Friends Next Door: Recent Episodes
FND
Fireside chats with Dan, Mia, Thomas, and Kuan on career, culture, and relationships. The best conversations happen when different perspectives and backgrounds come together, so stop by to listen if you're ever in need of a Friend Next Door.
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Have you heard of this saying before? Well, Mia hasn't until recently. Once she gave it a thought, there's some truth to it but to what extent? Let us know what you think once you give it a listen!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Is New York overrated or underrated? On this episode, we're just going to have a fun conversation on things that we think are underrated or overrated. And ooobviously, the things we say are highly subjective :). If you feel so inclined, though, feel free to share your thoughts if you disagree!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If you're an older millennial listener, would you agree that we're entering our midlife crisis era? It may not look the same as what we imagine a midlife crisis would look like, with a red sports car or anything, but some of the signs are hard to ignore. Regardless, we're not saying it's a bad thing, but let's talk about it.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Ahh we sure do like to come up with a label for everything, don't we? In this case we think it is the best way of explaining the term in a succinct way, but in standard FND fashion, we'll dive into the concept, what we mean by that and why we think it is becoming normalized.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If you could go back to your 14-year-old self, what advice would you give in order to thrive in social situations?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're totally dating ourselves by asking this question, but do you think sorry is the hardest word to say? Are you the type to immediately apologize once you made a mistake? And if it's the other way around, how good are you at accepting an apology? Let's figure this out together.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Let's talk about boundary - what are things that you're willing and not willing to do in social settings? Have they changed throughout the years? A simple example would be Mia, who never would've wanted to go to any horror-themed activity, risking her beauty sleep to go a haunted hotel themed escape room. Now that's what we call a real friend.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Is there such thing as a perfect formula for relationships? Or a way to figure out whether a relationship is bound to last? On this episode, we dive into how to create and maintain long-lasting relationships.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
When you see people who make the things they do look easy and effortless (cough Steph Curry), what comes to your mind first? Do you think of the countless hours they spend on perfecting their craft? Probably not.. so let's take some time to discuss!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Who here still remembers the early days of social media? How did we feel when we first used our social media accounts? Now compare those feelings to today - do you think they still serve as a social tool or have they transformed into something else?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
What are some of the things you'll gladly pay for, even when they might be considered pricey? Conversely, what are things you'd refuse to pay based on your principle? Money is always an interesting topic, so this time we're diving into how each of us spend our hard-earned dollars. We understand this is a personal matter so please listen to the episode with that thought in mind!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're living in a time when so many things can easily get hyped up (thanks social media!). When we see it all around us, do we easily buy into it? If not, how do we manage?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Whether you're a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond, both come with their own perks. Have you thought about what you'd rather be?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WqyrKsM60SHLYgQrxxRYW
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-next-door/id1518517300
Calling all job hoppers out there! We're joined by Thomas this time to discuss our experience with changing jobs as we advance our career, and we're definitely not the only ones strategically moving to another job as a way to keep growing professionally. What are the criteria do we use to determine if it's time to move on? What have our experiences been like?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WqyrKsM60SHLYgQrxxRYW
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-next-door/id1518517300
When we're constantly connected to the world through the palm of our hand (aka our phone), is it possible to truly take a step back and disconnect? Do you feel the need to? To those who have proactively taken the step to unplug, how does that make you feel?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Are first-time experiences the most memorable? If it's a bad experience, is it hardest to overcome the first time and does it get easier? Conversely, if it's a good one, do you tend to remember only the first time it happens?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
It's an age-old question.. are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type of person? How does this understanding impact our day-to-day life? Is there an advantage of adopting a mindset that's not necessarily your natural predisposition?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Imagine this situation: you and your friends have spent time and shared experiences together for years. But then, some distance starts forming in the friendship because one of you is seeing more success than the other. How would you deal?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Do you agree that making new friends just gets harder as we age? Whether it is due to the circumstances we're in, the busy lives we're leading, etc, these friendship bonds don't come by very often. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel the loneliness that may come with adulthood, we hope you like this episode.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Are you on a busy bandwagon? Do you find yourself running and hustling everyday, whether it is to achieve a certain goal in your career or to keep up with your social calendar? If so, this episode is for you :).
