

Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast
Yellow Chair Collective
The Yellow Chair Collective Podcast explores identity, intersectionality, and mental health. Hosted by Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon, co-directors of Yellow Chair Collective—a group private practice offering culturally responsive mental health services—this season highlights the unique challenges and resilience of eldest daughters. Join us for conversations that uncover the intersections of culture, family, and personal growth.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 29, 2023 • 31min
Facing Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Colonial Messaging about Body Image with Megan Soun, MSW
In this episode, Helen and Megan discuss the messaging around body image and the impact of beauty standards on individuals, particularly those who are considered 'other' in society. They explore the intersection of beauty standards and racism, as well as the importance of questioning and unlearning these standards. Megan emphasizes the need to view the body as a relationship and to approach body change with intention and curiosity. They also discuss the role of yoga in honoring the body and cultivating a positive relationship with it. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of challenging societal norms and embracing self-acceptance.
Takeaways
- Question & challenge beauty standards - the body messaging
- View the body as a relationship and cultivate a connection with it
- Approach body change with curiosity, ie motivations behind it
- Practice self-acceptance to foster a healthier body image
LINKS
- Events YCC: https://yellowchaircollective.com/ycc-events/
- Sign-Up for a Support Group: https://yellowchaircollective.com/support-group/
- Listen to Episode #36 About Perfectionism & Body w/ Megan: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JgrdwbGW9eIkxcn69McEH
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
00:59 The Messaging Around Body Image
02:55 The Intersection of Beauty Standards and Racism
04:29 The Impact of Otherness on Body Image
06:07 The Eurocentric Beauty Standards
07:54 Unlearning and Taking Action
09:04 Questioning Beauty Standards
11:09 Viewing the Body as a Relationship
13:18 The Third Door: Acceptance and Action
16:09 Motivations for Body Change
18:06 The Cult of Productivity and Unhealthy Disciplines
19:35 Rigidity and Tying Self-Worth to Rules
22:05 Approaching Clients and Loved Ones with Body Dysmorphia
25:31 Practicing Yoga as Body Connection
26:01 Honoring the Body through Yoga
29:17 Cultivating a Relationship with the Body
29:59 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Dec 29, 2023 • 58sec
Moment 7 - Carrie Zhang, Founder of Asian Mental Health Project, "We Need Other People"
On this clip of Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast, we are joined by guest Carrie Zhang, founder of Asian Mental Health Project.Carrie shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of incorporating self-care practices not selfish but an act of self-preservation and community welfare
Link to watch more: From Loneliness to Connection: Carrie Zheng's Journey to Creating the Asian Mental Health Project

Dec 29, 2023 • 4min
Moment 6 - Jonathan Fong Ly, What is the Benefit of Meditation?
On this 5-Minute Moment, Helen sits down with meditation practitioner and teacher, Jonathan Fong Ly to explore the mythos and pressure around meditation and emphasize that it can be as simple as closing your eyes and sitting down. This clip also delves into different types of meditation, the importance of gratitude and awareness, and the cognitive triangle.

Dec 29, 2023 • 3min
Moment 5 - Iris Chen, Writer & Parenting Coach - How to Validate & Understand Your Child's Emotions
A clip from our podcast episode with writer and founder of Untigering, Iris Chen. Iris shares a powerful story about her child biting other children at preschool, she emphasizes how validating her child's emotions and understanding their needs led to pro-social strategies to navigate stress and anxiety. She reminds us that behaviors are signals of underlying needs, and by meeting those needs, the behaviors tend to resolve themselves.
Watch full episode here: https://youtu.be/QZ-D6wgV67o
Follow Iris Chen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untigering/?hl=en
Blog: https://untigering.com/
Buy Untigering Book: https://untigering.com/untigering-peaceful-parenting-for-the-deconstructing-tiger-parent/
Connect with Iris: https://msha.ke/untigering
Follow Yellow Chair:
Links to all: https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/

Dec 29, 2023 • 59sec
Moment 11 - Connecting with Your Body vs. Manipulating It
Reflection of the Day: What if we treated our bodies like another relationship?
What would that relationship look like for you? Is it a healthy one or an abusive one?
Watch the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AvIiky8xXRQTYkSdPAYRB

