In today's episode, my boyfriend Shawn and I sit down and ask each other some DEEP questions.  The only rules? That we have to answer honestly: no filters, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (!!!)  Talking about everything from missing exes to loving someone who has depression, we dive into the more intimate (and spicy) parts of our relationship. Let's normalize talking about the tough stuff with the people we love.  --- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykintsugimind --- Website:...

We all wish we could go back and tell our younger selves what we know now, and that's ESPECIALLY true when it comes that weird limbo period after graduation.  Class of 2021, or any who graduated recently: this one's for you.  Here are the five things I wish someone had told me about the emotions and experiences I'd face in post-grad life. Everything from how to make new friends to first job jitters, to my own story of hitting rock bottom in my first year out of college. I hope this helps!...

Do you ever feel like your relationships just SUCK no matter what? Maybe it's that pesky habit of yours to self-sabotage when things are going too good. Or maybe you feel like you can't really trust or depend on anyone. Or you might spend most of the relationship freaked out that the other person will up and leave any day now.  If that sounds like you... this episode is going to change your life.  Fear of abandonment is one of the most prevalent issue in relationships, yet it's not talked...

TW: r*pe, trauma Today I'll be talking about facing the aftermath of my sexual assaults. Being a survivor is a messy and complex experience, and this is my attempt to make sense of some of the things that occurred during this time: hypersexuality, self-harm, rediscovering healthy sex, and dealing with my trauma in therapy.  For more information on sexual assault, please visit this Google Doc of resources I've created:...

Dating during a worldwide pandemic is not easy. It's even harder when you have to be separated from your partner and aren't able to see each other often (if at all).  In today's episode, my LDR partner Shawn and I sit down to talk about how, as the wise Rihanna once said, "we found love in a hopeless place." We share the growing pains of starting a LDR in the middle of a pandemic, pros & cons of being separated, and tackling jealousy and trust issues when you can't be with your partner...

2020 was A LOT. Sh*t hit the fan. I fell off the grid for a bit. But I'm back, and I'm here to talk about an issue that's been plaguing me ever since I started this podcast: FEAR OF FAILURE. Do you ever feel like you have so many goals and dreams, but you can't bring yourself to start working towards them? Are you a chronic procrastinator? Is your perfectionism holding you back from the life you want? If so, join the club: grab a chair and have an antacid. Today we're talking about how...

Hey, guess what? You. Are. Worthy. It doesn't matter if you've been told otherwise all your life or if some days you really don't feel that way. A $50 bill, even if it's crumpled up and stepped on, is still worth $50, right?  In today's episode, I share my story about growing up extremely insecure, being a "push-over" in relationships, and how I finally learned to do things for ME and not for anyone else. In other words, here's a no BS rant about recognizing your value and becoming the...

Let's talk about sex, baby! You didn't think this podcast about vulnerability and honesty would be complete without an episode ALL about sex and pleasure, did you?  Today, Carolyn and I get down and dirty with the deets. We talk about the shame and stigma we experienced growing up, losing our virginity, our various "sexcapades" as adults, our views on masturbation, and SO MUCH MORE. Like seriously.  If you want some honest insight, relatable stories and one too many laughs, don't miss this...

What do 2020, Halloween, and mental health all have in common? MASKS! Ha ha. But honestly, the spooky season is the perfect time for us to confront our fears, check in on the skeletons in our closet, and do some #realtalk about who we are and who we're pretending to be. Join me in today's quick chat about the masks we all wear and why we're so scared to be our true selves (and what's a "true self" anyways?!) --- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykintsugimind --- --- This episode is...

A bit of an unexpected episode this week: just some unscripted thoughts and honest reflections from yours truly.  Do you ever think to yourself: What's the point of it all? Because I do, and I've struggled with such dark thoughts for most of my life. Today I talk about existential crises, how to embrace the downs in life, and what to do when life feels meaningless and bleak.  ---NOTE: If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support,...

Whether you're a fresh grad or 5 years out of college, you'll probably remember those weird first years of adulthood for the rest of your life. It's that awkward time period where nothing seems to make sense, you don't know what you're doing with your career, your friendships are changing, and the lack of 2AM Taco Bell runs makes you... actually miss being in school?  We've all been there. While #adulting does get easier over the years, transitioning into adulthood after college can be an...

Whether you're a fresh grad or 5 years out of college, you'll probably remember those weird first years of adulthood for the rest of your life. It's that awkward time period where nothing seems to make sense, you don't know what you're doing with your career, your friendships are changing, and the lack of 2AM Taco Bell runs makes you... actually miss being in school?  We've all been there. While #adulting does get easier over the years, transitioning into adulthood after college can be an...

