The Kintsugi Mind

Hi lovely friends and listeners. I just wanted to say thank you all so much for your support and your feedback for the last 14 episodes.

Today's episode features my wonderful friend Craig Lou, 25-year-old product manager and someone I've talked to a lot about mental illness. June was Men's Health Month, and while this episode is a bit late (sorry), it's never too late to care about men's health and unpack the unique struggles that men face in confronting mental health, toxic masculinity, and vulnerability. Craig shares his own journey with battling depression and anxiety, putting on a front for others, and how he learned to slowly open up to those around him. 

Resources:

NOTE: this particular episode does not address the issues of queer and trans men, but their voices are just as important. Please learn more here:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/

#Pridemonth 🌈 this year is an especially tough time for a lot of people, given everything else going on in the country and in the world.

But it’s at the intersections of pride and #blm that we find some of our most vulnerable community members (i.e. Black trans womxn). All this to say that as we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community this year, let’s also keep the momentum going on other human rights movements as well.

In this episode, I’ll be talking a bit more about my experience & thoughts as a “baby” member of the queer community 👼🏼, why it took me so long to finally come out, and how sexuality is more fluid and complicated than we’re taught.

Please check out these links: 

My Kintsugi Mind-IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/

BLACK LIVES MATTER. Period.

We live in a world today that is severely lacking in empathy, or the ability to relate to others and identify with them. Today I talk about why empathy is so important, what it means to be an empath (and some of the spooky "supernatural" traits that come with it), and how we can be better allies in the BLM movement when it comes to emotional and mental engagement. 

Please join me in doing Justice in June: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H-Vxs6jEUByXylMS2BjGH1kQ7mEuZnHpPSs1Bpaqmw0/preview?pru=AAABcp48koU*xj5UIj07R3itUf992z70ZA

Today's episode comes out at a time where many people are in a lot of emotional pain given the deaths of George Floyd and many others. I hear you, I see you, and I hope this episode helps you in any way, big or small, on your mental health journey. Talking about our feelings is so important especially in a time like this. We still have a long way to go in terms of de-stigmatizing mental illness, but we've also made great progress. 

MyKintsugiMind-IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/

“Do you eat dogs?” “Is it true that Asian men have small dicks?” “I need my yellow fever cured!”

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by these statements ✋🙄

Dating as a minority in America is a unique experience for sure. For Asian Americans, the male and female experiences can differ vastly.

Tune in today to hear Jeff and I talk about our own experiences facing racism in dating—we’ll bust some common stereotypes, discuss interracial dating, talk about Kpop and media representation, and so much more!

Guys, dating is scary, and sometimes it's hard to spot problematic behavior even when it's right there in front of you. "When you look at someone through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags." Today I list some of the major red flags in dating, how to spot them, how to look for GREEN flags, and basically just remind you that you are a badass individual and you shouldn't have to settle for anyone! 

MyKintsugiMind-IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/

This week, I’m discussing a topic that’s not the most easy to talk about or hear about: eating disorders, body image issues, and a toxic relationship with food. I cover everything from how my ED started, the “crazy thoughts” I had throughout, and what recovery looks like. 

Resource for approaching someone with an ED: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/helping-someone-with-an-eating-disorder.htm

MyKintsugiMind-IG: https://www.instagram.com/mykintsugimind/

Did she—did she really just make a podcast episode about memes?

Yup, I did that. Super random episode today where I share some of my favorite depression memes, how humor helps us cope with dark times, and that one time I dyed my hair hot pink and ended up looking like the girl from Lazy Town (RIP). Switching it up with some more lighthearted stuff!

Did you know that over EIGHTY FIVE MILLION families in the U.S. own pets?

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying that animals have played a huge role in our lives. From guide dogs to therapy cats, animals have a unique way of making us feel better and calming us down. Today I talk about my emotional support animal, Tibby, what an ESA is, and the controversies surrounding ESAs. And remember: #adoptdon'tshop