Notes from Somewhere

In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with Kristina Rodulfo, a Filipina American beauty writer, editor, consultant, and creator based in New York. Formerly the Beauty Director at Women’s Health and Senior Beauty Editor at ELLE, Kristina has built a career at the intersection of beauty, culture, and storytelling – advocating for more inclusive beauty standards and championing women of color in the industry.Together, they explore Kristina’s journey growing up Filipina American in New York City and how her cultural identity shaped the way she navigated both media and beauty spaces. Kristina reflects on discovering and embracing her heritage over time, the influence of culture on beauty perception, and her transition from magazine editor to independent content creator in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.The conversation also touches on Kristina’s perspective on innovative and Filipina-led beauty brands, as well as the nuances of navigating culture in both professional and personal spaces – including her intercultural relationship with her Australian husband.As an avid traveler, Kristina shares how exploring the world has shaped her perspective, from carving out solo days during trips to fully immerse herself in local culture, to the importance of traveling thoughtfully and respectfully. The episode wraps with a fun lightning round where Kristina shares quick insights on beauty, travel, and identity.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Notes from Somewhere and Kristina Rodulfo06:17 Kristina's Filipina cultural heritage and career in media13:18 Starting a career in beauty media20:18 Beauty, culture, and identity26:28 Pivoting to content creation31:59 Innovative and Filipina beauty brands38:01 Navigating cultural differences in relationships44:11 Solo days while traveling

In this first episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri shares a travel story about growing up in Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong – and how moving between cultures shaped her identity, resilience, and comfort with the uncomfortable.From childhood in Hawaii to navigating life in Singapore and Hong Kong, Eri reflects on the culture shock, quiet adaptations, and in-between moments that come with growing up between countries. The episode explores how those early experiences influenced her sense of belonging, her perspective in college, and eventually her decision to build a life in New York.This is a conversation about cultural identity, adaptability, and what it means to grow up without a single definition of “home” – and how learning to live between worlds can become a quiet strength.TakeawaysCultural identityAdaptabilityGrowing up between culturesLearning to embrace discomfortChapters00:00 Childhood in Hawaii08:56 Transition to Hong Kong16:17 College experience22:28 Life in New York

The podcast "Notes from Somewhere" by Eri Mizobe explores the transformative nature of travel and its impact on personal identity. Each episode delves into the essence of travel as a journey of self-discovery and the power of storytelling in marketing, offering insights into the ways in which travel shapes our perspectives and understanding of ourselves. Subscribe and follow for new episodes full of meaningful conversation!