A General Good Time

Before anyone rolls their eyes and dismisses this, I just want to note that I’m about to piss some people off… so if you’re a Cancer or Aquarius specifically… sorry in advance! This is the episode about all things astrology (only on the surface though since we would be here forever if I got into all the details…) with some of my and YOUR spiciest takes!!! Disclaimer: None of this is actually supposed to be taken literally… (I mean if the shoe fits!!!) and it’s all for good fun! I will do a fair amount of roasting of the signs, but bias is impossible to remove so enjoy my skewed opinions with a sprinkle of honesty of course (with love too, from one chaotic Virgo)! Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “12 Zodiac Signs: All You Need to Know” via Astrology.com https://www.astrology.com/zodiac-signs “What is Astrology?” via Co-Star + Cafe Astrology https://www.costarastrology.com/ + https://cafeastrology.com/

Happy New Year, my lovely listeners! I am so excited to officially announce and launch my new bonus segment aptly titled “lena’s lo-fi life lessons” where I offer my unsolicited advice and thoughts on a wide range of different topics, from unpopular opinions, my hot takes on pop culture news, and a little more introspection from me to you… Let’s take a look back at 2022 and learn why I think the best conversations take place at 4 a.m. Thank you for staying with me on this ride for me as we embark on another leg of our journey together! Background Music: Introduction Snippet: “Prague Jazz End” by ERH via https://freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/40110/# Episode Music: “Coffee Shop” by Audio Library PH via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-0buJ-NH2Y Bonus Segment Cover Art: Designed by Sophia Qin (@sophiayqin) Following the trend of uplifting and showcasing my talented community, special thanks to Sophia Qin for designing and animating the art for this bonus segment. She is OPEN for commissions, see below for more information. Sophia is an artist and UX/UI designer based in San Francisco. Her work explores loneliness and the quiet sublime of living in the wide world. Through analog and digital processes she translates her experiences into delicate animations and multimedia artworks. She was recently named “Giphy’s Artist to Watch in 2023.” In the past, she has collaboratively exhibited work in the SFMOMA Gallery and FutureLab in Shanghai. She double majored in Art and Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University in 2020 with university & college honors. For all inquiries and commissions, feel free to DM her directly on Instagram (@sophiayqin) or via email at [email protected] for more formal requests. She does work in animation, illustration, and music videos, as well as creative UX design work such as interactive infographics and website design. Check out her art website (https://www.sophiaqin.art/) and design website (https://sophiayqin.com/) to see more of her brilliant work!

Shoutout to the YouTuber, JAMIErightmeow, whose video on Aphantasia gave me the inspiration to cover today's topic! Now, you may be like me who didn't know until relatively recently that I had been dealing with this my whole life... Aphantasia is defined as the "the inability to form mental images of objects that are not present." Hence, the best way I can describe it is counting sheep... Growing up, I assumed that sheep were a metaphor and that everyone didn't actually visualize sheep in their mind, but I may have been one of the few that couldn't form an image in my mind... This episode is something that I have been meaning to explore as I have struggled my entire life with feeling creative while feeling like an 'imposter' due to my mind's lack of visual imagery. Join me as I navigate reality without visuals and how you can continue to live your best life with or without your mind's eye. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “I have APHANTASIA (and you may too...without realizing it!)” (2018) by JAMIErightmeow via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewsGmhAjjjI “What Is Aphantasia? When You Can't See Images in Your Mind” (2022) by Kendra Cherry; Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN via Very Well Mind https://www.verywellmind.com/aphantasia-overview-4178710 Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire via Aphantasia Network https://aphantasia.com/vviq/ “The Art of Aphantasia: How ‘mind blind’ artists create without being able to visualize” (2021) by Matthew MacKisack via Aphantasia Network https://aphantasia.com/the-art-of-aphantasia/

