Permission to Flow

066 - Creativity, Collaboration, Chaos: A Real Conversation with my Editor, Travis Carr

In today's episode, join host Jessica Hwang and editor Travis Carr in an exciting, unscripted deep dive as they celebrate the completion of their new podcast studio and reflect on Jessica's incredible journey of transformation.
Jessica shares the joy of seeing her vision for the studio come to life—a dream realized despite numerous obstacles and delays. Travis and Jessica provide some behind-the-scenes insights into overcoming the challenges and achieving this new production environment.
Hear about Jessica's path from a corporate finance career to becoming a career transition coach and podcaster. She opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to prioritize meaningful work and self-kindness, ultimately launching the "Permission to Flow" podcast. Jessica's journey underscores the importance of trusting the process, even when it means pausing to build a solid foundation.
Together, they dive into the struggle of balancing ambition with the necessity of creating something meaningful. As Jessica and Travis discuss the ongoing evolution of their podcast and studio, they emphasize the power of self-belief, continuous improvement, and savoring the present moment.
Whether you're here for the inspiration or to celebrate the milestones, this episode promises a heartfelt exploration of perseverance, creativity, and the joy of pursuing one's passions. 
Topics discussed in this episode include:
Topics discussed in this episode include:00:00 - Intro06:08 - Thoughts on the New Studio!09:07 - Getting through the Creative Struggle11:35 - New Plans28:42 - Jessica's Journey 33:25 - Leaving Finance 53:15 - Why Coaching?01:22:37 - Travis' move to NYC01:27:05 - Self Love01:38:23 - Looking to the Future 01:44:38 - Parting Thoughts
 
Quotes from the episode:
"Those things that we overcame, those challenges, they do get easy, but then we get new challenges, and instead of looking at that as a problem, it's actually looking at that as a sign of success."
"Because getting me like beating myself up and tearing myself down was not getting me anywhere anymore. And I could feel that I was like, this is just not serving me anymore. And I just, I don't know, I just woke up in that moment, that moment where I was pushing myself down as hard as I could. It's, I guess you can equate it to those kind of like rock bottom moments. It's like I'd hit that, I'd hit that rock bottom. And I said, no, no more."
"Who is benefiting from me toiling at this job, from me burning out repeatedly? Who is really benefiting? And I was like, yeah, it's the shareholders, the CEO. And to me, I was like, this isn't worth it." 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)

065 - Commit to Create: Lessons Learned While Building the Podcast Studio

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Permission to Flow podcast! In this special installment, host Jessica Hwang welcomes listeners to the brand-new studio, marking a significant milestone in the show's journey. The episode delves into the importance of living in the present moment, drawing inspiration from spiritual practices and transformative books like "The Power of Now."
Jessica shares her journey of embracing each stage of the podcast's growth with gratitude, encouraging listeners to find beauty in their current situation, no matter where they are on their path. The episode explores the value of self-trust, committing fully to the creative process, and enjoying the "messy middle" of any endeavor.
Listeners will hear Jessica's thoughts on her increased commitment to the podcast, including the exciting move to video and YouTube, and why it's crucial to recommit and fully dedicate oneself to projects. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building the new studio space over the past two months and shares three key lessons: self-trust, committing to the bit, and enjoying the process.
Join Jessica as she explores how to live fully in the present, appreciate the journey, and make a positive impact through unique creations. This episode is all about flowing together and embracing the creative journey.
 
Quotes from the episode:
"I want you to think about what would that next level of commitment look like in the space of the time that you have? Because even when we are building it on the side, it doesn't mean that we cannot be committed to what we're doing."
"At the end of the day, when I went and checked out all these other studios, none of them felt quite right. And so I had to come home to that inner wisdom of mine and go, this is what I really want to do."
"I want to take a moment right here, right now and enjoy this moment, this moment where I, for the very first time, get to be shooting in a podcast studio that I created for myself for this thing that I love doing and I love creating."
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
References:
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)

064 - Courageous Conversations: How to Discuss Career Shifts with Parents (Without Losing Yourself)

In this heartfelt episode of Permission to Flow, host Jessica Hwang delves into the intricate dynamics of having difficult conversations with parents—particularly around the topic of career changes. Drawing from her own journey of leaving a corporate finance job to pursue coaching and podcasting, Jessica provides invaluable insights on how to navigate these challenging discussions with empathy and understanding. Listeners will discover the importance of recognizing their parents' love despite potentially negative or unsupportive reactions, and how to interpret these responses as a form of care, albeit sometimes misguided.
Jessica emphasizes the need for compassionate boundaries, both for personal well-being and to foster healthier family dynamics. By sharing strategies like avoiding certain topics temporarily and being prepared to answer common parental concerns, she offers practical advice to help listeners communicate more effectively. The episode also taps into the wisdom of thought leaders like Jay Shetty, to reinforce the idea that it’s okay to be misunderstood and that finding a "chosen family" who supports your journey can be incredibly empowering.
For those feeling like they're swimming upstream against societal norms, Jessica's candid reflection on the challenges and rewards of pursuing a non-traditional career path will resonate deeply. She closes the episode by reinforcing the importance of courage, self-compassion, and trusting one’s instincts in these meaningful conversations. If you’re ready to take the brave step towards a creative career, this episode is an essential guide for communicating your vision and setting the boundaries necessary for your success.
 
