Bloom in Crisis

💡 What happens when Gen Z is invited into conversations shaping the future of media, publishing, and advertising? At #NavigatorNYC this year, our Gen Z Ops panel brought together students and early-career professionals to share honest perspectives on entering the industry, navigating uncertainty, building confidence, pursuing growth, and learning in real time. Moderated by Zip Nguyen, CQO of Bloo...

Do you want to be strategic in internship and job applications? This powerful AWS framework might surprise you.  Watch or listen to our new episode this week to learn more and start practicing right away – it may change how you view the journey that you’re going through completely. P.S. We’ve been quietly working on a very exciting project aiming to help you with the “S” part of this framework, st...

❓How do we find clarity when life feels messy, uncertain, or “behind schedule”? ❓What’s the difference between what we want and what we truly need — and why does that matter so much for success? ❓How do we move from being “ghosted” to actually growing in our careers?   So many conversations about success skip over the hardest parts: rejection, silence, confusion, and the quiet pressure to “have...

It’s been a while since I last published a podcast episode on @bloomincrisis.  As I realized that time spent editing videos was taking away from my writing and other practices, I decided to shift my focus despite having a long backlog of recordings I’ve yet to revisit. However, after observing many students struggle with effective networking (most recently while hiring for our Business Intelligenc...

❓ “Since you were still trying to figure out a lot about yourself, especially when you were a student, how did you market yourself to companies during interviews?” 💡 If you want to know how to “sell yourself” effectively in job interviews, don’t skip this episode in which our CQO Zip Nguyen shares her own experiences and provides specific real-life examples of good vs. bad interviews. She is als...

❓ "At what point in your academic or post-academic career did you figure out the specific field you wanted to pursue or the job you wanted to have?" 💡 If you're unsure about what job to apply for, which direction to take in your career, or even what major to study in school, make sure to watch our new YouTube video! This June marks the one-year anniversary since my dear partner-in-crime at work,...

Among the many stories I’ve shared, this is probably the one that comes up most often, not only among international students but also among American students at Fordham University. I’ve been told repeatedly how recalling this story empowers them in their journey to build security in foreign countries and apply for jobs. I decided to take a break from YouTube for a while because I missed writing an...

"Your quarterlife crisis is your greatest asset." This is what I said to a student when I was asked about my mantra after we wrapped up the meeting. If you have been following my blog since I started it, you'll know that I still haven't changed my mantra until now. Not because I'm fixated on it, but rather, it's because the older I get, the more I find it true and become even more grateful for eve...

One of the facts about me that often surprises others is my journey to the US. I might somehow give off the vibe that I always know what I'm doing, but unlike what most people assume, I really struggled with school and had no clue what I wanted when I was in Vietnam 🥲 The decision to come to the US and study abroad was one of those that I made in the blink of an eye without knowing what would com...

Link to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7JgVhvQYp4 For a long time, I used to think that one of the reasons I've been single for so long was because I might be too masculine for guys—too independent, too assertive, too stubborn, too direct, too ambitious. You know, being feminine in my mind was associated with being submissive, skilled in the kitchen, or dressing up super girly....

❓ Do you ever find yourself wanting to become a more empathetic communicator? ❓ Are you looking to enhance your effectiveness in intercultural communication? ❓ Do you want to learn how to avoid common pitfalls when connecting with others? 🎉 Welcome to our new series, 'Grow with Zip,' where we dive into the insightful conversations Zip Nguyen has with students and young professionals 🎉 ✍️ In Z...

Link to watch this episode on YouTube (highly recommended especially since you can see how I apply my basic skincare routine there) https://linktw.in/AcNGJz I know, I know, not everyone cares about Valentine's Day or wants a relationship. But if you've been feeling lonely or insecure about still being single while it seems like everyone else has found their special someone, I hope my sharing can o...

