Reconnecting With Heritage: Language, Culture, and Identity

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.

My Heart Desires

In this episode, I reflect on what goal setting truly means. Instead of rigid New Year’s resolutions, I explore a more compassionate, growth-centered approach to setting goals through the power of poetry. I talk about listening to your heart’s desires and what it really means to honor them. In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, choosing joy and purpose becomes an intentional act. Growth isn’t always about pushing harder — sometimes it’s about aligning more deeply with who you are and what matters most. I also share a personal story about how visualization helped me move through a moment that felt incredibly big and a milestone. Living with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) has reshaped the way I approach challenges, and mental rehearsal has become a powerful tool. By visualizing myself navigating the experience successfully beforehand, I was able to build confidence and show up in a way I once thought wasn’t possible. This episode is a reminder that: * * Goals can evolve — and it’s okay to change your mind * * Learning and growth aren’t linear * * Your desires matter, even when they don’t make sense to others * * Visualization can be a powerful ally in facing difficult moments Ultimately, this episode is about giving yourself permission — permission to grow, to pivot, to dream differently, and to define success on your own terms. Because sometimes the bravest goal you can set is simply to become more fully yourself.

Reassessing, Self-Doubt & Rewriting Holiday Traditions

In this episode, I share how I’m taking a step back to reassess where my podcast is heading and what truly feels aligned for me. I’ve been struggling with promoting my own work, so I’m giving myself space to reflect, reevaluate, and honestly ask if this is still the direction I’m meant to follow. I also open up about the challenges that come with changing traditions—especially after losing my sister, living with chronic illness, and seeing the holidays through a new lens after divorce. Christmas looks different for me now, and I’m learning to create meaning in ways that support who I am today. And finally, I talk about my mirror work practice and how it has helped me push through self-doubt and see myself in a kinder, truer light. My hope is that this episode inspires you to pause, reflect, and discover something new within yourself too.