Kamalayan: Conversations To Self-Awareness

 Who are you in the family? What part do you play? 

Family, the very basic unit of society, can be a source of breakdowns and negativity as it can be a wellspring of reinforcement and stability. Many of the challenges often find root in its very construct: hierarchy, assigned roles, and accompanying expectations. 

In their newest session, have a listen as Stephanie and Leo share views and observations on traditional familial roles and how adhering to these has impacted individuals in a variety of ways. 

Conversations in families that are steeped in custom and tradition can be a source of strain for many. Exchanges between parent and child, for instance, can hold a host of triggers, trauma, and even the demands of culture that ultimately affect relationships and well-being. 

In one of their most candid and personal episodes to date, Stephanie and Leo share stories, probe, and investigate problematic verbal encounters common among Filipino families.

More than words, what else is involved when people gather to talk? Leo and Stephanie delve into the impact of conversations in their 15th episode. Listen in as they explore its necessity, understand how people behave when participating in them, and find possible ways in creating more genuine and meaningful exchanges. 

In their very first video podcast recording, Stephanie and Leo are joined by special guest, Kage in a conversation about mental health. A writer and photographer, Kage speaks candidly about living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Hear her share her experience and how she navigates and perseveres through a debilitating condition affecting many around the world.

*A side note around the 5:55 mark: What Kage meant to say was not "magic realism" but rather "magical thinking" — the belief that one's thoughts, actions, and words can influence how events unfold. The belief that "if I do/say this, this will happen."

The start of each year always brings a sense of hope and renewal for many— and the usual bucket lists and inventory of resolutions, of course. But how effective and sustainable are these goals? What are ways to stay the course? Does adhering to these lists actually work? Steph and Leo welcome 2023 in this episode, exploring the changes and promises we make each new year.

Literally translated from Filipino as "New Leap", the idiomatic phrase generally refers to a newcomer in any community or environment. 

In their 12th episode, Stephanie and Leo honor  Filipino American History Month in a conversation about the immigrant experience: a global phenomenon that speaks of nostalgia, cultural assimilation, and the formation of a multiethnic identity.  

“Crab Mentality”, the behavior of pulling other people down, is as prevalent among Filipinos as it is seemingly innate in human nature. What triggers such a phenomenon? What ensues when faced with it? Is it possible to break the cycle? Stephanie and Leo investigate and share their thoughts and experiences with this unhealthy habit, and try to find ways to rise above what can very well be an obstructive and vicious way of being. 

With multiple gender identities becoming more and more defined across societies, the particular roles we play (both imagined and dictated by cultural traditions) have been examined all the more closely. Steph and Leo join in the conversation as they share observations and personal encounters on how gender has progressed in Philippine life and shaped the way we have become.

Relationships are indeed tricky. A dynamic many have to contend with is that between the "bungangera" (pursuer) and  "under da saya" (withdrawer). During conflicts, some are inclined to persistence, while others tend to withdraw— opposite reactions that can only cause further discord.  Stephanie and Leo set out to understand the ins and outs of this phenomenon, share personal encounters, and unearth possible ways to rise above such toxic behavior.

Pleasantries abound in Filipino social encounters. How much of what we actually say and hear can have an affect on our well-being? In their 8th episode, Stephanie and Leo look into the intricacies of such casual greetings, share their own experiences of dodging ‘verbal missiles’, and attempt to find a more authentic way when making contact with family and loved ones