Shows
Voice Hugs#75 - Season 2 Finale: Embracing the Unknown in Marriage, Motherhood & Major Life Transitions🎙️ And with that, the 2nd season of Voice Hugs has come to an end 🎵 As always, to wrap up another wonderful 365 days around the sun, we’re sharing upcoming big life changes, along with lessons we learned from the year from growing pains, our friendship, and the unexpected twists & turns 👀
With how uncertain life may seem at times, we’re grateful to be able to weather every season right alongside you 🥹 And while we take a little hiatus between the seasons, please know big things are coming for Season 3, and we wan’t wait to continue sharing this next chapter with you!! 🤭2025-01-0849 minVoice Hugs#74 - Dealing with insecurities and social anxietyInsecurities ~ yep, we all have them (ugh, right?) In this episode, we share moments that have made us feel insecure—from the fear of farting in public to stressing over what to wear to a party, and even the networking and small talk that make you want to hide. Whether it’s the fear of rejection or the constant pressure to fit in, we’re all navigating these uncomfortable, and sometimes overwhelming feelings that come with being human.
But here’s the thing, what’s the worst that could happen? (it’s usually not as bad as we think!) W...2024-12-1853 minVoice Hugs#73 - Lacking motivation *again*Lacking motivation? This time of year got us feeling some type of way… Whether we’re beating ourselves over all the things we didn’t do this year, or brimming with hope for a fresh start that’s right around the corner, you’re not alone in feeling either or BOTH feelings at the same time. In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between mental health and motivation, hitting out limits, and how our our relationship with productivity has shifted over the years.
Whether you're going through a temporary dip or a longer season of feeling unmotivated, remember that it's...2024-12-0443 minVoice Hugs#72 - Learning to accept love ~ annual gratitude episode!GIVEAWAY BELOW 🫶 Welcome to our annual gratitude episode bbs! It’s no secret that being in a state of gratefulness can be transformative, so today we’re taking a deep dive into our personal journeys of learning to embrace gratitude—which surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) comes hand in hand with, yes, vulnerability.
From highkey gushing over our significant others to sharing how we’re both opening up ourselves to love again, this episode is a truly special one that had us giggling and grinning ear to ear throughout the whole recording and beyond 🥹
⭐ To enter the giveaway for our...2024-11-2747 minVoice Hugs#71 - If you're feeling behind, remember we're exactly where we are meant to be 🥹 (solo ep)Beeeeep, you got a new voicemail ☎️✨ Hi besties, Ro here ~ something I've been reflecting on in light of recent life updates 👀 is this feeling of falling behind in life. In the overly digitized world we live in, it's so easy to compare ourselves with our friends, peers, and strangers online so here's just a little reminder that we are exactly where we are meant to be, and that we're in this twogether *SENDING BIG BIG HUGS*
Voice Hugs:
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2024-11-2021 minVoice Hugs#70 - We’re having a baby! Pregnancy journey & all the feels🎉 Voice hugs is having a baby!! 🎉 A very very special episode today, as we take you through one of our pregnancy journeys (can you guess who’s expecting?!) and all the feels that have come along the way. We hope you’re as excited as we are for bb & this next season! 🐣 🍼
Mentions:
Book: Transformed by Birth by Britta Bushnell
E58: Taking big risks & betting on yourself w/ Liah Yoo
E63: Learning to see the world sparkle again ✨
E67: Societal expectations in your 20s vs 30s
Voice Hugs:
🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: www.voicehugspodcast.com
▶️ Yo...2024-11-1354 minVoice Hugs#69 - No more people pleasingDo you find it difficult setting boundaries? How about saying “no” without feeling guilty? Or are you constantly thinking about what others are thinking about you? People pleasers, put your hand up 🙋♀️🙋♀️
From best friendships to romantic relationships, it’s easy to overextend ourselves and sacrifice our own needs in the name of “being a good friend” or “being a fantastic girlfriend.” But are we really doing all that we’re doing to be a “good” person? 👀
In today’s episode, we share when such people pleasing tendencies tend to pop up, how they manifest in our lives, and what we’ve been doing to...2024-10-3048 minVoice Hugs#68 - How do you feel about growing up & getting older?Was it just us, or were we the only ones SO ready and excited to grow up 🐣 We couldn’t wait to get our drivers license, make our own money, and taste that sweet independence. Isn’t it interesting how when we’re young, we can’t wait for time to move faster, but as we grow older, we often wish we could slow it down?
There is a delicate balance ~ a dance if you will 🩰 ~ between striving for the future and cherishing the present. How do we stay grounded and grateful for the here & now and the age we are...2024-10-2347 minVoice Hugs#67 - Societal expectations in your 20s vs 30s: marriage, motherhood, & careerEver found yourself trying to dodge questions like, “when are you getting married?” or “when are you having kids?” at family gatherings? You’re definitely not alone! While we’ve touched on societal expectations before, hitting your 30s brings a whole new level of pressure that we now have to navigate ✌🏼
This week, we dive into how our views on marriage, motherhood, and career have changed since our 20s and how to maneuver through the expectations surrounding these big life pillars ~wooo! A little reminder that personal growth and life decisions aren’t defined by age (ps. age is just a numbe...2024-10-1639 minVoice Hugs#66 - I just want to be happy & successful........? 🫠 (solo ep)Hi friends ◡̈ Viv here with an October voicemail. Sharing my recent thoughts on (what feels like) this never ending chase for success & happiness and how it often stems from deeper issues - like tying our self-worth on external validation and possessions 🙃 They say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey ~ but embracing the art of living in the moment can be pretty dang hard sometimes.
Regardless, time doesn't stop and what we do have is the here and now. I hope this voice note inspires you to look within and find more moments to truly live i...2024-10-0923 minVoice Hugs#65 - Maintaining friendships in adulthoodWe’ve all faced moments of frustration with our friends, even with our best of friends. But why is it so hard to address those feelings and talk it out? This week, we share how it took us nearly 11 years into our friendship to have our first *conversation* with a capital C 🤯
Let’s be honest - these conversations can be super awkward and uncomfortable. What if they get mad? What if it ruins the friendship? Is it even worth bringing up? Whether it’s the fear of conflict, rejection, or just wanting to please others, we’ve discover...2024-10-0251 minVoice Hugs#64 - From girl boss to girl moss: Finding hobbies & interests as an adultIn case you haven’t heard, the hustle culture of being a "girl boss” is fading, and it’s time to welcome a more laid-back, organic approach to life. That’s right - we’re officially in our "girl moss" era!
While the idea of slowing down, reconnecting with hobbies, and prioritizing fun and playfulness sounds straightforward, we have found that transitioning to “girl mossing” hasn’t been as easy as we expected. This episode was sparked by the question “what do you like to do for fun?”, and how trying to answer this led us to confront the uncomfo...2024-09-2546 minVoice Hugs#63 - Learning to see the world sparkle again, as it always has ✨ (solo ep)Hi bbs, it’s Ro here for our second solo episode 🤭 We’re trying something new! We’re trying something different. Think of this episode as a long overdue voicemail from your bestie, catching you up on her life & recent learnings. In honor of this more lowkey format, we’ll also keep this description lowkey. Well, be on your way now. You just got a new voicemail ☎️
Mentions:
The Book of Ichigo Ichie https://amzn.to/4enYh10
Design Your Life https://amzn.to/3TxpWEX
Voice Hugs:
🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: www.voicehugspodcast.com
💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 IG: @voicehugspodcas2024-09-1823 minVoice Hugs#62 - The reality of quitting your 9 to 5 w/ Chloe Shih (@chloe.shih)Hi Voice Hugs fam, today we’re having an incredibly lovely conversation with Chloe Shih 🦄🧁👾👩🏻💻🍉, a brilliant content creator and product lead who has worked at Discord, Meta, Tiktok, and Google.
Even before she was laid off from Discord (her 9-5) earlier this year, her thesis has always been that every one of us yearns to create something of our own (our 5-9s), and she’s made it her mission to share with the corporate girlies and boysies how to navigate, find, and balance their 9-5 with their 5-9s. We absolutely love this ✨
In this episode, we talk abou...2024-09-1158 minVoice Hugs#61 - Life changing magic of choosing yourself w/ Remy Morimoto Park (@veggiekins)Hi friends, please welcome Remy Morimoto Park, also known as Veggiekins, to Voice Hugs!! 🌸🌿🎀🍵🌷 Remy’s a dear friend, an incredible vegan recipe developer, food photographer (her aesthetics is immaculate 🤌🏻), cookbook author, founder of an elevated matcha brand called Frauth, and an all-around amazing humanbean 🥹
Remy's story is a truly inspiring one. Having grappled with addiction and disordered eating from a very young age, she completely changed her life when she entered college through being honest with herself, becoming sober, and discovering veganism which ultimately kickstarted her almost decade-long journey of healing her relationship with food, family, and most importantly herse...2024-09-0453 minVoice Hugs#60 - Let's talk anxietyDo you ever get anxious? Cause we do. Often 🙂 Cozy up with us as we deep dive into a feeling we all know too well: anxiety. Inspired by our recent movie night watching Inside Out 2 (spoilers alert!!), we chat about how the heartwarming film mirrors our own experiences with those oh-so-familiar chest/stomach/full body flutters 🦋✨
While anxiety often has negative connotations surrounding it, can it ever serve a positive role in our lives? In today's episode, we open up about our personal anxiety journeys, along with how it has shown up, and still shows up, in our live...2024-08-2858 minVoice Hugs#59 - Stop being so hard on yourself (solo ep)Our first ever solo episode with Viv is here! ◡̈ Ro and I wanted to experiment with new episode formats in season 2 so we’ll be bringing these solo ones to the poddy once a month!
This week’s chat, while deeply personal, is on a topic that sooo many of us can relate to :’) It’s about that little voice within that tells you “you’re not good enough,” “you can’t do it” “you’re not worth it”… sound familiar?
No matter how loud or frequent that inner critic—or sometimes what feels more like an inner bully—shows up in our heads, we can all f...2024-08-2130 minVoice Hugs#58 - Overcoming dark times, taking risks, & betting on yourself w/ Liah Yoo (@liahyoo)Voice Hugs fam, please give the warmest welcome to our second guest of the season: Liah Yoo!! 🌴🍇🍵🥳 Liah started her career at one of the biggest South Korean beauty conglomerates, went on to become the first YouTuber in Korea (!!), and built a literal skincare empire, KraveBeauty, while simultaneously taking on the whole beauty industry.
