Welcome my lovely listeners to the fifth part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I invite Gia of the voice memo diaries podcast to share their insights about love, family dynamics, and the ways our upbringing has shifted the way we see ourselves, society, and how we move through the world. This is only the beginning of the conversation as the next half we will dive into on the voice memo diaries podcast, citing the specific ways intergenerational trauma has impacted our behavior and whether or not we’ve had to adapt as a means to serve us in the contemporary landscape. Make sure to check out the voice memo diaries podcast for the full conversation and show Gia some love!

For the second half of this conversation, check out the voice memo diaries podcast (@theevmdiaries). They cover a wide range of important themes in their episodes OUT NOW so please make sure to follow and support them.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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Sources:

all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks

https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma (2014) by Bessel van der Kolk

https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

“Dissecting the Manosphere” (2022) by F.D. Signifier via YouTube

https://youtu.be/s1FkO7Tr70A

“Surviving ‘Alpha Male’ Mentality” (2022) by Tee Noir via YouTube

https://youtu.be/k4pgj6AgCtM

Welcome my lovely listeners to the fourth part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of dating and relationships, primarily the red flags, green flags, and things to keep in mind before entering a relationship. Love is messy and I know firsthand what it’s like to be toxic, experience a unique type of hurt, and ultimately I hope you learn from my anecdotes. Remember to take care of yourself first and know that it is not supposed to be complicated…

Timestamp Breakdown:

0:00 - Introduction & Why I’ve Been M.I.A.

5:33 - Overview of Episode Themes

8:00 - My Personal Messy Dating Saga

43:36 - Red Flags to Consider When Dating or in a Relationship

55:07 - Direct Communication: A Word of Advice on Codependency

1:02:03 - Being Single is the Way to Go

1:03:29 - Compassion is Key to Healing

1:05:03 - Final Thoughts & Conclusion

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If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Welcome my lovely listeners to the third part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of friendship, specifically kinship and the origin story of my chosen family. In an exploration of my past, I recall Livingston’s Paris Is Burning (1990) documentary as one of the foundational pieces into discovering what it means to choose who you allow into your life and ultimately, how to find community in the darkest of spaces… Please join me as we explore a little into what drives me and what keeps me going to this day.

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If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Welcome my lovely listeners to the second part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I am exploring the topic of bodies: body image, anti-fatness, and the politics of desirability from my own experience while also citing the works of foundational and prolific scholars within the movement. I want to preface that I went back and forth on this as I am being my most raw self on a topic that honestly I was scared to confront. I hope that you all find courage, strength, and grace on your own journeys with your bodies and know that you are always welcome in this space.

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If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Please check out all the sources below and support their brilliant minds:

Sources:

“Body Image” via Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/body-image

“I’m a Fat Activist. I Don’t Use the Word Fatphobia. Here’s Why” (2021) via Self

https://www.self.com/story/fat-activist-fatphobia

“Desirability: Do You Really Love Fat People When You Can’t Even See Us Beyond the Political?” (2019) by Da’Shaun L. Harrison

https://dashaunharrison.com/desirability-do-you-really-love-fat-people-when-you-cant-even-see-us-beyond-the-political/

“To Love and Be Loved from the Fat Perspective” (2020) by Da’Shaun L. Harrison

https://dashaunharrison.com/to-love-and-be-loved-from-the-fat-perspective/

Fundamental Reading(s):

all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks

https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/

Belly of the Beast: THE POLITICS OF ANTI-FATNESS AS ANTI-BLACKNESS (2021)

by Da’Shaun L. Harrison; Foreword by Kiese Laymon

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670607/belly-of-the-beast-by-dashaun-harrison/

THICK: And Other Essays (2019) by Tressie McMillan Cottom

https://thenewpress.com/books/thick

The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love (2018) by Sonya Renee Taylor

https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/shop-latest/

Welcome my lovely listeners to the first part of my mini-series based on bell hook’s cult classic: all about love: new visions (2000). This week I invite two guests: Eli and Sarah respectively, as they share their unique perspective on this week’s theme: love. I am beyond excited to dive into the 5 love languages, the 4 attachment styles, and finally, the 36 questions to fall in love. Join us as we explore the inner workings of our upbringings, beliefs, and current relationships. Feel free to check out the resources below to learn more about this week’s topics.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify

Sources:

all about love: new visions (2000) by bell hooks

https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/all-about-love/

“116 Deep Questions That Will Strengthen Your Connection” (2019) via Personal Creations

https://www.personalcreations.com/blog/deep-questions

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate (1992) by Gary Chapman

https://www.5lovelanguages.com/store

“What Are the 5 Love Languages? Definition and Examples” (2020) by Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. via Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202009/what-are-the-5-love-languages-definition-and-examples

Love Languages Quiz [FREE]

https://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Attachment Styles Quiz [FREE]

https://www.attachmentproject.com/attachment-style-quiz/

“The 36 Questions To Fall In Love: The Research Behind The Viral Experiment” (2020) by Kelly Gonsalves

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/36-questions-to-fall-in-love#:~:text=The%2036%20questions%20are%20designed,are%20effective%20at%20creating%20intimacy.

