What does it really mean to be “乖gwaai1”—the good, quiet, well-behaved child so many of us were praised for? Drawing from my work as a teacher and children’s therapist, I explore how being “good” can sometimes silence curiosity, identity, and voice—and how we might begin to redefine respect, 孝順 haau3 seon6, and what it means to stay true to ourselves without losing connection to where we come from

How do you choose the right therapist—and does it matter if they share your cultural background?

Cantonese Classroom: therapist 治療師 zi6 liu4 si1，師si1 a suffix for licensed professionals.

In this episode, I sit with the question of what really makes therapy “work,” and whether feeling understood is about identity… or something deeper. I also explore what it means for diasporic Cantonese therapists to re-learn Cantonese—not just as a language, but as a way of reconnecting with culture, emotion, and parts of themselves that were never fully spoken.

“Why did you do that?” sounds simple—but it can quietly damage connection. This episode breaks down how “why” questions can trigger defensiveness, and what to ask instead if you want real understanding.

What rage do you carry as an inbetweener?

This episode explores the quiet, often unspoken anger of being a diaspora, a third culture child, and a first-generation immigrant living in a place that doesn’t always see you. From everyday moments of misunderstanding to deeper layers of internalised hierarchy, this is a reflection on identity, belonging, and what gets stirred beneath the surface.