

Who We Are with Rachel Lim
Rachel Lim
Who we are is an ever-evolving journey without limits.
Join the ever-curious Rachel Lim as she delves into every facet of our lives — from work and family to relationships, self-discovery, and beyond.
Experience a series of conversations and shared reflections that span from in-depth discussions with thought leaders around the world, to personal lessons shared with friends. Each episode offers valuable insights into our identities and pathways to self-improvement.
Welcome to Who We Are — a podcast devoted to the continuous journey of uncovering our ever-evolving selves.
Join the ever-curious Rachel Lim as she delves into every facet of our lives — from work and family to relationships, self-discovery, and beyond.
Experience a series of conversations and shared reflections that span from in-depth discussions with thought leaders around the world, to personal lessons shared with friends. Each episode offers valuable insights into our identities and pathways to self-improvement.
Welcome to Who We Are — a podcast devoted to the continuous journey of uncovering our ever-evolving selves.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 16, 2024 • 47min
#15: Financial Freedom with Your Rich BFF: Vivian Tu's Journey and Advice
In this engaging episode, I sit down with financial guru and content creator Vivian Tu, known as "Your Rich BFF," to explore her inspiring journey from a hardworking immigrant family to Wall Street and ultimately to her role as a financial influencer. Vivian shares pivotal moments, such as leaving her high-paying job at JP Morgan to pursue content creation, and discusses the profound impact of her mentor on her financial habits and career trajectory. She offers insights into why financial literacy is often neglected, especially among women, and provides strategies to bridge this gap.
Vivian delves into common financial mistakes, how the pandemic reshaped her views on financial security and practical tips for maximizing earnings and overcoming the fear of investing. She also explains her belief in equity rather than equality in relationships, offering advice on how couples can strive for equity to ensure a healthy partnership.
Tune in to gain valuable financial wisdom and be inspired by Vivian's journey and insights. Whether you're starting your financial journey or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking discussions that will resonate with and inspire everyone.
00:00 Introduction
00:16 Get to Know Vivian Tu
01:01 Vivian Tu’s Upbringing
03:18 The Start of Vivian Tu’s Journey
08:08 3 Important Financial Lessons
11:36 Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Financial Literacy
13:12 The Most Common Financial Mistake
14:25 How To Start Investing
17:43 Overcome Your Fear of Investing
19:18 Budgeting for Investing
21:23 The Brag Book
23:05 How To Ask for a Raise
25:50 Mindset Shift for Women
27:59 Equity vs Equality in Relationships
31:06 Financial Tips for a Healthy Relationship
34:21 Vivian Tu’s Perception of True Richness
37:13 The ‘STRIP’ Method
39:21 RICH AF: Vivian Tu’s NYT Best Seller Book
41:56 Vivian Tu’s Purpose as Your Rich BFF
42:54 Talk to Your Friends About Money
45:17 Final Thoughts
Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/
Follow Vivian Tu here: https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/
Purchase ‘Rich AF: The Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life’ here: https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9780241644966

Jul 9, 2024 • 1h 10min
#14: From Gangs to Glazes: Whye Kee’s Redemption Story
In this episode, I sit down with an extraordinary guest, Whye Kee, whose life story is a powerful testament to the human capacity for change, redemption, and the pursuit of new dreams. From his turbulent upbringing and experiences as a gang leader to his transformative journey in prison, Whye Kee’s path has been anything but ordinary.
We delve into his early years, exploring the challenges he faced growing up amidst loan shark harassment and violence. Whye Kee shares candidly about his descent into gang life, the allure it held, and the identity he forged as a leader. Yet, it was in the darkest moments of imprisonment and his father's death that he began to question his choices and seek a different path. Discover how Whye Kee found solace and purpose in pottery, a craft that not only rekindled his childhood dreams but also paved the way for his redemption.
This episode is a moving reminder that no matter how far one strays, redemption is possible. Whye Kee’s journey from gang leader to respected artist and mentor will leave us deeply moved and inspired to believe in the power of change.
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Whye Kee’s Upbringing
03:50 Joining a Gang
12:01 Becoming a Gang Leader
17:04 Life Being Detained Without Trial
20:08 Life After Prison
27:22 The Hardest Wake Up Call
31:52 Discovering Pottery
34:02 Turning Points
39:26 Becoming an Assenter for Mr. Tharman
43:05 Serving the Underprivileged Youth
50:02 Honing His Craft
59:36 Transformative Power of Pottery
01:02:50 Whye Kee’s Unique Perception of Redemption
01:05:05 Internal Battles
01:07:13 Advice to His Younger Self
01:07:49 Final Thoughts
Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/
Follow Whye Kee here: https://www.instagram.com/qipottery/

Jul 2, 2024 • 31min
#13: Lessons from the Harvard's Longest Study on Happiness with Dr. Robert Waldinger
Dr. Robert Waldinger, from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, shares insights on happiness, quality relationships, intentional living, and mindfulness. Discusses generational patterns of happiness, advice for strong relationships, and the impact of technology on well-being. Offers valuable guidance for living a happier, more intentional life.

