But Where Are You Really From?: An Asian-American Struggle

Nothing makes us feel older than not understanding a word that Gen Z or Gen Alpha says because the kids be changing their slang so quick, it's hard to keep up! In this episode, we talk about skibidi toilet, rizz, and more confusing terms the kids are saying nowadays. But in all seriousness, we ponder why slang has developed this way and also the cyclical nature of recycling concepts and trends from other generations into the new age. What's the craziest slang you've heard recently that made you go huh?! Let us know in the comments or on social media!Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off Real You Mandarin's brand new course, Real You Mandarin: Self-Expression, built to give you the confidence to navigate life's toughest conversations around expressing your feelings, interpersonal relationships, fertility & parenting, caring for aging parents, and self-growth. Try a free lesson and save big by locking in early bird pricing now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever stopped to think about if you live your life out on the edge? It sounds cliche, but how close to "average" is your life? If you've wondered these things, this week's episode aims to dive into this exact topic.From a young age, your podcast hosts have been pushed to excel in all areas of life. From academic studies to extra-curricular pursuits - all the way to careers in adulthood. And looking back, neither of us could say that this was the average experience in the US. Where does that legacy of seeking excellence leave us in our adulthood? Jesse believes that there is almost a thrill-chasing habit from chasing excellence that is ultimately hollow. Angela rightfully points out that many of these end pursuits are externally driven and may not reflect what we truly want. At the end of the day, what do you listeners think? Do you feel like you live a life outside the norm? Let us know from wherever you're listening to us!-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off all Real You Mandarin online courses & offerings designed specifically for ABCs, ABTs, and other advanced Mandarin learners. Preview a free lesson and learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

With all of the technological innovations that we live with everyday, are we already living in the future? From home help robots to invisibility cloaks, so many things we imagined to be impossible are coming to life today. And although not all the promises of technology are here just yet, many advancements promise to revolutionize humanity tomorrow. One area of advancement live today is artificial intelligence. Not yet the SkyNet idea of tomorrow, but different algorithmic products already permeate our lives. From ChatGPT to Google's AI search summaries, AI holds the promise to transform the way we find knowledge and the way we work. What do you think listeners? Are there specific advancements in technology that excite you? Let us know in the comments or on social media!-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

White Lotus Season 3 has come to an end and we have...thoughts. We're discussing the whole season in review of our most WTF moments - the ones that lived rent free in our heads for days after watching it. From the infamous brotherly love incident to the completely unhinged cocktail lounge monologue from Frank, we relive it all. And yes, we do talk about the most ridiculous and unbelievable moments to us from the season finale, and what we think creator Mike White's "moral of the story" is throughout the series. What were the craziest moments for you from this season? Let us know in the comments below!**BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT that if you have not finished watching Season 3 of White Lotus and care about spoilers, please don't watch this video until after you've caught up.**-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off all Real You Mandarin offerings, including the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, and the Real You Mandarin: The Podcast Transcript Membership, all designed specifically for ABCs, ABTs, and other advanced Mandarin learners. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

If you're an OG listener, you know we started the pod as a hobby during the pandemic. But we weren't the only people following creative pursuits - so many people experimented with baking, cooking, drawing, and many other interesting activities. This week, we're taking a moment to explore why creative passions matter. For Angela, being a creator is what she has pursued since leaving corporate America. The podcast and Real You Mandarin have been professional expressions of creativity, but she also bakes on the side. Jesse has recently gotten into pottery, and his creative expression has always remained largely a hobby. What's the difference between pursuing a creative passion for work vs just for yourself? Can you find creative fulfillment in your every day job or life? Listen in to hear for yourself, and let us know what creative projects you've been pursuing lately! -------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

Do you believe in telepathy or ESP-like phenomena? This week we discuss "The Telepathy Tapes," a podcast that explores if non-verbal autistic individuals have the ability to read minds. The ability to look into another's mind is considered a fantastical power, but what would it take to convince you that it is real in certain individuals? In-house "woo woo" Angela and "skeptic" Jesse debate the ways that the podcast presents this concept. Many of these non-verbal individuals engage in something called "spelling", where they point at letters or otherwise type out words that someone in the room is thinking. While this ability appears to be compelling, the skeptics may be prone to believe there is some creative storytelling to this series rather than concrete explanations. Regardless of your belief in telepathy, we encourage you to explore the podcast series yourself, if for nothing else, a bit of entertainment as it's quite interesting. Do you believe that telepathy may be possible? Let us know in the poll or comments!-------*Podcasters' Note: Angela mistakenly refers to "spelling" as "typing" in the actual episode. Also, thanks for bearing with our tech issues affecting Angela's audio a few minutes into the episode.-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

Did you hear about the SUV-sized drones, plasmoids, orbs, and other strange objects in the sky over New Jersey/the East Coast the past few months, or is this the first time you're hearing about it?We discuss this strange phenomena that started around the holidays in 2024 and continued for several months, where folks were claiming these large drones and other unidentified aerial objects were following them or seemingly "mapping" their neighborhoods. Despite the sheer volume of sightings and videos uploaded, there was little to no mainstream media coverage and a brushing off by both presidential administrations as either something they simply couldn't explain, or "were ours" and therefore nothing to worry about. What's more, though the majority of video footage was uploaded to TikTok directly by those on the ground, the algorithm was seemingly suppressing views and distribution of drone-related footage, to the point where everyone's favorite Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel became one of the leading voices on these drone sightings and led the charge in calling them "Dior bags" in order to evade the algorithmic suppression. This all leaves us wondering...what the heck is going on?! At best these things really were all "ours" and the government was conducting some strange experiment on the American people. Or worse (and human), it was foreign adversaries spying on or otherwise displaying a show of force. Or worst (and not human - for those of us who are inclined to believe), it was aliens. Of note, at the same time these SUV-sized drones were happening, there were whistleblower stories coming out from former Special Forces personnel and those who worked in the UAP ("unidentified anomalous phenomena" fka "UFO") retrieval/reverse engineering program about first- and second-hand experiences with unknown technology and alien presences, but barely anyone heard about it amidst all the hubbub of the drones. What do you think all of this aerial activity was? Our government? Foreign adversaries? Aliens? Something else? Let us know in the poll or comments!-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

We're back with a life update where we chat about the most fun recent things we've been up to during our off-season break, Angela being re-energized and doubling down on Real You Mandarin efforts, Jesse enjoying the semi-single (read: open relationship) life, and coming to terms with getting older and potentially wanting plastic surgery?!Let us know what you've been up to during our break in the comments below or on social media!-------Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin: Beginnings online course co-created by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom

"The Happiness Curve" is a concept that postulates that on average, a person's happiness acts as a U-shaped curve where you are happiest in your youth, happiness starts to decline in your 30s/40s, and picks back up as you get into your 50s and beyond. In this episode, we discuss what we think about this phenomenon. Full disclosure, we did get the decades slightly wrong lol, but we generally discuss why we think it could be that people get happier as they get older due to things like changing perspectives on *what* brings them happiness. We also ponder whether this study will continue to reflect the average person as we shift into different generational cohorts who hold very different values (i.e., millennials not necessarily wanting to wait until retirement to "enjoy" life). What do you think about The Happiness Curve? Do you think you're happier now than you were when you were younger? Is it about perception of happiness or something else? Let us know in the comments below! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Have you ever spent hours in anticipation of your next escape, only to find that you can't quite see yourself in that narrative? If you're a gamer, you might find that to be common, depending on the category of game you're primarily interested in. This week, we're discussion the issue of representation in big box video games. Video games have to walk a fine line between representing an escape, while allowing the player to immerse themselves into the world. The details of immersion can often make or break how invested the player is. We discuss examples of how immersion deepens or breaks from the experience, from Witcher - Blood Origin to Assassin's Creed Shadows. Have you played a recent video game that helped you immerse deeply in its lore and universe? Let us know what you played in the comments below or on our social media! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Have you ever taken a moment to look back on your actions from a different period of your life? Have you ever wondered why you made certain decisions and whether or not they were wholly yours? This week, we take a walk down memory lane and evaluate the impact some of our decisions in our 20s have on our lives right now. For Angela, the importance of building her own family has been pressing - both physically and emotionally. On the other hand, Jesse has struggled with finding meaning in the choices that he's made. Ultimately, both of us agree that making decisions in your 20s is not easy. However, the decisions are yours to make and yours to own - and worth taking a moment to think about how that will impact your future self. If you could go back in time, would you make any choices differently in your 20s? Let us know in the comments below! ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at ⁠www.realyoumandarin.com⁠ ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

We've often grappled with reconciling our identities as Asian-Americans, straddling two or more cultures between our family's motherland and the western environment in which we actually grew up. For many of us who did not grow up in Asia, when the time comes to think about trying to pass on that culture - and especially the language - to our children or future children, that task can seem incredibly daunting. In this episode, we chat with guest Sunny Horstmann about how she set up the structure and environment to raise her two kids in a bilingual (Mandarin Chinese/English) environment and the village she's created to help other parents struggling to wade through these murky waters. We talk about the importance of having a support system, fighting the idea that your Mandarin needs to be perfect to get started, how we may unknowingly bring biases from our own language learning experiences into how we teach our children, and much more. Do you have aspirations to create (or continue!) a bilingual environment for your family? What has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media! Follow Sunny on Instagram at @spotofsunshinechinese, on her website at spotofsunshine.com, and join the waitlist for the next time her membership opens up for her bilingual parenting community. Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom *Podcasters' Note: for those watching the video, sorry for the freezing up. Sunny's wifi had some issues - ah, the joys of remote recording and crossing international lines! :D ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com-- --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

