AAPI Healing Session | Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay

01/27/23 • 46 min

Join Vanessa Shiliwala and special guest Leslie Lew as we hold space for AAPI community healing in the aftermath of Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings. It's a raw, honest session as we struggle to process grief alongside joy during Lunar New Year, which is supposed to be a time of celebration, community and joy. We talk about the intersections of anti-Asian violence and mental health, self-worth, and why we will not be silenced as Asian women.
Plus: we want to hear from you. Send us your voice memos or audio clips to [email protected] or DM us on instagram @thrivespice. About Leslie Lew (she/her): Leslie is a trauma-informed self-defense coach, international speaker, and podcast host. You can find her on Instagram @reclaimingyourcourage and listen to her podcast Reclaiming Your Voice. She will be hosting a healing circle this upcoming week. For details, please visit her Instagram.About Vanessa Shiliwala (she/her): Vanessa is the Founder/CEO of Thrive Spice Media, a mental health podcast and leadership platform that seeks to amplify and empower AAPI leaders, creators, and changemakers. She is also an award-winning DEI advocate, speaker, senior marketing leader, mother, and NYU graduate. You can find her on instagram @thrivespice.Resources:
Stand with Asian Americans x Google x Coqual - "Strangers at Home: Key Findings on Asian and Asian American professionals, and erasure and invisibility of Pacific Islanders"Lunar New Year Victim's FundStop AAPI Hate Mental Health Resources Guide (San Mateo County and virtual/nationwide)Asian Mental Health ProjectAsian American Journalists Association - verified pronunciation of victims' names in the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootingsAsian American therapist directory

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Previous Episode

Asian Women Rising: Nancy Luong on Breaking Bamboo Ceilings in Tech, Immigrant Dads, and Money Myths in a "Bling Empire" World

Vanessa interviews Nancy Luong, a senior marketing leader at Salesforce, author of "How We Got Here", and recently crowned Ms. Southern California 2023. We talk about why allyship is the key to breaking the Bamboo Ceiling and Glass Ceiling, healing intergenerational trauma with immigrant parents, and busting money and success myths in a “Bling Empire” World.
Nancy shares her personal mission to break down walls and barriers - whether it’s the Bamboo Ceiling at work, awkward family dynamics due to intergenerational trauma, or a “lack”/ scarcity mindset when it comes to personal finance and success. We talk about the importance of mental health for men, and why her struggles to connect with her emotionally distant dad inspired her to write “How We Got Here Journal” and how gratifying it is to “see the walls come down” in their relationship.
Plus: Vietnamese food and the common bond of Asian moms never measuring ingredients, the frugal eco-warrior upcycling “immigrant mindset” that we experienced as kids, and unpacking personal finance myths that tie your happiness to your net worth or title.
About Nancy:

Nancy Luong is a Digital Program Manager at Salesforce and Co-President of AsiaPacforce with a background of 15+ years experience in digital marketing. She's a proud first generation daughter to Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants. Nancy is a Long Beach local, and a graduate of California State University Long Beach (CSULB). She is now a successful Fortune 500 senior marketer, financial content creator, keynote speaker, university educator, equality advocate, enthusiastic storyteller, and bestselling published author.
She believes everyone has a story and has created the How We Got Here Journal for you to tell your story. The journal is filled with 50 life changing questions to ask your parents or loved ones.

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Next Episode

Modern, Ambitious Women Unsubscribing from Self-Doubt with Neha Ruch | AAPI Heritage Month & Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

In honor of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and AAPI Heritage Month, host Vanessa talks with Neha Ruch, Founder of Mother Untitled, about choosing yourself, unsubscribing from judgements and self-doubt, and finding growth and clarity in times of transition. As modern, ambitious, Asian American women raising mixed-race families, Neha and Vanessa share their perspectives on nonlinear career journeys and deconstruct the narratives behind the “stay-at-home” vs. “working” moms debate. We discuss redefining success metrics, "having it all," and healing racial and intergenerational trauma.
Neha shares her personal journey as an Indian-American mother navigating motherhood, entrepreneurship, and activism, and how she finds joy in purpose and passion. Plus: we nerd out over the best pasta in NYC, interior design, and the most valuable lessons that are NOT taught in business school.
Prefer to watch the podcast? Watch the full interview video on YouTube here.
About Vanessa Shiliwala (she/her): Vanessa is the Founder/CEO of Thrive Spice Media, a mental health podcast and leadership platform that seeks to amplify and empower AAPI leaders, creators, and changemakers. She is also an award-winning DEI advocate, speaker, senior marketing leader, mother, and NYU graduate. You can find her on instagram @thrivespice. To learn more about her Mental Health Masterclasses and Diversity & Inclusion leadership development workshops for AAPI, BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ ERGs and corporate groups, please go to https://www.thrivespicemedia.com.
Resources for Maternal Mental Health Week 2023:

The Blue Dot Project

Postpartum Support International - dedicated groups are available for South Asian and AAPI moms and birth parents

Postpartum New York - PPD, PMAD (Perinatal Mood Disorders, the #1 complication related to childbearing)

Research and Resources for AAPI Moms - Motherly

Thrive Spice episode on destigmatizing postpartum depression (PPD) with comedian Alyce Chan

Thrive Spice episode on pregnancy loss and adoption with author Lyn Liao Butler

Research report - AAPI women are at higher risk of PPD than White, Black or Hispanic women

#MMHWeek2023 #apahm #aapiheritagemonth #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthformoms #AsktheQuestionNY #Project62NY #maternalmhmatters #aapimentalhealth #asianmentalhealth #aapimoms #asianmoms

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