Wondering Zoe

Welcome to Part 2 of Mandkai's interview!

Once again, I’m joined by my mentor, Mandkai. In this episode, she shares her reflections on key career topics, including:

• Why choosing the right boss can be even more important than choosing the company.
• Strategies for Asian female professionals to find an ideal boss in Western work cultures.
• The challenges of building connections in high-paced jobs like consulting, including cultural barriers and the pressure to form quick bonds for teamwork.
• The value of a strong personal brand.
• How to secure a promotion without coming across as overly self-promotional.
• The impact of marriage and parenting on both personal life and career progression.
• What AI won’t replace for professionals in the workplace

Mandkai’s journey is truly inspiring—she transitioned from studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies to thriving in the dynamic world of commercial consulting. Along the way, she’s lived and worked across Japan, Southeast Asia, and Germany, all while raising a family.

Enjoy this insightful and thought-provoking continuation of her story!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Welcome to today’s episode! I’m thrilled to have my mentor, Mandkai, joining us to share her incredible journey. Mandkai is someone who’s taken an inspiring path—one that has brought her from studying Asian and Middle Eastern studies to building a career in the fast-paced world of commercial consulting. She’s lived and worked from Japan to Southeast Asia to Germany, and she’s done it all while raising a family.

In this first of two episodes, we’re diving into the human side of Mandkai’s story. We’ll explore her early life decisions, the challenges of working some of the most demanding hours in the world, and the unique experience of moving across borders with young kids. It’s about what it takes to make transitions like these—and thrive. 

I can’t wait for you to get to know Mandkai as I do!!!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Join us as we dive into the rich tapestry of Dutch culture in our latest episode! 🇳🇱 We’ve brought together a diverse panel of voices to share their experiences in Dutch society.

In this episode, we explore:

• The stereotypes of Dutch culture
• The Dutch approach to directness and how it shapes their professional environment
• Insights into work-life balance, language skills, and integrating into local communities
• Challenges and strategies for thriving in a multicultural setting

From professional networking tips to overcoming language barriers, and even adapting to Dutch communication styles in various industries, our panelists offer a comprehensive look at what it means to live and work in the Netherlands. 🌍

Meet Our Panelists!

Yanji: 👋 Hi, I'm Yanji! I’m originally from China and have been living in the Netherlands for about five years now. I’m currently work at a Dutch-Swiss company in the digital transformation team.

Guru: 🌟 Hey there! I’m Guru. I moved from India to the Netherlands in 2016 for my master’s degree and have been here for eight years. This year, I became a Dutch national, and I’m now working in a consulting firm.

Christian: 🌌 Hello, I’m Christian! I’ve spent my entire life in the Netherlands. I’m an astronomer working at an observatory, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you all!

Vivian: 🌍 Hi everyone, I’m Vivian! Born and raised in the Netherlands, and I have lived abroad in the UK for five years while pursuing my PhD in engineering. I recently returned to the Netherlands and am now working in Amsterdam as a modeling specialist.

🎧 Listen now! 

Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that highlights the blend of openness, directness, and inclusivity that defines Dutch culture!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Tate is a cell therapist specialist, a poet, and an ADHDer. Let his poems fill the rest of this intro.

Poem I

Do fish swim in the night?
Drowning in desire
Curiosity aflame
I send flirtations in lingering gazes.
The cheeky smile betraying intent
If i were a fish. id be the first to bite the hook

No words uttered
Gaze kept
We float around in anticipation.
To greet would be the breaking of the spell
If i were a fish, id be the first to sing the songs of the sea

My libido a pendulum
In perpetual motion
It never rests
Back and forth it carries me in rhythm
If i were a fish, id be the first to drown in the sea

Poem II

Gotta catch em all (a dying innocence)

Peek a boo
Peek a chu
I choose you

Raise my self a flag at half mast
Raise my self a man at long last
An unknown world all you thought you knew 
A falsehood perpetuated by the ignorant 

In england you will find pounds on the streets.
 ‘See a penny … pick it up rub the queens nose’

Naive i saw a sheen on the tracks readying to jump. If not for my mother’s grasp.
We all believed the same lore
I wonder how long till the veil is lifted from all eyes.

