The Spokane fires tested our community in ways many of us never imagined.

Thousands were forced to evacuate, homes and memories were lost, and families faced unimaginable uncertainty. Yet in the midst of devastation, I witnessed something powerful: people showing up for one another.

Neighbors opened their homes. Volunteers donated their time. Firefighters traveled from across the region and the country to help protect Spokane. Complete strangers became family.

In this episode, Spokane Strong: A Community Tested by Fire, I reflect on the human side of disaster—the loss, the resilience, the generosity, and the hope that emerges when a community comes together.

I also share my personal experience of asking, “What can I do?” and how a simple act of making bánh mì sandwiches led to witnessing the incredible compassion and heart of Spokane.

This episode is dedicated to every family affected by the fires, every firefighter and first responder, every volunteer, and every person who chose kindness during a difficult time.

The road to recovery will be long, but Spokane has shown that we are stronger when we stand side by side.

When we think about Independence Day, we often think about freedom as a nation. But this year, freedom has a much deeper meaning for me.

Today, July 1, marks my own Independence Day—a reminder of the new chapter I've stepped into after my divorce. It's a day that represents letting go of what no longer serves me, reclaiming my voice, and creating a life that feels authentic to who I am.

In this episode, I reflect on what freedom really means: the courage to start over, the strength to choose yourself, and the willingness to embrace the unknown.

Wherever you are in your journey, I hope this conversation inspires you to define freedom for yourself and embrace the possibilities of a new beginning.

In this episode, I explore the complicated relationship I have with my mom and the battle between love, resentment, guilt, and healing. I share my journey of trying to find a balance between being there for her when she isn't doing well and honoring my own need to heal.

This year, I will give myself permission to step away, have no contact, and remove the label of "daughter" and let go of the expectations and responsibilities. This wasn't about a lack of love, it's about creating the space I needed to reset my body, calm my nervous system, and begin healing.

I also reflect on the true meaning of L.O.V.E. Love is more than a feeling—it is action. Sometimes love looks like showing up for someone. Sometimes love looks like setting boundaries. Sometimes love means choosing yourself so that you can heal.

This is a conversation about self-love, forgiveness, grief, boundaries, and finding the courage to let go of guilt while creating a healthier path forward.

In this episode of Dating Yourself: Rediscovering You, I explore the question: What is it actually like to date you?

So often we pour love, attention, and energy into everyone else while forgetting to truly know ourselves. This episode is about finding the courage to reconnect with who you are, especially after heartbreak, divorce, loss, burnout, or life transitions.

I talk about the beauty and discomfort of solo dates, learning how to enjoy your own company, and stepping outside of your comfort zone to rediscover the parts of yourself that may have been forgotten along the way. From taking yourself out to dinner or festival, to sitting alone with your thoughts, dating yourself can become a powerful journey of healing, confidence, and self-worth.

The second half of life is not about settling—it’s about rediscovering your identity, your joy, and the version of yourself that’s been waiting to be fully seen.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. DM me on Threads at @thefindyourjoypod or email me at [email protected]

For FND Awareness Day, I’m opening up about my story of living with Functional Neurological Disorder. This episode is a rewind of my journey—the struggles, the growth, and the moments that have shaped me. Living with chronic illness isn’t always visible, but it is deeply real. My hope is that by sharing my truth, it helps others feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Trigger Warning

In this episode, I’ll be sharing my personal experience of living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This is my journey—I don’t speak for everyone with FND, as each person’s journey is unique.

FND is still not widely known, and part of my goal here is to raise awareness and help shed light on what this condition can look like.

What is FND?

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition where people experience real neurological symptoms—such as weakness, movement disorders, sensory changes, or non-epileptic seizures—that cannot be explained by structural damage or disease in the nervous system. Instead, the issue lies in how the brain and body are functioning and communicating.

