, Helen Wu-Wang, and Janet Wang are the co-creators of AsianBossGirl, a multimedia company for the modern day Asian-American woman. AsianBossGirl was founded to share their experiences as 9-to-5 professional working women, balancing careers, social lives, cultural identities, and personal development while living in the city of Los Angeles.
What started as a passion project podcast has turned into a multi-media business that they now run full-time. On their platforms, you’ll find conversations about the nuanced experience of being an Asian American woman navigating the corporate world as a person of color, mental and emotional health as children of immigrants, interviews with inspiring Asian women (and men), and even blind dates recorded on the mic. Their mission is to make everyday Asian-American women feel heard, seen, and connected.

Personal Journals Society & Culture Business Careers
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 269: Our Glow Ups & Glow Downs - From Bad Haircuts to Landing Our First Big Jobs

April 26, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutes

As people grow and change, you might find yourself in your 30s as a very different person than you were in your 20s. Teenage you might not have even imagined who you are today. So while it may be slightly embarrassing to look back at those old versions of ourselves, in this episode we’re reflecting on all the glow ups (and even glow downs) that brought us here. From puberty and bad haircuts, to finding our self-confidence post-college, it’s fun to reflect on how far we’ve come and how our def...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: How Does It Feel to Hit 2 Years in my Romantic Relationship?

April 24, 2024 00:00 - 33 minutes

For today’s episode, it falls a bit after my 2 year anniversary with Ray. The last time I was in this long of a relationship was in high school and that was a very different time. With us moving in together, in a new city, we are definitely in a different stage in our relationship. Today, I reflect back on our relationship, compare year 1 & 2, chat through the other insights I discovered in our relationship, and what else needs to happen before embarking on the next stage. ___________________...

Episode 268: Our Biggest Failures and Mistakes & What We Learned From Them

April 19, 2024 00:00 - 48 minutes

Oof, no one likes to look back on past failures, even if it’s been years since then. But making mistakes is a part of life, and none of them define who you are or what the rest of your life will look like. Today, we share our biggest academic, relationship, and career failures – from getting a D+ on a final, to facing negative performance reviews at work. These moments often felt like they closed so many doors, but now we realize that they only redirected us onto a different, better path. Ult...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: What It’s Like to Raise Your Child in Asia, feat. Connie Ma

April 17, 2024 00:00 - 52 minutes

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to raise your child in another country? In today’s episode, I bring my old high school friend, Connie Ma, onto the podcast to chat about the unique experience of raising a family abroad, particularly in Taiwan. Connie shares her journey from the United States to Taiwan, highlighting the challenges and joys of integrating into Taiwanese society. We discuss language immersion, educational systems, parental support, and cultural differences in parenting p...

Episode 267: Single On Purpose, But Not Forever - Put Yourself First with The Angry Therapist

April 12, 2024 00:00 - 55 minutes

In a world filled with so many influences and voices, how do you return back to your core self and rediscover your life’s purpose? Or in the words of today’s guest, how do you start living from the inside out, rather than the outside in? We’re so excited to sit down with John Kim, known for his work as The Angry Therapist. After going through a divorce, John shared his self-development journey online, growing a community through his frankness and vulnerability. He brings the same to our podca...

Living Well with Janet: Turns Out that Play Is a Mindset, Not an Activity

April 10, 2024 00:00 - 20 minutes

In a previous episode, I talked about the importance of play and how I have been trying to incorporate more of it into my life. *Spoiler alert* In that episode (In My Play Era, I Took a Heels Class) I talked about how scheduling a playful activity like a dance class actually wasn’t the best way to get into a state of play. In this episode I share a moment when I unexpectedly, and without planning, found myself in a state of play. How and doing what? You’ll have to listen to find out :) Speaki...

