Still in denial that it's already February of 2024?

Don't worry, we are too. 

Tune in on the newest episode of Back At It as Anna, Miriam, and David reflect on the recent phases of their lives, and talk about what's in store for them in this new year.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:51) Anna's 2021 - 2023 reflection

(03:13) Miriam's 2021 - 2023 reflection

(06:44) David's 2021 - 2023 reflection

(09:13) Anna's word or phrase for 2023

(10:26) Miriam's word or phrase for 2023

(13:56) David's word or phrase for 2023

(17:11) Anna's themes for 2024

(21:19) Miriam's themes for 2024

(26:51) David's themes for 2024

(29:04) Miriam's new interests to try out

(29:45) David's beatboxing fail (I swear it was the mic - David)

(32:37) What's Anna looking forward to in 2024

(35:03) Anna's rapper name

(35:55) Miriam's desire to make comics

(36:57) Conclusion

On June 14, 2021, Jing Lin, the sister of Anna Lin, passed away to suicide.

Tune in on this special episode of Back At It as Miriam and Anna celebrate the life of Jing Lin, and how Anna has dealt with this unexpected loss and tried her best to live courageously everyday.

P.S. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. If you ever feel that your struggles are overwhelming and you have no one to turn to, please contact the suicide and crisis hotline at 988. No matter how dark it may seem, you are never alone. There will be better days ahead.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:26) Who Jing Lin is

(04:00) Her experiences with mental health issues

(07:14) The family dynamic before and after Jing's passing

(10:11) The importance of having a support system

(13:43) Living in Staten Island as an Asian American woman

(15:38) Jing's faith in God

(16:44) How Anna was able to cope immediately following her death

(18:40) Destigmatizing suicide and depressive thoughts

(25:32) Anna's view of purpose and faith

(28:25) The making of the film about Jing Lin

(30:11) Celebrating Jing Lin

(35:56) Advice on remaining positive while being vulnerable

(43:11) Tips on making friends, being proactive, and final thoughts

Migrating from South Korea to America at the age of 10, Juno Roome was struggling to conform to American society while retaining everything that he learnt back in his homeland. Yet despite the difficult transition period and the trials associated with it, Juno found solace through one medium: music.

Making music since a formative age, Juno was able to cultivate his own identity despite the cultural differences, and eventually forge his own path. Now as a full-fledged musician specializing in dream pop with a rapidly expanding audience, Juno has a singular objective in his craft: to connect and make others feel at home.

Learn more about the journey of Juno Roome in our latest episode of Back At It.

P.S. this episode is in collaboration with his own podcast, ryan gosling is gonna die before us, probably. This will also serve as their pilot episode. Congrats on the milestone and welcome to the podcasting space 🎉

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro
(00:28) Assimilation from Korea to America and introduction to music
(05:46) Music as a safe space
(08:31) Lowest points and self acceptance
(12:40) Validation as an artist and person
(17:43) First years in America and difference with Korean upbringing
(21:54) Relationship with parents
(23:54) Becoming a better version of self and methods of self improvement
(30:31) Refining ourselves as we age
(32:30) Love of Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson
(38:35) His style of music
(39:21) The last things we want to do before we die
(41:59) Social and music streaming handles

Where to find Juno Roome:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75OmhmviEWTWkMBllWgdQv

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junoroome/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3vZ4lCiYdKTgVygxmaYZU4?si=P2pFA66ST-SwrSyzUs6gvQ

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND BACK AT IT:

Anna Lin is a creative, passionate individual who has a huge heart to empower people to be challenged and grow in whatever life stage they’re in.

Born from immigrant parents from Fuzhou, she has struggled with mental health, communication, and cultural barriers within family. From her trials, she has learned that in the darkest times, there is still a silver lining of hope.

With Back At It, she desires to get to know and share stories of those who has experienced failure but did not give up.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it.”

Oh yeah, she’s also really derpy and loves to laugh 🤣

David Rafanan is a unique individual who believes that everyone has their own purpose in life.

Having been through hard times and mental health issues himself, David has questioned whether life is meant to be full of struggles. However, he found out that as long as you found your purpose in life and work towards it, you can overcome whatever turmoil you face.

This is why he along with Anna started this podcast: to show that even though you may experience hardship and seemingly the impossible, you can overcome these struggles and become a better version of yourself by facing it with a different mindset.

You can find David either tinkering with something new or binge-watching The Office.

Learn more about our co-hosts Anna and David in our latest episode of Back At It.