Some Common Symptoms of FND include:

• Non-epileptic seizures

• Limb weakness or paralysis

• Walking or balance difficulties (abnormal gait)

• Tremors or involuntary movements

• Speech or swallowing difficulties

• Chronic pain and fatigue

• Visual or sensory disturbances

• Cognitive challenges, often called “brain fog”

Song Highlight:🎵 Invisible Fight (My FND Story) by Ryan Patrick⁠Listen here on Spotify⁠

Resources to Learn More:

• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): ⁠A Patient’s Guide⁠

• ⁠FND Hope ⁠

• Stanford Medicine –⁠ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences⁠

In this episode, I talk about the journey of taking back my culture and reconnecting with the Vietnamese language — the language of my family, my roots, and my identity. Growing up between two worlds, I often felt like I didn’t fully belong in either one: not completely American, not completely Vietnamese. Living in that in-between space can feel confusing, lonely, and sometimes even painful.

With the arrival of Lunar New Year — the Year of the Horse — The horse symbolizes freedom, strength, and transformation. For me, this year represents a personal shift: choosing to move forward as my full self and reclaim the parts of my identity I once felt disconnected from.

Relearning Vietnamese and reconnecting with my culture is part of that change. It’s about honoring where I come from while also accepting who I’ve become. Instead of feeling like I have to choose between being American or Vietnamese, I’m learning that both can exist within me.

In this episode, I reflect on navigating two cultures, the pressure to assimilate, and the healing that comes from embracing your heritage and your voice.

And to everyone celebrating around the world, I want to say in my native tongue:

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới — Happy Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year — known in Vietnamese as Tết (Tết Nguyên Đán) — is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. Learn more about the holiday here: Vietnamese Lunar New Year: Tet Traditions, Food & Travel Guide One traditional dish eaten during Tết is bánh tét. It’s a dish that represents tradition, family, and celebration. If you want to try making it yourself, here’s the link: Bánh Tét for Lunar New Year (Vietnamese Sticky Rice Cake with Pork Belly) - Vicky PhamThis episode is about identity, belonging, and stepping into change — the journey of becoming fully, unapologetically yourself.

In this episode, I reflect on what goal setting truly means. Instead of rigid New Year’s resolutions, I explore a more compassionate, growth-centered approach to setting goals through the power of poetry.

I talk about listening to your heart’s desires and what it really means to honor them. In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, choosing joy and purpose becomes an intentional act. Growth isn’t always about pushing harder — sometimes it’s about aligning more deeply with who you are and what matters most.

I also share a personal story about how visualization helped me move through a moment that felt incredibly big and a milestone. Living with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) has reshaped the way I approach challenges, and mental rehearsal has become a powerful tool. By visualizing myself navigating the experience successfully beforehand, I was able to build confidence and show up in a way I once thought wasn’t possible.

This episode is a reminder that:

• Goals can evolve — and it’s okay to change your mind
  
• Learning and growth aren’t linear
  
• Your desires matter, even when they don’t make sense to others
  
• Visualization can be a powerful ally in facing difficult moments
  

Ultimately, this episode is about giving yourself permission — permission to grow, to pivot, to dream differently, and to define success on your own terms.

Because sometimes the bravest goal you can set is simply to become more fully yourself.

In this episode, I share how I’m taking a step back to reassess where my podcast is heading and what truly feels aligned for me. I’ve been struggling with promoting my own work, so I’m giving myself space to reflect, reevaluate, and honestly ask if this is still the direction I’m meant to follow.

I also open up about the challenges that come with changing traditions—especially after losing my sister, living with chronic illness, and seeing the holidays through a new lens after divorce. Christmas looks different for me now, and I’m learning to create meaning in ways that support who I am today.

And finally, I talk about my mirror work practice and how it has helped me push through self-doubt and see myself in a kinder, truer light. My hope is that this episode inspires you to pause, reflect, and discover something new within yourself too.

Living with chronic illness is challenging, especially when it comes to finding balance and understanding what your body is truly capable of. I’ve been slowly building my endurance—physically and mentally—so that movement can feel more like ease and grace rather than struggle.

During a recent walk, I had a vision that stayed with me. In that moment, I felt connected to something bigger than my limited beliefs. I began to uncover new layers of what my body and spirit can do. That realization fills me with joy, confidence, and a renewed sense of hope.

The genie in the bottle — what a powerful metaphor for how I’ve been living: trapped in my life and in my own body. Over the past few years, I’ve learned that I had to rub my own lamp to create the life I truly want. And in doing so, I finally set myself free — taking small steps toward the things I’ve always wanted to do, like throwing my very first Halloween party!