We've often talked about how food is one of the most easily accessible ways into a culture, and this episode's guest is a perfect living example of that. Lisa Cheng Smith, founder of Yun Hai Shop in NYC, started Yun Hai as a way to explore her Taiwanese identity. Growing up as a half-Taiwanese/half-American individual, the question of "but where am I really from?" has always been something she was trying to figure out, and Yun Hai allowed her to explore that answer for herself. Today, Yun Hai is not only a brick and mortar shop in NYC that features artisanal food ingredients from Taiwan, it's also an online retailer, a wholesaler to restaurants, and an important English-based online resource about Taiwanese food and culture through its highly popular Substack. It even made waves last year when it was chosen as one of the few stops former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen made on her trip to the US! Listen in to hear about how and why Lisa got started with Yun Hai, how it allowed her to tap into both her Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American parts of her identity, why she cares about giving more spotlight to the art of Taiwanese home cooking, and the upcoming launch of Yun Hai's new Taiwanese cooking show coming out in early December that'll help share more of that spirit to the masses. If you have questions for Lisa or thoughts about the episode, let us know in the comments below or on our social media! For all things Yun Hai, find them at: Instagram: @yunhaishop YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@yunhaishop Online shop: https://yunhai.shop/ Substack: https://yunhai.substack.com/ Cooking show waitlist: https://yunhai.shop/cooking-show ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com ------- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

"More money, more problems" as they say. But is financial inequality in a relationship a unique problem or does it just exacerbate existing ones? This week, we examine how financial inequality impacts the quality of our relationships. Having both had the New York experience, your hosts understand what it feels like to struggle on a budget. But these days, we're looking at the question of differing finances from different perspectives. What fears and insecurities does a financially dependent partner experience? What are the frustrations and uncertainties that the financially independent partner feels in a provider role? Tune in to find out, and join the conversation in the comments on our social media! Who financially contributes more in your relationship and how does that make each of you feel? Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Preview a free lesson and check out the full syllabus at www.realyoumandarin.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

The 2024 General Election is coming up in a matter of days... thank god because we are over it, lol. No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, I think many of us can agree that we are tired of the reality TV show style media coverage around the two candidates, the BS of the general political "machine" behind the two parties, and a frequently missing focus on the needs of the actual people of this nation. Despite feeling a simultaneous fervor and fatigue around the election, if you still have not voted yet, please go out and vote! It's important to stand up for what matters to you, especially if you want things to be different for the future of this country. How are you feeling about the upcoming election and/or the news cycle surrounding all of this? Predictions? Hopes for the future? Let us know in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Check out the full syllabus and sample content at www.realyoumandarin.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

It's that spooktacular time of year - Halloween! In keeping with the pod tradition, we've gone diving in the deepest, darkest recesses of the internet (Reddit) for more scary stories. And also as usual, we're bringing you horror with an Asian flavor - only stories based in Asia accepted. Jesse brings to the table a terrific story involving public transit. And let's face it, what's scarier than riding the bus? Angela follows it up with a cautionary tale around stranger danger. Does the story's protagonist make the right choice or do they fall prey to usual horror decision making? Join us and listen in to these hair raising stories! And as always, let us know what your favorite scary story this year has been (traditional, Asian, or otherwise) in the comments below! TW: Ghosts, violence, self-harm ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- Use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off the Real You Mandarin online course co-founded by Angela, designed specifically for ABCs & ABTs. Check out the full syllabus and sample content at www.realyoumandarin.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Jocelyn Chung is a Taiwanese-American graphic designer and writer whose new children's book "When Love Is More Than Words" was just released this week! In this episode we of course discuss the book, including its inspiration being a beautiful real life realization she had with her grandfather, all the fun Taiwanese easter eggs, and more, and also discuss her recent journey of claiming her Taiwanese citizenship and starting a life and community in Taiwan, and how all of this helped her feel at home within herself in reflecting on her own identity. If you've had a chance to check out "When Love Is More Than Words," what did you think about it? If not, what stood out most to you from this episode? Let us know in our comments on social media! "When Love Is More Than Words" is available everywhere books are sold, and if you happen to live in Southern California, Jocelyn wanted to especially plug a local bookstore called Bel Canto Books in Long Beach. You can follow Jocelyn on Instagram at @jocelynschung and on her website at www.jocelynchung.com Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ------- If you're interested in the Mandarin course for ABCs/ABTs that Jocelyn references in the episode that Angela co-founded ("Real You Mandarin"), check what the course is all about at www.realyoumandarin.com and use promo code "whereareyoufrom10" for 10% off as a thank you for being a listener of the pod. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Your besties are back with some new topics for fall! Before we get into a slew of new conversations these next few months, we'd like to update you on where we are. Life keeps moving, especially when we are on break from the pod. For Angela, that means a few months closer to starting her family and moving to Japan. For Jesse, that means a few months of continued exploration around life hobbies and going out. And for the both of us, a few new shared changes you'll have to hear about in the episode! Tune in and let us know what you've been up to while we've been on break! ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

