July 1st: My Independence Day — Finding Freedom After Divorce

July 1st: My Independence Day — Finding Freedom After Divorce

When we think about Independence Day, we often think about freedom as a nation. But this year, freedom has a much deeper meaning for me. Today, July 1, marks my own Independence Day—a reminder of the new chapter I've stepped into after my divorce. It's a day that represents letting go of what no longer serves me, reclaiming my voice, and creating a life that feels authentic to who I am. In this episode, I reflect on what freedom really means: the courage to start over, the strength to choose yourself, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. Wherever you are in your journey, I hope this conversation inspires you to define freedom for yourself and embrace the possibilities of a new beginning.

What Is L.O.V.E.? The Courage to Heal

In this episode, I explore the complicated relationship I have with my mom and the battle between love, resentment, guilt, and healing. I share my journey of trying to find a balance between being there for her when she isn't doing well and honoring my own need to heal. This year, I will give myself permission to step away, have no contact, and remove the label of "daughter" and let go of the expectations and responsibilities. This wasn't about a lack of love, it's about creating the space I needed to reset my body, calm my nervous system, and begin healing. I also reflect on the true meaning of L.O.V.E. Love is more than a feeling—it is action. Sometimes love looks like showing up for someone. Sometimes love looks like setting boundaries. Sometimes love means choosing yourself so that you can heal. This is a conversation about self-love, forgiveness, grief, boundaries, and finding the courage to let go of guilt while creating a healthier path forward.

Dating Yourself: A Journey Back to You

In this episode of Dating Yourself: Rediscovering You, I explore the question: What is it actually like to date you? So often we pour love, attention, and energy into everyone else while forgetting to truly know ourselves. This episode is about finding the courage to reconnect with who you are, especially after heartbreak, divorce, loss, burnout, or life transitions. I talk about the beauty and discomfort of solo dates, learning how to enjoy your own company, and stepping outside of your comfort zone to rediscover the parts of yourself that may have been forgotten along the way. From taking yourself out to dinner or festival, to sitting alone with your thoughts, dating yourself can become a powerful journey of healing, confidence, and self-worth. The second half of life is not about settling—it’s about rediscovering your identity, your joy, and the version of yourself that’s been waiting to be fully seen. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. DM me on Threads at @thefindyourjoypod [https://www.threads.com/@thefindyourjoypod?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=chatgpt.com] or email me at thefindyourjoypod@gmail.com

FND Awareness Day Rewind: Living with Chronic Illness – My FND Story

For FND Awareness Day, I’m opening up about my story of living with Functional Neurological Disorder. This episode is a rewind of my journey—the struggles, the growth, and the moments that have shaped me. Living with chronic illness isn’t always visible, but it is deeply real. My hope is that by sharing my truth, it helps others feel seen, understood, and less alone. Trigger Warning In this episode, I’ll be sharing my personal experience of living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This is my journey—I don’t speak for everyone with FND, as each person’s journey is unique. FND is still not widely known, and part of my goal here is to raise awareness and help shed light on what this condition can look like. What is FND? Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition where people experience real neurological symptoms—such as weakness, movement disorders, sensory changes, or non-epileptic seizures—that cannot be explained by structural damage or disease in the nervous system. Instead, the issue lies in how the brain and body are functioning and communicating. Some Common Symptoms of FND include: * Non-epileptic seizures * Limb weakness or paralysis * Walking or balance difficulties (abnormal gait) * Tremors or involuntary movements * Speech or swallowing difficulties * Chronic pain and fatigue * Visual or sensory disturbances * Cognitive challenges, often called “brain fog” Song Highlight:🎵 Invisible Fight (My FND Story) by Ryan Patrick⁠Listen here on Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/album/0RvMaYXN0hhVhAPyqCmTLr?si=UR6Gx0QDQoyD_7a-3LDbYw] Resources to Learn More: * Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): ⁠A Patient’s Guide⁠ [https://neurosymptoms.org/en/] * ⁠FND Hope ⁠ [https://fndhope.org/fnd-guide/] * Stanford Medicine –⁠ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences⁠ [https://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/patient_care/fnd.html]

Reconnecting With Heritage: Language, Culture, and Identity

In this episode, I talk about the journey of taking back my culture and reconnecting with the Vietnamese language — the language of my family, my roots, and my identity. Growing up between two worlds, I often felt like I didn’t fully belong in either one: not completely American, not completely Vietnamese. Living in that in-between space can feel confusing, lonely, and sometimes even painful. With the arrival of Lunar New Year — the Year of the Horse — The horse symbolizes freedom, strength, and transformation. For me, this year represents a personal shift: choosing to move forward as my full self and reclaim the parts of my identity I once felt disconnected from. Relearning Vietnamese and reconnecting with my culture is part of that change. It’s about honoring where I come from while also accepting who I’ve become. Instead of feeling like I have to choose between being American or Vietnamese, I’m learning that both can exist within me. In this episode, I reflect on navigating two cultures, the pressure to assimilate, and the healing that comes from embracing your heritage and your voice. And to everyone celebrating around the world, I want to say in my native tongue: Chúc Mừng Năm Mới — Happy Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year — known in Vietnamese as Tết (Tết Nguyên Đán) — is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. Learn more about the holiday here: Vietnamese Lunar New Year: Tet Traditions, Food & Travel Guide [https://vietpowertravel.com/blog/vietnamese-lunar-new-year.html] One traditional dish eaten during Tết is bánh tét. It’s a dish that represents tradition, family, and celebration. If you want to try making it yourself, here’s the link: Bánh Tét for Lunar New Year (Vietnamese Sticky Rice Cake with Pork Belly) - Vicky Pham [https://vickypham.com/blog/banh-tet/]This episode is about identity, belonging, and stepping into change — the journey of becoming fully, unapologetically yourself.