Voice Hugs

It’s 2023!!! And we’re so excited to start a brand new year with you! Dive into this episode with Vivian and Rowena as they each share three words highlighting their intentions for 2023. Rooted from much of the same thoughts, they share the process of picking their three words and why. ✨ Vivian: Consistent, Connection, Create ✨ Rowena: Discipline, Supported, Growth These words serve as reminders...

Can’t believe it’s already the end of 2022! In this special, last episode of the year, Vivian and Rowena reflect on lessons learned and memorable experiences they each had. Ro shares how setting intentions at the beginning of the year allowed her to experience feeling free despite going through a transitional period in her professional and personal life.  Vivian talks about the challenges that thi...

What moments or experiences sweep your mind when thinking about gratitude? Who or what immediately comes to focus? As we head into Thanksgiving next week, Viv and Ro spotlight the powerful emotion we call: gratitude. In our darkest moments, gratitude can be the pathway out and into “the state of being free” - as Ro would vividly describe. Ready to cultivate gratitude into your 2023? Share how you’...

Everybody is thriving. Everybody has the perfect life. Everybody is so happy. Ah, that inner voice of ours speaking our insecurities into reality. Who is this elusive “everybody” that we all seem to know? Whose voices are we listening to? This episode highlights the book “Finding Your Own North Star” by Martha Beck. Viv and Ro explore a concept in Chapter 4 about an “other” voice guiding our every...

This week we chat about boundaries: The invisible line we draw between work, play, family, friends, you name it - and ourselves to protect our headspace 💆🏻‍♀️ When too many people step into our headspace (the metaphorical “home”) due to poor boundaries, the effects can be felt as resentment, guilt, burnout, stress, anxiety, among others. Listen as Viv and Ro share their growing pains of learning...

The beautiful part of any friendship is experiencing special milestones together. And if the title didn’t already give it away… RO IS 💍 E N G A G E D💍 ! So grab your coffee/tea/drink of choice because it’s story time! Ro gives a play by play of the five-stop scavenger hunt around New York City leading up to the big question, and Viv shares the role she played in the planning process. Some mild s...

Feeling unmotivated? Indifferent? Meh? Good, because we are too. Let’s unpack that. This week is all about motivation, or lack thereof. These periods drain our energy and our head space. Whether it’s lack of motivation in our career or finally pursuing a hobby, sometimes our situation gets the best of us. Viv and Ro share in how they each cope with low motivation and how to regain that spark again...

We’re baaackk! Although this time around it wasn’t an intentional break. Maybe it’s the transition from Summer to Fall, mercury in retrograde, or the slow shift back to “normalcy” pre-COVID… But we’re so glad you’re here again as we catch up on life happenings! Viv and Ro spent some time with family and reminisce on the boundless spirit and joy of being a kid. Still, as 30-somethings trying to emu...

When does the inner work journey end? This week we answer a listener question about protecting others from yourself because you are not “fully healed” in your inner work journey or “not good enough” yet. Truth is that the inner work journey never ends. We’re in a constant state of evolution while dancing through each season of life. Sharing their take on being a “good/bad” person and being your be...

Whether you felt 2022 went by fast or slow, here we are. August. More than half way through the year, Viv and Ro share some experiences that capture what it means to “live in the moment.” The simple joys of life can be found right in front of you (beyond your computer screen). And once we slow down to see it, we can revel in the kind of growth we never thought possible. Do that thing that you’ve a...

As children of immigrants, the relationship with our parents can be multi-layered and very complex. Often the first relationship we form as children, this bond proves pivotal in our development into adulthood. Now in their 30s, Viv and Ro recall experiences that continually challenge the role parents play for their (now adult) children. And with it comes its own evolution of unraveling trapped emo...

We all have it, but we rarely talk about it. In this episode, Viv and Ro expand on one of the most popular topics to date: Insecurities (Episode 2).  It’s neither a glamorous topic, nor is it easy to talk about. Insecurity can highlight additional feelings of shame, guilt, and anger. Viv and Ro explore how everyday encounters, both work and personal (ahem: social media), can trigger insecurity and...