NY Times’ 36 Questions to Fall in Love [FREE]

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate as we enter the Year of the Tiger! Growing up, my family and I celebrated Lunar New Year, also known as Tết in Vietnamese, which refers to the start of spring and subsequently everyone’s birthday. Each year, there would be a big gathering, traditional games, and my favorite part— red envelopes filled with money and blessings for the new year. Please enjoy this bonus episode as I reflect on the upcoming holiday and its many traditions.

Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify

Sources:

“Tet Holiday: The Age-Old Tradition Explained” (2018) by Jake Hornberger via Vietcetera

https://vietcetera.com/en/tet-holiday-the-age-old-tradition-explained

“Tet: A Celebration of Rebirth” via Asian Nation

http://www.asian-nation.org/tet.shtml#sthash.KAM40K0j.dpbs

“10 Traditional Vietnamese Food For Tet Holiday” by Ha Truong (2022)

https://www.expatolife.com/vietnamese-tet-holiday-food/

“Food, Games, Greetings And Traditions For Vietnamese Tết (Lunar New Year) – A Celebration Guide” (2021) by Linda Hoang

https://linda-hoang.com/food-games-traditions-for-vietnamese-tet-lunar-new-year-a-celebration-guide/

In the age of social media, it seems as though everything we want can be accessed on our phone… including people. Does privacy even exist in the internet era? This week we will explore boundaries and why establishing them seems to be almost impossible. What are boundaries and why are they necessary? By examining boundaries and our own interpersonal feelings, I draw the connection between the two in order to figure out why it’s so difficult to express our limits. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify

Sources:

“Boundaries” (2017) via GoodTherapy

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/boundaries

“Why Is It So Hard to Set Boundaries?” (2018) by Kristen Lee Ed.D., LICSW via Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethink-your-way-the-good-life/201809/why-is-it-so-hard-set-boundaries

“Why Do Boundaries Make Us Feel Bad?” (2020) via The Candidly

https://www.thecandidly.com/2019/why-does-setting-boundaries-make-us-feel-like-terrible-people

“The No BS Guide to Protecting Your Emotional Space” (2018) by Jennifer Chesak & Medically Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD via Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/set-boundaries

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2022 to my lovely listeners! I can’t believe it’s already been two years since we have been in this pandemic and it looks like it’s here to stay… What better way to continue that note than exploring this week’s topic: Self-Sabotage. As we have entered the new year, many can feel empowered and motivated towards working on self-improvement and achieving their goals which is wonderful. However, old habits are hard to break, especially self-defeating behaviors and thoughts that one may be accustomed to… Together, let’s break down some of the reasons why we self-sabotage and brainstorm ways to manage as a whole. Background Music: OneEightFour via Anchor by Spotify

Background Image: Antonio Feregrino (@io_exception) via Unsplash

Sources:

Self-Sabotage Quiz via The Ford Institute [20 Questions + FREE]

http://thefordinstitute.com/selfsabotagequiz

“Self-Sabotage” via Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-sabotage

“How Self-Sabotage Holds You Back” by Crystal Raypole & Medically Reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST via Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/self-sabotage#signs

“Self-Sabotage: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior” via Mind Tools

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_95.htm

SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-4357 for confidential FREE help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information.

https://www.findtreatment.gov/

As we wrap up the end of 2021 and usher in the new year, I wanted to use this week to thank all my lovely listeners for supporting me on this journey. I could not have done this without you all and I have nothing but love and gratitude in my heart for all my supporters. I can’t wait to continue to share my thoughts and stories with you all for episodes to come. Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and wonderful holiday season. We’ll be back next year!

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It’s 4:20 somewhere in the world and you know what that means… It’s time to chill, take a breather, and unwind as we celebrate the holidays. This week, we explore what “California Sober” is and some of the benefits of the special plant in its various forms. I want to preface that you must be of legal age before consuming and/or using any of these products so please proceed with caution. As you all requested, I also included my own personal recommendations list so please enjoy and kick back with me! 

Background Music: Three Stories via Anchor by Spotify

Sources:

“What is the ‘California Sober’ Approach to Substance Use?” (2021)

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-cali-sober/

“What You Need to Know About Legal Marijuana in California” via SF Travel

https://www.sftravel.com/what-you-need-know-about-legal-marijuana-california

“Approaching Cannabis Responsibly” via Just the Facts

https://www.justthefactspei.ca/approaching-cannabis-responsibly

“CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?” via Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc#medical-benefits

“The Beginner’s Guide to Edibles” via LifeHacker

https://lifehacker.com/the-beginners-guide-to-edibles-1821047006

“Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Strains” via Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/beginners-guide-to-marijuana-strains

My Personal Recommendations List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uvMxCJbFItHyExMmxlNrPAuhVSPQkY78Iorywf-YYLs/edit?usp=sharing