R U O'Cake?

⭐ Theme 9 :Cultural Narratives ⭐

From Heritage to Healing: Youth Mental-Health Advocacy through a Cultural Lens

A special live podcast event, recorded on Sunday, 28 June 2026

What happens when three organisations, two continents, and one big conversation about mental health collide? In this milestone episode (marking R U O'Cake?'s one-year anniversary) hosts May and Ebony team up with friends from the Philippine-Australian Arts, Culture and Innovation Centre (PAACI), alongside special guests from the Philippine Mental Health Association Palawan Chapter (PMHA), for a live cross-cultural podcast event unlike any other.

Panelists Raine, Cait, Josh, and Dave open up about growing up between cultures (and continents), the sting of stigma -from being called "praning" or "baliw" (crazy) - and how healing shows up in unexpected places; a beauty-queen upbringing in Cebu, karaoke as vagus-nerve therapy, and cooking rellenong bangus as a cure for loneliness.

Along the way, listeners will hear:

• How Bayanihan (community spirit) and Pakikisama (togetherness) shape Filipino approaches to well-being.
• Why mental health conversations in the Philippines are still tangled up with superstition, spirituality, and generational silence - and how grassroots workers in Palawan are slowly breaking that stigma, one conversation at a time.
• How art, food, music, and storytelling become tools of advocacy, connection, and self-expression when clinical language feels too heavy or too foreign.
• A live collaborative art workshop, "Arts in Advocacy," led by artist Chantelle Cortez Maglalang, where listeners turn shared vulnerability into a visual art piece of collective healing.

Come for the heartfelt stories, stay for the reminder that through art, we carry our culture forward - and in sharing it, we create connection and healing across generations and borders

Panelists:

• Raine Baljak (@rainebaljak)
• Cait Salonga (@caitlinsalonga)
• Joshua Emmanuel Bacuel Alutaya (Joshua Emmanuel Bacuel)
• Daven Rocaberte (@riemueldaven)

Partner Organisations

• Philippine-Australian Arts, Culture and Innovation Centre (NARRA Cooperative Ltd)
• Philippine Mental Health Association Palawan Chapter (PMHA Palawan)

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram (@ruocake.pod) and TikTok (@ruocake.pod)

Have a great day! 💛 💗

⭐ Theme 8: The Online World ⭐

In this episode, May goes solo and dives into something she's been wanting to talk about for a long time: the rise of AI in mental health treatment.

Join her as she unpacks:

• What AI actually is and how it works
• How technology has already changed mental health care
• What the research says about AI's role in early detection, personalised treatment, and accessibility
• The real risks involved with digitalising healthcare
• Whether AI is a helpful tool or a harmful replacement for human therapy

Whether you're a psychology nerd, someone navigating your own mental health journey, or just curious about where tech and wellbeing intersect, this one is packed with insight, lived experience, and a whole lot of heart.

💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram (@ruocake.pod) and TikTok (@ruocake.pod)

“AI can be a tool, but it can never replace the human connection” 💛

Weekly Recommendation: Listen to Filipino Music!

• IV of Spades
• Gloc-9

References:

• Betz, S. (2022, August 25). 7 types of artificial intelligence. Builtin.Com. https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/types-of-artificial-intelligence
• Copeland, B. (2026, July 2). artificial intelligence. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence
• Poudel, U., Jakhar, S., Mohan, P., & Nepal, A. (2025). AI in Mental Health: A Review of Technological Advancements and Ethical Issues in Psychiatry. Issues in mental health nursing, 46(7), 693–701. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2502943

⭐ Theme 8: The Online World ⭐

In this duo episode, Ebony and May trade stories about their surprisingly late introductions to technology, starting from hand-me-down Nokia brick phones. Raised in a Steiner school that championed screen-free weeks and made them sit through fear-inducing tech documentaries, neither of them saw the digital lives they lead today coming. Now? One is a content creator with a global following, and the other still rage-deletes Instagram on a regular basis. How did they get here? Pull up a seat - this one's equal parts nostalgic, honest, and unexpectedly hilarious.

In this episode, we explore:

• The stories behind our very first phones, and why we got them way later than most
• Screen-free weeks and what it was like growing up in a school that feared technology
• Surviving online high school during COVID lockdowns
• The cycle of deleting and re-downloading Instagram, and the psychology behind why we always come back
• Doom scrolling as avoidance: the dopamine hits, the FOMO, and why it mirrors addictive behaviour
• The heated debate: is there a "right" age to give kids technology?
• Exploring which generation got the best deal growing up with tech
• The bright side: how technology powers global friendships, solo travel, and creative communities

Plus: Ebony challenges you to remember the last three Reels or TikToks you watched. Can you? 👀

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and Tiktok

Wishing you a lovely rest of your day💛 💗

• https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
• Social media ban in Australia | A simple guide. (2025). UNICEF Australia. https://www.unicef.org.au/unicef-youth/staying-safe-online/social-media-ban-explainer?srsltid=AfmBOor2odb9r2x9z-7n4C_uAUootWt2k2qkDZ4bIwnqNuGzmvE48un8

⭐ Theme 7: The Side Quest Chronicles ⭐

Today's episode follows May’s rejection‑therapy journey from Manila, Philippines. She unpacks the psychology behind the viral TikTok trend, debunking myths while citing the evidence. Drawing from evidence‑based therapy and theory, May explains why rejection hurts so deeply and how rejection therapy can serve as a powerful exercise for self-growth. She then shares five wildly fun, nerve‑wracking, and heart‑warming challenges; from selling street snacks to filming a singing audition and more. Along the way, May confronts imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and Tall Poppy Syndrome, showing exactly what it means to just …try.