As the holidays are approaching, it is a time for celebration, community, and most importantly, of course, all about food… With that, I had the honor of inviting my lovely friend and foodie, Katharine (@katnapsss), to share her thoughts on the intersections of food and community through a decolonial lens. Based in Oakland/Ohlone land, Katharine strives to learn more about her community and self through her art, photography, and home-cooked meals. She someday hopes to compile all her recipes into a cookbook that would be available to anyone who is struggling to create delicious, cultural meals under tight budgets. Together, we share anecdotes, histories, and legacies stemming all the way back from the meals of our ancestors to how we continue to evolve those traditions in the contemporary moment. Cover Art: Designed by our lovely guest, Katharine (@katnapsss)— thank you so much! Background Music: “beats to wfh/study/relax to | work from home vol. 1 | mr. hong mix” via YouTube by Mr. Hong (@mrhongmusic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKMmVQHyXko This episode’s background music was brought to you by Mr. Hong (@mrhongmusic), an Asian-American musician from San Francisco, my hometown! Please make sure to check out all of Mr. Hong’s wonderful work here: https://linktr.ee/mrhongmusic I want to give a special thank you again to Katharine for being an honorary guest and sharing her knowledge with us. You can find her on Instagram and Tik Tok (@katnapsss) where she shares her food adventures as well as her shenanigans with friends. Please check out Katharine’s personal highlights below and show them some love!!! Purpose and Hope - Oakland soup company that seeks to nourish and comfort, owned by Kat’s friend Nancy! Vien Huong - Family-owned Asian noodle soup shop that will heal your soul Battambang - The Cambodian cuisine you’ve been looking for Everything I recommended are small businesses based in Oakland! Sources: Nourish: Food + Community: Watch the film and check out their Discussion Guide for Q’s! https://www.nourishlife.org/about/the-initiative/ “Family-style dining: Bringing people and food together” (2016) by Liana Robberecht https://www.restobiz.ca/family-style-dining-bringing-people-food-together/ [KQED] “What It Means to Decolonize Your Diet” (2019) by CUESA https://www.kqed.org/bayareabites/135518/what-it-means-to-decolonize-your-diet Want to learn more? Check out these interesting reads as well… “THE POWER OF FOOD: BUILDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY” (2020) via Willow Run Farmstead https://www.willowrunfarmpa.com/blog/the-power-of-food-building-a-sense-of-community “Creating a Sense of Home and Community Through Food” (2022) by Kohleun Adamson via Healthier Generation https://www.healthiergeneration.org/articles/creating-a-sense-of-home-and-community-through-food

CW: brief mention of suicide, hanging NOTE: This was recorded prior and meant to be released the night before Halloween… enjoy! ‘Twas the night before Halloween… and I thought to myself what better way to get in spirit than to learn of the various unique traditions and superstitions that you should keep in mind for this spooky season! Ranging from various cultural ghost stories to why black cats and bats are signs of bad luck, join me as I spill the secrets just in time for this All Hallow’s Eve… Whatever you do, make sure you lock your doors to keep any unwanted guests from coming in… Background Music: “Halloween Spooky Ambience - Haunted Houses Village | Rainy Halloween” (2021) by Cozy Rain via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zeXHpWVSfs Purchase Link: https://cozyrain.gumroad.com/l/PmeqT Sources: “Halloween 2022” via History.com https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween#:~:text=The%20tradition%20originated%20with%20the,of%20the%20traditions%20of%20Samhain. “13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained” (2011) by Remy Melina https://www.livescience.com/16677-halloween-superstitions-traditions.html#:~:text=Trick%2DOr%2DTreating%20in%20Costumes&text=The%20superstition%20was%20that%20the,and%20being%20cursed%20or%20haunted. “Common Halloween Superstitions” (2022) by King Halloween https://kinghalloween.com/halloween-favorites/common-halloween-superstitions/ “Why You Can’t Write Your Name in Red” (2019) by Kristin Wong http://folklore.usc.edu/why-you-cant-write-your-name-in-red/ “9 Ghosts And Demons In Vietnamese Folklore That Had Us Check Under Our Beds As Kids” (2021) by Toan Ngo https://thesmartlocal.com/vietnam/vietnamese-ghosts-demons/ “13 Interesting Superstitions in Vietnam” (2021) by William https://vietnamdaily.ca/culture/13-interesting-superstitions-in-vietnam/

