Isabelle Du was my girl crush in high school. I admired how she went after her dreams with everything she had. When we graduated, I dutifully majored in biology and followed the pre-med path my strict Taiwanese father outlined while Isabelle went all out and pursued hers.

In Asian culture, following your dreams is often looked down upon. We're told we'll fail, that we won't make money, that it brings shame to the family. So I wanted to know what was Isabelle's journey really like? How did she find trust and confidence in herself when the culture around her said otherwise?

Isabelle is now an actress and international model, and I am so proud of her for representing us as Asian Americans in Hollywood and film. Thank you for going out there Isabelle and for your courage!

This episode is dedicated to anyone who is struggling with wanting to follow what is in their heart — but is afraid of what their culture, family, or society will think. DO IT! :)

We talk about:

Identity & representation:

• What it's like being Asian American in Hollywood and film
• The lack of Asian representation in media growing up
• Being a first generation Vietnamese American pursuing an unconventional path
• Breaking barriers and representing Asian Americans on screen

Following your calling:

• Knowing from a young age she wanted to model and act
• Going after her dreams against cultural expectations
• What it feels like in your body when you're on the right path
• Trusting your intuition even when everyone doubts you

The industry:

• Getting scammed early on as a young model
• What it's really like to break into Hollywood
• The hustle, rejection, and resilience required
• Navigating the film and modeling world as an Asian woman

Asian culture & family:

• The pressure to follow a "safe" path
• Shame, saving face, and family expectations
• What it costs to go against your culture
• The hush hush nature of struggle in Asian families

Spirituality & inner life:

• How spirituality helped her through hard times
• Listening to your inner knowing
• Finding confidence and trust in yourself

Loss & grief:

• The suicide of a family member
• How grief ripples through an Asian family
• Hope and what to say to someone who is struggling

***

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicide loss. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You are not alone.

***

Isabelle Du is a SAG-AFTRA actor, host, and international model working across television, film, and major commercial campaigns. A former Miss Vietnam USA, she has appeared in network and cable series, feature films, and global productions, and continues to advocate for greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in Hollywood. https://www.isabelledu.com/

***

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

10:52 – Living the Dream

13:35 – Choosing Your Own Path

16:54 – Reframing Setbacks

20:12 – Navigating a Strict Upbringing

23:20 – Developing Discernment

36:50 – Seeking Guidance Beyond Yourself

43:20 – A Life-Saving Moment

52:51 – No Carbon Copies

01:07:50 – The Kaizen Mindset

01:20:40 – Persistence & Perspective

01:28:32 – Believing in a Bigger Life

01:29:15 – Closing Thoughts

**

“I think confidence comes from being your own best friend—really knowing yourself, enjoying who you are, and continuing to have that relationship with yourself.”

— Isabelle Du

“All the answers I had sought were answered by just continuing to live. When you continue to live, you’ll get the answers anyway.” — Isabelle Du

***

Web: www.drvictoriaranade.com

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Professor Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano join me to talk about how Jiu Jitsu changed their lives—and mine. We explore fear, confidence, healing the nervous system from trauma, the power of community, its importance for women, and the surprising ways this sport teaches you confidence and to trust yourself again to step into your power.

0:00:00  Introduction: Jiu-Jitsu's Power to Change Lives

0:00:24  Host's Introduction: Background for the Episode

0:02:47  Welcome to the show!

0:04:15  Misconceptions of Jiu-Jitsu

0:05:34  A Jiu-Jitsu Love Story

0:08:33  Fabiano's Battle with Depression and Return

0:11:54  Jiu-Jitsu Eliminates Trauma-Induced Anxiety

0:14:46  The Core Philosophy: Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

0:22:53  What is Control?

0:27:18  Finding the "Warrior" Archetype

0:33:02  A Lesson in Listening from a Student

0:36:11  Women are Fighters, too!

0:44:03  The Even Playing Field of the Kimono

0:47:21  The Importance of "Mat Chats"

0:52:10  Aggression as Human Nature and Safe Release

0:53:59  BJJ's Impact on Children's Confidence

1:03:38  The Black Belt Paradox

1:10:47  The Price to be a Champion

1:14:46  Hard Work vs. Natural Talent

1:20:05  Clarity, Listening, and Calmness in Competition

1:28:13  How to Achieve Calmness Under Pressure

1:29:40  Life Hack: The 10-Second Stop-and-Breathe Rule

1:33:06  The Hardest Belt is the White One

1:33:40  Jiu Jitsu: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

1:39:31  Fabiano's Greatest Challenge: Leaving Home

1:41:00  The Emotional Toll of Distance

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Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle, and Western return for the second installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 5–8 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish.

We explore Kristen’s turbulent "messy middle", that intense period of young adulthood where ambition often outpaces experience. We discuss her rapid rise to executive chef, the ego and intensity that fueled her early career, and the necessary "humbling" that occurred when it all came crashing down.

This conversation is all about the power of support systems. We reflect on Kristen’s incredible parents, the life-changing magic of finding a "work bestie," and the unique dynamic of the "Heartbreak Hotel" :).

Join us as we break down the journey from trying to "prove yourself" to finding your voice.

• 00:00:00 - Intro: Book Club Round 2 (Chapters 5-8)
• 00:01:00 - Recap: From Culinary School to Executive Chef
• 00:03:30 - Obsessed with Status: The Drive for Upward Mobility
• 00:04:45 - Kitchen Culture: "Screaming Chefs" & Intensity
• 00:07:45 - Why Her First Executive Chef Job Failed
• 00:09:15 - The "Humbling": Substance Use & Moving Home
• 00:10:45 - Moving to Boston & Finding a "Work Bestie"
• 00:13:00 - Mentorship at Stir: A Woman-Led Kitchen
• 00:16:15 - Dating Scott & Learning What Love Is
• 00:18:30 - The 2AM Phone Call: A Story of Parental Support
• 00:21:00 - Living in the "Heartbreak Hotel"
• 00:22:15 - Outro: Looking Ahead to the Top Chef Era

Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

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Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

‌

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”In my darkest hour, I heard a voice inside me that said, ‘It’s not your time yet. I’m with you. All you have to do is listen to me and follow me.” - Dr. Victoria Ranade

"Do all things in love. This is my spiritual practice and what all of us are called to do." - Dr. Victoria Ranade

Sandra interviews Dr. Victoria in this episode. She talks about what it was like growing up first-generation Asian American in a complicated household, navigating bipolar disorder, and how suffering has shaped the clinician and person she is today. They also explore the intersections of psychology and spirituality, the power of both connection and inner work in healing depression, and what it means to practice love in a world so often overwhelmed by fear.

00:00 – Finding Light in Darkness

01:25 – Why She Became a Psychotherapist

03:36 – Working with Teenagers

05:11 – The Power of Listening

07:25 – A Voice That Saved Her Life

10:11 – Wise Mind & Highest Self

13:26 – Do All Things in Love

15:44 – Seeing No Strangers

16:53 – Fear and Faith

20:19 – Life Responds to Love

22:19 – The Practice of Stillness

24:14 – Spiritual Inclusivity

26:26 – A Universal Map to Healing

27:21 – Living with Bipolar

29:25 – Meeting Depression with Compassionate Presence

29:56 – Bipolar as a Teacher

30:15 – Surfing the Waves of Bipolar

31:00 – Relationship with God as Liberation

32:00 – Making Spirituality Your Own

33:00 – Expanding Spiritual Inclusivity

34:30 – Universal Map to Healing

36:00 – Depression as a Constant Visitor

37:00 – Compassionate Presence Defined

38:00 – Pain as Teacher

39:00 – Courage to Keep Surfing

39:38 – Closing Reflections on Psychotherapy Today

42:00 - Summary and Wrap-up

Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

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“When we rest into presence, we discover a larger field of loving awareness holding all our fears, anxieties, and pain — our ultimate resource for healing.” - Bennett Crawford, LCSW

Therapist and mindfulness teacher Bennett Crawford, LCSW, discusses how loving-kindness and self-compassion can become medicine for self-hate and the inner critic. He discusses how the inner critic often tries to protect us, why meeting it with compassion can transform our relationship with ourselves, and how simple daily practices—like grounding, self-talk, and visualization—can rewire the brain toward healing. A conversation about patience, presence, and remembering the love that’s already within you. https://www.hope-wellness.com/bennett-crawford-lcsw

00:00 Understanding Loving Kindness

01:39 Introduction

02:17 Definition of loving kindness

04:00 Loving kindness and self-compassion

06:38 When you hate yourself

09:50 Origins of the inner critic

13:13 Compassion as medicine

16:41 Voice dialogue and IFS tools

21:57 Navigating Self-Hate and Compassion

27:54 The Inner Critic and Its Origins

33:57 Practices for Self-Compassion

40:48 The Nature of Self-Compassion

45:40 Cultivating Love Through Visualization

50:43 Understanding and Embracing Our Stories

55:49 Reparenting and Healing Through Love

01:00:42 The Journey of Being Human and Embracing Vulnerability

01:05:47 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

01:08:24 Experiencing Unconditional Love

01:10:22 Qualities of Secure Attachment

Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

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“Women entrepreneurs, have the difficult conversation. Speak up. Be the loudest person in the room… Get in there. Just do it.”

“When I’m following my inner calling, I find myself in amazing places that I didn’t expect.”

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with entrepreneur and leader Leslie Stirm to explore what it truly means to listen to your intuition and trust your inner wisdom. From a painful childhood to building one of the most successful music stores in the country, Leslie shares how self-trust became her inner compass—guiding her through trauma, healing, and the complexities of leadership.

Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to hear your own truth, the quiet power of intuition in business, and how following signs and wonders can unfold into unexpected adventures. This conversation is a reminder that when you learn to listen within, life itself begins to guide you to greater success, joy, and wholeness.

**

Leslie Stirm is a person who has followed her own guidance her whole life. With unreliable parents, she decided to trust her own wisdom and observations. She studied science and math in college and currently operates one of the most successful music stores in the country. Leslie sees her work with music as the perfect platform to help people accept and express themselves. She listens to the signs and wonders of the world. Leslie relies on her inner guidance to get her where she is today. Find Leslie here: https://www.imc-az.com

Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

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“There was this quiet voice inside me saying, Don’t give up. I used to ignore it. Now I know—that voice saved my life.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW

“Addiction took everything from me. But recovery gave me something I never had before—myself.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, therapist Chris Kovacs joins Dr. Victoria Ranade to share how addiction nearly took his life—and how listening to his inner voice helped him find the courage to heal.

Chris opens up about the early influences that shaped his path, the pain and loss caused by addiction, and the pivotal moments that led him toward recovery. He reflects on how his lived experiences inform his inner calling as a therapist and offers heartfelt guidance for those currently struggling in the darkness of addiction, as well as insights for family members seeking to support loved ones on their healing journey. He also discussed the gift of desperation and the critical importance of social relationships and community in recovery, and the tension between enabling vs. support. Join us for this inspiring story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of the inner voice that can lead us not only to survive, but to return to wholeness.

**

Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC is an award winning licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Hes drawn to this work through his professional experiences, as well as the personal adversities he has personally faced. Just like he was able to receive, he believes that everyone deserves the help they need to begin to self-actualize. https://www.hope-wellness.com/chris-kovacs-lcsw

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris's Journey

03:10 The Early Years of Addiction

06:04 The Dark Side of Substance Use

08:43 Relationships and Their Impact

11:07 The Turning Point: Desperation and Honesty

14:00 The Role of Tough Love

16:56 Finding Acceptance and Forgiveness

19:48 The Path to Becoming a Therapist

24:35 Finding Your True Calling

25:57 The Struggle of Overcoming Addiction

28:33 The Role of Community in Recovery

28:40 The Journey of Becoming a Therapist

39:23 Support vs. Enabling in Addiction Recovery

42:52 Navigating the Pain of Addiction

43:33 A Message by Hope and Wellness

47:01 Setting Boundaries with Loved Ones

48:34 The Importance of Relatability in Recovery

50:09 Exploring the Role of AA and NA

52:41 Finding Quality Treatment for Addiction

55:41 The Necessity of a Full Continuum of Care

56:33 Understanding Stigma and Sharing Stories

58:10 The Journey of Rebuilding Relationships

59:07 Spirituality and Higher Power in Recovery

01:02:52 Encouragement for Those Struggling

01:06:16 Advice for Therapists Working with Teens

01:08:18 Confrontational Approaches in Therapy

01:11:34 The Future of Psychedelics in Treatment

01:13:45 Listening to Your Inner Calling and Conclusion

01:16:42 The Gift of Desperation and Pain as a Teacher

01:19:27 The Power of Community in Healing

01:20:52 Support vs. Enabling: Setting Boundaries

✨ Subscribe for more heartfelt, old-fashioned conversations about mental health, spirituality, authentic leadership, self-trust, and how people make their way through this difficult yet beautiful thing called life.