Quotes from the episode:
"Communication is the best thing, even when it doesn't go well."
"Our parents are imperfect human beings. And I think that that is something really important to note, right? Like, they are not perfect beings, and they might not react well and they might say the wrong thing, but they're doing the best that they can."
"One of the biggest things that you want to be able to exemplify is your own safety, that you have kind of like a plan of action in terms of financial safety or like making sure that you have a roof over to your head and food on your table and all those basic needs that you have already thought through how to keep yourself safe."
 
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)
 
 
 
 

063 - Facing the Uncomfortable: Your Guide to Growth and Resilience

In this episode of Permission to Flow, host Jessica Hwang delves into the art of becoming "Comfortable Being Uncomfortable." Jessica emphasizes the vital role of self-awareness and emotional management in navigating discomfort. Inspired by the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and a powerful quote from George Adair, Jessica presents a roadmap for embracing temporary challenges as stepping stones to personal growth.
Jessica shares her own journey, highlighting how her career as a coach and podcast host has pushed her to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for development. She underscores the importance of engaging with regular, low-stakes challenges, such as practicing yoga or striking up conversations with strangers, to normalize discomfort and build resilience. By making habits of these practices, listeners can better prepare for larger transitions and create the meaningful lives they desire.
Tune in for actionable strategies on reframing your perspective towards discomfort, breathing exercises for managing stress, and the essential practice of mindfulness. Whether it's facing career changes or personal growth hurdles, Jessica assures that the discomfort you feel today is only temporary and that each challenge faced is a step closer to triumph. 
For those seeking personalized guidance, Jessica invites listeners to explore her one-on-one coaching services at jessicahwangcoaching.com.
 
Topics discussed in this episode include:
00:00:00 - Intro
05:14:19 - The Anatomy of Discomfort
06:36:08 - Shifting Your Mindset
14:40:09 - Small Challenges for Growth
20:43:12 - How To Move Towards Discomfort
30:58:05 - Episode Recap
 
Quotes from the episode:
"Instead of us moving away from the fear, away from the discomfort, it's like, how can we actually take a step closer to it?"
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your own estimate of it. And this you have the power to revoke at any moment,” - Marcus Aurelius
“Everything you've ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.” - George Addair 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching

062 - Make the Impossible Possible: A Mindset Shift for Career Transitions

In today’s episode of Permission to Flow, host and career transition coach Jessica Hwang dives deep into our relationship with the word "hard" and how it can hold us back from making essential life changes. Jessica opens up about her personal journey, sharing stories about how a simple shift in mindset helped her overcome the belief that something new is "hard" or "impossible." With the aim of helping first- and second-generation women navigate their transitions from corporate jobs to creative careers, Jessica unpacks the profound impact of negative thinking and how it forms self-limiting beliefs.
Throughout the episode, Jessica provides actionable strategies to reframe challenges, transforming the perception of "hard" tasks into opportunities for growth and learning. By questioning the notion of difficulty, embracing challenges, and using affirmations like "make the impossible possible," listeners are encouraged to dismantle their mental barriers. Jessica’s relatable anecdotes, including her transition to a weekly podcast schedule and the adoption of a mindset of curiosity and compassion, serve as inspiring examples of what’s possible when one shifts their perspective. Tune in for practical insights and motivation to help you step outside your comfort zone and pursue your dreams with renewed vigor.
Visit jessicahwangcoaching.com to explore more resources and coaching opportunities designed to support your journey from corporate to creative career paths.
 
Quotes from the episode:
"In January or February, I thought these things were impossible. You know, there were things in there that I thought I could never figure out. And guess what? I did."
"Frickin challenge accepted."
"Is it hard or is it new? Is it hard, or is it outside of our comfort zone?"
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 

061 - Unlocking Immigrant Strengths for Career Success: A First and Second Gen Guide

In this insightful episode of Permission to Flow, host Jessica Hwang dives deep into the unique strengths that first- and second-generation individuals possess when making a career change. Drawing from her own experience as a second-generation Taiwanese American who transitioned from corporate finance to a fulfilling role as a career transition coach, podcaster, and dharma yoga instructor, Jessica highlights the untapped potential lying within the immigrant mindset. With a focus on money, career transitions, and the hardworking immigrant mentality, this episode sheds light on how these attributes can become powerful assets in crafting a creative career.
 
Jessica emphasizes the importance of shifting from a money scarcity mindset to viewing financial resources as a runway for growth. She shares personal anecdotes about recognizing the unseen benefits of a previous career in corporate finance and how to leverage that as a solid foundation for new ventures. Additionally, the episode celebrates the hardworking, resourceful nature ingrained in the immigrant experience, encouraging listeners to channel that energy into passions they truly care about. Whether you're contemplating a career shift or seeking to better understand the strengths you already possess, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to inspire your journey.
 
