When you were young, you might have looked at people who were “adulting” - working full-time, paying bills, etc. - and seen that as the benchmark for adulthood. But are these tasks really what makes someone a certified adult? If not, what are the experiences that transformed us from disorganized & irresponsible youths to who we are today? Grab your most responsible friend, because we’re diving deep into this topic in today’s episode! Share your favorite “adulting” practice in the comments! B...
Sep 27, 2024•54 min•Season 24Ep. 291
Did you know that botox can be a treatment for teeth grinding? Or that your oral health needs may change during pregnancy? Ever heard of minimally invasive veneers? Curious about teeth whitening best practices? I chat with @joycethedentist about all of this and more. Dr. Joyce Kahng is a cosmetic & restorative dentist and the owner of Orange + Magnolia Dental Studio in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, CA. She’s been featured on Vogue, Allure, Glamour and is a forbesnext1000. On her various soci...
Sep 25, 2024•53 min
Do we experience ‘Eldest Daughter Syndrome’? If you haven’t heard this term before, typically it refers to the unique challenges and responsibilities that shape the personalities of eldest daughters - particularly in immigrant families. It’s a title that none of us chose, but many have found that the pressure of parental expectations and the need to be a role model for our younger siblings can have both positive and negative effects. On today’s episode, the two eldest daughters of ABG - Janet an...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 24Ep. 290
Planning a big trip with friends can be both exciting and a little stressful. Today’s episode was inspired by one of my team members after I shared that I’m heading to Vietnam soon with my college friends! She asked me how I usually plan these types of trips, and it got me thinking—coordinating travel preferences, schedules, and personalities can be a lot to manage! With my Vietnam trip just around the corner, I thought it would be perfect to bring on one of my best friends, Tiff, who’s also hel...
Sep 18, 2024•59 min
We’re in the final weeks of summer, but because the past few months have been so eventful, we haven’t had a chance to check in with ourselves and each other! In fact, summers in general now just look so different in our 30’s, particularly when friends start to have kids. When we’re part of different “villages” with various priorities and obligations, how do we still have meaningful hangouts with loved ones? From Phil’s 40th Birthday Cruise to Janet’s sister’s baby shower, we share some highlight...
Sep 13, 2024•52 min•Season 24Ep. 289
Today, we’re uncovering the secrets to finding the perfect daycare that will set your little one on the path to success. We’re talking about the must-ask questions, tips for navigating the application process, and how to spot the red flags before it’s too late. Whether you're just starting the search or drowning in options, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to make a confident and informed choice. Get ready to feel empowered and excited about this important milestone in your...
Sep 11, 2024•36 min
So it’s finally happening - you’re now at a point in your life where you feel emotionally and financially ready to buy a home. But where do you even start? Do you need a realtor? How can you make your offer stand out in a competitive housing market? And what the heck is escrow? We’ve invited Jessica Lee, a Southern California realtor, to share her knowledge and answer all these questions. This process can be extremely daunting, and even discouraging at times, but it’s important not to give up! Y...
Sep 06, 2024•47 min•Season 24Ep. 288
If you've ever felt that you needed to turn your life around, Charles Chen is someone you must know about. He is a yoga teacher, holistic chef, and the creator of 888 Process - a wellness community and collective that promotes transformation as a collective experience. He shares his message about the transformative power of holistic health and wellness on his various social platforms, posting content and stoking conversations around yoga, meditation, mindfulness, nutrition, and so much more. Cha...
Sep 04, 2024•46 min
Have you ever wondered if you’re living up to the full potential of your brain power? Today’s guest, Jim Kwik, has dedicated his career to helping people learn better and faster, improve focus, and optimize their memory. After experiencing a traumatic brain injury as a child, Jim faced many learning challenges and was even written off as “the boy with the broken brain” by his teachers. However, he now knows that the brain is only as limited as you think it is; in fact, the mind is limitless, and...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 24Ep. 287
In this episode of No Dumb Questions, we dive deep into the world of TV writing and what it truly takes to make it in Hollywood. As someone who's always been captivated by the entertainment industry, today’s topic is particularly exciting for me. And to make it even better, we have an extraordinary guest who’s worked on incredible shows like Loot and Superstore—plus, she’s collaborated with comedy royalty like Maya Rudolph! Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Vicky Luu —an incredibly talente...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Making lunch can be enjoyable for some more than others, but for today’s guest, crafting cute & delicious meals for her kids is a true joy. Sulhee Jessica Woo’s eye-catching and mouth-watering lunches have crowned her as “The Bento Box Queen” on the Internet. We’re so excited to chat with Jessica about how she manages to make such stunning bento boxes with a busy mom’s schedule, her relationship with her 3 daughters, and how her meals have reclaimed the “lunchbox moment” that so many Asian A...
