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.
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.
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.
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.
