Full Circle

Full Circle

By Arlene Nguyen & Georgia CatoSociety & Culture
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Full Circle episodes

  • Ep 20: Drunk Q&A

    Come celebrate with us on our LAST episode of season 2! Can you believe it’s already been 20 episodes? In this one, we sip on red wine and some Stoli and ask each other 5 burning questions. From reminiscing about the women’s bathroom at the club, one-sided friendships, our favourite episodes to juicy Tinder stories, we reflect on the past 20 episodes and the start of our podcast journey.

    Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

    Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

    Music - Benji by Dyalla
    Cover Art - Saki & Newton

    We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

    54 min
  • Ep 19: Fetishizing Asian Women & Why "You're So Exotic" Isn't a Compliment (Feat. Kathleen Cao)

    With the rise of Asian hate crimes and violence against Asian women around the world, it’s time we start talking about the nuances of race and bring more awareness around Asian fetishization. Asian women in the western world are frequently fetishized, seen as commodities, are hypersexualized & stereotyped to be submissive, obedient, and compliant.


    Part 1: What do you need to know about Asian fetishes? What is the history behind it?

    • American-led wars in Asia introduced US military bases and created local sex industries.
    • We’re often portrayed as hypersexual side characters for men's pleasure in Hollywood which reinforces a lot of harmful stereotypes such as “Dragon Lady” and “Lotus Flower.”
    • Part 2: Fetish vs Preferences, White Fever and Dating Stories, Our Experiences

      • Reducing Asian people to only their race completely ignores the multi-faceted nature of the person themself and the complexities of each ethnic group.
      • Being called “exotic” and “oriental” and the problem behind “we would make beautiful mixed babies” and recognizing white fever.
      • Part 3: What are the solutions?

        • Take more systemic approaches beyond supporting Asian businesses and reposting infographics. If we continue to overlook these acts, they will likely happen again.
        • Recognize the root of these fetishes, continue these conversations, learn the nuances of race, gender, and how they all intertwine.
        • Articles referenced:

          Here's how pop culture has perpetuated harmful stereotypes of Asian women

          The history of fetishizing Asian women in Orientalist tropes

          Yellow Fever: The Problem with the Sexual Fetishization and Exotification of Eastern Asian Women


          Learn more about Anti-Asian violence:

          Anti-Asian Violence Resources


          GoFundMe Stop Asian Hate resources:

          Stop Asian Hate: What You Can Do To Make a Difference


          Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

          Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

          Music - Benji by Dyalla
          Cover Art - Saki & Newton

          We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

          58 min
        • Ep 18: Navigating Self-Care in a Pandemic (Feat. Lily Tran)

          This week we talk all things self-care. Not just bath bombs and candles, but taking care of your mental health, especially during a pandemic. We also have a very special guest with us on this episode, one of our close friends from high school, wrapping up her degree at UBC in sociology, meaning she is very much equipped and can help us navigate today’s topic. Lily! 

          Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

          Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

          Music - Benji by Dyalla
          Cover Art - Saki & Newton

          We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.



          46 min
        • Ep 17: What is a Girl Boss, If Not Capitalism Persevering?

          In this episode we are diving into the topic of GIRL BOSS. It’s a mainstream phrase so you have definitely seen it everywhere!! “You go boss babes!!” “SHE-E-O” “Manifest your life as a girl boss!!” etc. What feels and seems to be encouraging and motivational, these messages actually have negative connotations and underlying consequences. Similar to our first episode of this season where we talked about Subtle Asian Trais, it all had good intentions when it first came to be. However, things can get nasty and real fast too when you just go along with it and don’t ask any questions…

          Title: @StacyFernandezB

          Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

          Hosts - Arlene & Georgia 

          Music - Benji by Dyalla 

          Cover Art - Saki & Newton

          We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

          31 min
        • Ep 16: Our McGill Experience & Living in Montreal (Feat. Megan Raymundo)

          Probably the most chaotic episode to date. Tune in to hear about Georgia and her roommate, Megan, reminisce on their time at McGill and living in Montreal. From move-in day first year to moving into an apartment together, we cover the two years of living together. Navigating life away from home is tough, there’s a long list of pros and cons, but looking back - University life outside of academics and the people you meet really make up the entire experience. Listen to us talk about getting involved in our undergraduate society (DHNUS), why we always carried around Tupperware, our thoughts on the program, the infamous cooking lab, comparing the East vs West Coast, nightlife in Montreal, and Quebecois slang. We also share juicy roommate stories and rant about messy dorm kitchens and bathrooms… IYKYK. And the big question: would we would ever do it again?

          Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

          Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

          Music - Benji by Dyalla
          Cover Art - Saki & Newton

          We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

          1 hr 6 min
        • Ep 15: Diet Culture, Our Eating Habits & Body Confidence

          TW: Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating Content & Body Dysmorphia

          Time to break down diet culture. Even if you’ve never heard of this term, you are probably very familiar with the diet culture environment. You see it online, in conversation with your friends, and especially in Asian family settings. But it’s important to actually understand what it means in order to stop it from potentially taking over your life.

