8.1 The Gen Z Dilemma: Chronically Online but Craving a Life Offline

8.1 The Gen Z Dilemma: Chronically Online but Craving a Life Offline

⭐ Theme 8: The Online World ⭐ In this duo episode, Ebony and May trade stories about their surprisingly late introductions to technology, starting from hand-me-down Nokia brick phones. Raised in a Steiner school that championed screen-free weeks and made them sit through fear-inducing tech documentaries, neither of them saw the digital lives they lead today coming. Now? One is a content creator with a global following, and the other still rage-deletes Instagram on a regular basis. How did they get here? Pull up a seat - this one's equal parts nostalgic, honest, and unexpectedly hilarious. In this episode, we explore: * The stories behind our very first phones, and why we got them way later than most * Screen-free weeks and what it was like growing up in a school that feared technology * Surviving online high school during COVID lockdowns * The cycle of deleting and re-downloading Instagram, and the psychology behind why we always come back * Doom scrolling as avoidance: the dopamine hits, the FOMO, and why it mirrors addictive behaviour * The heated debate: is there a "right" age to give kids technology? * Exploring which generation got the best deal growing up with tech * The bright side: how technology powers global friendships, solo travel, and creative communities Plus: Ebony challenges you to remember the last three Reels or TikToks you watched. Can you? 👀 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ruocake.pod] and Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ruocake.pod] Wishing you a lovely rest of your day💛 💗 REFERENCES * https://www.screenagersmovie.com/ [https://www.screenagersmovie.com/] * Social media ban in Australia | A simple guide. (2025). UNICEF Australia. https://www.unicef.org.au/unicef-youth/staying-safe-online/social-media-ban-explainer?srsltid=AfmBOor2odb9r2x9z-7n4C_uAUootWt2k2qkDZ4bIwnqNuGzmvE48un8 [https://www.unicef.org.au/unicef-youth/staying-safe-online/social-media-ban-explainer?srsltid=AfmBOor2odb9r2x9z-7n4C_uAUootWt2k2qkDZ4bIwnqNuGzmvE48un8]

7.3 May: Rejection Therapy - What If Everything Can Be Learned?

⭐ Theme 7: The Side Quest Chronicles ⭐ Today's episode follows May’s rejection‑therapy journey from Manila, Philippines. She unpacks the psychology behind the viral TikTok trend, debunking myths while citing the evidence. Drawing from evidence‑based therapy and theory, May explains why rejection hurts so deeply and how rejection therapy can serve as a powerful exercise for self-growth. She then shares five wildly fun, nerve‑wracking, and heart‑warming challenges; from selling street snacks to filming a singing audition and more. Along the way, May confronts imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and Tall Poppy Syndrome, showing exactly what it means to just …try. Key Takeaways: * The fascinating link between social rejection and pain * The revelations that helped May break free from cultural and psychological barriers * The one sentence from a friend that summed up everything she learned 💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ruocake.pod] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ruocake.pod] @ruocake.pod 💛💗 References * American Psychological Association. (2017). What is exposure therapy? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy [https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy] * Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The Need to belong: Desire for Interpersonal Attachments as a Fundamental Human Motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497 [https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497] * Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134 [https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134] * J, P. (2025, September 9). An introduction to rejection therapy. Simply Neuroscience. https://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/an-introduction-to-rejection-therapy [https://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/an-introduction-to-rejection-therapy] * Jia Jiang. (2015). What I learned from 100 days of rejection. Ted.com [http://Ted.com]; TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection [https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection] * Jiang, J. (2012, November 16). 100 Days of Rejection Therapy. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLamouX6QxWIuTHuaArIOzdorWoYaF6cU5 [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLamouX6QxWIuTHuaArIOzdorWoYaF6cU5] * Wikipedia Contributors. (2025, June 27). Rejection Therapy. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rejection_Therapy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rejection_Therapy]