You've heard Angela share her struggles with trying to improve her Mandarin, being at a loss knowing simultaneously too much and nothing at all, it seems. She's also explicitly said that there is a clear market for creating a resource for Mandarin speakers born outside of the motherland, but that she wouldn't be the one making it! ...well, she's officially eating her words because recently Angela felt compelled to bring something like this to life to help people like us finally be able to have meaningful conversations in Mandarin and express ourselves the way that we've always wanted to, especially with family and friends. That's why she's been busting her butt creating a Mandarin course designed specifically for ABCs/ABTs with the help of her Mandarin teacher (Jane) based in Taiwan. In this episode, the first half (up to 18:48) is in English, and Angela and Jane discuss their inspiration for starting Real You Mandarin, the structure of this self-paced online course (video based realistic dialogues!), and what makes it uniquely tailored for the ABC/ABT audience (hint: a focus on real topics like dating & relationships and even media representation). In the second half of the episode, we switch into Mandarin to discuss the best and worst parts of working on this course so far! If you're a Mandarin speaker, we invite you to listen to the second half and learn some things along the way, as Angela asked Jane to live-correct her Mandarin when she made mistakes trying to express herself! Real You Mandarin is available now. You can learn more and join the course at: https://real-you-mandarin.teachery.co/ and follow them on Instagram & Tiktok at @realyoumandarin Now through the end of June, you can access the Early Bird Discount 25% off price directly on the site. As an additional thank you for being a loyal listener to the show, if you sign up now with promo code "whereareyoufrom10" you'll get an additional 10% off the course price! This AAPI Heritage Month, connect more deeply with friends, family, and your culture by learning to unlock the real you when you speak Mandarin! ---- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

How do you go about seeking inner peace for yourself? We've spent many past episodes diving into mental health and self-growth. But as we strive to improve ourselves, how can we also embrace all that we currently are - the good and the bad? We individually found frameworks that helped us cope with the stresses of everyday life. Jesse found his calming mantra through a session on Calm, while Angela discovered "The Work" by Byron Katie*. Both frameworks help to process turbulent thoughts, by slowing down our thought processes to be both kinder and more objective. As with many other growth related topics, seeking inner peace is work done over a lifetime. Although we are far from perfect at practicing this calmness, we work towards it every day. Listeners, how do you work towards emotional balance? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom *Podcasters' Note: in the episode we mistakenly refer to the author as Katie Byron. "The Work" is by Byron Katie. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

What's it like to not only have an Olympic gold medalist mom but also have the chance to play her in a movie in China alongside the likes of Gong Li?! In this episode, we speak with Lydia Bai, a former Stanford volleyball star turned investment banker, now life coach, who had the rare opportunity to completely shake up her life and fly to China for this rare opportunity. *Her mom is legendary volleyball icon Lang Ping and the movie we're talking about is called "Leap" (2020)!* Through the process of learning how to act (in Mandarin, nonetheless!), Lydia was able to push through her own negative self talk and finally realize that the only person holding her back in life was herself. With this newfound realization, Lydia was inspired to forge a new path for herself as a life coach focused on helping women in tech overcome their own limiting beliefs in order to thrive in their careers. If you'd like to connect with Lydia, you can find her at https://www.lydiabai.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiabai/ Listeners - what did you resonate with most in this episode? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

As the pandemic recedes, the dream of remote work forever has also shrank. But for those who can still telecommute, the allure of planting roots elsewhere has become "the writing on the wall." Reports of Americans moving abroad have historically centered on an older demographic looking to stretch their retirement savings. However, this new cohort of high paid telecommuters has come into focus - a group that seeks to achieve the American Dream while living abroad. With the economics, safety, and livability of their home nation in decline, living abroad has become a rational choice for this group. But as more Americans seek their dream life abroad, only time will tell how well their assimilation into their destination countries will fare. We'd love to hear from our existing digital nomad listeners and those who aspire to live life abroad! Have you considered planting roots abroad instead of settling in your home nation? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Look, we think service and gig workers should be paid a fair wage for their work, but at what point did that responsibility shift to the consumer instead of the employer?! In this episode we talk about how egregious tipping culture has become in the US, regardless of the level of service you actually received. We compare and contrast with tip-less cultures outside of the US, and bemoan how tipping expectations and pressures have changed due to the iPad checkout systems being used in even non-service "regular" storefronts. What do you think about how tipping culture has evolved in the US over the past several years? Especially if you work in the service industry, we're very curious to hear from you since you experience both sides. Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Our relationship with grief changes as we get older. The range of loss we learn to absorb over time is so large - so where do we learn how to cope? In evaluating ourselves, we find that most of our responses to loss are unique, individual responses. Growing up with families that did not necessarily express much emotion, we weren't able to learn a model of grief from a young age. And yet when we look at our parents' emotional reactions to tragic life events, we can't help but consider the difference. Our life contexts are certainly not the same, but the commonality of grief runs through it - maybe just expressed differently. How were you taught (or not taught) to handle grieving? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media. Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Family structures have changed throughout time and vary depending on which part of the world you're from. Recent surveys done by Pew Research in the US suggest that prevailing attitudes towards the institutions surrounding families have changed. The importance of family and marriage have dramatically transformed over the last few years. Some of these changes are more inclusive and benefit family structures that have traditionally sat outside the norm. Single parents and married gay parents have seen positive shifts in perception. But do these changes reflect the attitude of all of America? What kind of family structure do you belong to? Do you feel your family structure is largely accepted? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Netflix has finally released its highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved sci-fi series "The Three Body Problem," and we're giving you our honest review from the perspective of someone who binged the entire book series as well as from someone who had no previous exposure to the trilogy at all. **This is a minimal spoilers review. We only discuss Episode 1 not the full season, so if you haven't watched the first episode this may not be for you. However, if you've just started the show, we won't be spoiling anything you don't already know.** From changing the setting from China to the UK, and thereby the protagonist Wang Miao into a diverse group of friends led by a female Auggie, we talk about what we think about these changes and whether they will materially change the appeal of the show or not. We also discuss the sub-plots fans of the book are likely eager to see play out in the show, like the virtual reality video game, vs. ones that we don't think the show producers did justice (explaining science, anyone?) and therefore flew over the heads of viewers with no exposure to the book series. What do you think of the 3 Body Problem show? What level of exposure did you have to the book series prior to the show coming out? Let us know in the comments of our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

