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Talking TaiwanEp 187 | Karen Lin: Democratic Candidate for Civil Court Judge Talks About Her Career in the Legal ProfessionA note from Talking Taiwan host Felicia Lin: Karen Lin is running as the Democratic candidate for Judge of the Civil Court in Queens, New York. Presently, Karen serves as Court Attorney-Referee in Kings County Surrogate’s Court. She has also served as a Judge in the New York City Housing Court, adjudicating disputes between landlord and tenants in the Bronx and Manhattan. We spoke about her current position as Surrogate Court Referee which involves estate settlement between family members and other matters such as guardianship, which was the central issue of t...2022-05-3059 min
The Lin Life UniverseSuffragist Leader Susan B. AnthonySuffragist Leader Susan B. Anthony Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0901 minThe Lin Life UniverseAbolitionist Sojourner TruthAbolitionist Sojourner Truth Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0800 minThe Lin Life UniversePirate Ching ShihPirate Ching Shih Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0700 minThe Lin Life UniverseCatherine The GreatCatherine The Great Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0600 minThe Lin Life UniverseChinese Empress Wu ZetianChinese Empress Wu Zetian Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0500 minThe Lin Life UniverseSomalian Queen AraweloQueen Arawelo of Somalia Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0401 minThe Lin Life UniversePharaoh CleopatraPharaoh Cleopatra Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0301 minThe Lin Life UniverseJapanese Artist Yayoi KusamaJapanese Artist Yayoi Kusama Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0201 minThe Lin Life UniverseTV Pioneer Lucille BallTV Pioneer Lucille Ball Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-10-0101 minThe Lin Life UniverseMedia Mogul Oprah WinfreyMedia Mogul Oprah Winfrey Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-3001 minThe Lin Life UniverseEntertainer Josephine BakerEntertainer Josephine Baker Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2901 minThe Lin Life UniverseWar Photojournalist Margaret Bourke-WhiteWar Photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2801 minThe Lin Life UniverseTextile Artist Anni AlbersTextile Artist Anni Albers Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2700 minThe Lin Life UniversePhotojournalist Dorothea LangePhotojournalist Dorothea Lange Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2600 minThe Lin Life UniverseBlues Performer Ma RaineyBlues Performer Ma Rainey Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2500 minThe Lin Life UniverseChildren’s Author Beatrix PotterChildren’s Author Beatrix Potter Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2400 minThe Lin Life UniversePhotographer Julia Margaret Cameron Photographer Julia Margaret Cameron Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2300 minThe Lin Life UniverseActivist Juana Inés De La CruzActivist Juana Inés De La Cruz Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2200 minThe Lin Life UniverseAuthor Aphra BehnAuthor Aphra Behn Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2101 minThe Lin Life UniverseRenaissance Painter Artemisia GentileschiRenaissance Painter Artemisia Gentileschi Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-2001 minThe Lin Life UniverseComposer Saint Hildegard of BingenComposer Saint Hildegard of Bingen Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-1901 minThe Lin Life UniverseNovelist Murasaki ShikibuNovelist Murasaki Shikibu Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-1801 minThe Lin Life UniversePoetess SapphoPoetess Sappho Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-09-1801 minThe Lin Life UniverseGreat Women In HistoryRecently a friend of mine was searching for the feminine version of “Knight”. Something that communicated the noble honor, integration of royalty, with the strength, cunningness and calculation of a warrior. Knighthood came about in the Middle Ages during a time when there was no feminine equivalent for a knight because women were not considered equal to men. I suggested that she look into the Japanese culture, there were female samurai called Onna-Bugeisha. They were intelligent, educated, elite, powerful leaders trained in weaponry the same way men were. They fought alongside the male samurai, strong and independent. Empress Jingu, Tomoe Goze...2019-09-1800 minThe Lin Life UniverseAvoid And ExplodeContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. One of the most difficult habits to overcome from my family dynamic growing up was the avoid and explode cycle. Without much in the way of support, our parents would often hold in whatever they could for as long as they could. They were busy learning English, trying to make ends meet and raising three small children in a new country. By the time something surfaced, everyone was often at wits end and a shouting match was the only way to diffuse the pent up frustration. I had to work really hard in my first...2019-09-1201 minThe Lin Life UniverseStart Where You AreContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. How to get started when they are a departure from the norm. This can be especially true with family. Start where you are, in the present. My family cares and loves each other in their own way. One of my most challenging relationships is with my sister. We’re oil and water in her words. She has her baggage too of "when we were kids, you did this to me." This is an argument that no one can win. If you want to go back far enough, you can always find something to hold against ea...2019-09-1200 minThe Lin Life UniverseFact Or FictionContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Today we’re going to be talking about how to determine a fact from a fiction. The overview of the non-violent communication method is: I see, I think, I feel. The first step is to make an observation. Let’s say your friend is late and you find it disrespectful, as a result you feel hurt. We often hide a dig in the observation. "I see that you are selfishly late like always." Ask