Sala Talks with Dr. Kat Besas

What happens when you grow up feeling like you don’t fully belong anywhere?In this deeply personal episode of Sala Talks, I share my story as a Filipino immigrant who came to America at 13 years old — caught between two cultures, two identities, and two versions of myself.From being bullied for speaking Bisaya, to struggling with internalized shame, people-pleasing, and identity confusion… this episode explores the emotional reality of growing up “in between.”Not Filipino enough.Not American enough.Just trying to figure out where I belonged.We talk about:✨ Bicultural identity✨ Immigrant experiences & assimilation✨ Crab mentality in immigrant communities✨ Shapeshifting to survive✨ Therapy, healing, and self-acceptance✨ Learning to embrace ALL parts of yourselfMaybe the goal was never to choose one side.Maybe the beauty is in becoming the bridge between both worlds.If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more conversations on identity, healing, creativity, womanhood, and the first-generation experience.Welcome to the Sala.Support the mission and wear the message. Explore the She is Rooted & Rising (SRR) collection linked below. Your support helps make future episodes and conversations possible.✨SHOP HERE: https://sheisrootedandrising.com/collections/allFOLLOW & CONNECT:✨Instagram: @katbesas✨Podcast Instagram: @salatalks________Sources:• “Crab Mentality.” The SAGE Encyclopedia of Filipina/x/o American Studies (2022).• Garcha et al. (2025). Cultural Frame Switching & Well-Being• Lerias et al. (2024). Acculturative Stress and Immigrant Mental Health• Nadal, K. L. (2021). Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice. Wiley.• Taas-Noo Pilipino. (2025, January 9). The “crab mentality”: Understanding envy and its impact on Filipino society.________⚠️ Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared in this episode are based on my personal lived experiences and are not meant to represent all Filipinos, immigrants, or communities. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.If you are struggling emotionally or experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek support from a licensed mental health professional or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (U.S. & Canada).________#SalaTalks #FilipinoAmerican #FirstGeneration #ImmigrantStory #BiculturalIdentity #FilipinoPodcast #WomenEmpowerment #EmpowermentMedia #HealingJourney #FilipinoCulture #MentalHealth #Identity #Podcast #AsianAmerican #FirstGen #SelfDiscovery #Filipina #CreativeJourney #Belonging #TherapyJourney #KatBesas

Welcome to the very first episode of Sala Talks. 🤍In this introductory episode, I share the story behind why I started this podcast, the meaning of the “sala” in Filipino culture, and the journey that led me here.For almost 15 years, nursing was the center of my identity. But this season of my life is about learning who I am outside of achievement, survival, productivity, and the roles I’ve always carried.Sala Talks was created as a space for honest conversations about identity, healing, womanhood, creativity, faith, purpose, and the first-generation immigrant experience.A space where we can finally let our guard down.A space where stories are heard.A space where we remind each other that we are not navigating this world alone.In this season, we’ll be unpacking:✨ the first-generation immigrant identity✨ bicultural pressure and expectations✨ redefining success beyond survival✨ healing, growth, and self-expression✨ what it means to build a life that feels true to who you areIf you’ve ever felt caught between who you were expected to become and who you actually are… welcome to the Sala.Support the mission and wear the message. Explore the She is Rooted & Rising (SRR) collection linked below. Your support helps make future episodes and conversations possible. ✨SHOP HERE: https://sheisrootedandrising.com/collections/allFollow along:✨Host Instagram: @katbesas✨Podcast Instagram: @salatalks__________⚠️ Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared in this podcast are based on my personal lived experiences and are intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. This podcast does not substitute professional medical, psychological, legal, or mental health advice. Please seek support from a licensed professional for your individual needs.If you are struggling with your mental health or experiencing emotional distress, please contact a licensed mental health professional or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (U.S. & Canada) for free, confidential support 24/7.__________#SalaTalks #FirstGen #Filipina #Podcast #HealingJourney #WomenPodcast #Identity #FilipinoAmerican #CreativeJourney

Sala Talks Season 1 Official Trailer (2026)— Scrubs to Studio: “Coming Home to Myself” Written, Produced, and Directed by: Dr. Kat Besas, DNP After being in nursing for almost 15 years, it was not until now that I fully gave myself permission to explore my creativity— and I have completely surprised myself in this process. I have found that “thing” that truly lights up my soul on fire and I hope that my courage to share my story inspires you to do the same. Acknowledgements:A very special thank you to the incredibly talented Maximo Reyes for capturing the emotional depth and grounded femininity that I envisioned for this podcast soundtrack. Thank you for always believing in me. To Jackie Sihanouvoung for being my primary cheerleader in this creative entrepreneurship journey. I don’t have very many creative friends, but I am grateful to have the best one (you) on my team since Day 1. To my studio engineers Danny Lopez and Eric Flores, thank you so much for all the work that you do for me. To the Pod Place LA team, thank you so much for helping me execute my vision for this project. To my mom and dad for always believing in me and supporting me in everything that I do. And most importantly, to The Most High, for planting this vision in my heart. Thank you for opening my mind to my creativity that I did not even realize I had. Thank you for the strength and daily endurance that you have given me, as I battled self-doubt doing something outside of my comfort zone for the first time in my life. All glory, honor, and praise to God. Phil 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Support the mission and wear the message. Explore the She is Rooted & Rising (SRR) collection linked below. Your support helps make future episodes and conversations possible. ✨SHOP HERE: https://sheisrootedandrising.com/collections/allThank you all so much for being here. See you next week—Wed, June 10, 2026! ✨__________Follow & Connect:Host IG: @katbesas Podcast IG: @salatalks__________ #SalaTalks #FilipinoAmerican #Filipina #WomenOfColor #NurseCreatives #FirstGeneration #WomenEmpowerment #BiculturalIdentity #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #PodcastLaunch #Community #RepresentationMatters