105: "My learning is your learning." Boundaries & discovering individual agency through Kapwa with Cynthia Marie Antonio Siadat
This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UMw6RoRzzNQ
Cynthia, Jen & Nani have a heartfelt discussion about the internal friction commonly felt by Pinays trying to uphold their identities as both Filipinx & as Americans. On one hand, we thrive in our collective nature, or Kapwa - our shared Filipinx identity, found at the heart of our Filipinx culture. But on the other hand, as we traverse through the American diaspora, we also feel pulled to investigate self-exploration. The friction between the two leaves us at a disadvantage in learning how to navigate our lives honoring both sides.
Stressing the importance of storytelling, the three conclude that sharing the lessons we learn in our individual journeys of healing & decolonization actually helps our brothers & sisters to increase their awareness of the connection between their own identity & mental health, in turn advancing our collective as a whole. Even though it can feel like a constant juggling act, integrating healthy boundaries with our families creates space for a new objective appreciation. Through this practice we learn to lean on family as our systems of support, rather than developing a codependency crutch.
Cynthia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Vallejo, CA currently residing in LA who has held her 100% virtual practice since pre-pandemic times. She also shares how she carries Kapwa into her work aesthetic, especially when working with BIPOC clients, and how helping them to connect with their own identities by way of their culture makes way for incredible transformation. In her journey of learning to honor her own mental health needs, she aims her professional focus using one simple question: "how can we allow those outside of our community to experience the beauty of Kapwa?"
To get in touch with Cynthia, join the support group she hosts on Clubhouse @cynthiasiadat. You can also connect with her on Instagram @livingfullyig or visit https://www.iamlivingfully.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
- Huk Rebellion - Kerkvliet
- Amazons of the Huk Rebellion - Vina Lanzona
- Loneliness - Cacioppo & Patrick
- Brown Skin White Minds - David
For all those from Pampanga to share in pride, if helpful: Cynthia's grandfather's name is Tomas Calma (Kumander Sol) & her grandmother's name is Virginia Calma.
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ABOUT US: Welcome to The Filipino American Woman (TFAW) Project, a podcast that strengthens Filipino voices one conversation at a time through all things life, culture and personal development. Hosted by Jen Amos and Nani Dominguez-Smith. This show is brought to you by our family at THENEWFILIPINA.COM. Join the conversation today!
UPCOMING BOOK: Special thanks to the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis for the opportunity to present our academic paper, Pinay Podcasters: Building a Self-Sustaining Community Through Storytelling, Collective Healing & Learning, and Collaboration. The initial draft is now available! Read more at http://pinaypodcasters.com/
RECOGNITION: In December 2020 and December 2021, we received an Honorable Mention at the Asian American Podcaster's Golden Crane Podcast Awards. August 2020, Jen Amos participated as a speaker on behalf of TFAW Project for PodFest Global, which now holds the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Largest Attendance for a Virtual Podcasting Conference in One Week. May 2020, we were recognized as “Amplifying Asian Women Voices” on Spotify during AAPI Heritage Month.
We've also been featured in Realtime Community Oakland, Mochi Magazine, Ossa Collective, SUPERBANDS, Chopsticks Alley, FoundHer by Entrepinayship, Spotify, PodFest Expo, Philippine American Foundation for Charities, When In Manila, You Are Collect;ve, San Diego Union Tribune, NBC 7 San Diego, and much more! Read more at: https://linktr.ee/tfawproject.featured
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Learn more about our co-hosts Jen at https://linktr.ee/thejenamos and Nani at https://notesbynani.com/
Have something to share? Email Jen at jen@tfawproject.com or Nani at nani@tfawproject.com
