Filipina on the Rise

As I go on this hiatus and reassessment period, here is a question for you: Have you ever found yourself trying so hard to make something happen, whether it's a career or a relationship or a life path, and it feels stuck? Have you ever desired to just see what happens when you "let it go?" In this episode, I talk about the significance of pausing to celebrate accomplishments, extract key learnings, and be present in the current journey. 

I'm joined at the end by a community member Sandra, on this IG live, who shares how she's found herself in a period of surrender and hiatus in her professional journey.

What resonates with you the most in this episode?

The episode highlights the transformative power of stepping away from the hustle to realign motivations and cultivate a heart-centered approach to growth.

• Embrace a season of surrender to reflect, celebrate accomplishments, and realign motivations
• Practice being present and grateful for all that has been accomplished, savoring the journey.
• Learn to balance the yang energy of constant movement with the yin energy of rest, reflection, and realignment.
• Prioritize self-compassion and taking the time to nurture oneself amidst the hustle and external pressures.
• Explore the transformative potential of stepping away, pausing, and allowing new inspirations to emerge.

Notable Quotes:

• "Enter a place of complete mystery in order to find what is better for you."
• "Living in your truth is not the easiest path, but the best growth comes when you are honest with yourself."
• "What if we suspend, for a moment, the bigger goal and look around to be in awe of where we are currently?"
• "Learn to balance the yang energy of constant movement with the yin energy of rest and reflection."

Lauren Hoffman, a talented hurdler of Filipino-American descent, is a graduate of Duke University and an aspiring track and field star currently competing in Paris. With a passion for representing the Philippines in international competitions, Lauren's journey to the Olympics has been marked by dedication, discipline, and a strong belief in her abilities. She is not only a fierce athlete but also a humble individual who values her family and roots.

Episode Summary:

Excitement fills the air as Krystl welcomes Lauren Hoffman live from the Olympic village in Paris. Lauren shares her experiences leading up to the Olympics, her emotions at being surrounded by diverse athletes, and the deep sense of pride she feels representing the Philippines. The conversation delves into Lauren's personal journey, her strong support system, and her unwavering faith as she prepares for her upcoming race in the women's 400 hurdles.

Lauren's infectious energy and gratitude shine through as she discusses the significance of achieving her goal of competing for the Philippines, the importance of staying grounded amidst the chaos, and the support she receives from her family and fans. With the Olympics just days away, Lauren's determination and positivity are truly inspiring, setting the stage for an unforgettable performance on the track.

Key Takeaways:

• Lauren's journey to the Olympics is driven by her goal to break records and showcase Filipino excellence in sports.
• The Filipino-American hurdler emphasizes the role of family, faith, and gratitude in keeping her grounded and motivated.
• The Olympic experience in the diverse and bustling village in Paris has been filled with excitement and meaningful connections.
• Lauren's upcoming race in the women's 400 hurdles represents a historic opportunity for her and the Philippines.
• Messages of love and support from fans and well-wishers are deeply appreciated by Lauren, underscoring the community's role in her journey.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I want to break that record. I want to show the world that Filipinos are fast and strong."
2. "Keeping Christ at the center of it all is really important. Not just athletically, He's the reason I'm here."
3. "Finding strength in God's word and being grounded in faith helps me stay centered amidst the chaos."
4. "Seeing all the support and positive messages means so much to me. Thank you for all the love."
5. "To make semifinals would be historic for the Philippines and make me really proud."

Resources:

• Instagram: Lauren Hoffman

Don't miss out on Lauren's incredible journey at the Olympics; tune in to the full episode for more inspiring moments and stay connected for future episodes filled with enlightening content.

In this episode of the Filipina on the Rise podcast, Krystl talks about the effects of focusing too much on online branding and recognition. Drawing on personal experiences and insightful conversations, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing genuine connections and self-care over constantly curating an online persona. The episode sheds light on the pitfalls of seeking recognition online and offers valuable advice on how to realign with one's core values and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize self-love, treating others well, and taking care of yourself before seeking recognition online.
• Shift the focus from building online recognition to making a tangible positive impact in real-life interactions.
• Embrace a season of introspection and silence to deepen personal connections and align with inner motivations.
• Recognize the value of genuine human connections and impactful one-on-one interactions over online visibility.
• Take a step back to assess your inner alignment, relationships, and personal well-being before engaging in online brand building.

• "Your brand, first and foremost, is how you are in real life with other people."
• "Doing things out of recognition will lead to burnout much quicker."
• "Walk it out before you run and start with self-love and alignment first."

Resources:

• Filipina on the Rise website

Join Krystl in this insightful episode as she encourages listeners to focus on building authentic connections and making a positive impact in their immediate circles. Tune in to the Filipina on the Rise podcast for more empowering content.

Alyssa Lauren Stone is a Bay Area-based writer, Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, and certified Reiki Master. Alyssa delves into her journey of leaving a six-figure Top Sales Executive career to prioritize her health and happiness. In this episode, Alyssa explains how her corporate career negatively impacted her well-being. By tuning into her body, she realized that her efforts to function within the corporate world were merely a band-aid for her adrenal fatigue. Shifting away from the tech industry led to a renunciation of a mindset built on unhealthy consumerism, as she sought a life free from the "golden handcuffs.”  Through her story, Alyssa inspires others to follow their passions and prioritize self-care, showcasing the power of personal growth in navigating life's challenges. Tune in to discover how Alyssa's journey from a tech career to a path of holistic well-being can empower you on your own transformative path.

For free energy healing tools and techniques, sign up for Alyssa Lauren’s newsletter at www.alyssalaurenstone.com/ and get all the latest updates about classes, workshops, and retreats. Follow Alyssa on Instagram @alyssalaurenstone and @marvellousmage. Check out Alyssa’s HuffPost article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/left-corporate-job-anxiety-yoga_n_65b999f4e4b05c8779f69e74/amp

In this episode, we cover:

• Alyssa's transition from a high-pressure corporate career to a life of health and wellness was driven by the realization that her job was negatively impacting her physical and mental health.
• Mindfulness practices such as yoga, breathwork, and meditation played a crucial role in Alyssa's journey of self-discovery and healing.
• Alyssa emphasizes the importance of finding one's true purpose and following one's passions, even if it means making significant changes in one's life.
• The practice of forgiveness, both towards oneself and others, is a powerful tool for personal growth and healing.
• Alyssa encourages listeners to be kind to themselves and to embrace the process of self-discovery and personal growth.

Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood:
https://www.filipinaontherise.com/filipinasoulsisterhood

Sponsors:

This show was sponsored by Passion Planner. It’s more than just a planner—it’s a life-changing system that guides you through defining your goals, breaking them down into steps, and acting on them today. Passion Planner helps you identify your dreams and build toward them every day. Find Passion Planner on Instagram or the Passion Planner website and discover the right planner for you.

Elaine Dizon is a mindset and life coach, writer, and recipient of AT&T's highest Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award at a corporate level -- the Spark Award. She supports individuals who are grappling with work/life integration and want to joyously live life intentionally. She leverages her experience in conscious parenting, performance management coaching, and neuroleadership science to support continuous learning towards outcomes and results. @yourcoachelaine

I talk with a former member I cherish so much! Erica boasts a diverse professional background. She is currently working in communications and engagement for the Governor of Hawaii in the state's Office of Wellness and Resilience, focusing on mental health and well-being. An advocate and activist at heart, Erika is the state co-lead for Moms Demand Action in Hawaii and is actively involved in advocacy work for working families and children in the Hawaiian Islands. As a mother of two young girls, she also explores her heritage, embarking on a personal journey towards reconnecting with her Filipina roots and obtaining dual citizenship.

Erika describes her multifaceted life in Hawaii, from her advocacy work for mental health and gun violence prevention to her dedicated role as a mother. She recalls the turning point in her life when she joined the sisterhood, driven by a longing to deepen her connection to her Filipina identity. Erika details how the community guided her to explore her heritage further, leading to meaningful conversations with her family and propelling her toward dual citizenship—a journey that brought her and her daughters closer to their cultural origins.

Key Takeaways:

• Community and shared experiences play a crucial role in personal identity formation and confidence building, particularly among women of Filipina heritage.
• Spaces like the Filipina Soul Sisterhood offer women a platform for soul-filling discussions, support, and self-reflection that catalyze personal growth and stronger cultural ties.
• The sisterhood empowers members to embrace their multiracial identities, providing a sense of belonging and validation regardless of their cultural background.
• Involvement in a collective like the Filipina Soul Sisterhood can inspire individuals to take concrete actions towards embracing their heritage, such as pursuing dual citizenship.
• For mothers, the journey toward exploring and accepting their identity holds significant importance for the cultural legacy they pass on to their children.

Notable Quotes:

• "Joining the sisterhood was such a lifeline for me."
• "I would love to journal every day, but like, again, just knowing that I had that space to do that and, like, take that time really intentionally just really gave me such groundedness that I really appreciated."
• "Anytime that you're in that kind of community with other really strong women, it does really build your confidence and just makes you see possibility and opportunity everywhere."
• "Make sure you have a strong sisterhood. Make sure that you have those strong female friendships around you because I really believe that they're going to take you through life and grow and evolve with you in ways that you can't grow just by yourself."

Hang out with me, Erika and other sisters weekly!

Ready to be uplifted by a community of like-minded Filipinas who are seeking the same growth and reconnection as you? Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood. Use code LISTEN for 15% off! Doors close soon and we hope to to see you there!

Gina Mariko Rosales is the founder of Make it Mariko and Pinayista, as well as the Co-founder of UNDISCOVERED SF and Balay Kreative. As a Filipino Japanese American entrepreneur, events enthusiast, efficiency nerd, dancer and nonprofit advocate, Gina is looking to create magical, meaningful moments that help remind us of the beauty and interconnectedness of life. In this episode Gina challenges the idea of “doing it all” as a business leader. The episode gives insight into the very real struggles of POC entrepreneurship, burnout, and the obstacles faced when scaling a company. Gina talks about accepting success and the mindset surrounding money. Exploring the thought provoking idea of finances in an echo-chamber of scarcity. Through Make It Mariko, Gina is curating an event that encourages Communities of Color to recognize that a beautifully curated event is inherently deserved. 

Find out what Gina’s plans are for the future! Don’t miss out on the POC Food & Wine Festival presented by Make It Mariko! Use code FOTRFAM for 20% off tickets. The Filipina on the Rise Team looks forward to seeing you there!

In this episode, we cover:

• Gina’s personal journey of embracing her Filipino identity and leveraging it to create empowering and uniting multicultural event spaces, like the Undiscovered SF Night Market and initiatives supporting Filipino women and entrepreneurs.
• Gina’s approach to event planning that balances community needs with business viability, promoting a ‘profit first’ model for sustainability.
• Gina’s philosophy on embracing opportunities, the value of a diverse skill set and her experiences at Google X, stressing authenticity and the importance of bringing one’s whole self to work.
• Challenges of scaling a business as a person of color and a woman
• The strategies for overcoming burnout, nurturing growth and setting realistic goals for success in entrepreneurship.
• Gina’s commitment to building a multicultural community, her involvement in the POC Food and Wine Festival, strategies for longevity through real estate and empowering Filipino women to pursue their passions authentically.

Sponsors: Passion Planner. Passion Planner helps you identify your dreams and build toward them every day. Find Passion Planner on Instagram or the Passion Planner website and discover the right planner for you. 

Elaine Dizon is a mindset and life coach, writer, and recipient of AT&T's highest DEI award at a corporate level -- the Spark Award. She leverages her experience in conscious parenting, performance management coaching, and neuroleadership science to support continuous learning towards outcomes and results.  

It's back and better than ever! Filipino Soul Sisterhood is our community of like-minded Filipino women looking to reconnect with their roots and support one another's growth. I share the origins of this community, born out of a shared desire for meaningful conversations and authentic connections, and what you can expect!

Episode Summary:

• How did this start and what are 5 things I learned from this
• Upcoming workshops and discussion topics
• Members share knowledge, mentorship, and resources, fostering a supportive network that propels professional and personal development.
• Healing and cultural reclamation are core themes, with members collectively navigating the complexities of their Filipino identity and narratives.
• The sisterhood includes regular virtual and in-person events designed to foster meaningful connections, facilitating friendship and collaboration among its members.

Notable Quotes:

• "And a lot of us are uncovering our identities as part of the diaspora and, you know, decolonizing our minds and our narratives."
• "There's something that is necessary in order for people to… level up is that we're pulling each other up and we're opening doors for each other."
• "It's so imperative and a core of who we are to navigate our lives with each other and through each other, through talk story, through sitting around the campfire, a virtual campfire, and telling stories."

Resources:

• Hang out with me and other like-minde Filipinas every Thursday at the Filipina Soul Sisterhood! Together we reconnect with our roots and help each other rise.
• Expand your network at the Filipina Speed Networking Party!

Krystl is back from a quick trip in Portugal! shares her experiences and learnings from her recent trip to Portugal and how it relates to Philippine history. She discusses the connection between Portugal and the Philippines through Ferdinand Magellan and explores the possibility of the Philippines being a Portuguese colony. Crystal also emphasizes the importance of representation and announces an upcoming professional speed networking event for Filipino women. She shares her best networking tips, including setting objectives, having an elevator pitch, being curious, remembering details, and having a follow-up strategy.

Keywords

Filipina, Portugal, Philippine history, Ferdinand Magellan, colonization, representation, networking, speed networking event

Takeaways

• Traveling can provide opportunities to share and learn about your culture and history with people from different countries.
• Knowing your history and sharing it with others can deepen their understanding of your culture and create connections.
• Networking is essential for career growth and advancement, and it's important to set objectives, have an elevator pitch, be curious, remember details, and have a follow-up strategy.
• Representation matters, and connecting with people who share your cultural background can be empowering and inspiring.
• The Filipinas Soul Sisterhood is a community for Filipinas to reconnect with their culture, share their experiences, and support each other.

Sign up for our Free Speed Networking Party 4/18!

In this episode of the Filipino on the Rise podcast, host Krystl Fabella dives into a conversation about faith, religion, and spirituality. She shares her own personal journey of questioning her faith and leaving the church multiple times, highlighting the importance of asking questions and having a personal relationship with God. Krystl explores the influence of religion in Filipino culture and the challenges of navigating religious institutions. She also discusses the impact of church hurt and trauma, and the healing process that comes with exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices. Through her own experiences, Krystl encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and questions, and to find a path that feels authentic and meaningful to them.

Key Takeaways:

• Growing up with religious and faith-based influences is a common experience for many Filipino Americans.
• Questioning one's faith and exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of one's beliefs.
• Church hurt and trauma are real experiences that can impact one's relationship with religion and spirituality.
• Finding a balance between personal exploration and community connection is important when it comes to faith and spirituality.
• It is possible to have a personal relationship with God and find healing without being tied to a specific religious institution.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I always question when I go to church, what am I doing here? Like, I volunteer at my church, but sometimes I don't sit and listen to the sermons because I'm past that point where I'm just sitting and taking in information and just doing the routines." 
2. "I think that after seeing the western Christian church and the glamorization of pastors, I felt like I had more questions to ask. So that is when I again distanced myself and started looking for answers elsewhere." 
3. "It's not our responsibility to continuously do the work and save ourselves. Give it to God. You're healed. You're whole." 
4. "When we share our experiences with each other, that's when the healing begins, and that's when we can live a more abundant life." 
5. "It's okay to have questions and to share them with others. Open up about your experiences and see where God meets you." 

Resources:

• Filipino on the Rise Podcast
• Krystl Fabela's Instagram

Listen to the full episode on Filipino on the Rise Podcast for more insights and personal stories about faith, religion, and spirituality. Stay tuned for future episodes that celebrate Filipino excellence and empower the community.

Jessica Caloza, is back on the podcast (my 2nd ever guest!) and ... she's running for office! Jessica is a dedicated public servant and worked for President Obama helping underfunded public schools get more resources. As L.A. Public Works Commissioner, Jessica expanded good-paying union jobs, raised wages for workers and required equal pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability. As California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Jessica has worked to reduce crime and gun violence, take bold action to protect the environment, and helped victims of sexual assault receive justice.

Episode Highlights

• Introduction to our guest An empowering Filipino American trailblazer with high aspirations for District 52's State Assembly seat.
• Representation matters The significance of diverse representation in government and the power of endorsements.
• Making history with the Filipino Town Gateway The role our guest played in establishing a historic monument and what it signifies for Asian American women in public service.
• Overcoming obstacles: An insight into the challenges faced by Asian American women in politics and the drive to pave the way for future generations.
• Addressing pressing issues: Strategies to tackle California's affordability crisis, housing issues, homelessness, and budget shortfalls.
• Public Service Experience: How experiences at different levels of government can contribute to community development.
• Election Participation: The importance of active community involvement and having a voice in politics.
• Honoring Filipino Contributions: Recognizing the sacrifices of Filipino nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for workplace protection.
• Voter Engagement: The necessity for active Filipino voter participation and innovative campaign strategies to engage them.
• Community Outreach: The role of personal networks in furthering the campaign and the need for support.
• Remember to Vote: The importance of voting early and ensuring participation.

Sign up to help her campaign! Let's get Jessica elected.
https://www.jessicacaloza.com/