Episode 266: Janet & Mel’s Favorite Self-Development Practices and Tracking Personal Goals

April 05, 2024 00:00 - 53 minutes

When you go through big life changes, it can frequently feel like you’re unbalanced and losing control of your circumstances, even if the changes are good ones. This year, Mel’s taking big steps by moving cross-country, while Janet is stepping out of her comfort zone into a new era of carefree play. As we enter new chapters in life, what is the best way to measure progress and re-center ourselves? Are there books, practices, and self-help podcasts that we love to turn to, to help us navigate ...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: NYC Update - How Am I Really Doing?

April 03, 2024 00:00 - 28 minutes

Last time we chatted about New York, I announced I was moving. Now, it's been a few weeks moving to a new city and it's been tough! From all the emotional goodbyes in Cali, adjusting to living with a partner, to dealing with changes, it's been a roller coaster of a few weeks.  Tune in to see what the move has been like lately & what feelings I've been encountering while dealing with this change. __________________________________________ Host: Melody Cheng Editor: Victoria Cheng _____________...

Episode 265: Have We Met Before?? How to Avoid Awkward Social Interactions

March 29, 2024 00:00 - 51 minutes

Regardless of how many personal & professional events you’ve been to, we’ve all experienced awkward social interactions before. Sometimes you enter a room and realize you don’t know anyone there, or maybe your social battery runs out mid-conversation. Or what if someone you recognize starts talking to you, but you absolutely can’t remember their name? We share our best advice for how to navigate these sticky situations, along with our tried and true tips & tricks for how to hype yourself up b...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Why We Keep Our Baby’s Face Off Social Media, feat. Philip Wang

March 27, 2024 00:00 - 43 minutes

On this episode of Spill the Baby Tea, I bring on my husband, Philip, to dive into the intimate topic of why we made the decision to keep our baby's face hidden from social media. As parents navigating the complexities of modern parenthood in the digital age, we share all of the reasons considered, as well as our reflections (2 years later) behind this choice. From concerns about online privacy and data security to protecting our child's autonomy and emotional well-being, we explore the multi...

Episode 264: Dating Red Flags, Deal Breakers, and Worst First Date Locations

March 22, 2024 00:00 - 50 minutes

As you navigate the dating world, it’s important to know what you’re looking for and to watch out for those green, beige, and red flags. We’ve had our fair share of red flag experiences that have taught us more about ourselves and what we’re unwilling to compromise on. If a guy isn’t super action-oriented, or if someone doesn’t want to have kids, these could be major red flags, or even deal breakers for a relationship. And what about red flags when it comes to 1st date locations? Zoos and buf...

Living Well with Janet: Breakups & Brain Health with Alexis Fernandez of Do You F*cking Mind?

March 20, 2024 00:00 - 38 minutes

In this episode, I chat with Alexis Fernandez, the host of Do You F*cking Mind, a podcast that uses brain health and neuroscience as a jumping board to teach listeners how to improve their self-perception and view of the world through physical and mental alignment. We talk about how breakups can be a catalyst for big positive life changes, managing anxiety and burnout, a lot of tips around sleep hygiene, how nutrition can impact mental health, understanding overthinking, social relationships,...

Episode 263: Do Twins Have Telepathy? From “Baby Monks” to YouTubers to Business Partners - feat. the JRod Twins

March 15, 2024 00:00 - 57 minutes

Many of us know the joy (and sometimes frustration) of growing up with siblings, but the bond shared between twins is something only approximately 3% of the world can understand. So what better way to learn than to invite the experts! Our good friends Jason and Justin Rodjanapanyakul have joined us today to share all about their experience living and working together as twins. From growing up in a monastery as “baby monks”, to starting a music duo on YouTube as the JRod Twins, to now returnin...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: 3 Skills you Need to See Personal Growth

March 13, 2024 00:00 - 28 minutes

In this episode, we delve into the often overlooked yet profoundly transformative journey of self-growth. Recently, I came across a comment that struck a chord. The listener, who has been with us since the beginning, remarked on the noticeable growth they observed in me over the past few years. This observation made me realize that I’ve done a lot of quiet self work the last few years that had benefited me greatly.  So if you’re someone that either 1) values personal growth 2) feel stagnant 3...

Episode 262: Mel’s Moving to NYC?! - ABG on the East Coast & Major Relationship Updates

March 08, 2024 01:00 - 45 minutes

Yes, it’s true, Mel is officially moving to New York City! Not only is this a big deal for her to move from West to East Coast, but she’s also taking a major step in her relationship by moving in with her boyfriend Ray. It’s never easy to step out of your comfort zone, but as someone who’s always wanted to experience living in new places, this move is coming at the perfect time for Mel. She’s so excited to share why she’s moving to NYC, what she’s most excited (and nervous) about, and…is this...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: The First Week of Daycare Wrecked Me

March 06, 2024 01:00 - 31 minutes

I knew I’d be emotional the first week of daycare, but I didn’t expect to be an emotional WRECK and sick for weeks! Okay, I don’t want to scare anyone from putting their child in school because stay in school kiddos, but I did want to capture what it was like to send our little one into the WILD of the school environment. I share sick kid tips that other mama friends have shared with me that have been SUPER helpful for us, about how we prepared our brave lil warrior the weeks leading up to da...

Episode 261: How to Flirt - Playful Competition, Body Language, & Practicing with a Pillow??

March 01, 2024 01:00 - 52 minutes

Today, we’re following up on one of Janet’s personal 2024 goals – learning how to flirt. Flirting is a bit of an art; it’s often a combination of charisma, body language, and EQ, but different things will work for different people. Sometimes though, it can be challenging to tell when someone is flirting with you, or even to make your own intentions clear without miscommunication. So we’re here to share advice on how to read flirting cues, discuss what kind of flirt we are (Playful? Sincere?) ...

Living Well with Janet: How Many People Should You Date at One Time? And More Tips from Elite Matchmaker, Cassindy Chao

February 28, 2024 01:00 - 36 minutes

How many people should you date at one time? What’s the best way to ask someone about their past relationships? Listen in on my conversation with Elite Matchmaker, Cassindy Chao to find out! We also talk about having accountability partners when you’re dating, cultural differences in interracial relationships, and why someone should consider using a matchmaker. If you haven’t already, check out the first part of our convo Living Well with Janet: Dating Tips with Elite Matchmaker, Cassindy Cha...

Episode 260: Ex & the City - Unexpected Encounters, Setting Boundaries, & “Can We Really Be Friends?"

February 23, 2024 01:00 - 39 minutes

After a difficult breakup, many people often want space to heal, reflect, and forget. But when your ex still lives in the same city as you, it’s difficult to avoid familiar spaces that you used to share together. Your favorite bar might remind you of that person, things can get awkward if you have mutual friends, and you could even run into them at the grocery store. Whether it was a long-term relationship, a situationship, or a hookup, running into an ex can bring up some complicated feeling...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: What does Turning 33 Mean to Me?

February 21, 2024 01:00 - 29 minutes

As I approach my 33rd birthday this week, I find myself reflecting on the significance of this milestone. In many ways, turning 33 is the age that, in my adolescent mind, symbolized "being an adult", a time when I thought I would have life all figured out. It is also the age I thought I'd be married. However, the contrast between childhood expectations and the realities of adulthood has become abundantly clear. As I sit down to reflect, I can't escape the feeling that 33 is a new chapter in m...

