If you could reflect on one thing, it’s this: What unmet need did someone fail to meet, only for you to realize it was yours to fulfill? This letter is for anyone who’s ever poured themselves into a friendship that never truly poured back. With fierce honesty and hard-won clarity, the writer revisits a best friendship marked by silence, conditional love, and ghosted goodbyes. From the pain of early rejection to the moment a birthday “gift” revealed everything, this letter names what many of us f...
Jul 04, 2025•12 min
If you could reflect on one thing: Have you ever wondered if your parents are truly happy with the life they chose? This letter is for anyone who has ever wanted to return the favor to their immigrant parents—not just with financial support or achievements, but by encouraging them to want more for themselves. Through heartfelt honesty and generational empathy, the writer wrestles with the quiet grief of watching her parents settle too soon. She thanks them for their sacrifices, then gently asks ...
Jun 27, 2025•7 min
If you could reflect on one thing: When was the last time you honored your own growth—even if it meant leaving something good behind? This letter is for anyone who’s felt the “quiet knowing” of outgrowing a former version of themselves. Through gentle reflection and emotional honesty, the writer revisits the early days of this podcast, acknowledging what once was, what it cost, and what it means to move forward with grace. If you’ve ever realized that your old dreams no longer fit, or that you'r...
Jun 20, 2025•8 min
Welcome to TFAW Letters, a special summer series from The Filipino American Woman Project. I’m your host, Jen Amos. Each week, I will read a fictionalized letter—my creative interpretation of real conversations with you! These letters have been woven with heart, reflection, and truth—to honor your stories while protecting your privacy. It all begins with one line: “If I could say one thing…” Because sometimes, one thing is all we need to take up a little more space. Let’s get started. Tune in fo...
Jun 06, 2025•49 sec
163: A Story of Intergenerational Family Therapy Through Filipino Studies Full video of Caitilin's live event is available now on https://thenewfilipina.com/ Join the conversation for FREE today! On behalf of The Filipino American Woman Project, which seeks to amplify Filipina representation in mainstream media, Nani facilitates the launch event of Damacion’s traveling exhibit. The two are joined by Francis Wong, a professor in Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, jazz music...
Dec 13, 2024•32 min
162: A Look Inside Filipino American History Through Filipino Poetry Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N-qcmYStaO8 To celebrate Filipino American History Month 2024, The Filipino American Woman (TFAW) Project explores what intergenerational family therapy looks like through Filipino American poetry. Cohosts Jen and Nani welcome past guest, Caitilin Damacion, back to the stage for a deep dive into her Master’s thesis project, For Those I’ve Saved Names For . For Those I’ve Saved Names F...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 29 min
161: Therapy Writing Prompts for Filipino American Women Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z4KIqp6tduI Whether you’ve been going to therapy for years or are just toying with the idea, we want to meet you where you’re at. In this bonus episode, Nani shares five therapy writing prompts you can use to explore your relationship to therapy and mental health, identify which therapy topics to discuss, and develop healthy coping skills for anxiety and stressful situations. As a follow-up to ou...
Oct 18, 2024•8 min
160: Dear Filipino American Women, Here’s What To Talk About In Therapy Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GEmW8yHoaJ4 And just like that… they’re back! Join Jen & Nani as they breathe new life into TFAW Project with a hearty discussion on what to talk about in therapy for Filipino American women. In this panel discussion, Filipina therapists Marjory Ware and Roanne de-Guia Samuels weigh in on common misconceptions people have about going to therapy, how to find a therapist who is a...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 39 min
159: Returning for Filipino American History Month - Season 5 Trailer The Filipino American Woman (TFAW) Project is returning for Filipino American History Month! For Season 5, we're focused on strengthening Filipina voices one conversation at a time through all things life, culture and personal development! Hosted by Jen Amos and Nani Dominguez-Smith. This show is brought to you by our family at THENEWFILIPINA.COM . Join the conversation today! Trailer also available on YouTube: https://youtu.b...
Sep 27, 2024•44 sec
158: "I'm never not going to be Filipina. So what's the rush? I have the rest of my life to study my heritage." Rooted and Rising: Migrating to America with Jen and Nani For Part 1 of 3 of the Rooted and Rising Series: Migrating to America, Jen Amos and Nani Dominguez-Smith explore the seven waves of Filipino migration, from the first wave of seafarers, slaves and shipbuilders to the modern diaspora. They also share stories of guests from The Filipino American Woman Project, discussing their per...
