Unchecked

It's been way too long everyone! Em & Rosa catch up on what's new since our hiatus, and our intentions for 2024.

In today's episode, we discuss what it's like to travel solo, how our experiences have nourished our personal growth, and what it means to take a trip alone as a female. We also share tips on how we budget our travel expenses, share our favorite travel anecdotes, and end with gratitude for all the memories we've created.

Today's episode focuses on how we've gained social and physical self-awareness throughout the years. Rosa talks about navigating social situations with Asperger's and how she might have unintentionally burned bridges along the way. Em reflects on mindful communication and when is the appropriate time to give advice versus leaning in and being an active listener. We also talk about navigating personal relationships and the downside of overthinking.

Happy 2023 folks! We start off the first episode of the year with some one-word resolutions, new year traditions, and our future plans.

Rosa and Em reflect on what it's like to be part of large community events such as the World Cup, huge concerts of 10K+ spectators, opera house performances, among others. We talk about our favorite experiences, the people we've met, what it's like to live in the moment, and what we look forward to for next year. Moral of the story: Find a tall partner in your life to be your goal post (you'll get it when you listen in☺).

We're back (again)! After a pretty long hiatus, we're sharing with you all what we've been up to these past few months - new job changes, dog mom life, epiphanies, marathon training, inner-child healing, and so much more. We also talk about what it's like to settle into our early 30s (eep!). Tune in and catch up with us!

As Em is about turn a new decade (!!), her and Rosa reflect on the concept of aging and how that affects desirability, job attainment, and societal expectations. We talk about motherhood, fear of “appearing old” to others, and marriage as an institution. This episode was recorded back in Spring 2022. Please note that we are addressing these pressures as cisgender women.

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." How would this sound in any other language? In this episode, Em & Rosa talk about language elitism and language hallucinations. How does an accent change the way people perceive you? Why can people even project an accent on you just because of how you look? We discuss our own journeys with our various languages and how it was not always a source of pride. We also try to find ways to figure out how to teach Cantonese to Em's future children. Tune in to hear our perspectives in this episode dedicated to elitism and language!

“It's always good to live in the present. Don't worry about the future because it's coming anyway. If you worry about the future, you are going to live your future twice.” Em & Rosa talk about navigating life changes, perfectionism as it ties to anxiety, goals, and the idea of the “curated lifestyle.”

On this episode we talk about our fashion hits and misses. Rosa and Em analyze how our fashion sense has evolved and become more conscious over the years. Rosa talks about the Miami fashion scene and how the Euphoria girls are not given anything that wasn't already seen in Pembroke Pines. Em speaks about how her style has change from basic AF comfy in Boston to still-basic polished in NYC. We also end on some fashion tips to what we think works best for us. Grab a drink of your choice and tune in to our fashion vault!

We are starting off the new year with an exciting guest episode! We invite Judy, a forensic biologist located in NYC, to talk about her world of crime analysis and investigation. She covers what it's like working in a crime lab, analyzing case evidence, bringing justice for victims, how to cope with case results, working across different teams, and tackling cold cases. We also discuss innovations in DNA tech (spoiler: they can and they will find you) and why it's so important in this day and age to stay vigilant of your surroundings. If you are interested in hearing how true crime is in real life versus on television, tune in to this episode! **Please note the episode has the following trigger warnings: abuse, violence against women and children, murder, death, sexual assault**

It's our last episode of the year - where has all the time gone?? Listen to our year in review - we look at how we've progressed in our relationships, career, and physical/mental health in 2021. We've had so many life changing experiences that we are so proud of (running marathons and unlearning years of self-criticism, as examples) even amidst this panorama. We also look at lessons learned and what we're most grateful of this year. Then we look ahead to 2022 and talk through what we are most excited about (being bi-continental and not giving a sh*t about what people think). If you're in a reflective mood, listen in! Cheers to hoping that 2022 does not become 2020-too.

Do you live to work, or work to live? Today's episode tackles how we experience work culture in France vs. the United States, the trap of the hedonic treadmill, and our constant pursuit of the “next best thing.” We then dig deeper on what it means to be truly happy, and how we are trying to figure out ways to prioritize our work, family, and personal relationships.

In this episode, we explore our society's obsession with youth and beauty and how this affects us in our daily lives. Rosa and Em share stories about growing up looking at scales, and the ways our friends and family can take part of creating insecurities. We also tackle the dangers of body positivity, body neutrality, and why the beauty industry continues to be so lucrative. Lastly, we look at what it means to be fat-phobic and how it dehumanizes individuals. There is a lot to unpack, so let us know your thoughts as you listen to this!

Our latest episode covers first impressions, different types of friends and social circles, toxic friendships, crossing boundaries, and what it means for friends to be your chosen family.

