The “Busy” Trap: Dr. Jenny Wang on Navigating Anxiety, Anger, and Uncertainty
What happens when society is OK with Asian women feeling anxious - but not angry? Perhaps we find comfort with hyperproductivity - until it leads to anxiety, burnout, and rage. “Busyness is an addiction to urgency,” says Dr. Jenny T. Wang, PH.D, a Taiwanese American psychologist, founder of @asiansformentalhealth and author of Permission to Come Home. Dr. Wang and Vanessa talk about creating healthy spaces for anger, untying our worth from our productivity, and why Dude Tribes might be a step in cultivating positive masculinity and community healing for Asian men. As children of immigrants and parents, we discuss why AAPI youth suicide prevention is a multi-generational effort - not just about Gen Z.
Plus: our favorite Taiwanese snacks, traveling with young kids, and daily habits for a brighter morning routine.
About Dr. Jenny Wang, PH.D:
Dr. Jenny T. Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on the intersections of Asian American identity, mental health, and intergenerational and racial trauma. Her professional mission is to destigmatize mental health within the Asian community and empower Asian Americans to prioritize their own mental well-being. She spearheaded the Asians for Mental Health therapist directory (www.asiansformentalhealth.com) to connect individuals with culturally reverent mental health care for Asian American diasporas. She created the Instagram community Asians for Mental Health (@asiansformentalhealth), where she explores the unique ways in which Asian American identity impacts our mental health. Her first book, Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans was published by Grand Central Balance in May 2022. She is a mental health advisory member of Wondermind and The Mental Health Coalition.
BIPOC Mental Health in a Hyper-Digital Age: Work-Life Balance, Doomscrolling, and Social Media
As busy BIPOC professionals, parents, and partners who often WFH or do remote work, is it possible to put our phones (and anxiety) to bed? Vanessa is interviewed by our guest host, CEO & Founder Linda Ong of Cultique, a Seacrest global group agency for businesses in media, entertainment, tech, and consumer spaces. We talk about why the Model Minority Myth and cultural stigmas are a "double whammy" for AAPIs, and how to cultivate work-life balance by creating space for productivity, mindfulness, and rest. Plus: how to stop doomscrolling, the mental health toll of being a new mom, “monotasking” vs. multitasking, and how to find “flow state” for maximum creativity and efficiency.
Samantha Ong on Self-Love, Starting a Business, and Raising Kids who are Proud to be Asian
Samantha Ong is on a mission to Stop Asian Hate and colorism, and Start Asian Love with Joeydolls, the first inclusive collection of Asian dolls for kids. The Founder/CEO, Mom and Entrepreneur gets real about juggling mom life and starting a business, creating a more inclusive world that celebrates all Asian cultures and skin tones with Joeydolls, and raising confident kids who are proud to be Asian. Plus: we drool over curry laksa and a real-life run-in with Shang-Chi celebrity Simu Liu.
About Joeydolls:
Stop Asian Hate. Start Asian Love. Samantha Ong is on a mission to stop Asian hate and celebrate diversity with Joeydolls, an inclusive collection of Asian dolls. It’s the first soft plush toy brand to include multiple Asian ethnicities, not just one “token” light-skinned Asian. The soft dolls encourage young children to develop a positive sense of self-esteem, broaden their understanding of racial equity and inclusion, and spark creative play.
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.
Lyn Liao Butler, Author of The Tiger Mom's Tale: Asian family drama. Adoption. Food as a love language.
Lyn Liao Butler, author of The Tiger Mom’s Tale, tells us how she found peace and healing in her writing, Taiwanese heritage, and fitness background, and how fate led her to adopt "the happiest little boy in the world". We talk about the effects of racism and Tiger parenting, why food is the original love language in Asian culture, and unpack why mental health issues are seen as so shameful in our families and communities - and what we can do about it.
