Voice Hugs

#92 - We're Having Another Baby!!! Pregnancy journey & all the feels

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0000

Okay so we've been keeping a secret 👀 One of us is pregnant… and we're finally sharing everything!!! From the moment she found out, to the feelings nobody warned her about, to the dog who somehow knew before she did 🐶

We talk about wanting to be a mom since literally six years old, getting pregnant ten days after the wedding (!?!!), and then the unexpected part: sitting on the bathroom floor in shock instead of jumping for joy.

Beyond grateful to be able to share another incredible milestone with you all 🥹 Let’s all strive to be gardeners in our loved ones lives!! 🌱

☎️ HUGS HOTLINE: Got a juicy question yourself? A sticky situation? Something you just need to voice HUG-it-out? Leave us a voicemail and we’ll share our thoughts and/or best advice in an upcoming episode. Can’t wait to hear from you ❣️

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#91 - Two Words That’ll Change Every Relationship in Your Life

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0000

Have you ever given a friend advice, watched them nod along, and then do the exact opposite? Or caught yourself nagging your partner about the same thing for the hundredth time knowing full well it's not going to work? Yeah, us too 😅

This episode we're breaking down The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — a deceptively simple framework that's honestly changed how we think about every relationship in our lives. Viv & Ro share how they used to get so worked up trying to protect their friends from unworthy boys (spoiler: they went back every time). As well as wanting their partners to have a morning routine so badly… until they realized the person who actually needed to change was themselves.

Where in your life do you need to "let them" right now? And what's the "let me" that follows? Tell us everything 💛

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#90 - The Loneliness Epidemic: Why It’s So Hard to Find Your People

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0000

Hi besties, when was the last time you made a new friend in the wild? We’ll go first: It’s been a long while for both of us.

This episode we're getting honest about community: what it actually means, why it's so much harder to build as an adult, and why some of us would rather homebody than put ourselves out there.

Viv spent months at a ceramics studio without saying hi to a single person 👀 Ro shares how motherhood made her retreat inward before she could let anyone back in. We talk about the "great separations" that happen every time life shifts—and a lesson from The Little Prince that reframed everything: you become responsible forever for what you've tamed 🦊

If you've been craving deeper connection but don't know where to start, this one's for you 🫂

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#89 - How to Romanticize Your Life Without Losing Reality

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0000

Ever come back from a trip completely convinced you need to uproot your entire life? Yeah, that was Viv after three days in New York 😅

This episode we're talking about romanticizing—the places we dream about living, the highlight reels we replay after a breakup, and why our brains do this in the first place. Viv walks us through her full New York whirlwind (Harry Styles, Times Square, rats and all). Ro drops the line that broke both our brains: what if we're romanticizing other people's romanticizing??

We get into when dreaming big is beautiful and when it becomes an escape from reality, and how to bring a little of that fairy dust back into the life you're actually living 🧚‍♀️✨

What do you romanticize most right now? Tell us everything 🤭

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#88 - Why Resting Makes Us Feel Guilty (& How to Stop)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:33:00 -0000

Why does a "good” day always seem to mean a "productive” day? And why does resting, actually resting, come with this wave of guilt that makes you feel like you're falling behind?

In this episode, we're unpacking our complicated relationship with productivity and rest. Ro takes us through her full arc—from waking up at 4:30am during her peak hustle era, to making burnout content until her audience started asking if she was okay, to not fully stopping until her baby was born. Viv shares how she traces her need for efficiency all the way back to folding six t-shirts per minute at Uniqlo (yes, there was a standard).

We talk about where rest = unproductive got wired into our brains, why scrolling on your phone in bed isn't actually resting, the cultural pendulum from girlboss to quiet quitting, and why people on both extremes still feel empty.

Because you're a human being, not a human doing. What's your current battery level? 🔋💛

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#87 - The Antidote for Stress, Fear, and Doubt

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:33:00 -0000

Ever seen a quote that made you pause mid-scroll and immediately text to your best friend? That's exactly what happened when Ro stumbled this one 👀

We spent this episode unpacking what that flip means for us—from Viv's confession that she has a really hard time trusting people, to Ro projecting her stress onto James (his words not ours 🙃), to why saying sorry feels like the hardest thing in the world when your ego is running the show.

How do we move from fear to trust? From hurry to presence? How do we stop spiraling in stress long enough to remember what we're grateful for? And why does it feel so reassuring to realize that the answers have been within us this whole time—we just needed to flip the script 😼

Which pair hits you the hardest right now? Tell us in the comments 💛

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#86 - Friendship Anxiety, Wedding Compromises & Healing After a Breakup | Hugs Hotline (ep. 3) ☎️

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:33:00 -0000

Hi, you’ve reached Hugs Hotline ☎️✨ Today we have the pleasure of listening to our very first VOICEMAILS from our listeners 🥹 You left the sweetest messages with questions and we’re answering them all - from navigating the anxiety of feeling like the least liked person in your friend group, to compromising with your partner during wedding planning, to healing after a breakup as a generally anxious person.

If you've ever felt like the "least favorite friend," struggled to put yourself first after heartbreak, or just needed a reminder that you're not alone—this episode is for you 💛

Thank you for sharing such vulnerable and special moments for your life with us 🥺 We grateful to be able to walk along side you and love love love hearing from you!!

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#85 - How to Actually Live by The Four Agreements (and Why It’s So Hard)

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:33:00 -0000

Ever been left on read and convinced yourself it's because they secretly hate you? 😅 Yeah, us too. In this episode, we're diving into The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and pairing it with the psychology concept of "rupture and repair."

How do we stop taking things so personally? How do we catch ourselves before we spiral into Assumption Land? And how do we actually repair when things get messy in our friendships and relationships?

We share real stories from our own lives — from the friend who ghosted texts for months (turns out it had nothing to do with Viv), to navigating family gossip, to learning the hard way that the goal isn't rupture-free relationships but repair-rich ones.

Which agreement do you struggle with the most? 🌱

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#84 - The Lives We Could’ve Lived

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:33:00 -0000

From mountain tops to ocean floors, let’s explore all the lives we could have lived, almost lived, and might still live one day 🦈🎤🦕👀 Ro very enthusiastically proclaims her love for great white sharks, ancient civilizations, and deep sea diving before revealing she's been secretly vibe coding an app from bed at night. Viv shares about auditioning for SM Entertainment at 14 (!!), dreaming of being the next Whitney Houston, and a surprising career change she’s seriously considering in her 40s.

We talk about the alternate lives that light us up when we let ourselves daydream, why we didn't pursue certain paths (fear, safety, not having the support — let's be honest), and why it's never too late to let yourself want something again.

In another life (or maybe even this one), what would you have done or what would you still want to try? Tell us everything in the comments 📝

☎️ HUGTS HOTLINE: Got a juicy question yourself? A sticky situation? Something you just need to voice HUG-it-out? Leave us a voicemail and we’ll share our thoughts and/or best advice in an upcoming episode. Can’t wait to hear from you ❣️

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#83 - What we wish we knew before 30

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:00:00 -0000

Buckle up besties, we're going back in time ⏰✨ In this episode, we're revisiting who we were 10+ years ago with all the angst, crippling uncertainty, and boy-FILLED journal entries 👀 How did we handle the overwhelming pressure of post-grad life? How much mental real estate did boys take up in our younger years (it’s embarrassing but we’re sharing anyway)? What actually helped us find our footing? And what would we tell our younger selves now?

Plot twist: no one knows what they're doing. Not even the billionaire founders. And honestly? That's the most liberating thing we realized.

If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? Leave us a comment 🐣

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#82 - Making Friends in Adulthood: Real Talk on Connection

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:33:00 -0000

Ring ringggg Hi, hello! We’re back with another Hugs Hotline 📟✨ This time, we’re diving deep into the mystical and often confusing land of ~aDuLt FrIeNdShIpS~

“How do you have meaningful conversations with friends? And how do you build real trust over time?” —Long time listener, M 🌸

From the art of listening to asking thoughtful questions, we talk about how we’ve personally navigated making friends and deepening connection over the years.

Whether you're naturally shy, struggle with vulnerability, or just want to feel more connected to the people you care about, this one's for you. It's honest, warm, and full of stories about what it really takes to show up as yourself—nervous, imperfect, and real.

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#81 - How Marriage Changed Us (In Ways We Didn't Expect)

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:00:00 -0000

So... do you actually feel different after getting married? 💍 In this episode, we're spilling the buh-EAnz on our marriage: the hot, the honey, the classy 🍽️, and everything in between.

We talk about identity shifts, the difference between relationships in your 20s vs 30s, why the problems before marriage don't magically disappear after saying "I do," and the biggest lesson we learned 👀

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#80 - How to Plan a Wedding That's Actually YOU

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0000

It’s wedding szn here on Voice Hugs, besties 👰🏻‍♀️💐🕊️🥂💕 Ro opens up about her secret destination wedding that had guests showing up not even knowing where they were going 👀 While Viv shares about her intimate celebration (& the handmade gifts that made Ro shed many-a-tears).

Today, we are getting REAL about weddings and what happens when you strip away everything you're "supposed" to do.

We talk about:

👰🏻‍♀️ Why the traditional wedding machine didn’t speak to us

✨ How to separate "what I really want" from "what's expected of me"

💭 Handling external stakeholders (aka family) respectfully while staying true to yourself

🤭 Our honest thoughts on wedding content (boooooo! jk… or are we??)