We've talked about the culture shocks & challenges we've faced being American-born kids visiting the motherland (in our case, Taiwan), but all of those experiences have only been in the context of short-term vacations. What's it like trying to do "real" things like applying for health insurance, opening a bank account, and other "grown up" things in the motherland? In this episode, Angela shares exactly what that was like when she navigated these activities recently. Let's just say it was a humbling experience! While she and many of you may be lucky enough to have parents and other older relatives around who can help you through these mundane adulting activities now, they won't be around forever to help you. That's why, especially if you're looking to have options in the face of an ever-changing global climate, investing in developing these societally-functioning skill sets now is not such a bad idea. How about you listeners? Have you ever had to navigate "adulting" activities back in the motherland? Any tips & tricks? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

What's it like to search for and buy a house in the US vs. in Japan? Jesse purchased a co-op apartment in New York City two years ago, and Angela bought a house in Kyoto last year. In this episode, we compare and contrast everything from the search process, to contracting/making an offer, to renovations, and everything in between. Would you rather buy a house in the US or in Japan now that you've heard what those two processes entail? Let us know in our Spotify poll or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Did you know that there was a presidential election in Taiwan this year? While election madness is just starting in the US, it's already finished in Taiwan. The results have significant impacts on how the current major parties in Taiwan will govern in the future. While the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate, Lai Ching-te, came out ahead in the presidential race, the party as a whole has lost significant influence in the legislature. Amidst that, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), a newcomer in the Taiwanese general election, gained a significant share of the popular vote for their candidate Ko Wen-je. With the waning popularity of both the established political parties [DPP and Kuomingtang (KMT)], does this new political faction have what it takes to address Taiwan's problems head-on, especially with its tie-breaking power in the Legislature? Does this centrist third party's meteoric rise hold hope for other nations like our own (the US) with dissatisfied voters looking for another way? We'd love to hear from you, especially if you're a listener tuning in from Taiwan. What do you think will happen based on the results of this election? Let us know your thoughts in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- *Podcasters' Note: Sorry for the slightly awkward ending! Angela's internet gave out in the last bit so had to make do with what he had :) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Do people around the world still believe that democratic institutions represent their best interests? Recent survey data reported by the Guardian shows that a portion of younger respondents favor more autocratic governments. A quick look around the world, and you can see more extreme political factions taking root in many nations. Does this instability come from democratic bodies that no longer represent their constituents? Does the general public now distrust democratic governments as the model for the future? These are the questions we dive into this week, as we take a look at whether or not democracy is still worth saving. Do you feel represented by your government? Do you believe that a democracy is still the best form of government? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Are polyamory and open relationships becoming popular in modern society?! ...or is the media just presenting it that way and enabling problematic people to co-opt the concept of polyamory to justify their bad behaviors (i.e., cheating, using people, etc.)? Inspired by a recent read of the New Yorker article entitled "How Did Polyamory Become So Popular?" by Jennifer Wilson, we discuss what we think about all of this. How about you, listeners? Have you noticed a rise in polyamorous relationships within your social circles, or seen people use polyamory as an excuse to act on selfish desires? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

It's the Year of the Dragon y'all and we're looking to tap into that energy of success, power, luck, and excellence as we wade through the new changes that 2024 has to bring. In this episode, we share our respective big new life updates - namely that Angela has decided that she'll be moving to Japan in 2 years, and Jesse is imminently moving in with his boyfriend! What's new for you listeners in 2024 that you want to tap into that dragon energy for? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

