Finding Belonging When You’re Living Between Two Cultures | Thymai Dong-Sheehan

Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!French Antiques Experience - Chateau de Brives: wendy-harrop.com/experiences-cart/p/antique-experience-franceCognac Jewellery School Foundations 2027: wendy-harrop.com/experiences-cart/p/cjs-foundation-2027Cognac Jewellery School Collections Week 2027: wendy-harrop.com/experiences-cart/p/cognac-jewellery-school-collections-2027In this episode, Wendy sits down with author and educator Thymai Dong-Sheehan to talk about identity, belonging, and the courage to tell your own story. Born in Vietnam and raised in the United States, Thymai grew up navigating two cultures while never feeling fully claimed by either. Years later, stepping away from her career to care for family left her grieving the loss of her worker identity, but it also gave her the space to pursue two dreams she had been saving for retirement: publishing The Beauties of My So-Called Asian Life and starting her own business. What emerged was an honest examination of the stories told about her, the parts of herself she had learned to minimize, and what it meant to finally decide that her experiences were valid and worth sharing.They explore: How Thymai moved from feeling caught between Vietnamese and American identities to embracing the full complexity of who she is  Why releasing the need to prove she belonged required vulnerability, spirituality, community, and self-forgiveness  How losing confidence after leaving her career led Thymai back to the inner work behind her larger vision for educational change This is a conversation about claiming the right to tell your own story, allowing every part of your identity to belong, and trusting what can emerge when an unexpected pause creates room for something new.Connect with Thymai:ThymaiDongSheehan.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tmaidongGet her book, The Beauties of My So-Called Asian Life: Vulnerability, Equity, Spirituality: amazon.com/Beauties-So-Called-Asian-Life-Vulnerability/dp/B0F7GSKHVN?tag=syty-20Referenced in this Episode:A Course in Miracles Links: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/acim-remind/id737568020https://www.amazon.com/Course-Miracles-Combined-Quality/dp/1883360242?tag=syty-20marianne.com/acim/Creative in Residence at the Phineas Wright House: app.flodesk.com/form/6995f2e1ae676cb64b2c5b37________________________________________________________________________________________Connect with Wendy:LinkedinInstagram: @wendy.harropFacebook: Phineas Wright HouseWebsite: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated Experience and TravelInterested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to [email protected] Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat!If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.