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
The best games are those that could either make or break your friendships, so let's play a game and see if ours would endure! Just kidding. We're still good, but we had fun learning more about each other's tendency in this game for sure. Have you guys ever played this game with your friends or loved ones? How did that go?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Noone's perfect. How cliche does this sound and how many times have you heard it in your life? Yet in the world of imperfection, we find it hard sometimes to deal with other people's flaws. Why can't they just do things the right way! In those moments of frustration, we're here for you.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
When it comes to etiquettes around hosting someone and being a guest, how far would you go to make the other party comfortable? If you're playing host, how much preparation do you put into making sure that your guests feel at home? And if you're the guest, how do you make sure that you get invited back?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
When was the last time you found yourself in an awkward situation? And how did you deal with it? Come and laugh about these unexpected situations with us... because life is better when you don't take yourself too seriously sometimes!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Little white lies, excuses, and self deception. Did we just take a dark turn? We're officially back on the grind with some chatters about the little things we tell ourselves to sleep better at night. Who can relate?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WqyrKsM60SHLYgQrxxRYW
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-next-door/id1518517300
Hello Season 5!! Let's talk about TRUST. Are you a trusting person? Do you have trust issues? Have we been burned before and has that ruined our trust and what types of topics or questions are "too much"? As per usual, we explore these questions through a strangers, family, relationship, and work lens! Thanks for listening to our first episode to kick of this new season :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're saying goodbye 2023 by taking the time to reflect on our highs and lows, and we think it's safe to say that it's been an eventful year. And as we're gearing up for 2024, we will be taking some time to rest and nourish the soul. To those of you listening to this episode, thank you for sticking by us! We shall be back :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
OK if this sounds like a personal topic.. maybe because it is! But hear us out and see if you can find agreement in our answers to this shocking question.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
How often do you hear people say "this is just how I am"? Or better yet, how often do you say it yourself? Don't get us wrong, we absolutely support the idea of knowing and loving ourselves. We all need to hear that sometimes and give ourselves some validation. That said, where do we draw the line between appreciating self and not having a growth mindset?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Before you go, "what in the world are they talking about here?", give this episode a listen and tell us what you think!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
On this episode, we decided to answer the top question that most of us had in mind at some point in our lives - what would I do in a zombie apocalypse?? If you guys have been wondering as well, listen through to see whether you'd be the last few ones standing or the first ones to go.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Of course we realize that it depends on the situation, but hear who's most forgiving among the bunch. Midway through this episode it seemed like this question was applied very differently in friendships for guys and girls -- at least according to Dan!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Some things in life are better left unshared. Do you agree with this sentiment, or are you the nosy type who would rather know about everything that's going on around you? There's no right or wrong answer on this one obviously, it is all about personal preferences. But which one are you? We just.. want to know LOL.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If we were to play a word association game, what are some of the keywords you would use to describe yourself? Whether we like it or not, some of our characteristics would leave an imprint on others, which would then become our 'brand'. So how important is it to cultivate your personal brand?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Kuan and Dan are getting a download of Mia's recent Korea trip! This time being her FOURTH visit to Korea, how was it different from her previous trips? Did she learn anything about herself during her SOLO TRIP? If you guys are thinking about doing a solo trip, listen on!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If you were to draw a chart of your life and list decisions that, in a way, define your life - what would those be? It doesn't need to be grand, but sometimes smaller or more subtle actions can just be as impactful.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
FIND US HERE
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WqyrKsM60SHLYgQrxxRYW
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-next-door/id1518517300
Some people are better at realizing that they need help and asking for one than others. What's your take on this?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
While we're on the topic of change, what are things you wanted to change about yourselves but are OK with now? Change is generally good, but so is self acceptance - let's talk about it.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
It's always fun to walk down memory lane to see how your lives have changed over the years. What were the things you didn't hesitate to do when you were younger, but would not do now? How have these preference changes shaped us today?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Growing up is not easy, so does nurturing relationships as we get older. How should we navigate these personal relationships that are often highly nuanced?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
As we go through life, sometimes we'd feel stuck in a rut and start questioning our purpose on this planet. We may not be able to find all the answers to our life questions, but we think taking steps to rediscover ourselves is a great first step. When we reconnect with ourselves and figure out what we deem important, all the other pieces of the puzzle should eventually fall into place!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
This may be a sensitive question to ask, but if you decide to ask yourself this question it would no doubt require an honest and courageous look at self. Is it easy? Of course not. Is it necessary? That's for everyone to decide.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're letting our hair down and choosing fun for this episode - beach-side resort or hill-side cottage? Call or text? Golf or tennis? We've been friends for a while but some of these answers were still a surprise!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If the title sounds like an oxymoron, think again. Identifying our own personal blindspot is not easy, but not impossible with the help of a little research and a lot of self reflection. Of course, you could also listen to our convo and see if any of these are relatable to you. Hope you find this episode enjoyable!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
And also, are you, literally, too hot to handle? Honestly, we think these two questions are enough to start a fun convo so listen on!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Be honest - when you're traveling, how many days do you last without looking for your comfort food? Of course culinary adventure is fun, but there's something comforting about eating food you've grown up consuming. As we're chatting this time, we're taking this idea and asking each other, what are the things that bring you a sense of home?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Alright friends here's a fun episode for you: what are simple things that you're just bad at? For example, you could be bad at using Google Calendar and no matter how simple it looks, you just can't find your reminders and events - (whisper) BOOMER moment. But that's okay, no one is perfect so let's just poke fun at ourselves every now and then!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Does anyone else feel worried about how normalized mediocrity is becoming? We're asking for a friend - a Reddit user. Okay this has the potential to become a controversial topic, but we decided to take it on and chat through it. Listen on and let us know how you agree or disagree.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
What would be your answer if someone asked you this today? And we're not talking about FOMO strictly in a social sense, but in also other aspects of this thing called life.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
What are things or situations that you would never get yourself into? Haunted houses, rollercoasters, bungee jumping might be obvious to some people, but some of our answers may be surprising to you. Listen on and see if you agree!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Do you constantly find yourself in ‘go go go’ mode or are you a relaxation professional? How important is it to take a step back from our daily grinds and slow down every once in a while? Dan, Kuan and Mia weigh in on these questions as they sit down and have a relaxing and fun chat wink.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
They say age is just a number, but are there times when you feel your age? Or older than your age? In our opinion, it's only normal to feel both! Maybe you pull a muscle from simply carrying your grocery bags (not saying that this happened to one of us, L-O-L), but you have so much zest for life that even those much younger than you can hardly keep up. Ahh.. 'tis the beauty of life :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Our FIRST Mailbag episode in a while and we're here for it!
Have you traveled solo? Or is it in your bucketlist? Many people credit traveling solo as a way of self discovery and to be more in tune with who you are. So if given the opportunity, would you do it? What are some of the things to prepare for a fun and memorable solo trip?
Shoutout to Shirley for sending this in :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Inspired by Love Is Blind (the dating show), Dan, Kuan and Mia share their thoughts on whether love is really blind or if it has eyes. Need we say more? Nope, let's give it a listen!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Calling all hopeless romantics from around the world! You know those butterfly in your stomach feelings when you're falling in love? Great! Now all you need is a friend who's keeping you off your rose-tinted glasses and helping you watch out for potential red flags. Don't worry, we're not being all negative, there are green flags as well ;) Enjoy!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're back with season 4! We had plans of starting season 4 much earlier in the year, but life got the better of us so here we are, in late May, uploading the first episode of our FOURTH season.
It's only fitting, then, that our first topic of the season is about having motivation and being resolute (ha!). Are you someone who is disciplined and has the will to hold yourself accountable? How do you stay motivated? And we're not even talking about grand ideas, it could be as simple as setting a goal to wake up early. Listen on as Dan, Thomas, Kuan and Mia weigh in on these things.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! Another year, another season - we can't believe it . If you've been listening to us all this time, thank you so much, we see you!! If you're just finding us, welcome, friends ^_^! 2022 going on 2023 -- what did we even do this year?? Listen to us reflect on: what we accomplished, what we're proud of, what were the nice things people did for us this year, and what are things which are getting easier for us. We encourage you to review and share your reflections as well! We are here ringing in the new year with you -- here's to 2023!!
This wraps Season 3 as we take our beginning of year break :) Tell us what more you want to hear from us/questions/comments/stories here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Ohhh high school, we're here again! In our S2E36. Have We Peaked? episoded we touch upon how some people "peak in high school" and now we're exploring another way high school find it's way back into adulthood: does high school ever end? Listen to us rewind and reflect while we trade high school experiences in the clubs(or lack of clubs....) we were in, our social circles. Through the roasting and sharing, we cross over into life today and what it means to be popular, when the "lunch room scene" happens to you, and the feeling of belonging or not belonging. Bowling For Soup might have been onto something, but you tell us, do you think high school ever ends?
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
How many times have you heard someone saying that adulting is hard? You have to juggle so many things that come at you in life - finding and keeping a full time job, making a career out of that job, maintaining friendships, taking care of family members, AND finding time for self care. Oh and figuring out how to do your taxes!
So yeah, no one would throw any blame if you complain about how hard life is from time to time. If you get carried away, though, you might end up feeling way too burdened by all the responsibilities that come with adulthod and giving up. So what's the best way to tackle this thing called life?
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We talked about the concept of "Being On" in our S3E21. I Need a New Social Battery episode and now we expand more into that with the different "versions" of us. Is there a "work" you, a "family" you, a "secret agent" you? Do you, like Chandler, have a work laugh your significant other hates? Going one step further, have you, again like Chandler, influenced your partner to also have a work laugh around your work colleagues? Is this a fake way to behave? Listen to us flip through the different versions we identify in ourselves and let us know if you have a specific version of you which comes out when you least expect it or when you know exactly what triggers it.
They were really nice, but we just didn't have "the spark". How often have you heard this or said this yourself?! What does this even mean and does this change with the phase of life you're in? Could we be passing up great potential partners and can attraction really grow? The skeptics want to know. Featuring a film analysis of "He's Just Not That Into You", we hope you enjoy this episode on the love seat! Also, please share, did your current relationship start with "a spark" or how do you/do you factor "the spark" into your relationship-ing?
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Since some of us had just gotten back into the habit of going to the office to work, we couldn't help but notice that we're...more socially drained now lol. Face-to-face interaction with real people makes us feel the need to always be "on", leaving our social battery very low. Home just feels that much better because, well, that's our comfortable little cocoon. Of course not everyone feels the need to recharge their social battery (ehm, DAN), but for those who do, how do you recharge?
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Piggybacking on our S2E30. MBTI Triggered episode, we bring you the Enneagram version! It can be fun and helpful(sometimes) to analyze yourself and hopefully you learn more about us :) A caveat here that we use these tests just as a guide post, not as a way to pigeonhole ourselves, so have fun with it! For some of us, the test took 5 minutes and for others it took...much longer than 5 minutes ^_^'.
Here is the Enneagram test we took: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test
Here is the Enneagram report we reference in the episode: https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/tour-the-nine-types/
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
This episode contains light spoilers for the film Eternal Spring(https://eternalspringfilm.com/), Canada’s Oscar entry in the International Feature Film category for this year's Academy Awards
Hi Guys! We had such an amazing time getting this episode together and we are so thankful to Jason and his team for their time amidst a jam-packed schedule. Make sure to listen to the end where we recap some of our pre-interview notes as well!
In this episode, we talk to the director of the film Eternal Spring, Jason Loftus, about his art, how he finds his projects, and the village of people it took to bring Eternal Spring to life. We jump from chatting about resilience during the filmmaking process of Eternal Spring, the post production experience Jason, DaXiong, and his team have had, to hearing more about the imagery in the film and its courageous people. You guys know at FND we love talking to people who are dedicated to their craft, so we hope you enjoy listening! Check out https://eternalspringfilm.com/ for upcoming film times in your city worldwide -- catch it if you can, we couldn't recommend it more!
As always, if you have a burning question/comment/story, tell us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Just kidding, I didn't really quit. Well... sorta, I'm just making sure that work doesn't overtake my entire being because I've had enough.
The above is just one example of someone who decide to quiet quit. Have you heard of this term? Have you done a version of this in the past year or so? Let's talk about it.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
In this cruel, cruel world, we are sometimes guilty of passing quick judgement toward other people. "She's too pretty for him", or "he's too good for her". These are usually a split second comment of course, but why do we do this? What would you do if your friends are telling you that the person you're dating isn't good enough for you? Time to dig deeper!
As always, if you have a burning question, reach out to us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We don't mean literal bamboo ceiling that may or may not exist out there, of course. We're referring to the theory about Asian Americans being the group that is least likely to get promoted in their workplace. Spicy! Let's weigh it in, shall we?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Ahh... judgement. Nobody likes to be judged, right? Regardless of where it's coming from: sibling, parents, close friends, not-so-close friends, coworkers, total strangers... you get the idea. Yet sometimes we can't help but feel like there's judgment all around us so we can't help but ask: are people too quick to judge?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Growing apart is never fun, whether it is with your friends, family, or -GULP- your better half. But as life ebbs and flows, these things are often inevitable. It still does not feel good though. So how do we deal with it?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
So.. who else spends too much time binge-watching shows? Or on YouTube, Instagram, and ... TikTok? The three of us have lived long enough to see how social media platforms went from zero to hero, how almost everyone is a content creator these days, and how much our lives are consumed by this thing called the internet. We have to ask then, are we in a golden age of content?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Dan, Thomas and Mia spent some time reflecting on life in the Covid era. It should be safe to say that we're all trying to move on with life in our own way. With Covid being a part of our lives nowadays, do we think that things would be back to how they used to be? Or have we adapted to a new normal? How do you live life these days?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Well well well, if it isn't our favorite hot topic - relationships. But this time, it is not the rosy kind. Here we are talking about the reasons couples argue. Some might be trivial and some might be more serious, one thing is for sure: they sometimes cause friction between couples. Do you agree with us?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Some of us just came off of an NBA Finals high (not Dan, he'd rather forget this year's Finals) that we're now experiencing basketball withdrawals. I mean, October feels so far away! So you can say we're obsessed and as you may know, sports permeate people's lives here. You can hear chatter around basketball, football, baseball, hockey, you name it - all throughout the year. Friendships are made over these shared interests.
On this episode, we will be chatting about a few things that Americans love to obsess over. Do you agree? What did we miss in our conversation?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
As much as we all want to be a winner all day every day, there are times where we just have to admit defeat (and plot for a comeback). We don't necessarily think losing is a bad thing though, as we can turn that sense of bitterness into a motivation to improve. Losing does stink, but is there such thing as losing graciously? And do we want to be one?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we? What were our first impressions of each other like and how have those changed since? We've been told that making a great first impression is important, so how much effort do you take into it? And on the flip side, how much does someone's first impression affect the way you think about them?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Moving isn't an easy process, let alone moving across the country! Not only do you need to figure out your way around your new place, but you're in a way starting from scratch so there's a lot to learn in the process. That said, it's always better to have a friend to go along for the ride, right? We're THOSE friends so tune in for tips and our takes on how to make the most out of your experience.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We always hear that adulting is hard, so today we will peel off these endless layers of the very definition of adulting and discuss when we feel like we've successfully done that and where we fall short.
Do tough life challenges force one to grow up? How did our mentality change when we were in our 20vs. vs our 30s? Come on in and give it a listen!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Pressure is inevitably a part of our day to day lives (ugh) and it can come from different places. Sometimes it is self imposed, like you feel as if you need to fulfill every obligation life throws at you. Other times it comes from those around us, manager who demands a lot from you, parents who want you to get married, like, tomorrow. How do we deal with pressure? Is pressure a good thing or a bad thing? How do we navigate through these uncomfortable feelings of overcoming pressure? Let's figure it out together.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
And the topic of l.o.v.e continues! This time we learn about our love languages and discuss the importance of knowing what our love language is in our daily lives. Do YOU know what yours is? If you do, do you find that to be helpful in building relationships with the people around you?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Ever thought of how despite SO many books and articles about relationships have been written to this day, a lot of us would still struggle to maintain them sometimes? That's because human hearts are very... special. To those of you who may have recently started a relationship, first of all - CONGRATS. Listen on as Dan, Thomas and Mia try their best to give advice here; we hope you get some useful nuggets!
Tell us what you think and if you have topic suggestions here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
We're BAAACK! What was originally intended to be a short break turned out to be a much longer one, and for that we apologize, but we're excited to start another season of FND!
We actually recorded this episode quite a while back, so long ago that Tom Brady had announcement his retirement AND came out of retirement but we think the underlying topic of putting celebrities/public figured on a moral pedestal is still relevant anyway.
Hope you enjoy, tell us what you think and if you have topic suggestions!
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
As we close another year, let's take some time to look back and reflect on the things that happened this year. Things haven't been so easy recently and that might be an understatement to some people, but we hope you'd be able to find happiness and moments of gratitude in your day to day. If this hasn't been your year, that's okay, we can always do better moving forward! Quick PSA: we're taking a quick break and will be back next season with a brand new look! Be well and we'll be back in your lives soon :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Would you want your friend to tell you when you have spinach stuck between your teeth or no? Some of us may think that it would lead to an awkward situation (we don't blame ya!) but we think the end your friend would appreciate it. By the same token, what are some of the things you would not know unless someone tells you? Would you like them to tell you, whether it is spinach in between your teeth or something that could potentially be more awkward?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
"I peaked in high school" is not a description most people like to claim. At least not for themselves anyway. But if we talked about our frenemies back in high school... yes THEY PEAKED IN.. KIDDING! :)
So today we talk about peaking in life, however you want to interpret it. Physically, emotionally, ... financially? Interested? Come sit with us.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
5 year-old Mia learnt how to play piano, she kiiind of thrived. Then her sister joined and she uuhhh pivoted, QUICK. So, is piano just not Mia's sister's cup of tea or did she not give it a fair shot yet? (I swear this isn't me trying to diss my own sister.)
