Turning Trauma into Purpose: Michelle Li's Journey as a Korean Adoptee and TV Journalist
Topics: Adoptee, Korean American, AAPI Heritage Month, APAHM, TV Journalist, author, Very Asian, Korean Food, mixed-race families, Asian heritage, racial trauma, nonprofit, purpose, AAPI identity, Asian American history and culture
Modern, Ambitious Women Unsubscribing from Self-Doubt with Neha Ruch | AAPI Heritage Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week
In honor of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and AAPI Heritage Month, host Vanessa talks with Neha Ruch, Founder of Mother Untitled, about choosing yourself, unsubscribing from judgements and self-doubt, and finding growth and clarity in times of transition. As modern, ambitious, Asian American women raising mixed-race families, Neha and Vanessa share their perspectives on nonlinear career journeys and deconstruct the narratives behind the “stay-at-home” vs. “working” moms debate. We discuss redefining success metrics, "having it all," and healing racial and intergenerational trauma.
Neha shares her personal journey as an Indian-American mother navigating motherhood, entrepreneurship, and activism, and how she finds joy in purpose and passion. Plus: we nerd out over the best pasta in NYC and interior design, and the most valuable lessons that are NOT taught in business school.
Topics: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, AAPI Heritage Month, APAHM, motherhood, entrepreneurship, mixed-race families, Asian heritage, purpose, passion, growth, clarity, success metrics, AAPI identity, activism, unsubscribing from judgements, self-doubt, parenting, Asian American mental health, women in leadership.
Nancy Luong on Breaking Bamboo Ceilings in Tech, Immigrant Dads, and Money Myths in a "Bling Empire" World
Asian Women Rising series | Vanessa interviews Nancy Luong, a senior marketing leader at Salesforce, author of "How We Got Here", and recently crowned Ms. Southern California 2023. We talk about why allyship is the key to breaking the Bamboo Ceiling and Glass Ceiling, healing intergenerational trauma with immigrant parents, and busting money and success myths in a “Bling Empire” World.
Nancy shares her personal mission to break down walls and barriers - whether it’s the Bamboo Ceiling at work, awkward family dynamics due to intergenerational trauma, or a “lack”/ scarcity mindset when it comes to personal finance and success. We talk about the importance of mental health for men, and why her struggles to connect with her emotionally distant dad inspired her to write “How We Got Here Journal” and how gratifying it is to “see the walls come down” in their relationship.
Plus: Vietnamese food and the common bond of Asian moms never measuring ingredients, the frugal eco-warrior upcycling “immigrant mindset” that we experienced as kids, and unpacking personal finance myths that tie your happiness to your net worth or title.
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration: Top 8 Mental Health Lessons from AAPI Leaders
The best mental health tips from AAPI Leaders, creators and activists, including how to navigate anxiety and depression, self-care, imposter syndrome, social media, body image issues, and hate crimes. PLUS: Thrive Spice was featured on Apple Podcasts' home page for the Best of AAPI Heritage Month! Vanessa celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month and the 1 year anniversary of Thrive Spice, and our mission of normalizing mental health for the Asian American and Asian diaspora across the world.
The Success Trap: How to Overcome Perfectionism and Live Authentically
In the pursuit of success, do we lose ourselves? As a recovering perfectionist, I spill the tea on my own personal journey going from corporate life to mom to podcaster to Lillian So, fitness entrepreneur and co-author of the new book FitCEO, and share the incredible lessons I’ve learned along the way on parenting, career and relationships. We dig into the ways I’ve had to be vulnerable, brave, and listen to my intuition, while observing my inner critic with compassion and curiosity.
BONUS! This podcast includes a GUIDED 5 MINUTE MINDFUL JOURNALING PROMPT. If you’re ready to rise above your fears, doubts and negative self-talk, join me at the end of the podcast episode or on the blog.
Alyce Chan on Mental Health for Moms: Comedy, Postpartum Depression, and the Glass Ceiling
Mom by day, comedian by night, Alyce Chan (MomComNYC, Scary Mommy) is ready to smash two glass ceilings - the one at home, and the other in the male-dominated world of comedy.
Alyce is a modern-day Marvelous Ms. Maisel who entertains and uplifts thousands of moms with her stand-up comedy while offering parenting insights with deadpan humor, spot-on impersonations of her husband and Chinese-Canadian mom, and hilarious vulnerability that slays on stage and on Instagram. Alyce and Vanessa talk about the many faces of Postpartum Depression based on their lived experiences with PPD, intergenerational Asian mom rage, and how we can look at the everyday #parentingfail as “failing upwards”. Alyce shares how she nurtures her creative process and energy while developing grit as a performer, writer and comedian. We debate what self-care really means for tired moms who are told to "enjoy every moment!" Lastly, inspired by Reshma Saujani (Founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms), we ask how we can turn our rage into power - for moms, women of color and Asian Americans.
Lillian So on Bossing Up as the CEO of Your Own Life
If you've ever felt the urge to escape your life and "Eat, Pray, Love" your way to a yoga ashram in India or Bali, please listen to this podcast episode instead - it will save you a lot of time, money and heartache. Lillian So, a life coach, fitness entrepreneur, and co-author of the new book FitCEO, gets personal and shares everything: her moment of panic after getting her first tattoos, reclaiming her energy and worth by leaving toxic and emotionally abusive relationships, and what she learned from starting her own business and writing her first book, Fit CEO, in partnership with Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann (the former CEO of Citigroup). We talk about why investing in ourselves is the hardest but most gratifying work, and why we need to deprogram the Model Minority Myth even within ourselves. Lastly, Lillian shares why asking for help - whether it's for work, your mental health or emotional and physical wellbeing - is the ultimate BOSS move in manifesting your best life.