From sharing her journey of taking significant risks in a society where there’s only one path to success, leaving a comfortable job to commit to YouTube full-time, to navigating her darkest days and eventually founding and becoming the CEO of her own company, which...2024-08-1555 minVoice Hugs#57 - How to find your inner voice & heal parental relationships w/ Leah Wei (@leahsfieldnotes)Our first friend on the show!! Voice Hugs fam, please give Leah (@leahsfieldnotes) the warmest welcome 🥹 We’re so honored to be joined by one of our dearest & sweetest friends, better known as Leah’s Fieldnotes to her community of almost 1M subscribers on Youtube.
In today’s episode, we dive into Leah’s many big life decisions that led her to where she is today (from going to art school after having her mind set on business throughout high school to deciding to start YouTube), how she’s improved her relationships with her parents over time—many tears were...2024-08-071h 02Voice Hugs#56 - Feeling lost is a very normal and human experience (+voice hugs shop launch!!)Welcome back for Season 2 besties 🥹🫂🫶 In this long overdue catch up, Viv and Ro chat about where they’ve been mentally, physically, and emotionally, which just so happens to be centered around the shared feeling of being lost, and the power that comes from acknowledging it.
We also provide a sneak peek of what’s to come in Season 2, including special guest interviews (!!) and solo episodes, along with announcing our very first product launch—created with you & your loved ones in mind, to spread more hugs around the world ♡
🎀 Voice Hugs Shop: www.voicehugspodcast.com
💌 Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com
📷 I...2024-07-3130 minVoice Hugs#55 - Season 1 Finale: Lessons learned and how we've changed :')Voice Hugs season 1 finale is here! 🎉 We made it to 55 episodes friends!! And we definitely could not have done this without *you* 🥰
In this episode, we talk about our lessons learned since starting Voice Hugs in 2021 and what has been the most challenging and rewarding parts of podcasting. We reveal some funnn behind-the-scenes moments including which episode was stitched together with multiple recordings!
Here are the top 5 most listened to episodes in season 1:
Let's talk about our insecurities
Welcome to Voice Hugs with Rowena Tsai & Vivian Van
Career Chat: feeling lost, redefining success & trusting yourse...2023-12-0643 minVoice Hugs#54 - Vivian Van on People Pleasing, Lonliness, and Self-LoveAs promised, Ro interviews Viv on her life story in this week's episode ◡̈ We've shared bits and pieces of our experiences throughout the first 50 episodes, but as we wrap up season 1, we wanted to dedicate a get-to-know-you episode to each host to share a fuller picture of our story!
We hope these episodes will help you understand us more as people, friends, partners, and hosts and discover how our life journeys have brought us together to create Voice Hugs today.
As always, thank you so much for being here 💗 We are so grateful to be on thi...2023-11-2249 minVoice Hugs#53 - Rowena Tsai on Mental Health, Purpose, and Content CreationThe day has finally come! Our first Voice Hugs episode recorded and filmed together in-person :')
This week we try something new with Viv interviewing Ro on her life story. We’ve shared bits and pieces of our experiences throughout the first 50 episodes, but as we wrap up season 1, we wanted to dedicate a get-to-know-you episode to each host to share a fuller picture of our story (next week will be all about Viv!)
We hope these next two episodes will help you understand us more as people, friends, partners, and hosts and discover how ou...2023-11-1556 minVoice Hugs#52 - Season of healing & a very overdue catchup 🫶Hi friends! First thing’s first, we want to apologize for the unannounced hiatus… one week turned into two weeks turned into a few months, and all of a sudden they’re now serving pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks :’) Friends don’t ghost friends, and we should have done better!
Even though we’ve been MIA, we have not stopped thinking about you 2023-11-0829 minVoice Hugs#51 - Between Cultures: Growing up Asian-AmericanKicking off this week with a sweet little story time: Viv meets a listener for the first time IRL! 🥰
In this episode, Rowena and Vivian share about their experience growing up Asian-American and the influence that culture and ethnicity have on various aspect of their lives. From navigating between two cultures, to redefining success and forging their own paths, the duo each share their own unique stories from childhood to present time.
We appreciate all of you for being here! ❤️ Say hello, give us feedback, or share any topics/questions you’d like to hear in future episode...2023-06-1342 minVoice Hugs#50 - Jealousy: what it's really showing us & how to embrace itWhat is your jealousy trying to tell you? We’ve all experienced it firsthand. Whether in romantic, platonic, or familial relationships, jealousy can show up in various facets of our lives often bringing forth complex emotions and challenging our sense of self.
In this episode, Ro and Viv explore the origins of their jealousy and how it may be more closely related to other emotions such as fear and sadness. After all, jealousy tends to arise as a response to a perceived or threatened loss or sense of inadequacy.
The duo talk about the difference be...2023-06-0639 minVoice Hugs#49 - Opening up to people is hardFear of intimacy can show up in our lives in many different and unexpected ways. Connection is so important to our human experience, yet we are often afraid of it.
In this episode, Ro and Viv dive into a listener’s question of why it's difficult to truly open up, and why it's often harder to open up to strangers than it is with ourselves. In order to connect, we must first want to connect and be ready to do so!
Ro shares how experiencing loss at a young age led to her fear of di...2023-05-0938 minVoice Hugs#48 - The Art of Nonviolent Communication: Building empathy & connectionHaving trouble communicating with your loved ones? Are you tired of feeling misunderstood? Do you ever feel like your words get lost in translation?
This week, Ro and Viv explore the world of nonviolent communication (NVC), a method of communication that promotes understanding, empathy, and connection between people. The foundation of NVC encourages us to focus on our needs and emotions and to express them in a way that is respectful and empathetic towards others. They discuss the four components of NVC - observation, feeling, need and request - and how each one contributes to effective communication...2023-05-0349 minVoice Hugs#47 - Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry” ft. 5 Apology LanguagesWe've all heard of the 5 love languages, but have you heard of the 5 apology languages?
In this episode, Ro and Viv explore the intricacies of apologizing and dive into the 5 different apology languages. Discover why it can be difficult to apologize and how understanding the different apology languages can improve communication and relationships. Tune in for insights on how personality types and individual preferences can influence the way we give and receive apologies.
We appreciate all of you for being here! ❤️ Say hello, give us feedback, or share any topics/questions you’d like to hear i...2023-04-2629 minVoice Hugs#46 - Talking about someone behind their back (can gossip ever be good?)On this episode of Gossip, Viv and Ro take a deep dive into the world of gossip and its impact on our daily lives. They explore the power of words and the importance of being mindful of how we use them. Tune in as they discuss whether gossip can ever be good, the act of talking about someone behind their back, and the allure of spilling tea. Along the way, they share their past experiences with gossip and the impact it had on them. This thought-provoking conversation will make you question your own relationship with gossip.
We...2023-04-1940 minVoice Hugs#45 - It's okay to not be okay | grief & lossGrief is a universal feeling that comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, the loss of who you used to be, or what could have been, grief is a difficult emotion that we all experience.
In this episode, Ro and Viv share their personal experiences with grief. Ro lost her sibling at the age of 17, and Viv recently lost a parent. They both talk about how they coped with their loss and the challenges of adjusting to a new reality. They also offer ways to be there for a friend...2023-04-1152 minVoice Hugs#44 - Navigating big life transitions: moving, kids, asking for helpIt's time for some life updates! This week, Ro and Viv talk about entering new life stages and navigating the in-between period between seasons. We all go through many transitions in life—naturally as we grow older, whether you’ve moved to another city, started a new job, or you have made a lifestyle change.
Whatever it may be, these transitionary periods can tend to be turbulent as we adjust to our new "normal," but the duo share that these transitions, are in a lot of ways, life's way of helping you level up and grow. Instead of t...2023-04-0435 minVoice Hugs#43 - Do you ever get angry? cause we do 😇 (POPPING OFF!!!)What do you do when you get angry? Do you bottle it up and let is pass? Or do you see red and explode with rage? Or maybe it comes out in the form of passive aggression? Whichever way your anger comes out, we’ve all been there. This week Viv and Ro discuss how anger comes out in many forms in different people, the differences between anger and aggression, and share stories of personal anger—from throwing tantrums as kids to how they deal with anger as adults.
As unpleasant as being angry can be, it’s not...2023-03-2839 minVoice Hugs#42 - Dealing with FOMO & comparing yourself to othersAfter scrolling on Instagram or TikTok for three hours, you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, supported, and you’re ready to take on the day…. said no ever lol. Why do we obsessively check social media to see what others are doing only to feel crappy about ourselves when comparing your life to theirs?
This week we talk all about FOMO (fear of missing out) and the affects it has on us when we compare our lives to others; and it’s not just through social media! FOMO can come in many avenues such as not being included in an ins...2023-03-1441 minVoice Hugs#41 - Care Team 101 (how to create support systems!)What is a "care team", and how do you create one? In this episode, Vivian and Rowena revisit "care teams" (a concept introduced in episode 33) and discuss in depth the definition, composition, and importance of having one - how can you create your own or find your role in the care teams of those around you?
While people often form the foundation of a support system, your care team can also consists of different resources including books, podcasts (like this one 😉), spirituality, and pets!
Please share with us what your care team consists of! ❤️ Say hello, g...2023-03-0737 minVoice Hugs#40 - Navigating, maintaining, & outgrowing friendshipsLike any relationship, friendships take work if you want them to last.
Whether it's making new friends, maintaining current ones, or outgrowing friendships, this week the duo dive into all things friendships 🤓
How do you navigate the ebbs & flows of a close relationship? What do you do when you have differing expectations of what it means to be a good friend? Is it necessary to have a formal breakup conversation?
Tune in this week to hear more on the duo's experiences with friendships in the past and present. They also share some tips on...2023-02-2839 minVoice Hugs#39 - What to do when lacking motivationSo you’re feeling unmotivated: it’s hard to get anything done let alone get out of bed, and the voice in your head is telling you “get your butt up,” “stop wasting your precious time,” “why are you sleeping in AGAIN”… what do you do??
This week’s episode is a part two to motivation (check out eps. 28 for part one, one of our most popular episodes in 2022!). The dynamic duo share how their approach to motivation has changed over time and the hacks they’ve used to help maintain more consistent energy levels.
As humans, it’s easy f...2023-02-2839 minVoice Hugs#38 - Self-love, self-acceptance, self-everything episode (Happy Valentine's Day!)How do you learn to love yourself? Whether you’re snuggling up with a SO or livin’ that Single Pringle life this Valentine’s day, a friendly reminder that the most important and greatest love at the end of the day is the love you have for yourself!
This week, Viv and Ro time travel back to ~2013 and paint a picture of the relationship they had with themselves in their early 20s (or lack there of). They share stories of breakups (uhh do we cancel him?? hehe jk) and how their lonely single era led them closer to sel...2023-02-1441 minVoice Hugs#37 - Doctor's order: less burnout, more PLAY!How do we prevent burnout in 2023? (hint: the answer is a lot more fun than you think!)
This week’s episode is all about PLAY and the benefits of “losing yourself in play.” Whether it’s throwing clay in a ceramics class like Viv or swimming with sharks in Hawaii like Ro (ooo story time!), “play” can help bring us to the present moment, relieve stress, and prevent overthinking.
It’s easy to get stuck in our everyday routines, and while we all value self-care, we often forget that allowing yourself to have fun is a method of se...2023-02-0742 minVoice Hugs#36 - Best way to get to know yourself (Listener Q&A)Grab some Takis or shrimp chips and have a fun Q&A with us this week! Our wonderful community of listeners have some questions, and Viv and Ro have got the answers!
Are there any new things you’ve implemented into your routine?
Go to comfort food?
Favorite thing at the moment (clothing piece, food, activity, etc.)?
What has been the best way to get to know yourself?
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
What theme do you have in mind for 2023?
As much as you’ve gotten to know US in t...2023-01-3135 minVoice Hugs#35 - The need to be "perfect" & how to accept yourselfWhat would you say to your inner child? What thoughts come up as you remember yourself at that age?
Many of us may relate to varying extremes of perfectionism (we know our VH community can relate! EP18 “Overcoming resistance and perfectionism” was one of our top episodes!) Whether it’s curating the perfect IG feed or crafting the perfect persona - we can likely find a link back to our tendencies as children. What did we yearn for? How did our world look and feel like growing up?
Tune in to this episode for part two of...2023-01-2440 minVoice Hugs#34 - Less in our heads, more in our hearts (intentions for 2023)It’s 2023!!! And we’re so excited to start a brand new year with you!
Dive into this episode with Vivian and Rowena as they each share three words highlighting their intentions for 2023. Rooted from much of the same thoughts, they share the process of picking their three words and why.
✨ Vivian: Consistent, Connection, Create
✨ Rowena: Discipline, Supported, Growth
These words serve as reminders for us throughout the year to stay grounded in ourselves, and we invite you to share YOUR three words with us. We’d love to read about them! Givi...2023-01-1839 minVoice Hugs#33 - Power of setting intentions & creating care teams (2022 reflections)Can’t believe it’s already the end of 2022! In this special, last episode of the year, Vivian and Rowena reflect on lessons learned and memorable experiences they each had.
Ro shares how setting intentions at the beginning of the year allowed her to experience feeling free despite going through a transitional period in her professional and personal life.
Vivian talks about the challenges that this year brought her and how she got through some of those times because of her support system. She shares the importance of creating a “care team” and how she internali...2022-12-1543 minVoice Hugs#32 - Finding light in darkness (the power of gratitude)What moments or experiences sweep your mind when thinking about gratitude? Who or what immediately comes to focus?
As we head into Thanksgiving next week, Viv and Ro spotlight the powerful emotion we call: gratitude. In our darkest moments, gratitude can be the pathway out and into “the state of being free” - as Ro would vividly describe.
Ready to cultivate gratitude into your 2023? Share how you’re cultivating this for the rest of 2022 into the new year, and let’s be each other’s guiding light 🕯
We believe in you 💛
As always, thank...2022-11-1738 minVoice Hugs#31 - Overcoming the fear of judgementEverybody is thriving. Everybody has the perfect life. Everybody is so happy.
Ah, that inner voice of ours speaking our insecurities into reality. Who is this elusive “everybody” that we all seem to know? Whose voices are we listening to?
This episode highlights the book “Finding Your Own North Star” by Martha Beck. Viv and Ro explore a concept in Chapter 4 about an “other” voice guiding our every decision and how to strengthen our own inner voice, so that we live fully and authentically ourselves.
The next time you catch yourself thinking “Everybody is…” or “I sho...2022-11-1039 minVoice Hugs#30 - Knowing your limits & setting boundariesThis week we chat about boundaries: The invisible line we draw between work, play, family, friends, you name it - and ourselves to protect our headspace 💆🏻♀️ When too many people step into our headspace (the metaphorical “home”) due to poor boundaries, the effects can be felt as resentment, guilt, burnout, stress, anxiety, among others.
Listen as Viv and Ro share their growing pains of learning how to set boundaries, breaking the people-pleasing cycle of always saying “Yes”, and what to do when others step into our “home” unannounced or uninvited.
Boundary setting is an ongoing skill we practice with e...2022-11-0338 minVoice Hugs#29 - Ro's engaged: how it happened!The beautiful part of any friendship is experiencing special milestones together. And if the title didn’t already give it away… RO IS 💍 E N G A G E D💍 !
So grab your coffee/tea/drink of choice because it’s story time! Ro gives a play by play of the five-stop scavenger hunt around New York City leading up to the big question, and Viv shares the role she played in the planning process. Some mild scheming involved 😉 Tune in to find out how we fibbed about “The Washington Post” and who made a special appearance that had Ro ugly cr...2022-10-3049 minVoice Hugs#28 - Not feeling motivated? us tooFeeling unmotivated? Indifferent? Meh? Good, because we are too. Let’s unpack that.
This week is all about motivation, or lack thereof. These periods drain our energy and our head space. Whether it’s lack of motivation in our career or finally pursuing a hobby, sometimes our situation gets the best of us. Viv and Ro share in how they each cope with low motivation and how to regain that spark again ✨
Pro-tip: When you’re feeling low, reach out to a friend 🙂
As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome y...2022-09-2947 minVoice Hugs#27 - Finding the courage to start | Catch up with usWe’re baaackk! Although this time around it wasn’t an intentional break. Maybe it’s the transition from Summer to Fall, mercury in retrograde, or the slow shift back to “normalcy” pre-COVID…
But we’re so glad you’re here again as we catch up on life happenings! Viv and Ro spent some time with family and reminisce on the boundless spirit and joy of being a kid. Still, as 30-somethings trying to emulate the fearless spirit of a 2 year old, they also chat about what’s been holding them back and pushing through a rough patch.
As w...2022-09-2341 minVoice Hugs#26 - When does the inner work journey end?When does the inner work journey end? This week we answer a listener question about protecting others from yourself because you are not “fully healed” in your inner work journey or “not good enough” yet.
Truth is that the inner work journey never ends. We’re in a constant state of evolution while dancing through each season of life.
Sharing their take on being a “good/bad” person and being your best self 100% of the time, Viv and Ro remind us that it’s OK to be with someone AND continue to grow in your own respect....2022-09-0748 minVoice Hugs#25 - Lessons we've learned in 2022 (so far): work, rest, & playWhether you felt 2022 went by fast or slow, here we are. August. More than half way through the year, Viv and Ro share some experiences that capture what it means to “live in the moment.”
The simple joys of life can be found right in front of you (beyond your computer screen). And once we slow down to see it, we can revel in the kind of growth we never thought possible.
Do that thing that you’ve always wanted to do. Go on that trip to Paris, and forgo your work laptop. Buy that bubble...2022-09-0239 minVoice Hugs#24 - Before they became our parentsAs children of immigrants, the relationship with our parents can be multi-layered and very complex. Often the first relationship we form as children, this bond proves pivotal in our development into adulthood.
Now in their 30s, Viv and Ro recall experiences that continually challenge the role parents play for their (now adult) children. And with it comes its own evolution of unraveling trapped emotions, wrestling with time (or lack of), and seeing our parents as actual human beings.
Time with our parents is finite. And in the face of mortality, we just might give both...2022-08-1040 minVoice Hugs#23 - Feeling insecure? You're not alone.We all have it, but we rarely talk about it.
In this episode, Viv and Ro expand on one of the most popular topics to date: Insecurities (Episode 2).
It’s neither a glamorous topic, nor is it easy to talk about. Insecurity can highlight additional feelings of shame, guilt, and anger. Viv and Ro explore how everyday encounters, both work and personal (ahem: social media), can trigger insecurity and send them spiraling.
And while insecurity doesn’t disappear overnight, the more we practice being kinder to ourselves, the more we rewrite our internal narra...2022-07-2039 min
Voice Hugs#22 - Comparing yourself & seeking approval (ft. bubbles)If you could be liberated from one thing in your life, what would it be? Whether it’s constantly seeking approval from others, or being trapped in the insecure cycle of comparison, Rowena and Viv found that answering this question helped them take inventory of what’s holding them back and what steps to take forward towards the right direction. Well... what did they find you ask? Sometimes the thing we need to liberate ourselves most from is that darn voice in our heads (sis needs to chillll!)
The two also catch up on current ways they are...2022-07-0135 minVoice Hugs#21 - Can you feel two emotions at once?Have you ever felt happy and sad at the same time? Or maybe torn between two (or more) emotions? At some point in our lives, we have all found ourselves in a push and pull emotional state, and the contrasting feelings may have led to confusion, uncertainty, and maybe even ambivalence.
A question from a Voice Hug listener on how to manage the experience of polarizing feelings inspired Vivian and Rowena to reflect on instances where they thought they should have felt a certain way (logically), but instead experienced a different feeling (emotionally). Could we hold space f...2022-06-2339 min
u awake?#7 Parents are human tooAs we transition into adulthood, there are some serious growing pains - especially in our relationship with our parents.
How do we reconcile the idea of them being these amazing, perfect beings from our childhood and the fact that they are... well, just humans, who experience their own difficulties as individuals?
Khema (@khema.1) & Nalanda (@jakjan.nalanda) share their difficulties and lessons from their relationships with their parents.