The point is, sometimes we may close ourselves off to a new experience or may give up too soon. How do we know when we haven't tried hard enough vs. when we're ACTUALLY not good at something?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
How deep is your love?
Okay we're not talking about love strictly in a romantic sense, but also in friendships. A lot of times, friendships and relationships form out of a supercificial reason whether it's because you like how they look, they are 'cool', they have money (GASP), the list goes on. Have you subconsciously done this? Have you ever been on the receiving end of it? Let's talk about it.
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
In today's busy world, we're all trying to get more things done in the same amount of time. This can result in multitasking throughout much of the day, but are we actually effective? What if we're just distracted and can't really focus on a single task? Listen to our thoughts on getting distracted while focusing, habits which lead to multi-tasking, and self-discipline :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Putting your best foot forward in a relationship is admirable, but there are waves where we are lax/not on are game and completely reveal something about ourselves for the long run. We gotta roll with the bad and the good in relationships, but when do you really know someone's true colors? Is this based on time, like in 2 years I know this person? Or does this only happen after your time with a person has passed or even never?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Feeling behind and the dark spiral of comparison - can you relate? And for you is it professional, social, emotional, something else or not at all? On this episode, listen to how we have or are currently feeling behind in life. We'll cover certain stages or aspects of our lives that tend to have us struggling to keep up and how we've caught up or pulled ourselves out of a spiral. If you're feeling behind, know at FND we've all been there and listen along as it's often not as bleak as it may seem :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
What's changed with age? If you think about it, a lot of things can change with age, but what about things that you just COULD NOT STAND as a kid but you are now so on board with as an adult? Did your taste...mature and now you look at broccoli with hearts in your eyes? (Hey health is wealth.) Did you used to hate the rain, but find yourself not minding it at all and even think it's...romantic (lol)? Funny how these things change with passage of time. Come join our convo and reminisce :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
What triggers our MBTIs? On this episode, we share what our MBTI personalities are based on the test at www.16personalities.com and what our thoughts are on our own types. We talk through how we think it plays out in our every day life, romantic life, and demonstrate a real-time example in how we handle feedback. What is your MBTI and how much do you think it aligns with your everyday?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
Don't worry, your friends next door are always here to lend an ear if you feel like pouring your heart out about how life has been overwhelming! Sometimes, the feeling of revealing your soul is just too cringe/hard to deal and we get that. Listen through this episode and let us know what you think on how we deal :)
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
No matter how short or long a break you've taken and whether it was across the street or across the pond, breaks can be helpful! We often hear about the far-away lands where people go, so we wanted to shift the focus to the whys and hows of our travels! You'll also hear about some of the friendship and people lessons and reflections we've gathered here at FND and we want to know, what are some of yours?
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @mundane_photos
If you, like Mia, have recently been down the rabbit hole of YouTube reccommended videos of people declaring that they quit their jobs, you might at first find it intriguing. You then read endless articles being written about "The Great Resignation". What's going on? Am I missing out on something here?
Don't worry, your next-door friends are always here to lend an ear if you feel like pouring your heart out about how work (or school!) has been overwhelming and the feeling of burnout. Listen through this episode and let us know what you think.
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
HEADS UP: Light spoilers on plot lines for very popular shows/films in this episode
Have you seen the Netflix series Squid Game? Some of us have and while we were talking about this series, we thought it was interesting to chat about why we watch the things we watch...is it the hype, intriguing storyline, or something else?
By the way, we're taking film/tv recommendations so let us know if there's anything we HAVE to check out!
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
What was your earliest memory? Are you in the "HOW could I not remember this??" or rather the "I remember nothing" camp? On this episode we take a jog down memory lane on what we remember and how memories can be sources of drive, motivation, or doubt. Most importantly, if you're getting married soon, congrats(!!) and make sure to book Thomas to give a toast at your wedding :)
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Decisions decisions, we all gotta make 'em! How much do you consult/rely completely on your friends for decisions? This week we cover interpersonal, financial, and social decisions and how easy it is for each of us to be pushed over in these situations. At the end of the day, we see surrounding yourself with accomodating and supportive friends is important and even more important are people who recognize your decisions are your decisions.
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Some of these things have been played out time and time again in the shows and media we see on the daily. Some of these are completely personal. Is there ANY validity to them and please, share with us, do you find veiny hands attractive?
Note Attraction is completely personal and this episode is catered around poking fun at some of our personal feels and things media/society push. Whether you do/don't do any of these has no bearing on your attractiveness. You do you, you beautiful soul :) #jessemccartney
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
A different twist of content than our usual, but interesting none the less! Recently the Chinese government has put a "ban" on having "effeminate" and "sissy" men to be shown on TV. In this episode we go all over the map and delve into what we think this could mean for BTS fans(Mia) and what this action says about influence and culture.
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
No relationship is smooth sailing all the way through. There are BOUND to be some rough patches, no matter how big or small. But what makes a person into a frenemy or even further into an enemy/arch nemesis? On this episode you'll hear about alllllllll the reasons we might have these types of people in our lives and the happenings of how these relationships transpire.