If you're ready to embrace your inherent strengths and pivot towards a fulfilling creative career, this episode is tailored for you. Tune in to uncover how to appreciate and utilize your unique background as a stepping stone to success. And don't forget to sign up for the email list below for more strategies and insights to create more flow in your life. The power to transform your career and life is within you, and Jessica is here to guide you every step of the way.
 
Topics discussed in this episode include:
[00:00:00] - The transformative power of applying your hard work to what you love.
[00:02:37] - Rethinking money as a resource that gives you room to breathe.
[00:11:42] - Viewing your career journey as the essential puzzle pieces you need for the bigger picture.
[00:14:43] - Celebrating the hardworking, problem-solving mindset that comes with the immigrant experience.
 
 Quotes from the episode:
"Can you imagine what it would be like if you took that gusto, that hard working gusto that you are applying to something you don't like, and then you took it and put it towards something you do actually care about?"
 
"I want you to see money as a resource and let it expand and open up the space for you. So that you can make this change happen."
 
"It needed to happen exactly as it did. I needed to go through every single stage of that process to get to the point where I said, okay, enough. Now I want to make this change."
 
Links from the Episode:
060 – How to Balance Immigrant Expectations and Pursue Success Beyond Traditional Career Paths
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)
 
 
 
 

060 - How to Balance Immigrant Expectations and Pursue Success Beyond Traditional Career Paths

In today's episode of Permission to Flow, we dive deep into the intricate struggles first- and second-generation women face when transitioning from traditional, "safe" corporate jobs to more creative and fulfilling careers. Host Jessica Hwang, a second-generation Taiwanese American, shares her personal journey—from enduring societal and familial pressures to achieving financial stability as a corporate finance professional before ultimately finding her true calling as a career transition coach and podcaster.
 
Jessica illuminates the weight of responsibility immigrant children often carry, feeling obligated to honor their parents’ sacrifices by conforming to culturally prescribed career paths like medicine, law, or business. She passionately discusses the themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and failure, urging listeners to redefine success on their own terms. Through her experience and wisdom, Jessica empowers listeners to balance personal happiness with family obligations and breaks down the notion that one must choose between stability and pursuing their passions.
 
For those ready to take the next step in their career transitions, Jessica invites listeners to join her for three months of private coaching, tailored specifically to their individual circumstances and challenges. You can schedule a free consultation through her website at https://jessicahwangcoaching.com/private-coaching. Remember, you have the power to create a life that honors both your family’s sacrifices and your own happiness.
 
Topics discussed in this episode include:
00:00:00 Intro
05:47:20 Thoughts on Responsibility
14:48:18 Thoughts on Sacrifice
21:11:22 Thoughts on Failure
 
 
Quotes from the episode:
"To me, it's like my parents moved here for a better life for me and my brother. And the real way to honor that is really to create a better life, right? Not to just be miserable, not to be burned out, not to be really struggling every single day. That is not the dream."
 
"There are plenty of jobs that actually can give you the space that you are able to pursue what you really want to do and maintain that stability."
 
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)

059 - Navigating Identity: Gabi Koyenov's Path from Theology to Therapy

Navigating Identity: Gabi Koyenov's Path from Theology to Therapy
 
 
In this enlightening episode of Permission to Flow, Jessica Hwang is joined by
therapist Gabi Koyenov, who shares his fascinating journey from aspiring to be a rabbi to becoming a therapist. Gabi shares his experience overcoming familial expectations and societal norms to embrace a career aligned with his true calling. Together, Jessica and Gabi explore the stigma surrounding therapy, particularly for men, and the vital role it plays in personal growth and empowerment.
 
Gabi also opens up about the emotional challenges and triumphant moments he's faced, from his transformative realizations about parental expectations to the ultimate pursuit of joy and purpose in his work. This episode is a must-listen for first- and second-generation people seeking to navigate the often-tumultuous shift from corporate environments to their creative ambitions. Jessica and Gabi emphasize the importance of trusting one's intuition, embracing vulnerability, and the powerful act of reframing weakness as strength.
 
Don't miss Gabi's invaluable insights on building a successful private practice, the impact of cultural differences on mental health, and the deeply human need for connection and understanding. Tune in for an episode packed with wisdom, courage, and actionable advice tailored for anyone ready to take the leap into their creative potential.
 
Quotes from the episode:
"I think most people think like this, that adults just know something that we don't, you know, like, somehow when you become an adult, you get some type of revelation that never happens. It just, it never does."
 
"And I think for men especially, we need guidance. We need people that are every Luke Skywalker has the Obi Wan and Harry has stumbled over and whatever."
 
Watch my episode on Gabi's podcast:
How To Escape The 9 to 5 with Jessica Hwang
 
Connect with Gabi:
The Men's Therapy Studio
The Gabi Koyenov Podcast
Gabi's YouTube Channel
Instagram: @journey_with_gabi
 
Connect with Jessica:
Join the email list 
Book a free sales call
Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Facebook: Jessica Hwang Coaching
Website: Jessica Hwang Coaching
 
Credits:
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
Production and audio engineering by Travis Carr (@traviscarrphoto)