The dream dies slowly
The truth eventually bears its ugly head.
3pm walking in the dark alone no one to hold my hand. I repeat well trained steps.
Key in hand… lock the door behind yourself. 
If someone knocks do not answer.
Television my sitter i perfected the second tongue. Absorbed curiosities knowledge propaganda in leu of dying innocence. 

Raise my self a flag at half mast
Raise my self a man at long last
An unknown world all you thought you knew 
A falsehood perpetuated by the ignorant

How can it be??? Its its over 9000!!!

Stress levels unmatched.
Willingly or not i was transplanted from my natural habitat
The bush of a country with its lands wide spreading golden sunsets giving
To a land entrapped in the dying memories of empire
Streets lined with yellow no red phone boxes in sight
Oh but we do have david Beckham.. the spice girls.
Never mind, mr bean is now decades old and  mini owned by bmw.
I trudge along onward

Everyday when you’re walking down the street
And everybody that you meet 
Has an original point of view
And i say Hey

Dont you dare touch my hair!!
‘Oh but it feels so strange so coarse rough
Like iron wool!!’

It is no wonder i tried to change
Chemical burns to a scalp, Tears in eyes 
how much longer, mom? 
S-curl or is it a perm?
The childlike innocence eventually succumbs to the adults bigotry.
Vestiges of empire. You cannot have your hair long.. you cant have your hair short
Erased individuality.
Be it short, afro, cornrows, sharp cut or dreads 
My naturality is not absurd 
You cannot plant your hand and pull as you did my lands.

Raise my self a flag at half mast
Raise my self a man at long last
An unknown world all you thought you knew 
A falsehood perpetuated by the ignorant

In my 20’s i finally grew that beard i strived for lest for a patch below the chin
Guess i never truly grasped all i had to learn
In my 30’s i sense a moustache coming in 
A new round of opportunities maturities to root

Peek a boo
Peek a chu
I choose me
Raise my self a flag at h

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Verity's story is one of those rollercoaster rides through life that you won't soon forget. She's here to share her journey, from her late ADHD diagnosis to the ups and downs of not one, but two PhD journeys. Yep, you heard that right—two! From her humble beginnings studying history to her bold leap into the realm of code, Verity's career path was anything but straightforward. But boy, is it fascinating?

Oh, and meds? Verity is not holding back on sharing her personal experiences. From the highs to the lows, she's giving us the real deal.

But here's the best part: Verity's not just here to talk about the tough stuff. Nope, she's dishing out some seriously helpful tips for managing ADHD like a boss. Think clear instructions, killer communication skills, and most importantly, a big ol' dose of self-compassion. Verity's all about breaking down barriers for folks with disabilities and shining a light on ADHD awareness.

Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!

If Verity's story hits close to home and you're on the lookout for a little extra support with your ADHD journey, I'm here to lend an ear. Shoot me a message at [email protected], and let's chat. Remember, you're not alone, and together, we've got this.

Oh, and don't forget to check out my ADHD coach website at https://wonderingzoe.com/ for even more resources and support. Can't wait to connect!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Hey there, folks! Welcome back to Wondering Zoe, where we get up close and personal with some seriously cool people. Today, we've got Chanti in the hot seat—a writer, event wizard, and all-around awesome human. She only found out about her ADHD later on, and the way she figured it out is downright hilarious! You've gotta hear this story!

When chatting about her childhood, Chanti dropped this gem: "I was a total charmer as a kid, but let's be real, I was also a bit of a weirdo." She opened up about her ADHD journey from way back then till now. Back in the day, there was zilch support for neurodivergent students, and awareness? Forget about it! She had to navigate it all without much confidence in her abilities, no matter how awesome they were!