Episode 259: Single’s Inferno 3 - Bad Boys, Paradise Island, & Waiting for a Finger Touch (feat. Mimi Ahn)

February 16, 2024 01:00 - 58 minutes

Today we’re fighting for survival and searching for love on Inferno Island. Yes, we are diving deep into Season 3 of Single’s Inferno, the Korean reality dating show that had us on the edge of our seats from start to finish. Of course, we couldn’t discuss all the gasp-worthy moments without our good friend & Korean entertainment expert Mimi Ahn! Together we discuss the nuances of Korean dating culture, what it means to have “nunchi”, and most importantly, which contestants would we choose if ...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Jet-Setting, Beaches, and Mom Hacks – Our First Fam Getaway to Hawaii

February 14, 2024 01:00 - 32 minutes

Helen shares the highs and lows of the Wang family’s first-ever vacation with a 25-month-old toddler. From flying with a potty-training tot to exploring the beautiful island of Oahu, Helen spills the details of surviving a longer than 5-hour flight and her top 3 must-visit places on the island. Helen also delves into her takeaways and hot tips for family vacations, including a controversial yet ingenious hack for a parents' night out. Whether you're a parent, parent-to-be, or just curious abo...

Episode 258: “This Trip Means I Do”?? - Mel & Ray Travel to Asia

February 09, 2024 01:00 - 43 minutes

Mel recently traveled to Japan & Taiwan to visit family… but she didn’t go alone! She went with her boyfriend Ray, exploring new cities like Tokyo and Kyoto together, and yes, bringing Ray to meet her extended family for the first time. During ABG’s latest Asia trip, Mel was chasing someone we have now lovingly deemed “The Fuckboi” – so going from that to bringing your S.O. to meet Grandpa?! That’s a big deal. In this episode, Mel shares the highs & lows of her vacation, helpful tips for anyo...

Living Well with Janet: Dating Tips with Elite Matchmaker, Cassindy Chao

February 07, 2024 01:00 - 35 minutes

On a recent episode of ABG, I shared that I had a conversation with a matchmaker who offered me the tip to practice flirting more in 2024. Given we are about a week away from Valentine’s day, I’ve invited her to the pod for an extensive chat about dating. We talk about what makes two people compatible, common hang-ups that I (and probably other Asian American people) struggle with in dating, managing shifting gender role expectations, romancing versus womanizing, how a man’s relationship with...

Episode 257: Our Personal Journeys with Therapy

February 02, 2024 01:00 - 58 minutes

We’ve had several amazing conversations with licensed therapists over the years, but today’s episode will focus on our own personal journeys with therapy. All three of us have gone to therapy at some point in our lives, and it’s given us many tools to reframe thoughts, better understand ourselves, and view the world with a more positive outlook. Today we’ll share what led us to therapy, tips for finding a therapist that will work with you & challenge you, and how therapy taught us that vulner...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: How Do I Maintain Independence in a Relationship?

January 31, 2024 01:00 - 22 minutes

Today's topic is one I received a lot of votes on for a poll on Instagram. How does one maintain their independence or identity while in a romantic relationship? I've been with my partner for almost 2 years now, and while we are still learning a lot about our preferences, one thing we both learned quickly is that we both highly value our own independence. I share through the WHY aspect of this (*hint hint we both were single for a couple of years & that solo time taught us a lot) & talk throu...

Episode 256: Celebrating & Adapting Lunar New Year Traditions from Generation to Generation

January 26, 2024 01:00 - 40 minutes

For the Asian diaspora, Lunar New Year is the best time of year to reconnect with our family heritage and cultural traditions, while also creating new traditions that are unique to our experiences. Today, we’re focusing on the intersection between American and Chinese & Taiwanese cultures, drawing from our parents’ stories of how Lunar New Year was celebrated in the Motherlands. What did celebrations look like when they were growing up? Which traditions did they choose to pass to the next gen...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: The Art of Saying 'No': A Journey to 'Less' in 2024

January 24, 2024 01:00 - 20 minutes

Pause for a moment and ask yourself, what is your one word for 2024?  Today, Helen shares her chosen word of the year. Reflecting on the challenges of juggling work, family, and personal aspirations, she candidly discusses societal pressure to achieve and fulfill checkboxes, realizing the need for a shift towards a more intentional and focused life.  Her word for 2024 is "LESS," symbolizing a desire to prioritize meaningful experiences, creative projects, and connections over a hectic and bus...