Dec 15, 2023•53 min
157: "Education is only good if you feel liberated because of it." Filipino American History Month Special with Jen, Nani, and Stacey - Part 2 of 2 Happy Filipino American History Month (FAHM)! Jen, Nani, and Stacey return for part 2 of their FAHM special to discuss the importance of mindfulness and meditation when discussing heavy topics related to Filipino American history. Stacey shares the story of Clemencia López, an early Filipina feminist leader, and how bringing these historical figures ...
Oct 27, 2023•33 min
156: "You're Filipina first." Filipino American History Month Special with Jen, Nani, and Stacey - Part 1 of 2 Happy Filipino American History Month! Jen, Nani, and special guest Dr. Stacey Anne Baterina Salinas return for a two-part special for Filipino American History Month (FAHM)! Together, they discuss FAHM's 2023 theme, according to the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), which recognizes 125 years of Philippine-American history since 1898. They also share general update...
Oct 20, 2023•44 min
155: "I see that you're trying to show up, and I want to remind you that we don't have to do this today. We can shift gears." Wrapping up Season 4 with Jen and Nani This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gh8JOBVBQ1U And that’s a wrap for season 4 of TFAW Project! Jen and Nani close out by previewing what season 5 may look like via video, reflecting back to when season 4 started at the beginning of Filipino American History Month 2022, how they’ll be getting their ‘house in o...
May 05, 2023•50 min
154: "Filipino looks so different to so many different people. It's impossible to fit us into any one box." The latest community discussions and hot topics with Jen and Nani Jen and Nani highlight all of the exciting conversations and hot topics that are taking place on their FREE 5-Day Reflection Series via Instagram Group Chats and on THENEWFILIPINA.COM ! They also announce the next book they're reading for March 17th's Book Club, and Nani takes the lead in wrapping up their conversation with ...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 1 min
153: "We learn more about ourselves in community with each other." Building a sustainable community one conversation at a time with Jen and Nani Jen and Nani are excited to share the latest progress on their new platform: THENEWFILIPINA.COM ! They reveal how they take advantage of the limited real-time they have to work together every week, share the impact of receiving immediate feedback from THENEWFILIPINA.COM founding members, how they use Instagram as their primary social media platform, how...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr
152: "We are redefining what it means to be Pinay. We are the ones that have the power to shift culture." Presenting THENEWFILIPINA.COM with Jen and Nani HAPPY NEW YEAR! Jen and Nani are back with holiday season reflections and 2023 major updates for our community! They share why this is the first episode they've published in the new year, updates on their YouTube channel, when their monthly Instagram Live events and monthly book club sessions will be taking place, and lastly, they proudly prese...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 3 min
151: "It's a gift to know, to honor, and to evolve our ancestors' history from here on out." Jayme Sy's Instagram Live Interview with Jen and Nani At the end of Filipino American History Month (FAHM), Kara and Jayme invited Jen and Nani to chat via Instagram Live! They talk about how TFAW Project was founded, their family backgrounds, favorite parts of Filipino American history, how colonization affects us today, and Filipino folklore and spirituality. Finally, they wrap up by answering the ques...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 10 min
150: "Sharing my story is not just me learning about myself, but it's for those struggling with their identity to learn from, too." Philippines trip reflections with Gretchen "TSUKI" Puddicombe By popular demand from our BUYUSBOBA.COM supporters, Gretchen "TSUKI" Puddicombe returns to the show for a second interview! She shares how she's started cooking Filipino food, how successfully living your life as a brown person can be a form of protest, her first visit to the Philippines (when she was in...
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 2 min
149: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." December festivities and exciting events with Jen, Nani and Tsuki Jen and Nani are joined with BUYUSBOBA.COM Book Club member and past guest Gretchen "TSUKI" Puddicombe! Together, they talk about their holiday plans, give grace during a busy season, share the latest updates on the Instagram Reflection Series, share details on the LAST book club session of the year, invite everyone to their FREE vision board event, and m...
Dec 09, 2022•47 min
148: "I like to consider this a very special time of the year because the world is lighting up for me." Birthdays, holidays and exciting updates with Jen and Nani Happy December! Jen and Nani first share what it means for them to celebrate their birthdays and the holidays within the same month. Then they dive into exciting updates and shoutouts to their Instagram 5-Day Reflection Series members, Book Club members, BUYUSBOBA.COM supporters, and BUYUSBOBA.COM members! They also hint at an upcoming...