In honor of spooky season, this episode explores the realm that lies between fantasy and reality... welcome to the world of dreams, both lucid and daydreams and unfortunately, this includes nightmares! Dreams have always been in the forefront of many classics over the years, stemming from as early as Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820) all the way up until Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) film franchise. Let's dive into what makes dreams such a compelling subject and why it seems to be the perfect inspiration for all things horror… good night and sweet dreams everyone! Introduction Snippet: “The Twilight Zone (Intro)” (1959) by The Ventures Background Music: “Midnight Lofi: Halloween Mini Vibe” by The Midnight Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5EpzQBMR3Y Ending Theme: “Goosebumps (Theme Song)” (1995) by Jack Lenz Sources: “Different Types of Dreams and What They May Mean About You” (2020) by Jamie Elmer, Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-dreams “Lucid Dreaming: A State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming” by Ursula Voss, PhD. Dr. Romain Holzmann, Dr. Inka Tuin, & J. Allan Hobson, MD https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2737577/ “Science of Daydreaming” (2011) via Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science https://sites.dartmouth.edu/dujs/2011/02/03/science-of-daydreaming/#:~:text=Daydreaming%20is%20defined%20as%20%E2%80%9Cspontaneous,during%20wakefulness%E2%80%9D%20(1) “Nightmares” (2022) via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/nightmares “The Nightmares of Halloween” (2021) by Kelly Bulkeley Ph.D. via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dreaming-in-the-digital-age/202110/the-nightmares-halloween “What Inspired 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’?” (2019) by Lesley Kennedy https://www.techtimes.com/articles/89829/20151001/real-history-sleepy-hollow-much-legend-ties-series.htm “Dream Sequences in the A Nightmare on Elm Street Series” (2020) by Josh Sweeney https://horrorobsessive.com/2020/11/16/dream-sequences-in-the-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-series/ “Dreams, Interpretations, Anxieties, and A Nightmare on Elm Street” (2020) by Anthony Caro https://horrornews.net/153185/dreams-interpretations-anxieties-and-a-nightmare-on-elm-street/

Welcome my lovely listeners and happy spooky season! After listening to Nat King Cole and Lady Ella on repeat, I am so excited to announce that it’s the best time of the year… Now, what’s so great about autumn? Is it nostalgia? Is it the pumpkin spiced lattes and apple cider? Is it the color changing leaves and rainy weather? Is it the fashion? Join me as I make my declaration of love to the fall season and what it symbolizes both personally and as a whole. Don’t forget to check out my curated list of media to consume especially since it’s peak season to do so! Introduction Monologue: “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (1967) by John Gordon Background Music: “reading a book on a cozy autumn day | a jazzy autumn playlist” via nadia on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SFuGnTzSsks Sources: ‘Tis Autumn by Nat King Cole Trio (1949) via YouTube Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hph8xZTq2ZY “Symbols And Symbolism Of Autumn” by Rose Mulu https://symbolsage.com/autumn-symbols-and-symbolism/ “How Different Countries in Asia Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival” by Chad De Guzman https://time.com/6212026/countries-celebrate-mid-autumn-festival/ “Autumn Nostalgia: Confronting the Inevitability of Change” by Elizabeth Burnam https://medium.com/swlh/autumn-nostalgia-confronting-the-inevitability-of-change-66c4dd8f92df “How to Find Small Moments of Joy in Dark Times” by Angela Haupt https://time.com/6216726/how-to-find-joy-dark-times/ Fall Inspiration/Things to Check Out: anything remotely aesthetic, nostalgic, or fantasy— bonus points if it’s all three! “Inside Out: Emotional Theory Comes Alive” by Nerdwriter1 on YouTube https://youtu.be/xXYhua4IwoE “A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN (1969) Analysis” by Toonrific Tariq via YouTube https://youtu.be/NJPpbx1qDQg “The Gentle Principles of Hey Arnold | Video Essay” via Quality Culture on YouTube https://youtu.be/AYHo6pKaPXs “Frog and Toad: The Philosophy of Simple Living | Video Essay” via Quality Culture on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dUwV1LdWWIA “The Moomins Nostalgia” by Noralities via YouTube: https://youtu.be/StPPKdqNbig “Over The Garden Wall a masterpiece? | Video Essay” via M. Grawey Films on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ha5iX7fxRZI