Episode 255: How We Spent the Holidays - Balancing Travel, Birthdays, & Reality TV

January 19, 2024 01:00 - 52 minutes

This January has been busy at ABG, both in our work and personal lives, so we actually haven’t had a chance to really catch up since the Holidays! Mel spent time in the Bay Area with a packed social calendar along with her partner; Helen enjoyed celebrating her son’s 2nd birthday and seeing him get into the Christmas spirit. But in between these busy schedules, they still found time to catch up on some TV shows. In particular, they got heavily invested in Squid Game: The Challenge. Who were t...

Living Well with Janet: In My Play Era, I Took a Heels Class

January 17, 2024 01:00 - 21 minutes

Play is the act of doing something purely for enjoyment. More often than not, we prioritize the practical. Our adult lives are filled with responsibilities to people at work, to our partners, to kids, parents, extended family, etc. And when it comes to ourselves, there is no shortage of tasks, activities, and engagements that we stack onto our to-do lists for personal and professional development. But play, the act of doing something purely for enjoyment, is so beneficial - essential even - t...

Episode 254: Confessions Through Food with The Korean Vegan, Joanne Molinaro

January 12, 2024 01:00 - 1 hour

How did a full-time attorney become a New York Times best-selling cookbook author, James Beard Award Winner, and marathon runner? Through her work as The Korean Vegan, Joanne Lee Molinaro proves that you can accomplish anything by simply starting. She’s best known for her powerful visual storytelling – connecting food with her family’s history and sharing important lessons with vulnerability. We’re so excited to have her as a guest to talk about staying connected to her culture with a plant-b...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: What are My Mom's 2024 Goals?

January 10, 2024 01:00 - 26 minutes

The topic of reflection and goal setting is pretty popular amongst our generation. Around this time, whether you're looking through some self help podcasts or books, "setting intentions" and "goals" are everywhere. We actually did an episode recently on the main show (ep 252) talking through these topics. After preparing for that episode & being back at home, it made me think about my mom. I wondered “what are her goals for the new year?” and it sparked an interesting dinner conversation with...

Episode 253: Looking Back to Look Ahead - Our Vision Board for 2024

January 05, 2024 01:00 - 1 hour

2023 was a busy year for ABG, both professionally and personally. We started simulcasting on YouTube, Helen had her wedding, Janet moved several times, and Mel traveled to Japan & Taiwan! So since this is our first episode of 2024, we thought it’d be a good opportunity to sit down and reflect on 2023 so that we can set intentional goals for the new year. What are significant lessons we learned last year? What are our top priorities for this new year? What words/phrases would we use to define ...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: I Miss My Husband, feat. Philip Wang

January 03, 2024 01:00 - 40 minutes

As a follow-up to the last Spill the Baby Tea episode, Helen invites her husband, Philip (@wongfuphil), to share his perspective on the highs and lows of parenthood. They revisit the cons discussed in the previous episode, adding new insights such as the challenges of maintaining a sense of self, the struggles of making time for each other, and the unexpected lifestyle shifts. They also explore additional pros, including the opportunity for personal growth, healing from past trauma, and the u...

Episode 252: ABG Favorites - Asian Parents On Celebrating American Holidays (Episode 93)

December 29, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour

Happy Holidays from AsianBossGirl! This is our last episode of 2023, and we hope that everyone is enjoying time with loved ones, eating good food, and appreciating some well-deserved rest & relaxation. We’d like to take a moment to look back on one of our favorite episodes, where our parents speak about how they incorporated Western holiday traditions into our upbringing as 2nd-generation Asian Americans. Whether it was an effort for assimilation, or a convenient way to gather extended family...