We're back!! Welcome to Season 2 of the Unchecked podcast. Reality TV might show how glamorous living in NYC and Paris is, but no one tells you how hard it is to find the right apartment. You can spend hours on Zillow dreaming away - but when reality hits, things like budget, metro, and roaches (ugh) are one of the many things you'll need to think about. In this episode, we break down our experiences finding a new place - from pesky realtors to false advertising - and everything in between. We'll end with having found our piece of heaven in these bustling cities. [Note: We recorded this episode earlier in the summer.]

Rosa and Em sit down to talk about self-love in the midst of social injustice and the pandemic, how we've dealt with immigrant guilt from our parents, and helpful steps to protect our personal boundaries at work and in relationships. In a society that capitalizes on "self-care," just know that self-love is FREE and something you can start working on today. It means stepping into each day with kindness and compassion for YOURSELF and yourself only - free of judgment, hatred, and self-doubt. Everyone is on their own journey, but we hope this conversation can inspire you to kick-start yours.

Today's episode is about the importance of conflict resolution! We speak about gaslighting, passive aggressiveness, attention seekers, and pet peeves. Most importantly, we review the ways we have improved and how we try to go high instead of low.

Wedding season is around the corner! In this episode, we give you the 5 golden tips on how to be a good guest, what type of wedding guests we would be, and our ideal weddings. We discuss the pressure many of us in our late 20s feel to get married, have kids, and comply to what society expects of us at a certain age. We discuss the pressure many of us in our late 20s feel to get married, have kids, and comply to what society expects of us at a certain age. We also sprinkle in some fun stories from our past wedding experiences. Tune in to find out how Emily ended up being a wedding crasher and how Rosa learned to limit her drink consumption with an open bar!

Emily reflects on her anger to the recent Atlanta shootings and the uptick of anti-Asian hate incidents and crimes. We take a deep look into the racist policies that have dehumanized the Asian diaspora, the fetishization of Asian females in media, and the issues with policing and Asian-Black tensions. We end with resources and strategies you can utilize NOW to engage and support our community. Please take care of yourselves - we all process differently. But after processing, it's important to take ACTION in your local communities to protect our elderly, our families, and our friends. We are not insignificant, and we are not a statistic.

Join us as we talk to (okay, maybe interrogate) one of our guy friends Jason about his dating experiences in NYC and Hong Kong, the grey zone of defining relationships, commitment, love languages, dating red (and orange) flags, and what it means to go long-distance.

Remember the days when you got out of school, went home, and booted up your computer to talk to SmarterChild on AOL and play Neopets? Or watch reruns of Hey Arnold, Boy Meets World, and Cyberchase (PBS fam, what’s up)? Or attend Scholastic Book Fairs and peel scratch-and-sniff stickers? What a time to be alive. We reminisce about our childhood and what we want to bring back!

In time for post V-Day, we bare it all with our spiciest answers including, but not limited to, love for yaoi manga, back-up underwear, embarrassing fantasies, strip clubs, and much much more. Enjoy

"I have to know everything, I will work harder than before, I don't need anyone's help..." Raise your hand if you've ever felt or said any of these phrases. ✋ We are so excited to share this with our listeners, as you all hear raw, behind-the-scenes stories of how we've felt and tackled with imposter syndrome at work as a person of color in predominantly male-identifying spaces & within our daily lives as women. Feel free to leave us a note if any of these stories resonated with you!

Let’s get the $$$ folks! We talk about our budgeting and investing strategies, common cultural and family perceptions on handling money, and our 2021 financial goals. We know money is a hard conversation to talk about for some people, so we hope sharing our perspective can spark some inspiration to take control of your finances & BUILD THAT GENERATIONAL WEALTH. Note that everything we talk about is for educational purposes only. Please do your own research on the 4% withdrawal rule (X 25 rule) based on your FIRE number - that percentage can change for those pursuing different retirement ages (More here: https://bit.ly/2Yf1nzu). Resources: Investopedia | The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing | The Little Book of Common Sense Investing | Content Creators - Our Rich Journey, Two Cents, DelyanneTheMoneyCoach

We talk about some of our fave finds to update your 2021 reading list! Tune in to also listen to some reading tips to get inspired.

And this is our last episode of 2020! We sit down and reflect on how we've felt this year has went, our "plans" for 2021, and our individual self-reflection & growth through the years. How has your 2020 been? Let's give ourselves a pat on the back (and some self-love) for persisting through this rough year. Here's to hoping next year will be ever better.

On this very special day - the Winter Solstice and Great Conjunction - we bring to you the last part of our 36 Questions. Series 3 is about us finding common ground, what we look for in our partners, and how we set boundaries. Send us a message on Instagram (instagram.com/uncheckedpodcast) or drop us an email (@ uncheckedpodcast@gmail.com) if you'd like to share what spicy questions you have asked your partner or loved one!

