Friends Next Door

As another year is coming to a close, let's take some time to reminisce about the good and the not-so-good things that we experienced this year. How was 2025 for you? Do you have any year-end rituals like Dan does? Share any and all great tips with us!  As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mia: @msmiaaa Tho...

There's always that friend who's down for anything, whether it's grabbing a simple dinner or trying out something new. And then there's that friend who's always willing to hear you vent. They don't need to give you a solution, but they're there and that's enough. What kind of a friend are you? Have you changed as a friend now compared to your younger years?  As always, if you have a burning questi...

In the spirit of keeping up with the times, Dan, Kuan and Mia discussed their understanding of  main character energy . To those who are chronically online, we're sure you've heard about this. Be the start of your own movie. You're in charge of creating your own story. Forge your own path. Do we think this creates an invisible pressure to be 'extra'? Is there something wrong about wanting to be a...

Have you ever looked around the room and realized that... you're now the adult in the room? That it's time to take control of the situation to avoid any unwanted consequences. Do you like being the adult in the room or do you wish that sometimes someone would just help you figure things out?  As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoo...

It's December 2025. WHERE did the year go? We used to say this jokingly but we're dead serious now. We used to wait forever for school year to end, for Christmas to arrive, for our vacation to finally start.. whatever it may be! Do you guys also feel like time somehow flies faster as we age? Is there a way to slow it down?  As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnext...

We've spent time talking about "home" and "where you're from" on this podcast.  On this episode we dive deeper into how important roots are.  If you spent your life moving around, you may be struggling to answer the 'where are you from' question. Your childhood memories may have been formed at your hometown, but then you moved away in your formative years, and then again as you're stepping into ad...

Out of the many relationships we juggle everyday, our relationship with money isn't something we regularly think about. Because what for? I make money, I spend money, end of story. But on this episode, we dive a bit deeper into what money means to us and how it shapes our life.    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @ther...

Friends - listen to this episode before that travel plan makes it out of the group chat. Traveling solo allows you to learn about yourself. Traveling with friends helps you learn more about each other so there's definitely a lot to look forward to. How important is it to travel with the right group of people? Should you vet them before the trip?  As always, if you have a burning question, find us...

The world certainly isn't perfect. Sheesh, okay stating the obvious there. But in the midst of all the chaos that is this imperfect world, there are moments where people show up with a simple gesture of kindness, and that is enough to tell us that humanity is still worth rooting for.  As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @...

Are we in the age of monetization? If you say no.. we love that for you. It's obvious that we're now living in a 'monetization of everything' era. On one hand, it presents a great opportunity for people who are willing to put themselves out there to gain some extra cash (or make a serious living!). On another hand, it could also create an overwhelming amount of content. The question is.. what do w...

Are you someone who's constantly punching above your weight? Whether it’s dating someone way out of your league, landing a job you “weren’t qualified” for, or winning a trivia night with nothing but guesses and blind confidence, you're swinging hard, aiming high, and surprising everyone (including yourself!). Or are you the opposite - you know what you're good at and prefer a more measured approac...

This episode is a followup to our "Optimizer/Maximizer" episode, talking more about the cost to perfection and if humans are even meant to achieve that.  We talk through the fine line between striving to do a good job,  what it really it takes to get to the "top" or "perfection", and what type of reality lives there.  Take a listen and let us know what you think :)    As always, if you have a burn...

THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST!! Or does it?  On this episode we talk about limits, both internal and external, and especially having a limited mindest.  Take a listen and let us know what you think :) As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mia: @msmiaaa Thomas: @mundane_photos

Have you had a label that stuck and was hard to shake?  What about defining others as just "the X guy" or "that Y girl".  Why are labels a thing and when are they helpful -- are they ever helpful?  We dive into this and more on this episode, stick around and let us know what you think :) As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email:  frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan...

When's the last time you called a friend, read a book, asked a live person for a recommendation?  On this episode, Dan, Mia, and Kuan talk about the way we communicate with eachother and the world around us.  We call out old trends that need to make their way back (spoiler alert: not everyone agrees) and trends / things that just flat out need to go.  How many of us are doing things just for the Y...

We're bringing back the hot series with Thomas - finally rounding it out :)  Did you miss the previous episodes in this series?  Don't forget to check out Dan's, Kuan's, and Mia's earlier this season as well!   As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mia: @msmiaaa Thomas: @mundane_photos

We're continue Part 2(!) of marriage talks with marriage levels novice, intermediate, and veteran. On this episode, we get into does "happy wife, happy life" really work and how many votes do you really have when it comes down to making decisions -- is it a 50/50 split or does it end up being 0/1?   As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsn...

Long term planning is not easy to begin with when you're single. Add a spouse in that equation, the conversations become that much more interesting! How do you approach these topics? Do you talk about them when you're dating, or is that too early? We have a special friend joining us on this episode!    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frn...

The world is your oyster - that's what they say right? With that in mind are you someone who takes every opportunity and makes the most of them? Or are you someone who may not be all gas and no brakes, but rather prefers optimizing your current situation? There's obviously no right or wrong approach here, but we're curious!     As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsn...

When it comes to making a major decision in life, one naturally turns to a math formula. Just kidding. But it is entirely possible that some people subscribe to the idea that mathemathical principles can be applied to some of our approaches to life. Would you agree?    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mi...

Skepticism. What image comes into mind when you hear this word? Does it carry a positive or a negative connotation? And what about healthy skepticism.. does it change your perspective of whether this is something we need as we go about life?  And most importantly, does it help you to not get scammed?   As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frn...

Trust the process. It's not about the destination, it's the journey. If you've heard some version of these advice, have you ever stopped and pondered how long you're supposed to be in the process? What are you supposed to learn in the process? What does the goal or destination look like? Wow, asking deep philosophical questions, are we?    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: E...

Spoiler alert: if you haven't seen the movie and want to go see it, come back to this episode after! But if you're ready to discuss the classic question of 'do you choose love or money?', listen on. We go beyond the surface level of money and love, so hope you all enjoy this episode!   As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @...

As more 9-to-5ers are returning to office, commuting is becoming a bigger part of our life. You're then reminded of how commuting feels like a time and energy drain.. until you're hearing that there are benefits to it? Really?    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mia: @msmiaaa Thomas: @mundane_photos

If the word Labubu has come out of your mouth in a recent conversation, congrats, you're in on the latest trend all over socials. Trends come and go so fast these days it's hard to keep up! Are you one of those people who are always in the know?    As always, if you have a burning question, find us here: Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com IG: @frndsnextdoor Dan: @therealdanchen Mia: @msmiaaa Thomas: @...