What happens when you grow up abroad in multiple countries, then land in America for college—and realize you’re in total culture shock?

In this #OldAsianLady clip, Carol Yao shares her layered shocks of identity: meeting classmates who thought cowboy boots in Malaysia made them Texans, missing 15 years of American pop culture, and being taught by "Hippies" at MIT’s socialist architecture department. From feeling like an outsider at parties to realizing I was “American by passport, but not by culture,” this is a story about belonging, differences, and seeing society through new lenses.

💬 “I don’t feel like I’m in the society—I feel like I’m looking at it.”

This video is for anyone who’s ever felt caught between cultures, laughing at the absurdities while learning to embrace the perspective it gives.

Parenting looks different across cultures—in this #OldAsianLady chat with Marie Mestagh, she shares what happens when East meets West. From setting screen-time limits and using timers, to blending science with gentle parenting, she shares how boundaries can be firm and compassionate. We also talk about parenting contrasts: Emphasis on reasoning vs. traditions of obedience, and how kids quickly learn to navigate both.

“I was raised with ‘because I said so.’ Now I explain the why.”

What does it mean to grow up Asian American in a world where you’re constantly reminded you’re “different”?

In this #OldAsianLady conversation, Stephen Rong & Sarah Chang share personal stories of childhood in Virginia —navigating microaggressions, hiding parts of our culture, and struggling with self-image. From dealing with Asian stereotyping to being told “Your English is so good,” these moments shaped how we saw ourselves.

"We were taught to hide parts of ourselves. Now we celebrate them.”

Have you ever experienced something you couldn’t explain?

Sue DeSimone and I share our angel experiences where we truly believe our guardian angels stepped with a helping hand. From her falling down a London staircase and walking away with 13 stitches instead of a broken neck, to a snapped rope on a slippery mountain trail in Taiwan that should have sent me over the cliff—something, or someone, slowed us down and held us up.

This isn’t just about faith or science—it’s about those mysterious moments when life gives us a second chance.

What does the World Bank really do? This isn’t just about policies or loans—it’s about the people behind them. Dr Mae Chu Chang shares her work with impoverished countries spanning 30 years of her life. Why poverty alleviation is World Bank's core mission, and how education reform became a cornerstone of progress. What are the criteria for getting assistance from World Bank?

We’re taking a short break as we prepare for Season 3. Thank you so much for all your support—it truly means the world to us. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season, and looking forward to seeing you in 2026. In the meantime, enjoy some thought provoking clips from our past seasons. Still uploading every Tuesday. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—so you won’t miss a thing when Season 3 drops!

Behind every survivor's smile is pain perhaps you'll never get to see.

In part two of Tom Landon's journey on #OldAsianLady, we dive into the hardest chapter of his life - battling leukemia. From painful bone marrow biopsies and spinal taps, to the emotional toll of guilt, anger, and depression. Tom shares the raw truth of living through serious illness. This episode explores the role of family and faith and the transformation that comes when you move from despair to gratitude.

Tom's story is a reminder that even in the darkest times, support and hope can carry us through.

In part 1 of our #OldAsianLady conversation with Tom Landon, we explore what it means to grow up feeling like an outsider. From frequent moves as a military family, to challenges with bullying, to navigating ADHD and how moving to Hawaii gave him a clean slate, new confidence, and a chance to rewrite his story. This episode is about the power of starting over, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

In Part 2 of this #OldAsianLady conversation, we follow Christine Kaʻaloa's leap from reality TV to solo travel vlogging - building #GRRRLTraveler from scratch. She didn’t set out to be a YouTuber. She just didn’t want to lose her voice. We see the highlight reels—epic landscapes, solo adventures, brand deals. But what we don’t see is the behind-the-scenes truth of the grit, the fear, the hustle and the burnout from content creation, and how she grew her own global brand. If Christine’s story inspired you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to start their own journey. And if you’re building something from scratch—keep going. Your voice matters!