Making Space

In this year’s birthday episode, I reflect on turning 25 with my friend Quynh. We share our experiences of the dreaded “quarter-life crisis" and discuss the tension between figuring out what you really want in life versus chasing goals based on the expectations of others.

We also touch on several topics including adulting, anxiety, grad school, friendships, self-care, and therapy!

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Related Episodes:

In this episode, Jordyn and I discuss our biggest dating lessons, hot takes, unpopular opinions, and regrets. We share our thoughts on online dating, emotional and physical boundaries, the dangers of fantasizing, and much more!

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Bible verses:

Podcast episodes:

My good friends Destny and Damilola are back on the podcast to rant about our hair struggles. We share our negative experiences with African hair braiders and dissect the rules and unrealistic beauty standards surrounding black hair. We also talk about learning to take care of our natural hair and confront the unhealthy social standards that women face.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Previous episodes:

ep. 01: natural hair and the struggle of being a black girl in the American school system (ft. Damilola)

ep. 03: a beginner's guide to cultivating a joyful life (ft. Destny)

In this episode, Mfon and I have a very honest conversation about mental health and faith. She shares her ongoing struggles with depression and the role of faith in her mental health journey. We discuss the taboos around mental illness and medication in the Christian community and the importance of getting help and giving yourself grace.

We also share practical advice for those dealing with mental health issues and simple ways to support a friend struggling with their mental health.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Mental health resources:

Videos:

Bible verses:

Why are adult friendships so hard? Are we too quick to cut off friends because they’re “no longer serving us?”

Justine and I get deep about one of my favorite topics: friendship! We discuss seasonal friendships, navigating change in friendship, long-distance friendships, work friends, and much more. We also share practical advice on maintaining friendships in adulthood and the importance of platonic love.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

In this episode, I'm joined by a special guest: my mom! We dive into 20 questions you all shared that you wish you could ask your mom. She shares the best advice she’s ever received, reflections on motherhood, relationship advice, and much more! We also discuss the age-old question of why it seems that mothers are "always" right.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

QUESTIONS:

1. What is something you’ve learned or are currently learning that you wish your younger self could’ve known?

2. If we were around the same age, and unrelated, do you think we would be friends?

3. When did you first believe in your faith on your own?

4. What was the hardest part about immigrating to the US? Did you have any regrets?

5. Is there anything you wish you would have experienced or done differently before having kids?

6. How would you describe what it feels like to be a mother?

7. Why are mothers always right?

8. How did you choose my name?

9. What was the first similar characteristic you noticed between us as I was growing up?

10. What is the scariest part about raising kids?

11. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

12. Do you have any regrets about how you raised me?

13. What is your best relationship advice?

14. What is one thing you wish I were more confident about?

15. Do we grow up to become our mothers?

16. Is there anything you enjoyed doing when you were younger that you wish you could still do now?

17. When have I most surprised you?

18. What do you wish I understood about you?

19. What do you hope our relationship will look like as I get older?

20. Do you have any questions for me?

Dom is back for season two to discuss the ups and downs of moving out of state postgrad. We discuss the not-so-glamorous reality of following your dreams and get real about how moving challenges your faith and relationships.

We also talk about how moving forces us to become comfortable with being uncomfortable and teaches us how to lean on our faith when things don’t make sense.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

• Matthew 5:14
• Mark 12:41-44 (the widow’s offering)
• season two intro: growing up – Making Space
• ep. 07: aging, adulthood, pineapple pizza, and other important topics – Making Space
• Local high school soccer player takes his goals international (Dom’s news story)

I'm back for season two! In this intro episode, I share a little life update, my vision for season two, and a sneak peek into upcoming episode topics.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

What makes breakups so difficult? Do you have to hate your ex to move on?

In the season one finale, Ivy and I discuss the reality of going through a breakup, the healing process, getting closure, and “moving on.” We talk about experiencing grief, shame, and anger, leaning on our faith and friends, and the importance of forgiveness.

We also dive into false assumptions about breakups, myths around Christian dating, and the pressure of finding “the one.”

Whether you or a friend are going through a breakup, have gone through one that’s been hard to get over, or have never been in a relationship but are scared about the idea of going through a breakup — this is for you. ❤️‍🩹

For more, follow @⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Bible verses:

Podcasts:

Lupita Nyong’o’s Instagram post on heartbreak

Book: Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall heartbreak

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro

(02:27) Conversation kickoff

(05:50) What’s hard?

(23:29) False assumptions about breakups

(46:15) What helps?

(01:08:06) Advice on “moving on”

(01:19:31) An interlude on the myth of Christian dating and finding “the one”

(01:26:48) Additional advice and encouragement

(01:35:44) Final thoughts & reflections on closure

(01:44:15) Outro

What was your first big disappointment?

In this episode, Lois and I get candid about facing disappointment in our 20s. We talk about failure, humiliation, and rejection and share practical advice on how to navigate disappointment and find the courage to try again.

We also discuss how to find joy in the process and “wait well” after your dreams are delayed.

For more, follow @⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠[email protected]⁠