Birdhouse Radio

So… what does a graphic designer actually do?

Because apparently it’s not just making logos, choosing fonts, and moving things around until they “feel right.”

In this episode, I talk about what the job really looks like, some of the misconceptions people have about designers, the very random things we end up doing, and of course, the important question: how do graphic designers survive in this economy?

It’s basically a light little peek into the profession from someone who’s been doing it for a very long time. With a lot of side comments, laughing, and probably a few things I should’ve kept to myself.

Lately, I’ve been getting tired of talking about money.

Not because I don’t think it matters. I think being financially literate and staying on top of your finances is important. But somewhere along the way, I started treating money like a measuring stick for how well I’m doing, how secure I am, maybe even how fulfilled I should feel.

And I’m tired of hyper-optimizing everything.

In this episode, I talk about how I got here, how being broke in the past might have shaped the way I think about money now, and why I’m trying to find a healthier balance between caring about my finances and not letting them take up more space in my life than they deserve.

I’m still figuring that balance out. But maybe not everything needs to be optimized. Maybe sometimes, enough can just be enough.

In this episode of Birdhouse Radio, I’m joined by my partner Jeana for a deeply personal conversation about what it means to be a breadwinner. Between the two of us, we know the weight of supporting family, carrying financial responsibility, making hard decisions, and still trying to build a life of our own. So for this episode, we each wrote three little letters to a breadwinner — things we wish more people understood, things we wish someone would say to us, and reminders for those quietly carrying more than they show. We talk about gratitude, guilt, pressure, sacrifice, support, and the emotional cost of always being the strong one. If you’re a breadwinner, this one is for you. And if you love one, maybe this will help you see them more clearly.

So this one's a little heavy. Fair warning.

This episode dropped right around my 37th birthday, and honestly, I was this close to recording a gratitude episode (which, you know, would've made a lot more sense given how good things have been lately). But something pulled me toward the darker side of the conversation instead. Because here's the thing: getting wiser doesn't mean the demons stop showing up. They still find their way to your front porch. They always do.

In this episode, I talk about five inner visitors that most of us deal with but rarely name out loud — The Doubter, The Comparer, The Shamer, The Alarmist, and The Empty One. I get into where they come from, why they show up when they do, and how to actually host them without letting them take over the whole house.

I also get a little vulnerable here (maybe more than I planned to). We're talking imposter syndrome, social media comparison spirals, Carl Jung's shadow self, a journal entry I wrote about a version of me I spent years trying to bury, and a mild PTSD diagnosis I haven't really talked about much.

Quick disclaimer though: I'm not a therapist, I'm not a licensed anything. I'm just a person trying to get by and figure things out like everybody else. So take everything with a grain of salt, and if any of this hits a little too close to home, please do seek out a professional. It helped me, and it can help you too.

But if one of these visitors has been around lately, this is just your reminder. You're not broken. And you're definitely not the only one.

Pull up a chair. Let's talk about it.

Two months into Manila and I have thoughts.

This episode is my honest diary entry about moving from the province: what I left behind, what I'm still figuring out, and what it feels like to finally have a little room to try on different versions of yourself without everyone watching.

If you're thinking about moving, or if you've already moved and you're still somewhere in the middle of figuring it out, this one's for you.

Also, fair warning: I speak in Tagalog this episode. More than usual. I'm practicing. Bear with me :)

Two big things happened recently: I met someone, and I’m moving to Manila. Both are exciting. Both are terrifying. And both have made me think a lot about change — how it shapes us, humbles us, and pushes us to grow.

In this episode, we unpack the idea of change: why it’s necessary, why it’s scary, and how to navigate it — from the kind we prepare for to the kind that hits us out of nowhere. I also talk about what it means to navigate change together — in love, in partnership, and in life.

If you’re in a season of transition, I hope this feels like sitting down with a friend who gets it.

We’ve been letting go since our first day of school. But somehow, it never gets easier.

In this episode, I unpack the bittersweet art of letting go—from childhood homes and shifting friendships to those quiet, painful goodbyes we didn’t know would linger.

I share two personal stories: one about moving out of a big house without warning, and another about the ache of being left behind when someone you love starts a new chapter. Through these, we reflect on why we struggle with change, and what it really means to release.

This isn’t a self-help checklist. It’s a soft, honest conversation about identity, attachment, control, and trust. If you’re in a season of transition (or still processing one), I hope this helps you feel less alone.

Sometimes letting go isn’t about forgetting—it’s about making space.

I went back to London to study design at the University of the Arts London—two short courses in Digital Typographic Design and Art Direction. It was a dream I’d been chasing for years. In this episode, I share what it was really like to study at a top design school, the surprising lessons that stuck with me, and how being in a first-world creative space changed my perspective on design.

Not everything lived up to the hype, but some things went deeper than I expected. Let’s talk about first impressions, creative growth, and why the best lessons aren’t always the ones you signed up for.

January’s over—now it’s time to really start the year.

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 thoughtful predictions for 2025—and more importantly, how you can turn them into real opportunities. Whether it’s launching that side hustle, using AI to lighten your workload, slowing down to live more intentionally, or building meaningful connections, this is your personal guide to making the most of what’s coming.

You’re not here to let the year pass you by. You’re here to make it yours.

✨ Which of these feels right for you? Let me know on Instagram or tag me in your stories—I’d love to hear how you’re stepping into 2025.

Wrapping up Season One of Birdhouse Radio feels like a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you. This episode dives into why I started this podcast, the lessons it’s taught me, and how it’s grown into something more—a space for connection and community.

Join me as we look back on this journey and share a glimpse of what’s ahead in Season Two.