We’re back to business as usual… and the first thing that comes to mind unfortunately is burnout… Burnout is often overlooked since it’s easy to dismiss as temporary fatigue, but if left untreated can lead to physical, emotional, and psychological issues. In this episode, we cover how to spot burnout and ways to address the issue before it leads to further consequences. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “A Guide to Burnout” (2019) by Juli Fraga, Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout “Burnout Recovery: 11 Strategies to Help You Reset” (2021) by Crystal Raypole, Reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/burnout-recovery “Understanding What a Mental Breakdown Is (and How to Get Help)” (2021) by Futures Recovery Healthcare https://futuresrecoveryhealthcare.com/blog/mental-breakdown/ “How to Recognize and Treat the Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown” (2022) by Annamarya Scaccia, Reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/nervous-breakdown#symptoms

Let’s look back on some of the inspirations behind the mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). Come join me as I walk through some of my inspirations behind the mini series, my relationship with love as a whole, and finally stay tuned to the very end to hear about an upcoming new series on the podcast… Special thank you to my lovely guests, Eli and Sarah, as well as shoutout to Gia of the voice memo diaries podcast (theevmdiaries) for making this series possible!  Show some love to my lovely friend and upcoming artist for my new bonus segment, Sophia Qin (@sophiayqin) on Instagram and follow her there!  Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Sources: all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/

CW: Self-Hate, Depression, Anxiety, Grief Welcome my lovely listeners to the final part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of healing through coping honestly, and fair warning that this is an unexpectedly heavy topic for me. Join me as I walk you through the rollercoaster of emotions, hurt, and trauma that have been top of mind but offer unsolicited advice on how to begin to work on healing. It starts with your inner child and what the little moments of our day offer to us… We’re also now active on TikTok at @ageneralgoodtimepodcast and on Twitter at @aggtpodcast, thank you for the ongoing love! Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Sources: all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/ “Coping Mechanisms: Dealing with Life’s Disappointments in a Healthy Way” (2017) by Courtney E. Ackerman, MA. https://positivepsychology.com/coping/ “Let It Hurt, Let It Heal: Why is it so important to let yourself feel pain?” (2017) by Denise Fournier Ph.D. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfully-present-fully-alive/201707/let-it-hurt-let-it-heal Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) Film: Directed by The Daniels https://a24films.com/films/everything-everywhere-all-at-once “8 Ways to Start Healing Your Inner Child” (2021) by Crystal Raypole, Medically Reviewed by Alex Klein, PsyD https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/inner-child-healing#reach-out

Welcome my lovely listeners to the fifth part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I invite Gia of the voice memo diaries podcast to share their insights about love, family dynamics, and the ways our upbringing has shifted the way we see ourselves, society, and how we move through the world. This is only the beginning of the conversation as the next half we will dive into on the voice memo diaries podcast, citing the specific ways intergenerational trauma has impacted our behavior and whether or not we’ve had to adapt as a means to serve us in the contemporary landscape. Make sure to check out the voice memo diaries podcast for the full conversation and show Gia some love! For the second half of this conversation, check out the voice memo diaries podcast (@theevmdiaries). They cover a wide range of important themes in their episodes OUT NOW so please make sure to follow and support them. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/ The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma (2014) by Bessel van der Kolk https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score “Dissecting the Manosphere” (2022) by F.D. Signifier via YouTube https://youtu.be/s1FkO7Tr70A “Surviving ‘Alpha Male’ Mentality” (2022) by Tee Noir via YouTube https://youtu.be/k4pgj6AgCtM

