Episode 04 : Four Things I Will Tell My 20-Year-Old Self

Episode 05: When Your Dreams Follow You

In this new episode of Between Two Worlds, Floby reflects on the persistent nature of our dreams and the delicate balance between answering our calling and navigating the practical demands of survival, especially for immigrants, mothers, and providers. Today, we discuss: * The Survival Season: Why our passions often become secondary when life’s practical responsibilities get loud. There is no shame in pausing a dream to survive, pay the bills, and provide for your family. * Paths as Bridges, Not Destinations: The realization that not every career or choice is meant to be your final destination. Sometimes, pragmatic detours, like Floby’s journey through nursing school or corporate jobs, are essential bridges that teach us language, adaptation, and resilience. * The Discipline of Dreams: Breaking the romanticized illusion of success. Dreams are not sustained by motivation alone; they are sustained by discipline, courage, and treating time management as a profound act of love. * The Repetition of Purpose: Understanding that a true calling doesn’t always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it arrives through faithful repetition and quietly returning to the things that make your soul expand rather than shrink. * Keeping the Flame Alive: Why dedicating just one day or even one hour, a week to your true purpose matters, and why small beginnings hold immense power. Resource Mentioned: * Dead Poets Society (Movie): Floby references the film’s powerful philosophy to remind us that while practical professions like medicine, law, and engineering are noble and necessary to sustain life, art, storytelling, poetry, and love are the reasons we stay alive. Where to watch it. [https://flixboss.com/movie/dead-poets-society-426589] Key Quote:“Dreams are not sustained by inspiration alone. They are sustained by discipline... Time management becomes an act of love, not perfection.” Challenge for the week:Take a moment to audit the paths you are currently walking. Ask yourself: Which parts of my life are just bridges, and what is my true destination? This week, carve out just one hour to protect and nurture your small flame. Do something purely for your creativity or passion, even if no one is watching. Stop asking what is purely practical, and start asking what is meaningful. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe [https://beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Episode 04 : Four Things I Will Tell My 20-Year-Old Self

In this new episode, Floby reflects on her journey from the vantage point of 40. Looking back at the version of herself that felt she had to have everything figured out while carrying the weight of financial stress, paused dreams, and first heartbreaks, she shares four vital lessons on resilience, grace, and the beauty of a non-linear path. Today, we discuss: * Confidence in the Unknown: Why confidence isn’t a reward you receive after you succeed, but a tool you build by showing up while you are still shaking and unsure. * Selective Connection: Unlearning the idea that loyalty means staying when it hurts. Floby discusses choosing people who bring peace rather than confusion and why not everyone deserves access to your heart. * Dismantling the Timeline: The “adrenaline rush” of your 20s can make you feel like you’re falling behind. We explore why pausing university or taking a detour doesn’t mean failure—it just means you’re on a different road. * Strength Through Vulnerability: Challenging the “stone-cold” definition of strength. Floby explains why crying isn’t a sign of weakness, but a necessary release and an act of honesty toward oneself. Key Quote:“You don’t need to arrive early to be worthy.” Challenge for the week:Take a “Timeline Audit.” Identify one area of your life where you feel “behind” or pressured by an imaginary deadline. Ask yourself: Is this my timeline, or someone else’s? This week, give yourself permission to be a “work in progress” and remember that a detour is not a dead end. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe [https://beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Episode 03 : Friendship part 2 – The Circle You Keep

In this new episode, Floby reflects on the hidden challenges of building a community after moving to a new country, learning that the people we surround ourselves with can either water us or slowly drain us. Today, we discuss: * The Migration Zero-Point: Why starting from scratch without a safety net makes us cling to anyone who feels familiar, even if they aren’t the right fit. * Familiarity vs. Compatibility: The mistake of choosing friends solely because they speak your language or understand your origin, rather than aligning with your values. * Mistakes as Teachers: Learning to ask the hard questions: Do I feel safe? Do they celebrate me or compete with me? Do they bring peace or confusion? * The Subtle Exhaustion: Recognizing the quiet drain of the wrong people and second-guessing your decisions. * Outgrowing Your Circle: Drawing inspiration from Michelle Obama on the necessity of breaking away from what others expect to stay true to your goals. Resource Mentioned: * Becoming by Michelle Obama: Floby references Michelle’s wisdom on outgrowing your environment and staying focused on your path. Find the book here. [https://michelleobamabooks.com/becoming/] Key Quote:“Not more people, but better people around me.” Challenge for the week:Take a moment to audit your energy after your next few social interactions. Ask yourself: Do I feel watered or drained? Don’t be afraid to choose quality over quantity. It is better to have a small circle that allows you to be your real self than a large one that requires you to shrink. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe [https://beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Episode 02: The Courage to Go First

In this new episode, Floby reflects on her own journey from her 20s to her 30s moving past the “polished” versions of ourselves and learning that distance doesn’t always equal failure. Today, we discuss: * The “First” Rule: Why someone has to be the first to check in, the first to apologize, and the first to admit they care. * The Polished Trap: Moving past surface-level plans and distractions into the vulnerability of being “weak” or “messy” together. * Seasons and Distance: Why growing in different directions isn’t a failure, and how to give each other space to breathe. * The Path to Restoration: How to navigate misunderstandings and choose honesty over pride when a friendship hits a wall. * Tough Love: The difference between being harsh and being honest enough to protect the people you love. Key Quote:“The strongest friendships aren’t the ones that cling tightly; they’re the ones that can stretch without breaking.” Challenge for the week:Think of that one friend you’ve drifted from. Don’t worry about whose turn it is to reach out. Just send the text or schedule that cup of coffee. Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe [https://beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Welcome! Finding Home, Quiet Love, and Living Simply

Welcome to my new space! I’m Floby. For a long time, I shared my life on a blog, but I wanted to start connecting in a more real, quiet way. So, I started a podcast to talk about life just as it is, not the perfect version, but the honest one. Living in Two WorldsI am an immigrant. I grew up in the Philippines, but I am raising my children in Belgium with my husband, Marlon. Because of this, my heart lives in two places. Being a mother far away from your home country is a unique challenge. We don’t have grandparents or sisters just around the corner to help out. Marlon and I had to build our own safe place and our own support system from scratch. We have been together for almost 15 years, and we have learned that real love is not always a grand, loud movie moment. Most of the time, love is quiet. It is teamwork, choosing to stay, forgiving each other, and growing together in a new place. Why We Choose LessEven though my husband and I both work with luxury brands, we choose to live a simple life. The world is always telling us to buy more and have more. But we want to walk a different path. We live simply because we want to teach our children the true value of money. We want them to know that money takes time and hard work. We want to teach them patience, that you don’t need to buy every single thing you want right away. Learning to wait makes you appreciate things more. We want our kids to know that true happiness does not come from stuff. Happiness comes from meaning, shared experiences, and love. For us, living simply is not about restricting ourselves; it is about finding peace and freedom. Growing TogetherGrowing as a person is not always easy. Sometimes it feels lonely or confusing. But we are all just trying to build a safe, loving home in this world. I don’t have all the answers, but I believe sharing our real stories helps us heal. Thank you for being here and for sharing this journey with me. Let’s grow together. If this resonated with you, please subscribe and share it with a friend! Get full access to Between Two Worlds at beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe [https://beyondtwoworlds.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]