The Raccoon Round Table

Raccoon Rounds celebrates Filipino American History Month! David and Chris share their experiences growing up Filipino American. They admit that they were not aware October was FAHM until earlier this year, but have made it their goal to learn more.

What we talk about today:

- Our responsibility to learn more about our Filipino American history

- The importance of learning our history

- David and Chris' experiences visiting the Philippines

- Being part of the movement and vision we have for Raccoon Rounds

Jason joins the conversation to share how he uses his skillset to not only advance in his career, but also for his true passion: traveling. He is a family man with 4 kids and works a 9-5, but makes time to share his love for traveling and building a travel hacking community. 

What we talk about today:

- His career path to become an auditor for a telecommunication company

- His passion is to travel for less and nearly free

- Taking his skillset and curiosity from his everyday job and applying this to his passion

- The power of asking the question; asking himself how do people travel with miles and taking initiative to find out

- "It''s like going to Costco, it's that easy"

- The coolest thing he's done travel hacking: spending only $15 per person after using Citi points to fly with Qatar Air Suites, worth 18k one way for two

- An introduction to travel hacking

- Filipino American perspective on using credit cards

- Why he decided to build a travel hacking community

- Making time for your passion

Contact Jason Francisco:

- IG: @daddytravelsmiles

- Facebook Group: Daddy Travels Miles & Points

- Blog: https://www.daddytravelsnow.com

David and Chris reflect on their own experiences after speaking to Dan Angkiangco (Ep 60). They look back at a time when they felt their mind, body and soul were misaligned; and how this impacted not just their physical wellness but especially their mental health.

What we talk about today:

- self reflection and how we may have neglected out mental health

- pursuing physical fitness for the wrong intentions

- seeking help and helping others when we notice signs of need

- hoping everyone listening will take the time to self reflect and take a good look at every aspect of their health

Sheila Akbar joins the conversation to share her story and how she decided to pursue what was meaningful to her; helping students define success for themselves and empowering them to find their own way. At Signet Education, Sheila designs curriculums, runs the business and meets with clients

What we talk about today:

- Growing up in an immigrant family with high expectations

- Although she did well in school, she did not pursue what her parents wanted, and instead pursued what was meaningful to her

- Sheila and Signet Education help students and their parents tackle different challenges

- Understanding that this is a process and a career path isn't going to be a straight line

- Failure is not an end but a moment to step back and reflect, and the skill of reflection is a muscle that needs to be built through practice

- The Life Wheel, a tool to rate your satisfaction in a role or experience

- Anxiety from comparing yourself to others and uncertainty

- Expectations from families and culture

- How her personal experience helps her show parents the bigger picture and reduce uncertainty

- The importance of representation and mentorship

- Sheila's advice to those who are trying to define success

Contact Sheila Akbar:

- http://signeteducation.com/

- [email protected]

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/

Dan Angkiangco joins the conversation to provide his expertise around physical wellness. Dan is a coach and mentor with a background in kinesiology and integrative wellness.

What we talk about today:

- Shifting from pursing game art and design to a career in fitness and health.

- The self finding process and overall healing.

- Outgrowing a position and deciding o start his own studio through his vision and philosophy called Ludus Enkrateia.

- Being honest with yourself and having someone in your corner who will be honest with you about your true potential.

- Pursing your greatest potential and highest self; self mastery and self cultivation.

- His approach and philosophy to coaching and physical wellness programs.

- Alignment of the physical and mental mindset; mind body connection.

- How connected is your "why" to your fitness.

- Being disruptive to his industry.

Learn more about Dan by checking out:

- His new book "Light the Path for Arya"

- EEkiguys podcast

- Coming soon: DE Paths Coaching and his exercise programming through self mastery

Kristine joins the conversation to share her experience as a Preschool Special Education Teacher.

What we talk about today:

- Her 10 year career as a teacher

- Teaching was always her calling after knowing that she wanted to work with kids

- Enjoying the learning process and other signs that teaching is the right path for you

- The importance of high quality early childhood education

- Challenges teachers face pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and as we enter the endemic

- Her passion to continuously learn about how to help and teach children with special needs

- Preparing for the new school year

- The rewarding factors of being a teacher

Kim joins the conversation to share her experience as a Senior Enrollment Advisor and guiding students at her University.

What we talk about today:

- Finding a career in advising students at universities

- Her role in the frontlines for students who are in the initial phase before admission

- Struggles faced by different populations and generations of students

- Understanding and finding options for financing tuition

- Motivations and trends behind pursing higher education

- Her advice to those who are thinking about going back to school or pursuing higher education

Ryxl joins the conversation to share how she is preparing for her upcoming first year of Pharmacy School.

What we talk about today:

- How Rxyl made the decision to apply for Pharmacy School.

- Taking a year off to gain experience and shadow professionals to help guide her to this career path.

- Leveraging your network to land a job in the industry and getting advice before applying to the program.

- The application process and tips on interviewing for professional school.

- The jump between undergrad and graduate school.

- Tips on financial aid and paying for school.

David and Chris discuss the importance of seeing people you identify with succeed and excel in different aspects of life.

What we talk about today:

- The recent successes of the Philippines Women's National Football Team.

- The importance of representation in different careers and roles.

- Perspectives on balance during the journey.

Bernard "Bernie" Paraiso (Chief Xperience Officer, DentroLux) joins the conversation to share his experiences and career path, which led to him starting a digital agency.

What we talk about today:

- The services his digital agency provides.

- Knowing at an early age that he wanted to be his own boss.

- How he would be constantly reading books and working numerous types of jobs to gain experience and to learn a variety of skills that would be helpful for the eventuality that he would be his own boss.

- Mentorship, delusional optimism, and mindset.