I’m lost, so what?

Cassandra Le

The podcast exploring between “belonging” and carving your own path. “How long will it take to be successful?” “Don’t you think you should…” “When does this whole thing get easier?” “So you… don’t know what you’re doing?” Existential questions that plague our every day, especially as multicultural, hyphenated-folx who are between belonging and carving our own paths. I’m lost, so what? podcast shares bi-weekly episodes to explore the nuance and gray areas of life, culture, identity, work, and simply existing. Join me, Cassandra Le, Speaker, Writer, and Founder of The Quirky Pineapple Studio, and our multicultural, global community, for sassy conversations around belonging, relationships, self-love, business, and kinda knowing what you’re doing but questioning everything you’re doing. I’m lost, so what? is for folx who feel lost in their careers, identities, and dare we say... life. Who want to define their own path and rules. These conversations alongside multicultural guests and experts probably won’t give you answers, but hopefully, share new perspectives to decide on your own. P.S. Want exclusive access to more personal musings from me and our guests? We’d love to have you join the conversation - head to the show notes to sign up for the “Doing Good” newsletter. read less

Cepee Tabibian: Hitting Refresh Abroad
3d ago
Cepee Tabibian: Hitting Refresh Abroad
What would life look like if you completely ‘hit refresh’ and decided to move abroad, especially after 30? ✈️   In Season 2, Episode 2 of I’m lost, so what? Podcast, Cepee Tabibian joins to share what hitting refresh can look like, especially if you want to move abroad!   As someone who also decided to move abroad and build a life outside of their home country, this conversation touches on all the tangible/tactical things to consider, as well as the more emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects that people might not consider before they decide to make a move abroad!   In this episode, Cepee shares about:   What moving abroad after 30 years old looks like (and how it’s different than moving abroad in your 20s)Choosing your own identity as an immigrantHow to move abroadAnd some of the cultural differences when it comes to dating abroad (love this topic, considering I am in an intercultural relationship)   Cepee Tabibian (she/her), Founder, She Hit Refresh   At the age of 35, Cepee Tabibian upended her entire life by selling her belongings and moving to Europe—and since then, has never looked back. Now, she teaches other women how to do it too, at any age, through her company She Hit Refresh: a global community of over 10,000 women age 30+ who want to move abroad.     She prides herself on providing resources, support, and inspiration—from online courses to a fast-growing blog to annual retreats and more—in order to teach women how to move abroad so that they can confidently make their move sooner rather than never.   She has even turned her overseas expertise into the digital book “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe”—which was featured in Forbes (spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think).   Links referenced in the episode:   Move Abroad after 30 Masterclass - https://www.shehitrefreshacademy.com/9h310?r_done=1Cepee’s Book, “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe” - https://shehitrefresh.com/move-to-europe-book/ Watch Cepee’s TEDx Talk “What immigrants can teach us about identity” - https://youtu.be/NK_fHYNw_do?si=fta0m9BsMTnvVrn9 S1E4 “RIP to the me I learned to love” - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/rip-to-the-me-i-learned-to-love/    Connect with Cepee Tabibian elsewhere:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shehitrefresh/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shehitrefresh YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgydoTS7V3pY1V0WI5S6Bw Facebook group! (for WOMEN age 30+:) https://www.facebook.com/groups/shehitrefresh/ Website: www.shehitrefresh.com    Connect with Cassandra and her business elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Website - https://thequirkypineapple.com/
Mario Pérez Fernández: The ebb & flow of power/choice
Sep 11 2023
Mario Pérez Fernández: The ebb & flow of power/choice
*CONTENT WARNING: We talk about auto-immune diseases and ableism, diet culture, and depression.   An intercultural and international relationship, choosing to work with your partner, and the power dynamics of all that - this episode invites you to join in on the conversation with my partner, Mario Pérez Fernández, and hear HIS perspective 👫   Over the years, I’ve built a personal brand that brings my partner to the spotlight whenever he feels comfortable. Usually, he is in the background and doing a lot of things for the brand and business that you all don’t get to see…   We’re changing that!   In the inaugural episode of Season 2 of the I’m lost, so what? Podcast, Mario is joining us to share his story and experiences on:   Starting and closing his businessWhat it’s like to work in The Quirky Pineapple StudioThe realities of working with your partnerAnd some of the situations we worked through being in an intercultural relationship   Mario Pérez Fernández (he/him) is a multi-experience back-office specialist.    He is also a money-saving coach, helping others create consciousness around their budgets and teaching them how to save money in a way that is less restrictive and more empowering. Mario is also the Admin & Operations Team for The Quirky Pineapple Studio, making sure our finances, systems, and workflows are fully optimized and streamlined for the best team and client experience.   Connect with Mario Pérez Fernández elsewhere:   Mario’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mario.perfern/ Mario’s LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/mario-perez-fernandez    Connect with Cassandra and her business elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Website - https://thequirkypineapple.com/
Trailer: Heart-to-heart convos at 3am
Aug 28 2023
Trailer: Heart-to-heart convos at 3am