References:
Anguttara Nikaya 2.31-32 Kataññu Sutta
Voice Hugs Podcast (by Rowena Tsai & Vivian Van)
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uawake...2022-06-1958 minVoice Hugs#20 - Our favorite shows, books, & podcastsContent has evolved drastically to include all types of media—podcasts, YouTube videos, TV shows, streaming shows, books, movies and more. Wonder what kinds of content Ro and Viv love to consume?
Ro and Viv share their favorite types of content in this episode. Although BFFs, the duo’s personal tastes are very different. Listen to the entire episode to find out Ro & Viv’s favorite podcasts, Kdramas, and dating shows...you don't want to miss this one!
Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs
Say hello :)
Email: hello@voi...2022-06-1739 minVoice Hugs#19 - Giving ourselves permission to restBack from Chicago and Korea/Taiwan, Viv and Ro return from a month-long break and share how some much needed rest (and travel!) allowed them to slow down, refresh, and recalibrate.
Listen as Viv recounts how ugly crying in public (twice) made space to feel her feelings, and how Ro saw two worlds collide with Jams and her family & friends.
It’s in these experiences of stepping away from our fast paced life that we can truly revel in moments of joy with those around us.
Permission to rest granted.
Thank yo...2022-06-1042 minVoice Hugs#18 - Overcoming resistance & perfectionism (The Making of Voice Hugs)Jams joins us again! In this week's episode, Jams interviews Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) on what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite podcast, Voice Hugs. They explore the resistance that builds as they move closer to their goals and the ongoing battle of perfectionism they face as content creators (6:15). As they reflect on pushing forward and building confidence through practice and patience (20:40), the duo emphasize the importance of having a strong support system at each step of the way (since the feelings of resistance never really go away)! (33:50)
If you have been entertaining the i...2022-05-0445 minVoice Hugs#17 - What it's like to date a Youtuber (ft. Jams)A very special episode this week welcoming our first podcast guest *drum roll please*... Jams!! (aka Rowena's boyfriend, VH Fan Club President).
From the beginning of their love story including first impressions of each other (4:27) to long distance relationship trials and learnings two years in (11:13), the couple shares it all! They reflect on the importance of communication and adapting to each others’ communication styles (16:15) in order to maintain a healthy, supportive LDR.
Jams also gives us the exclusive behind-the-scenes look into what it's like to date a YouTuber and content creator (21:15).
If there’s any...2022-04-2843 minVoice Hugs#16 - Secretly judging & projecting onto othersThis week, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) explore 3 different listener scenarios instead of deeeep diving into one, starting with a very common experience of projecting expectations onto others.
Listener scenarios (paraphrased):
I’ve noticed that whenever my partner goes for a night out, I immediately feel judgmental, neglected, and anxious. How do I be mindful of projecting my expectations and judgement onto others? (1:54)
Where and how do I start my self-help, living a mindful life, productivity journey? There is so much information out there and I’m overwhelmed! (15:57)
I’m seeing someone new. How early is too ear...2022-04-1332 minVoice Hugs#15 - Learning to go with the flow (podcast journey)Taking a look back at the first quarter of 2022, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) share reflections on their podcast journey - from finding a balance between friend mode and work mode (4:20) to focusing less on numbers and trusting the universe (14:48). They also share defining moments in their lives: how experiencing loss and coming near death has become a guiding force in how they choose to spend their time and decide what type of content they want to create, be it podcast or YouTube (8:25).
This episode is full of lessons learned - letting go of control, learning to g...2022-04-0632 minVoice Hugs#14 - Forgiving your past selfDid you know the rational side of a human brain is not fully developed until around age 25? No wonder why we regret so many decisions made by our younger selves! This week, we share some not-so-proud moments of young Ro & Viv - from drinking and raving at a very early age to trash talking friends behind their backs. The build up of poor decisions over the years resulted in an era of overcompensating our “bad” by becoming borderline obsessed with being “good” (aka: addiction to self-improvement until burnout. SOS).
We’ve learned that the only way to forgive ou...2022-03-3037 minVoice Hugs#13 - Get to know us! (13 questions ~ Listener Q&A)After a one-week hiatus, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) are back with an even more intense recording schedule (Viv woke up at 4:30 a.m. for this episode 🙃). Keeping it lighthearted this week, we answer a handful of fun get-to-know-you questions sent in from our listeners (see time stamps below). We also dropped our headphones like 10 times during this pod sorry! lol Let us know what you think about these lighter episodes and if you have more questions, send them our way to hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM us @voicehugspodcast
Listener Q&A:
Do you shower in the m...2022-03-2345 minVoice Hugs#12 - We used to be best friendsBreakups aren’t just for romance. Oftentimes, the breakups that hurt the most are those with your friends. This week, Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) chat about heartache from friendship fallouts, and how to get closure when you’re no longer on speaking terms. Through our stories, we explore why some friendships last while others fall apart, and how different life stages impact these experiences.
If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodast or an email to hello@voicehugspodcast.com2022-03-1047 minVoice Hugs#11 - I keep getting ghosted, is it me??Swiping left and right on dating apps is thrilling, and sometimes feels like fun and games. But after getting ghosted for the 50th time, you might start to question... is it me? Am I the problem?? This week, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) chat about finding love on dating apps, taking rejection personally, and overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there through deepening the most important relationship: the one with yourself.