Let us know if you have any follow up questions and we can dedicate a future episode to all things wedding because it’s such a special day that doesn’t have to be stressful while costing an arm and a leg 🥹

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#79 - Setting Intentions That Feel Good: A Voice Hugs Guide to the New Year

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:30:00 -0000

It’s tiiiiimeeee~ for Voice Hug’s annual New Year episode 🪩🥂🎀✨ Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about setting intentions without the pressure of perfection. In this episode, we're ditching the rigid resolutions and embracing a more gentle approach to the new year.

Whether you're feeling behind, overwhelmed, or just need a reminder that your timeline is your own, this episode is your permission slip to be kind to yourself. Because growth isn't always visible or measurable 😚

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#78 - Relationship Hot Takes, Old Flames & Dating Chaos 💌 Hugs Hotline

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0000

We’re answering your juiciest questions, sharing hot takes, and re-living stories from our college days that’s never been shared online 👀 Lots of internal thoughts best kept internal were shared out loud… Do we love or not love this episode???

From dating red flags to stalking our exes following list, cheating vs “being on a break,” running into MULTIPLE exes in the wild… we hope you enjoy seeing slash hearing a new side to us 😬

Our question for you this episode: What did you think of this episode format?? More like this? Less? Please share your honest thoughts! It’s how we can continue to improve 🙇🏻‍♀️

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#77 - Real catchup: motherhood, new routines, and everything in between

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:59:50 -0000

Ok, now it’s time to really catch up, Voice Hugs style 😉 We’re talking candidly about motherhood, engagement, and the quiet identity shifts that come with entering a new ~season~ of life.

Ro shares honestly about becoming a mom and giving herself permission for all the things one is (violently and lovingly) forced to confront when entering new parenthood. Viv reflects on approaching… MIDDLE AGE 👀, preparing for the big day, and noticing how her relationship with everything & everyone around her is slowly starting to shift.

Now our question for you: How are you, really? What challenges or lessons have you come across recently? What would you like to give yourself permission to do these days? Let us know in the comments, email us, or DM us 🥹

☎️ Hugs Hotline is officially open! Got a juicy question? A sticky situation? Something you just need to voice HUG-it-out? Leave us a voicemail and we’ll share our best advice in an upcoming episode. Can’t wait to hear from you ❣️

Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#76 - New Mom, New Bride, New Season of Voice Hugs

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:30:00 -0000

Voice Hugs is back bb!! Thank you for being the sweetest & most patient 🥹 We’re picking up right where we left off—just a full year older 🫶 Ro is no longer pregnant 👀 and Viv is officially entering her bridal era wootweeeew~ We’re sharing intentions for season 3, introducing new segments for the pod 🥳, and filling each other in on the LIFE (!!) that has been lived offline.

We’re so happy you’re here and so ready for another season of Voice Hugs!!!

☎️ Hugs Hotlines: https://www.speakpipe.com/HugsHotline

Friends, the Hugs Hotline is officially open! Got a juicy question? A sticky situation? Something you just need to voice HUG-it-out? Leave us a voicemail and we’ll share our best advice in an upcoming episode. Can’t wait to hear from you ❣️

Or, as always, you can send us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us on IG @voicehugsposcast 😼

#75 - Season 2 Finale: Embracing the Unknown in Marriage, Motherhood & Major Life Transitions

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 22:07:31 -0000

🎙️ And with that, the 2nd season of Voice Hugs has come to an end 🎵 As always, to wrap up another wonderful 365 days around the sun, we’re sharing upcoming big life changes, along with lessons we learned from the year from growing pains, our friendship, and the unexpected twists & turns 👀 With how uncertain life may seem at times, we’re grateful to be able to weather every season right alongside you 🥹 And while we take a little hiatus between the seasons, please know big things are coming for Season 3, and we wan’t wait to continue sharing this next chapter with you!! 🤭

PS, this episode was recorded early Dec ‘24 but life be life'n sometimes. we've made it to the finish line friends! thank you for your patience!!

Season 2 guest interviews:

Other episodes mentioned:

E72: Learning to accept love ~ annual gratitude episode!

#74 - Dealing with insecurities and social anxiety

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Insecurities ~ yep, we all have them (ugh, right?) In this episode, we share moments that have made us feel insecure—from the fear of farting in public to stressing over what to wear to a party, and even the networking and small talk that make you want to hide. Whether it’s the fear of rejection or the constant pressure to fit in, we’re all navigating these uncomfortable, and sometimes overwhelming feelings that come with being human.

But here’s the thing, what’s the worst that could happen? (it’s usually not as bad as we think!) We share ways you can you trick yourself into feeling more confident and why opening up to friends about your insecurities can be so helpful, because more likely than not… you’re probably not alone in feeling this way.

At the end of the day, we’re all human, hardwired to crave love, acceptance, and connection. So if we can travel through life with that in mind, it can give us more peace in knowing that we're all trying our best and we're in this together friends! Let us overcome one insecurity at a time 💛

Mentions:

E2 Let’s talk about our insecurities
E23 Feeling insecure? You’re not alone.

E59 Viv's solo: Stop being hard on yourself

Voice Hugs:

#73 - Lacking motivation again

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Lacking motivation? This time of year got us feeling some type of way… Whether we’re beating ourselves over all the things we didn’t do this year, or brimming with hope for a fresh start that’s right around the corner, you’re not alone in feeling either or BOTH feelings at the same time. In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between mental health and motivation, hitting out limits, and how our our relationship with productivity has shifted over the years. Whether you're going through a temporary dip or a longer season of feeling unmotivated, remember that it's okay to not be okay, we’re all in this together, and that better days are ahead 🌤️🥹 🫶 We’re sending you all the biggest, warmest, cuddliest hug ~ p.s. we lost our mic's audio after recording so we apologize for the wonky audio quality on this episode! Mentions:

E26 Not feeling motivated? Us too
E38 What to do when lacking motivation
E59 Viv's solo: Stop being hard on yourself
E73 Ro's solo: If you’re feeling behind, remember we’re exactly where we are meant to be

Voice Hugs:

#72 - Learning to accept love ~ annual gratitude episode!

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0000

GIVEAWAY BELOW 🫶 Welcome to our annual gratitude episode bbs! It’s no secret that being in a state of gratefulness can be transformative, so today we’re taking a deep dive into our personal journeys of learning to embrace gratitude—which surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) comes hand in hand with, yes, vulnerability.

From highkey gushing over our significant others to sharing how we’re both opening up ourselves to love again, this episode is a truly special one that had us giggling and grinning ear to ear throughout the whole recording and beyond 🥹

⭐ To enter the giveaway for our greeting cards (short feedback survey!): https://forms.gle/UcGq9AqYDXd1YWfXA

Voice Hugs:

#71 - If you're feeling behind, remember we're exactly where we are meant to be 🥹 (solo ep)

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Beeeeep, you got a new voicemail ☎️✨ Hi besties, Ro here ~ something I've been reflecting on in light of recent life updates 👀 is this feeling of falling behind in life. In the overly digitized world we live in, it's so easy to compare ourselves with our friends, peers, and strangers online so here's just a little reminder that we are exactly where we are meant to be, and that we're in this twogether *SENDING BIG BIG HUGS*

Voice Hugs:

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
▶️ Youtube: @voicehugs
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#70 - We’re having a baby! Pregnancy journey & all the feels

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:33:00 -0000

🎉 Voice hugs is having a baby!! 🎉 A very very special episode today, as we take you through one of our pregnancy journeys (can you guess who’s expecting?!) and all the feels that have come along the way. We hope you’re as excited as we are for bb & this next season! 🐣 🍼

Mentions:

Book: Transformed by Birth by Britta Bushnell
E58: Taking big risks & betting on yourself w/ Liah Yoo
E63: Learning to see the world sparkle again ✨
E67: Societal expectations in your 20s vs 30s

Voice Hugs:

#69 - No more people pleasing

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Do you find it difficult setting boundaries? How about saying “no” without feeling guilty? Or are you constantly thinking about what others are thinking about you? People pleasers, put your hand up 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

From best friendships to romantic relationships, it’s easy to overextend ourselves and sacrifice our own needs in the name of “being a good friend” or “being a fantastic girlfriend.” But are we really doing all that we’re doing to be a “good” person? 👀

In today’s episode, we share when such people pleasing tendencies tend to pop up, how they manifest in our lives, and what we’ve been doing to try to live more authentically true to ourselves, while still being absolute angels, ofc ~

All aboard the sunset cruise ⛵️😉✨

Voice Hugs:

#68 - How do you feel about growing up & getting older?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Was it just us, or were we the only ones SO ready and excited to grow up 🐣 We couldn’t wait to get our drivers license, make our own money, and taste that sweet independence. Isn’t it interesting how when we’re young, we can’t wait for time to move faster, but as we grow older, we often wish we could slow it down?

There is a delicate balance ~ a dance if you will 🩰 ~ between striving for the future and cherishing the present. How do we stay grounded and grateful for the here & now and the age we are at, while still dreaming big?

What started as a playful comparison of our younger years to today’s “youth” quickly turned into a classic voice hugs episode with big reflections on time, mindfulness, and appreciation of life.

P.S. the way this convo journeys is a true peek into the kind of chats we often have off-camera!

