Misfortune Cookies

[CW: Suicidal thoughts] Anthony describes his depression as the build-up of several difficult events: being bullied as a kid in NYC, being unemployed for a year, and breaking up with his girlfriend. In 2019, Anthony was taken to the ER for having suicidal ideation. He shares how he's been moving forward and offers some thoughts on how to support others going through depression.

Follow Anthony's Art on Instagram: @dengmanarts.

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If you are in a crisis, you can text a trained crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line (https://www.crisistextline.org/). For more resources, check out the list at https://themighty.com/suicide-prevention-resources/.

You are not alone!

Karl interviews Jarren who shares his story of waking up to find out that his dad had suddenly passed. We talk about the painful logistics of planning a funeral during COVID-19, what it's like to grieve a complicated relationship, and the inter-generational trauma that runs in Chinese immigrant families.

Rachel and Karl chat with Karl’s sister Joyce.

Accompanying playlist by Joyce: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46ZODGuyATacnow2iXfqiW?si=9i37i--zRtORAuVkuFeeUw

Rachel chats with our guest about the success narrative she inherited as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. We unpack what it was like to have it all on the outside but feel miserable on the inside. She tells the story of her tumultuous transition from college into young adulthood, what it took for her to quit her prestigious tech job, and how her relationship with her mom has evolved throughout.

Resources mentioned:

Rachel shares her recovery journey from anorexia, the impact it had her body and how it's affected her relationship with food. She reflects on how she almost didn't get diagnosed, and what it was like to get professional help. We also talk about the toxicity of diet culture, Asian vs American beauty standards, and confusing messages shared within Asian family food culture.

- Minnesota Starvation Experiment explained by Tabitha Farrar

To learn more about eating disorders, visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website. 

If you'd like to reach out, we would absolutely love to hear from you. You can reach us at: [email protected].

In our very first episode, Karl shares what it's been like for him to navigate infertility and three pregnancy losses over the past two years. In particular, he reflects on what he's learned about sitting with difficult emotions, and how friends can be supportive through that process (hint: not by problem-solving). We talk about how parts of his Asian American identity have shaped this experience, bemoan the financial burden of it all, and make an attempt to ponder the meaning in our suffering.

To learn more about infertility, you can start at RESOLVE's website, https://resolve.org/. If you'd like to reach out, we would absolutely love to hear from you. You can reach us at: [email protected].

You’re listening to the Misfortune Cookies podcast. A homemade podcast where Asian Americans share their mental health stories. My name is Rachel. My name is Karl. We’re a married couple living in Philly and we’re so glad you’re here.