Welcome my lovely listeners to the fourth part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of dating and relationships, primarily the red flags, green flags, and things to keep in mind before entering a relationship. Love is messy and I know firsthand what it’s like to be toxic, experience a unique type of hurt, and ultimately I hope you learn from my anecdotes. Remember to take care of yourself first and know that it is not supposed to be complicated… Timestamp Breakdown: 0:00 - Introduction & Why I’ve Been M.I.A. 5:33 - Overview of Episode Themes 8:00 - My Personal Messy Dating Saga 43:36 - Red Flags to Consider When Dating or in a Relationship 55:07 - Direct Communication: A Word of Advice on Codependency 1:02:03 - Being Single is the Way to Go 1:03:29 - Compassion is Key to Healing 1:05:03 - Final Thoughts & Conclusion Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Welcome my lovely listeners to the third part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of friendship, specifically kinship and the origin story of my chosen family. In an exploration of my past, I recall Livingston’s Paris Is Burning (1990) documentary as one of the foundational pieces into discovering what it means to choose who you allow into your life and ultimately, how to find community in the darkest of spaces… Please join me as we explore a little into what drives me and what keeps me going to this day. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Welcome my lovely listeners to the second part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of bodies: body image, anti-fatness, and the politics of desirability from my own experience while also citing the works of foundational and prolific scholars within the movement. I want to preface that I went back and forth on this as I am being my most raw self on a topic that honestly I was scared to confront. I hope that you all find courage, strength, and grace on your own journeys with your bodies and know that you are always welcome in this space. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Please check out all the sources below and support their brilliant minds: Sources: “Body Image” via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/body-image “I’m a Fat Activist. I Don’t Use the Word Fatphobia. Here’s Why” (2021) via Self https://www.self.com/story/fat-activist-fatphobia “Desirability: Do You Really Love Fat People When You Can’t Even See Us Beyond the Political?” (2019) by Da’Shaun L. Harrison https://dashaunharrison.com/desirability-do-you-really-love-fat-people-when-you-cant-even-see-us-beyond-the-political/ “To Love and Be Loved from the Fat Perspective” (2020) by Da’Shaun L. Harrison https://dashaunharrison.com/to-love-and-be-loved-from-the-fat-perspective/ Fundamental Reading(s): all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/ Belly of the Beast: THE POLITICS OF ANTI-FATNESS AS ANTI-BLACKNESS (2021) by Da’Shaun L. Harrison; Foreword by Kiese Laymon https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670607/belly-of-the-beast-by-dashaun-harrison/ THICK: And Other Essays (2019) by Tressie McMillan Cottom https://thenewpress.com/books/thick The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love (2018) by Sonya Renee Taylor https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/shop-latest/