Mentions:

E59 Viv’s solo: Stop being hard on yourself
E63 Ro’s solo: Learning to see the world sparkle again

Voice Hugs:

#67 - Societal expectations in your 20s vs 30s: marriage, motherhood, & career

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Ever found yourself trying to dodge questions like, “when are you getting married?” or “when are you having kids?” at family gatherings? You’re definitely not alone! While we’ve touched on societal expectations before, hitting your 30s brings a whole new level of pressure that we now have to navigate ✌🏼

This week, we dive into how our views on marriage, motherhood, and career have changed since our 20s and how to maneuver through the expectations surrounding these big life pillars ~wooo! A little reminder that personal growth and life decisions aren’t defined by age (ps. age is just a number!!) but by self-awareness and authenticity 🐣🌟🌼 friends, it’s time to redefine what it means to thrive in your 30s—because your journey is uniquely yours! ♡

Mentions:

Voice Hugs:

#66 - I just want to be happy & successful........? 🫠 (solo ep)

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Hi friends ◡̈ Viv here with an October voicemail. Sharing my recent thoughts on (what feels like) this never ending chase for success & happiness and how it often stems from deeper issues - like tying our self-worth on external validation and possessions 🙃 They say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey ~ but embracing the art of living in the moment can be pretty dang hard sometimes.

Regardless, time doesn't stop and what we do have is the here and now. I hope this voice note inspires you to look within and find more moments to truly live in the present ♡

Mentions:

Voice Hugs:

#65 - Maintaining friendships in adulthood

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 10:33:00 -0000

We’ve all faced moments of frustration with our friends, even with our best of friends. But why is it so hard to address those feelings and talk it out? This week, we share how it took us nearly 11 years into our friendship to have our first *conversation* with a capital C 🤯

Let’s be honest - these conversations can be super awkward and uncomfortable. What if they get mad? What if it ruins the friendship? Is it even worth bringing up? Whether it’s the fear of conflict, rejection, or just wanting to please others, we’ve discovered that with the right friend, tackling these tough talks is totally worth the discomfort. We've seen firsthand how open conversations, mutual acceptance, and vulnerability has transformed our friendship for the better, and we’re here to show you know that you can do it too!

Mentions:

E48: The Art of Non-Violent Communication: Building empathy & connection
Book: ⁠Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara ⁠https://amzn.to/3Xu2auo⁠

Voice Hugs:

#64 - From girl boss to girl moss: Finding hobbies & interests as an adult

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:33:00 -0000

In case you haven’t heard, the hustle culture of being a "girl boss” is fading, and it’s time to welcome a more laid-back, organic approach to life. That’s right - we’re officially in our "girl moss" era!

While the idea of slowing down, reconnecting with hobbies, and prioritizing fun and playfulness sounds straightforward, we have found that transitioning to “girl mossing” hasn’t been as easy as we expected. This episode was sparked by the question “what do you like to do for fun?”, and how trying to answer this led us to confront the uncomfortable truth that maybe we both struggle with embracing fun in our adult lives.

Join us as we chat about how we can all begin to prioritize more joy and play by rethinking our relationship with time and tackling the mental blocks that keep us from starting or sticking with hobbies and interests!

Mentions:

E59 Viv’s solo: Stop being hard on yourself
E63 Ro’s solo: Learning to see the world sparkle again
Book: ⁠Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara https://amzn.to/3Xu2auo
Book: ⁠Designing Your Life⁠ by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans https://amzn.to/4gnjZUA

Voice Hugs:

#63 - Learning to see the world sparkle again, as it always has ✨ (solo ep)

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Hi bbs, it’s Ro here for our second solo episode 🤭 We’re trying something new! We’re trying something different. Think of this episode as a long overdue voicemail from your bestie, catching you up on her life & recent learnings. In honor of this more lowkey format, we’ll also keep this description lowkey. Well, be on your way now. You just got a new voicemail ☎️

Mentions:

The Book of Ichigo Ichie https://amzn.to/4enYh10
Design Your Life https://amzn.to/3TxpWEX

Voice Hugs:

#62 - The reality of quitting your 9 to 5 w/ Chloe Shih (@chloe.shih)

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Hi Voice Hugs fam, today we’re having an incredibly lovely conversation with Chloe Shih 🦄🧁👾👩🏻‍💻🍉, a brilliant content creator and product lead who has worked at Discord, Meta, Tiktok, and Google.

Even before she was laid off from Discord (her 9-5) earlier this year, her thesis has always been that every one of us yearns to create something of our own (our 5-9s), and she’s made it her mission to share with the corporate girlies and boysies how to navigate, find, and balance their 9-5 with their 5-9s. We absolutely love this ✨

In this episode, we talk about overcoming workplace challenges whilst finding her own voice, the power of leaning into our strengths, turning “rock bottom” moments into opportunities for growth, creative bucket lists, and embracing uncertainty during her ‘adult gap year.’

We also nerd out over her Life PDR, or Product Requirement Documents, a concept she borrowed from the tech world to apply to her personal life to define her purpose, mission, and guiding principles. You all know how much Ro loves structure and planning, this Life PDR is on another LEVEL 🤯

⁠We hope you feel just as inspired as we did having this convo with Chloe!! 🧸

Chloe Shih:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chloeshih
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloe.shih
Discord: https://discord.gg/colorsofchloe (career advice & coworking community)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chloeshih
Twitter: https://twitter.com/colorsofchloe
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hpcPCD

Mentions:

Podcast: Joy of Missing Out with Chloe Shih & Eric Wei Youtube | Spotify | Apple
Book: Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans

Voice Hugs:

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#61 - Life changing magic of choosing yourself w/ Remy Morimoto Park (@veggiekins)

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Hi friends, please welcome Remy Morimoto Park, also known as Veggiekins, to Voice Hugs!! 🌸🌿🎀🍵🌷 Remy’s a dear friend, an incredible vegan recipe developer, food photographer (her aesthetics is immaculate 🤌🏻), cookbook author, founder of an elevated matcha brand called Frauth, and an all-around amazing humanbean 🥹

Remy's story is a truly inspiring one. Having grappled with addiction and disordered eating from a very young age, she completely changed her life when she entered college through being honest with herself, becoming sober, and discovering veganism which ultimately kickstarted her almost decade-long journey of healing her relationship with food, family, and most importantly herself.

We hope you enjoy this very beautiful and & conversation as much as we did 💕 And as always, you can watch this episode with video on Spotify and Youtube!

Quick note on audio quality: our mics battery dies half way into recording so there will be a noticeable difference in sound :’) Thank you for bearing with us as we continually learn and improve to create the best podcasting experience for you!!!

Remy Morimoto Park:

IG: @veggiekins @matchamommyy
YouTube Channel: @veggiekins

Mentions:

Book: Sesame, Soy, Spice: 90 Asian-ish Vegan and Gluten-free Recipes to Reconnect, Root, and Restore
Frauth Matcha: www.frauthmatcha.com | @frauth

Voice Hugs:

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#60 - Let's talk anxiety

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Do you ever get anxious? Cause we do. Often 🙂 Cozy up with us as we deep dive into a feeling we all know too well: anxiety. Inspired by our recent movie night watching Inside Out 2 (spoilers alert!!), we chat about how the heartwarming film mirrors our own experiences with those oh-so-familiar chest/stomach/full body flutters 🦋✨

While anxiety often has negative connotations surrounding it, can it ever serve a positive role in our lives? In today's episode, we open up about our personal anxiety journeys, along with how it has shown up, and still shows up, in our lives. You'll hear about Ro's middle school boys & friendship drama that led to a surprising case of shingles 👀, and how Viv's generalized anxiety shows up in her daily struggle, like an irrational fear of losing her furbaby Charlie 🐶

Join us in grabbing a comfy blanket, and maybe your favorite stress ball, while we explore the fine line between anxiety that gives us a helpful nudge and the kind that leaves us frozen. And as always, we’ll share how we've learned to cope with anxiety, over the years, that was previously more crippling than helpful ❤️‍🩹️‍🩹

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mentions:

Book: Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

#59 - Stop being so hard on yourself (solo ep)

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Our first ever solo episode with Viv is here! ◡̈ Ro and I wanted to experiment with new episode formats in season 2 so we’ll be bringing these solo ones to the poddy once a month! This week’s chat, while deeply personal, is on a topic that sooo many of us can relate to :’) It’s about that little voice within that tells you “you’re not good enough,” “you can’t do it” “you’re not worth it”… sound familiar? No matter how loud or frequent that inner critic—or sometimes what feels more like an inner bully—shows up in our heads, we can all find ways to better understand how our upbringing, past life experiences, or relationships have influenced that negative narrative. We can learn to lean more into the support of our trusted care team (see episode 33 😉) and create a nurturing environment that fosters a more loving and encouraging voice within! In other words, we can all learn how to give bigger and warmer ~hugs~ to ourselves using our ~voice~! In this episode, Viv reflects on her earliest memories with feuding parents and the impact their divorce had on shaping her inner critic. She also shares four tips and tricks that have helped her become more kind and compassionate toward herself. While the first three can be implemented as early as today, stay tuned for the final tip, which has been the most impactful of the four :) So, if you’ve been a bit hard on yourself lately or if your inner bully is louder than usual, this one’s for you ♡ As always, thank you so much for being here. Big, big voice hugs!!

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#58 - Overcoming dark times, taking risks, & betting on yourself w/ Liah Yoo (@liahyoo)

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:50:46 -0000

Voice Hugs fam, please give the warmest welcome to our second guest of the season: Liah Yoo!! 🌴🍇🍵🥳 Liah started her career at one of the biggest South Korean beauty conglomerates, went on to become the first YouTuber in Korea (!!), and built a literal skincare empire, KraveBeauty, while simultaneously taking on the whole beauty industry.