Key Takeaways:

• The fascinating link between social rejection and pain
• The revelations that helped May break free from cultural and psychological barriers
• The one sentence from a friend that summed up everything she learned

💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok @ruocake.pod

💛💗

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). What is exposure therapy? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy
• Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The Need to belong: Desire for Interpersonal Attachments as a Fundamental Human Motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497
• Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134
• J, P. (2025, September 9). An introduction to rejection therapy. Simply Neuroscience. https://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/an-introduction-to-rejection-therapy
• Jia Jiang. (2015). What I learned from 100 days of rejection. Ted.com; TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection
• Jiang, J. (2012, November 16). 100 Days of Rejection Therapy. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLamouX6QxWIuTHuaArIOzdorWoYaF6cU5
• Wikipedia Contributors. (2025, June 27). Rejection Therapy. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rejection_Therapy

⭐ Theme 7: The Side Quest Chronicles ⭐

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Ever held back from asking for something because you were scared of hearing "no"? In this solo episode of R U O'Cake?, Ebony dives headfirst into the world of rejection therapy, in other words, the practice of intentionally putting yourself in situations where rejection is possible, all in the name of growth. From cold-DMing a cafe owner she admired, to manifesting a dream collaboration with a brand, to landing a spot with a top management agency, Ebony shares the real, unfiltered stories of what happened when she stopped being a silent observer and started actually asking for what she wanted. Whether you're a fellow twenty-something figuring it all out or just someone who needs a nudge to finally hit send on that message, this one's for you!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why rejection therapy is one of the fastest ways to build confidence
• The surprising thing that happens when you actually ask for what you want
• Why you should start before you feel ready
• How one DM can open doors you didn't know existed
• A challenge you can try today to kickstart your own rejection therapy journey!

💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don’t forget to like, share, and spread the word!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok

“people are way more willing to say yes than you think” 💗

⭐ Theme 7: Side Quest Chronicles ⭐

What if the most meaningful chapters of your life weren't planned at all? In this episode of R U O'Cake?, Ebony and May are unpacking the magic of side quests: those spontaneous, curious, delightfully random adventures that exist outside your main game plan. From defining what a side quest actually is to sharing their own wildly eclectic lists, they make the case for why saying yes to the unexpected might just be the best thing you do in your 20s.

Key Takeaways:

• Side quests aren't a distraction from your life
• The things you do "just for fun" have an incredible way of shaping who you become
• Your 20s are the perfect time to collect experiences over certainty
• Your gut is smarter than your mental anxiety
• You don't need a plan, a reason, or even a talent… you just need to say yes!
• Side quests have a compound effect: one random yes leads to another, and before you know it, your whole story has changed

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok @ruocake.pod

Have a wonderfully spontaneous day 💛 💗

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Ebony’s Side-Quest Inspo List (pick one and give it a go!)

• 🧵 Take a sewing class
• 🤝 Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you
• 💭 Do that thing you've always wanted to do but thought you couldn't
• 📖 Write something (e.g. journaling, start a book, write up a blog)
• 💃 Join a dance class
• 🎸 Learn how to play an instrument
• 🌙 Set yourself a fun goal before a night out (make it a mission for you and your friends)
• ☕ Become the local expert by finding the best something in your area (e.g. cafe, study hub, chill-out spot, park)
• 📱 Start up your influencer era with one social media post (that’s how EbonyMayBakes was born!)
• 🌿 Offer to mow someone’s lawn
• 🚗 Wash people's cars

References:

Schubert, B. (2025, April 11). What Are “Side Quests” And How Can We Use Them for Self-Care? The Good Trade. https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-are-side-quests/

We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

⭐ Theme 6: Family By Choice ⭐

In this special episode, hosts May and Ebony are joined by Joshua Santos (NARRA) and an incredible panel of multicultural youth voices for an honest, unscripted conversation exploring what it really takes to build friendships across cultures.

Recorded on 14 March 2026 during a live virtual meet-up, this episode was produced in collaboration with NARRA Coop to support the PAACI Arts and Culture Fellowship, a project of NARRA Coop and the Philippine Arts, Culture, and Innovation Centre, bridging Philippine communities and the Filipino-Australian diaspora through storytelling and collaborative engagement.

Together, the panel explores:

• How family, culture, and upbringing shape the way we show up for each other
• What it actually takes to build, maintain, and repair friendships across cultural lines
• Powerful personal stories of moments when a cross-cultural friendship brought deep connection and understanding

Featuring perspectives from the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia, this conversation explores Filipino concepts like kapwa (shared identity) and bayanihan (community spirit), the role of art and movement in bridging language barriers, and why vulnerability is the foundation of real connection.

Whether you're navigating a multicultural identity, building friendships far from home, or simply curious about what cross-cultural care can look like, this one's for you.

🎙️ Panellists: Joshua Santos, Adriana Meaza, Toyo White, Mark Angel Berdote & Jaime Benedicto

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok

Take care and have a wonderful day! 💛💗

Maraming salamat (thank you very much) to everyone who joined us live and to our incredible guests for sharing so openly.

⭐ Theme 6: Family By Choice ⭐

Can girls and guys really just be friends? In this solo episode, May dives into the deeply nuanced world of cross-gender platonic friendships, unpacking the social pressures, gender stereotypes, and cultural expectations that shape how we connect with people outside our own gender. Drawing from her unique upbringing in a Steiner school, her multicultural identity, and her lived experiences navigating friendships across Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, May shares her most honest and heartfelt take yet on what it truly means to form deep, platonic bonds across gender lines.

• How Steiner education shaped May's view of gender and relationships
• Why cross-gender friendships are a powerful tool for social and emotional development
• Gender roles and stereotypes that challenge cross-gender platonic connection
• How culture shapes the way we maintain cross-gender friendships
• The difference between platonic and romantic love - and why it matters
• Tips for maintaining healthy cross-gender relationships

💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word!

📲 Follow us on Instagram (@ruocake.pod )and TikTok (@ruocake.pod)!

"When we limit ourselves to thinking that guys will always find girls romantically attractive, we lose so much opportunity to connect with the opposite gender." 💛

We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

⭐ Theme: Family by Choice ⭐

Recorded on Ebony's birthday! 🎂

This episode is a deep dive into the decade-long friendship between hosts Ebony and May. From how they met to unforgettable school memories, they reflect on the journey that brought them here - and why they believe the people you choose to keep close are truly family by choice.

They get real about the challenges and unexpected joys of maintaining a long-distance friendship, exploring how open communication, trust, and intentionality form the foundation of any strong relationship. They also discuss the role technology plays in staying connected, and how sharing both the highs and the lows deepens emotional bonds in ways that proximity simply can't.

At the heart of it all is a reminder that quality time matters more than quantity and that distance never has to define the depth of a connection.

In this episode:

• Why friendships are a vital part of your 20s
• How to maintain long-distance friendships with intentionality
• The unexpected benefits of distance in a friendship
• Why quality time beats quantity every time

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram: @ruocake.pod

Have a wonderful day! 💛 💗

Resources Mentioned:

• Angie Mcmahon (great Aussie music!)
• Roy Jr. Canberra (Ebony’s matcha reco xx)
• Best Friends Get Brutally Honest | Split Decision

⭐ Theme 5 : Food for Thought ⭐

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of eating disorders. Please listen with care and prioritise your wellbeing. If you need support, contact your local mental health services or eating disorder helplines. Professional help is available, and recovery is possible.

Join us for a deeply personal and educational conversation with May as she shares her journey with eating disorders, exploring the complex intersection of food, culture, and mental health. This powerful episode goes beyond statistics to reveal the human story behind eating disorder recovery, combining May's vulnerable storytelling about her experiences growing up, her relationship with food, and navigating recovery during COVID-19. Through authentic discussion, we debunk common myths and stigmas while sharing eye-opening statistics - including that approximately one million Australians live with an eating disorder each year.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Eating disorders are complex and misunderstood - they affect people across all demographics and are often stigmatised despite being serious mental health conditions
• Recovery is a non-linear journey with ups and downs, requiring ongoing self-care strategies, support systems, and professional help when needed
• Education and personal storytelling are powerful tools for reducing stigma and helping others feel less alone in their struggles
• Everyone deserves help and support regardless of background, and challenging societal norms around body image is crucial for collective healing

💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don’t forget to like, share, and spread the word!

📲 Follow us on Instagram @ruocake.pod

“You are not alone in your struggles." 💛
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REFERENCES

• Journal Prompts from Weekly Recommendations:
✍🏻“Today I’m grateful for…”
✍🏻 “I’m proud of myself for…”

• ABC - You Can’t Ask That (Eating Disorder Episode)
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/you-can-t-ask-that/series/3/video/LE1717H004S00

EATING DISORDER SUPPORT

AUSTRALIA
• The Butterfly Foundation (National support and advocacy): www.butterfly.org.au
• InsideOut Institute (Research and clinical services): www.insideoutinstitute.org.au
• Lifeline Australia (Crisis support): 13 11 14

PHILIPPINES
• National Center for Mental Health (Crisis hotline): (02) 7-989-8727 or 1553 (Luzon-wide)

GLOBAL
• Eating Disorder Hope (International directory and resources): www.eatingdisorderhope.com
• National Eating Disorders Association (Crisis support and resources): www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
• Project HEAL (Global community and treatment access): www.theprojectheal.org

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ℹ️ We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.