Is it true? If it’s an absolute truth, you can ask anybody in the world and it would still be true...2019-09-1200 minThe Lin Life UniverseUnacceptable BehaviorContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Today we’re going to be talking about how to address unacceptable behavior. Many years ago I was in a newish relationship near the holidays and I casually mentioned that I would love to visit Thailand. His response, "If you go, don’t bother coming back." I immediately recognized that there was a story behind the story. The crime of a travel lover saying ”Ooh Thailand” does not match the outsized punishment of a threat. I spoke up. "Hey, it’s ok for you to say 'I want to spend the holidays with you' or ‘I’m curious...2019-09-1200 minThe Lin Life UniverseCriticism Or RequestContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Today’s tool is about addressing a common trigger….criticism. Turn your criticism into a request. Criticisms are about a negative past. Requests are about a positive future. I was on a trip with an ex-boyfriend and we decided that we would prepare most of our meals to cater to his dietary restrictions and save some money. I'd wake up early and start making breakfast and packing our lunches before getting myself ready. Then after a full day of activities, we’d get back to the hotel where I’d unpack our containers for reuse and star...2019-09-0801 minThe Lin Life UniverseDefensive BehaviorContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. How to handle Defensive Behavior. Do you have a loved one that will hurt your feelings or cross a boundary? And as soon as you start expressing yourself, their walls go up. They accuse you of always criticizing them. And they start to attack you with reasons why you’re actually in the wrong. In other words, they get defensive. People who are defensive have difficulty taking responsibility for their actions and resist feeling “wrong” because they view it from a negative lens that they have failed. It’s a knee jerk reaction that shields the pers...2019-09-0701 minThe Lin Life UniverseBringing Your A-GameContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Being a change maker means that you always bring your A-game to the conversation. Practically that means setting a powerful intention. Before I coach, I always take a few minutes to ask myself what I want to bring to the conversation. This is unrelated to the outcome because that relies on the other person. And it has nothing to do with your expectations of the other party. Setting an intention is defining how you will show up for the other person. That if you decide to bring trust, then you will give the other person...2019-09-0500 minThe Lin Life UniverseWhat You Really WantContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Ask yourself what you really want? Sally was hurt when Diana did not ask her to be a bridesmaid. When they talked about it, It didn’t go well. I only knew because Diana called me telling me that she felt blindsided and attacked, which reinforced her decision to leave Sally out of the bridal party, Diana contemplated disinviting Sally altogether. But I could imagine Sally’s blunt approach was let’s share all the things bothering us about our friendship to “clear the air.” What's more effective is the vulnerable approach which requires emotional intelligen...2019-09-0501 minThe Lin Life UniverseThe Bigger StoryContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Ask what’s the story behind the story? One time my sister and I were having lunch. I ordered a dish for myself that was under 10 euros, totally within my budget. She ordered a main dish, an appetizer, something for her son and a dish to go. When the bill came, it was a bit over 40 euros. I asked myself what I could generously chip in for and offered, “How about I give you a 20?” She snapped, “So now you’re going to nickel and dime me!" The punishment did not fit the crime of offering a...2019-09-0300 minThe Lin Life UniverseWrongful PunishmentContinuing our Transformational Conversations series. Ask does the punishment fit the crime? Do you get sucked right in or do you have the ability to take one step back and say something is off here? One time my dad asked, "How is Jimmy doing?" I blew up and accused him of putting pressure on me and the relationship. I partially blamed pops for how things turned out, things had just ended with Jimmy. Dad's crime that day was asking a question. I was really hurting but the punishment did not fit the crime. The thing I said that was honest...2019-09-0301 minThe Lin Life UniverseTransformational ConversationsSeptember marks the beginning of fall. A time of change. Traditionally this was the harvest season, when you would reap what you had sown in the spring. Spiritually, it’s a great time for self reflection. This month, I want to focus on transformational conversations. How to have them and what it means to use words that can change your life and the lives of those around you. We’re going to focus on the energy that those words carry with them. Have you ever wondered why it feels so difficult to address conflict? It’s because the words and tone we...2019-09-0100 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel AccommodationsFor travel accommodations, I use Airbnb if I’m looking for a space for a few days with a kitchen. I avoid it the first night if I’m arriving after dark. It’s just too uncomfortable to be in a new city after dark with luggage and not have a smooth and guaranteed check-in process. One time I was at a pizza delivery shop in Nice for over an hour late at night waiting for someone to let me in across the street because they went to a concert and their car was blocked in. I mainly used the Bookin...2019-08-3101 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel RestaurantsI love to experience local culture through it’s food offerings and hate to waste any part of my travels on a bad meal. I have my finger on the pulse of the LA dining scene but I’ve been following the local chefs and their careers for years, some well over a decade. What’s my strategy when I travel? I do a search on chowhound with the name of the city I am interested in visiting. For popular chowhound cities, the search results will be plentiful with many recent recommendations. When I see that the search yields scant result...2019-08-3001 minThe Lin Life UniverseTrain Travel In EuropeAir travel is not environmentally sustainable in its current form. The most environmentally friendly option is to walk or ride a bike. That’s just not an option for getting from the US to Europe. But once I get there, one of my favorite modes of transport is train. With all the security measures and extra time required around flights, sometimes a train can be more relaxing than a flight. For example, the train from Paris to Barcelona is 6.5 hours. At first that sounds like a long time but that is from city center to city center. But if we fl...2019-08-2900 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Credit CardAt a minimum, you should have a travel credit card that does not charge you international conversion fees. When making purchases abroad, you will always be better off declining the merchant’s exchange rate for US dollars in favor of opting for the local currency which will use the more favorable bank exchange rate used by your credit card as long as there is no international conversion fee. Other perks to look for in a travel credit card are things like global entry application credit, primary car rental insurance, airport lounge access, a generous sign-up bonus. One of the most pop...2019-08-2801 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Debit CardI often share what I’m doing that I think is working well. But in this area, I know I can do better when I need access to cash. I need to upgrade my travel debit card. Typically, it’s been a BofA or Wells Fargo debit card. The cards have a $5 fee for withdrawals outside the bank network which basically means any withdrawal overseas. This summer I was on a family trip and was responsible for spending cash for 5 other relatives on a 14 day tour through Europe. I normally make relatively few withdrawals but when I was at the atm...2019-08-2701 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel NavigationToday I have some tips about getting around when you travel. I download the associated app for whatever airlines I fly and join those frequent flyer clubs. This summer I used mostly American Airlines and Ryanair. If you like to make plans on the fly, this will save you so much time. Uber works in a number of European cities but it faces a lot of legal battles and regulations which are always changing. In Dublin, it’s linked to officially licensed taxis. The public transportation system is also generally quite good in Europe. I’ll download the Metro app for...2019-08-2601 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Password ManagerI’m happy to report that an online passport manager like LastPass is a lifesaver at home and in my travels. I’ve used the Autofill features on my phone and laptop before but have always had hiccups when I switched to a new phone or maybe I’m using Chrome on my laptop and Safari on my phone and the password was only saved on one but not the other. And changing passwords was painful because it didn’t update everywhere. I finally hit my pain point when I launched a new business a couple years ago. I had to spend...2019-08-2500 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Contact InformationYou know that emergency contact line you fill out on forms? It’s typically a family member, a significant other or friend. If I’m traveling that person is probably asleep and not really able to help me. Turns out money solves a lot of problems and lack of access to it creates a whole host of new ones. I have the contact number of every credit and debit card I travel with programmed into my phone. I try to have some local currency ahead of my trip but have often times waited until I’ve arrived to withdraw cash from a...2019-08-2401 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel DocumentsThe most important travel document you can have is your passport. It’s your responsibility to verify that you meet the entry criteria including visa requirements. Most international travel requires that you have at least 6 months validity after your departure and two blank pages remaining on your passport. I always take a picture and email it to myself. My aunt recently misplaced hers the day before her flight back to the states. We called the US embassy in Dublin right away to get an appointment. She ended up finding it but the earliest appointment we could get was actually after her...2019-08-2400 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel WalletWhen I’m traveling, I try to bring the smallest things that will still get the job done. In the case of a wallet, I use a slim cardholder that carries my ID, a debit card and my transport card which is really common in Europe. They call it the LEAP card in Dublin, an Oyster card in London, the OV chip card in Amsterdam. The card is pre-laoded with pay as you go credit to spend on public transit. It’s often the best fare available. I usually just keep my credit card in my phone case since I don’...2019-08-2201 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Cosmetic BagI use Bare Minerals makeup. It doesn’t make me breakout which is my biggest concern with cosmetics. I also like that I can travel with it since it’s all in powder form: the concealer, foundation, blush, eyeshadow, finishing powder, etc. But I hated having to dig through a makeup bag to find what I needed. Until I found the Lay&Go Cosmo Cosmetic Bag. It’s washable if something spills inside. And it lays out to about a 20” diameter. The lip around the edge keeps things from rolling off the counter into a toilet, wet sink or trashcan. It has e...2019-08-2100 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Toiletries BagI used to carry all my travel toiletries including makeup in one bag, the Victorinox Lexicon 2.0 Truss Hanging Toiletry Kit. That was before all the airport security restrictions on liquids. It’s still in excellent condition which is a testament to that bag’s materials and quality. Even the hanging hook does not have one loose stitch despite carrying quite the load over the years. I used to just keep my liquids in a one quart ziplock in the main compartment but having to unzip the flap all the way to take the liquids bag out for TSA screening made it l...2019-08-2000 minThe Lin Life UniverseTraveling HaircareI ask every hair dresser who cuts my hair what their advice is on keeping my hair healthy. They all say to wash it as little as possible. I had one hairdresser recommend only washing it once a week. I’ve gone from being a daily hair washer to twice a week. When I’m super active, it’s every other day. I use dry shampoo on the roots to help me bridge the gap. The only one I can recommend is the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder. Sadly, I fear it’s been discontinued so I’m clinging to the las...2019-08-1900 minThe Lin Life UniverseTraveling SkincareIf you open my cabinets at home, you’ll see an avalanche of skincare products. I love them all. But when I travel, I find that I need to be able to have the option to not check my bag which means limiting the amount of liquids I bring. I’ll often bring a Dove Beauty Bar instead of body wash. This also works great for hand-washing underwear in a pinch. This summer I switched to a bath bar from Whole Foods, one that I could read and understand most of the ingredients. Ireland and most of Europe carry the brands...2019-08-1901 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel TowelLast year in May of 2018 I visited Turkey for the first time. I discovered these lovely cotton Turkish towels in a rainbow of colors at the bazaar. I mustered up my bargaining skills and courage and went to bat for a few beauties. My favorite one is a thinner yellow striped one. If I have a little extra space, I make sure to include it. When I was caught off guard by cooler weather a few days in Turkey, I used it as a wrap. If I’m on a flight that is short of blankets, it does extra duty as...2019-08-1800 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel JacketsEven though it’s summertime in Europe, Ireland can still be quite chilly and wet. The warmest month this year was probably July. Outside of that, I did need lots of layers. These are the jackets I brought with me this year. The one I got the most mileage out of was my denim jacket with pockets from Zara. it’s a little boxier but I really liked how roomy the interior pockets were. I could stick a water bottle in there if I needed to. Sometimes if I went to a concert and wanted to be bag free, this was...2019-08-1801 minThe Lin Life UniverseEpisode 227 - Travel SwimsuitI always bring a swimsuit when I travel for the beach or for the pool. At the gym I’ve joined in Dublin, they have a nice sauna which I can take advantage of. I keep them in a wet bag with a pair of swim goggles which is a waterproof bag that keeps the rest of my belongings dry in case my bikini doesn’t dry before I have to pack and move on. Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope y...2019-08-1501 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Flip FlopsAnother thing I like to have when I travel is a pair of flips flops for going to the beach or pool. Sanuks are my favorite for actually having to walk around and go to the beach. The thicker foot bed provides a bit of cushioning and support for my feett. And I like having a fabric strap that doesn’t chafe my toes. The downside of all this is that they’re slower to dry. But for Ireland, it’s not really beach weather here so I’ve switched to a pair of Ipanema flip flops which I mostly wear to t...2019-08-1400 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel SocksMy favorite brand of socks are Smartwool. They are the most durable. I get the Smartwool secret sleuth no show socks. Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life to universe@thelinlife.com Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review! 2019-08-1300 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Sunglasses And HatOne of the most indispensable things whether I’m traveling or not are a good pair of sunglasses. Don’t go too cheap here because you want the UVA and UVB protection. My favorite pair of Diors probably lasted 10 years. A couple summers ago I picked up a pair of Benjees at a farmers market in LA. They’re made from sustainable bamboo and the main selling point is that they float. So if they get knocked off in the water, I have a chance of recovering them. Mine are made from a recycled skateboard. Another thing that I find import...2019-08-1201 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel ToteOne of my best buys while traveling has been a collapsible matte vinyl orange tote. I found it a shop in Barcelona for 10 euros. I assumed it would fall apart after one summer but now I’ve had it for at least 5 years. It lays fairly flat but it still has some structure to it. I’ve used it as a beach bag, a pool bag, a gym bag. A couple things that I really like about it are the faux leather handles which make it more comfortable on my shoulders and the full zipper on top so that it can...2019-08-1100 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel CrossbodyWhen I travel, I usually opt for a crossbody bag. It’s important to be hands free but keep a few essentials on my person at all times. I wanted to find the smallest crossbody purse that still had an exterior pocket for my phone, arguably the one thing that I reach for most. An interior pocket for a few cards and then space for glasses, passport, boarding pass, phone battery pack and cord. I found a cheap off-white one on Amazon that still had just enough space for some lip balm and a small container of mints too. I dec...2019-08-1000 minThe Lin Life UniverseTransit Day OutfitI’ve had a variety of transit day outfits. A go to outfit that is comfortable and well-suited for the days that I am flying or on a train. It feels effortless because it’s one less thing to think about. Last year I noticed that I much prefer dresses in my daily routine and wanted to find a dress that could handle these transit days. I found a Tory Burch dress. It's almost a perfect travel dress. The bright multicolored batik flower print camouflages small stains. It’s sleeveless and easy to throw a jacket on. It requires no special...2019-08-0901 minThe Lin Life UniverseLint Roller PackingA couple years ago I started taking pictures of every outfit I wanted to bring on my summer trip including the purse, shoes, belt, hat, sweater or jacket and any accessories in an attempt to anticipate and prepare for a wide range of activities. That album was Europe 2017. Anything that could only be used once, I would leave behind. All the pieces had to work well together. This is the premise of a capsule wardrobe. I was in Europe for almost 2 months, 9 countries, lots of nice dinners and a wedding. I had five belts to remember and I grabbed all...2019-08-0801 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Wardrobe AlbumA couple years ago I started taking pictures of every outfit I wanted to bring on my summer trip including the purse, shoes, belt, hat, sweater or jacket and any accessories in an attempt to anticipate and prepare for a wide range of activities. That album was Europe 2017. Anything that could only be used once, I would leave behind. All the pieces had to work well together. This is the premise of a capsule wardrobe. I was in Europe for almost 2 months, 9 countries, lots of nice dinners and a wedding. I had five belts to remember and I grabbed all...2019-08-0701 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel ShoesTypically the thing that takes up the most space when you travel is shoes. For short trips, I can get away with just a pair of loafers. I have a pair of blue and white nautical Sperry boat shoes and a pair of beige Coach loafers. One of them makes it on just about every trip. It’s my preferred travel shoe because it can go from airport, to a city stroll, to a museum, to dinner at a restaurant. They are easy to slip on and off but completely close toed. But since this was a longer trip, I bro...2019-08-0601 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel WorkoutsIf you’re going to be somewhere longer than a week, I recommend finding a local gym or studio that’s similar to your home routine. Ask around for a trial pass. I have a summer membership to Westwood gym here in Dublin which has served as the hub for my European travels this summer. I packed one workout outfit. A Champion sports bra, some Puma capri leggings, a quick dry top, and a colorful lightweight bandana headband. I aim to get in about 4 days a week but even if I get in one or two, I’m still happy. I don’...2019-08-0500 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Immunity BoostI know this may sound contradictory but I don’t travel well or better put I don’t fly well. I’m normally in good health and may catch a cold about once a year. But flying physically takes a huge toll and my body responds poorly. My stomach and sinuses experience discomfort. I tend to get sick every time I fly. So now I put myself on a little Vitamin C regimen. I’ve used Airbone, EmergenC and the Whole Foods 365 Vitamin C brand. I find that if I take one the day before, the day of and the day after...2019-08-0400 minThe Lin Life UniverseReusable Shopping BagI love the reusable foldable bags from Envirosax. They are so light, easy to wash, quick to dry and roll up easily. I keep one in my purse, tote, backpack or gym bag at all times. They take up very little space and weigh next to nothing. But they are strong, incredible weight capacity. Mine have withstood multiple trips to the market. The small snap to keep it rolled, thoughtful touch. The solid stitching, materials and construction has made me a fan. Sometimes it’s warmer than I expected and then I have a bag to hold my jacket and wat...2019-08-0301 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel AccessoriesToday I want to share about the accessories I brought along for the summer. Scarf A scarf is indispensable. Even if the weather is warm, it usually cools off in the evening or some places blast the air conditioning. Pick one that breathes well and feels wonderful on your neck. Mine is from a boutique in Barcelona. Watch A watch. Yes, there is a clock on your phone but the temptation to dive into your phone keeps you from being present when all you need is a way to check the time not your notifications. My last one died in a sa...2019-08-0201 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel Sleep MaskAt the top of my travel essentials list is a sleep mask for my eyes. Throw in a pair of ear plugs and I can sleep on the plane or anywhere really. I’ve been using a Bucky Ultralight Contoured Sleep Mask. The front and back fabric isn’t stitched to the center foam so eventually they all start to fall apart. I wish it was more durable. What I really like about it is the contoured shape which allows you to open your eyes without your eyelashes hitting the mask. I also like that it fits my face well. I ha...2019-08-0100 minThe Lin Life UniverseTravel PracticalsI love traveling. I don’t treat it so much as a vacation as I do an extension of my normal life somewhere else. I’ve integrated travel into my lifestyle. This year I was fortunate enough to string together 3 months this summer. I’ve become quite the expert packer. Throughout August, I’ll be sharing my must haves and favorite websites and apps for travel planning. I define my style as slow travel like slow food. I do what I would normally do at home like find restaurants and activities I enjoy and along the way I happen to run acros...2019-07-3100 minThe Lin Life UniverseBelonging And OhanaA sense of belonging is a human need like food and shelter. If close, connected relationships are so vital to our well-being, it’s shocking we never receive a proper education on how to relate to others better. Ohana is an idea in Hawaiian culture. It means family in the wider sense…close relatives, distant relatives, in-laws, friends, neighbors. The idea that people are bound together and everyone must work together and not forget each other. Ohana means no one gets left behind. The two major challenges in maintaining close personal relationships are neglect and not dealing constructively with conflict. Here ar...2019-07-3000 minThe Lin Life UniverseSocial InteractionSocial interaction is essential to your well-being. It’s not really about the size, but staying connected. It helps to ward off loneliness which is a state of mind when a person feels isolated, empty or unwanted. You can feel lonely in a crowded room when you don’t feel connected to anything. From the US Surgeon General: social isolation is as bad for your health as smoking. A rich social network provides sources of support, reduces stress, combats depression and enhances intellectual stimulation. Those with the most social interaction with their community experience the slowest rate of memory decline. Steady s...2019-07-2900 minThe Lin Life UniversePlayfulnessPlaying is fun. It also reduces stress, improves brain function, stimulates the mind and boosts creativity, improves relationships and your connection to others, keeps you feeling young and energetic. To play means to engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation. During childhood play, kids learn about verbal communication, body language, boundaries, cooperation and teamwork. I think some of us stopped playing a little too soon! In adults play teaches cooperation with others and can heal emotional wounds. Developing a playful nature can help you handle stressful situations with humor, break the ice with strangers, make new friends and form ne...2019-07-2800 minThe Lin Life UniverseArts And Mental WealthArt comforts, elevates the spirit and affirms life and hope. Consider creativity a wellness practice. The arts are important for our lives because beauty has a powerful role. When we are involved in creativity, we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life. Creativity produces mental wealth. Let’s take a look at just one of the arts. Music. Music impacts brain function by reducing stress, pain and symptoms of depression as well as improving cognitive and motor skills, spatial-temporal learning and neurogenesis, which is the brain’s ability to produce neurons. Musical training strengthens the brai...2019-07-2701 minThe Lin Life UniverseLearning And Brain PowerIf you can exercise your body to make your muscles and heart stronger, how do you exercise your mind to make it more powerful? Learn a new skill. Learning a new skill takes focus and concentration. Find something that really interests you that you can deeply engage in. New hobbies like painting or pottery. Learn a new language or take classes. Activities that improve your attention are good for your brain. Reading, board games, playing instruments, dancing lessons. My dad loves to play mahjong. I’ve even used youtube to learn a few new things. How to fold napkins for fun ho...2019-07-2601 minThe Lin Life UniverseResilience And PositivityResilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. One way to develop resilience is to find the positive. One time I dozed off on a train in Sicily and got off one stop early. It appeared this stop was in the middle of nowhere. I went to the board to read the schedule. The next train was in an hour. With nothing to do but wait, I nudged myself to play the positivity game. Luckily it was not the last train. I remembered I had a half eaten cannoli I could not finish. I sat down and took a bit...2019-07-2501 minThe Lin Life UniverseTV: Relaxing Or Not? Is TV a good way to relax? Let’s get into some neuroscience. The brain needs a break because humans are only wired to be focused on a specific task for an hour or two before the mind gets fatigued and can’t absorb new info. Beta brain waves are present when the mind is alert and focused and alpha waves when the mind is relaxed, free to wander or daydream. Take that break at work because the alpha state is when the brain is processing, storing memories to make room for more info and making new connections that spark creati...2019-07-2401 minThe Lin Life UniverseEssential RelaxationRelaxation is the emotional state in which there is an absence of arousal from sources like anger, anxiety or fear. This state is required for mental and physical health. In the same way that you need a physical off switch like sleep for your body to regenerate. You need some time everyday during your waking hours that your mind can be free and relaxed. During my freshman year in college, I became so ill that I had to drop an entire semester. My waking hours were scheduled from 6 or 7am until midnight in 15 minute increments. I had 3 meals a day, ex...2019-07-2301 minThe Lin Life UniverseMental Well-BeingFor the past three weeks, I’ve been talking about the basics of physical well-being. The body is a container that also holds our brains and mental well-being. Mental well-being is having the capacity to live a full and creative life, and having the flexibility to deal with life's ups and downs. It's all about resilience. It involves our thoughts and our feelings. It requires an awareness of our feelings and emotions, as well as the feelings of others. It also includes the capacity to manage feelings and related behaviors. This awareness helps us to have satisfying relationships and to cope with str...2019-07-2201 minThe Lin Life UniverseLiving MovementExercise is about creating energy and flow in your life. Being strong enough to support you in all the things you may want to experience. It creates movement that allows you to truly live. It’s wonderful to have aesthetic goals but unless you’re a professional bodybuilder or model where your income is attached to your physique, have the self-awareness to realize that aesthetics are an exterior benefit. You want to look and feel good in and out of your clothes. That’s a positive and I absolutely encourage that because it allows you to engage in and enjoy intimacy...2019-07-2101 minThe Lin Life UniverseMovement HabitsLet’s talk about habits and behaviors that will encourage positive movement in your life. Make one friend that is a passionate fitness junkie. Why? Because they will talk about it so much that it will drive your focus in that direction. More importantly, their action and results will inspire you. Enlist a friend with similar goals for accountability. For example, I was doing a new glute routine with a friend. We were squat buddies. I would do 10 squats and then text her, she would do 10 and text me. Over the course of a day, we were able to get up to...2019-07-2000 minThe Lin Life UniverseExercise And Body ImageWhat if you’re unhappy with the way you look? Do you get lean or muscled up first or do you get happy first? Do you change the way you look to be happy or do you change how you feel about yourself so that you have the proper motivation to change the way you look? It can feel like a chicken and egg issue. True transformation falls somewhere in the middle, you do both simultaneously. Find reasons to love yourself that have nothing to do with the way you look. This gives you a cushion when life throws you a curv...2019-07-1901 minThe Lin Life UniverseExercise EnvironmentDo you have the self-discipline to work out no matter what your surroundings are like? I can gut it out once or twice but I can’t summon the energy to sustain that for very long. I love to be inspired in all things so why not include my workouts. This means having the right equipment. Get a yoga mat that doesn’t slip. Buy appropriate footwear. Get two outfits of breathable fast drying wicking technical fabrics. You can wash one and wear one since they dry overnight. I love colorful hairbands to keep the hair off my face. Use elasti...2019-07-1800 minThe Lin Life UniverseMindful MovementIf you’re new to exercise or an activity, you’ll have to accept that the beginning is just that. Good for you for trying. If you could love being bad at something for 30 tries, you’d have the basic skills for just about any activity in 30 days. You won’t have the muscle memory. So you’re not the kid who grew up skateboarding who then picks up surfing quickly as a teen. By the time you try snowboarding in college, you’re flying down a black diamond slope. You’re the person whose body is going to pull back instead o...2019-07-1601 minThe Lin Life UniverseMove ItIf you just want to lose weight, changing your diet is most effective. If you want to shape your body and improve your mind, you’ll have to get moving. I’m gearing this week towards those of you who hate exercise. If you enjoy it, then you’re probably already doing it. Get curious about the world. Find activities that require you to physically engage. Feel free to think outside the box. Art fanatic? Go to museums. Like real estate? Go to open houses. If you like flowers, wander around Lowe's Garden Center. DIY junkie? The Ikea route. I love a goo...2019-07-1501 minThe Lin Life UniverseEating And ExercisingThere’s a lot to be said about what you should or should not eat but each person has their own individual needs to support their body’s daily activities. When you have a good relationship with food, there’s very little to overhaul because you continually make minor adjustments based on your body’s changing needs. You eat with ease. Having a good relationship with food is tied to having a good relationship with your body. You’ll naturally want to do what makes your body feel good including exercise. True or False? You can be in excellent health without having...2019-07-1401 minThe Lin Life UniverseGood Eating HabitsLet’s talk about having good eating habits. Your meal times might be set by circumstance, a fixed lunch time at work or set dinner time with the family and not by your hunger level. Know the difference between snacks and treats and plan accordingly. When you are having a snack, it’s to manage your hunger. I will often have a snack before I go out to dinner. Why? Because it can be an hour before fork hits mouth from the time everyone arrives until food is on the table. I get hangry. Have healthy snacks available. I always have...2019-07-1301 minThe Lin Life UniverseEating RitualsEating rituals are behaviors that encourage positive eating. I recommend always eating on a plate and with cutlery. I throw some of my nice china in the mix as a reminder that every day can be a special day. It’s a reminder of my good fortune. Even when I have takeout, I transfer it to a plate or bowl. Sit down, slow down. It’s hard to gauge a portion size when you’re eating out of a container. Another fun ritual is plating my food. Making it look pretty also encourages eating a greater range of nutrients, eat the rainbo...2019-07-1201 minThe Lin Life UniverseEating EnvironmentHow to optimize your eating environment. For starters, don’t keep problematic foods in the house. Minimize eating distractions. Step away from your desk and move to the break room. If you work from home, close your laptop. Put your phone on airplane mode. Screen time encourages mindless eating. Set out a placemat at your dining table or breakfast bar and have a proper meal. Have nice dishes and cutlery that you want to use. When I worked in an office, I also kept a complete place setting for myself at work. It’s a lot easier to know what your bod...2019-07-1101 minThe Lin Life UniverseHeartfelt EatingHeartfelt eating is about enjoying food with a happy heart. An opportunity for gratitude. Eating is a chance for you to nourish and nurture your being. Recognizing food and eating situations that you find pleasant can help inform your future choices. Following my cravings is not the same thing as emotional eating. I want steak, salmon, salad or fruit is different than trying to soothe unpleasant emotional feelings. If you reach for food when you’re not hungry, something emotional is going on. I invite you to notice that you are reaching for comfort or distraction. Sometimes eating is the acti...2019-07-1001 minThe Lin Life UniverseMindful Eating PracticesThe practice of engaging all your senses to guide your eating-related decisions is called mindful eating. Eating without judgment. Food is like money. It is neither good nor bad, it’s how you use it. Your experience of it can change based on how you manage it. If you have a poor body-image, you'll want to exercise a lot of self-compassion. And if you’ve been mentally beating yourself up for a long time, be patient as you adopt new beliefs. Notice your hunger and satiety level. Eat when hungry, stop when satisfied. And keep noticing what you're feeling and thinki...2019-07-0901 minThe Lin Life UniverseEating And DietingDo you have a healthy relationship with food? The freedom to eat anything but still manage to regularly choose foods that make you feel good. The truth about diets? They work. If you follow them to a T. They’re also unsustainable. If you do go on a diet, reframe it as an opportunity to introduce new habits, get outside