From sharing her journey of taking significant risks in a society where there’s only one path to success, leaving a comfortable job to commit to YouTube full-time, to navigating her darkest days and eventually founding and becoming the CEO of her own company, which of course came with its fair share of risks, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, this episode was incredibly inspirational, vulnerable, and heartbreaking in the most beautiful way—a true testament to her resilient, grounded, and badass nature.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we loved chatting with Liah :’)

Liah Yoo:

☀️ IG: ⁠⁠@liahyoo
🌴 YouTube Channel: ⁠@liahyoo
👾 Website: https://www.liahyoo.com/

Mentions:

Krave Beauty: ⁠⁠www.kravebeauty.com⁠⁠ | @kravebeauty⁠
Waste Me Not Campaign: https://kravebeauty.com/pages/waste-me-not
YouTube Video: we made $1.5 million worth of waste at kravebeauty and here's what we did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar5ufC2Z7w8

Voice Hugs:

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#57 - How to find your inner voice & heal parental relationships w/ Leah Wei (@leahsfieldnotes)

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Our first friend on the show!! Voice Hugs fam, please give Leah (@leahsfieldnotes) the warmest welcome 🥹 We’re so honored to be joined by one of our dearest & sweetest friends, better known as Leah’s Fieldnotes to her community of almost 1M subscribers on Youtube.

In today’s episode, we dive into Leah’s many big life decisions that led her to where she is today (from going to art school after having her mind set on business throughout high school to deciding to start YouTube), how she’s improved her relationships with her parents over time—many tears were shed here together :’) and the ways she’s able to come back to her truest self, time and again, to make said big decisions amidst the craziness of simply existing and the chaos that comes with the world of content creation.

We hope you love this episode as much as we loved having this convo! This is definitely an episode we’d recommend watching with video on ♡

🧚 Leah's YouTube Channel: @leahsfieldnotes
🌸 Leah's IG: @leahsfieldnotes
🤸🏻‍♀️ Leah's Podcast: Leah's Fieldnotes on Spotify
🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com⁠
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mentions:

Book: The Will To Change by Bell Hooks
10 Day Silent Meditation | dhamma.org

#56 - Feeling lost is a very normal and human experience (+voice hugs shop launch!!)

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:33:00 -0000

Welcome back for Season 2 besties 🥹🫂🫶 In this long overdue catch up, Viv and Ro chat about where they’ve been mentally, physically, and emotionally, which just so happens to be centered around the shared feeling of being lost, and the power that comes from acknowledging it.

We also provide a sneak peek of what’s to come in Season 2, including special guest interviews (!!) and solo episodes, along with announcing our very first product launch—created with you & your loved ones in mind, to spread more hugs around the world ♡

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: www.voicehugspodcast.com
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠⁠

Mentions:

Podcast: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett - Simon Sinek: “Strong Thigh Muscles = More Friends”, This Is Why You Can’t Make Friends!
Andrea Kim | Graphic Designer @andreakimmm

#55 - Season 1 Finale: Lessons learned and how we've changed :')

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:33:00 -0000

Voice Hugs season 1 finale is here! 🎉 We made it to 55 episodes friends!! And we definitely could not have done this without *you* 🥰

In this episode, we talk about our lessons learned since starting Voice Hugs in 2021 and what has been the most challenging and rewarding parts of podcasting. We reveal some funnn behind-the-scenes moments including which episode was stitched together with multiple recordings!

Here are the top 5 most listened to episodes in season 1:

We also pick out some personal favorites! Stay tuned to hear more about the reason why ~

Lastly, we want to say thank you SO much for being here on this journey with us. Whether you've been listening since day 1 or recently tuned in, we are so happy to have crossed paths with you today. We love you and appreciate you!! Sending you the biggest virtual hug wherever you are in the world! See you in Season 2 ☺️

#54 - Vivian Van on People Pleasing, Lonliness, and Self-Love

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:33:00 -0000

As promised, Ro interviews Viv on her life story in this week's episode ◡̈ We've shared bits and pieces of our experiences throughout the first 50 episodes, but as we wrap up season 1, we wanted to dedicate a get-to-know-you episode to each host to share a fuller picture of our story!

We hope these episodes will help you understand us more as people, friends, partners, and hosts and discover how our life journeys have brought us together to create Voice Hugs today.

As always, thank you so much for being here 💗 We are so grateful to be on this journey together with you and so so excited for what's to come. ONE MORE EPISODE TO WRAP UP SEASON 1!! Love you all so much!!

🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.voicehugspodcast.com
⁠⁠⁠💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠

#53 - Rowena Tsai on Mental Health, Purpose, and Content Creation

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

The day has finally come! Our first Voice Hugs episode recorded and filmed together in-person :')

This week we try something new with Viv interviewing Ro on her life story. We’ve shared bits and pieces of our experiences throughout the first 50 episodes, but as we wrap up season 1, we wanted to dedicate a get-to-know-you episode to each host to share a fuller picture of our story (next week will be all about Viv!)

We hope these next two episodes will help you understand us more as people, friends, partners, and hosts and discover how our life journeys have brought us together to create Voice Hugs today.

As always, thank you so much for being here ❤️ We are so grateful to be on this journey together with you and so so excited for what’s to come. LOVE YOU ALL SM!

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠⁠

Mentions:

How I Found My Life Purpose | My Story (5/5)
10 lessons I learned in my 20s | for anyone feeling lost :')
Book: The Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant

#52 - Season of healing & a very overdue catchup 🫶

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:33:00 -0000

Hi friends! First thing’s first, we want to apologize for the unannounced hiatus… one week turned into two weeks turned into a few months, and all of a sudden they’re now serving pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks :’) Friends don’t ghost friends, and we should have done better!

Even though we’ve been MIA, we have not stopped thinking about you <3 In fact, we’ve been working hard to gear up for Season 2 and we have a few special projects we can’t wait to share with you VERY soon!! hehe ~

In this episode, we share these updates and our plans to wrap up season 1 in the upcoming weeks. We also talk about where life has taken us during these past few months, recent reflections, and bittersweet interactions we’ve had with our inner child. And of course in Voice Hugs fashion, what started as an overdue catch up ended with the most existential question of what is the meaning of life? Stay tuned til the end for our theory.. perhaps the answer has been right in front of us this entire time (;

As always, thank you so much for being here ❤️ We are so grateful to be on this journey together with you and so so excited for what’s to come. LOVE YOU ALL SM!

✨ Website: www.voicehugpodcast.com
💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠

#51 - Between Cultures: Growing up Asian-American

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:33:24 -0000

Kicking off this week with a sweet little story time: Viv meets a listener for the first time IRL! 🥰

In this episode, ⁠Rowena⁠ and ⁠Vivian⁠ share about their experience growing up Asian-American and the influence that culture and ethnicity have on various aspect of their lives. From navigating between two cultures, to redefining success and forging their own paths, the duo each share their own unique stories from childhood to present time.

We appreciate all of you for being here! ❤️ Say hello, give us feedback, or share any topics/questions you’d like to hear in future episodes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or rate us on Spotify or Apple - it really helps and your support means so much!

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠

#50 - Jealousy: what it's really showing us & how to embrace it

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:33:29 -0000

What is your jealousy trying to tell you? We’ve all experienced it firsthand. Whether in romantic, platonic, or familial relationships, jealousy can show up in various facets of our lives often bringing forth complex emotions and challenging our sense of self.

In this episode, Ro and Viv explore the origins of their jealousy and how it may be more closely related to other emotions such as fear and sadness. After all, jealousy tends to arise as a response to a perceived or threatened loss or sense of inadequacy.

The duo talk about the difference between feeling jealous versus acting jealous, and how embracing the emotion can help us understand ourselves a little more.

A friendly reminder that you’re not “crazy” for feeling jealous 😇

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠

#49 - Opening up to people is hard

Tue, 09 May 2023 10:33:10 -0000

Fear of intimacy can show up in our lives in many different and unexpected ways. Connection is so important to our human experience, yet we are often afraid of it.

In this episode, Ro and Viv dive into a listener’s question of why it's difficult to truly open up, and why it's often harder to open up to strangers than it is with ourselves. In order to connect, we must first want to connect and be ready to do so!

Ro shares how experiencing loss at a young age led to her fear of disappointment which kept her away from forming connections in her 20s. Viv shares her realization that her fear of abandonment may stem from a deeply rooted belief that she's a "bad" person. They explore the concept of learning to judge the “bad” or “less desirable” parts of ourselves less, and instead try to see why it exists so that instead we can turn it into a superpower! (rather than something we’re guilty or ashamed of).

Finally, the duo discuss the importance of creating a safe and intimate space for ourselves because the fear of intimacy isn't just with others, but also within you.

Thanks for staying with us til the end on this one! It was a harder episode for Viv to record and the resistance was real hehe

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠

#48 - The Art of Nonviolent Communication: Building empathy & connection

Wed, 03 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Having trouble communicating with your loved ones? Are you tired of feeling misunderstood? Do you ever feel like your words get lost in translation?

This week, Ro and Viv explore the world of nonviolent communication (NVC), a method of communication that promotes understanding, empathy, and connection between people. The foundation of NVC encourages us to focus on our needs and emotions and to express them in a way that is respectful and empathetic towards others. They discuss the four components of NVC - observation, feeling, need and request - and how each one contributes to effective communication. Whether it’s expressing to your partner you’ve been wanting to spend more quality time or letting a friend know something that has been bothering you, NVC can be applied in our daily lives to help us listen empathetically, express ourselves clearly, and seek common ground with others.