Welcome my lovely listeners to the first part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I invite two guests: Eli and Sarah respectively, as they share their unique perspective on this week’s theme: love. I am beyond excited to dive into the 5 love languages, the 4 attachment styles, and finally, the 36 questions to fall in love. Join us as we explore the inner workings of our upbringings, beliefs, and current relationships. Feel free to check out the resources below to learn more about this week’s topics. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/ “116 Deep Questions That Will Strengthen Your Connection” (2019) via Personal Creations https://www.personalcreations.com/blog/deep-questions The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate (1992) by Gary Chapman https://www.5lovelanguages.com/store “What Are the 5 Love Languages? Definition and Examples” (2020) by Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202009/what-are-the-5-love-languages-definition-and-examples Love Languages Quiz [FREE] https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ Attachment Styles Quiz [FREE] https://www.attachmentproject.com/attachment-style-quiz/ “The 36 Questions To Fall In Love: The Research Behind The Viral Experiment” (2020) by Kelly Gonsalves https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/36-questions-to-fall-in-love#:~:text=The%2036%20questions%20are%20designed,are%20effective%20at%20creating%20intimacy. NY Times’ 36 Questions to Fall in Love [FREE] https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate as we enter the Year of the Tiger! Growing up, my family and I celebrated Lunar New Year, also known as Tết in Vietnamese, which refers to the start of spring and subsequently everyone’s birthday. Each year, there would be a big gathering, traditional games, and my favorite part— red envelopes filled with money and blessings for the new year. Please enjoy this bonus episode as I reflect on the upcoming holiday and its many traditions. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “Tet Holiday: The Age-Old Tradition Explained” (2018) by Jake Hornberger via Vietcetera https://vietcetera.com/en/tet-holiday-the-age-old-tradition-explained “Tet: A Celebration of Rebirth” via Asian Nation http://www.asian-nation.org/tet.shtml#sthash.KAM40K0j.dpbs “10 Traditional Vietnamese Food For Tet Holiday” by Ha Truong (2022) https://www.expatolife.com/vietnamese-tet-holiday-food/ “Food, Games, Greetings And Traditions For Vietnamese Tết (Lunar New Year) – A Celebration Guide” (2021) by Linda Hoang https://linda-hoang.com/food-games-traditions-for-vietnamese-tet-lunar-new-year-a-celebration-guide/

In the age of social media, it seems as though everything we want can be accessed on our phone… including people. Does privacy even exist in the internet era? This week we will explore boundaries and why establishing them seems to be almost impossible. What are boundaries and why are they necessary? By examining boundaries and our own interpersonal feelings, I draw the connection between the two in order to figure out why it’s so difficult to express our limits. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “Boundaries” (2017) via GoodTherapy https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/boundaries “Why Is It So Hard to Set Boundaries?” (2018) by Kristen Lee Ed.D., LICSW via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethink-your-way-the-good-life/201809/why-is-it-so-hard-set-boundaries “Why Do Boundaries Make Us Feel Bad?” (2020) via The Candidly https://www.thecandidly.com/2019/why-does-setting-boundaries-make-us-feel-like-terrible-people “The No BS Guide to Protecting Your Emotional Space” (2018) by Jennifer Chesak & Medically Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD via Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/set-boundaries

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2022 to my lovely listeners! I can’t believe it’s already been two years since we have been in this pandemic and it looks like it’s here to stay… What better way to continue that note than exploring this week’s topic: Self-Sabotage. As we have entered the new year, many can feel empowered and motivated towards working on self-improvement and achieving their goals which is wonderful. However, old habits are hard to break, especially self-defeating behaviors and thoughts that one may be accustomed to… Together, let’s break down some of the reasons why we self-sabotage and brainstorm ways to manage as a whole. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify Background Image: Antonio Feregrino (@io_exception) via Unsplash Sources: Self-Sabotage Quiz via The Ford Institute [20 Questions + FREE] http://thefordinstitute.com/selfsabotagequiz “Self-Sabotage” via Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-sabotage “How Self-Sabotage Holds You Back” by Crystal Raypole & Medically Reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST via Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/self-sabotage#signs “Self-Sabotage: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior” via Mind Tools https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_95.htm SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-4357 for confidential FREE help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. https://www.findtreatment.gov/

As we wrap up the end of 2021 and usher in the new year, I wanted to use this week to thank all my lovely listeners for supporting me on this journey. I could not have done this without you all and I have nothing but love and gratitude in my heart for all my supporters. I can’t wait to continue to share my thoughts and stories with you all for episodes to come. Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and wonderful holiday season. We’ll be back next year! Background Music: Sunset at Sandy Isle via Anchor by Spotify