It wasn't until Chanti stumbled into a creative writing course that her passion for storytelling truly ignited. Did Chanti jump straight into the writing gig after her college stint? Nope! Despite hitting up an arts college in the UK to fine-tune her writing chops, she had to hustle with a bunch of other jobs before she could really immerse herself in the writing world. Now, fast forward a bit, and Chanti's got some seriously killer novels under her belt—literally. She published Angel Manor (Lucifer Falls Book 1) and Doll Manor (Lucifer Falls Book 2) and other works. If you're into heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat horror reads, Chanti's your gal. And hey, if you're itching to check out more of Chanti's work, head over to her website at https://www.chantalnoordeloos.com/ and prepare to be spooked!

If Chanti's story hits close to home and you're on the lookout for a little extra support with your ADHD journey, I'm here to lend an ear. Shoot me a message at [email protected], and let's chat. Remember, you're not alone, and together, we've got this.

Oh, and don't forget to check out my ADHD coach website at https://wonderingzoe.com/ for even more resources and support. Can't wait to connect!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Meet Dr. Veronica Allen, an astronomy researcher, a mom, and the unofficial queen of chaos. In this rollercoaster ride of a story, Veronica spills the beans on the wild world of academia, parenting, and navigating life with ADHD.

She's not just a scientist; she's a mom on a mission, fighting for her daughter in a school system that often feels like it's stuck in the Stone Age. But Veronica doesn't just stop at her daughter's battles—she takes us behind the scenes of her own academic escapades, where the pressure cooker of expectations meets the whirlwind of ADHD, all while donning the mom cape.

Picture this: juggling research papers, mom duties, and ADHD quirks like a boss. Veronica's journey isn't a walk in the park; it's more like a sprint through a hurricane. But in the midst of the chaos, she's carving a path for herself and everyone else who doesn't quite fit the academic mold.

Forget the fancy words and complicated narratives. This is Veronica's story—raw, real, and ridiculously relatable. Join us as we dive into the world of ADHD, academia, and everything in between. Spoiler alert: it's not always pretty, but it's one hell of a ride.

(Admitting it outright: I turned to ChatGPT for this, and it reads surprisingly well.)

Feel free to visit Veronica's website at https://www.astrochemistveronica.com/ and get in touch with her through https://www.astrochemistveronica.com/contact.

I also want to extend an invitation. If you're looking for an ADHD coach to help you understand your symptoms and find ways to tackle challenges that suit you in your learning, work, relationships, and life, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. 

I also welcome any suggestions or feedback on this podcast. Your input is invaluable, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Will is an Australian currently pursuing his Ph.D. in astrophysics in the Netherlands. Chatting with Will, I discovered that we share quite a few common quirks. Neither of us particularly enjoys the endless meetings that seem to go nowhere, and we find small talk to be a bit of a chore. Instead, we prefer diving into meaningful conversations on topics that genuinely pique our interest. However, unlike me, Will has a real passion for sports, and he's convinced that without regular physical activity, he'd likely go a little stir-crazy.

In this episode, we delve into his diagnosis journey, his thoughts on ADHD medications, and his personal growth as someone living with ADHD. And, of course, we took a lighthearted detour to understand why people frequently feign intense attention when others are speaking, even when they're not truly engaged in the conversation.

This episode was recorded while me traveling in Madrid, and Will was in Leiden. This episode marks the third installment of the second season of "Wondering Zoe." In this season, I've invited eight friends to share their love-hate relationship with ADHD. And for those of you who are new to the topic, tuning in to this season of my podcast can serve as an excellent starting point.

I also want to extend an invitation. If you're looking for an ADHD coach to help you understand your symptoms and find ways to tackle challenges that suit you in your learning, work, relationships, and life, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. 

I also welcome any suggestions or feedback on this podcast. Your input is invaluable, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Welcome to Season 2 of Wondering Zoe! This season is all about ADHD.