We hope this episode sheds light on the art of nonviolent communication and how it can help us build more empathetic and connected relationships. By practicing the principles of nonviolent communication, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world, one conversation at a time.

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai⁠

Mentions:

Book: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B Rosenberg

#47 - Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry” ft. 5 Apology Languages

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:33:08 -0000

We've all heard of the 5 love languages, but have you heard of the 5 apology languages?

In this episode, Ro and Viv explore the intricacies of apologizing and dive into the 5 different apology languages. Discover why it can be difficult to apologize and how understanding the different apology languages can improve communication and relationships. Tune in for insights on how personality types and individual preferences can influence the way we give and receive apologies.

💌 Email: ⁠⁠⁠hello@voicehugspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠
📷 IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vivianxvan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rowenatsai

Mentions:

Apology Language Quiz - https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/apology-language

#46 - Talking about someone behind their back (can gossip ever be good?)

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:33:26 -0000

On this episode of Gossip, Viv and Ro take a deep dive into the world of gossip and its impact on our daily lives. They explore the power of words and the importance of being mindful of how we use them. Tune in as they discuss whether gossip can ever be good, the act of talking about someone behind their back, and the allure of spilling tea. Along the way, they share their past experiences with gossip and the impact it had on them. This thought-provoking conversation will make you question your own relationship with gossip.

Mentions:

Book: The Four Agreements – "Be impeccable with your words" https://amzn.to/3Uz0rlI

#45 - It's okay to not be okay | grief & loss

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 10:33:55 -0000

Grief is a universal feeling that comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, the loss of who you used to be, or what could have been, grief is a difficult emotion that we all experience.

In this episode, Ro and Viv share their personal experiences with grief. Ro lost her sibling at the age of 17, and Viv recently lost a parent. They both talk about how they coped with their loss and the challenges of adjusting to a new reality. They also offer ways to be there for a friend who may be grieving.

Grief is a personal journey, and everyone processes it differently and on their own timeline. It can be a difficult time, and your brain is occupied with trying to reorganize a reality that no longer makes sense. While grief may never fully leave you, it is possible to integrate it into your life in a beautiful way.

So grab some tissues and a sweater hug, and join us as we talk about the five stages of grief, making sense of loss, and being kind and patient with yourself on your journey of grieving. A gentle reminder that it’s okay to be not okay.

#44 - Navigating big life transitions: moving, kids, asking for help

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 10:33:03 -0000

It's time for some life updates! This week, Ro and Viv talk about entering new life stages and navigating the in-between period between seasons. We all go through many transitions in life—naturally as we grow older, whether you’ve moved to another city, started a new job, or you have made a lifestyle change.

Whatever it may be, these transitionary periods can tend to be turbulent as we adjust to our new "normal," but the duo share that these transitions, are in a lot of ways, life's way of helping you level up and grow. Instead of trying to be in control or coming up with the perfect playbook for your life, know that within us there are multiple great lives to be lived and it’s a matter of picking which one to move towards for now.

Let's enjoy the ride together!

#43 - Do you ever get angry? cause we do 😇 (POPPING OFF!!!)

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:45:52 -0000

What do you do when you get angry? Do you bottle it up and let is pass? Or do you see red and explode with rage? Or maybe it comes out in the form of passive aggression? Whichever way your anger comes out, we’ve all been there. This week Viv and Ro discuss how anger comes out in many forms in different people, the differences between anger and aggression, and share stories of personal anger—from throwing tantrums as kids to how they deal with anger as adults.

As unpleasant as being angry can be, it’s not always a “bad” feeling. As a matter of fact, anger is a healthy emotion that often times signals to you that a boundary has been crossed in your life or that something needs to change. The control comes in how you react to your anger, and the duo share some ways you can calm down and soothe before *popping off* the next time you find yourself in an episode of anger.

Tune in to find out which one of the two threw bamboo dining chairs and which got their shoe stuck on top of a bungalow! 🤭🤭

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: ⁠@voicehugspodcast⁠
🫧 Viv's IG: ⁠@vivianxvan⁠
🦈 Ro's IG: ⁠@rowenatsai

#42 - Dealing with FOMO & comparing yourself to others

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:33:25 -0000

After scrolling on Instagram or TikTok for three hours, you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, supported, and you’re ready to take on the day…. said no ever lol. Why do we obsessively check social media to see what others are doing only to feel crappy about ourselves when comparing your life to theirs?

This week we talk all about FOMO (fear of missing out) and the affects it has on us when we compare our lives to others; and it’s not just through social media! FOMO can come in many avenues such as not being included in an inside joke among your friends, being excluded from a hangout, and not getting invited to an event. We dive into the psychology of FOMO and talk about the causes, symptoms, and consequences it can bring but we also talk about some ways you can overcome those negative feelings!

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

Forbes Article: The Psychology Behind The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

#41 - Care Team 101 (how to create support systems!)

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:01:47 -0000

What is a "care team", and how do you create one? In this episode, Vivian and Rowena revisit "care teams" (a concept introduced in episode 33) and discuss in depth the definition, composition, and importance of having one - how can you create your own or find your role in the care teams of those around you?

While people often form the foundation of a support system, your care team can also consists of different resources including books, podcasts (like this one 😉), spirituality, and pets!

Please share with us what your care team consists of! ❤️ Say hello, give us feedback, or share any topics/questions you’d like to hear in future episodes. Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or rate us on Spotify or Apple - it really helps and your support means so much!

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#40 - Navigating, maintaining, & outgrowing friendships

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 11:33:02 -0000

Like any relationship, friendships take work if you want them to last.

Whether it's making new friends, maintaining current ones, or outgrowing friendships, this week the duo dive into all things friendships 🤓

How do you navigate the ebbs & flows of a close relationship? What do you do when you have differing expectations of what it means to be a good friend? Is it necessary to have a formal breakup conversation?

Tune in this week to hear more on the duo's experiences with friendships in the past and present. They also share some tips on how to have those uncomfortable conversations when things get sticky.

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

Ro's YT video: myths about friendships & what I wish I knew about making friends in my 20s

#39 - What to do when lacking motivation

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:21:55 -0000

So you’re feeling unmotivated: it’s hard to get anything done let alone get out of bed, and the voice in your head is telling you “get your butt up,” “stop wasting your precious time,” “why are you sleeping in AGAIN”… what do you do??

This week’s episode is a part two to motivation (check out eps. 28 for part one, one of our most popular episodes in 2022!). The dynamic duo share how their approach to motivation has changed over time and the hacks they’ve used to help maintain more consistent energy levels.

As humans, it’s easy for us to compartmentalize things into “good or bad”, “wrong or right”, “all or nothing.” For example:

Being productive, pushing yourself, striving to be the best = good
Lacking motivation, wasting time, staying in bed = bad

But these labels aren’t true, life isn’t black and white, and living this way is not sustainable in the long run.

Tune in to find out how they have learned to be more gentle with themselves through embracing periods of low energy, and how they have turned to curiosity and hacking habits to help spark motivation in their daily lives.

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

#38 - Self-love, self-acceptance, self-everything episode (Happy Valentine's Day!)

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 11:33:27 -0000

How do you learn to love yourself? Whether you’re snuggling up with a SO or livin’ that Single Pringle life this Valentine’s day, a friendly reminder that the most important and greatest love at the end of the day is the love you have for yourself!

This week, Viv and Ro time travel back to ~2013 and paint a picture of the relationship they had with themselves in their early 20s (or lack there of). They share stories of breakups (uhh do we cancel him?? hehe jk) and how their lonely single era led them closer to self love.

The conversation journeys from self-love and acceptance to questions of what does it means to be happy? How do we find inner peace? Where can we find hope when you’re at your absolute lowest? And how DO we truly embrace all seasons of life?

At the end of the day, all we can do is put our best foot forward (hint: in any direction), and sooner or later, we can look back and appreciate all the highs and lows that have led us to becoming who we are today.

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

Article: "Who do we spend time with across our lifetime?"

#37 - Doctor's order: less burnout, more PLAY!

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 11:33:24 -0000

How do we prevent burnout in 2023? (hint: the answer is a lot more fun than you think!)

This week’s episode is all about PLAY and the benefits of “losing yourself in play.” Whether it’s throwing clay in a ceramics class like Viv or swimming with sharks in Hawaii like Ro (ooo story time!), “play” can help bring us to the present moment, relieve stress, and prevent overthinking.

It’s easy to get stuck in our everyday routines, and while we all value self-care, we often forget that allowing yourself to have fun is a method of self-care worth prioritizing. Give yourself a chance to experience new things (life can surprise you 😊) and tune in for inspiration on how you can incorporate play into your life!

💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcast
🫧 Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
🦈 Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#36 - Best way to get to know yourself (Listener Q&A)

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 11:33:05 -0000

Grab some Takis or shrimp chips and have a fun Q&A with us this week! Our wonderful community of listeners have some questions, and Viv and Ro have got the answers!

Are there any new things you’ve implemented into your routine?
Go to comfort food?
Favorite thing at the moment (clothing piece, food, activity, etc.)?
What has been the best way to get to know yourself?
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
What theme do you have in mind for 2023?

As much as you’ve gotten to know US in the last year, we also would love to know YOU! Share your answers with us @voicehugspodcast

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#35 - The need to be "perfect" & how to accept yourself

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 11:33:19 -0000

What would you say to your inner child? What thoughts come up as you remember yourself at that age?