The end of the year means that we're at the start of a fresh new beginning! It can be so exciting to start the year fresh, but new life chapters can be daunting! Coming into the holidays, we've decided to reflect on how we've progressed this past year. There have been so many changes that have happened to us - change in locations, careers, and social life. And there are so many new things to come! We chat about how some of these changes can bring new (but exciting) concerns back into our lives. Finally, we wish all of our listeners a wonderful holiday and a happy new year. We're going on break with our hearts full of love from your support, and we'll see you with fresh new topics soon! And, if you'd like to share, we'd also love to hear some of the things you'll be tackling in the new year, or if you have a new mini-chapter of your life unfolding. Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

What do you get when you take a Hong Kong-born kid, move him to New Zealand for the next 13 years, and then have him cross over the ocean to the US as an adult? ... this episode's guest, Henry! You, our dear listeners, asked us to share more and different types of Asian diaspora stories beyond the US, and we listened! In this episode, we hear about Henry's story of identity and finding himself. How did Henry's experience growing up in New Zealand, learning a perfect "Kiwi" accent differ from his mom's experience of finding comfort in the fully immigrant neighborhoods she could blend more fully into? How connected to Hong Kong did Henry feel, having been born there, being able to speak Cantonese fluently, and visiting every year, while spending the majority of his formative years immersed in the western culture of New Zealand? And why is he so heated about Americanized Chinese food?! We compare how Chinese food is seen, referred to, and appreciated by your everyday Kiwi vs. your average American. What parts of Henry's experience resonates with you the most? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section, or in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

What made a white college kid from the midwest decide to move to the other side of the world to live in China?! In this episode, we're joined by Nick Anderson, an LA-based Mandarin teacher who spent his formative young adult years living in China and other Asia-Pacific countries learning and teaching Mandarin. We talk about what that experience was like, compounded with his experience coming out and living his best life as a gay man while abroad. Despite what many may think, Nick's experience being gay in China was overall quite positive - although, we discuss how that experience contrasts with local queer people who are more subjected to the local cultural norms, pressures, and regulations. After his many years abroad and his ongoing work helping individuals, businesses, moviemakers, and more understand the Chinese culture and language, Nick continues to have a strong passion for and connection to Mandarin and the various cultures that the language bridges. If you're interested in working with or connecting with Nick, check out his website, his Mandarin-based Discord community, and TikTok at the below links: Website: https://www.mandarinstudies.com CHINATOWN Discord community: https://discord.gg/RGXmJD9CvC TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@queermandarin --- Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @whereareyoufrompod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Have you ever wondered what parenting in 2023 looks like? Are more parents disciplinarians or have more parents found their way to gentle parent? Our topic in this episode, gentle parenting, is a newer approach to raising children. Instead of the more traditional authoritarian approach that we were raised by in our own childhoods, gentle parenting parents approach their children with more empathy and focus on letting the child express their emotions. Does it sound a little new-age to you? While we love the idea of gentle parenting in theory, we have our own reservations about it in practicality. We talk through how our parents' more traditional parenting styles, while troublesome in its own right, also gave us ammunition in challenging areas of life. We also chat about how our personalities would mesh with the idea of gentle parenting if we were to apply it to our own future children. Have you practiced gentle parenting before? What are some pros and cons to this approach? Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Finding new friends is challenging at any age, but it seems to get particularly more difficult as we get older. As we age out of experiences and environments that are more conducive to socialization (i.e., school), we naturally find less opportunities to make friends. Even in areas like the workplace, most people seem less open to making friends outside of certain environments. We also find that we are more conscious of the people we make friends with. We focus on finding connection over quantity, and we are inclined to not take a risk on a new friend if we don't think it's worth it. But that doesn't stop us from continuing to try and find new connections - whether at parties, cultural events, or just in our day-to-day lives. Where have you found success in finding new friends? Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Modern science has truly come a long way with regards to fertility and alternative ways to start families. However, even with these science-aided options like surrogacy and egg freezing/IVF, women are still forced to think about their options with regard to whether or not they want to have children when they are in their mid 20s to mid 30s. Since Angela is in this age range currently and has many friends who have either already had kids or have gone through science-aided options, this topic is very top of mind for her - hence, this episode! We discuss what we think about surrogacy and egg freezing, our personal and friends' experiences with these options, and also the unnecessary taboos and judgments people have around these alternatives and the ways that parents choose to go about their lives before and after a child's birth (i.e., going back to work vs. being a stay at home parent). Are you already a parent or thinking of having children in the near future? What has society tried to shame you for about this process? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in the comments of our social media so we can commiserate! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Even though we're pushing towards our mid-30s, finding a healthy sense of self and self-worth can still be challenging. Sense of self and self-worth can be tied to the different types of validation we look for in life. Some of that validation comes from external factors - career, relationships, and personal history. Other types of validation come from within - peace with yourself, satisfaction with your achievements, and self-compassion. We talk about how all of these things have affected our own sense of self and self-worth. We also take a look at how growing up in an Asian household may have affected self-affirming behaviors. And finally, we each share a strategy we employ to help build ourselves up. What's something that you do to help increase your self-worth? Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