7.2 Ebony: Rejection Therapy - What Happens When You Finally Ask?

⭐ Theme 7: The Side Quest Chronicles ⭐ . Ever held back from asking for something because you were scared of hearing "no"? In this solo episode of R U O'Cake?, Ebony dives headfirst into the world of rejection therapy, in other words, the practice of intentionally putting yourself in situations where rejection is possible, all in the name of growth. From cold-DMing a cafe owner she admired, to manifesting a dream collaboration with a brand, to landing a spot with a top management agency, Ebony shares the real, unfiltered stories of what happened when she stopped being a silent observer and started actually asking for what she wanted. Whether you're a fellow twenty-something figuring it all out or just someone who needs a nudge to finally hit send on that message, this one's for you! In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why rejection therapy is one of the fastest ways to build confidence * The surprising thing that happens when you actually ask for what you want * Why you should start before you feel ready * How one DM can open doors you didn't know existed * A challenge you can try today to kickstart your own rejection therapy journey! 💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don’t forget to like, share, and spread the word! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ruocake.pod] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ruocake.pod] “people are way more willing to say yes than you think” 💗

7.1 Why Your 20s Need More Side Quests

⭐ Theme 7: Side Quest Chronicles ⭐ What if the most meaningful chapters of your life weren't planned at all? In this episode of R U O'Cake?, Ebony and May are unpacking the magic of side quests: those spontaneous, curious, delightfully random adventures that exist outside your main game plan. From defining what a side quest actually is to sharing their own wildly eclectic lists, they make the case for why saying yes to the unexpected might just be the best thing you do in your 20s. Key Takeaways: * Side quests aren't a distraction from your life * The things you do "just for fun" have an incredible way of shaping who you become * Your 20s are the perfect time to collect experiences over certainty * Your gut is smarter than your mental anxiety * You don't need a plan, a reason, or even a talent… you just need to say yes! * Side quests have a compound effect: one random yes leads to another, and before you know it, your whole story has changed 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ruocake.pod] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ruocake.pod]@ruocake.pod Have a wonderfully spontaneous day 💛 💗 . . Ebony’s Side-Quest Inspo List (pick one and give it a go!) * 🧵 Take a sewing class * 🤝 Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you * 💭 Do that thing you've always wanted to do but thought you couldn't * 📖 Write something (e.g. journaling, start a book, write up a blog) * 💃 Join a dance class * 🎸 Learn how to play an instrument * 🌙 Set yourself a fun goal before a night out (make it a mission for you and your friends) * ☕ Become the local expert by finding the best something in your area (e.g. cafe, study hub, chill-out spot, park) * 📱 Start up your influencer era with one social media post (that’s how EbonyMayBakes was born!) * 🌿 Offer to mow someone’s lawn * 🚗 Wash people's cars References: Schubert, B. (2025, April 11). What Are “Side Quests” And How Can We Use Them for Self-Care? The Good Trade. https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-are-side-quests/ [https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-are-side-quests/] We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

6.3 Building Healthy Cross-Cultural Friendships (Live Panel Discussion)

⭐ Theme 6: Family By Choice ⭐ In this special episode, hosts May and Ebony are joined by Joshua Santos (NARRA) and an incredible panel of multicultural youth voices for an honest, unscripted conversation exploring what it really takes to build friendships across cultures. Recorded on 14 March 2026 during a live virtual meet-up, this episode was produced in collaboration with NARRA Coop to support the PAACI Arts and Culture Fellowship, a project of NARRA Coop and the Philippine Arts, Culture, and Innovation Centre, bridging Philippine communities and the Filipino-Australian diaspora through storytelling and collaborative engagement. Together, the panel explores: * How family, culture, and upbringing shape the way we show up for each other * What it actually takes to build, maintain, and repair friendships across cultural lines * Powerful personal stories of moments when a cross-cultural friendship brought deep connection and understanding Featuring perspectives from the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia, this conversation explores Filipino concepts like kapwa (shared identity) and bayanihan (community spirit), the role of art and movement in bridging language barriers, and why vulnerability is the foundation of real connection. Whether you're navigating a multicultural identity, building friendships far from home, or simply curious about what cross-cultural care can look like, this one's for you. 🎙️ Panellists: Joshua Santos, Adriana Meaza, Toyo White, Mark Angel Berdote & Jaime Benedicto 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ruocake.pod] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@ruocake.pod] Take care and have a wonderful day! 💛💗 Maraming salamat (thank you very much) to everyone who joined us live and to our incredible guests for sharing so openly.