Many of us may relate to varying extremes of perfectionism (we know our VH community can relate! EP18 “Overcoming resistance and perfectionism” was one of our top episodes!) Whether it’s curating the perfect IG feed or crafting the perfect persona - we can likely find a link back to our tendencies as children. What did we yearn for? How did our world look and feel like growing up?

Tune in to this episode for part two of how Viv and Ro identified the origins of their perfectionistic patterns. Because when we acknowledge our inner child, hold their hand, we can finally begin to heal from our past.

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

EP18: Overcoming resistance & perfectionism (The Making of Voice Hugs)
EP31: Everybody's judging me

#34 - Less in our heads, more in our hearts (intentions for 2023)

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 23:03:45 -0000

It’s 2023!!! And we’re so excited to start a brand new year with you!

Dive into this episode with Vivian and Rowena as they each share three words highlighting their intentions for 2023. Rooted from much of the same thoughts, they share the process of picking their three words and why.

✨ Vivian: Consistent, Connection, Create

✨ Rowena: Discipline, Supported, Growth

These words serve as reminders for us throughout the year to stay grounded in ourselves, and we invite you to share YOUR three words with us. We’d love to read about them! Giving you a big VOICE HUG as we kick off 2023!

We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes!

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

#33 - Power of setting intentions & creating care teams (2022 reflections)

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 11:33:23 -0000

Can’t believe it’s already the end of 2022! In this special, last episode of the year, Vivian and Rowena reflect on lessons learned and memorable experiences they each had.

Ro shares how setting intentions at the beginning of the year allowed her to experience feeling free despite going through a transitional period in her professional and personal life.

Vivian talks about the challenges that this year brought her and how she got through some of those times because of her support system. She shares the importance of creating a “care team” and how she internalized the voices of loved ones to pull her out of some of her lowest lows.

While they had very different years, Viv and Ro talk about how they both realize the importance of leaning into your feelings, listening to your body (it’s always communicating its needs to you!), and how to bring these ideas into the new year.

Thank you SO MUCH for being here!! We're thankful that you are on this journey with us and for all the support and messages throughout this year. You are what keeps us going 💗 Cheers to year one and to another great year. ~VOICE HUGS!!!~

We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes!

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#32 - Finding light in darkness (the power of gratitude)

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:33:45 -0000

What moments or experiences sweep your mind when thinking about gratitude? Who or what immediately comes to focus?

As we head into Thanksgiving next week, Viv and Ro spotlight the powerful emotion we call: gratitude. In our darkest moments, gratitude can be the pathway out and into “the state of being free” - as Ro would vividly describe.

Ready to cultivate gratitude into your 2023? Share how you’re cultivating this for the rest of 2022 into the new year, and let’s be each other’s guiding light 🕯

We believe in you 💛

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes!

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

#31 - Overcoming the fear of judgement

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:33:30 -0000

Everybody is thriving. Everybody has the perfect life. Everybody is so happy.

Ah, that inner voice of ours speaking our insecurities into reality. Who is this elusive “everybody” that we all seem to know? Whose voices are we listening to?

This episode highlights the book “Finding Your Own North Star” by Martha Beck. Viv and Ro explore a concept in Chapter 4 about an “other” voice guiding our every decision and how to strengthen our own inner voice, so that we live fully and authentically ourselves.

The next time you catch yourself thinking “Everybody is…” or “I should…” - pause for a moment, and change the dialogue 💭

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

#30 - Knowing your limits & setting boundaries

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 10:33:21 -0000

This week we chat about boundaries: The invisible line we draw between work, play, family, friends, you name it - and ourselves to protect our headspace 💆🏻‍♀️ When too many people step into our headspace (the metaphorical “home”) due to poor boundaries, the effects can be felt as resentment, guilt, burnout, stress, anxiety, among others.

Listen as Viv and Ro share their growing pains of learning how to set boundaries, breaking the people-pleasing cycle of always saying “Yes”, and what to do when others step into our “home” unannounced or uninvited.

Boundary setting is an ongoing skill we practice with each relationship in our lives. With time, you’ll soon learn how to properly take care of your own little house and nurture it with love 🏡 ❤️

Thank you, S for sending in your question!

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

EP28: Not feeling motivated? us too
Ro's Channel: how to love your mornings & make them meaningful

#29 - Ro's engaged: how it happened!

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:53:46 -0000

The beautiful part of any friendship is experiencing special milestones together. And if the title didn’t already give it away… RO IS 💍 E N G A G E D💍 !

So grab your coffee/tea/drink of choice because it’s story time! Ro gives a play by play of the five-stop scavenger hunt around New York City leading up to the big question, and Viv shares the role she played in the planning process. Some mild scheming involved 😉 Tune in to find out how we fibbed about “The Washington Post” and who made a special appearance that had Ro ugly crying as James got down on one knee 😭🥲

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#28 - Not feeling motivated? us too

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 10:33:36 -0000

Feeling unmotivated? Indifferent? Meh? Good, because we are too. Let’s unpack that.

This week is all about motivation, or lack thereof. These periods drain our energy and our head space. Whether it’s lack of motivation in our career or finally pursuing a hobby, sometimes our situation gets the best of us. Viv and Ro share in how they each cope with low motivation and how to regain that spark again ✨

Pro-tip: When you’re feeling low, reach out to a friend 🙂

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

Kinto Water Bottle
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Book)
Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck (Book)

#27 - Finding the courage to start | Catch up with us

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:33:34 -0000

We’re baaackk! Although this time around it wasn’t an intentional break. Maybe it’s the transition from Summer to Fall, mercury in retrograde, or the slow shift back to “normalcy” pre-COVID…

But we’re so glad you’re here again as we catch up on life happenings! Viv and Ro spent some time with family and reminisce on the boundless spirit and joy of being a kid. Still, as 30-somethings trying to emulate the fearless spirit of a 2 year old, they also chat about what’s been holding them back and pushing through a rough patch.

As we step into the new Fall season (and approaching our 1 year anniversary!), we just want to say Thank You for sticking with us through all the seasons 💛

We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#26 - When does the inner work journey end?

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 10:33:59 -0000

When does the inner work journey end? This week we answer a listener question about protecting others from yourself because you are not “fully healed” in your inner work journey or “not good enough” yet.

Truth is that the inner work journey never ends. We’re in a constant state of evolution while dancing through each season of life.

Sharing their take on being a “good/bad” person and being your best self 100% of the time, Viv and Ro remind us that it’s OK to be with someone AND continue to grow in your own respect.

It’s true what they say, “We accept the love we think we deserve.”

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#25 - Lessons we've learned in 2022 (so far): work, rest, & play

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 23:15:02 -0000

Whether you felt 2022 went by fast or slow, here we are. August. More than half way through the year, Viv and Ro share some experiences that capture what it means to “live in the moment.”

The simple joys of life can be found right in front of you (beyond your computer screen). And once we slow down to see it, we can revel in the kind of growth we never thought possible.

Do that thing that you’ve always wanted to do. Go on that trip to Paris, and forgo your work laptop. Buy that bubble machine labeled: Suggested Age 3+. Do your own at-home gel manicure and save $50. Sit on the park bench and use the bubble machine you just bought to put on a bubble show for the kids.

Gentle reminder to not take life too seriously 🙃

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#24 - Before they became our parents

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:33:51 -0000

As children of immigrants, the relationship with our parents can be multi-layered and very complex. Often the first relationship we form as children, this bond proves pivotal in our development into adulthood.

Now in their 30s, Viv and Ro recall experiences that continually challenge the role parents play for their (now adult) children. And with it comes its own evolution of unraveling trapped emotions, wrestling with time (or lack of), and seeing our parents as actual human beings.

Time with our parents is finite. And in the face of mortality, we just might give both ourselves and parents some grace for the past, present, and future.

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Mentions:

Book: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

#23 - Feeling insecure? You're not alone.

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 10:33:20 -0000

We all have it, but we rarely talk about it.

In this episode, Viv and Ro expand on one of the most popular topics to date: Insecurities (Episode 2).

It’s neither a glamorous topic, nor is it easy to talk about. Insecurity can highlight additional feelings of shame, guilt, and anger. Viv and Ro explore how everyday encounters, both work and personal (ahem: social media), can trigger insecurity and send them spiraling.

And while insecurity doesn’t disappear overnight, the more we practice being kinder to ourselves, the more we rewrite our internal narrative.

Similarly, by sharing our insecurities we enter new levels of self-awareness and connection with others.

Brené Brown says it best, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.”

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate youuuu and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#22 - Comparing yourself & seeking approval (ft. bubbles)

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:21:47 -0000

If you could be liberated from one thing in your life, what would it be? Whether it’s constantly seeking approval from others, or being trapped in the insecure cycle of comparison, Rowena and Viv found that answering this question helped them take inventory of what’s holding them back and what steps to take forward towards the right direction. Well... what did they find you ask? Sometimes the thing we need to liberate ourselves most from is that darn voice in our heads (sis needs to chillll!)

The two also catch up on current ways they are finding work-life harmony. While Rowena shares the struggle of incorporating quality time socializing with friends and family into her schedule and balancing the never-ending task list of work that needs to get done, Viv talks about the ways she’s made simple, yet impactful, decisions to bring herself to the present moment - from ordering fish at a restaurant, to adding a bubble machine to her ultimate picnic pack.