Living Well with Janet: Bye 2023! Healthy Habits - from Dental and Sleep to Stalking my Ex on Social Media

December 27, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes

It's the last episode of 2023! In celebration of making it through one full year of continuous episodes, I'm answering some questions from listeners who submitted to my callout on @janetdoubleu (thank you!). How do I get back on track when I fall off of a healthy habit? What do I emphasize in my dental health? How do I calm myself before sleep? Do I stalk my ex on social media? I talk about all of these things and more. If you're excited about making it to the end of 2023, leave a 🥳 in the co...

Episode 251: Main Character Vibes, Finding Mommy Friends, & Using Yoga Skills for Sex!? (ABG Q&A)

December 22, 2023 01:00 - 55 minutes

We’re back with another Q&A episode with questions that were “secretly” submitted by one another (Check out Part 1 here!) and this time, things are getting a little 🌶️ spicy! We did not hesitate to ask things we’ve always been curious about: Does Mel see herself as the “best friend” character? Why does Helen hate feet so much? Are Janet’s yoga skills useful for sex?  We also stirred the pot with some deep questions about our business itself: What parts of ABG work do we enjoy the most? And if...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: 3 Truths I Learned About Myself Post Travel

December 20, 2023 01:00 - 22 minutes

Today’s topic is a reflective one. I just came back from my 2023 vacation to Asia & it was amazing. Traveling opens you up to the world, but it also has a way of revealing truths about yourself. I don't know what it is, but I always come back with some kind of clarity or something I need to do. Take a listen and let me know if you share similar feelings! __________________________________________ Host: Melody Cheng Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E ...

Episode 250: How Green Juice Hangover Cures Led to a Lifelong Friendship for Helen & Janet

December 15, 2023 01:00 - 56 minutes

In the final round of our 1-on-1 conversation series, Janet and Helen share how they went from meeting each other as “a friend of a friend” to the close, protective sisterhood they now share. Their friendship dynamic holds many similarities (they’re always down for a night out or new adventure), but also many differences (having traditional vs. non-conventional life paths, or being extroverted vs. introverted). It’s these differences in particular that make their friendship so meaningful - He...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Pros and Cons of Having a Child, a 2-Year Reflection

December 13, 2023 01:00 - 30 minutes

Buckle up for the ride of a lifetime – parenthood! In this episode, Helen takes you through the ups and downs of motherhood and parenthood, from the unparalleled wonder of seeing the world through your child’s eyes to the feeling of overwhelming responsibility and the very real, and very scary, financial strain. If you're on the fence about having a child and curious about what awaits, join Helen as she lays out a checklist of pros and cons. This episode also captures a 2-year reflection of p...

Episode 249: The Importance of Chemistry vs. Compatibility in Relationships - ft. Alyssa “Lia” Mancao

December 08, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour

Today, we’re diving deeper into conversations about mental health and therapy, including questions from our own perspectives, as well as topics we’ve seen others talk about recently. We’re covering a wide range of issues, from letting go of perfectionism and recovering from burnout, to navigating emotional intimacy in relationships. We’re so excited to have Alyssa “Lia” Mancao on the podcast to guide us through these questions.  Lia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Alyssa Mar...

Living Well with Janet: The Thing with Grief Is…

December 06, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes

When a loss happens (a death, a job, a breakup, whatever) some people experience emotions right away. For me, I usually cry a bit but then soldier on and attend to the To Dos. Only when things calm down do the feelings come. So when I went through a pretty big breakup back in August, while I cried when it initially happened, I became focused on the logistics of moving out, finding a new living situation, and taking care of my car incident (check out Living Well with Janet: How to Keep a Posit...

