Voice Hugs

The beautiful part of any friendship is experiencing special milestones together. And if the title didn’t already give it away… RO IS 💍 E N G A G E D💍 ! So grab your coffee/tea/drink of choice because it’s story time! Ro gives a play by play of the five-stop scavenger hunt around New York City leading up to the big question, and Viv shares the role she played in the planning process. Some mild scheming involved 😉 Tune in to find out how we fibbed about “The Washington Post” and who made a special appearance that had Ro ugly crying as James got down on one knee 😭🥲 As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Feeling unmotivated? Indifferent? Meh? Good, because we are too. Let’s unpack that. This week is all about motivation, or lack thereof. These periods drain our energy and our head space. Whether it’s lack of motivation in our career or finally pursuing a hobby, sometimes our situation gets the best of us. Viv and Ro share in how they each cope with low motivation and how to regain that spark again ✨  Pro-tip: When you’re feeling low, reach out to a friend 🙂 As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai Mentions: Kinto Water Bottle Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Book) Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck (Book)

We’re baaackk! Although this time around it wasn’t an intentional break. Maybe it’s the transition from Summer to Fall, mercury in retrograde, or the slow shift back to “normalcy” pre-COVID… But we’re so glad you’re here again as we catch up on life happenings! Viv and Ro spent some time with family and reminisce on the boundless spirit and joy of being a kid. Still, as 30-somethings trying to emulate the fearless spirit of a 2 year old, they also chat about what’s been holding them back and pushing through a rough patch. As we step into the new Fall season (and approaching our 1 year anniversary!), we just want to say Thank You for sticking with us through all the seasons 💛 We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

When does the inner work journey end? This week we answer a listener question about protecting others from yourself because you are not “fully healed” in your inner work journey or “not good enough” yet. Truth is that the inner work journey never ends. We’re in a constant state of evolution while dancing through each season of life. Sharing their take on being a “good/bad” person and being your best self 100% of the time, Viv and Ro remind us that it’s OK to be with someone AND continue to grow in your own respect. It’s true what they say, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Whether you felt 2022 went by fast or slow, here we are. August. More than half way through the year, Viv and Ro share some experiences that capture what it means to “live in the moment.” The simple joys of life can be found right in front of you (beyond your computer screen). And once we slow down to see it, we can revel in the kind of growth we never thought possible. Do that thing that you’ve always wanted to do. Go on that trip to Paris, and forgo your work laptop. Buy that bubble machine labeled: Suggested Age 3+. Do your own at-home gel manicure and save $50. Sit on the park bench and use the bubble machine you just bought to put on a bubble show for the kids. Gentle reminder to not take life too seriously 🙃 As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

As children of immigrants, the relationship with our parents can be multi-layered and very complex. Often the first relationship we form as children, this bond proves pivotal in our development into adulthood. Now in their 30s, Viv and Ro recall experiences that continually challenge the role parents play for their (now adult) children. And with it comes its own evolution of unraveling trapped emotions, wrestling with time (or lack of), and seeing our parents as actual human beings. Time with our parents is finite. And in the face of mortality, we just might give both ourselves and parents some grace for the past, present, and future. As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate you and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai Mentions: Book: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

We all have it, but we rarely talk about it. In this episode, Viv and Ro expand on one of the most popular topics to date: Insecurities (Episode 2).  It’s neither a glamorous topic, nor is it easy to talk about. Insecurity can highlight additional feelings of shame, guilt, and anger. Viv and Ro explore how everyday encounters, both work and personal (ahem: social media), can trigger insecurity and send them spiraling. And while insecurity doesn’t disappear overnight, the more we practice being kinder to ourselves, the more we rewrite our internal narrative. Similarly, by sharing our insecurities we enter new levels of self-awareness and connection with others. Brené Brown says it best, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate youuuu and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

If you could be liberated from one thing in your life, what would it be? Whether it’s constantly seeking approval from others, or being trapped in the insecure cycle of comparison, Rowena and Viv found that answering this question helped them take inventory of what’s holding them back and what steps to take forward towards the right direction. Well... what did they find you ask? Sometimes the thing we need to liberate ourselves most from is that darn voice in our heads (sis needs to chillll!) The two also catch up on current ways they are finding work-life harmony. While Rowena shares the struggle of incorporating quality time socializing with friends and family into her schedule and balancing the never-ending task list of work that needs to get done, Viv talks about the ways she’s made simple, yet impactful, decisions to bring herself to the present moment - from ordering fish at a restaurant, to adding a bubble machine to her ultimate picnic pack.  As always, thank you for being here! We appreciate youuuu and welcome your feedback ❤️ Please say hello and send over any topics/questions you'd like to hear in future episodes :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs  Check out Rowena's 2022 Notion Worksheets: https://ntn.so/rowenastemplate Mentions: Drink Poppi Bubble Machine (Target) - Note: Item got not-so-hot reviews so linking another one from Amazon here) Rug/Picnic Blanket (Ikea)   Polarbox Cooler Life Purpose - YouTube Slow Productivity - YouTube 10 lessons I learned in my 20s - YouTube

Have you ever felt happy and sad at the same time? Or maybe torn between two (or more) emotions? At some point in our lives, we have all found ourselves in a push and pull emotional state, and the contrasting feelings may have led to confusion, uncertainty, and maybe even ambivalence.  A question from a Voice Hug listener on how to manage the experience of polarizing feelings inspired Vivian and Rowena to reflect on instances where they thought they should have felt a certain way (logically), but instead experienced a different feeling (emotionally). Could we hold space for more than one emotion at once? How do we make sense of this spectrum of emotions? Stay tuned for a reflective story-filled episode and a little takeaway tip involving the word "should" ;)  Mentions: Psychology Today Article: "Can You Fee Two Emotions At Once?"  Say hello :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Viv's IG: @vivianxvan Ro's IG: @rowenatsai

Content has evolved drastically to include all types of media—podcasts, YouTube videos, TV shows, streaming shows, books, movies and more. Wonder what kinds of content Ro and Viv love to consume?  Ro and Viv share their favorite types of content in this episode. Although BFFs, the duo’s personal tastes are very different. Listen to the entire episode to find out Ro & Viv’s favorite podcasts, Kdramas, and dating shows...you don't want to miss this one! Thank you Notion for sponsoring this episode! https://ntn.so/voicehugs  Say hello :) Email: hello@voicehugspodcast.com IG: @voicehugspodcast Ro's IG: @rowenatsai Viv's IG: @vivianxvan