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In this episode of Curiosity Over Fear, Sharmaine reflects on her first pottery class and the unexpected life lessons she learned while working with clay. What began as a simple creative activity quickly turned into a deeper exploration of perfectionism, control, impatience, and the fear of failure. Through stories from class, reflections on the creative process, and the famous pottery experiment from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland, this episode explores why growth rarely comes from obsessing over getting things “right” and why real mastery often comes through experimentation, mistakes, and participation. This conversation dives into: perfectionism and overthinking fear disguised as productivity learning to collaborate with the process instead of controlling it curiosity as a tool for growth and self-awareness why being willing to be a beginner matters Sometimes growth doesn’t come from trying to create the perfect outcome. Sometimes it begins the moment we’re willing to touch the clay. Mindful Curiosity Journal link here

More people are quietly admitting they feel more understood by AI than by the people in their lives. This episode sits with that confession and asks what it actually reveals about us... not about the technology.

Sharmaine gets honest about being in the gap between who she said she'd be and who she's actually showing up as right now. If you've ever felt like you're not making progress, this one's for you. https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcJYwiEdZE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

You've been showing up for everyone and everything. Your job, your responsibilities, your to-do list. But when's the last time you actually showed up for yourself? In this episode, I'm getting honest about what it looks like when self-responsibility quietly slips through the cracks, and what I'm doing about it. We're talking 90 days, blank pages, and the question that's been sitting with me lately. What if you actually chose yourself?

A girls' night conversation about Joe Rogan turned into an uncomfortable mirror moment. This episode is about responsibility, platforms, and the audacity it takes to show up when people don't think you should.

A simple question changes everything:What are you grateful for? In this episode, Sharmaine explores how gratitude isn’t about getting life right… it’s about becoming someone who’s ready to receive more.

It’s World Kindness Day, so I decided to do something a little different.Inspired by a whimsical love poem about a sandwich (yes, really) and a friend’s creative story about an upside-down world, I wrote a sonnet — a playful little love letter to kindness itself. In this episode, we explore how kindness doesn’t have to be perfect, polished, or performative. Sometimes it’s awkward, quiet, or weirdly human — and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.So join me for something lighthearted with a deeper bite: a reminder that real kindness often begins with curiosity.

Last time, we explored why we wear emotional masks and how curiosity helps us begin to lift them.In this follow-up episode, Sharmaine unpacks what happens next — when curiosity turns into vulnerability.Drawing from Brené Brown, Carl Rogers, and self-compassion research, she explores why showing our true selves feels so risky, how the “beautiful mess effect” reframes vulnerability as strength, and why acceptance — not self-criticism — is what leads to real change.

A Halloween-season reflection on fear, curiosity, and the courage to be real. This Halloween season, Curiosity Over Fear explores the real masks we wear — the ones that hide our insecurities, fears, and needs. In part one of this two-part series, Sharmaine unpacks why we hide, how early conditioning shapes our emotional armor, and how curiosity can transform self-judgment into compassion. Featuring insights from Brené Brown, Carl Rogers, and neuroscience research, this episode is a gentle guide to understanding yourself beneath the masks.

October is Filipino American History Month — but how much of that history were we actually taught? In this episode, Sharmaine unpacks the forgotten stories of the first Filipinos in America, the roots of migration, and how colonial history still shapes our identity today. Through curiosity and reflection, she explores what it really means to be Filipino American — and why reclaiming our history matters more than ever.

Happiness doesn’t just happen — it’s already all around us, in tiny “glimmer” moments that we often miss. In this episode, I share how my sister’s words about her newborn and an afternoon at the Mermaid Caves reminded me that curiosity is what slows us down enough to catch joy before it slips by. Plus, how you can go on your own “glimmer hunt” this month for Happiness Happens Month.

In this episode of Curiosity Over Fear, we explore the 80+ year Harvard study that revealed the biggest predictor of well-being: the quality of your relationships. But in a culture that praises independence and hustle, many of us are more disconnected than ever. We unpack the rising loneliness epidemic, how social media impacts connection, and why meaningful friendships don’t just happen—they take intention. If you’ve ever felt like friendships are harder as an adult or you’ve been waiting for a sign to reach out… this is it. Let’s talk about choosing curiosity over apathy, connection over avoidance—and how small moments of presence can transform your relationships.

Self-care isn’t always cute—and it’s definitely not always relaxing. In this episode, we get real about what self-care actually looks like, beyond the bubble baths and beach walks. I share how working night shift wrecked my routine (and my hormones), why burnout is more than just feeling tired, and how discipline, curiosity, and small daily choices are some of the most loving things you can do for yourself. We talk about the overlooked forms of self-care—like doing your laundry, fixing your car before it breaks, or finally replying to that one email. I also explore how curiosity helps you uncover what you really need instead of going on autopilot. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just surviving—or like self-care is just one more thing on your to-do list—this one’s for you. takeaways Self-care is not a picture-perfect idea; it's gritty and uncomfortable.Only 3% of the day feels relaxed for most adults.Burnout is recognized as a public health issue by the WHO.Self-care is essential for survival, not indulgence.Night shifts can severely impact self-care and health.Chronic stress can lead to serious health issues.Self-care requires discipline and proactive choices.Taking care of yourself is responsible, not selfish.Curiosity helps build emotional intelligence and aids self-care.Self-care should be honest and tailored to individual needs.

In this episode, we dive into the unspoken realities of mental health in minority families—especially within Asian, Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. From cultural stigma and generational trauma to the silent pressure to “hold it together,” we explore how emotional wounds often get passed down when there’s no space to talk about them. Using powerful statistics and personal reflection, Sharmaine unpacks how silence is mistaken for strength, how trauma hides in family dynamics, and why real self-care sometimes means being the first to break that silence. This episode is a call to gently disrupt the cycle—with curiosity, courage, and truth.

Not all fatherhood stories come wrapped in warmth—and for many, Father’s Day can stir up feelings of grief, confusion, or emotional distance. In this deeply personal episode, Sharmaine explores what it means to grow up with a father who was physically present but emotionally unavailable. Through vulnerable storytelling, she unpacks how early family dynamics shaped her views on love, trust, and masculinity—and how curiosity became the tool that helped her break the cycle. This episode dives into reparenting, emotional healing, and the power of rewriting inherited stories with compassion and intention. A must-listen for anyone navigating complicated family legacies, or learning to give themselves what they never received. #CuriosityOverFear #FatherhoodReflections #EmotionalHealing #ReparentingJourney #BreakingTheCycle #HealingTheInnerChild #HealthyMasculinity #InnerWork #GenerationalHealing #VulnerabilityIsStrength #SelfParenting #FatherWounds #GentleStrength #ComplexFamily #RedefiningLove