If you could be liberated from one thing in your life, what would it be? Whether it’s constantly seeking approval from others, or being trapped in the insecure cycle of comparison, Rowena and Viv found that answering this question helped them take inventory of what’s holding them back and what steps to take forward towards the right direction. Well... what did they find you ask? Sometimes the thin...

Have you ever felt happy and sad at the same time? Or maybe torn between two (or more) emotions? At some point in our lives, we have all found ourselves in a push and pull emotional state, and the contrasting feelings may have led to confusion, uncertainty, and maybe even ambivalence.  A question from a Voice Hug listener on how to manage the experience of polarizing feelings inspired Vivian and R...

Content has evolved drastically to include all types of media—podcasts, YouTube videos, TV shows, streaming shows, books, movies and more. Wonder what kinds of content Ro and Viv love to consume?  Ro and Viv share their favorite types of content in this episode. Although BFFs, the duo’s personal tastes are very different. Listen to the entire episode to find out Ro & Viv’s favorite podcasts, Kdram...

Back from Chicago and Korea/Taiwan, Viv and Ro return from a month-long break and share how some much needed rest (and travel!) allowed them to slow down, refresh, and recalibrate. Listen as Viv recounts how ugly crying in public (twice) made space to feel her feelings, and how Ro saw two worlds collide with Jams and her family & friends. It’s in these experiences of stepping away from our fast pa...

Jams joins us again! In this week's episode, Jams interviews Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) on what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite podcast, Voice Hugs. They explore the resistance that builds as they move closer to their goals and the ongoing battle of perfectionism they face as content creators (6:15). As they reflect on pushing forward and building confidence through p...

A very special episode this week welcoming our first podcast guest *drum roll please*... Jams!! (aka Rowena's boyfriend, VH Fan Club President). From the beginning of their love story including first impressions of each other (4:27) to long distance relationship trials and learnings two years in (11:13), the couple shares it all! They reflect on the importance of communication and adapting to each...

This week, Viv (@vivianxvan) and Ro (@rowenatsai) explore 3 different listener scenarios instead of deeeep diving into one, starting with a very common experience of projecting expectations onto others.  Listener scenarios (paraphrased): I’ve noticed that whenever my partner goes for a night out, I immediately feel judgmental, neglected, and anxious. How do I be mindful of projecting my expectatio...

Taking a look back at the first quarter of 2022, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) share reflections on their podcast journey - from finding a balance between friend mode and work mode (4:20) to focusing less on numbers and trusting the universe (14:48). They also share defining moments in their lives: how experiencing loss and coming near death has become a guiding force in how they c...

Did you know the rational side of a human brain is not fully developed until around age 25? No wonder why we regret so many decisions made by our younger selves! This week, we share some not-so-proud moments of young Ro & Viv - from drinking and raving at a very early age to trash talking friends behind their backs. The build up of poor decisions over the years resulted in an era of overcompensati...

After a one-week hiatus, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) are back with an even more intense recording schedule (Viv woke up at 4:30 a.m. for this episode 🙃). Keeping it lighthearted this week, we answer a handful of fun get-to-know-you questions sent in from our listeners (see time stamps below). We also dropped our headphones like 10 times during this pod sorry! lol Let us know wha...

Breakups aren’t just for romance. Oftentimes, the breakups that hurt the most are those with your friends. This week, Vivian (@vivianxvan) and Rowena (@rowenatsai) chat about heartache from friendship fallouts, and how to get closure when you’re no longer on speaking terms. Through our stories, we explore why some friendships last while others fall apart, and how different life stages impact these...

Swiping left and right on dating apps is thrilling, and sometimes feels like fun and games. But after getting ghosted for the 50th time, you might start to question... is it me? Am I the problem?? This week, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) chat about finding love on dating apps, taking rejection personally, and overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there through deepening the m...

So you've been hanging out for a while now and basically act like you're a couple, but they tell you they're "not ready" to commit or define the relationship status... sound familiar anyone? This anxiety inducing non-committal dynamic is no foreign concept to many of us, Rowena (@rowenatsai) and Vivian (@vivianxvan) included. This week, we share about the ups and downs of past non-committal relati...