Dec 02, 2022•46 min
147: "There's no standing still or being done with self-awareness. It's an ongoing process." Expressing thanks with Jen and Nani Seasons Greetings! While Nani has already decorated her home for the holidays, Jen shares her upcoming plans to run a turkey trot -- her first running event in her 30s! Together, they share what they are thankful for, tease at their Instagram 5-Day Reflection Series, reflect on their latest book club, plan for December events, encourage potential advertisers to reach o...
Nov 25, 2022•42 min
146: "The direction that we take the show is always a result of what our community needs." Spending more time in community with Jen and Nani Jen and Nani are excited to continue expanding their offerings for our growing community! They discuss how they prioritize TFAW Project into their busy lives, the latest happenings within the Reflection Series groups, family members that served in the military (this episode was recorded on Veterans Day - Nov. 11), Nani's visit to the California Museum with ...
Nov 18, 2022•37 min
145: "Your voice matters here." Community engagement with Jen, Nani and Caitilin Damacion Jen and Nani, joined with Caitilin Damacion, hop on Instagram Live once again -- and plan on doing so every first Friday on the month! Together, they talk about their experiences with the Tsimis with Jen and Nani Book Club thus far, how their Discord community helped them decide on the best book to read, more background on Caitilin's relationship with her late father, why Jen and Nani decide to keep the nam...
Nov 11, 2022•54 min
144: "I got you. We are a team. Together we rise." Going Live on Instagram with Jen and Nani Last Friday, Jen and Nani surprise their Instagram followers by going Live! They explain why they want to revitalize their Instagram community, reflect on their third year of celebrating Filipino American History Month, invite listeners to join their free 5-Day Reflection Series, hint at a focus group for an upcoming coaching program, and much more. This conversation is also available on YouTube: https:/...
Nov 04, 2022•29 min
Note: This conversation is also available on YouTube https://youtu.be/_uf33cSUOq0 143: "We are not just excavating our past, but we are actively writing our future." Wrapping up Filipino American History Month with Jen and Nani And that's a wrap for Filipino American History Month! Jen and Nani share some fun facts about Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), Stacey Salinas' upcoming California Museum Exhibit "California Is In The Heart," and ways to continue engaging with TFAW P...
Oct 28, 2022•40 min
Note: This conversation is also available on YouTube https://youtu.be/yVgayJBOuZQ 142: "I do a lot because I'm excited to still be alive." Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Jaymee WINS Author, producer, and talent-in-progress, Jaymee WINS returns from Ep. 007 (three years ago!) to discuss Filipino American History Month and, for the first time on TFAW Project, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Jaymee shares when she was first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer on October 15, 2016,...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Note: This episode is also available on YouTube https://youtu.be/sPJLkWud4as 141: "If you appreciate us investing in you, we hope that you invest in us, too." FAHM and focus groups with Jen and Nani The celebration of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) continues! Jen and Nani share the history of how FAHM began, give a recap of their FREE 5-Day Reflection Series hosted in Instagram group chats, tease at an upcoming coaching program, how to continue engaging with TFAW, and much more! Resource...
Oct 14, 2022•30 min
This conversation is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MW_y6bJsGUU 140: "You can have all your ducks in a row. But if people don't latch on to your idea, then you wasted all that time trying to perfect it." 5-Day Reflection Series with Jen and Nani Jen and Nani are back for a weekly show of The Filipino American Woman (TFAW) Project in celebration of Filipino American History Month! They share with listeners how they are evolving the show, how they are reinvigorating their Instagram co...
Oct 07, 2022•42 min
139: "One of the ways that I identify as Filipino is that everything I do, I like to do it family style." Season 4 Trailer with Jen and Nani Jen and Nani return for Season 4 of TFAW Project! Together, they reflect on their individual journeys since they wrapped up Season 3, their new plans for Season 4, their decision to evolve their co-hosting relationship into a business partnership, and much more! For our latest updates and FINAL community events, check out our newsletter , published Friday, ...
Aug 19, 2022•17 min
This episode is also available via video: https://youtu.be/bD9B55A9VlA 138: "I'm so high on being Pinay." Outdoor adventures, adoptee raised in Vermont, and returning to the motherland with Gretchen "TSUKI" Puddicombe Tsuki loves to describe herself as a cowgirl, lesbian, rock climbing and parkour coach. As an adoptee, she speaks fondly of her family, friends, and her outdoorsy upbringing in Vermont. It was during the BLM movement when she started to embrace her Filipino identity and plan for an...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 12 min