It's time to get scary again! Since y'all loved our scary stories from Asia episode last year, we're coming back at you with new stories from the Eastern world! Grip the edge of your seat as Jesse recounts the haunting adventures of a Taiwan-based shaman. Will he successfully help out a distressed young man, or will he be caught up by the paranormal activity himself? Feel your breath catch in your lungs as Angela takes us on a horrifying taxi cab journey based in Korea. Is the mysterious passenger the driver picks up what they seem to be, or is there something sinister lurking beneath? If you've ever had any interesting paranormal encounters (or have heard from someone else), write us in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Have fun and stay safe this Halloween y'all! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom ___ Credit: Jesse's story (Reddit user: palpatine88888), Angela's story (Reddit story: "My First Day As A Taxi Driver in Korea") --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Harry Au is a therapist specializing in working with Asians in the diaspora, often 1.5 and 2nd generation Asians who are either immigrants themselves, or children of immigrants. In this episode, we discuss how Harry was motivated to dedicate his life to this work after seeing the benefits of working out his emotions in therapy for himself, and the common issues he sees with his clients. Largely having to do with his clients' relationships with their parents, they are often challenged with everything from identifying what emotions they're even feeling in a given moment, to setting boundaries, and developing strategies to change their relationship dynamics. We're huge advocates of getting more in-tune with your inner world, whether that be with a professional like Harry or not, so we encourage all of you to check in with yourselves about how you're feeling, what dynamics in your life you want to change for the better, and to seek out help if you need it. Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section what you resonated with the most from this episode! You can find Harry at www.harryautherapy.com and access some free resources he provides there as well. Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

How do you define "meaning" or "value" in life? In the US we often put work above all else, thinking that career success and status is supposed to give you some sort of meaning in life, or that work is supposed to be your ~passion~. But is that really the case? Now that we're in our 30s with enough work and life experience under our belts, we're starting to re-evaluate that assumption. We reflect on our our individual experiences riding the wave of figuring out what meaning we do or don't derive from work, where else in our personal lives we're looking to for that sense of meaning, and we also compare what we've observed non-American societies value beyond work (hint: enjoying life for what it is). What about you listeners? Have you figured out what it is that gives you meaning in life, or are you still figuring that out? Let us know in our Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

There are so many things about getting older that suck. But does getting older always mean settling down? Is there even a universal meaning to the phrase, "settling down?" Aging means thinking about what the future stages of our lives will look like. Some types of adventures decrease as we get older, to be replaced by other life experiences. In this episode, we talk about how our individual definitions of settling down, and how our different life experiences guide the challenges we want to tackle next. Settling down also comes with material expectations - higher income, a house, and maybe even a family! We chat through the differences between expectation vs reality on each of these as well. And finally, we come to you, listeners - do you see settling down more of a book closing or as a new chapter opening? Why do you think that way? Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Many children of immigrants grew up learning their parents' language as their first tongue. Our first language was Mandarin, but like many other immigrant children, this was quickly supplanted by English. Despite attending Chinese School every week from the ages of 5 to 18, our current level of vocabulary and reading/writing skills are sadly on par with 5th graders in Taiwan, at best. As we've gotten older, we've both developed a desire to revisit our mother language as part of better understanding our cultural heritage as a whole. Not only do we need it to better navigate our mother country, but we also need it to communicate effectively with our parents and extended family. In Angela's case, in this past year after feeling less than sufficient with her vocabulary on a recent visit to Taiwan, she's even gone as far as to start taking conversational language classes to improve her Mandarin and fill in the gaps on everyday vocabulary she needs to sound, well... more like someone her own age! And of course - this is also a matter of pride! Mandarin is our mother tongue after all, so we want to be proud of having a level of proficiency worthy of that title. Being able to show off our skills and eavesdrop on conversations doesn't hurt either ;) Listeners - what are your experiences with your mother tongue? Are you highly proficient or also picking up the pace later in life? Write-in in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Clarissa Wei is a Taiwan-based food journalist and author of the new cookbook "Made in Taiwan," out now. Clarissa was inspired to use this cookbook as a vehicle to tell the stories of the people of Taiwan, and to shine a light on how the history of Taiwan -- from its various waves of immigration pre- and post-1949 to its all-time-high modern political tensions with China -- has affected its people, its culture, and of course its cuisine. Clarissa collaborated with a diverse group of local Taiwanese recipe developers, researchers, and creatives to write "Made in Taiwan," and made a conscious effort to represent the wide spectrum of Taiwanese foods, not just beef noodle soup and night market snacks. From all regions of the island nation, dishes that came about before and after the massive wave of American aid (hello, American flour!), to aboriginal cuisine and Hakka specialties, the book covers the entire gamut. This is probably the most educational cookbook either of your podcast hosts has ever read, and is surely an interesting read for anyone; however, for the diaspora looking to connect deeper with your roots and learn about modern Taiwan, this book is indeed a must-read. Please do yourself a favor and go out to your local bookstore (or of course online) and get yourself a copy of "Made in Taiwan" now! You can also keep up with everything Clarissa is up to on Instagram and Twitter at @dearclarissa What Taiwanese dish are you most looking forward to learning about from "Made in Taiwan"? Let us know in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