If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voicehugspodcast or an email t...2022-03-0337 minVoice Hugs#10 - He's "not ready" to commit, what do I do?So you've been hanging out for a while now and basically act like you're a couple, but they tell you they're "not ready" to commit or define the relationship status... sound familiar anyone? This anxiety inducing non-committal dynamic is no foreign concept to many of us, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) included. This week, we share about the ups and downs of past non-committal relationships, how we justify that we're "okay" with the situation and convince ourselves that it's actually a good thing (!), and when it is finally time to say goodbye. Stay tuned for a read from Rowena's 2012...2022-02-2336 minVoice Hugs#9 - Are you anxious or avoidant?Whether you’re an anxious type like Viv (@vivianxvan), or tend to lean more avoidant like Ro (@rowenatsai), there are many challenges that both of us went through because of our attachment styles. In this week's episode, we chat about attachment theory and share stories on our struggles (from sweaty palms and panic attacks to a six-year single streak lol) and how we’ve learned to move towards to becoming more secure in ourselves and our relationships. We also touch on the topic of ‘toxic independence’ (is marriage a trap? is being self-reliant = strong woman? how much independence is a good t...2022-02-1634 minVoice Hugs#8 - Spiraling with social anxiety & shame (ft. shrimp chips)Have you ever questioned your existence after social outings or interactions? That’s vulnerability hangover for ya friends. Something Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) are fortunately or unfortunately very well acquainted with 😬 In this week’s episode, there’s story time galore ft. Vulnerability Hangover in the form of swearing off eating shrimp chips forever, drunken competitiveness, cringe text messages sent to a DJ crush 👀, and saying ‘I love you’ first.
Thank you A. for submitting this week’s question! If there’s anything you’ve been pondering or specific scenarios you’d love us to chat about, send us a DM @voi...2022-02-0935 minVoice Hugs#7 - Casually pondering the meaning of lifeFrom never truly understanding our life’s impact on others to experiencing immense gratitude to the point of feeling reborn, catch up with Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) as they catch up with each other. With LNY upon us, we reminisce on childhood mems and our childlike wonder, share what we’ve been reading, and ponder what it means to live a meaningful life. Yes, if you’re wondering, this is indeed a very casual and normal convo between the two of us. 🙃
Say hello :) email us at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/voiceh...2022-02-0331 minVoice Hugs#6 - When do you know that a relationship is over? (relationship Q&A)How do you get over your first love? Should you live together before marriage? Do you think guys or girls should make the first move? In this week’s episode, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) picked out 13 relationship questions submitted by you lovely humans and share some candid advice on looooove! Thank you for sending in all the submissions - twas a really fun episode to record. :)
Are there questions we missed, or specific relationship troubles you’d like advice on? Drop us an email hello@voicehugspodcast.com or DM our IG @voicehugspodcast
Questions:
Do you...2022-01-2731 minVoice Hugs#5 - Social media makes me feel insecureWith the rise of social media within the past decade, how often would you say you compare yourself to someone else’s “perfect” life? In this week’s episode, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) get real about social media and its impact on their personal, and our collective, mental health. From how to be more mindful about the content we consume to self-censoring in fear of saying the “wrong” thing, let’s explore the dopamine-driven, pixelated world of likes, shares, and follows.
Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/voicehugspodca2022-01-2132 minVoice Hugs#4 - Career Chat: feeling lost, redefining success & trusting yourselfDo you need to choose an unconventional career path to find happiness or can a conventional one bring you the same peace of mind? In this episode, we talked about college struggles, feeling absolutely lost, the pressure to follow our peers’ career paths, and how we eventually found peace within it all. Would you guys like more convos around college & careers? Let us know if you’d like us to turn any topics we’ve covered into series. 😊
Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/voicehugspodcast/2022-01-1535 minVoice Hugs#3 - No more burnouts for 2022 (New Year reflections)*Blink* a new year already?? To wrap up 2021, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) chose 10 fun, thoughtful, and quirky questions they answer in this episode. Their findings? Despite how relentless, slow, in their feels, and “unproductive” 2021 may have been, it was still a year filled with many learnings and reassuring reminders to be gentle with ourselves, stay present, and live a more ~balanced~ existence. Here’s to less burning out and pendulum swinging from extremes in the new year! 🥂
Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/voicehugspodcast/
Questions:
Desc...2022-01-0847 minVoice Hugs#2 - Let's talk about our insecuritiesWhat are our current insecurities? Where do they stem from? How is insecurity the root of jealousy? And how does cancel culture fit into all of this?? This week Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) get very honest about all things insecurities from body image to creating content on Youtube, and reveal how you can overcome your insecurities through something as simple as changing how you dress. 😬
Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/voicehugspodcast/2021-12-3142 minVoice Hugs#1 - Welcome to Voice Hugs w/ Rowena Tsai & Vivian VanEpisode 1 is finally here!! Viv (@vivianxvan) & Ro (@rowenatsai) share hopes for the podcast, the importance of human connection, a little trip down memory lane of their decade long friendship, how to open up to friends and let others in, as well as navigating seasons where we feel like we don’t have any friends.
Send us an email at hello@voicehugspodcast.com
IG: @voicehugspodcast2021-12-2130 min