Spilling Our Tea

Join us as business growth coach Lorraine Chai spills the tea on her extraordinary journey from a Malaysian-born international student to a powerhouse in the business world. Lorraine doesn't just break the mold; she shatters it, navigating the complexities of cultural identity and societal expectations with grace and determination. Lorraine offers a fresh perspective on viewing individuals beyond stereotypes, emphasizing resilience in overcoming the challenges of being an Asian woman in a predominantly Western business environment.Connecting with Lorraine Chai: https://www.solopreneur2entrepreneur.com Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Growing up with the weight of cultural expectations and the challenge of adapting to new environments can shape one's path in unexpected ways. Dr. Esther Castillo's journey from Macau, China, to the United States is a testament to resilience and adaptation. As an immigrant and mental health advocate, Esther opens up about the discrimination she faced, which steered her away from journalism into the realm of sociology. Her story sheds light on the often-overlooked issues within academia regarding race and diversity, particularly during her time as a visiting professor. With heartfelt honesty, she shares the trials of navigating her professional journey amidst societal and institutional challenges.Esther and I emphasize the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health within the Asian community, particularly for women. Our discussion touches on the skills developed from past traumas, both a boon and a burden and the role mindfulness plays in nurturing wellness. We conclude with a call to foster empathy and intergenerational understanding, recognizing that the journey toward mental wellness and community healing is ongoing and collective.Connect with Dr. Esther Castillo: https://www.bridgingworlds.work Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Shang Saavedra, the visionary behind the popular platform Save My Cents, shares her remarkable story of financial empowerment, rooted in her experience as a Chinese-American immigrant. With her unique perspective on personal finance, Shang reveals how her family's deep-seated frugality laid the foundation for her financial independence. Discover the art of joyful frugality, where spending is a deliberate choice aligned with personal values and goals, rather than a mere exercise in penny-pinching. Shang's journey to financial freedom at a young age offers a wealth of wisdom and practical strategies, challenging conventional notions of what it means to be financially empowered.Connect with Shang Saavedra: https://www.instagram.com/savemycents Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Grace Young Foster, a trailblazer and the inspiring Founder and CEO of the Inclusion Initiative shares her extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. From her beginnings as a child abandoned in South Korea to her role as a formidable advocate for adoptees of color and foster care alumni, Grace's journey is nothing short of remarkable. She sheds light on the unique challenges faced by transracially adopted Asian Americans, a community often overlooked, and underscores the critical need for spaces of belonging and tailored career development resources.In this heartfelt episode, we peel back the layers of Grace's personal experiences with transracial adoption, exploring the profound disconnection from cultural heritage and identity that many in her shoes encounter. Grace candidly discusses the struggles of growing up in a predominantly white environment, emphasizing the vital role of mental health support in overcoming the cultural and familial voids adoptees often face. Her story highlights the power of community in achieving both personal and professional success, offering listeners a glimpse into the hurdles she has overcome and the strength it has taken to reclaim her narrative.Connect with Grace Young Foster: https://www.theinclusioninitiative.com Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Jasmine Tran and Christine Nguyen from Essence Skincare join us to reveal the captivating journey of blending modern skincare with time-honored plant wisdom, a journey deeply rooted in Asian heritage. Inspired by her mother's practice of using herbs and adaptogens in meal planning to align with nature's cycles, Jasmine crafts skincare that echoes these principles. As we explore their approach to clean beauty, you'll discover how Essence Skincare adapts to the skin's seasonal needs with their small-batch philosophy, ensuring alignment with the body's natural rhythms.Asian women's experiences in the beauty industry come to the forefront as we discuss challenges faced both as entrepreneurs and consumers. Jasmine and Christine open up about the hurdles of gaining trust and visibility for Asian-owned brands, and the struggle to find products that cater to diverse skin tones. Their insights shed light on the importance of representation and community support, encouraging a movement toward embracing natural beauty and authenticity amidst a market that has historically overlooked these nuances.Connect with Essence Skincare: https://essanceskincare.com Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this week's conversation with Dr. Maggie Kang, we explore the often-overlooked topic of mental fitness within the Asian community. Traditionally hesitant to seek external help, Maggie's journey highlights the significant cultural shift that coaching can bring. Encouraged by her husband and online communities during the pandemic, Maggie discovered that coaching offered a proactive way to reshape her narrative. This pivotal experience led her to become a coach herself, guiding others through similar struggles and advocating for rare disease awareness alongside her daughter. Maggie also sheds light on the unique challenges she faced in explaining her new career path to her family, given the traditional expectations that often come with being a physician.As we spill the tea on empowerment, mental health, and breaking free from prescribed roles, this episode offers a rich tapestry of stories and insights. Drawing inspiration from previous generations, we discuss the importance of agency and choice in fostering resilience and authentic living. Whether you're dealing with your own adversities or seeking to better understand the strength within the Asian community, Maggie's experiences and wisdom are sure to inspire. Tune in, subscribe, and join our Spilling Our Tea community as we celebrate the joy of living authentically.Connect with Dr. Maggie Kang: https://maggiekangmd.com Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.com Tune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Have you ever felt like you're just not enough or constantly lagging behind? Join us on the Spilling Our Tea Podcast as we sit down with Lucy Liu, a master life coach, who shares her transformative journey from feeling average to discovering genuine happiness right here, right now. Lucy opens up about growing up with a famous name and the pressures that come with it. We discuss her academic and professional pursuits and how she learned that happiness isn't a distant goal but something to embrace in the present. Lucy's insights on personal development and choosing joy in our work will inspire you to live life on your own terms!Together, we also navigate the unique challenges of the Asian-American experience. Lucy talks about the bravery it takes to start over in a new land and the sacrifices our parents made for better opportunities. We normalize struggles with identity, bullying, and racism, emphasizing that happiness stems from our choices and perspectives, not our socioeconomic status. Lucy further discusses the importance of representation and mutual support among Asian women in the coaching world. Don't miss this compelling conversation about mental fitness, overcoming societal expectations, and living authentically. Tune in to be inspired and empowered!Connect with Lucy Liu: https://www.lucyliucoaching.com Work with Sandy Kusano: https://www.joyfuloptimist.comTune in every week for a new episode of Spilling Our Tea. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!