As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate youuuu and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs

Check out Rowena's 2022 Notion Worksheets: https://ntn.so/rowenastemplate

Mentions:

Drink Poppi
Bubble Machine (Target) - Note: Item got not-so-hot reviews so linking another one from Amazon here)
Rug/Picnic Blanket (Ikea)
Polarbox Cooler
Life Purpose - YouTube
Slow Productivity - YouTube
10 lessons I learned in my 20s - YouTube

#21 - Can you feel two emotions at once?

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 10:53:28 -0000

Have you ever felt happy and sad at the same time? Or maybe torn between two (or more) emotions? At some point in our lives, we have all found ourselves in a push and pull emotional state, and the contrasting feelings may have led to confusion, uncertainty, and maybe even ambivalence.

A question from a Voice Hug listener on how to manage the experience of polarizing feelings inspired Vivian and Rowena to reflect on instances where they thought they should have felt a certain way (logically), but instead experienced a different feeling (emotionally). Could we hold space for more than one emotion at once? How do we make sense of this spectrum of emotions? Stay tuned for a reflective story-filled episode and a little takeaway tip involving the word "should" ;)

Mentions:

Psychology Today Article: "Can You Fee Two Emotions At Once?"

Say hello :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

#20 - Our favorite shows, books, & podcasts

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 10:57:15 -0000

Content has evolved drastically to include all types of media—podcasts, YouTube videos, TV shows, streaming shows, books, movies and more. Wonder what kinds of content Ro and Viv love to consume?

Ro and Viv share their favorite types of content in this episode. Although BFFs, the duo’s personal tastes are very different. Listen to the entire episode to find out Ro & Viv’s favorite podcasts, Kdramas, and dating shows...you don't want to miss this one!

Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs

Say hello :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan

#19 - Giving ourselves permission to rest

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 13:06:34 -0000

Back from Chicago and Korea/Taiwan, Viv and Ro return from a month-long break and share how some much needed rest (and travel!) allowed them to slow down, refresh, and recalibrate.

Listen as Viv recounts how ugly crying in public (twice) made space to feel her feelings, and how Ro saw two worlds collide with Jams and her family & friends.

It’s in these experiences of stepping away from our fast paced life that we can truly revel in moments of joy with those around us.

Permission to rest granted.

Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs

Mentions:

Article: The Tail End - Wait But Why

Say hello :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan

#18 - Overcoming resistance & perfectionism (The Making of Voice Hugs)

Wed, 04 May 2022 17:53:14 -0000

Jams joins us again! In this week's episode, Jams interviews Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) on what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite podcast, Voice Hugs. They explore the resistance that builds as they move closer to their goals and the ongoing battle of perfectionism they face as content creators (6:15). As they reflect on pushing forward and building confidence through practice and patience (20:40), the duo emphasize the importance of having a strong support system at each step of the way (since the feelings of resistance never really go away)! (33:50)

If you have been entertaining the idea of starting a side project or creating something new and are currently met with resistance, this is the episode for you! Stay tuned for a fun behind-the-scenes making of episode #1 (hint: it involves multiple recordings).

Say hello :)

Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast
Ro's IG: @rowenatsai
Viv's IG: @vivianxvan

#17 - What it's like to date a Youtuber (ft. Jams)

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 14:30:30 -0000

A very special episode this week welcoming our first podcast guest *drum roll please*... Jams!! (aka Rowena's boyfriend, VH Fan Club President).

From the beginning of their love story including first impressions of each other (4:27) to long distance relationship trials and learnings two years in (11:13), the couple shares it all! They reflect on the importance of communication and adapting to each others’ communication styles (16:15) in order to maintain a healthy, supportive LDR.

Jams also gives us the exclusive behind-the-scenes look into what it's like to date a YouTuber and content creator (21:15).

If there’s anything you’ve been pondering, specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, or if you just want to say hello (!!), send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#16 - Secretly judging & projecting onto others

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:59:58 -0000

This week, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) explore 3 different listener scenarios instead of deeeep diving into one, starting with a very common experience of projecting expectations onto others.

Listener scenarios (paraphrased):

I’ve noticed that whenever my partner goes for a night out, I immediately feel judgmental, neglected, and anxious. How do I be mindful of projecting my expectations and judgement onto others? (1:54)
Where and how do I start my self-help, living a mindful life, productivity journey? There is so much information out there and I’m overwhelmed! (15:57)
I’m seeing someone new. How early is too early to open up to them? (25:46)

The bicoastal duo share how it’s easier to fixate on something external (controlling others) as a way to subconsciously avoid facing something internal. They also talk about how altering your definition of love can help combat “neediness”, and knowing your "why" can serve as the starting point as you begin your self-care-productivity-living-a-mindful-life journey. To wrap up the episode, they share tips on the intricate dance of opening up to someone new.

The theme of this episode, not surprisingly, is the importance of communicating effectively with yourself and others. If there’s anything you’ve been pondering, specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, or if you just want to say hello (!!), send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com.

#15 - Learning to go with the flow (podcast journey)

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 16:08:15 -0000

Taking a look back at the first quarter of 2022, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) share reflections on their podcast journey - from finding a balance between friend mode and work mode (4:20) to focusing less on numbers and trusting the universe (14:48). They also share defining moments in their lives: how experiencing loss and coming near death has become a guiding force in how they choose to spend their time and decide what type of content they want to create, be it podcast or YouTube (8:25).

This episode is full of lessons learned - letting go of control, learning to go with the flow, and pivoting as a way to grow and expand (21:51).

They wrap up the episode sharing what they're looking forward to in the upcoming months - all things podcast related (hint: merchhhh?? 😉) (26:00). As always, thank you for being here <3 we appreciate you!

#14 - Forgiving your past self

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Did you know the rational side of a human brain is not fully developed until around age 25? No wonder why we regret so many decisions made by our younger selves! This week, we share some not-so-proud moments of young Ro & Viv - from drinking and raving at a very early age to trash talking friends behind their backs. The build up of poor decisions over the years resulted in an era of overcompensating our “bad” by becoming borderline obsessed with being “good” (aka: addiction to self-improvement until burnout. SOS).

We’ve learned that the only way to forgive our past is to accept all parts of the story. Tune in to find out what has helped us over the years ;)

If there’s anything you’ve been pondering, specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, or if you just want to say hello (!!), send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or email us hello@voicehugspodcast.com!

#13 - Get to know us! (13 questions ~ Listener Q&A)

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

After a one-week hiatus, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) are back with an even more intense recording schedule (Viv woke up at 4:30 a.m. for this episode 🙃). Keeping it lighthearted this week, we answer a handful of fun get-to-know-you questions sent in from our listeners (see time stamps below). We also dropped our headphones like 10 times during this pod sorry! lol Let us know what you think about these lighter episodes and if you have more questions, send them our way to hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us @voicehugspodcast

Listener Q&A:

Do you shower in the mornings or evenings (3:44)
Would you rather live by the beach or in the mountains (7:23)
Would you rather always be 10 minutes late or 20 minutes early (11:39)
What is your favorite thing to do together (14:28)
Is there something you really want to learn, if so what (17:40)
Have you gone to therapy (21:14)
Would you rather have a pause button or a rewind button (25:34)
Do you prefer meeting with friends on weekday evenings or on the weekend (27:55)
Meditation after waking up or before going to bed (30:36)
Describe the other person as a candle scent (32:53)
What is your biggest pet peeve (36:33)
Who is your goal special guest for the podcast (39:31)
What is something you wish you did before turning 30 (42:45)

#12 - We used to be best friends

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Breakups aren’t just for romance. Oftentimes, the breakups that hurt the most are those with your friends. This week, Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) chat about heartache from friendship fallouts, and how to get closure when you’re no longer on speaking terms. Through our stories, we explore why some friendships last while others fall apart, and how different life stages impact these experiences.

If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#11 - I keep getting ghosted, is it me??

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Swiping left and right on dating apps is thrilling, and sometimes feels like fun and games. But after getting ghosted for the 50th time, you might start to question... is it me? Am I the problem?? This week, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) chat about finding love on dating apps, taking rejection personally, and overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there through deepening the most important relationship: the one with yourself.

If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#10 - He's "not ready" to commit, what do I do?

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

So you've been hanging out for a while now and basically act like you're a couple, but they tell you they're "not ready" to commit or define the relationship status... sound familiar anyone? This anxiety inducing non-committal dynamic is no foreign concept to many of us, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) included. This week, we share about the ups and downs of past non-committal relationships, how we justify that we're "okay" with the situation and convince ourselves that it's actually a good thing (!), and when it is finally time to say goodbye. Stay tuned for a read from Rowena's 2012 journal and a plot twist in Vivian's relationship story.

If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#9 - Are you anxious or avoidant?

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Whether you’re an anxious type like Viv (@vivianxvan), or tend to lean more avoidant like Ro (@rowenatsai), there are many challenges that both of us went through because of our attachment styles. In this week's episode, we chat about attachment theory and share stories on our struggles (from sweaty palms and panic attacks to a six-year single streak lol) and how we’ve learned to move towards to becoming more secure in ourselves and our relationships. We also touch on the topic of ‘toxic independence’ (is marriage a trap? is being self-reliant = strong woman? how much independence is a good thing?) to close out the episode.

Thank you Anna for submitting this week’s question! If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#8 - Spiraling with social anxiety & shame (ft. shrimp chips)

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Have you ever questioned your existence after social outings or interactions? That’s vulnerability hangover for ya friends. Something Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) are fortunately or unfortunately very well acquainted with 😬 In this week’s episode, there’s story time galore ft. Vulnerability Hangover in the form of swearing off eating shrimp chips forever, drunken competitiveness, cringe text messages sent to a DJ crush 👀, and saying ‘I love you’ first.

Thank you A. for submitting this week’s question! If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or email hello@voicehugspodcast.com

#7 - Casually pondering the meaning of life

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0000

From never truly understanding our life’s impact on others to experiencing immense gratitude to the point of feeling reborn, catch up with Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) as they catch up with each other. With LNY upon us, we reminisce on childhood mems and our childlike wonder, share what we’ve been reading, and ponder what it means to live a meaningful life. Yes, if you’re wondering, this is indeed a very casual and normal convo between the two of us. 🙃

Say hello :) email us at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

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

#6 - When do you know that a relationship is over? (relationship Q&A)

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

How do you get over your first love? Should you live together before marriage? Do you think guys or girls should make the first move? In this week’s episode, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) picked out 13 relationship questions submitted by you lovely humans and share some candid advice on looooove! Thank you for sending in all the submissions - twas a really fun episode to record. :)

Are there questions we missed, or specific relationship troubles you’d like advice on? Drop us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM our IG @voicehugspodcast

Questions:

Do you think guys or girls should make the first move?
What advice do you have for long-distance relationships?
Getting over your first love, ex fiance and soulmate?
Do you think people can change when they love someone?
Do you think a partner can change while in a relationship?
What’s the best relationship advice that someone has ever given you?
I've caught feelings for a close friend now what? Make a move and risk not having that person in my life at all?
Is it ever too late to say “I love you”?
Is anyone ever too good or not good enough for someone else?
Is your “first love” overrated?
2021/Instagram trend of “soft-launching” a partner (basically posting IG stories without showing their face)
Do you think it’s necessary for a couple to have the same love languages?
Thoughts on living together before getting married?
When do you know that a relationship is over?

#5 - Social media makes me feel insecure

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 07:31:46 -0000

With the rise of social media within the past decade, how often would you say you compare yourself to someone else’s “perfect” life? In this week’s episode, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) get real about social media and its impact on their personal, and our collective, mental health. From how to be more mindful about the content we consume to self-censoring in fear of saying the “wrong” thing, let’s explore the dopamine-driven, pixelated world of likes, shares, and follows.

Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

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

#4 - Career Chat: feeling lost, redefining success & trusting yourself

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 20:13:45 -0000

Do you need to choose an unconventional career path to find happiness or can a conventional one bring you the same peace of mind? In this episode, we talked about college struggles, feeling absolutely lost, the pressure to follow our peers’ career paths, and how we eventually found peace within it all. Would you guys like more convos around college & careers? Let us know if you’d like us to turn any topics we’ve covered into series. 😊

Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

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

#3 - No more burnouts for 2022 (New Year reflections)

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 02:01:35 -0000

*Blink* a new year already?? To wrap up 2021, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) chose 10 fun, thoughtful, and quirky questions they answer in this episode. Their findings? Despite how relentless, slow, in their feels, and “unproductive” 2021 may have been, it was still a year filled with many learnings and reassuring reminders to be gentle with ourselves, stay present, and live a more ~balanced~ existence. Here’s to less burning out and pendulum swinging from extremes in the new year! 🥂

Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

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

Questions:

Describe your 2021 in three words.
If you had to describe your year as an animal, what would it be & why?
Reflecting on 2021, what was the single best thing that happened?
Which difficult challenges did you meet, instead of walking away from them?
Which habit were you 1% better at every day?
If you had to break down what you spent your time thinking about this year this year into a pie chart, what would the breakdown look like?
What were you most resistant towards in 2021?
Describe your favorite/fondest memory from this year. Why was it your favorite?
If you could go back in time to January 1, 2021 knowing all that has happened and the lessons you’ve learned, what advice and reminders would you tell your one year younger self?
Intention/Reminder going into 2022

#2 - Let's talk about our insecurities

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 01:07:17 -0000

What are our current insecurities? Where do they stem from? How is insecurity the root of jealousy? And how does cancel culture fit into all of this?? This week Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) get very honest about all things insecurities from body image to creating content on Youtube, and reveal how you can overcome your insecurities through something as simple as changing how you dress. 😬

Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

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

#1 - Welcome to Voice Hugs w/ Rowena Tsai & Vivian Van

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 04:56:09 -0000

Episode 1 is finally here!! Viv (@vivianxvan) & Ro (@rowenatsai) share hopes for the podcast, the importance of human connection, a little trip down memory lane of their decade long friendship, how to open up to friends and let others in, as well as navigating seasons where we feel like we don’t have any friends.

Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com

IG: @voicehugspodcast

Voice Hugs

#92 - We're Having Another Baby!!! Pregnancy journey & all the feels

#91 - Two Words That’ll Change Every Relationship in Your Life

#90 - The Loneliness Epidemic: Why It’s So Hard to Find Your People

#89 - How to Romanticize Your Life Without Losing Reality

#88 - Why Resting Makes Us Feel Guilty (& How to Stop)

#87 - The Antidote for Stress, Fear, and Doubt

#86 - Friendship Anxiety, Wedding Compromises & Healing After a Breakup | Hugs Hotline (ep. 3) ☎️

#85 - How to Actually Live by The Four Agreements (and Why It’s So Hard)

#84 - The Lives We Could’ve Lived

#83 - What we wish we knew before 30

#82 - Making Friends in Adulthood: Real Talk on Connection

#81 - How Marriage Changed Us (In Ways We Didn't Expect)

#80 - How to Plan a Wedding That's Actually YOU

#79 - Setting Intentions That Feel Good: A Voice Hugs Guide to the New Year

#78 - Relationship Hot Takes, Old Flames & Dating Chaos 💌 Hugs Hotline

#77 - Real catchup: motherhood, new routines, and everything in between

#76 - New Mom, New Bride, New Season of Voice Hugs

#75 - Season 2 Finale: Embracing the Unknown in Marriage, Motherhood & Major Life Transitions

#74 - Dealing with insecurities and social anxiety

#73 - Lacking motivation *again*

#72 - Learning to accept love ~ annual gratitude episode!

#71 - If you're feeling behind, remember we're exactly where we are meant to be 🥹 (solo ep)

#70 - We’re having a baby! Pregnancy journey & all the feels

#69 - No more people pleasing

#68 - How do you feel about growing up & getting older?

#67 - Societal expectations in your 20s vs 30s: marriage, motherhood, & career

#66 - I just want to be happy & successful........? 🫠 (solo ep)

#65 - Maintaining friendships in adulthood

#64 - From girl boss to girl moss: Finding hobbies & interests as an adult

#63 - Learning to see the world sparkle again, as it always has ✨ (solo ep)

#62 - The reality of quitting your 9 to 5 w/ Chloe Shih (@chloe.shih)

#61 - Life changing magic of choosing yourself w/ Remy Morimoto Park (@veggiekins)

#60 - Let's talk anxiety

#59 - Stop being so hard on yourself (solo ep)

#58 - Overcoming dark times, taking risks, & betting on yourself w/ Liah Yoo (@liahyoo)

#57 - How to find your inner voice & heal parental relationships w/ Leah Wei (@leahsfieldnotes)

#56 - Feeling lost is a very normal and human experience (+voice hugs shop launch!!)

#55 - Season 1 Finale: Lessons learned and how we've changed :')

#54 - Vivian Van on People Pleasing, Lonliness, and Self-Love

#53 - Rowena Tsai on Mental Health, Purpose, and Content Creation

#52 - Season of healing & a very overdue catchup 🫶

#51 - Between Cultures: Growing up Asian-American

#50 - Jealousy: what it's really showing us & how to embrace it

#49 - Opening up to people is hard

#48 - The Art of Nonviolent Communication: Building empathy & connection

#47 - Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry” ft. 5 Apology Languages

#46 - Talking about someone behind their back (can gossip ever be good?)

#45 - It's okay to not be okay | grief & loss

#44 - Navigating big life transitions: moving, kids, asking for help

#43 - Do you ever get angry? cause we do 😇 (POPPING OFF!!!)

#42 - Dealing with FOMO & comparing yourself to others

#41 - Care Team 101 (how to create support systems!)

#40 - Navigating, maintaining, & outgrowing friendships

#39 - What to do when lacking motivation

#38 - Self-love, self-acceptance, self-everything episode (Happy Valentine's Day!)

#37 - Doctor's order: less burnout, more PLAY!

#36 - Best way to get to know yourself (Listener Q&A)

#35 - The need to be "perfect" & how to accept yourself

#34 - Less in our heads, more in our hearts (intentions for 2023)

#33 - Power of setting intentions & creating care teams (2022 reflections)

#32 - Finding light in darkness (the power of gratitude)

#31 - Overcoming the fear of judgement

#30 - Knowing your limits & setting boundaries

#29 - Ro's engaged: how it happened!

#28 - Not feeling motivated? us too

#27 - Finding the courage to start | Catch up with us

#26 - When does the inner work journey end?

#25 - Lessons we've learned in 2022 (so far): work, rest, & play

#24 - Before they became our parents

#23 - Feeling insecure? You're not alone.

#22 - Comparing yourself & seeking approval (ft. bubbles)

#21 - Can you feel two emotions at once?

#20 - Our favorite shows, books, & podcasts

#19 - Giving ourselves permission to rest

#18 - Overcoming resistance & perfectionism (The Making of Voice Hugs)

#17 - What it's like to date a Youtuber (ft. Jams)

#16 - Secretly judging & projecting onto others

#15 - Learning to go with the flow (podcast journey)

#14 - Forgiving your past self

#73 - Lacking motivation again