School of Self-Worth

In 2000, I was preparing to launch my book “24 Ways to Move More,” and I had a flash of insight. 

KING-5 anchor Lori Matsukawa had agreed to help me with the launch, and I was suddenly aware that I stood on her shoulders.

Lori is a trailblazer in the media. As the former evening anchor for KING-5, her face and powerful, calm presence was a staple on television in Seattle for 36 years until her retirement in 2019.

In this episode, Lori shares about how she got into journalism, some intense experiences she had over the years, and why she began to leverage her role and influence to support other Asian-American journalists, including co-founding the Seattle chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. 

We also talk about her children’s book, “Brave Mrs. Sato,” and what inspired her to write about picture brides, Japanese women who came to the United States to marry husbands they had never met. 

This episode is full of so many powerful insights and lessons, make sure to tune in! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• From beauty pageants to breaking barriers in a predominantly white industry (06:50)
• Setbacks can be a way to inspire legacy (19:22)
• Transforming adversity into stories and awards (27:31) 
• Inspiring change through the Japanese art of flower arrangement, ikebana (34:37)

Lori is a television journalist who has been in the business for more than 40 years. She retired after 36 years as a news anchor at KING TV in Seattle. She was co-founder of the Asian American Journalists Association - Seattle Chapter. She is a cofounder of the Japanese cultural and community Center of Washington. Her children’s book “Brave Mrs. Sato” was published in November 2023.

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 often put pressure on yourself to get things done perfectly and can be deeply critical of yourself and others when things don’t go according to plan? 

If so, tune in for this episode to learn the secret to overcoming perfectionism.

Inside, I share about how my perfectionism developed growing up in an Asian-American family, where prioritizing the collective was more important than my own personal desires.

But as I got older, I saw how perfectionism eroded my peace and joy. I had to recognize how perfectionism hindered me from my true potential so I could learn to take more risks and own my authentic voice.

Join me as I give you a practical, two-step method to break free from the grip of perfectionism so you can own your voice and get recognized at work. 

I can’t wait for you to join in on this transformative conversation.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Releasing the pressure valves (7:36)
• Understanding perfectionism (2:15)
• Transform your mindset by celebrating wins (10:24)

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/

I am so excited to share this incredible conversation today. 

I sat down with entrepreneur and author Judy Tsuei, founder of Wild Hearted Words, and was blown away by her story of how she reclaimed her self-worth and her voice after an intense upbringing with a tiger mom, to her recovery from an eating disorder, and how she leaned into language and words to own her voice and self-worth. 

Tsuei has so many powerful anecdotes about how she healed herself and learned to navigate life as a single mom. Make sure to tune in to hear the wisdom she gained along the way — you do not want to miss this conversation! 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Finding safe places to be your true self (22:15)
• The power of language in shaping self-worth and personal narrative (15:11)
• Intergenerational trauma can be healed (31:46)
• You are worth the investments into yourself (44:33)

Judy Tsuei is the founder of Wild Hearted Words, a powerful strategic branding and content marketing agency. She also specializes in coaching women entrepreneurs of color and daughters of immigrants. Her book, The Little Book of Tibetan Rites and Rituals debuted in March 2022 (published by Ulysses Press; distributed by Simon & Schuster). Judy is a 2023 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and has been featured in Fast Company, NASDAQ, MindBodyGreen, and more. She's the host of the highly-rated F*ck Saving Face podcast, empowering mental & emotional health for Asian Americans by breaking through taboo topics and driving real conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion using the power of storytelling. She has been a featured speaker and panelist for industry-leading companies.

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 @judytsuei 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

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 Judy: 

• Website: www.wildheartedwords.com
• Instagram: @judytsuei
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judytsuei/
• Free download: https://www.wildheartedwords.com/book

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/

Here’s a not so fun fact about why it’s probably hard for you to say no when you want to say yes, especially if you’re an immigrant daughter.

The harder you try to say no, and fail at saying no, the more you will struggle to say no.

I struggled for years to say no, until I learned some simple tools to more powerfully say no. In today’s episode, I dig into the exact blocks that prevents you from saying no (hello, fomo much?), and a SIMPLE, 2-step process to start bringing a powerful no into your life.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Why your "yes" means nothing without a "no" (4:22)
• Choosing peace over victimhood (8:22)
• Embracing calm and connection (10:46)
• Loving yourself by saying no (11:06)

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 feel like you’re on the edge of burnout, putting so much time and effort into your work that you’re wondering how much longer you can keep doing it?

If so, this episode, which is full of rich takeaways for handling burnout and stress, might be exactly what you need!

I talk with Meditation Coach & Trainer, Sura Kim, who candidly shares the pivotal moment that transformed the way she looked at her life and her work, and the time when she decided to leave Wall Street to become a meditation coach.

Sura shares some essential tips about what exactly it takes to discover your purpose and to change directions. Make sure to listen to this powerful episode!

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• The continuous journey toward self-worth (3:35)
• Listening to your inner voice (17:09)
• Protecting your energy (22:38)
• Finding your balance to avoid burnout (25:49)

Sura is a highly experienced Meditation Coach and best-selling Author, who is passionate about helping people heal through the practice of meditation. She is the founder of the Sura Flow Meditation Coaching method which has been taught to thousands of students all around the world. She developed her signature approach to meditation: a softer, effortless practice called Sura Flow, a simple 3-step, heart-centered approach cultivates energy flow, creativity, and inner guidance.