Many people find it surprising when I say I don’t often go to temples or read spiritual books, even though deep down, I know that I’m very spiritual and have been practicing mindfulness intuitively for a long time. While I’ve heard of the Blue Cliff Monastery for the last eight years and had always wanted to visit, it hadn’t been at the forefront of my mind until last weekend when I finally made t...

Many people find it surprising when I say I don’t often go to temples or read spiritual books, even though deep down, I know that I’m very spiritual and have been practicing mindfulness intuitively for a long time. While I’ve heard of the Blue Cliff Monastery for the last eight years and had always wanted to visit, it hadn’t been at the forefront of my mind until last weekend when I finally made t...

Many unexpected things have happened in my life, and my experience at Monkey Island Estate is one of them 💛 After having the best facial with Sophie on my first day at the floating spa, I decided to return for another massage with Beverley the next day. It was nothing short of miraculous. Although I wasn’t consciously seeking healing energy at that time and had no specific expectations before ent...

The first time I met Jeff and Saralyn, we were seated next to each other at a charming restaurant in Washington DC. Our initial exchange revolved around the delightfully delicious food, yet unexpectedly, it evolved into an unforgettable experience. With every word we shared, I grew more captivated by their genuine affection and unwavering love, even after 33 years together. Their remarkable abilit...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K3zQz2KEx84] The process of getting a job can be stressful for anyone, but it’s particularly challenging for international students in the US. I wasn’t an exception—in fact, majoring in Marketing was probably one of the riskiest decisions for me or anyone who wanted to find sponsorship from prospective employers. It was an incredibly lonely period for me...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nGHNPA4Vn6Y] In this episode, I'm excited to introduce you to my favorite yoga teacher, Briana Penzarella. Perhaps one of the things many people don't know about me is that, while I might manage to stay cool, calm, and collected on the outside (as I've been told), I actually cope with anxiety quite often. Practicing yoga regularly has become one of my gr...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xuAcQ_0ObF4] Like it or not, we all have those times when we're just plain upset. I'm hoping that by letting you guys in on what I personally do when I'm feeling down—especially in real moments like this one—it might lend you a hand when you're feeling a bit low, too.  I know it sounds strange, but feeling upset can also actually be a good thing. Hang in...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IGgengwTw5E] Setting boundaries has always been a challenge for me, and it's something I've grappled with throughout my life. In many Asian cultures, the concept of boundaries isn't frequently discussed since the emphasis often lies on being group-oriented and prioritizing others' needs over our own. Sacrificing for the greater good is deeply ingrained i...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L9mpCiFa9pY] Are you an expert overthinker? Join the club 💁🏻‍♀️  Coming to terms with being a chronic overthinker isn't easy, and attempting to completely get rid of this tendency often backfires - it simply leads to even more overthinking! That's why, instead of striving to fight it, I've chosen to understand it and adapt my coping mechanism around it...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-y2D_13E4fU] Career, relationships, marriage, EGG FREEZING, self-love, personal growth, and everything in between... yep, we're talking about the big 30! In this candid episode, I'm joined by another great friend of mine, Trang Le, who has recently embraced the big 3-0. As for me? Well, my turn is just around the corner later this year.  How about you? W...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vGtrJyM-nq4] Building solid friendships is one of the key solutions to overcoming loneliness, but is it possible in the modern world? Can we still build deep connections with other people or just go along with superficial and shallow connections? In this week's episode, I'm joined by Thao Le, a very good friend of mine from high school. Together, we'll s...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k7Fz--AvdHU] Why might we feel even lonelier than ever before in the modern world despite the convenience of social media, and is there a way out? Here's what I've been practicing to help me overcome loneliness.  Bloom in Crisis is the embodiment of hope , born from the belief that moments of uncertainty and hardship can become clarity, compassion, and i...

[Link to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mljkjvUyJ4Y] In this episode, I want to share with you guys the life-changing lessons that I'm lucky enough to learn directly from my dad.  Growing up, I've always known a man who's so determined and kind. I'm grateful to have been able to observe his lifestyle and work ethic from a young age, both of which have profoundly transformed me and shaped who I...