✨ Share this episode with someone who might find it helpful.

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice: www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to get emails connecting you with others who believe in the power of the human spirit

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

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Pastor Carl Park of Great Commission Community Church joins Dr. Victoria Ranade for a heartfelt conversation about the countercultural love of Jesus — a love rooted in humility, faith, and radical acceptance. Together they explore what it means to live with compassion, courage, and inner freedom in today’s world. Thank you for being here!

Chapters

00:00 Finding Light in Darkness

03:00 The Counter-Cultural Love of Jesus

06:08 The Power of Being Seen

08:54 Understanding God's Nature

12:01 The Journey of Faith

15:10 Hearing God's Voice

17:45 The Call to Ministry

21:00 The Role of Community

24:01 Authenticity and Humility

27:04 Spirituality and Mental Health

30:00 The Intersection of Science and Faith

32:54 Living Authentically

36:08 The Importance of Community

39:06 Finding a Church

42:12 The Healing Power of Scripture

44:56 The Role of Love and Acceptance

47:56 The Tree of Life

51:07 Exploring Spirituality

54:07 The Burden of Anxiety and Depression

56:54 The Invitation to Rest

01:00:08 Closing Thoughts

01:03:45 Summary and Reflection

Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

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Welcome to the Inner Calling Book Club!!!!!

We’re excited to kick off our book club with Accidentally On Purpose by Kristin Kish, which is a memoir that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about food. Read along with us: join Inner Calling Creative Producers Carlisle and Western, and me, as we share our thoughts on Chapters 1 through 4.

Kish is known for her brilliance in the culinary world and her genius on Top Chef. She invites readers into the raw, unpolished parts of her life including her adoption from South Korea, her struggles with belonging, her journey as a gay woman in a high-pressure male-dominated field, and her journey in learning to trust herself.

In these opening chapters, we dive into themes of identity, adoption, and belonging, reflecting on Kish's childhood and her experiences growing up queer in the 80s and 90s.

Her memoir sparked conversations on the significance of food as a connector to our childhood memories and emotions, and the importance of supportive relationships. We also reflect on how early experiences of disconnection and identity confusion can transform into the very soil that grows authenticity and artistry.

This conversation was really fun! Get some coffee, put on your sweats and join us. LETS READ THIS BOOK TOGETHER!!!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Book Club and Kristin Kish

01:25 Exploring Kristin Kish's Background and Early Life

04:12 Childhood Reflections and Themes of Identity

11:02 Adoption and Its Impact on Identity

13:05 Navigating Queer Identity in the 80s and 90s

18:01 Finding Passion and Purpose in Cooking

23:10 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance

29:02 Anticipating the Next Chapters and Themes

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Have you ever thought of love as a form of energy or a frequency? In this episode, I sit down with communication expert Sandra Morse to explore the transformative power of love, as well as its profound connection to language. We talk about what it means to move from a closed system of fear and defensiveness into an open system of receptivity, forgiveness, and connection. Sandra shares how love can be practiced in everyday life — in our words, our relationships, and our communities — and how trusting our inner callings can help us align with life’s flow. This episode with Sandra invites you to embrace love not just as a feeling but as a daily practice.

Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Check out our free resource library at innercalling.org with handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit.

00:00 The Essence of Love and Communication - Opening

02:46 Language as a Tool for Love

06:00 The Impact of Personal History on Love

08:57 Love as a Frequency

12:07 Receptivity and Openness in Love

14:56 Building Community Through Love

18:06 The Role of Dance in Connection

20:59 Navigating Conflict with Love

24:05 Forgiveness and Self-Compassion

26:53 The Power of Inner Callings

29:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Love

32:58 Love in the Workplace

36:00 The Importance of Community

38:59 Trusting Your Inner Voice

42:06 The Magnificence of Human Connection

45:06 Expressing Needs in Relationships

47:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Love

50:56 The Call to Action: Love in Practice

53:59 Conclusion: Embracing Love as a Way of Life

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