Becoming Me

EPISODE 36              Do you ever feel like you have to choose between being true to yourself (authenticity) and being accepted by others (belonging)? For many people, this internal conflict between our need for authenticity and our need for genuine attachment continue to tear our inner lives apart. Many of us have learned to sacrifice our authenticity for the sake of keeping relationships, but over time we find ourselves deeply unhappy because we have inadvertently abandoned ourselves because of our fear of being abandoned by others.In this episode I share about my life-long struggle with this tension and how it has changed since I began my interior journey. Transcript and Chapter Markers at this episode page.WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEOANN CHATS | Authenticity or Belonging?RESOURCEExploratory Integrative Life Consultation with Ann CHAPTER MARKERS  (00:00:40) - Introduction(00:04:35) - Between Authenticity and Belonging(00:09:54) - Dr Gabor Maté(00:15:05) - Experiencing this dilemma as adults(00:22:22)  - A scared little child inside me(00:25:03) - The source of my healing(00:30:17) - PRAXIS Listen. Ponder. Act.(00:38:11) - Exploratory Integrative Life Consultation(00:41:23) -  ConclusionAvailable here.REFLECTION PROMPTListen.- As you listened to today's episode, what struck you? Does something resonate particularly strongly with you?Ponder.- When was the last time you felt you had to choose between authenticity and belonging? How did you resolve that tension? - How do you feel about the choice that you made?- Did your choice make you feel empty and frustrated?Act.- If you often feel torn between authenticity and belonging, you will need inner-integration to help you to get out of that prison. (See transcript for more information)PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 35      What is Motivational Design and how does it give us clues to the unique way we are called to live, work, love and serve? This is the last of three episodes featuring an interview with Dr. Joshua Miller (PhD), Founder of INSCAPE Personal Vocation Centre and co-author of Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person. In Part 3,  Dr Miller and I talk about how living in alignment with our motivational design and Personal Vocation helps us not only live with greater joy and fulfilment but also allows us to pour ourselves out more fully in service of others and become more willing to bear difficulties and pain with greater love. We also address the questions of whether it is ever too late in life to begin discerning personal vocation, what the most common obstacle to discerning personal vocation is, and what if we struggle to believe that our stories matter or that we even have any significant gifts to offer to the world.Guest Profile, Transcript and Chapter Markers at this episode page.RESOURCE Joshua Miller, Luke Burgis, "Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person"The Motivation Code™MCODE™ Coaching with Ann YeongCHAPTER MARKERS (00:03:04) - Motivational Design Impacts the Living of Priestly Vocation(00:07:31) - The Need for A Culture of Personal Vocation(00:09:11) - Our Motivational Design Helps Us Love Better(00:15:30) - Personal Vocation Helps Us Meet Challenges More Fully(00:21:23) - Is it Too Late to Discern Personal Vocation?(00:27:32) - Obstacles to Discerning Personal Vocation(00:30:49) - A Message(00:36:37) - Praxis: Listen. Ponder. Act. REFLECTION PROMPT For this episode's reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode: - Ep 6 Listening to Your Life Speak - Ep 18 You Don't Have To Care About Everything- Ep 32 Your Unique Design for ThrivingPODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK FIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 34    What is Motivational Design and how does it give us clues to the unique way we are called to live, work, love and serve? This is the second of three episodes featuring an interview with Dr. Joshua Miller (PhD), Founder of INSCAPE Personal Vocation Centre and co-author of Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person. In Part 2,  we discuss the following questions: What’s at stake if we ignore our motivational design? Do people ever struggle to accept their given motivational design? How does the larger community benefit from us living out our motivational design? And why is understanding of Personal Vocation so important if we are to live authentic, fulfilling lives that also offer authentic service to humanity?Guest Profile, Transcript and Chapter Markers at this episode page.REFERENCES   Personal VocationRESOURCE Joshua Miller, Luke Burgis, "Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person"Parker Palmer, "Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation"CHAPTER MARKERS (00:03:17) - What's at Stake if We Ignore Our Motivational Design? (00:08:33) - Do People Struggle to Accept Their Motivational Design?(00:14:59) - How Does the Larger Community Benefit from Motivational Design?