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
No doubt there is a new wave of influencers in 2021 and here at FND we love to hear about and talk through why people do the work they do. In 2021, the standards on social media almost seem too high, so we were very excited to have Youtube content creator, Jensen Tung, with us on this episode to pull back the curtain a bit for us on how he works as a creator, his start, and his "Why". You'll hear Dan and Mia trade stories from "the good ole' days" and Jensens' early start on Youtube (circa. 2006), his OTGW fan story in Vancouver, and his celeb look-alike.
GO FOLLOW JENSEN ON ALL HIS SOCIALS: https://beacons.ai/jensentung
And as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Break ups. Here at FND, we've all had 'em and on this episode you get to hear our more vulnerable sides around how we got through our breakups, who has gotten broken up with the most, and FND's breakup songs that might very well get you through your tough times on the love battlefield, so steal with pride friends!
If you like what you heard, WRITE US A NICE REVIEW :D. And as always, if you have a burning question, you can catch us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Alright let's honestly answer this question. Do we do things that are questionable for our age sometimes? Whether it is playing magic cards or going to a BTS concert, there are things we do that make our peers go 'uhm, you don't think you're too old for that?". The answer is subjective of course, so naturally we think this would make a great podcast topic. Listen along peeps!
If you like what you heard, WRITE US A NICE REVIEW :D. And as always, if you have a burning question, you can catch us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
You might be single & ready to mingle, taken & committed, or still figuring it out :) EITHER WAY, would you date yourself? How much does self worth/self love influence your answer? And can two introverts or two extroverts date eachother? Tune in to hear what we think and if any of us would date ourselves(!).
If you like what you hear, WRITE US A REVIEW :D or as always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
We LOVE fast food. And as you listen through our convo, you will see that some of us love it more than the others. Why do you think fast food has become indispensable in our lives? Is it the modern lifestyle so fast paced that we don't have time to make food? Is it the tempting price points? The nostalgia? The feels it gives us?
We also just want to say that we're not advocating for fast food, but simply acknowledging that we do enjoy eating it every once in a while :D. Do you have a go-to fast food joint?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Your next door friends braved the world of online quizzes, which are scientifically accurate we must say, to determine whether we are a hopeless romantic, an average romantic, or just.... hopeless. OK kidding. I think without these quizzes we have a pretty good idea of what we are. Which one are YOU? If you're a romantic person, what romantic gestures have you done to express your affection? If you're, ehem, hopeless, what will you be working on to be able to express yourself better?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
In an era where having a voice can be incredibly accessible, is silence still considered a virtue? Are you a chatty person or are you someone who struggles to speak up? In what situations should you refrain from sharing your opinion, and conversely, when SHOULD you speak your mind?
Join our convo as we talk through different scenarios and how we would respond if we found ourselves in those situations.
If you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
When we say we read every email, we don't kid around.. and we're having as much fun answering them here as when we were going through them!
To those who said hi and shared your inner thoughts with us, we appreciate you. And to those who haven't: don't be shy, we don't bite (well okay.. some of us don't bite).
You can find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
ON THIS EPISODE! We sit down with Chris Chappell, host of China Uncensored and America Uncovered, to talk about what it means to be an American for each of us. You will soon realize, from our discussion, that we all came from different backgrounds and circumstances so we have slightly (ehm, vastly) different perspectives. But that's exactly why America is such a diverse and unique place, and why we have come to appreciate it.
What does being an America mean to YOU?
For more Chris:
China Uncensored: www.youtube.com/chinauncensored
America Uncovered: www.youtube.com/americauncovered
IG: @chinauncensored
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Friends, meet Kuan Yu! We're super excited to introduce y'alls to Kuan, a Midwest native who has been calling California home for the past 6 years. On this episode, we asked her to confirm or dispute our perceptions of what growing up in the Midwest was like. Hear what she has to say :).
Don't be shy and drop us a line!
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Who you are today is the sum of all the experiences you have lived until now. What are some of the past events that made us the hooman beings that we are today? The way we think and our outlook on life are essentially the results of all our past ups and downs, and we shared one of those stories on this episode hoping that we better understand each other and each of our own little weirdness.
If you enjoyed listening to this episode, give us a shout:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Have you ever felt frustrated when you're talking to someone, because trying to understand them feels like pulling teeth? No? Just me? Well anyway, we thought it would be helpful (and fun!) to learn about the different styles of communication and how we communicate with each other in order to make our interactions with those around us better.
And if you follow along, tell us what type of communicator you are, as well as what you want to work on - both personally and professionally.
And always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Since Dan, Thomas and Mia spent the majority of their lives NOT living in New York, the other night we were asking each other about the city we consider our hometown. What is your definition of home? What makes you feel most at home? Does being at home give you a sense of self?
Let's talk about it :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
What are some of the movies or TV series you used to watch that still give you feels today? Let's walk down the memory lane, look back on our childhood faves and what they taught us in life.
Sorry for the late upload, we were busy celebrating Mia's super old birthday! We also had technical issues while recording the video so there will only be audio for this episode.
If you have a burning question, curious about something, or just want to say hi, hit us up here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Hey frands, switching gear to a more lighthearted topic, we're playing a game called "If You Could" today... something we made up for this episode. If you could lived in any country, where would you? If you could meet any person from history, who would it be?
Listen along and come up with your own answers, and (maybe) tell us about them! Enjoy :)
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
One of our listeners sent us this question about the idea of constantly wanting to get ahead in life, and how that seems to clash with another idea of being happy with what you have. Aren't these two ideas in conflict with each other?
If you're happy with where you are, you might be seen as lazy and uninspired, but isn't the goal of wanting to achieve success to be happy? And if you're already there, aren't you.. winning?
Tell us your two cents and drop us a question (or two, or three) here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Last week we talked about whether men age like fine wine, but before they can get there, we should discuss the traits that turn silly boys into good men. What do you think those traits are? Respect for others? Having a sense of responsibility? Rowena is back and joining us in this exchange of thoughts on the things that make us go, "Now, THAT's a man."
What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think!
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
So you've heard the saying, 'men age like fine wine'. We're asking two men, who are in the process of aging (lol), if they find that statement relatable. What are you more confident in as you age? What do you care more, or less, about? What do you still struggle, where do want to improve?
As always, if you have a burning question, find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
On this episode, we dig DEEP into the question of whether we are 'romantically challenged' and we have to say that it was easily the most uncomfortable one to record, because that's what happens when we look within ourselves. BUT we think it is important sometimes to look at yourself (or each other in our case, lol) and ask hard hitting questions.
Hope you enjoy listening to this one and hope you get some nuggets of useful friendly advice here and there. More importantly, we hope you can relate to some of our stories!
As always, if you have a burning question, shoot us a question here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan: @therealdanchen
Mia: @msmiaaa
Thomas: @nomastmas
Aaannnddd we're back! What was meant to be a short hiatus turned out longer than we expected, and for that, we're sorry! BUT now we're ready to get back into our humble little podcast and you're in for a fun ride.
On this episode, we're talking about a simple question of whether we add value to those around us or whether we're a hindrance to people (oops). The idea of positively having an impact to other people doesn't always have been a grand one. For Mia personally, you can give her boba and she'll highly, highly appreciate. Anyways, thought this would be a good question to ponder so we hope you enjoy!
As always, if you have a burning question, you can find us here:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
IG: @frndsnextdoor
Dan's IG: @therealdanchen
Mia's IG: @msmiaaa
Thomas's IG: @nomastmas
Ro is back on Friends Next Door's humble abode and joined Mia in a fangirling session over Start Up, their latest K-drama obsession. Don't worry, we managed to get Dan and Thomas to start watching so they can join in the convo too! What makes K-dramas so fun to watch? What are some of your faves?
With our last episode of 2020 and as we close out the year, we want to thank every one of you who's been listening to our weekly random conversations. We're going to a quick hiatus, but will be back very soon with a new season of Friends Next Door so stay tuned!
For more Rowena:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rowenatsai
Instagram: @rowenatsai
Beauty Within:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/beautywithin
Instagram: @beautywithinofficial
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Is it too early to think about life post COVID? What's the one activity you really miss these days? Now that we're 9 months into the pandemic, I'm sure we sometimes find ourselves missing a 'normal' life. To soothe the soul, let's talk about what we want to do the most once this all blows over...
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
In a throwback to our inaugural episode recorded when we were a couple weeks into lockdown, we're now in December 2020 and things feel similar to how they were back then. Down to the fact that toilet paper is sold out everywhere again. The crew is checking in on each other to see how we're coping with the uncertainty now. What changed? How many lbs did Dan pack? And how can we spend the last month of the year meaningfully?
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Growing up as a minority, I think most of us had this problem: that we didn't really see 'people who looked like us' on TV or in pop culture. Things are different now, but this lack of representation may have left some of us feeling lost somehow. But fret not, young padawans, role models are everywhere around you. And if you can draw inspiration and emulate the good traits of people in your lives... oh the places you'll go!
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
What's your favorite holiday? What were your best memories of celebrating that holiday? Just because 2020 is the worst year in recent memory, doesn't mean we shouldn't make the most of our holiday season this year. It might look different, but hey, let's still try to make it a high amongst the lows.
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Ever succumbed to peer pressure and did things you didn't originally want to? Yeah we thought so. How do you balance between playing the (social) game and staying true to who you are? Maybe this episode can give you some idea...
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
If there's ever a time for us to take better care of our mental health, 2020 is definitely that time. It's been a challenging year all around, to say the least, and we are all struggling one way or another. We've invited Rowena Tsai, YouTube megastar and one half of Beauty Within, to join our convo so that we can pick her brain on how to be at peace with who you are and how to stay calm in the face of uncertainty.
For more Rowena:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rowenatsai
Instagram: @rowenatsai
Beauty Within:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/beautywithin
Instagram: @beautywithinofficial
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Do you believe in the idea that there's one soulmate for every individual walking on the face of the earth? Why or why not? How does that belief affect your approach in finding or treating your significant other?
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder... can you imagine having the eyes of over 2 MILLION PEOPLE on you?! With social media and the beauty standards propagated there, how does one stay true to oneself? Of course we can't talk about beauty stuff without having our resident expert Felicia, so listen on for her tips on the million dollar question of the day - how to not let social media affect your self worth.
For more Felicia:
Youtube: www.youtube.com/beautywithin
Instagram: @beautywithinofficial
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Asian men have always had to fight against Hollywood's portrayal of them - usually as the nerdy, socially awkward type. With Kpop reaching peak popularity these days, what do Thomas and Dan think about the impact they have on the perception towards Asian men in general? Mia's playing a moderator here to get their hot takes on this very, serious, issue.
If you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Do you have trust issues? Dan is the type who'd easily trust others but Mia and Thomas can be jaded sometimes (sorry Thomas). On this AFF episode, we share our thought on the topic of trusting others - in friendships, in a romantic relationship, and at work.
As always, if you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Do you find yourself constantly checking Instagram to see who liked your posts or replied to your stories, even when you just did 5 minutes ago? Do you go on Twitter to see what news broke the internet today or in the past hour, for that matter? Congrats, you might have a problem there... but don't worry! We're here to talk about how to maintain a healthy relationship with social media in this day and age, so check it out for our tips and share yours if you have some.
As always, if you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, contact us at:
Email: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com
Instagram: @frndsnextdoor
Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Her new cooking channel? Check. Her new identity as a plant mom? Check. Crazy OffTheGreatWall days stories? Check! For those who used to watch OffTheGreatWall, this one's for you. Carmen came on our podcast to fill us in on what she's been up to, how she's doing in quarantine, and reminisce about the good ol' days. Enjoy!
If you want to keep up with Carmen, check her out on socials:
Youtube: youtube.com/kindofcooking/
Instagram: @harrocarmen and @kindof_cooking
As always, if you want to request a topic, share your story, or have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
We turned to our mailbox and answered questions that some of you sent in. How did we meet? How important is physical attraction in a relationship? What are some of the New York things that only locals would know? We loved reading your messages so keep sending them in!
What's your story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Asians who grew up in the West, or as a minority, love it when we see people who look like us in the media. What's not to celebrate, right? They're representing us on a big platform! BUT, what happens if those who are supposed to represent us, do not? Worse, what happens when the person who’s supposed to represent us stands up for a cause that goes against our values? How much value/weight should we put on movies, music, pop culture in general? Tune in for our takes on Disney's adaptation of Mulan.
What's your story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
While all three of us are Chinese, we were brought up under different circumstances so this time we sit down to compare our experiences growing up. How do we define identity? How much is our sense of identity influenced by external factors? How did we come to terms with who we are?
What's your story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Friends who troll one another, stay together? On this episode, we tackle the topic of friendships - how much importance do you put on friends? How do the nature of friendships evolve as you get older?
What's your story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
On this episode, we compare notes on how much our parents beat us up when we were a wee child. Okay we may be exaggerating but looking back, we now know that parenting is the hardest job in the world. So disgruntled kids unite! Give this episode a listen and tell us what you think.
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Part 2! Of the unwritten codes dictating female friendships and male friendships alike. How are we different? How are we alike? Our friend Jenn Nguyen (we have a guest yay!) joined in the fun in this 2-part convos about the intriguing world of friendship etiquettes.
If you want to know more about Jenn and EM Collective, a community to empower and connect Asian creatives through culture, head over to Instagram and check them out at:
Jenn - @jennahhlynn
EM Collective - @emcollectve
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Additional music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au
Ahhhh... the unwritten codes dictating female friendships and male friendships alike. How are we different? How are we alike? Our friend Jenn Nguyen (we have a guest yay!) joined in the fun in this 2-part convos about the intriguing world of friendship etiquettes.
If you want to know more about Jenn and EM Collective, a community to empower and connect Asian creatives through culture, head over to Instagram and check them out at:
Jenn - @jennahhlynn
EM Collective - @emcollectve
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Remember when your mom scolded you for sticking your chopsticks straight down in your rice bowl? Or when you avoided walking under a ladder because it would bring bad luck? I'm sure we all have superstitious beliefs that seep into various parts of our lives, it's totally normal! Except some are a little weirder than others...
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
You might think the answer to this question is obvious, but we think there's more to it than simply yes or no. And do millennials have commitment issues, both at work and in relationships? In our first Asking For a Friend episode, we're sharing our individual takes on these exciting topics that people love to debate on, so check it out and see if you can relate.
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it!
And if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
What happens when a hopeless romantic and two jaded people get together and discuss dating rules? You get a very confusing discussion with the jaded individuals realizing that they're their own biggest obstacles when it comes to romantic relationships.
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it! And as usual, if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Confidence may not bring success but it gives power to face any challenge, they said. On this episode, we talk about whether we are confident about ourselves and how we build our confidence.
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it! And as usual, if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
With all these content that we consume these days, there has to be some that left a deeper impact on us than others... right? On this episode, we talked about a book or movie that did just that and the difference it made in our lives.
Do you have a similar story? Hit us up and tell us about it as we'd love to hear it! And as usual, if you have a burning question, email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can always "ask for a friend"!
Dan, Thomas and Mia walked down on memory lane and talked about what they would’ve changed if they could go back in time. What would YOU have changed if you could turn back time?
Find out and more on the second episode of Friends Next Door. If you have a burning question, feel free to email us at frndsnextdoor@gmail.com. Don’t worry, you can always “ask for a friend”!
This episode was recorded in early May while Covid-19 (Coronavirus) was devastating (and continues to greatly impact) the world.
In the U.S., the pandemic has hit New York City the hardest and the gang’s been coping with it in different ways. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and hope to take this time to reflect on all the things that have been happening to hopefully come out of it in a much better place. Also, how long can a single roll of toilet paper last? Find out and more on the second episode of Friends Next Door. If you have a burning question, feel free to ask us! Don’t worry, you can always “ask for a friend”.
Martial Arts, Ad-Tech, Real Estate?! Who’s been doing what since you’ve last heard from (or seen) us on the inter-webs. Mia, Thomas and Dan have started a new podcast that explores everything from relationships to parallel universe theories. They also want to field questions from YOU as you travel on this new journey with us. Send any “asking for a friend” questions to: frndsnextdoor@gmail.com