your comfort zone, adjust your palate or reset your system. I tried Keto for a couple months, bought the little testing strips, tracked my macros zealously and spent a fortune on specialty ingredients. I did not eat out so I tur...2019-07-0801 minThe Lin Life UniverseEat Well Sleep WellEating healthy allows the body to absorb proper nutrients which provides the brain with the chemical environment that it needs to produce the neurotransmitters that it needs to maintain adequate sleep. This is a lesson in moderation. Especially caffeine, alcohol, fat, sugar near bed time. Pay attention to caffeine intake. As for alcohol, not too much and not too close to bed time, when it can interfere with REM sleep the restorative phase. Avoid high fatty foods, you don’t want indigestion. In general, late heavy meals can exacerbate heartburn and acid refliux. Give yourself a couple hours to digest. Limit...2019-07-0700 minThe Lin Life UniverseGood Sleep HabitsDeveloping patterns that honor your circadian rhythm. You want to keep in sync with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Consistency is important here. Try to sleep and wakeup at the same time everyday. Avoid sleeping in too much on weekends and if you nap do so wisely, not too long and not too late in the day. Don’t hit snooze, let the sun in. Get outside during the day if you can. If you’re consistently sleepy, go to bed earlier or set your alarm for later. Circadian rhythms change as we age. There’s an optimum time for every phy...2019-07-0601 minThe Lin Life UniverseSleep RitualsDeveloping night time behavior that allows you to disconnect from your daytime responsibilities. It’s like closing all the apps on your phone or the windows on your laptop before you power down. It’s not the time to start opening things up. One of the worst habits is to lay in bed on our phones scrolling through our social media or news feeds. Turn off all your electronics at least one hour before bedtime if you can. Use technology to support your sleep instead. If you have a smart home, program a slumber mode where all the lights dim and the...2019-07-0501 minThe Lin Life UniverseSleep EnvironmentHow can you create a healthy sleeping environment? Think about your bedroom. What is absolutely essential? Can you clear out any distractions? Ideally, no tv, visible work, or electronics. If your current situation requires that your bedroom share other functions, consider a simple curtain or room divider to delineate the sleeping cave portion. Choose a bed frame with adequate support. If it creaks when you move or the headboard rattles, fix it. Find a mattress that is comfortable and firm enough for your back. Get pillows that support your neck alignment. Make sure your linens are clean, the fabric breathes an...2019-07-0401 minThe Lin Life UniverseHeartfelt SleepHave you noticed that everything related to improving your sleep is about what happens when you are awake? I want you to consider a life of living as an extension of your values and from your heart instead of catching up on the world of should and have-to. Let’s touch on insomnia which is linked to anxiety. Are you having a hard time sleeping because you can’t turn your mind off? Perhaps you can’t even pinpoint the cause or reason. You go to work, you eat, you have friends, you have a normal life. I want to give yo...2019-07-0300 minThe Lin Life UniverseMindful Sleep PracticesHow to develop mindful sleep practices that promote deep rest instead of merely chasing sleep. Sleep is a vital part of your relationship with your body and your ego. On a basic level, notice feelings of alertness and drowsiness throughout the day. This is your body’s way of giving you valuable information. But you have to register those sensations first before you can interpret it and use that information. Also notice how your mind views sleep. One of the flaws in western culture is that sometimes we interpret busyness as evidence of importance. We often brag that we’re too b...2019-07-0201 minThe Lin Life UniverseBack To Basics: Sleep Eat MoveThe last two months of sharing travel highlights has been wonderful and gratifying. This month I’d like to get back to basics. Truly foundational elements like sleeping, eating, moving. Lifestyle changes can be powerful. If you manage your lifestyle, medicine and technology could all be secondary for a long time during your life. I want to expand on holistic health. The maintenance model of health instead of the disease treatment model that much of our current healthcare system is predicated on. When is the last time you went to the doctor and they recommended a lifestyle change instead of a pre...2019-07-0101 minThe Lin Life UniverseNorthern Ireland HighlightsCountry #41 Northern Ireland which is part of the UK My first view of Belfast was the Titanic Quarter, the shiny new massive waterfront regeneration. We spent much of the drizzly day at W5 the Science & Discovery Center. During lunch, we found a cafe along the docks where I had my first Belfast bap, a big crusty round bread. I was skeptical about the Titanic Museum but the building is iconic, a true monument. We stayed in the vibrant Cathedral Quarter with it’s restaurants and street art. And took a walkabout that evening when the sun miraculously broke through the clouds...2019-06-3001 minThe Lin Life UniverseLake Como HighlightsToday’s highlights focus on Lake Como in northern Italy. The lake is shaped like an upside down Y. And at the center is the town of Bellagio. I stayed in the town of Como at the southwest base of the lake. If I had to do it over again, I’d stay somewhere more central like Varenna since I found the ferry schedule for Como to be infrequent and inexact. I would name it ferry ideas: "I’m a ferry and here are some places I might visit today.” I also learned they stop running fairly early so dinner is usually...2019-06-2901 minThe Lin Life UniverseEpisode 1 - Intro to the Lin Life Universe with Karen LinLife Coach Karen Lin of The Lin Life inspires you to Live your Legacy. A legacy is what you give to the world everyday that you are in it, not something that you leave behind. I help change makers who want to make a difference in the world amplify their impact. 2018-12-2800 min