          Disclaimer:  These are our personal opinions based on our experiences and our background in nutrition, we are not licensed professionals. For professional advice, please speak to your dietician or family doctor.



          Part 1: What is Diet Culture? 

          • Promotes the idea that there is an “ideal body shape”
          • Found everywhere: apple cider vinegar, keto diets, detox teas, etc.
          • Society conditioned us to be obsessed with what we eat and what we look like in order to achieve “happiness” and causes an abundance of consequences

          • Part 2: Our Experience With Diet Culture

            • Georgia discusses body confidence and her eating habits 
            • Arlene shares her ED story and how it affected her mental health

            • Part 3: Why It's Important & How to Combat Diet Culture

              • Plays a major role in perpetuating eating disorders, weight stigma, and fatphobia
              • Try not to categorize food as “good” and “bad”  and understand that different foods provide different nutrients
              • Practice eating intuitively, listening to your body cues and mindful eating

              • Articles referenced & informative resources:

                What Is Diet Culture? 

                The Fuck It Diet ®
                Christy Harrison - Intuitive Eating Dietitian, Anti-Diet Author, & Health at Every Size Advocate - Food Psych Programs
                Free Method Nutrition


                Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.


                Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

                Music - Benji by Dyalla
                Cover Art - Saki & Newton


                We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

                53 min
              • Ep 14: The Extinction of Men Pt. 2 & Toxic Masculinity (Feat. Bernie Liu)

                So what makes a man, A MAN? Is it that they NEVER cry? Always getting BUFF at the gym? Showing DOMINANCE through violence? Ahh yes, the world of toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity has lead us to believe that these stereotypical traits of a man is what makes them “alpha”. In this episode, we interview Arlene’s coworker, Bernie Liu, to get the real scoop on what he REALLY thinks of his own kind. We dive into his honest thoughts on what it’s like being a man and what we can all do to promote healthy masculinity instead.

                Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

                Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

                Music - Benji by Dyalla
                Cover Art - Saki & Newton

                We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

                41 min
              • Ep 13: The Extinction of Men, Juicy Period Stories, Imagining a Life in Asia & Embracing Non-Western Music

                We thought we would change things up this episode and see what happens when we just TALK. No expectations, no points to cover, no rules, no script, just 100% genuine conversation. Without giving too much away, you can expect the topics to range from crazy period stories to the men population dying off??? As you can see, the sky is TRULY the limit when there are no boundaries for Arlene and Georgia.

                Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

                Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

                Music - Benji by Dyalla
                Cover Art - Saki & Newton

                We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

                56 min
              • Ep 12: Our Current Inspirations

                On this episode we’ll be talking about our current inspirations. Inspiration is that feeling inside you that makes you want to try new things. It gives you hope inside and makes you see the world differently. If it's powerful enough, it can persuade you to do anything. Sometimes the person who inspires you could be a political figure, or a celebrity or even your parents. It could be anybody. Who is the top person that comes to mind?

                Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

                Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

                Music - Benji by Dyalla
                Cover Art - Saki & Newton

                We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

                1 hr
              • Ep 11: Boba Liberalism & Why Subtle Asian Traits Can Be Problematic

                A new year: back to school, back to work, and a FRE$H new season. Welcome to season 2! In this episode, we dive into the term “boba liberalism” and why Subtle Asian Traits can be problematic.


                Part 1: What is Boba Liberalism?

                • A sweet, popular thing. Not very offensive. All sugar, no substance. We define the term and provide some Canadian political context.
                • Our take on the term and our experience with Asian student clubs at University.

                • Part 2: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Subtle Asian Traits

                  • Facebook group with almost 2 million members, famous for memes and posts mostly based on the experiences of Asians from Western diasporas.
                  • Posts tend to echo the same message, everyone’s personality trait is loving boba, excelling academically, having tiger parents, being forced into the medical field, the toxic parenting, loving raves, anime, kpop, etc.

                  • Part 3: Call to action!

                    • Find your own way of dedicating your time to activism, whether that be starting initiatives or just simply donating and volunteering.
                    • Advocate and fight for change beyond “boba.”

                    • Articles referenced:

                      How Bubble Tea Became a Complicated Symbol of Asian-American Identity

                      Why I Hate Subtle Asian Traits

                      The Rise of Subtle Asian Traits, Should It Still Exist?

                      Interact with us on Instagram at Full Circle Podcast! We welcome all feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Contact [email protected] for business inquiries.

                      Hosts - Arlene & Georgia

                      Music - Benji by Dyalla
                      Cover Art - Saki & Newton

                      We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

                      44 min

                    About Full Circle

                    From the publisher's feed

                    A weekly podcast about two gals navigating the world and embracing identity as Asian-Canadians. Join us as we come full circle with our thoughts. Listen to us chat about the ups and downs of life, school, career, relationships, etc. Look forward to future guest appearances from our community and their unique perspectives!