In this episode, we're joined by Martha, a passionate entrepreneur and executive/academic coach who has a coaching practice called "Now Go Flourish" . She is a mom, fitness, adventure and spiritual junkie who is deeply committed to her own personal growth and making a positive difference in other people’s lives.

What truly intrigued me about Martha is that she was raised by an ADHD mom, and her childhood was pretty wild. But from a young age, Martha decided to chart a different course for herself. Even though she's on the spectrum herself, Martha is honestly one of the most organized people I've ever known. Now, she has a coaching practice to help others "go flourish".

Martha specializes in coaching entrepreneurs, students, and young adults to develop the executive function skills they need to be successful while balancing work, education, families, extra-curricular activities, etc. AND having time for the things they love.  She is a certified ACC coach through the Human Potential Institute and the International Coaching Federation, currently enhancing her credentials with the ADDCA (Accredited ADHD Coach Training Program).  That's how we crossed paths, similar to how I met Claire in Season 2, Episode 1.

Martha and her team provide individualized coaching based on client’s needs and goals.  She partners with clients to clarify values/vision and plan, prioritize, and manage time for optimal efficiency and effectiveness.  Her coaching program also includes strategies to meet the most audacious business or academic goals, and overall wellness objectives to increase focus, maximize productivity, tap into motivation, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem and self-efficacy.  Martha asks powerful questions, challenges assumptions and partners with clients to provide tools, strategies, and accountability to truly flourish. 

If you're intrigued by Martha's coaching, she generously provides a complimentary 30-minute trial consultation. To schedule an appointment, simply visit her website. And just to clarify, I'm not receiving any compensation from Martha for mentioning this :D

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak

Welcome to Season 2 of Wondering Zoe! This season is all about ADHD. If you don't know much about ADHD, tuning in to this season of my podcast can serve as an excellent starting point.

I met Claire at an ADHD coach training course provided by ADDCA, and it was quite an experience. Most of the people in the course had endured their fair share of ADHD struggles. Often, within just a few minutes of the class starting, tears would start flowing, not just from the students but from the teacher too (who is an ADHDer herself). It's not really an exaggeration to say that most classes began and ended with tears.

The symptoms of ADHD may not always be apparent during childhood, and they vary from person to person. Those who are diagnosed with ADHD as adults often have a pervasive feeling of "I seem to be different from others," but many times they can't quite pinpoint what exactly makes them different. Before receiving an ADHD diagnosis, many are diagnosed with conditions such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, and social difficulties. However, the root causes of these issues may actually originate from ADHD. Without a deep understanding of the neuroscience, symptoms, and patterns of ADHD, treatment often focuses on addressing surface-level problems and fails to address the core issues.

Our guest in this episode, Claire, discovered her ADHD recently. She finally found answers to the challenges that had plagued her since the age of five, giving her life a new direction. Claire had worked in the insurance industry for over twenty years, but it was never her true passion. Despite attempts to break free, she kept returning to square one. However, this time, she held firm to her resolve. She wanted to help fellow ADHDers like herself, to educate them about ADHD, and to guide them in finding their own ways to navigate self-discovery and life's challenges. Her mission is to help them discover their strengths and savor more of life's pleasures.

Let's tune in to Claire's journey of living with ADHD and her discovery. Her storytelling is incredibly infectious, and it brought tears to my eyes several times during the interview. As we recorded this episode, I was in Paris, and she was in the UK. We completed the recording remotely. 

If you need an ADHD coach to help you understand your ADHD and find the best ways to study, work, love, and live, feel free to contact Claire at [email protected]. 

I appreciate your feedback on my podcast too! Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Thank you!

About me

Hi, I am Zoe Ye, a human being who failed to live a conventional life. I have a deep interest in people and their choices of life. In my podcast, I will be having conversations with individuals who are open to talk about their mental journeys in life.

Music: "Eyes They're Closed" by Kaytsak