Episode 248: Asian Celeb Dating News, Zouk Nightclub’s Singaporean Roots, & Our YouTube Crushes

December 01, 2023 01:00 - 43 minutes

We grew up reading pop culture magazines (like Seventeen and Cosmo) and consuming content through shows (E! Entertainment and MTV). But Asian stars and stories were rarely featured. Today, we’re curating our own pop culture series in podcast format, covering everything that’s new in the world of Asian entertainment, business, fashion, and more! In this episode, we share some celebrity gossip (Daniel Henney is off the market?!), significant news in the Asian community (New York made Lunar New ...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: How Do I Maintain College Friendships? Ft. Sally Le

November 29, 2023 01:00 - 19 minutes

Continuing the topic of college friendships, I chat with my bestie, Sally Le about how this college friendship evolved once we graduated college. How did we go from those innocent, FRIENDS-loving, eager college students to career focused young adults thrown into the real world? How did our friendship stick despite being "long distance"? I also share with Sally why she means so much to me in my 30's & how her role in my life is irreplaceable.  I hope you were able to learn a bit more about thi...

Episode 247: ABG Favorites - Gratitude Takes Effort - Here's How We Do It (Ep 88)

November 24, 2023 01:00 - 59 minutes

This season of holiday gatherings with friends and family is a great time to remind yourself of what you’re thankful for. However, with busy lives and so much going on, gratitude doesn’t always come easily. After all, we are built for survival, not happiness. So this week, we wanted to remind ourselves to slow down and reflect on what we’re grateful for, with a replay of one of our favorite episodes. Practicing gratitude is shown to improve physical and mental health, build your self-esteem, ...

Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: How to Show Up for Your Mom Friend feat. Cathy Nguyen

November 22, 2023 01:00 - 37 minutes

As Helen's world expands with her now-toddler, her relationships with her mommy friends have grown deeper and more significant. Cathy Nguyen is one of those friends! When Helen was pregnant, Cathy thoughtfully dropped off her pregnancy pillow, pack and play, and breast friend and said - “Take this, you’ll need it.” For Helen, it made a world of a difference to feel that level of unasked-for support. In this episode, they talk about how friends have supported them as they go through one of the...

Episode 246: The Last Time We Were Truly Happy (ABG Q&A)

November 17, 2023 01:00 - 46 minutes

We’ve done many Q&A episodes with listener-submitted questions, but on today’s episode, we’re going to be asking questions for each other! These are Q’s that listeners might be curious about (How do we feel about being called influencers?), things we’ve always wanted to ask (When was the last time you were truly happy?), and questions about ABG specifically (What new team members do we need?) - all “anonymously” submitted and picked randomly from a bowl. ______________________________________...

Living Well with Janet: EMDR, Trauma, and Mental Wellbeing with Dr. Monica Band

November 15, 2023 01:00 - 40 minutes

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and who can benefit from it? Is trauma limited to single-event experiences? How does Gen Z approach mental health versus previous generations?  To help me answer these questions is Dr. Monica Band, an award-winning practicing mental health therapist and educator, specializing in providing trauma-informed care for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), with an emphasis on Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and LGBTQIA+ com...

Episode 245: Talking About Death & Aging with Our Parents

November 10, 2023 01:00 - 58 minutes

Today’s topic of aging is more somber than usual. Walking through many stages of life with our parents is a blessing for us, but it’s still difficult to come to terms with the passage of time. As physical changes become more apparent, aging is not an avoidable subject. How do we navigate these conversations with our parents and siblings, particularly if it’s taboo to talk about? How will we address life’s natural processes with our own kids in the future? Though it may be challenging to bring...

No Dumb Questions with Mel: How Did I Find My College BFF? Ft. Sally Le

November 08, 2023 01:00 - 29 minutes

Friendships are a topic we get asked about a lot & I get it. It plays such a huge role in our lives! In today's two part series, I want to dive into a very special friendship of mine, that I haven't had the chance to share about on the pod. I'm talking about college friendships. This one, in particular, began in the dorms of UCSD transfer housing & it blossomed into one of my most precious adult friendships.  Today, I bring on one of my best friends, Sally Le to chat through how we met, our d...

Books

First Comes Love
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

@norman_tran 1 Episode