Forever35 Season Finale: Taking Stock with Jenny Yang
Episode 333: Released December 16, 2024
In the season finale of Forever35, hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu engage in a heartfelt and humorous conversation with Jenny Yang, a Taiwan-born Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian and TV writer. This episode delves deep into themes of self-care, burnout, fertility struggles, community building, and social activism, providing listeners with insightful reflections and practical advice for navigating the complexities of self-care and personal growth.
1. Introduction to Jenny Yang
Timestamp: [10:38]
Elise introduces Jenny Yang, highlighting her impressive credentials:
- Jenny Yang: Taiwan-born, Los Angeles-raised stand-up comedian and TV writer.
- Recognized as one of Variety's "Top 10 Comics to Watch."
- Starred opposite Michelle Yeoh in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun.
- Hosted the monthly stage show Self Help Me, a competitive self-care comedy show.
Jenny's multifaceted career and her recent projects set the stage for a candid discussion on personal and professional challenges.
2. Personal Updates and Holiday Plans
Timestamp: [02:17 - 05:56]
The conversation begins with the hosts sharing their holiday plans:
- Elise discusses her hectic Christmas shopping, preparing matching Christmas pajamas for her family, and traveling abroad to celebrate her parents' 45th wedding anniversary.
- Doree talks about spending the holidays with her family, planning a large family vacation for next December, and engaging in festive activities like ice skating and visiting Christmas light displays with her son, Beau.
These exchanges establish a warm, relatable atmosphere as the trio transitions into deeper topics.
3. Navigating Self-Care and Burnout
Timestamp: [16:52 - 27:45]
Jenny opens up about her recent struggles with burnout:
- Jenny describes herself as “a burnt out baddie trying to live a soft life” (17:27).
- She shares her journey of recognizing burnout through overexertion and the toll it took on her mental and emotional well-being.
- Emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, such as negotiating sleep preferences with her partner to ensure mutual respect and comfort (19:10).
- Discusses the necessity of decluttering both personal and professional life to realign with her core values and interests.
- Highlights the role of externalizing emotional burdens through practices like journaling and vision mapping to gain clarity and direction.
Notable Quote:
"A soft life means that, because you're aligned, because your boundaries are drawn, because you have the foundation of who you are and what you're living for in place, things can be softer." — Jenny Yang (17:27)
4. The Fertility Journey and Public Sharing
Timestamp: [29:51 - 38:35]
Jenny courageously shares her personal fertility struggles:
- Jenny recounts her experience with miscarriage and ongoing IVF treatments since 2022, describing the emotional and physical challenges she faced (31:25).
- She details her decision to publicly document her fertility journey through satirical Instagram posts mimicking pregnancy announcements. These posts, featuring gestures like holding her belly and using letter boards with phrases like "two miscarriages," were designed to attract support and connect with others facing similar struggles.
- Jenny reflects on the mixed reactions, including well-meaning but misguided congratulations from strangers and genuine support from close friends. This public sharing became a pivotal part of her healing process, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
Notable Quote:
"I had to unburden myself... making what I've been carrying as an emotional load external." — Jenny Yang (31:39)
5. Building Community and Social Activism
Timestamp: [38:35 - 45:29]
Transitioning from personal healing to broader social engagement, Jenny discusses the importance of community:
- Jenny underscores the significance of knowing one's community and political home to foster positive social change. She advises identifying and connecting with like-minded individuals who can support and amplify each other’s efforts (42:36).
- She highlights strategies for sustaining activism beyond initial movements, such as initiating regular meetups with trusted friends to maintain social connections and share resources.
- Emphasizes collective action as a form of resistance against systemic challenges, advocating for a shift from individualism to community-centered approaches.
Notable Quote:
"Just knowing who are those people that you're connected to and who you can influence... that's important." — Jenny Yang (43:15)
6. Hosts' Intentions and Closing Remarks
Timestamp: [47:06 - 52:17]
As the episode concludes, the hosts share their personal intentions for the upcoming year:
- Doree expresses her intention to return to vision boarding and start a tennis newsletter, aiming for realignment and embracing passion projects.
- Elise focuses on reflection and family time, mentioning her regular sessions with a Jungian analyst and the importance of maintaining strong family bonds.
They extend warm holiday wishes to their listeners, encouraging them to reach out and share their own experiences, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
Notable Quote:
"We all have enough things to deal with. That's the challenge. America's really tough to live in..." — Jenny Yang (44:27)
Conclusion
This episode of Forever35 serves as a comprehensive reflection on personal resilience and the power of community. Jenny Yang’s openness about her burnout and fertility journey provides valuable insights into self-care and the importance of setting boundaries. Her advocacy for community building and collective action offers practical guidance for listeners seeking to make meaningful social changes. The heartfelt exchanges between Jenny and the hosts encapsulate the essence of Forever35: navigating self-care with humor, self-awareness, and a strong sense of community.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
-
Jenny Yang: "A soft life means that, because you're aligned, because your boundaries are drawn, because you have the foundation of who you are and what you're living for in place, things can be softer." (17:27)
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Jenny Yang: "I had to unburden myself... making what I've been carrying as an emotional load external." (31:39)
-
Jenny Yang: "Just knowing who are those people that you're connected to and who you can influence... that's important." (43:15)
-
Jenny Yang: "We all have enough things to deal with. That's the challenge. America's really tough to live in..." (44:27)
Connect with Jenny Yang:
- TikTok: @jennyyangtv
- Instagram: @jennyyangtv
- Email List: JennyYangTV.com
- Upcoming Tours and Content: Stay tuned to her social media for updates on tours and new projects.
Stay Connected with Forever35:
- Website: forever35podcast.com
- Instagram: @Forever35Podcast
- Patreon: patreon.com/Forever35
- Shop: ShopmyUSForever35
- Newsletter: Sign up at forever35podcast.com/newsletter
- Contact: Call/Text 781-591-0390 or email at forever35podcast@mail.com
Thank you for tuning into Forever35. Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season!