Finding Family

Join me for this last episode this season on MUSIC.  I was so excited to walk you through my own experiences of music and family that I went fully unscripted for this (although I had a short list of talking points).  Music is part of my every day and my connection to it runs super deep. Take a listen and let me know what you think!

How do promises show up in your life?  What did a promise mean to you growing up?  Did your parents promise things to you or make you promise something?  If your parents or family members are no longer here, can you still make promises to them?  What promises have you made to a spouse, partner, or other important person?I didn't think I had a lot to say about promises but something in me, after listening to the previous episodes, made me land on promises as an important part of people's family stories.  Take a list and LMK what you think.Music credit: Teat Time - Ofshane

I know it's a big strange to say but hair played a big part of my family memories.  How we talked about it, how we styled it, what other peoples' hair looked like... join me as I explore the many facets of hair and family.  And share yours with me!

How did you get around in your family - blood or chosen?  What did you experience in a car, train, bus, plane, or something else?  How did these family memories impact you and what do those experiences mean?  This week, I reflect on transportation which wasn't something I gave a lot of attention to until I heard stories of others and how they got around.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.

In this episode, I share some experiences with family through the lens of family.  Growing up, money - whether we talked about it or not - always has a presence.  It was something that made or broke dreams, caused a flair of emotions, and even drove up into our driveway unexpectedly.  Whether we had it or not, money's presence was there.  How about you?  How did money show up in your family experience?  How does it show up now?  

We're back for season three but we're trying something different.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.

It's been about a year or so since I recorded this session with Terry, my friend Shaun's father.  His wife, Lesley, reached out to see if I'd record a session with Terry about his life.  While I'd met Terry multiple times through the years, this was the first time I sat down with him at any length to get to know him better and learn more about his life in South Africa and in the U.S.  For some interviewees, all it takes is a few questions and they're an open book.  This was the case with Terry.  In fact, I hardly asked him any questions at all.  He shared that he was an open book and nothing could be further from the truth.  Terry shared openly and with a lot of care for his family story.  Terry later passed away in July of 2022, just a few months after this recording.  Since then, it's been my honor to hold this story and to share it with you today, with Terry's blessing.  Take a listen.

Paul is my oldest friend.  We met when we were three years old when we lived in the same neighborhood in Cedar Grove.  We've always been in each other's lives, through the ups and downs of coming out, losing our parents, and everything else life threw at us.  I've never known my life without this person and in so many ways, he's a brother to me.  Take a listen.

This week's episode is with Kelvin who I met more recently but now have a great friendship.  Kelvin was the prior Convention chair for ACPA the year before I held that role and gave me a lot of great advice, support, and real talk about the role.  He hasn't stopped.  In this conversation, I learn more about his life growing up and we explore our mutual love of K-Pop.  

This week's episode features Dr. Daisy Pitel, someone that I've gotten to know through ACPA, College Student Educators International.  She's been a role model leader for me in the Asian Pacific American community there but this is our first true conversation to get to know each other.  In this podcast entry, you'll hear more about her life as a Filipina/Pinay woman, her educational journey, and her life as a mom of one the cutest kids I've ever seen.  Take a listen.

This week's episode features Dr. Sang Chi, one of my college friends who saw me through a really interesting time in my life.  He's one of those friends that I don't talk to regularly but we can always pick up from the last time we spoke, which I think you'll see in this conversation.  He talks about his life growing up in a Korean American household in Philly, going to Penn State, and his life now as a working dad of two kids.  

