Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast

In this clip from Season 3 of Yellow Chair Collective,  Marriage & Family Therapist, Jeff Yeom, opens up about his personal journey of self-discovery and challenges the traditional ideals of masculinity. From feeling different and frustrated in his college years to finding validation and acceptance from his friends, Jeff shares the importance of vulnerability and emotional connection in relationships. We also explore the impact of gender dynamics and expectations on our lives, as well as the struggles and triumphs of expressing emotions and seeking help. Join us as we dive into thought-provoking conversations surrounding toxic masculinity, cultural influences, and the power of embracing our true selves. 

This week's clip highlights Kim Saira's journey to therapy - "When we are constantly in fight, flight or freeze response, we can think, or just myself, like, I can think that anyone who disagrees with me is the enemy or I need to either fight them or run away." More full-length episodes will publish in August :) - but for now, please enjoy vulnerable goodies from past guests :)

On this episode of Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast, our host Helen sits down with Jonathan Ly to discuss the mythos and pressure around meditation and emphasize that it can be as simple as closing your eyes and sitting down. The episode also delves into different types of meditation, the importance of gratitude and awareness, and the cognitive triangle. Jonathan recounts their experience of having their car's catalytic converter stolen and how they practiced acceptance and moving forward. Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 00:05:51 Meditation's cultural significance and variety misunderstood. 00:12:45 Importance of group and teacher in Buddhism. 00:17:23 Listening meditation improves compassion and presence. 00:22:17 Meditation brought peace and changed perspective. 00:24:39 Subtle change, slow process, frustration, meditation, patience, compassion, collective breathing. 00:28:19 Disconnect from technology, sit quietly, be mindful. 00:33:50 Self-compassion, accepting suffering, controlling interpretation. Easy meditation for success in spiritual mastery. 00:39:03 Structure, mental health, environment, self-compassion, reacting consciously. 00:42:12 Moving on from pain and letting go. 00:45:17 Car theft frustrates, but must move on. 00:50:00 Start with guided meditation apps but eventually meditate independently. Links to Yellow Chair: https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/

On this episode of Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast, we are joined by Carrie Zhang, founder of Asian Mental Health Project. We delve into Carrie's journey of self-discovery and the importance of incorporating self-care practices to prevent burnout. Carrie reflects on their people-pleasing tendencies and the process of prioritizing themselves and their mental health.  Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 02:51 Started project on mental health and Asian identity, connected with others, created community events and resources. 08:01 Balancing work and self-care; valuing community. 11:44 I have power to shape my life. 14:15 Carrie rejects founder mentality, embraces community support. 17:42 Discovering and creating personal purpose is liberating. 23:22 Checking in on my feelings and needs. 26:27 Constant journey, overcoming challenges, community support 31:53 Nonprofit numbers have tripled due to COVID; importance of human connection 33:09 Genius simplicity in creating accessible community spaces. Follow Yellow Chair - Links to all: ⁠⁠https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/⁠ Follow Asian Mental Health Project - Website: https://asianmentalhealthproject.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianmentalhealthproject/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsianMentalHealthProject/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fasianmhproject Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asian-mental-health-project

On this episode of Yellow Chair Collective: The Podcast, we talk to Lotti, a musician who is known for writing about personal experiences such as separation, breakups, and losing oneself in a relationship. They discuss Lotti's process of crafting songs based on personal experiences, particularly her experience of a breakup which is universal. The podcast also explores the importance of music in Philippine culture, the meaning of creativity, the power of collaboration in music writing, and the process of releasing a song when it's ready. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Lotti's music and her unique insights into the art of music-making. Time Stamps 00:00 Music saved me, I lost myself. 05:47 Song inspiration: feeling, learning, divorce observation. 07:50 Discovery of voice through personal suffering. 13:43 Moving to LA made me feel different. 14:49 First real interaction with dad 23:59 Creative freedom discovered through calling off work. 27:27 Powerful performance mesmerizes audience at open mic. 30:17 Quickly created song with friends' input. 32:49 Feeling good songs, releasing ego, collaborate together. 38:07 Artistry over pure creativity. 41:11 Collaborative process with artist Camila for visuals. Follow Lotti YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCQWhRyINo_Uw-fDp6VMZIAw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotti4evr/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fqGZPNHkzzYFDya39KOiv#login Follow Yellow Chair: Links to all: ⁠https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/⁠

