School of Self-Worth

Nicole’s Book Club is back in session! 

One of my favorite things to do in my free time is read. I’m talking fiction, novels, romantasy, all the good stuff. And in 2024, I took reading more seriously than ever — I’m on pace to read 65 books by the end of the year, a new record.

And reading so many books showed me a lot — about the books and their beautiful worlds that give me the best kind of mental break, what I learn from reading, and how much FUN reading is.

Without further ado, here are my top 5 books I read in 2024! 

1. "Yellowface" by RF Kuang 
2. "Light from Uncommon Stars" by Ryka Aok
3. "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel 
4. "Vaster Wilds" by Lauren Groff 
5. "James" by Percival Everett 

I would love to hear YOUR favorite books you read. DM me @nicoletsong on Instagram and share what you loved reading the most! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Setting big reading goals for the year [00:00:01] to [00:02:31]
• Why diverse books matter  [00:01:58] to [00:02:31] 
• How community helps keep the joy and accountability alive [00:02:31] to [00:03:42]
• Benefits of novels  [00:04:02] to [00:04:36]
• My new favorite category — Romance Fantasy (Romantasy)  [00:04:55] to [00:06:27]
• My top books of the year  [00:07:03] to [00:17:08]

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Are you someone who has received so many accolades for your work, and you constantly perform at a high level, so from all appearances, you’re crushing it? Like people are always impressed by your job, the things you’ve done, and wonder how you do it all?

 But inside, you still feel like it’s all a bit of a sham, that perhaps you don’t deserve the titles and positions, and you’re secretly worried that some day you’ll be found out?

Then this is the episode for you!

Today, Kisha Wynter, an experienced executive leader and coach, shares what it’s like to overcome imposter syndrome, how to reclaim your own power in tough work environments, and how women in particular can advance their career and still feel fulfilled. 

We discuss some of the most common self-sabotage patterns, laid out in Wynter’s new book, “Your Power Unleashed: How Savvy Women Use Courage to Get Promoted, Get Paid, and Find Fulfillment,” and how to get over patterns like procrastination. 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Combating limiting beliefs (09:32 - 12:15)
• Overcoming inaction through accountability and momentum (15:10 - 18:24)
• Power as agency and control (22:45 - 25:03)
• Advocacy over hard work (31:50 - 34:22)
• Dealing with bias and communication styles (40:10 - 43:27)

Kisha Wynter is a dynamic leadership consultant and executive coach with a diverse background in human resources, particularly in major corporations within the financial services sector. An immigrant from Jamaica, Kisha has made Stamford, Connecticut her home, while working globally with leaders from over 50 countries. Her unique perspective and rich cultural experiences have shaped her approach to empowering women, especially in corporate settings.

Kisha is the author of "Your Power Unleashed: How Savvy Women Use Courage to Get Promoted, Get Paid and Find Fulfillment," a book that targets ambitious women aiming to advance their careers and achieve personal fulfillment. In her work, Kisha emphasizes the importance of legacy, motivation, and overcoming limiting beliefs.

Her notable achievements include helping women recognize their own brilliance, dismantle self-sabotage patterns like procrastination and indecision, and navigate workplace dynamics to build advocacy and sponsorship. Kisha is also a proponent of accountability and community, drawing on principles of physics to encourage momentum in professional and personal growth.

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

Learn More About Kisha Wynter:

• https://www.yourpowerunleashed.org
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishawynter/
• Grab a copy of Your Power Unleashed! 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Are you successful on paper, but you don’t feel successful?

If that describes you to a T, then there’s one key thing you’re probably skipping — learning and celebration.

I love taking the time to reflect back on a year, and to see the lessons, no matter how hard or embarrassing some of them might be.

In 2024, there were a few that felt like they were going to knock me down, and I would not bounce back up.

But I picked myself up off the ground, and found so many lessons along the way.

Make sure to listen to my TOP 8 lessons that shaped this year, and then take time for yourself to do the same so you are primed for 2025.

Top learnings in this episode:

• Embracing Cultural Identity [0:02:15] 
• The Importance of Family Connections [0:07:30]
• The Power of Fun [0:10:45]
• Taking Risks [0:15:00]
• Seeking and Receiving Help [0:20:10]

Tune in to the full episode to dive deeper into these insights and hear my personal reflections and practical advice.

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Do you know that you need rest, but still struggle to give yourself time to rest?

In today’s episode, I speak with my guest and friend, Octavia Raheem about her new book, “Rest is Sacred” and the how rest is more essential and revolutionary than ever.

Octavia and I talk about how to rest and still be ambitious, and also how rest is the spark for creativity, fulfilment, and dreaming bigger than you ever imagined.

In this poignant conversation, we dig into the idea of overwork as an addiction, and how rest also provides a structure to breaking old patterns, plus the cultural conditioning that can make resting so challenging.

Octavia shares so much wisdom and learning — you do NOT want to miss this episode!

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• The Impact of Cultural Pressures on Work Ethic   [07:35]
• Rest as a Form of Resistance and Self-Care   [14:15]
• Building a Personal Practice Around Rest  [25:50]
• Rest as Reflection and Emotional Release  [32:40]
• Seasonality of Work and Rest  [45:00]

Octavia Raheem is an esteemed author, teacher, and advocate for the sacred practice of rest. With a profound emphasis on helping individuals, especially women, navigate through fatigue and burnout, Octavia has written three impactful books since 2020, including "Rest is Sacred." Her work delves into the necessity of rest and its role in reclaiming self-worth, creativity, and alignment with one's natural rhythms. As a teacher of rest, Octavia combines her insights from restorative yoga and personal practices to encourage a nuanced and empathetic approach to self-care. Her teachings and literary contributions resonate widely, inviting readers and practitioners to redefine their relationship with rest as a vital form of self-love and resistance against the pressures of over-exertion. Octavia continues to share her wisdom and support through her writings, workshops, and personal interactions, aiming to inspire holistic well-being and purposeful living.

Check out her book "Rest is Sacred" available at various retailers like Barnes and Noble, Shambhala's site, local stores, and Amazon.

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Learn More About Octavia Raheem: 

• Website: https://www.octaviaraheem.com/
• Instagram: @octaviaRaheem
• Buy “Rest is Sacred”: https://www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Have you ever felt the sting of being passed over for a promotion that you thought was yours? 

Did you wonder what you did wrong?

Did you ask if there was anything else you could do? 

Did it make you feel like giving up? 

In this episode of the School of Self-Worth, I dig into how to handle getting passed over promotion — and how to reclaim your own power and self-worth. 

I talk about my own personal experience losing out on a dream job. More importantly, I share about the ONE tool that can help you turn a major career setback around. 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Overcoming promotion pass-over   (03:07)
• Finding power within, not without  (05:51)
• Loving your career as it is right now (07:17) 
• Finding growth on the path you are on (08:59)

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Question for AAPI women — have you ever noticed how often you have to push your glasses up your nose? 

Florence Shin found herself doing that over and over growing up, and wondered if there was anything she could do to change it.

She realized that the eyewear available in the United States was not made for her face space, and decided to make the kind of glasses that worked Asian-American women.

Shin co-founded Covry, an eyewear company that makes stylish, elegant and inclusive glasses. In this episode, I got to talk to Shin about what she discovered making inclusive glasses, and how her business has evolved in the past decade.

It’s a juicy episode with all kinds of insights about being an entrepreneur, so make sure to tune in! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• The importance of community in creating products that meet your preferences (9:10)
• Identifying industry gaps in fashion (10:18)
• Using fashion to highlight the significance of diversity (12:25)

Florence Shin is the cofounder of Covry, an eyewear brand celebrated for its inclusive designs and innovative approach to fit. Since 2015, Covry has created a new standard in the eyewear industry, creating products that empower individuals to embrace their unique features. Florence's journey as an entrepreneur has been shaped by a commitment to authenticity and innovation. 

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and @florence.shin so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Learn More About Florence Shin: 

• Website: shopcovry.com
• Instagram: @florence.shin 
• Instagram: @shopcovry 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Do you take feedback personally at work and wish you didn’t? 

And you know you want to stop being emotionally reactive at work? 

In today’s episode, I talk about the cause of emotional reactivity, why you might not have learned culturally to be connected to your emotions, and the simple steps you can take to be less reactive. 

There are some simple tools I go over to help you understand emotions better, and how to change yourself from reactive to responsive. 

Today’s episode is all about the lessons that I have learnt on how you can go from reacting to responding, and how understanding and managing your emotions will make you a more effective leader at work.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Understanding your emotions is key to professional growth (5:47)
• Transforming the way you view feedback at work (09:39)
• Recognizing your emotional triggers (12:31)

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

When you’re biracial, it can feel like you’re caught between two cultures.

At least that was the experience for children’s book author Elisa Stad growing up biracial.

In this episode, I spoke with Elisa about her experience growing up with an American father and an immigrant mother, and what it was like navigating two different cultures at home, and how it affected her own sense of self.

As a kid, she felt isolated, so once she became a mom, she wanted to write a book her own multi-racial kids could relate to. We talk about her book, “Mama’s Love Language” and the different ways Elisa continues to break generational patterns she grew up with.

Stay tuned for a profound conversation about navigating bi-racial identity — this episode is a must-listen! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Navigating dual cultures (8:09)
• Overcoming the pain of generational trauma (13:54)
• Shaping your self-worth through understanding hardships (15:46)
• Understanding the deep impact of generational differences (18:41)

Elisa Stad, for the majority of her career, was a brand and international business executive for luxury goods and consumer product companies. Elisa grew up in a mixed-race household, as a daughter of a Vietnamese refugee mother and American father. She always wanted to share with other young children the diversity of feelings and how we can celebrate our unique gifts. You can find her enjoying ballet, visiting local Asian street markets, practicing yoga, and focusing on her spiritual practice.

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and @mamaslovelanguage so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Learn More About Elise Stad: 

• Website: https://www.elisastad.com
• Instagram: @mamaslovelanguage 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

I grew up watching Connie Chung on TV. 

And then I got to see her live and hear about her new memoir, “Connie.”

And it was a big reminder of the importance of confidence, and being able to advocate for yourself with confidence at work.

I used to struggle with speaking up for myself at work, and for most of my life, saw myself as the “quiet” one.

But there are some simple things I did to step into my confident, authentic voice as an Asian-American woman, and I go over them in this episode! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Unlearning the “quiet Asian” stereotype (5:58)
• Unorthodox ways to build confidence in a male-dominated industry (8:44)
• Maintaining your power in conversations (10:40)
• The art of pausing to be heard (16:04) 

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz:  nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Did you know that watching TV can transform your mental health?

That’s what author and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jeanie Y. Chang posits in her book, How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing and Mental Health.

I was thrilled to sit down with Jeanie, especially after reading her book, which is an education in itself on Korean dramas and how they offer insight into healing your own mental health.

In this episode, Jeanie, a former journalist, shares about how K-dramas helped her navigate her own mental health challenges while pivoting from journalism to business school to family therapy, and how she started to bring K-dramas in to help her own patients.

Jeanie and I also dig into the cultural pressures for Asian-Americans and the importance of helping AAPI communities break through the stigma around mental health.

This conversation was rich, and trust me, you do NOT want to miss out on all of the wisdom and nuggets Jeannie shares! 

Here are the top insights:

• Learning that self-care is essential, not selfish
• How the relatable narratives in K-dramas help people connect to their emotions
• How to navigate the culture pressure of growing up Asian-American while still taking care of your mental health
• The broad appeal of K-dramas and how the emotional storytelling and Korean culture resonate with people from all backgrounds.

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so I can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

Want the exact step-by-step to learn the secret language of intuition? Grab the private podcast! go.nicoletsong.com/secret

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge >> go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email [email protected] to share any thoughts or feedback. 

Catch up with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/