How do you turn trauma into purpose? This AAPI Heritage Month, get ready to be inspired as Michelle Li, TV journalist and Co-Founder of the #VeryAsian Foundation, opens up about her healing journey as a Korean adoptee and author. She's faced the "double shame" of not feeling Asian enough or American enough, and dealt with the trauma of racism both in and out of the newsroom. But Michelle didn't let those struggles defeat her. Instead, she turned them into purposeful action through the #VeryAsian Foundation and her children's book, A Very Asian Guide To Korean Food. She's bringing diverse AAPI representation to children's libraries and education systems across the US and shares her personal stories of healing racial trauma. You'll also learn about her emotional reunion with her birth family in Korea, the hilarious things mixed-race kids say about being Asian, and why Asian American history matters. Plus, we celebrate some of the best Korean American chefs and Midwest Asian history and culture.

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 ThriveSpiceMedia.com.

About Michelle Li (she/her):
Michelle Lee is an award-winning veteran TV journalist and news anchor, and co-founder of the #VeryAsian Foundation, a non-profit focused on shining a light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration. You may have heard of her when she went viral back in early 2022 after receiving a racist voicemail about her TV broadcast, where she shared that one of her family traditions was eating Korean dumplings to celebrate the New Year.

Michelle is herself a Korean American adoptee and spent many years supporting adoptees through heritage camps and volunteer tours to Korea. She also launched a program to support Missouri children in foster care. Michelle's journalistic work has been honored with a National Peabody Award, several national Murrows, and multiple regional Emmys, often dealing with race or gender inequities. Michelle has appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and the Washington Post. Michelle currently resides in St. Louis with her family. She is @MichelleLiTV on most platforms. A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food is her first children's book.

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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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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 info@thrivespicemedia.com 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 Fund

Stop AAPI Hate Mental Health Resources Guide (San Mateo County and virtual/nationwide)

Asian Mental Health Project

Asian American Journalists Association - verified pronunciation of victims' names in the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings

Asian American therapist directory

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Thrive Spice Media | Instagram | Book a Mental Health Masterclass or Leadership Development Workshop | Submit a Review | LinkedIn | YouTube