It’s 4:20 somewhere in the world and you know what that means… It’s time to chill, take a breather, and unwind as we celebrate the holidays. This week, we explore what “California Sober” is and some of the benefits of the special plant in its various forms. I want to preface that you must be of legal age before consuming and/or using any of these products so please proceed with caution. As you all requested, I also included my own personal recommendations list so please enjoy and kick back with me!  Background Music: Three Stories via Anchor by Spotify Sources: “What is the ‘California Sober’ Approach to Substance Use?” (2021) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-cali-sober/ “What You Need to Know About Legal Marijuana in California” via SF Travel https://www.sftravel.com/what-you-need-know-about-legal-marijuana-california “Approaching Cannabis Responsibly” via Just the Facts https://www.justthefactspei.ca/approaching-cannabis-responsibly “CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?” via Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc#medical-benefits “The Beginner’s Guide to Edibles” via LifeHacker https://lifehacker.com/the-beginners-guide-to-edibles-1821047006 “Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Strains” via Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/beginners-guide-to-marijuana-strains My Personal Recommendations List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uvMxCJbFItHyExMmxlNrPAuhVSPQkY78Iorywf-YYLs/edit?usp=sharing

CW: Eating Disorders (ie. Binge Eating Disorder), Disordered Eating This week is definitely a sensitive topic as it deals with eating disorders and body image issues. I want to be as open and honest as possible to you all as my lovely listeners. With this, I encourage you all to start a dialogue with your loved ones, friends, and those within your support system about the importance of mental health, body image, and self esteem as a whole. Please know that you are not alone in how you’re feeling and that it’s okay to reach out and get help as needed. Sources: “New in the DSM-5: Binge Eating Disorder” by Russell Marx https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/new-dsm-5-binge-eating-disorder “What is Disordered Eating?” (2018) by Marci Anderson, MS, RD, LDN https://www.eatright.org/health/diseases-and-conditions/eating-disorders/what-is-disordered-eating “Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Asking for Help” (2019) by Elise Mandl, BSc, APD — Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/binge-eating-disorder “8 Helpful Websites for Recovering Binge Eaters” by Jennie Kramer, Marjorie Nolan Cohn https://www.dummies.com/health/diseases/eating-disorders/8-helpful-websites-for-recovering-binge-eaters/

I am excited to announce the first viewer’s choice episode! Thank you everyone who voted over on Instagram as it’s always a joy seeing what topics my listeners are interested in. If you have any ideas or suggestions for podcast episodes, you can also email me directly at [email protected] as I check that regularly. This week we will be exploring anger. More specifically, we will be discussing what anger is, the different types of anger, the consequences of repressing it, and how to cope with these very real emotions on a day to day basis. Sources: “Anger and Aggression” via American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/topics/anger “Dealing with Anger: Types of Anger” via Your Life Counts https://yourlifecounts.org/learning-center/aggression/dealing-with-anger-types-of-anger/# “Repressed Anger: Signs, Causes, Treatments, & 8 Ways to Cope” (2021) by Nicole Arzt LMFT and Reviewed by Dena Westphalen Pharm. D. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/repressed-anger/ “The Connection Between Depression and Anger” (2021) by Arlin Cuncic and Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD https://www.verywellmind.com/connection-between-depression-and-anger-5085725 Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents (2015) by Lindsay C. Gibson http://www.drlindsaygibson.com/books.html “The Value of Anger: 16 Reasons It’s Good to Get Angry” (2017) by Moshe Ratson, MBA, MS, LMFT via Good Therapy https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/value-of-anger-16-reasons-its-good-to-get-angry-0313175 “Coping with Anger” via SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/disaster-survivors/coping-anger-after-disaster “Seven Steps for Anger” (2021) via Beck Institute https://beckinstitute.org/blog/seven-steps-for-anger/ 5 Ways to Diffuse Your Anger by Dr. Tracey Marks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4WYp9a6Yzg Affirmation Meditation - Let Go of Anger by Dr. Tracey Marks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBGGDPc1sUE National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Happy Holidays to my lovely listeners as we wrap up the end of a tumultuous year and begin to prepare for the new, hopefully brighter year to come! Join me as I look back this year and give my overall thoughts and reflections about events that took place this year and give you a more personal look into my journey for the new year. Background Music: Let it Snow by Abijah Gupta http://www.abijahgupta.com/christmas.html