(00:22:31) - Why is Understanding Personal Vocation important? Available here. REFLECTION PROMPT For this episode's reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode: - Ep 6 Listening to Your Life Speak - Ep 18 You Don't Have To Care About Everything- Ep 32 Your Unique Design for ThrivingPODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK FIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 33   What is Motivational Design and how does it give us clues to the unique way we are called to live, work, love and serve? This is the first of three episodes featuring an interview with Dr. Joshua Miller (PhD), Founder of INSCAPE Personal Vocation Centre and co-author of Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person. In Part 1,  Dr. Josh Miller and I talk about what Motivational Design is, the importance of  broadening the definition of "service" to consider the unique motivational design of each person, and why it is important to locate our unique place in the bigger story of humanity.Guest Profile, Transcript and Chapter Markers at this episode page.REFERENCES   Personal VocationPersonalismAlasdair MacIntyre (Philosopher)Charles Taylor (Philosopher)Jerome Bruner (Psychologist)Gerard Manley Hopkins (Priest & Poet)RESOURCE Joshua Miller, Luke Burgis, "Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person"CHAPTER MARKERS  (00:10:21) - Re-thinking What 'Service' Is(00:16:22) - Philosophy of the Human Person(00:19:18) - Finding My Story in the Bigger Story Available here. REFLECTION PROMPT For this episode's reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode: - Ep 6 Listening to Your Life Speak - Ep 18 You Don't Have To Care About Everything- Ep 32 Your Unique Design for ThrivingPODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK FIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 32    A lack of self-compassion can often come from unrealistic expectations or comparison with others who have very different gifts than we do.In this 1 year anniversary episode of the Becoming Me Podcast, I talk about why learning to understand your unique personal design can help you make your interior journey with greater grace and ease even when circumstances are challenging.You can watch the short video message for you on the occasion of Becoming Me's first birthday by clicking HERE.Share this episode via this episode page.CHAPTER MARKERS(00:01:27) - Introduction(00:03:33) - Our Design Matters(00:13:23) - Working With Your Design(00:20:54) - Honouring Limits(00:24:22) - Learning About Your Unique Design(00:28:36) - PRAXIS: Listen. Ponder. ActAvailable here.TRANSCRIPT Available here.REFLECTION PROMPT Listen. - As you listened to this episode, was there any point that struck you or resonated deeply with you? - Was there something that jumped out at you?Ponder.- Can you think of an instance where you feel like you're running uphill or struggling really hard to get something done ?- Is it possible that you are struggling so much because how you are approaching your work, or the environment that you're in goes against your unique personal design, and you don't realize that.Act.- Make a commitment to yourself to learn more about your unique design so that you can love yourself better.- Accompany yourself better in your interior journey.- Write a letter to yourself if you're ready to make this commitment. - Maybe ask a good friend or significant other, whom you think would be a good companion on this journey to join you.For full details of this reflection prompt, please see transcript.RELATED EPISODES - Ep 6 Listening to Your Life Speak - Ep 17 & 19 Befriending Our Limits (with Henry Hoo)- Ep 18 You Don't Have to Care About Everything- Ep 24 Is It Selfish to Live the Life I Want?PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 31 (BONUS)This episode is edited from a live breakout session I presented in July 2021 at the New Evangelisation Conference (Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore).  In this episode, I share how my pursuit of a deeper relationship with God and my desire to serve in full-time pastoral ministry led me to realise that I needed to make the journey into authenticity and wholeness and that being REAL was more important than a constant striving to be 'GOOD'.There is also a Q&A session near the end with some really honest questions!Watch the full video recording and share this episode via this episode page. CHAPTER MARKERS(00:03:34) - I Am Not the God of Instant Tea(00:07:20) - Are You Willing to Suffer for Me?(00:11:49) - Your Mission is Full-Time Ministry(00:13:19) - Personal Vocation(00:15:20) - Old Habits Die Hard(00:19:31) - Crash & Burn (Out)(00:21:20) - You Are Human(00:21:41) - Are You Freely Laying Down Your Life?(00:22:49) - Ship in Dry Dock(00:23:54) - Can You Learn To Be A Creature(00:27:36) - Running Ahead of Grace(00:27:55) - The Pace of Grace(00:29:23) - A Long Loving Look At The Real(00:30:34) - At Peace With The Struggle(00:30:59) - Messily Loved into Wholeness(00:32:11) - Becoming Me(00:34:05) - Kopi Talk: Episode 3(00:36:01) - Q&AAvailable here.TRANSCRIPTAvailable here.PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 30    How familiar are you with the emotional and spiritual challenges of your interior journey? When and why should you consider getting counselling/therapy or spiritual direction? How are they different from each other and how do you know which one you need?In this episode, I offer an introductory explanation to the questions above and offer a real illustration of how the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the interior journey are connected and how these resources can help through a sharing of my own story. Share this episode via this episode page. Find out more about Counselling and Spiritual Direction - Counselling & Therapy in Singapore (article by Sassy Mama)- 21 Places to Get Counselling in Singapore to (article by The Smart Local)- Life Direction Singapore - Lifesprings Spirituality Centre- Kingsmead Spirituality Centre- San Damiano Spirituality CentreCHAPTER MARKERS(00:00:41) - Introduction(00:04:30) - Spiritual Direction vs Counselling(00:08:57) - Seeking God Because I Was Lonely(00:19:22) - Unfree to Love (Toxic Shame)(00:29:36) - Led to Seek Therapy(00:39:49) - How Counselling & Spiritual Direction Worked Together(00:44:37) - PRAXIS: Listen. Ponder. Act.(00:47:19) - ConclusionAvailable here.TRANSCRIPT Available here.REFLECTION PROMPT Listen. - As you listened to my sharing in this episode, what struck you? - Notice how you felt at those parts. Ponder.