Jun 25, 2024 • 51min
#12: The Power of Modern Etiquette with Sara Jane Ho
In this special episode, join me for an exclusive live recording featuring the esteemed Sara Jane Ho, internationally renowned etiquette expert and host of Netflix's "Mind Your Manners." Recorded during our recent CLOSER event in Singapore, Sara Jane shares her fascinating journey from founding an etiquette school in Beijing to becoming a global authority on modern manners.
We dive into a range of topics, from the most unusual etiquette practices she's encountered to the essential role etiquette plays in today's fast-paced digital world. Sara Jane's unique approach combines tradition with contemporary relevance, offering practical insights that are both enlightening and entertaining.
Highlights include:
- Surprising etiquette practices from around the world
- Sara's most memorable success stories and testimonials
- Behind the scenes of "Mind Your Manners"
- The critical link between etiquette and emotional intelligence
- Light-hearted discussions on bedroom etiquette and Feng Shui
Whether you're an etiquette enthusiast or simply curious about enhancing your social skills, this episode promises to be an unforgettable journey into the world of modern etiquette.
Tune in and discover how mastering manners can transform your personal and professional life.
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Unusual Etiquette Practices
03:39 The Start of Sara Jane's Journey
06:44 Sara Jane's Most Memorable Success Stories
10:43 Inside Her Netflix Show 'Mind Your Manners'
17:03 The Relevance of Etiquette Today
22:09 The Link Between Etiquette and Emotional Intelligence
23:41 Breaking Up Over Text: Sara Jane's Perspective
28:38 Knowing Your Worth: Don’t Settle for Less
30:58 Bedroom Etiquette: Tips and Insights
32:26 Feng Shui: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy or Practical Wisdom?
37:22 Q&A with Sara Jane
49:10 Final Thoughts
Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/
Follow Sara Jane Ho here: https://www.instagram.com/sarajaneho/
Watch 'Mind Your Manners' on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81109061

Jun 18, 2024 • 42min
#11: Embracing 'Not-Having-It-All' with Karen Tay
Dynamic leader Karen Tay discusses her transition from the Singapore Government to Silicon Valley, emphasizing the challenges of balancing professional ambitions and family responsibilities. She shares insights on empowering women in the workplace, embracing life's messiness, and recognizing inherent value.

Jun 11, 2024 • 42min
#10: Inside the Mind of a Therapist: Joshua Fletcher on Anxiety
Renowned psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher discusses anxiety disorders, therapy benefits, tips on seeking help, and personal therapy journey. His candid insights offer valuable advice, inspiring listeners to prioritize mental wellness and seek support.

Jun 4, 2024 • 49min
#9: Raising Secure Kids: From Theory to Practice with Eli Harwood
Today, I am thrilled to have Eli Harwood, a leading expert in attachment relationships, join us. With 17 years of experience as a licensed therapist, Eli has devoted her career to understanding how we connect and heal. Join us as we embark on a journey from theory to practice, exploring the importance of secure attachment and its impact on relationships and parenting.
In this episode, Eli shares her extensive experience and expertise, offering insights gleaned from years of attachment research. From debunking cultural myths surrounding attachment parenting to defining the core concepts of attachment theory, Eli guides us through the intricacies of forming secure bonds with our loved ones.
Discover practical strategies for navigating modern parenting challenges, including realigning with your children after conflict, and striking a balance between attachment and independence. Explore the CALM approach to regulating a child's emotions and learn how to address the legacy of insecure attachment with compassion and understanding.
Let’s dive in.
00:00 Introduction
02:01 The Importance of Secure Attachment
05:58 Eli Harwood’s Journey in Attachment Research
08:29 Debunking Cultural Myths of Attachment Parenting
12:05 Core Concepts of Attachment Theory
22:02 Defining Secure Attachment
22:49 Modern Parenting Challenges in Achieving Secure Attachment
27:24 Realigning with Your Kids After Conflict
30:12 Balancing Attachment and Child Independence
35:00 Benchmarking Secure Attachment
37:22 Repairing the Parent-Child Bond After Conflict
38:03 Regulating a Child’s Emotions: The CALM Approach
42:21 Addressing the Legacy of Insecure Attachment
43:40 Building Secure Attachment
46:15 Final Thoughts
Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/
Follow Eli Harwood here: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentnerd?igsh=ZGdraWpkYnJnOG90
Purchase her latest book 'Raising Securely Attached Kids' here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CPDP7DT5/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

May 28, 2024 • 30min
#8: Shifting from Scarcity to Sufficiency with Joyce Chen
Expert Joyce Chen from The Conscious Leadership Group discusses shifting from scarcity to sufficiency mindset, highlighting toxic fears and beliefs that drive scarcity. She shares practical strategies to cultivate sufficiency, emphasizing gratitude and inner riches over constant wanting. Joyce introduces the three truths of sufficiency, guiding individuals toward an abundant mindset and addressing common misconceptions about sufficiency.

May 21, 2024 • 49min
#7: Redefining Success: Inside The Mind Of 31-Year-Old Retiree Ashish Kumar
Former top PSLE scorer turned 31-year-old retiree, Ashish Kumar, shares his unconventional perspectives on life and work. Topics include his formative years studying overseas, challenges in the civil service, early retirement, societal expectations, personal freedom, and living authentically. Prepare to be inspired, provoked, and enlightened on this thought-provoking journey.

May 14, 2024 • 50min
#6: Practical Marriage Advice From America’s Top Divorce Attorney James Sexton
Join Rachel Lim for a chat with James Sexton, America's top divorce attorney, as they unravel the root causes of marital breakdowns, discuss red flags in relationships, emphasize effective communication, and explore the art of reverse-engineering relationships for lasting connections.