

soju with sarah
sarah pan
a safe space to explore adulthood, relationships, life in our 20s, careers & finance :)
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đź’Ś JOIN THE COMMUNITY! đź’Ś
send us your advice column questions, life advice tips, or podcast feedback! âž https://tally.so/r/mV85KM
join our newsletter! âž https://sojuwithsarah.substack.com
send us an email! âž hello@sojuwithsarah.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 2, 2025 • 34min
you are not a self-improvement project
hey there baddies -- today is the james takeover episode and i'll be taking you through my recent musings on toxic self-improvement. hope you enjoy and leave a đź—ż emoji if you're reading this :) - jamestoday's specialty drink on the menu: white russianchapters(00:00:00) preview(00:00:25) intro(00:03:20) my self-improvement journey(00:06:47) hyper-focusing on my flaws (00:11:33) you have inherent value (00:13:46) toxic self-improvement vs. self-actualization(00:15:16) things i'm bad at (00:18:35) intermission w/ sarah(00:24:36) how to shift your mindset (00:29:16) film + book recs (00:33:23) bloopers

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 6min
reviewing *every* year in my 20s
today we're digging deep down and exposing our dear host sarah! as we reminisce about every single year until age 27, we'll chat about lessons learned, the trials and tribulations of getting older & how we navigated challenges in adulthood ~ grab your favorite mugs and join us for a fun soju friday :)today's specialty drink on the menu: raspberry pique teachapter(00:00:00) preview(00:00:48) drink of the day(00:03:33) age 20: finding self validation(00:16:48) age 21: clarity & comfort(00:22:25) age 22: the plight of adulthood(00:30:51) age 23: a focused pandemic era(00:38:11) age 24: the year of letting go(00:40:31) age 25: a turning point (and quarter life crisis)(00:55:19) age 26: the signs of a weak foundation(00:59:09) age 27: today :)(01:03:22) spirituality; fear vs. self-belief(01:05:10) comment your favorite year of life!

Apr 18, 2025 • 47min
my partner cheated on me multiple times… (soju advice column #4)
This podcast dives into spicy listener submissions and offers life-changing advice. The hosts navigate the tricky waters of infidelity, discussing the emotional fallout and communication needed for healing. They also tackle career pressures faced by young professionals, emphasizing self-worth beyond job titles. Plus, they explore the complexities of telling friends about hidden romantic feelings while sharing hilarious anecdotes from their recent travels. It's a blend of laughs, insights, and genuine support!

23 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 30min
feeling beautiful when you dont fit the beauty standard
After a transformative trip to Asia, the discussion dives into how travel prompts introspection about beauty standards. In Korea, affordability in beauty services shifts self-care norms, while social media influences insecurities. Sarah reflects on feeling out of place due to cultural beauty ideals and emphasizes the importance of self-care over vanity. She highlights that beauty is subjective and encourages listeners to embrace their natural features. The episode concludes with a reminder that everyone deserves self-care, celebrating inner growth as critical to feeling beautiful.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
do cultural differences matter in a relationship?
hello from korea! today we're tuning in from asia and sharing some reflections we've been making / having / discussing while on this trip ~ for some soju shotties who aren't aware, james is actually korean and i (sarah) am chinese! through the years, we've both made active efforts to learn and inquire more about each others cultures but even then, it can be hard! so strap in, grab your soju mug and let's chat!drink of the day: somaek 소맥chapters(00:00:00) preview(00:06:36) does it matter if there are cultural differences?(00:11:23) personal identity (as an ABC / banana)(00:19:44) is cultural differences a dealbreaker?(00:23:54) what language do we teach our kids?(00:31:13) intermission snack!(00:43:37) the perks of being korean(00:45:00) why sarah feels comfortable in korea(00:46:54) a funny story in japan(00:51:47) yearning for a cultural experience(00:54:29) soju tasting event??(00:58:24) james is tipsy(01:01:45) bloopers

Mar 28, 2025 • 48min
do you miss being single?
In this lively discussion, the hosts tackle the intriguing question of missing singlehood. They reflect on the freedom and independence that come with being single while contrasting it with the comfort of relationships. The duo candidly shares personal experiences, touching on how societal norms favor couples and how friendships often shift after pairing up. They also explore the challenges of dating and emphasize the importance of self-discovery during solo times. Ultimately, they encourage embracing singlehood as an opportunity for growth.

Mar 21, 2025 • 52min
a guy’s perspective on dating & long-term commitment
Dive into the male perspective on dating and long-term commitment, where James candidly shares his journey through love. Discover his ideal type and his unconventional dating history. The conversation touches on the fears of commitment, vulnerabilities, and the humor found in early romance experiences. Packed with insights on building confidence and navigating societal pressures, this discussion emphasizes the emotional complexities of relationships and personal growth. Plus, enjoy some light-hearted banter and reflections on marriage readiness!

Mar 14, 2025 • 35min
my mindset as i approach 30
today we're chatting about mindset shifts as we entering our 30s ~ while 30 is still a few years away from me, the 20s can be a confusing & challenging period leading up to it. i've personally had my own existential crises in this time (as y'all have probably witnessed) so today let's break down the little bits of our late 20s that challenge us!today's specialty drink on the menu: pink lemonadechapters(00:00:00) intro(00:04:13) the idea of turning 30 (00:06:48) learning more about yourself(00:08:13) caring less about opinions(00:11:00) aging and self-care(00:12:36) health is wealth(00:16:02) listen to your body (00:17:55) my attitude towards career(00:24:10) time feels scarce(00:27:59) deciding what friends matter(00:30:25) standards for my partner(00:34:12) outro

Mar 7, 2025 • 52min
what we owe our parents (& what we don't)
today we're talking about family dynamics & growing up in an immigrant household ~ this is a topic that is near and dear to our hearts so we're diving into all things familial responsibilities, commitments & what we truly owe our families. so grab your mugs and let's chat! today's specialty drink on the menu: yogurt sojuchapters(00:00:00) intro(00:03:01) do you owe your parents? (00:12:37) why do parents feel entitled?(00:16:26) vicarious dream fulfillment(00:24:36) pressure to help siblings or partners(00:27:22) pressure from relatives (00:32:38) being selfish(00:33:21) good parenting tactics (00:38:22) what do we owe our family?(00:44:01) what do we *not* owe our family?(00:50:51) bloopers

31 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 23min
the life advice you need to hear (pt. 2)
Dive into life-changing insights, starting with the idea of failing small to avoid bigger setbacks. Discover the power of asking seemingly 'stupid' questions to accelerate your learning. Embrace forward momentum by falling forward rather than backward in life. Learn how to attract opportunities by doing things just for fun. Sarah highlights the importance of selective criticism and encourages a healthier perspective on jealousy. Lastly, tackle procrastination with the simple two-minute rule for productivity.


