No Dumb Questions with Mel: How I Saved $27,000 on College Tuition

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 journey as a creative, Watcher’s exciting future, and how he sees food & travel as a way of creating cultural connections. Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Hosts: Melody Cheng and Janet Wang Guest: Steven Lim Contributing Editor: Haemee Kang __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/abg • ZocDoc: Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at ZocDoc.com/ABG • Skims: Find your next go-to t-shirt at Skims.com/abg and let them know ABG sent you! • Pampers: Check out the new Pampers Free and Gentle wipes today! • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Join our Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/4HxZgwFbhg  • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 reproductive health, and discuss the synergies between Eastern and Western medicine. Michelle also provides practical advice on improving fertility and overall well-being, including key acupressure points listeners can use today at home! (Who knew the ears were an access point to the entire body??) Tune in to discover how ancient wisdom can help awaken your reproductive potential and transform your health. AsianBossGirl’s latest Instagram post for comments/interactions, linked here.  #SpillTheBabyTea Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Host: Helen Wu Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of Father’s Day and all the different ways fatherhood can look, we’ve brought Sam Tsui and Casey Breves on the show to share about their journey and outlook on parenting. Sam and Casey are OG YouTubers, incredibly talented musicians, and fathers to their beautiful daughter Elaia. It’s clear that music and creativity are core values in their lives, and they’re passing it onto Elaia as well through their latest book, Why Do We Sing? We’re so excited to hear Sam and Casey’s perspectives on parenting through music, celebrating their diverse family cultures through activities like a Mandarin dance class (sign us up too!), and what it means to be girl dads. Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Hosts: Janet Wang and Helen Wu Guests: Sam Tsui and Casey Breves Editor: Michelle Hsieh Contributing Editor: Haemee Kang __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • McDonald’s: Try the new Grandma McFlurry at a McDonald’s near you, and send your grandma a message at sweetconnections.ai • OUAI: Receive 15% off any product using code “ABG” at TheOUAI.com • Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at Quince.com/abg • Pampers: Check out the new Pampers Free and Gentle wipes today! • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Join our Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/4HxZgwFbhg  • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve been feeling really sensitive lately and got curious about this quality. I went down a rabbit hole of research, and it turns out that there is such a thing as highly sensitive people, or HSPs. In this episode, I talk about examples of sensitivity, explore a framework from psychologist Elaine Aron, and share ways I manage sensitivity. And yes, there is a test you can take to gauge whether you are a highly sensitive person and I share my results in the episode. Whether you’ve recently experienced a significant life event(s) that warrants sensitivity, or you’re just a human trying to life in an increasingly hostile world - the state of political, social, environmental affairs and overstimulation from an exponentially fast-paced lifestyle due to technological advancement is causing overall stress and fatigue for everyone - I hope this episode serves as some form of validation, information, and comfort.  If you’re curious about whether you’re a highly sensitive person, you can take the test here: highly sensitive person test I'll be traveling to Bali for the first time this September - a little Birthday gift to myself :) If you'd like to join, more details and sign up here: Bali 2024 Trip Page. Deadline is fast approaching! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Host: Janet Wang Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve talked a lot about healthy communication in relationships, but when it comes to the topic of sex, partners often shy away from talking about it directly. On top of that, our experience of pleasure as women is often not prioritized, and some may even wonder: Is it possible for me to reach “the big O”?  To help guide these conversations, we’ve brought on Sex & Relationship expert Dr. Tara. As an award-winning researcher and tenured professor, she has so many insights to share, and the evidence to back it up! How can you build sexual esteem? What are ways that personal & environmental factors can affect your libido? Should I try sexual meditation or tantra sex? Get comfortable, because Dr. Tara has answers to all these questions and more! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Hosts: Melody Cheng and Janet Wang Guest: Dr. Tara Contributing Editor: Haemee Kang __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • McDonald’s: Try the new Grandma McFlurry at a McDonald’s near you, and send your grandma a message at sweetconnections.ai • HommeFace: Get your Father's Day gifts today at hommeface.com and use code “ABGFATHERSDAY” for 30% off • Honeylove: Get 20% OFF by going to honeylove.com/ABG  • Seed: Check out Seed’s DS-01 Daily Synbiotic & get 25% off your first month with code “25ABG” at Seed.com/ABG • Lumen: Get $100 off your Lumen with code “ABG” at Lumen.Me • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Join our Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/4HxZgwFbhg  • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know I never took the SAT? Yet I still earned a Bachelor's Degree from a four-year university! And guess what? I saved $27,000 on college tuition! How? I started at my local community college for two years before transferring to UC San Diego. In today's episode, I’ll share why I chose community college despite having a 3.8 GPA in high school, what the experience was like (did I feel behind compared to my peers?), and why it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Grab your headphones and dive into this episode of "No Dumb Questions with Mel"! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/  __________________________________________ Host: Melody Cheng Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • McDonald’s: Try the new Grandma McFlurry at a McDonald’s near you, and send your grandma a message at sweetconnections.ai • Pampers: Check out the new Pampers Free and Gentle wipes today! • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, Helen went through a miscarriage, and since then she’s been navigating this devastating loss alongside her husband Philip. From doctor visits to sharing the news, every step along the way has been a difficult one. It’s unfortunate to learn that about 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and expectant parents often have to go through their grief in silence, and alone. For this reason, Helen and Philip want to share their personal story to bring more visibility to the experience of miscarriage and reduce the stigma around talking about it. They also offer some tips for how we as a community can support loved ones going through similar experiences. To anyone who has experienced such loss, we see you, and our hearts go out to you. *Content Warning: This episode deals with the difficult topics of grief and loss, along with some graphic details surrounding the miscarriage experience.  Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ __________________________________________ Host: Helen Wu Guest: Philip Wang Editor: Michelle Hsieh __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • OneSkin: Get started with 15% off your order using code “ABG” at OneSkin.co • McDonald’s: Try the new Grandma McFlurry at a McDonald’s near you, and send your grandma a message at sweetconnections.ai • Pampers: Check out the new Pampers Free and Gentle wipes today! • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Join our Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/4HxZgwFbhg  • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’re a parent or someone who has faced the heavy weight of grief, this episode is dedicated to you. From the initial shock and denial to the eventual steps towards acceptance and hope, I share my journey with grief after my miscarriage, delving into what it means to grieve, how to navigate through grief, and the importance of community and support. I also share what I’ve learned about the seven stages of grief after loss. Writing these words have been both a cathartic and challenging process for me. I recount the moments of despair and the gradual rediscovery of hope, the days when it felt impossible to move forward, and the small victories that reminded me of my inner strength. By sharing my story, I hope to create a space where we can openly discuss our grief, honor our losses, and find comfort in knowing that we are not alone. This journey has taught me that while grief may be a solitary experience, healing is often found in the shared connections we make with others. Thank you for allowing me to share this part of my life with you. AsianBossGirl’s latest Instagram post for comments/interactions, linked here.  #SpillTheBabyTea Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ __________________________________________ Host: Helen Wu Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered if someone you know is a Narcissist? Maybe they have very high self-esteem, but when does self-confidence cross the line into an unhealthy level of self-importance? To help shed some light on this topic, we’re so excited to have Alyssa “Lia” Mancao back on the podcast! Last time, we spoke with Lia about the Importance of Chemistry vs. Compatibility in Relationships, but one of her particular specialties is helping people recover from narcissistic abuse. She walks us through the differences between adaptive and maladaptive narcissism, and why narcissists often employ manipulative techniques like negging and love bombing. We also talk about how mental health symptoms manifest in AANHPI communities and tips for how to bring a parent or family member to therapy. Lia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Alyssa Marie Wellness, a group practice that employs a team of licensed psychotherapists. If you have any questions to ask her next time we have her on the show, leave them in the comments below! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ __________________________________________ Hosts: Janet Wang and Helen Wu Guest: Alyssa “Lia” Mancao Contributing Editor: Haemee Kang __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • Skims: Find your next go-to t-shirt at Skims.com/abg and let them know ABG sent you! • Clarins: Receive 10% off Multi-Active Day & Night Cream + a free welcome gift + free shipping on your first order using code “ABG” at Clarins.com/ABG • Pampers: Check out the new Pampers Free and Gentle wipes today! • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Join our Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/4HxZgwFbhg  • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am a big believer that food is medicine. Growing up in a Chinese household, my mother often told me (and still tells me) to eat certain foods based on Eastern philosophies of health. Once I went to college, I was more exposed to Western ways of thinking about healthy eating, which sometimes conflicted with what I was taught growing up. Through the years, I’ve experimented with vegetarian and vegan diets and now practice a pescetarian/Mediterranean way of eating - which I have found is the most accommodating for Western ideals of health while still being able to share meals with my Chinese family. In this episode, I chat with Zoey, a NY and Shanghai-based registered dietician, nutrition consultant, chef, and Chinese Medicine food therapist, who shares her own experience with American versus Chinese ways of eating and how she's seen it impact her physical and mental health. If you want to learn how to improve your nutrition for healthier living and crave a perspective that incorporates both Eastern and Western ways of thinking, listen in as we chat about fad diets, good food habits, and what she's learned from the older women in her life about maintaining good health and longevity. Guest: zoeyxinyigong Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA videos, discounts on merch, and shout-outs in our episodes. https://abg.supercast.com/ __________________________________________ Host: Janet Wang Editor: Victoria Cheng __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month with code “ABG” at betterhelp.com/ABG __________________________________________ C O N N E C T W I T H U S • Subscribe and Follow us @asianbossgirl on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook • Listener Survey: Let us know your thoughts on the podcast here • Email: [email protected] __________________________________________ S U P P O R T U S • Merch: asianbossgirl.myshopify.com • Donate: anchor.fm/asianbossgirl/support • More about us at asianbossgirl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices