Between Two Worlds Podcast

In this episode of Between Two Worlds, Floby pulls back the curtain on a quiet yet universal trap: comparison. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, a career woman, and an immigrant, she explores why we constantly measure our worth against others and how looking sideways instead of inward disrupts our peace. She invites us to shift our focus from comparison to self-respect, encouraging us to run our own race at our own pace.Today, we discuss:The Trap of Comparison: How we find ourselves running races we never consciously entered, measuring our lives against criteria that do not belong to us.The Humility of Immigration: What rebuilding a life in a new country teaches us about comparison. Floby explains why comparing our entire behind-the-scenes journey to someone else's polished highlight reel is an inherently unfair equation.Self-Respect as a Shield: Why true confidence doesn't stem from external validation, but from self-respect. Learning how to admire others' success without viewing it as our own failure.A New Standard of Measurement: The importance of comparing ourselves only to who we were in the past. Asking ourselves the right questions: How have I grown? What have I learned? How have I healed?A Message to Mothers and Professionals: Letting go of the pressure of perfection in motherhood often curated online to embrace a present, loving, and real connection. Reminding career-driven women that their dignity is not attached to promotions, salaries, or external approval.Key Quote:“Self-respect says: 'I don't need to diminish myself because someone else is shining.' [...] The goal was never to become someone else. The goal was always to become yourself.”Challenge for the week:This week, change the way you measure your progress. The next time you catch yourself looking sideways to evaluate your life, pause and look inward instead. Ask yourself: “Who was I a year ago, and how have I grown since then?” Give yourself permission to bloom in your own time, under your own conditions. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 6 of Between Two Worlds, Floby pulls back the curtain on the messy, beautiful reality of juggling three distinct lives: motherhood, working in the fast-paced fashion industry, and teaching English to immigrants. Moving past the curated “Instagram version” of having it all, she explores the emotional tug-of-war of navigating different expectations, cultures, and identities and why living a complex life is actually a profound gift.Today, we discuss:* The Illusion of Perfection: Navigating the stark contrast between the perfection-driven, fast-paced world of fashion and the beautifully chaotic, unpredictable reality of raising two children.* Fashion as Armor: How personal style evolves after becoming a mother. Why getting dressed is no longer just about aesthetics or vanity, but an act of survivala daily reminder that you are still yourself.* Energy as Currency: Escaping the exhausting expectation to be the graceful, successful, ever-present woman. How motherhood forces you to become emotionally intelligent, efficient, and fiercely protective of your time.* The Grounding Power of Teaching: Finding deep human connection in the classroom. Floby reflects on the courage it takes for adult immigrants to learn a new language, and how their willingness to be vulnerable and make mistakes puts everything else into perspective.* Embracing Complexity: Redefining “balance.” Balance doesn’t mean giving equal time to everything; it means being fully present wherever you are. Why having multiple identities such as soft, ambitious, independent, and nurturing, is not a weakness, but your greatest strength.Key Quote:“I’m learning to stop measuring my worth by perfection... Complexity often means growth, and maybe being between two worlds is not a weakness, it’s a gift.”Challenge for the week:Stop measuring your worth by perfection. This week, pick one area of your life where you feel the pressure to “have it all together” and intentionally give yourself permission to be a little messy. Notice when your roles feel like competing forces, and remind yourself that your complexity is a gift. You don’t have to choose just one version of yourself. You are allowed to be many things at once. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

In this new episode of Between Two Worlds, Floby reflects on the persistent nature of our dreams and the delicate balance between answering our calling and navigating the practical demands of survival, especially for immigrants, mothers, and providers.Today, we discuss:* The Survival Season: Why our passions often become secondary when life’s practical responsibilities get loud. There is no shame in pausing a dream to survive, pay the bills, and provide for your family.* Paths as Bridges, Not Destinations: The realization that not every career or choice is meant to be your final destination. Sometimes, pragmatic detours, like Floby’s journey through nursing school or corporate jobs, are essential bridges that teach us language, adaptation, and resilience.* The Discipline of Dreams: Breaking the romanticized illusion of success. Dreams are not sustained by motivation alone; they are sustained by discipline, courage, and treating time management as a profound act of love.* The Repetition of Purpose: Understanding that a true calling doesn’t always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it arrives through faithful repetition and quietly returning to the things that make your soul expand rather than shrink.* Keeping the Flame Alive: Why dedicating just one day or even one hour, a week to your true purpose matters, and why small beginnings hold immense power.Resource Mentioned:* Dead Poets Society (Movie): Floby references the film’s powerful philosophy to remind us that while practical professions like medicine, law, and engineering are noble and necessary to sustain life, art, storytelling, poetry, and love are the reasons we stay alive. Where to watch it. Key Quote:“Dreams are not sustained by inspiration alone. They are sustained by discipline... Time management becomes an act of love, not perfection.”Challenge for the week:Take a moment to audit the paths you are currently walking. Ask yourself: Which parts of my life are just bridges, and what is my true destination? This week, carve out just one hour to protect and nurture your small flame. Do something purely for your creativity or passion, even if no one is watching. Stop asking what is purely practical, and start asking what is meaningful. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