On this episode of Yellow Chair Collective, Helen interviews influencer, activist, and digital artist Kim Saira about her experiences with social media, relationships, therapy, and somatic healing. Kim shares her discomfort with being the center of attention on social media and how she prioritize genuine connections in their life. Helen and Kim also discuss grappling with their Filipino identity and navigating generational trauma. Throughout the episode, Kim Saira emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and the benefits of somatic healing and self-care practices. Don't miss out on learning more about their journey from angry advocacy to current self-care practices amidst a busy schedule of advocacy during Pride Month, API Month, and Mental Health Month. [00:02:49] Anger and activism spurred social media action. [00:05:01] Anger led to interest in healing space. [00:07:15] Anger towards partner's parents leads to therapy. [00:10:31] Therapy helped me embrace vulnerability and honesty. [00:14:41] Social media is a powerful tool. [00:18:40] Social media as a tool, not substitute. [00:22:26] Setting boundaries, self-care for business owners. [00:24:56] Busy lifestyle causes strained relationship with grandma. [00:30:37] Filipino immigrant child struggles with identity. [00:33:16] Self-doubt and imposter syndrome causing anxiety. [00:35:45] "Not for everyone" & "renting mode" realization. [00:38:44] Understanding and accepting generational love patterns. [00:42:27] Childhood experiences, conflicting feelings on identity. [00:46:35] "Community support is essential for success." Follow Kim Kim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimsaira/?hl=en Kim's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimssaira?lang=en Kim's Community Links: https://linktr.ee/kimsaira Follow Yellow Chair Links to all: https://yellowchaircollective.carrd.co/

Many of us may assume that setting boundaries is about keeping people out, but the reality is that it's about creating healthy relationships by establishing certain limits and stipulations. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u32AMJDtlRE&t=82s

Brandon Shindo is a mental health therapist and entrepreneur who struggled with burnout. After years of dealing with joint pains and fatigue, Brandon began to notice the correlation between his mental health and physical health. He sought out medical advice and found that the best approach was to slow down and give his body time to heal. Through his research and experiences, Brandon is now committed to helping others understand and manage their own psychosomatic symptoms. Check out K&B Therapy: https://www.kandbtherapy.com/ Follow Brandon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bashindo.lcsw/ Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-shindo-msw-lcsw-b480911a6 Follow Yellow Chair Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yellowchaircollective ⁠ Website:⁠ https://yellowchaircollective.com/ ⁠ Tik Tok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@yellowchaircollective  Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 03:59 Brandon's Backstory 08:05 Quitting is okay; create your own opportunities to heal from burnout. 10:04 Creating a business that aligns with your talent and values 12:26 Thoughtful decision making with consideration for family and community, seeking support, and setting boundaries. 14:11 Setting boundaries is important to keep people close, give a limited amount, and honor core beliefs. 17:21 Code-switching to "survive" can lead to conflicting values; look for alignment of values for "hell yes" decisions. 19:21 Focus on two core values; be alone in solitude; filter out experiences that are not serving. 24:13 Maintaining self-worth takes continual work. 28:40 Generational Trauma as a fourth-generation Japanese American 34:39 Brandon's values and story, with the goal of helping others navigate life easier.

In part 2 of this interview, Allison Ly returns to discuss the systemic challenges faced by second-generation Asian Americans, navigating the subtle cultural differences second-generations face…and ways to navigate through these challenges with anxiety relieving techniques. **Disclaimer: for informational purposes only, please do not disregard the advice of a mental health and/or medical professional based on what you heard on this episode, please refer to a medical professional as needed** Time Stamps: 0:00 Mixed Feelings: Guilt/Anger/Love for 1st Gen Family Members 3:22 What is Self-Compassion? 4:32 One Simple Way to Practice Self-Compassion for Busy People as a Beginner 11:13 Benefits of “Doing the Mental/Emotional Work” as a Second/1.5 Gen Asian American 13:50 Impact of Migration and Perceived Burden for 2nd Gen Asian Americans 15:03 Signs of a “Healthy friend” Follow Yellow Chair Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowchaircollective  Website: https://yellowchaircollective.com/  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yellowchaircollective  Follow Allison Ly, LCSW Website: https://www.allisonlytherapy.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonlytherapy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonlytherapy/

In this interview, we speak with Allison Ly, a psychotherapist who specializes in working with first/second generation Asian Americans struggling with setting boundaries with parents. We discuss the unique challenges faced by this community, common themes in therapy, practical tips for breaking the cycle, and how society can better support those facing these challenges. Join us for an insightful conversation on how to improve well-being for Asian Americans. **Disclaimer: for informational purposes only, please do not disregard the advice of a mental health and/or medical professional based on what you heard on this episode, please refer to a medical professional as needed** Time Stamps: 0:00 Topic Introduction 0:31 Allison Intro 3:59 Patterns among Children of 1st Gen Asian American Parents 7:51 What is the repayment cycle? 12:23 First Steps to Overcoming Burnout We experience in families Follow Yellow Chair Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowchaircollective  Website: https://yellowchaircollective.com/  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yellowchaircollective  Follow Allison Ly, LCSW Website: https://www.allisonlytherapy.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonlytherapy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonlytherapy/