No Dumb Questions with Mel: Q&A - Am I Happy?, Do I Miss the West Coast?, Favorite Neighborhood in NYC, & What's my Next K-Drama?

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

YouTube launched in 2005, and today’s guest was there right near the start. Weylie Hoang started her channel in 2007, with a video she filmed to teach a friend how to use a tampon. Over the years, we’ve watched her content evolve from beauty and fashion to camping, car maintenance, and traveling. We’re so excited to hear her perspective on how she’s maintained longevity as a content creator without burning out, why she lets the right audience find her rather than trying to tailor her content for specific trends, and what personal happiness really means to her. 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 Helen Wu Guest: Weylie Hoang Editor: Michelle Hsieh Contributing Editor: Haemee Kang __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • OUAI: Receive 15% off any product using code “ABG” at TheOUAI.com • 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 • 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

Join me for a special Q&A episode where we dive into the questions YOU submitted! From updates on the bustling streets of NYC to personal reflections on happiness and anxiety, nothing is off-limits. In this episode, we tackle everything from city life to emotional well-being. Plus, I had to answer your questions on what K-Drama I'm watching next and what I'm anticipating for this summer! Grab your headphones and listen to me answer your Q’s in 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 • 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 • Shoutouts: Give a shoutout 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

Mel’s settling into New York now, but before that, she sat down with Janet to talk about her expectations for the big move. Frequent listeners will know that Janet’s bounced around a lot, and at one point, NYC was a place she really hoped to live. Unfortunately, though the city is easy to romanticize, setting down roots there has its own unique set of challenges. Mel talks about how she prepared for the move, from creating Excel spreadsheets to researching all the different boroughs. Janet shares several attempts to try and make things work in New York, including a time where she booked a place to stay on Craigslist… but it turned out to be a brick wall! New York is the city of opportunity and inspiration, but what happens if your dreams don’t work out the way you expect? 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 __________________________________________ P A R T N E R S • 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 • Honeylove: Get 20% OFF by going to honeylove.com/ABG  • Pampers: For trusted protection, trust Pampers, the #1 pediatrician recommended brand. • 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 • Shoutouts: Give a shoutout 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

Today's topic is a tough one, so I want to give a heads-up: we’re diving into the difficult subject of miscarriage. Cue: “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift. About a month ago, I went through a miscarriage, and as a hopeful mom of two, it was the single most devastating thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. It's a heavy but necessary conversation, and today, I share my own experience with this heart-wrenching loss aiming to break the silence and stigma surrounding miscarriage. It's crucial to shed light on this topic because, sadly, it's more common than many realize. I offer insights on how to support a friend or loved one navigating a miscarriage. Practical help, like offering to watch their kids or bringing over nourishing meals, can make a world of difference. And if words fail you, simply being present and offering a listening ear can mean everything. I also touch on what not to say, like minimizing their grief with phrases like "at least" or comparing their loss to something else. It's all about being mindful of our words and actions during such a sensitive time. Through sharing my journey and the outpouring of love and support I received, I hope to encourage more open conversations about miscarriage and grief. Together, we can create a space where sharing our pain leads to more healing and understanding. And for those who have experienced or are experiencing a miscarriage, I hope this episode helps you to feel seen. Please know that your pain is valid, your loss is real. And most of all, you are not alone, and you are loved. 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 • Shoutouts: Give a shoutout 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