P.S. The one moderating this episode is Miriam Yoo, our featured guest in episode 15. She is a passionate New York-based artist, and she will be joining us as our newest co-host of Back At It. Welcome to the team Miriam 🎉

TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(03:17) Know more about Anna & David
(11:50) How Back At It was made
(15:07) The impact of COVID
(16:12) Why Back At It?
(19:20) Episodes that stood out
(24:17) What makes Back At It different?
(28:48) How Anna and David got into podcasts
(35:52) Dissecting Beef (TV show)
(41:19) Cultural Identity: Asian or American?
(49:04) Fun facts

Having a degree in exercise science, Jordan Biason originally started his career in the medical field. However, as many of his peers progressed in their respective careers and livelihood, Jordan found himself stuck and unhappy in his current position; ultimately feeling insecure in his own abilities. But eventually, he was able to realize his true passion in technology, and successfully transition into a career that he loves; serving as a foundation for further milestones in his life.

Learn more about Jordan in our latest episode. Subscribe to Back At It to find out how people overcome limiting beliefs and achieve their potential.

Timestamps:

Cera is a full time physical therapist and part-time student born and raised in the Philippines. She moved to NY in 2019 to pursue her career and doctorate degree.

Growing up, one of her biggest challenge was being hypersensitive to everything. Now, as an adult living independently, she still carries that burden with her at work, family, relationships and friendships. It's never been an easy process, but regardless of what she's been through, she was able to make it to where she is today.

Learn more about Cera in our latest episode. Subscribe to Back At It to find out how people overcome limiting beliefs and achieve their potential.

Timestamps:
0:00: Introduction
1:09: Introduction to HSP journey
4:54: Growing up with emotions suppressed
7:59: HSP as a factor in physical therapy career
10:37: HSP challenges
13:06: HSP depression
15:17: Black Hole/cause of HSP
17:44: Controlling emotions
21:04: Migrating into America from the Philippines
27:02: Personal transformation from moving out of Philippines to NYC
29:19: How the book 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think changed her mindset
33:01: You can only control your own emotions
35:30: Comparing other people's lives to feel better and toxicity of social media
37:10: Needing to feel validated
40:06: Not being able to regulate emotions leading to suicidal thoughts
42:36: Outlets to get out of negative HSP thoughts
48:05: Still feeling your emotions while not getting into black hole
51:47: Get professional help if you're in a black hole
55:32: Resources for people with HSP and regulating emotions (grounding techniques: four square breathing, five senses, feeling circle chart, book: Atlas of the Heart)
58:24: Looking forward to living life
59:29: Last thing you want to do before you die
1:00:48: Wanting to be a mother to love someone unconditionally

IMVNI (IMANI) is a genre bending artist born on an unknown Planet, Planet X. Her style is a fusion of experimental R&B, Lo-Fi, Jazz , and Electronic with a sad edge. Her family left planet X in the 90s and moved to Louisiana. Her love for southern Hip Hop influences her sound with heavy bass and robust drums. IMVNI hypnotizing vocal style ranges from soft and angelic to gritty and diabolical. She credits her lively stage presence, which includes vignettes of inspiration, to being brought up in a small southern church. On her upcoming album, The 11th Hour, IMVNI travels to through time with her Grandmother as her spirit guide where she explores love, loss, and heartbreak.

You can go here to explore her work.

P.S. The intro and outro of this episode is from one of her singles, "Rollin".

NYC based musicians formed by the phrase, “there’s enough food on the table for everyone” Banquet uniquely composed of 4 NYC based musicians, who create within the genre of instrumental jazz fusion, with Tim Perkins being the lead singer and Elder Merchant being the lead drummer. Over the years, individually and collectively, Banquet has performed in various venues across NYC; Rockwood Music Hall, The Bowery Electric, and Silvana’s. 

P.S. The intro and outro of this episode is from one of their singles, "Break The Habit".

Darvin Lau is musician, entrepreneur and small business owner based in Brooklyn, NY. After witnessing children living in poverty during a trip to Hong Kong and China when he was 12 years old, he has since committed his life to the calling that God has put on his heart to speak life and truth into the world through music.

This led him to eventually teach music to children; starting off with two kids in the basement of a Brooklyn community center. Through his conviction to help children and his personal faith in God, he was able to overcome the challenges that came and eventually opened his own music school studio called the Bay Ridge School of Music.

Every Friday night, his music school studio opens up their doors to kids in the community for youth group programs. Kids have a safe place to be away from the streets and learn about faith, hope, and love through music. In addition, they also build free music programs for children in homeless shelters in Brownsville. Their ultimate mission is to be able to bring their students from New York to serve and teach music to children in need to different parts of the world like China and Africa.

Currently, the Bay Ridge School of Music teaches close to 300 students every week, with a staff of over 20 instructors. His music school studio recently performed at the world famous Carnegie Music Hall and was awarded the best music school in Brooklyn for 2022.

Crystal Leung is the Event Coordinator at Georgetown University and also works as a wedding and special events planner. Aside from her 9-5 job, she hosts a podcast called “Let’s Get Candid” with organic conversations to connect people in isolation while creating a space to uplift ordinary people's voices. She also creates YouTube videos about travel and quarantine life to curate comfortable and therapeutic content.