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.
Breaking the Stigma: Neurodiversity and South Asian Mental Health
“I thought therapy was a hardcore luxury for the rich”, says Mrinal Ghokale, Author of Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlighted. Mrinal shares how growing up as a bicultural, neurodivergent and "defiant" kid enabled her to become a game-changer in mental health. We explore what it means to be neurodivergent - which can span autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and even bipolar disorder, and what society can do to be more supportive. We unpack how stereotypes around gender, the Model Minority Myth and cultural habits like “sweeping it under the rug” may actually intensify mental health conditions and isolation. Plus: building confidence through belly dancing, Desi wellness traditions like ayurveda and pranayama breathing exercises, and blending East and West when it comes to health and nutrition.
About Mrinal:
Mrinal Ghokale is an author and speaker with a passion for the human brain. She uses her voice to help shift the narrative around health and wellness. She recently published Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlighted , which shares 11 true stories of second generation Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi immigrants and how they navigate mental health in the West. Topics covered are stigma, identity, trauma, and access, along with the goal of promoting acceptance and knowledge around mental health between generations.
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.
Stepping Into Our Power with Ira Briones: Queer Asian Identities & Mental Health
Happy Pride Month! Vanessa talks to special guest Ira Briones (they/them), a Filipinx business empowerment and energy coach based in New York City. Ira shares their multifaceted journey as a queer nonbinary immigrant leader and activist, their healing journey with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and how they help marginalized entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs to step into their power. We process the collective racial trauma of Anti-Asian hate crimes, and discuss how safety gives us the freedom to take up more space in the world - for queer, transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people, and across the API diaspora. Plus: the best Filipino food in NYC, the irritating yet lovable traits of Asian parents that we inevitably inherit, and the best LGBTQ+ resources for queer/questioning individuals, family members, and allies.
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.
Aparna Shewakramani of Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking” on Fame, Fate and Freedom from People-Pleasing
Aparna from Netflix’s hit TV show“Indian Matchmaking” opens up about her new book, She’s Unlikeable: And Other Lies that Bring Women Down. The author and reality star shares what it’s like to go from a life of normalcy and privacy as a lawyer looking for love in Texas, to a life over-examined and hyper-edited for the entire world to see. We talk about reshaping gender roles in South Asian culture, girl bossing vs. girl resting, and navigating fate and agency in our love lives and careers. Plus: Bollywood movies, gratitude, and setting boundaries.
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.
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.