There's a whole industry built around finding shortcuts in experiencing happiness, but do things in life actually make us happy or is it how we experience them that creates happiness? To complicate the subject further, happiness is a different experience for different people. Even in experiences we choose to repeat, we may find that our experience of happiness differs from one day to the next. We sit in the middle of all of this, trying to absorb the capitalistic trappings of happiness while maintaining our inner sense of joy. Finding the right balance - a blend of the different kinds of material and perceptual happiness - can be both rewarding and challenging. And now we turn it to you, listeners - what's your definition of happiness? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Jesse recently went back to Taiwan for the first time since before the pandemic. Although for less than ideal reasons (the death of his grandfather), he was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with his extended family back in the motherland. We also hear about Jesse's shenanigans going out solo to experience LGBT nightlife in Taipei by himself, and what it was like finally being out to the majority of his family members. Across all of these experiences, we talk about the legendary friendliness of Taiwanese people, how much Jesse felt he "belonged" despite being an American-born kid with imperfect Mandarin, and also the refreshing ease of being of the majority population (as opposed to our experience as minorities in the US). How about you listeners? What was your most memorable trip back to the motherland and what about it stood out to you? Let us know in the Spotify Q&A section or in our comments on social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

After living abroad in Japan and Korea the last year, Angela's recent reverse culture shock coming back to the US has your co-hosts wondering why there's such a drastic difference in the quality of life between the US and many (East) Asian countries. In this episode, we talk about just how different our respective experiences were abroad with regard to the cost of living (food, clothes, going out, real estate), general feelings of safety in society, societal norms & expectations, and more. In considering the totality of all these factors, at least for Angela she feels pretty confidently that she'll probably retire outside of the US. What about you? Have you ever considered living or retiring in a different country? If so, which one and why? Let us know in the comments on our social media! Follow us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod and on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

This 4th of July, we're pondering our Americanness from a different angle. As Taiwanese-Americans - in our case, born and raised in the U.S., with parents and extended family who were born and raised in Taiwan - to what extent should we be emphasizing the "Taiwanese" part of who we are? Inspired by frequent comments we receive on social media from both non-Asian Americans as well as Asians in Asia, we're often told to stop talking about being Asian when we are "simply" American. But to what extent can we even exist as "just" American in a world where what we look like is constantly thrown in our faces in the U.S. as a way to question that Americanness? And to what extent should we discard the heritage of our family, given that we were raised on that culture and still have plenty of family back in the motherland? Does America really embrace the supposed melting pot ideal that it was founded on, or is being American these days about erasing what makes us different to become something more monolithic? This 4th of July, we invite you to also ponder over what it really means to be American for you, and how much of the culture your family comes from breathes life into that definition. Let us know what you think about all of this in the comments on our social media! Follow us on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom and on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Kristen Meinzer is a force to be reckoned with. She is an award-winning podcaster with millions of downloads, a culture critic who frequently appears on TV (especially to talk about the royal family!), and an author whose book "How to Be Fine" was an Audible #1 Bestseller in 2021. Aside from her incredible career, Kristen is also a Korean adoptee. Born in Korea but raised in Minnesota, she grew up disconnected from the country and culture she was born into while raised in a mostly white family and environment. Kristen helps us understand the connection between the end of the Korean War and the over 200,000 Korean adoptees in the US, and why not all of these adoptees are eager to take up the Korean government's offer of dual citizenship. From her reverse culture shock going to Korean culture camp as a kid, to constantly confusing people with her Minnesotan accent, to whether she feels the call to reconnect with Korea and her biological family, we talk about it all. While no two adoptee experiences are exactly alike, we are so grateful to Kristen for sharing her story and hope that her perspective can help inspire other adoptees struggling with reconciling their identities, as well as non-adoptees to learn more about what this experience is like. Do you have a question for Kristen, or are you an adoptee yourself? Let us know in the comments on our social media! Follow us on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom and on Instagram at @wherareyoufrompod Kristen co-hosts the podcast "How to Be Fine" with Jolenta Greenberg, where they discuss and critique all kinds of wellness fads and give advice on how you can get closer to being fine. You can find "How to Be Fine" wherever you listen to podcasts. You can follow her on Twitter at @kristenmeinzer --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

We've talked about how and why our relationship with our parents is complicated. But as our parents get older, what level of emotional, financial, and logistical support do we owe them in the time they have left? While the topic of eldercare has always been sensitive, being the child of immigrants brings specific challenges into the equation. Despite having lived in the US for most of their adult lives, our parents continue to struggle with navigating a somewhat still-foreign society, while longing for the familiarity of their motherland societies. Despite not being fully integrated in the US, the fact of the matter is that they've built their lives here. Their immediate family - children and grandchildren - are here to stay. How does this push-pull between two countries and cultures come into play in making big decisions like end-of-life planning and where to be laid to rest? So where do we go from here? And how do we support our parents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments on our social media. Follow us on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom and on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support