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 @suraflow 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 Sura Kim: 

• Website: suraflow.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/surameditationcoach/
• Instagram: @suraflow
• YouTube: @suraflow

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 been in a meeting recently where you are beating yourself up for not saying what you REALLY wanted to say?

Then this is the episode for you!

I’ll be sharing a strategy today that I teach my clients about owning their voice, and it’s one that continues to be one of my favorites.

Join me for this quick mini-episode to talk about what blocks you from owning your voice and the simple technique that helps you reclaim your self-expression.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• You no longer need to wait for everyone else to speak before you voice your ideas (5:58) 
• How group harmony can quash your voice (06:42)
• Reprogram your brain to speak with your authentic voice (07:38)
• Practicing how to speak up (10:12)

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/

Have you ever wondered if your current pathway is going to lead you to a place where you might have regrets?

I know that I have. Which is why I loved talking to Bonnie Wan, advertising and life strategist, about the moment when her marriage was in crisis and she had to really face what was happening there.

Using skills she learned in advertising, Bonnie started teaching the Life Brief, a way of asking questions that peel back the layers to give you clarity for what you’re really desiring in your life.

I loved reading her book, “The Life Brief: A Playbook for No Regrets Living” and loved the conversation where Bonnie talked even more about peeling back the cultural layers of identity to understand what was next for her, her marriage, and her family. 

There is so much richness in our conversation and I can’t wait for you to listen to it!

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Disentangling identities (07:00) 
• The process of moving from corporate culture to solopreneurship (10:16)
• You can be transparent and vulnerable even in corporate settings (19:32)
• Pursuing personal fulfillment amidst societal metrics of success (32:42)

Bonnie Wan is an Author, Speaker and Brand Strategist turned Life Strategist. As a 30-year career strategist, Bonnie has led strategy for Fortune 500 companies including Adobe, Blackstone, BMW, Comcast/Xfinity, Frito-Lay, and Kraft-Heinz. She has been named one of 100 Women to Know in America, an advertising ICON, and Chief Strategy Officer of the Year.

Bonnie created The Life Brief during a moment of personal crisis. Faced with unbearable questions about her marriage, her instincts as a strategist kicked in and she wrote a brief for her life. Cutting through confusion and mental noise, she got brutally clear about what matters most...in her relationships; in her work; and for herself. The resulting Life Brief not only saved her marriage but kicked off on a series of family adventures filled with unexpected twists and unimaginable gifts. Her national bestselling book, The Life Brief: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living launched in January 2024 by Simon & Schuster.

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 @bonniewanofficial so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! 

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

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 Bonnie Wan: 

• Website: www.thelifebrief.com
• Instagram: @bonniewanofficial
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bonniewan

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 was recently given one of the biggest gifts you can receive as a busy professional — TIME. Like, days and days of time.

It all started with jury duty. I was called up, and was planning to do my civic duty.

And then, just like that, I was excused. 

And now i had 6 full days ahead of me, free of meetings, work commitments, of anything, really. 

But this wasn’t a vacation, so I wasn’t sure at first how to handle it, and plenty of old patterns showed up along with my open calendar. 

In this episode, I share the three things that I have learned about self-worth that helped me step into a spacious week, and why it matters for all of us.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• The crippling pressures of hyper-achieving (4:40)
• Balancing self-care with judgment (8:47)
• The power of unbreakable trust in yourself (09:42)
• Debunking the stigma of what productivity looks like (14:35)

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/

Are you struggling to use your authentic voice in a corporate world? 

Do you feel like you have to bury yourself to rise at work, and are unsure how to shift?

If so, this conversation is the one for you! 

I am so excited to welcome Mary Beth Rodriguez to the podcast this week to talk about her experience as an Asian-American woman in the corporate world, and how prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries and connecting to rituals helped her find balance and step into her next chapter.

Join Mary Beth and I as we dig into the nuances of what it’s like to be a woman of color stepping into your authentic voice.

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• Becoming confident in your authentic voice (9:47) 
• The debilitating terms used in corporate culture terms and how to manage (25:00) 
• How cultural pressures impact career choices and hinder you from finding your authentic voice in professional settings (31:42)
• The affirming power of listening to your intuition daily (39:43)

Mary Beth Rodriguez, founder of With/Ritual, has worn many hats including chef, food stylist, culinary buyer, and food industry executive.

Driven by her passion for wellness and nourishment, a health scare inspired her to take a step back from corporate life and explore the art of daily rituals from healers and artisans around the world. 

Grateful for this ongoing journey towards grace, she lives in Chicago with her husband and dog, Chunk.

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 @with_ritual 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 Mary Beth: 

• Website: withritual.com
• Instagram: @with_ritual 

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 spent your life following the rules, and as a result you constantly try to make other people happy?

Welcome, people pleasers! This is the episode for you! 

There are so many cultural reasons Asian-American women struggle with people pleasing. In this episode, Nicole talks about how she became the ultimate people pleaser, and the steps she took to eliminate people pleasing so she could reclaim her power and her voice.

In this episode, she shares 2 simple steps to eliminate people pleasing in 5 minutes per day so you can truly reclaim your power. 

The TOP Learnings in this episode: 

• The impact that people pleasing has on your relationships and workplace (5:08)
• The ongoing effort to eliminate people pleasing (6:41)
• Gaining your power back by owning your preferences (8:55)
• Using your voice confidently (11:05)

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/