Hello my lovely listeners, thanks to everyone's support we have reached a total of fifty unique listeners and I could not have done it without your support! With that being said, I want to preface that this week’s podcast deals with adult themes and material that may be sensitive so please proceed with caution. On that note, I do want to emphasize the importance of implementing Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) in schools and in general, to which I argue the younger the better. Citing #NoNutNovember as an interesting reminder that while abstinence may seem playful on the surface, long term consequences in utilizing it may speak otherwise. Sources: “What Is 'No Nut November' (and Should You Participate)?”(2021) by Stephen Johnson  Movember: https://us.movember.com/ “Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex Education in the U.S” (2011) by Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall and David W. Hall https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0024658 Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE): https://www.healthline.com/health/sexual-education-survey

This week we will be continuing our music exploration by entering the world of Japanese music, specifically citing J-Pop and the rise of Utaites, V Tubers, and vocal synthesizers. Drawing my own introductions from Vocaloid’s best girl Hatsune Miku, I recall a time in recent memory where a song so perfectly captured my experience and ultimately helped me move forward from a dark place… I hope you too can find the joy in Ayase’s beautiful track: Ghost City Tokyo (幽霊東京).  Sources: English Translation Lyrics by Poppochan: https://poppochan.dreamwidth.org/18908.html  Song Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtBoAqkIJzI

This week we will take a journey I’m sure you all may be quite familiar with… the world of lo-fi hip hop: beats to study/sleep/chill/relax to. I found myself, like every other individual, who has ever dealt with any mode of procrastination stumbling upon YouTube looking for a way out only to find solace in a random accidental suggested video with seemingly random ambient yet calming instrumentals followed by a ‘vintage’ Charlie Brown audio snippet… this might have been a specific experience I am recalling but I hope today’s episode is a universal one to love as this is my ode to lo-fi hip hop. Cover Art: Created w/ Pic Crew Background Music: Walking Shoes via Anchor by Spotify Sources: Will Smith: "chill beats to quarantine to" via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA56B4JyTgI. Genius News: "How Nujabes Influenced Lo-Fi Hip-Hop" via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEo9mGWk6RA. TheMultiMechs: Lofi Hiphop: Origins and History [MultiGenre] via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk5ReLavBq0. "An Exploration of Lo-fi Hip-hop, Pt I: From Shoegaze and Dreampop to Vaporwave" (2019) by Victoria Vouloumanos.  Next Wave Chicago: "A Personal History into the World of Lo-fi Hip Hop" (2018). "What is City Pop?" by Van Paugam  Personal Lo-Fi Hip Hop Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXWmazp8PhPscvsZZHTGE_Tia64RoNSxr

Hello my lovely listeners and thank you for tuning in each week for my podcast. I re-recorded this due to the initial audio quality and to explain to my new audience my hiatus... so welcome all! This week is a bit more informal as I am making a special announcement for a recurring mini series I am doing on this podcast. It will be in multiple parts centering around themes of love, relationships: both platonic and romantic; intimacy, desirability, and body image to name a few. I am super excited to share what I have planned with you all and provide a brief introduction into who I am as well. 

From the “wise words” of cancelled Youtuber Gabbie Hanna, I revisit what expectations are, what they look like, and the impact they have on interpersonal relationships and in general. Using the article titled “The Psychology of Expectations: Why unrealistic expectations are premeditated resentments" by Dr. John A. Johnson as a foundation for understanding the emotional impact of expectations, some of the key concepts we explore in this week’s episode include but are not limited to confirmation bias, black or white thinking, and projection. Ultimately, is it better to have no expectations at all?

Welcome to the first unscripted episode of the podcast... just like the title suggests we'll be diving into some of my thoughts surrounding my own mental health journey, specifically focusing on ways to deal with depression and anxiety. We will also be going over treatment options very broadly as we continue to navigate this world day by day.