Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the world of hip hop culture with the talented rapper and poet, Jason Chu. We explore how hip hop music and culture played a pivotal role in Jason's ethnoracial awakening, shaping his understanding of his cultural identity. Join us as we discuss the influence of hip hop in our lives and its impact on shaping communal belonging and cultural representation. Takeaways Hip hop music and culture decenter normative gazes and reclaim communal agency. Collaboration in music can lead to powerful and meaningful creations. Recognizing warning signs of burnout and practicing self-care is crucial for maintaining well-being. There is a difference between disclosure and venting, and it's important to be intentional about sharing personal experiences. Mantras and wisdom evolve as we progress through different stages of our careers. Time Stamps 00:00 Hip hop culture led to my awakening. 05:10 Relating to Filipino TV, racial divide experience. 07:59 Healthy suspicion of outsiders undermines solidarity. 10:33 Praising the music for its personal depth. 13:26 Creating authentic, soulful music with grounded, gutsy softness. 18:49 Music must be personal for emotional impact. 20:04 Articulating need for rest and delegating responsibilities. 25:48 Discomfort in new experiences is integral. 28:07 Jason brought up the issue of oversharing. 31:35 Learning to identify mental health warning signs. 36:37 Use social media for connecting, not self-promotion. 39:13 Progressive journey of content creation and growth. 42:14 Grateful for support, ask for likes, shares.

In this episode, Esther and Helen discuss the animated series Elemental and its exploration of Asian American identity, family expectations, and emotional well-being. Takeaways Cultural expectations can have a significant impact on an individual's sense of self and well-being, particularly in immigrant families. Navigating the pressure to conform to societal and familial expectations can be challenging, but it is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships and prioritizing one's own needs and desires. Embracing self-acceptance and cultivating a sense of self-identity contribute to emotional well-being and the ability to create the life one wants. Dating outside of one's cultural or social circle can be complex and requires reconciling personal identity with external expectations. Navigating relationships with individuals from different backgrounds can impact mental health and self-perception. Fitting in and belonging to a community is important, but meeting the friends, family, and greater community of a partner from a different culture can be challenging. Curiosity and adaptation are key in building relationships with people from different backgrounds. Unlearning fear and empowering oneself is crucial in embracing change and living one's own truth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Elemental and Its Themes 03:03 Family Expectations and Mental Health 08:45 Exploring Asian American Identity 15:19 Emotional Well-Being and Self-Discovery 23:54 Exploring the Complexities of Dating Outside of One's Cultural or Social Circle 25:18 The Impact of Navigating Relationships with Individuals from Different Backgrounds on Mental Health 35:27 The Importance of Fitting In and Belonging to a Community 36:57 Unlearning Fear and Empowering Oneself to Embrace Change

In a thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Helen Hsu, a Stanford psychologist and author of 'Healing Trauma Workbook for Asian Americans,' delves into the Netflix series "Beef." She examines the portrayal of Asian American experiences, focusing on high achievement, anger, and the burden of cultural expectations. Dr. Hsu highlights the impact of intergenerational trauma, advocating for self-compassion as a key to healing. The conversation also critiques revenge as a hindrance to growth and emphasizes the need for culturally responsive therapy practices to address mental health.

In this re-run episode, we talk to "The Ultimate Queer" cast member, Aussie, to discuss Aussie's personal journey of healing and self-discovery. Trigger Warning - Episode mentions sexual trauma, domestic violence, and abuse. Please consider your mental health prior to watching/listening to this episode. Follow Aussie Aussie's Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aussie_has_...⁠ Keep it Saussie Website - ⁠https://keepitsaussie.com/#scroll-to-top⁠ Request Cameo w/ Aussie - ⁠https://www.cameo.com/aussie88?utm_ca...⁠ Keep it Saussie Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/keepitsaussie/⁠ Follow Yellow Chair - ⁠https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/⁠ Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 00:05:28 Aussie's Mom - love shown through food, repairing relationship. 00:11:25 Realization of denial and trauma recovery journey. 00:17:50 Aussie's dad - his transition from doctor to taxi driver. 00:22:04 "I Realized my sadness due to lack of parenting." 00:24:08 Childhood neglect; healing impact on relationships. 00:28:04 Craving secure attachment, overcoming past trauma 00:33:49 Recognition of need for relationships, self-healing journey, finding secure attachment. 00:40:27 Raised Catholic, mother Buddhist, dad Catholic. Mom converted, secretly went to the temple. Initially condemned mom, then questioned teachings. Suppressed sexuality, felt teachings were wrong. Angry, turned away from God. Reconnected in 2011. 00:43:35 First audiobook, emotional experience, finding inspiration. 00:48:00 Morning routine and the power of surrender. 00:51:16 Favorite book, brings new insights, practice presence.

Therapists Megan Soun & Helen Garcia discuss the show 'Severance' and its relevance to mental health and work-life balance. They both share their personal journey with perfectionism and the impact of defining oneself by their job. Links Mentioned in Episode - Episode #36: Megan on Perfectionism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLY-NVsf75I&ab_channel=YellowChairCollective Episode #44: Megan on Body Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLY-NVsf75I&ab_channel=YellowChairCollective "Good Enough Job" Book - https://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-Job-Reclaiming-Life/dp/059353896X Takeaways The show 'Severance' provides an insightful commentary on work-life balance and the impact of work on mental health. Defining oneself by their job can lead to feelings of burnout, anxiety, and depression, highlighting the importance of a holistic view of self-worth. Healthy relationships can serve as a mirror for self-discovery and contribute to a more balanced perspective on personal identity and worth. The cultural emphasis on work and achievement influences individual perceptions of self-worth and the integration of work and personal life. Transitioning between work and personal life requires intentional practices and markers to create a healthy balance and separation. Diversifying one's identity and finding fulfillment outside of work is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Over-identifying with work can lead to a narrow sense of self and a skewed perception of personal worth. Skepticism of work as a new religion and the influence of community can shape one's perception of work and its role in life. Self-exploration and self-awareness are essential for understanding the impact of work on personal well-being and identity. Reflecting on self-worth and recognizing the goodness of oneself and others is a key aspect of personal growth and fulfillment. Chapters 00:00 Exploring 'Severance' and Work-Life Balance 08:01 Defining Self-Worth Beyond Work 13:42 The Role of Relationships in Shaping Identity 22:13 Transitioning and Integrating Work and Personal Life 29:09 Diversifying Identity and Finding Fulfillment 37:14 Skepticism of Work as a New Religion 42:21 Self-Exploration and Community Influence 44:47 Reflecting on Self-Worth and Goodness

Iris Chen discusses transitioning from coercive to compassionate parenting, focusing on self-awareness, mutual responsibility, and healing relational patterns. She emphasizes understanding needs behind behavior, healing through writing, and embracing imperfections in parenting. The discussion highlights the importance of intention, attunement, and self-compassion in raising children.

Helen talks to the "Happiest Pod on Earth" gals - Ariel Landrum, LMFT & Stef Bautista, MA about Sailor Moon! They also discuss the app 'Too Good to Go' to purchase leftover food from local businesses. The conversation also transitions into Ariel & Stef's friendship & using Disney in educational and mental health settings. Takeaways - Friendships can have a significant impact on personal growth and identity Using Disney in educational and mental health settings in schools! Sailor Moon explores themes of friendship, group dynamics, and coping with grief and loss Sailor Moon empowered women and allowed them to embrace different facets of femininity. Finding a healthy and supportive partner is important in relationships. Play is a vital tool in child development and problem-solving. It's important to embrace your uniqueness and not care about what others say. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Highs and Lows 01:31 Too Good to Go! 27:29 Coping with Grief and Loss in Sailor Moon 30:55 The Empowerment of Femininity in Sailor Moon 34:41 Navigating Relationships and Finding a Healthy Partner

Trigger Warning: Mention of sexual assault & violence. Resources below - Queer Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.tnlr.org/en/24-hour-hotline/ National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ Helen and Jack talk about Netflix's Heartstopper - how the show offers a glimpse into the innocence and unadulterated love that many queer adults never experienced in their teenage years. Takeaways Heartstopper highlights the importance of patience and self-discovery in navigating identity and coming out. Heartstopper addresses the impact of trauma and the struggle to believe in one's worthiness of love and support. The series provides a space for empathy, understanding, and healing. Heartstopper provides a rare portrayal of healthy queer relationships in a world full of rejection and violence. Therapy should encourage clients to discuss intersectionality and explore the complexities of their identities. Cultivating imagination is crucial for fostering hopefulness and envisioning a life worth living. Self-expression and authenticity require support and patience. The ability to make it through each day and trust oneself is a significant accomplishment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Heartstopper 09:36 Addressing Trauma and Self-Worth 32:53 Exploring Intersectionality and Representation 40:12 Encouraging Intersectionality in Therapy 48:09 The Power of Imagination in Fostering Hopefulness

Helen and Sarah discuss the animated series BoJack Horseman and its exploration of addiction, trauma, and identity. They highlight the show's depiction of addiction and self-destructive tendencies, as well as the cyclical nature of addiction and the challenges of overcoming substance use. Takeaways Recognize the importance of therapy in addressing mental health issues Cultivate self-awareness and embrace opportunities for personal growth Practice empathy and create non-judgmental spaces for others Understand the role of forgiveness and self-compassion in healing Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:03 Unpacking the Impact of Past Traumas 15:01 Navigating Celebrity Culture and the Search for Purpose 36:55 Empathy and Non-Judgmental Spaces

Angela Nguyen, MSW and Helen have a conversation about the hit show, "The Good Place". They discuss what it means to be a 'good person', working through guilt and shame, and the importance of growth and healing. Takeaways Being a good person is a complex and evolving concept that is influenced by our actions, intentions, and the impact on others. Childhood and environment play a significant role in shaping our understanding of what it means to be good. Growth and healing require effort, time, and support from others. Embracing change and cultivating healthy relationships are essential for personal and relational well-being. Society may be experiencing a lack of relational health due to high achievement orientation and a focus on individual success. Community care and support are essential for individual well-being and resilience. The loneliness epidemic is a result of increased social media use and lack of meaningful connections. Media, including shows like The Good Place, can help foster understanding and compassion for mental health. Self-compassion involves acknowledging mistakes, learning from them, and making efforts to grow and rebuild trust. Being a good person is a complex journey that requires balancing individualism and collectivism. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Love for The Good Place 06:10 The Importance of Effort, Growth, and Healing 25:22 Community Care and Resilience 36:20 Self-Compassion and Growth 45:05 Balancing Individualism and Collectivism in Being a Good Person