- Have you availed yourself to the spiritual and psychological resources that could help you in your interior journey? - If your answer is no, why not? What's holding you back? Act.- What is one step you can take towards finding a spiritual director or a counsellor that could give you much needed support in your interior journey? For full details of this reflection prompt, please see transcript.PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK FIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 29  Making the interior journey into authenticity and wholeness is not easy. But could we also be making it even more difficult than it has to be? In this episode I talk about three common ways we often unwittingly sabotage ourselves by treating ourselves with contempt, having unrealistic expectations, and not availing ourselves to the support we need.Share this episode via this episode page. CHAPTER MARKERS(00:00:08) - Introduction(00:01:04) - 1. Self-contempt(00:09:52) - 2. Unrealistic Expectations(00:20:34) - 3. Not Getting Sufficient Help(00:28:22) - PRAXIS: Listen. Ponder. Act(00:33:18) - ConclusionAvailable here.TRANSCRIPT Available here.REFLECTION PROMPT Listen. - As you listened to this episode, which points maybe resonated with you more? - Was there something that jumped out at you?Ponder.- Which of the three points do you feel is the most relevant for you? - Which one of these are more of an issue for you at this point in time?Act.- With one of the three points you have picked, consider one thing you can do towards helping yourself.For full details of this reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode: - Ep 12 Am I Regressing? - Ep 24 Is it Selfish to Live the Life I Want? - Ep 26 Can You Be Gentler With Yourself? PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 28  What impact does making the interior journey have on a marriage? Henry and I look back at our 22 years of couple-hood and 14 years of marriage and share how our own commitment to our individual healing and integration has transformed our relationship. In Part 2 of this conversation we continue to talk about how practicing healthy boundaries transformed our relationship, how we have learned to respond when our insecurities are triggered and how becoming more skilled at repairing ruptures in our relationship has made us less afraid of conflict.Share this episode via this episode page:  CHAPTER MARKERS(00:06:42) - Dealing with Triggers(00:13:32) - “I Need To” vs. “I Want To”(00:14:20) - Explicit Communication(00:18:37) - Repairing(00:25:03) - Final Note(00:31:02) - Announcements(00:31:59) - PRAXIS: Listen. Ponder. ActAvailable here.TRANSCRIPT Available here.REFLECTION PROMPTListen. - As you listened to the conversation between Henry and myself, what struck you? - Hold that in your heart, or journal it. You may want to return to it later.Ponder.  - Why do you think that those were the points that struck you?Act.- What might be one thing that you can commit to in your interior journey for the sake of your loved one?- Try and come up with a concrete step that you could take.For full details of this reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode:- Ep 4 & 5 Living from the Inside Out- Ep 14 Where Do You End and I Begin?- Ep 23 Safe Spaces for Growth: Trust, Truth and Compassion- Ep 27 You Don't Complete Me Part 1/2 (with Henry Hoo)PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

EPISODE 27  What impact does making the interior journey have on a marriage? Henry and I look back at our 22 years of couple-hood and 14 years of marriage and share how our own commitment to our individual healing and integration has transformed our relationship. In Part 1 of this conversation we talk about the liberating discovery that we are not meant to complete each other, the joy of discovering beauty in what IS in the here and now, and what practicing healthy boundaries with our selves and each other has done for our marriage.Share this episode via this episode page.  CHAPTER MARKERS  (00:02:01) - Three Layers of Living(00:03:23) - First Point - You Don't Complete Me(00:16:08) - Second Point - Striving for the "Ideal"(00:22:38) - Third Point - Boundaries within a Marriage(00:35:15) - PRAXIS: Listen. Ponder. Act.Available here.  TRANSCRIPTAvailable here.REFLECTION PROMPTListen.- As you listened to the conversation between Henry and myself, what struck you? - Was there some pot that you could identify with in your own experience, perhaps in your marriage or some other intimate relationship?Ponder.- In what ways might you have unknowingly made it harder for yourself to be happy in your relationship by seeking completion or happiness from your partner?Act.- Identify one area in your life where you have struggled to be patient and kind to yourself.- Find some quiet alone time and have conversation with that part of you, that part of you who struggles to live up to your ideal self.- Sit with yourself as you would a beloved child or a dear friend, and just listen.For full details of this reflection prompt, please see transcript.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOther episodes that would help you understand and apply the lessons in this episode:- Ep 4 & 5 Living from the Inside Out- Ep 14 Where Do You End and I Begin? PODCAST COMPANION WORKBOOK - Downloadable & Printable- 10 worksheets, over 30 exercises- Helps you integrate and apply the foundational principles to Becoming Me- Great for inner work and connecting with yourself in solitude- Includes tips for partner and small-group sharing- Free for all e-mail newsletter subscribersFIND OUT MORESupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.