Dec 15, 2023 • 23min
Behind the Chair with the Co-Directors of Yellow Chair Collective (Pt 1)
A candid talk on Trauma, Immigrant Identity and Mental Health with the Co-Directors of Yellow Chair Collective - Soo Jin Lee, LMFT & Linda Yoon, LCSW
Linda and Soo Jin sit down for an in-depth conversation about overcoming limiting beliefs, embracing their Asian-American identity, dealing with trauma and starting their service-oriented company.
These inspiring women share their experiences with marginalization, traumas, and cultural struggles, and their journey towards establishing an organization that bridges generational gaps through connection and understanding
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:12 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
03:29 Impact of Trauma on Personal and Professional Life
03:58 The Struggle of Being an Immigrant
06:04 The Fear of Failure and the Drive to Succeed
07:17 The Challenge of People Pleasing
09:02 The Journey of Self-Acceptance
16:52 The Importance of Discussing the Undocumented Experience
17:31 The Significance of a Holistic Private Practice
20:07 The Power of Connection and Community
22:24 Conclusion and Call to Action

Nov 18, 2023 • 34min
Unlearn Negative Beliefs About Your Body - A Masterclass
Mashup of various experts to delve into critical issues surrounding disordered eating and body perception within the Asian-American community.
Preorder Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720465/where-i-belong-by-soo-jin-lee-lmft-and-linda-yoon-lcsw/
Interested in Groups Email - groups@yellowchaircollective.com
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction & Announcement
00:48 Understanding Body Dysmorphia and Disordered Eating
01:51 Unlearning Negative Food Biases
03:17 The Role of Cooking in Disordered Eating
10:35 The Impact of College Life on Eating Habits
20:41 Decolonizing the Body and Reclaiming Belonging
21:06 Understanding Racialized Body Image
24:52 Embracing Emotions and Breaking Conditioning
31:00 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Self-Care
33:01 Conclusion

Nov 9, 2023 • 41min
Decolonizing the Body with Kelsey Blackwell
We interview Kelsey Blackwell, a renowned somatic coach, author, writer and advocate for women of color to share her views on decolonizing the body. She explains the importance of acknowledging and working through racial trauma and systemic oppression.
Follow Kelsey
-Get “Decolonizing the Body” Book - https://shorturl.at/bfGQ3
-Website: https://www.kelseyblackwell.com/
-Newsletter: https://kelseyblackwell.substack.com/
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decolonizingthebody/
Follow Yellow Chair - https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction and Kelsey's Backstory
00:21 Decolonizing the Body: A Focus on Women of Color
00:30 The Writing Process and Audience Targeting
01:39 Understanding Decolonization and its Impact
03:38 Kelsey's Personal Journey into Somatics
06:12 The Genesis of the Book 'Decolonizing the Body'
07:21 The Role of Surrender in Kelsey's Life
07:32 Challenging the Traditional Job Concept
08:37 Navigating Fear and Uncertainty
19:55 The Importance of Collective Thinking
23:10 Practical Steps to Connect Back to the Body
30:17 Breaking the Oreo: Addressing Racial Trauma
36:41 Reclaiming Anger and Asserting Boundaries
16:03 Advice for Women in their Late 20s

Nov 9, 2023 • 2min
Moment 10 - Exercise is NOT just about Losing Weight, Here's Where People Get it Wrong
Watch the full Episode w/ Eling Tsai here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5H3f2OeJG3iFFghMVxmZmT?si=e7835d187b5640d6

Nov 4, 2023 • 36min
On Body Neutrality: A Conversation with Eling Tsai on Navigating Body Image Messaging
In today’s discussion, we have Asian American dietician nutritionist, Eling Tsai joining us for the 2nd time! She sheds light on the impact of white Eurocentric perspectives on Asian Americans, particularly when it comes to body image and food. We delve into the importance of challenging negative thoughts and beliefs around food and body, and how Eling's approach helps clients explore the roots of these beliefs.
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
00:00:43 Nutrition counseling for chronic dieting recovery.
00:04:47 Limited training in communicating clinical nutrition information.
00:09:27 Food, identity, and culture explored from an Asian American perspective.
00:11:40 Questioning learned beliefs about body and food.
00:14:11 Naming, neutralizing thoughts, experimenting with labeled foods.
00:18:59 Practicality in client work; acknowledging cooking challenges.
00:23:14 Reframe, recognize, learn new skills, playful cooking.
00:27:09 Inaccessible cities hinder healthy eating options.
00:28:29 Compact spaces in urban areas pose challenges for professionals with limited resources. The session approach adapts to busy lives.
00:32:48 Benefits of movement beyond traditional exercise.
00:35:58 Parents provide food, kids decide how much to eat.
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nutritionwitheling/?hl=en
Website - https://www.withfoodincommon.com/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elingtsai
Follow Yellow Chair Collective
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/23NdPdt17FyewUV2nx5BJu
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yellowchaircollective/
Website - https://yellowchaircollective.com/