Aug 23, 2024•48 min•Season 24Ep. 286
In this episode of Spill the Baby Tea, I'm diving into the wild and sometimes messy world of fully potty training a toddler boy by 2.5 years old. Potty training is no joke, and trust me, we’ve had our fair share of challenges -- like that one time we had a major potty accident at Disneyland (yes, it’s as chaotic as it sounds). I'll be sharing all the tips and tricks that helped us get through this milestone. From choosing the right potty gear to figuring out the best timing and techniques, I’ll ...
Aug 21, 2024•33 min
Summer is in full swing now, and while this is the perfect time to be outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, it’s an equally good time to be cozy on the couch with a new movie or reality TV show. Lately, we’ve been watching The Bachelorette (check out our interview with Jenn Tran on Episode 282!), Inside Out 2, and Perfect Match. There are so many emotional moments to discuss and dissect: Helen’s new perspective on movies now as a mom, our Bachelorette predictions, and can fuckbois really change? L...
Aug 16, 2024•55 min•Season 24Ep. 285
From nutrition and morning rituals to beauty and fashion, I share my current summer wellness practices. Let me know which of these practices you also do, are interested in trying, or other wellness practices you're currently into! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA sessions, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ __________________________________________ Host: Janet Wang Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________...
Aug 14, 2024•29 min
We’re always looking for new ways to prioritize & pursue our mental health, so last month, we visited The Breathing Room in Westwood, Los Angeles (*not sponsored!). We were joined by our friends Dan and Tim, who are also on this episode to share their thoughts on this unique experience! We decided to try their meditation pods and micro-vibroacoustic meditation lounges - Helen, Dan, and Tim chose a “Healing” theme, while Janet chose “Aspire.” All of us have experienced major life shifts in th...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 24Ep. 284
In today’s episode, I’m bringing back a special guest: my boyfriend Ray! Last time he was on the show, we did a fun Q&A where he answered all your curious questions. This time, we’re diving into some hot takes and having a lively discussion, since we’re both pretty opinionated. We answer hot takes like "Separate vacations can strengthen a relationship", "It's okay to sleep in separate bedrooms", to "You Don't Have to Be Best Friends". Tune in to hear our perspectives and join the conversatio...
Aug 07, 2024•41 min
For the first time on ABG, Mel is calling in to the studio to record an episode, all the way from New York! Ever since she moved to the East Coast, it’s been an adjustment for all three of us, not only in our friendships but also in our work. Before, we used to be able to make impromptu plans to hang out, now it takes plane tickets and a lot more planning. Even things like conflict resolution feels more difficult when you’re used to having IRL conversations. How have these shifting dynamics affe...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 24Ep. 283
How do friendships change once we become parents? It's something I definitely didn't consider much when I was pregnant, with a million thoughts swirling through my head. Now that we're 2.5 years into the parenting journey, I feel equipped to share my personal anecdotes and challenges regarding how parenthood has impacted certain relationships. From the awkward moments of feeling left out of group chats to the complexities of scheduling around nap times and family commitments, I offer my experien...
Jul 31, 2024•32 min
Jenn Tran is making history as the first Asian American ‘Bachelorette’ and we are so thrilled to have her on the show today! As long time fans of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise, we’ve followed Jenn’s journey from when she was a contestant to now as a leading lady. She shares what it means to her to represent her Vietnamese culture on TV, how she cooked for all the ‘Bachelor’ contestants, and that filming ‘The Bachelorette’ was like living with her best friends while dating the same guy. Catch Season 2...
Jul 26, 2024•36 min•Season 24Ep. 282
I’ve spoken often and at length about my love for yoga. In this episode I talk about how I got into yoga, why I love it so much, details about my current practice, and tips for anyone who wants to get into yoga (especially in the LA area). If you enjoyed this episode, leave your favorite yoga pose in the comments! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA sessions, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ ________________...
Jul 24, 2024•34 min
For better or for worse, having a sister is a lifelong friendship that you didn’t choose for yourself. Janet and Helen know just how tumultuous, but also reassuring, growing up with sisters can be. Janet and her younger sister Patty have very different personalities and interests, while Helen and her older sister Anne fought A LOT as kids. But ultimately, we know that the other sister always has our back through the heartbreaks and joys of life. We’re also curious – does having a sister affect h...
Jul 19, 2024•57 min•Season 24Ep. 281
Well, I know that I’m not the only one having a tough year. After having some one-on-one calls with my close friends, I realize this year has rocked a lot of people already. People are facing tough times and being challenged in life! The saying “you really don’t know what people are going through” resonates more than ever. As we’re all struggling with our own things, I thought this episode could be a good reminder to check in with yourself. In this episode, I share five essential questions to he...
Jul 17, 2024•31 min
Moving in with a significant other is one of the key milestones in a relationship. Learning each other's preferences and creating a home together can be extremely rewarding… but also a big test for you and your partner. Even if you have experience living with roommates, sharing a space with a S.O. can be a big adjustment. Since Mel just recently moved in with her boyfriend, we thought it’d be a perfect time to share how we all decided to move in with partners, as well as the inevitable disagreem...
Jul 12, 2024•49 min•Season 23Ep. 280
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a mommy influencer? Today, I bring on Esther Park, a friend and rapidly rising star in the social media world. She shares how she grew her followers from 12,000 to nearly 200,000 in just over a year. As a content creator myself, this episode was fascinating to me, and I learned so much! She shares her secrets to creating genuine, relatable content, and her strategies for rapid growth and audience engagement across various platforms. Esther also open...
Jul 10, 2024•54 min
When you’re on an airplane, is it okay to take off your shoes? Depending on who you ask, you’ll probably get some opposing viewpoints. As humans, we all have our personal opinions and preferences, but some topics are particularly polarizing. So today, we’re sharing (and debating) our own hot takes: Should kids be invited to weddings? Is Timothée Chalamet hot? Is age just a number? and more! Let us know where you fall on these hot takes in the comments (but please be sure to be respectful of ever...
Jul 05, 2024•54 min•Season 23Ep. 279
Middle age is usually defined as age 40-60. Some say it begins as early as our mid-30s. I am at the beginning of that period - this year I turn 39 and I’m on the precipice of my 4th decade. As I contend with midlife and all it means in relation to my health, my relationships, and my purpose in life - I’ve been referencing how others have navigated this period before me. Mimi is a midlife pro-age motivator who created Hey Middle Age to change how we feel about aging and to counter ageist stereoty...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min
We often say that your 20’s are a time for exploration and new experiences, and today’s guest has certainly proven that! You might recognize Ashley Chen from her incredible work as our former Social Media Coordinator or Episode 160 when she was on the pod to talk about transitions in your early 20’s. Now in her mid-20’s, she recently made big steps to quit her corporate job and move to Taiwan for six months. In between that time, she also went on tour with NIKI! We’re so excited to welcome Ashle...
Jun 28, 2024•45 min•Season 23Ep. 278
Raise your hand if you know Jay Chou? Jolin Tsai? F4? lol One of the most common questions we get asked is “How do you stay connected to your culture?” or “Have you always been connected to your cultural identity?” In this episode, I’ll share why I’m so proud to be Taiwanese-American and how I stay connected with my cultural identity. Trust me, it’s more fun than you think! Join me for an inspiring conversation about cultural pride, personal stories, and the little ways I celebrate my heritage e...
Jun 26, 2024•26 min
Today’s guest will likely be a familiar face - Steven Lim is known for his work as a co-host of Buzzfeed’s “Worth It” series and for being a co-founder/CEO of Watcher Entertainment. But before that, he was just a kid from Ohio, who went from being a chemical engineer to the creator and AAPI community advocate we know him as today! And with the launch of his new food show Travel Season, there’s sure to be even more exciting things in store. We’re so excited to get a deep dive into Steven’s journe...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr•Season 23Ep. 277
In this enlightening episode, we explore the powerful intersection of acupuncture and fertility with Michelle Oravitz, a licensed acupuncturist and author of "The Way of Fertility." Michelle shares her personal journey from struggling with irregular periods to finding healing through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Her experiences led her to transition from a career in architecture to becoming a fertility health expert. We dive deep into how acupuncture works, especially in the context of re...
Jun 19, 2024•44 min