This week's episode is with Dr. Rosie Perez, an amazing professor, teacher, wife, mom, and so much more.  Our conversation covers her early life, education, and her journey into student affairs.  Take a listen!Music by Yung Garaje GuapoEditing by We Edit Podcasts

WE ARE FINALLY BACK!  After some major procrastination and the realization that I needed some help with editing the episodes... Finding Family is back.  I'm calling this Season 2 Part 2.  We return with a conversation with Patrick, a former co-worker/friend from Seattle University.  Patrick shares his story of his family and upbringing, the complexities of being Catholic in a modern world (with a brother who is a Catholic priest), how the loss of a parent shows up today, and building a beautiful family with his wife and two kids.  This "fun dad" is a fun, creative, and intelligent guy and I hope you enjoy our conversation!  Music by Yung Garaje GuapoEdits by We Edit Podcasts

What a privilege it was to interview Goddexx.  In this episode we visit their complex family history and the many facets of chosen family.  I met Goddexx during their graduate school years on campus and have been honored to watch their transformation through the years.  To learn about Goddexx's coaching and other services, please check out their website:https://iamgoddexx.com/ and https://bit.ly/GoddexxFSCMusic by Yung Garaje Guapo

In this week's episode, I check in with my colleague and friend, Vernon.  He shares his story about growing up in the south, the child of educators, and the ongoing impacts they have on his life.  We also get to touch base about our chosen families including the moment that he and I became intentional friends.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  

I've been so incredibly lucky to marry into a family who accepted me so openly from the beginning.  We live far from the rest of Ryan's family so most of our interactions are through phone calls, social media, and text messaging.  So I was really excited to spend some time with Jason, my brother-in-law, and learn more about how he thinks about family.  We had a really sweet conversation and I cherished the time together.  And I think it brought me closer to him because of it.  Listen in on our conversation.  You may notice the similarities and differences between his family experience and Ryan's.  Connect with Jason @isojasonhamachek on Instagram.Music by Yung Garaje Guapo

Jen, as many know her "Jen Cruz," and I met during her time as a student at Seattle University.  She was always outstanding and we bonded pretty quickly.  Jen would often call Ryan and I her gay dads.  While we've spent a lot of time together, I appreciated learning more about her time in her hometown of Wapato, WA, her multicultural upbringing, how she developed her sense of family and community, and all of the ways her background shows up today as a PhD candidate at Harvard University.  She's one of the most down-to-earth, fierce, and community-minded people I know.  We get pretty deep AND giddy in these conversations.  And there may be a special guest who joins us just to say hello. Take a listen!If you want to connect to Jen on Instagram, you can find her @jennifer_laurennn. Music by Yung Garaje Guapo

This season I wanted to start branching out to folks I don't know and Mylene was my first interview of someone I truly did not know.  We chatted about the podcast and about her interest once before meeting up again to record this session.  So much of her story resonated with me and I was in awe to be interviewing someone who is so accomplished as a business woman.  Take a listen and hopefully some of her story resonates with you as well.Mylene offers coaching sessions through her Leadership Ladder business and she discusses how she decided to create the business in this episode.  To learn more about Leadership Ladder and to contact Mylene directly, check out the Leadership Ladder website. I also wanted to give a quick shout out to Desi Caswell at Fathom Branding & Business Strategy for the connection and support!Music by Yung Garaje Guapo

Welcome to season 2 of Finding Family.  We're starting this season off with an avid listener and a friend, Kevin, who was student when we first met.  Through the years we've kept in touch and I've had some of the most amazing conversations with him, including this one.  He shares some pretty sensitive experiences with his family so I thank him for being candid and honest.  What an amazing story to start off this season!  Take a listen.You can find Kevin on IG by following him @waiakeabangah_808Music by Yung Garaje Guapo

My final episode of season 1 featuring... me.  A lot of you asked to hear more of my story and while it was woven into the other episodes, I thought I'd share more about me, growing up with my family, and be a little more vulnerable with you.  It made a lot of sense to end this first season (I still cannot believe I'm saying this) with my stories and reflections from this season and start to create season 2 of the podcast.  What a dream come true.  I have so much gratitude in my heart for all of you who listened in this season.  Whether it was one episode or all of them (#completionists), thank you.  

This week, you get to hear a conversation with Ryan, my husband of over ten years.  In his session, which takes place in a cabin in the woods (no joke), we talk about his life before we met, his family dynamic, and his reflections on his white identity through it all.  Unlike the other podcasts, I found myself filling in some of the gaps because, after all, I was there.  So, this episode felt a little different and still, I learned a lot.  Take a listen.   About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. 

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. In college, I was lucky to find my family in a group of mostly Asian American friends.  In Tagalog (Filipino) this was my barkada.  No matter how much time passes, I know they are there for me, no matter what.  So while we're often separated by 3000 or so miles (many of my college friends are on the east coast and I am on the west coast), I was so happy to reconnect with one of my friends, Cindy.  Fiercely loyal and an incredible leader, Cindy continues to be an amazing spirit and an incredible mom.  Listen in as we discuss her family life growing up and now as the mother of 3 children.  

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. This week's episode is with my friend, sometimes co-worker, sometimes perceived wife, Sara.  We met doing some volunteer work with a national organization many years ago and have grown as friends since.  Her family story takes us around the world and then some, with many ups and downs.  Take a listen.  

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. So Insil and I worked together at a small private college in Oregon for a few years (where she also an alumna) and immediately clicked.  She's incredibly smart and has a fascinating family background growing up equally Korean and American.  She and I connect on many interests which includes our love for Mariah (even took a trip to Las Vegas to see Mariah's Christmas concert and I'm happy to say I purchased her copy of Mariah's autobiography).  Take a listen!

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. Deanne is a close friend (and soon to be co-worker again) who is always ready to indulge my Chinese side.  Known as "Auntie D" in our house, she's a warm and giving person who always makes room for connection and comfort.  If you listen closely to our conversation, you may even hear one of her two mini dachshunds moving around in the background.  Take a listen.  

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. Jenn is Paolo's life partner (listen to Paolo's interview in Episode 5).  Together, they're my first couple!  Jenn is one of those friends who you can always count on through thick and thin.  We're so glad to call her part of our local family.  In this episode, you'll hear us discuss everything from her background, to Paolo and Jenn's wedding, to her experience having and raising Ari.  

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. Meet Paolo, a former student and now friend.  He's a creative and fun-loving guy with a deep story about family.  Growing up, Paolo was the only child of a Filipina mom and a white dad and he talks about the many nuances of that experience.  Since then, he married Jenn (our next episode) and had a kiddo, Ari.  Now that our kids are growing up together, he's definitely part of our smaller Seattle family which is why it was so easy to chat.  Since recording this episode, Paolo opened his own restaurant The Chicken Supply.  Go there for some of the best Filipino fried chicken ever!

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. Chelle, or Sheila as I knew her, is one of my closest confidants from college.  Even though we only went to school together for two academic years, she's been a close friend for 20+ years.  She's one of the people in my life where I can pick up a conversation at any time with her.  Whether it's her experience immigrating to the States, almost immigrating back to the Philippines, or her family life now, Chelle is a warm and funny friend who's been there for me through it all.  Books mentioned in this episode:Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo GilmoreHaluhalo Espesyal by Yvette Fernandez, Jill Arwen Posadas (Illustrator)Balikbayan Box: Journey to the Philippines by Jocelyn Francisco (read by the author)

About: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. Part two of my conversation with my sister where we go into her life as a mom, her continued reflections on growing up in our household, and how she's continuing to build family around her.  

About FF:  Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color. What better way to start my exploration of family than with my sister, Jen?  She's been my closest confidant but also sometimes my biggest enemy (aka our teenage years).  But through it all, we have a bond that is undeniable and I think you'll hear more of that in this episode.  We obviously had a lot to chat about so I split my conversation with Jen into two episodes.  Stay tuned for more coming soon.  

About this podcast: Finding Family is a podcast dedicated to exploring the concept of family, its ups and downs, benefits and challenges, and how people navigate the influence of family as people of color.This first episode are my reflections of my experiences with family, the ups and downs.  Since losing both of my parents, I've been searching for what family now means to me.  Now a parent myself, I have a lot more experiences but also a lot of unanswered questions.  Over this upcoming season, hear how I explore the concept of family with my close friends from throughout my life.