In this new episode, Floby reflects on her journey from the vantage point of 40. Looking back at the version of herself that felt she had to have everything figured out while carrying the weight of financial stress, paused dreams, and first heartbreaks, she shares four vital lessons on resilience, grace, and the beauty of a non-linear path.Today, we discuss:* Confidence in the Unknown: Why confidence isn’t a reward you receive after you succeed, but a tool you build by showing up while you are still shaking and unsure.* Selective Connection: Unlearning the idea that loyalty means staying when it hurts. Floby discusses choosing people who bring peace rather than confusion and why not everyone deserves access to your heart.* Dismantling the Timeline: The “adrenaline rush” of your 20s can make you feel like you’re falling behind. We explore why pausing university or taking a detour doesn’t mean failure—it just means you’re on a different road.* Strength Through Vulnerability: Challenging the “stone-cold” definition of strength. Floby explains why crying isn’t a sign of weakness, but a necessary release and an act of honesty toward oneself.Key Quote:“You don’t need to arrive early to be worthy.”Challenge for the week:Take a “Timeline Audit.” Identify one area of your life where you feel “behind” or pressured by an imaginary deadline. Ask yourself: Is this my timeline, or someone else’s? This week, give yourself permission to be a “work in progress” and remember that a detour is not a dead end. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

In this new episode, Floby reflects on the hidden challenges of building a community after moving to a new country, learning that the people we surround ourselves with can either water us or slowly drain us.Today, we discuss:* The Migration Zero-Point: Why starting from scratch without a safety net makes us cling to anyone who feels familiar, even if they aren’t the right fit.* Familiarity vs. Compatibility: The mistake of choosing friends solely because they speak your language or understand your origin, rather than aligning with your values.* Mistakes as Teachers: Learning to ask the hard questions: Do I feel safe? Do they celebrate me or compete with me? Do they bring peace or confusion?* The Subtle Exhaustion: Recognizing the quiet drain of the wrong people and second-guessing your decisions.* Outgrowing Your Circle: Drawing inspiration from Michelle Obama on the necessity of breaking away from what others expect to stay true to your goals.Resource Mentioned:* Becoming by Michelle Obama: Floby references Michelle’s wisdom on outgrowing your environment and staying focused on your path. Find the book here.Key Quote:“Not more people, but better people around me.”Challenge for the week:Take a moment to audit your energy after your next few social interactions. Ask yourself: Do I feel watered or drained? Don’t be afraid to choose quality over quantity. It is better to have a small circle that allows you to be your real self than a large one that requires you to shrink. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

In this new episode, Floby reflects on her own journey from her 20s to her 30s moving past the “polished” versions of ourselves and learning that distance doesn’t always equal failure. Today, we discuss:* The “First” Rule: Why someone has to be the first to check in, the first to apologize, and the first to admit they care.* The Polished Trap: Moving past surface-level plans and distractions into the vulnerability of being “weak” or “messy” together.* Seasons and Distance: Why growing in different directions isn’t a failure, and how to give each other space to breathe.* The Path to Restoration: How to navigate misunderstandings and choose honesty over pride when a friendship hits a wall.* Tough Love: The difference between being harsh and being honest enough to protect the people you love.Key Quote:“The strongest friendships aren’t the ones that cling tightly; they’re the ones that can stretch without breaking.”Challenge for the week:Think of that one friend you’ve drifted from. Don’t worry about whose turn it is to reach out. Just send the text or schedule that cup of coffee. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to my new space! I’m Floby. For a long time, I shared my life on a blog, but I wanted to start connecting in a more real, quiet way. So, I started a podcast to talk about life just as it is, not the perfect version, but the honest one.Living in Two WorldsI am an immigrant. I grew up in the Philippines, but I am raising my children in Belgium with my husband, Marlon. Because of this, my heart lives in two places.Being a mother far away from your home country is a unique challenge. We don’t have grandparents or sisters just around the corner to help out. Marlon and I had to build our own safe place and our own support system from scratch.We have been together for almost 15 years, and we have learned that real love is not always a grand, loud movie moment. Most of the time, love is quiet. It is teamwork, choosing to stay, forgiving each other, and growing together in a new place.Why We Choose LessEven though my husband and I both work with luxury brands, we choose to live a simple life. The world is always telling us to buy more and have more. But we want to walk a different path.We live simply because we want to teach our children the true value of money. We want them to know that money takes time and hard work. We want to teach them patience, that you don’t need to buy every single thing you want right away. Learning to wait makes you appreciate things more.We want our kids to know that true happiness does not come from stuff. Happiness comes from meaning, shared experiences, and love. For us, living simply is not about restricting ourselves; it is about finding peace and freedom.Growing TogetherGrowing as a person is not always easy. Sometimes it feels lonely or confusing. But we are all just trying to build a safe, loving home in this world.I don’t have all the answers, but I believe sharing our real stories helps us heal. Thank you for being here and for sharing this journey with me. Let’s grow together.If this resonated with you, please subscribe and share it with a friend! Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Beyond Two Worlds"Living between two worlds can be challenging, but it can also be powerful and beautiful."In this trailer, host Floby shares the vision behind Beyond Two Worlds, a new podcast dedicated to exploring the messy, honest, and rewarding reality of building a life across cultures.What to expect every two Saturdays:Candid conversations about the immigrant experience in Belgium.Honest reflections on parenting and cross-cultural relationships.Real stories of growth, identity, and finding home.Join the community: Our first full episode drops this Saturday! Don't miss a single story. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe