My Childhood Suitcase

Hello Suitcase listeners! I have another celebrity of sorts, in the podcasting world, joining me from Down Under in today's episode! He is known only as Benny, and as he likes to call himself, "like-minded podcast enthusiast" with great storytelling skills, as seen in a podcast of his own, Death and Taxes.He and I met via Instagram when I started listening to his podcast before pivoting away from true crime, and I commented on a few of his lighter fare episodes (including the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial). Then he became one of my biggest fans on my show, and he in turn had many questions to ask about my previous episodes.In this conversation, he relates to the uber competition of the studios in Australia and the "no-worries" culture that defines Australia, as well as his own bullying experiences in school.So sit back, grab a beer and say g'day to Benny!

In this episode, I have another actor joining me onto the microphone, with his own suitcase to unpack. The audiences have remembered him in The Odd Couple - Female Edition as one of the brothers in the pivotal scene of a double date with Olive and Florence (female Oscar and Felix, respectively). Along the way in no uncertain terms, he has become one of my dearest friends and is overall a beautiful soul inside and out. Our conversation includes inside jokes and a life-changing experience that caused him to reevaluate his goals.So sit back, grab a cup of tea or wine, and welcome Jack Carper onto the microphone!

Have you ever wondered whether the life you're living is aligned with your passions and dreams? Whether you're being true to yourself, or you're merely pleasing others or societal expectations? Are you truly connected with your creative self?I have a celebrity of sorts joining me in this episode and she has her own suitcase to share. She is a well-known acting coach, storyteller, and founder of Creating a Passionate Life in the north Seattle area! She also hosts her own podcast, The Creative Connection, and she has many stories to share including how a once in a lifetime catastrophic event pivoted her to her current business.So sit back, have a cup of tea, and please welcome Coach Cyndi Thomsen!Get in touch with me on Instagram and Threads: @mychildhoodsuitcaseLinks:Cyndi Thomsen: https://www.cyndithomsen.net/The Creative Connection Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@cyndithomsen

*Originally recorded on January 6, 2026*Hi everyone! I originally had a guest joining me but as it turns out, she could not attend my podcast.So another guest decides to join me in that person's stead. You'll never guess who that person is! (hint, hint, hooman servant)Sit back, grab a glass of wine or mocktail, and please welcome my mystery guest!!Please stay until the end.

In this episode, I have invited another Seattleite and well-known, prolific actor, Mr. Eric Wu. He is known for his work in American Immersive Theater as well as some stage productions. After a bit of prodding, I managed to help him unpack his own suitcase. This interview gave me some profound insight on what it's like to be an actor around the Pacific Northwest and in the time of COVID, as well as an ABC child (American-born Chinese).Please follow him on Instagram @ericwu0617 and check out the video of Friends Across the Wires featuring him! Please note that the camp referenced in this episode is ironically named Camp Harmony.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRwotM7FJewSo sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy! Let's go!

Season 2! I'm back, bitches!! This season, I am inviting guests to come into my suitcase, or rather to unpack their own suitcases onto the microphone.My first guest this season is one of my best friends and part of my ride or die group, Miss Sarah Wirtz, a Seattleite living in Boston. I came into this interview with little expectation of what we would talk about. Well, listener, I learned something new from this here conversation. I learned the importance of loving self-respect and unapologetic authenticity, and how even a simple phone call brings meaning to "tend and befriend".Grab a cup of coffee or tea, enjoy this conversation and stay until the end for a little surprise!

In this episode, Cindy relates to you her overall love-hate relationship, mostly hate, with money (aka the Almighty Dollar), why she has found it hard to make and keep the money she deserves to obtain, and how she has finally reframed her perspective on the Almighty Dollar. Over time, it was a toxic relationship based on her overall limiting belief -- "I have to work hard to get money". Spoiler alert: A bunch of falderal. Find out why.Shout out to Jenn for her wise counsel! Please follow her podcast Receive, as well as her Instagram @alignmentwithjenn.

In this episode, Cindy is going to read from her diary of the latest inspired action that actually scared her to bits: going to an awards show. Dive in with her as she tells you the surprises that awaited her and the insights she gained from going to that awards show, with the stream of consciousness flowing through her. So sit back, grab a flute of champagne and here we go!

In this episode, Cindy dives into how she has handled the many changes including:Change in seasonChange in living accommodationsChange in friendshipsChange in mindset (mind her stream of consciousness, but that's how she thinks out loud)Get ready as she unleashes herself unto your ears!

In this episode, Cindy has received the sweetest note in an unexpected form from the kindest, little soul. She will reveal why that note touched her heart very deeply, particularly where her healing is concerned. Hold onto your hats as she tells you a story of heartbreak and full of harsh words that nearly broke her but ultimately shaped her into the person she is today.

Hi Suitcase listeners! Thank you for listening!In this episode, Cindy works to process her terrible bout of imposter syndrome. The questions she asks herself:What am I doing in this production?Am I supposed to be in this play that won laughs and awards?Am I good or worthy enough to win over the audience?What am I bringing to the table, or should I say, to the stage?So brace yourself, grab a paper bag and a cup of tea, and here we go!

*Originally recorded on recorded on Valentine's DayIn the rawest episode yet, Cindy sits down and talks about loving herself and her late grandmother, who was a huge influence on her life, in more ways than one. From picking favorites to people pleasing to finally choosing herself, this episode will touch you straight to the core. So grab a box of tissues and diaries, and boil a kettle of tea. Here we go!

*Note: Originally recorded on February 10, 2025.In this episode, Cindy dives into the world of acting, where rejections are more common than you think, and so is spiraling and imposter syndrome after snagging a role. She shares her experiences as an actress, good and bad, in a heavily saturated industry that favors competition over collaboration, as well as some pieces of advice from a very well known actor.Remember, I hear you and I see you. xoxoxo.

*Originally recorded on February 6, 2025This episode explores the beautiful, bruising, and sometimes complex truths about female friendships outside the school lunchrooms. Cindy shares her personal experiences that formed her core limiting beliefs, what she learned along the way and ultimately what she can no longer accept when making new friends that are girls.

*Note: previously recorded on January 29, 2025, Lunar New Year.This episode explores the intricacies and complications of having a social media profile, particularly Facebook and Instagram. Cindy provides insights on what it really means to have a social media. Shout out to Dr. Sonia Chand, please check out her Instagram @chand_sonia!

Trigger warning: Bullying, traumaIn this episode, Cindy continues to recount specific incidents of bullying from her life, whether it be bossing one around or raining on one's parade. Buckle up!If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying, please refer to the following resources:https://www.schoolsafety.gov/bullying-and-cyberbullyingText CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor.Or tell someone you know and trust such as a teacher or a relative, and please don't be afraid to stand up for that person.Please know that you're not alone.

Trigger warning: Bullying, traumaIn this episode, Cindy continues talking about bullying, particularly that one incident from her elementary school days. Buckle up!If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying, please refer to the following resources:https://www.schoolsafety.gov/bullying-and-cyberbullyingText CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a live volunteer Crisis CounselorOr tell someone you know and trust such as a teacher or a relative and please don't be afraid to stand up for that person.Please know that you are not alone.

*Trigger warning: bullying*In this episode, Cindy talks about her feelings around the Nicolae Miu trial re: Apple River stabbing, and her personal experiences with bullying.For context, please check out Dr Todd Grande's case analysis video on YouTube:https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/nicolae-miu-apple-river-stabbing-trial-verdict/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJQqadg0YrUIf you or someone you know is a victim of bullying and have been touched by this episode, please refer to the following resources:https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-nowOr text CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor.Please know that you are not alone.

Welcome to My Childhood Suitcase, with yours truly, Cindy Chen. In her very first episode, she shares her family history, her first (and hopefully last) experience with COVID and subsequent quarantine, and her life-changing holiday in Boston. Oh, and a shout-out to Gabrielle Stone, author of Eat Pray #FML!Follow Cindy on Instagram: @mychildhoodsuitcaseWatch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mychildhoodsuitcaseCheck out Gabrielle Stone's podcast, FML Talk, and her two-part memoir, Eat Pray #FML, and Ridiculous Misadventures of a Single Girl.

Welcome to the podcast for the rest of your life! If you are looking for a safe space where you can decompress after a long, hard day and you need someone to listen to, this podcast is for you. Come along with me as I unpack myself, one truth at a time. Premieres in February, stay tuned!