Europe was an experience. In this episode, Shenna catches up with her best friends Niña, Veron, and Kate in Madrid and they get candid about travel, moving abroad and starting anew, racism, relationships, and the Philippines.

This episode features songs from Jessie Ware, Enrique Iglesias, Karol G, The Buena Vista Social Club, Ozuna, Farruko, and Daddy Yankee.

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When Friedrich Nietzsche said, “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness” I bet we all felt that. No matter how much we try to avoid it, love, dating, and sex are important parts of our lives. Even if you’ve never experienced them, it’s all around us — in our friends, family, films, literature, shows, and songs. To love another is arguably one of the bravest things we can do in this life, but it can also be the most painful. In this episode, Shenna discusses her own experiences with falling in love and going through heartbreak. Join Shenna as she learns about the origins of love and what compels us to act crazy.

Listen to the episode “My Darling, I’m Ready to Burst Into Flames For You” of The Heart of Life Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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One of the nuggets of wisdom Shenna’s dad left behind is to be kind despite everything you encounter in life, and he assures her: “You will encounter it all.” As we go through life, we will experience all sorts of situations and meet different people. If we’re lucky, we’ll keep attracting those who inspire us and bring joy to our lives. But one thing is for sure: we will always encounter difficult situations and negative people. In this episode, Shenna explores what influences people to become negative, how to deal with difficult people, enforcing your boundaries, and saying goodbye to connections and situations that no longer serve you. Moreover, join Shenna as she discusses the significance of learning how to negotiate effectively and the importance of self-reflection in admitting to ourselves and others when we’re the negative person in someone’s life.

Listen to the episode, “Why Do You Always Have Something Negative To Say?” of The Heart of Life Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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There is no doubt that an individual’s race and ethnicity are important bases of self-identity as they instill a sense of identification with a given group’s cultural values, kinship, and beliefs. However, race and ethnicity have also been used to divide and discriminate. In this episode, Shenna looks back on the previous year in light of George Floyd’s murder, the #BlackLivesMatter protests that spread throughout the United States, and the surge of hate crimes against Asians amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Shenna as she tries to make sense of racism, micro-aggressions and their impact on BIPOC’s mental health through an academic discussion of the concepts coupled with her own experiences. Through this, Shenna discusses what to do when subjected to racism, what to do when you are exhibiting racist behaviors, and how to be a better ally to BIPOC.

Listen to the episode, “I Have No Room in My Heart For Hate” of The Heart of Life Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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For all the songs featured on this episode, follow us on our Spotify page: https://open.spotify.com/user/y2ap67dwtk8eo4p79hgjhsdfe?si=9c957d4c65eb4175

2020 unfolded like no other year in recent memory. The COVID-19 outbreak and ensuing global pandemic are testing all of us. As the pandemic wears on, we are made to re-evaluate several aspects of our lives and navigate an all-new emotional landscape. For many, the lockdown measures and forced isolation has taken a toll on their mental health. For others, working from home blurred the lines between work and life. In this episode, join Shenna as she talks about how feelings of loneliness and burnout have taken on a whole new meaning in the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what we can do to find sustainable, holistic solutions to address how we feel.

Listen to the episode, “Slow and Steady Wins the Race” of The Heart of Life Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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One day in April, Shenna thought it was going to be just another normal day. Instead, she wakes up to a phone call from her mom informing her of her dad’s sudden passing. The news is devastating, and being miles away when it happened and unable to immediately fly home certainly doesn’t help. In this episode, Shenna recounts the events that transpired before, during, and after her dad’s death while reflecting on the meaning and gravity of each moment. Shenna finally comes to terms with her dad’s death and attempts to understand her grief through a thorough review of related literature and research on the subject. This episode features a discussion on loss, the process of bereavement, and the psychological, physical, and emotional symptoms and effects of grief. Join Shenna as she consciously unravels the effect of grief and the true meaning of making the most out of your life.

Listen to the pilot episode, “The Year of Magical Thinking,” of The Heart of Life Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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To whom much is given, much is indeed tested. But during these moments of hardship, great things and even a renewed sense of purpose can blossom. In this series, Shenna dives deep into subjects close to her heart. With her love for research and literature, along with the meaningful conversations and the unique experiences of her guests, join Shenna as she discovers the heart of life.

The Heart of Life features stories of loss, grief, love, heartbreak, success, failures and everything that makes life what it is. Our hope is for you to never feel like you have to go at it alone. Find solace, friendship, comfort and advice in our episodes out every Wednesday.

Featured Song: Earthly Heaven - Rachel Grimes

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