In this episode, we continued through the 36 question series (created by psychologist Arthur Aron) in an effort to learn more about each other. Series 2 covers the middle set of 11 questions - where we share our dreams and goals for the future, what we seek for in friendship and in a romantic relationships, as well as speaking about our family dynamics. We are going in on this episode so join us with the beverage of your choice! Series III coming in a future episode. ❤️

Don't look behind you. Get ready for an episode full of the supernatural. We share our most personal ghost stories, from your not-so-friendly spirit from jail that haunted Rosa's childhood home, to phantoms in Lima luring you to your deaths, to murder in the middle of the night of a Hong Kong hotel room. Take a listen, but only if you dare. Sweet dreams, everyone.

Feeling the after-effects of this weekend and need to find time to de-stress and relax? We got you. Check out our latest episode to fill in your drama, docuseries, and reality show binge list. We have recs that run the range - from true crime to Hong Kong soap operas to K-dramas to American animated shows.

Rosa and Emily decide to go through the ultra-famous 36 questions to fall in love (created by psychologist Arthur Aron) to learn more about one another. Series I covers the first set of 11 questions, ranging from who we most admire to hunches about our deaths to what we're most grateful for in our lives. Here's the quiz if you are interested in trying it out with a friend, partner, whomever! https://nyti.ms/30Nhkim Series II and III will come in future episodes!

In today's political and social climate, it's easy to get heated up and feel frustrated - especially when you are talking to someone who's values and beliefs don't align with you. In today's episode, we'll talk about tips to engage in thoughtful dialogue - whether in person or via social media - and strategies to consider when approaching a conflicting opinion. We'll also share some stories on how we've navigated (successfully or not) these conversations. These discussions can often be messy, confusing, and emotions-driven, and there ultimately will never be one "perfect" way to approach them. But keeping an open mind (when and where possible) is helpful in maintaining healthy public dialogue - where we seek to understand one another as human beings.

It has been six months since the COVID-19 pandemic. This week's episode touches upon how COVID-19 has upended our lives, and the adjustments we've had to make with work, home, and family during this time. PSA - GO VOTE. Your voice is critical more than ever. You can check your registration status and/or request your absentee ballot ✉️ through Vote.org.

Light it up like dynamite!

Breakups happen. Whether it’s with a significant other, a long-time friend, or any other person in your life that you realize was not a right fit for you. In this episode we’ll talk about our hardest breakups, when we knew it was the right time to sever those connections, and what we look for in any platonic or romantic relationship. We will also explore how relationships tie back to our own ideas of self-worth and the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

In this episode, we are going to share our personal mental health journeys. We'll discuss how we approached mental health growing up with immigrant parents, how we’ve learned to take care of ourselves as adults, and what resources we’ve tapped into to support us emotionally. We end with some thoughts on why us, as millennials, have become the most anxious generation. We hope this episode can give some inspiration for you all to talk openly about your own mental health journeys with friends, loved ones, or with a professional. Please note there is a trigger warning for this episode concerning anxiety, developmental disorders, and self-harm.

Is there such a thing as good or bad media? In today’s episode, we will discuss the media's influence on our daily lives, how it has affected our outlook on life and politics, and take a critical eye on how we might get stuck in media echo chambers (and ways to counteract that). We’ll end the episode with some funny and semi-embarrassing content that we also indulge in. Check your own habits and tell us what platforms you spend the most time on!

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Today’s episode will be focused on the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as what we can do to stand in solidarity with the Black and Brown community. Although the media has shifted focus away from the movement, the fight is far from over. We acknowledge that this podcast has been long overdue, but we also know that silence is compliance and we want to engage in and continue this conversation with our listeners. We will first talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and walk through the history of systemic racism in the U.S. From there, we will provide the shared history between the Asian and Black Community and the Latinx and Black Community, along with our personal anti-racist journeys.

There’s the work hustle, and then there’s the hobby hustle. What’s yours? We’ve invited a fellow avid runner Tom Lau (@chinnychinruns) to talk about our favorite pastimes, how we got into them, and building community over shared interests.

What’s your star sign? For all you astrology lovers out there like Rosa (and those of you who might be a tad bit skeptical like Emily), tune into this episode where we give you a 101 about this celestial pseudoscience, what it means to us, and ways in which we use astrology to guide our lives. So light up some sage, bring out those candles, and let's dive into your birth charts!

In this episode we talk about what family and expectations look like as daughters of immigrants. We look at how family has shaped us growing up, how it affects us now, how it has influenced our core values as individuals, as well as its impact on our career paths and decisions. We will wrap up the conversation by sharing a few memorable stories!

We are starting off our first episode answering the age old question of the decade - Why does dating suck? We'll talk about our personal dating experiences, thoughts on dating culture between France and the U.S., as well as our perspective on modern day courtship.

Hey there! Tune in to our intro episode to get to know us a little better, find out what "unchecked" means to us, and a sneak peek of what's to come. Grab your drink of choice and join us at the Unchecked table.