Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak – Episode: "Add it Again: What to Keep, What to Leave 2024"

Release Date: December 31, 2024

In the reflective season finale of Add to Cart, hosts Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak delve deep into their personal journeys of evaluation and transformation as they prepare to welcome the new year. This episode, titled "Add it Again: What to Keep, What to Leave 2024," intertwines humor, heartfelt anecdotes, and introspective conversations about consumerism, self-care, and emotional well-being. Here's a comprehensive summary capturing all the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from their lively exchange.

1. Annual Reflection: Setting the Stage

Timestamp: [02:02]

As the episode kicks off, Kulap and SuChin embrace their tradition of annual reflection. They discuss the concept of "what to keep and what to leave," framing it not just around consumer choices but also around emotional and mental investments. Kulap humorously remarks, "What should I let go of? What should I keep?" highlighting the seamless blend of lifestyle and personal growth in their discussions.

2. What We're Keeping: Embracing Positivity and Self-Care

a. Early Christmas Shopping Deadline

Timestamp: [04:23]

Kulap shares her strategy of setting a November 1st deadline for Christmas shopping. By doing so, she avoids the December rush, allowing herself time to enjoy the holidays without the stress of last-minute preparations. "I'm not in the fray of December," Kulap explains, emphasizing how this approach serves as a form of self-care.

Sujin resonates with this sentiment, adding, "People are the default host, and your home is the default gathering place... It cannot be done and feel good about the holidays without setting boundaries."

b. Endorphin Dressing: A Burst of Joy Through Fashion

Timestamp: [07:42]

Kulap introduces the concept of "endorphin dressing," a practice of wearing vibrant and quirky clothing that boosts her mood and sparks conversations. She credits the Brazilian brand Farm Rio for inspiring her, stating, "It's a conversation starter... It’s fun. It’s quirky."

Sujin echoes this by saying, "I've always been somewhat of an endorphin dresser and have just gotten weirder into it as I've gotten older." Together, they celebrate their colorful wardrobes as expressions of individuality and sources of daily joy.

c. Embracing Comfortable Footwear: The Crocs Revelation

Timestamp: [10:01]

A humorous yet empowering segment unfolds as Sujin reveals her commitment to wearing Crocs despite initial ridicule. "These are bone-colored matte ivory Crocs," she proudly declares. Her anecdotes about positive interactions, like traffic stopping and strangers complimenting her shoes, illustrate how she redefines socially stigmatized items as symbols of comfort and personal strength.

Kulap playfully accuses her, saying, "I'm a member," leading Sujin to embrace her choice with feminist fervor: "What the Crocs say is, your male gaze is not welcome. It's not valued, and I certainly didn't ask for it."

3. Personal Stories: Navigating Loss and Mental Health

a. Honoring Loved Ones: Culap’s Tribute

Timestamp: [22:07]

Kulap opens up about the recent passing of her father-in-law, Bert Aukerman. She shares heartfelt memories, describing him as a "kind of best sort of parental figure" and recounts his service in Vietnam and dedication to family. Kulap's poignant reflections provide a deep emotional layer to the episode, highlighting the importance of honoring and remembering loved ones.

b. Confronting Anxiety: Sujin’s Battle with Hypervigilance

Timestamp: [37:48]

Sujin delves into her struggle with hypervigilance, defining it as "a trauma response" that keeps her constantly on alert, even in safe environments. She explains how this affects her interactions and overall well-being: "Home can feel like the safest spot to be, but getting it outside of your comfort zone is essential."

Kulap relates by sharing her own experiences, emphasizing the exhausting nature of hypervigilance and the challenge of letting go: "It's a lot of work and it's exhausting."

4. Balancing Self-Care with Emotional Challenges

Throughout the episode, Kulap and Sujin navigate the delicate balance between self-care and managing emotional burdens. They discuss strategies for setting boundaries, supporting each other, and finding humor amidst challenges. Sujin's playful analogy comparing her dog's antics to her hypervigilant thoughts adds levity while underscoring the complexity of mental health struggles: "This dog is my brain, is my hypervigilance."

Kulap adds, "It's the trap for somebody who's hyper vigilant because it's always like you're protecting yourself from getting hurt," highlighting the internal conflicts that come with such emotional states.

5. Looking Forward: Embracing Change and Growth

Timestamp: [52:08]

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts express hope and determination for the upcoming year. "We hope this year brings you everything you're hoping for," Kulap shares, reflecting on their podcast's growth over four years. Sujin adds, "It's a fun diary entry from your favorite aunties," encapsulating the supportive and engaging nature of their conversations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [04:23] Kulap Vilaysack: "I'm not in the fray of December."
• [07:42] Sujin Pak: "It's a conversation starter... It’s fun. It’s quirky."
• [10:01] Sujin Pak: "These are bone-colored matte ivory Crocs."
• [16:48] Sujin Pak: "When you're a Crocker, I'm gonna croc."
• [22:07] Kulap Vilaysack: "I just want to say a few words of just like how, how great of a man he was."
• [37:48] Sujin Pak: "There's something wrong with me, that I'm making these kinds of choices that you know that I have to fix."
• [44:50] Sujin Pak: "This dog is my brain, is my hyper vigilance."
• [52:08] Kulap Vilaysack: "I can hardly believe it's been four years of ATC."

Conclusion

"Add it Again: What to Keep, What to Leave 2024" is a compelling blend of humor, introspection, and heartfelt storytelling. Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak invite listeners into their personal lives, offering relatable insights into maintaining joy through self-care practices like endorphin dressing and embracing comfort, while also grappling with deeper emotional challenges like loss and anxiety. Their authentic and supportive dialogue provides both entertainment and solace, making this episode a meaningful capstone to the year.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript, which appears to include segments from advertisements and other podcasts. The key content relevant to Add to Cart has been emphasized, with extraneous sections omitted as per the instructions.