Hello listeners! Today Carolyn and I (aka your friendly neighborhood sisters/unlicensed therapists) answer YOUR questions: 1) 1:58 - "Boyfriend claims he's single on social media" 2) 8:38 - "Friend is pressuring me to open up" 3) 16:39 - "Getting back together with an ex after several years" 4) 25:43 - "My boyfriend's friend makes sexist jokes in front of me" 5) 31:50 - "Is it weird for the girl to say 'I love you' first?" ---Submit your questions anonymously here:...

Welcome to the "Brr" months, where the days are shorter, the weather gets colder... people are sadder, and suddenly all your friends are getting into relationships? The big "SAD" (aka seasonal affective disorder) is a real issue that doesn't get talked about enough. In general, the colder months can trigger a lot of loneliness and holiday anxiety. Some people find a partner or hookup to get through it, while others must bear it alone.  Either way, it's normal to feel more down during this...

"How are we already at the breakup stage?" Breakups are one of the hardest things we'll ever have to go through (and that's coming from someone who's been through quite A LOT). Today, Carolyn and I take a deep dive into the not-so-fun part of relationships: the ending. We know what it's like to obsessively check your ex's social media, drunk call your ex, and cry yourself to sleep every night. We've been there.  We share some of our top breakup breakdowns, our rebounds, and how we...

Whoever said relationships are easy... is a liar.  While love and dating should never be forced, they're also extremely challenging at times. Whether it's jealousy over your significant other's (super-model, super hot) ex or mind games and pettiness during arguments, relationships can really TEST us. Like, a lot.  Carolyn and I share our experiences with the "ugly" sides of dating, and all the important lessons we've had to learn the hard way: how to fight WITH your S.O. and not against...

TW: r*pe, gaslighting Today's episode is not an easy one. This is my first time speaking publicly about my assault: what happened, the way it impacted my life, and the confusion and self-doubt that haunted me for years. This episode is not comprehensive; it's simply a fraction of the journey that us survivors have to go through in order to heal and recover. Please consider clicking this link here to learn more about how you can support the survivors in your...

Hello, Carolyn and I are BACK and today we're diving into the oh-so-confusing (yet very exciting) part of dating: all the good stuff that happens BEFORE the relationship.  Modern dating ain't easy. From the more lighthearted questions like "should I bother shaving before this date?" to more serious ones like, "Does this person fit with my life values and goals?"— we've been through it.  And while we're both still learning a lot about dating, we shed some insight and our own experiences...

Today I'm joined by recurring guest Carolyn Shao, my best friend of 10 years and someone who's supported me through all my highs and lows. A lot of these lows involve my biggest insecurities--namely, body image issues and not feeling "good enough" or "beautiful enough." Especially in this time of quarantine, we've been on Instagram waaaay more than we should, and it's hard to not compare ourselves to the picture-perfect influencers and models. Like, how is this girl SO fit year-round? Why...

Hi lovelies, I am BACK (and hopefully better than ever!) On my short hiatus, I spent a lot of time thinking about self-care, how I've been neglecting my usual routines (oops), and what it means to practice HEALTHY, FULFILLING self-care. I learned that cake for breakfast is a great idea until it's not. I learned that self-care is actually a political tool, especially during this time of turmoil within the administration.  And finally, I learned that self-care is not selfish. Everyone...

Hi lovely friends and listeners. I just wanted to say thank you all so much for your support and your feedback for the last 14 episodes. Today I explain why I will be taking a short hiatus from this podcast and what's been going on in my life lately. I hope everyone is finding the peace they need these days and taking care of themselves. Sending lots of love as usual! Stay connected with me through my IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/ or my website at...

Today's episode features my wonderful friend Craig Lou, 25-year-old product manager and someone I've talked to a lot about mental illness. June was Men's Health Month, and while this episode is a bit late (sorry), it's never too late to care about men's health and unpack the unique struggles that men face in confronting mental health, toxic masculinity, and vulnerability. Craig shares his own journey with battling depression and anxiety, putting on a front for others, and how he learned to...

#Pridemonth 🌈 this year is an especially tough time for a lot of people, given everything else going on in the country and in the world. But it’s at the intersections of pride and #blm that we find some of our most vulnerable community members (i.e. Black trans womxn). All this to say that as we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community this year, let’s also keep the momentum going on other human rights movements as well. In this episode, I’ll be talking a bit more about my experience & thoughts...

BLACK LIVES MATTER. Period. We live in a world today that is severely lacking in empathy, or the ability to relate to others and identify with them. Today I talk about why empathy is so important, what it means to be an empath (and some of the spooky "supernatural" traits that come with it), and how we can be better allies in the BLM movement when it comes to emotional and mental engagement.  Please join me in doing Justice in June:...