“I’m really grateful for our relationship…”   Ever have that thought with someone in your life when you’re up at 3am having heart-to-heart conversations and it just hits you like…   WHOA.   This moment, right here and now, is the good stuff.   This person, right here and now, just gets me and gets it.   This relationship, right here and now, makes me feel seen, heard, held, and like I belong… even when I’m doing my own thing.   It might be 3am where you are or some other time in the day, but I want to have that heart-to-heart conversation with you.   I’m lost, so what? Season 2 is bringing you more ‘in-between’ with guests that occupy spaces where opportunities exist, identity is fluid, intersectionalities are acknowledged, and nuance is always included in the conversation.   Season 2 is full of heart-to-heart conversations with multicultural guests and experts sharing their experiences and stories of ‘being lost’, not giving a fuck, and carving their own path and identity to belonging.   Episodes will be released bi-monthly and explore topics like starting and closing your business, moving abroad, technology, the future of work, culture, mental health, and more.   The world is changing, a cultural zeitgeist is approaching, and well… as a human-being, I just wanna connect, get real, and be as intentional as possible.   If you’re new here, my name is Cassandra Le. I work as a Speaker, Writer, and Brand Strategist running a location-independent brand strategy and marketing agency, The Quirky Pineapple Studio. The best conversations I’ve had happened ‘in-between’, exploring layers, nuance, and the tension of being on the precipice of *something*...   I realized the magic happens in the twilight zone and these conversations we explore in Season 2 of the podcast all exist in that space. If that’s your jam, too, this podcast is for you!   Subscribe to I’m lost, so what? Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and mark your calendars for Monday, September 11th when the first episode of Season 2 goes live!   Want to hang out in other areas of the Internet? You can follow me on Instagram @cassandratle, for brand message & content marketing tips and resources - check out my business @thequirkypineapplestudio.   #stayfierce fam!   Connect with Cassandra and her business elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Website - https://thequirkypineapple.com/
Season Finale: Does this matter if the world is ending?
Jun 19 2023
Season Finale: Does this matter if the world is ending?
In the season final of the I’m lost, so what? Podcast, Cassandra is getting existential and asking you and the community…   What is the purpose of life? 🙃And what is your purpose in life? ✨   COVID, the last three years (2020-2023), the world being on fire, human rights and social justice issues being pushed to the side and forgotten… and the wariness we’re all feeling because it seems we ‘just can’t catch a break’...   The questions “Does this even matter?” and “What is my purpose in life?” have come up more often than once.    Let’s explore that, together.   This episode is for you if you’ve asked yourself these questions: Is any of this worth it? Does this even matter? What’s my purpose in life? No judgment here, just curiosity and exploration for a deeper meaning and understanding.   Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources mentioned in the episode:   Merriam-Webster definition of purpose - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpose“My Best Self 101” article “What is purpose?” - https://www.mybestself101.org/what-is-purpose Ep. 11 “Why home isn’t really a place…” - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u3tig-1426465 Ep. 07 “3 obvious signs you’re hiding from yourself” - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-m74rx-13dba44 Ep. 04 “RIP to the me I learned to love” - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-j4atv-139f706
Why ‘home’ isn’t really a place…
Jun 5 2023
Why ‘home’ isn’t really a place…
🏠 Is home a place, feeling, person… or something else?    In episode 11 of the I’m lost, so what? Podcast, Cassandra explores the concept of ‘home’ - especially being raised in dual cultures, Vietnamese-American, and now living in another culture, Spain.   She explores the ideas of: EthnocentrismAssimilationBuilding a homeAnd of course, journaling prompts for you to explore this idea on your own   If you’ve ever thought about what ‘home’ is like outside your own culture or home country, what home could be like taking into consideration your beliefs, values, and ideals… or that home could be a lifestyle you might not have explored yet…   This episode is for you.   Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources mentioned in the episode:   Ethnocentrism definition - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnocentrism Assimilate definition - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/assimilate Ep. 08: The evolution of friendship as an adult living abroad - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/the-evolution-of-friendship-as-an-adult-living-abroad/ Ep. 07: 3 obvious signs you’re hiding from yourself - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/3-obvious-signs-you-re-hiding-from-yourself/Ep. 04: Starting over is NOT for losers - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/starting-over-is-not-for-losers/ Ep. 04: RIP to the me I learned to love - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/rip-to-the-me-i-learned-to-love/ Cassandra’s TEDx Talk - https://youtu.be/-QeYXHEf53c  Cassandra’s IG Live on “What does it mean to come home to yourself?” - https://www.instagram.com/p/CM5O_RcK68S/
How much of your story should you share?
May 8 2023
How much of your story should you share?
So you want to share more of your story - WE’RE HERE FOR IT! 🎉   The next questions we usually get are… What stories should I share?How much of my story should I share?How do I get over imposter syndrome?Will people really care?   In episode 09 of the I’m lost, so what? Podcast, Cassandra dives into ALL the things around storytelling and sharing your message. She answers the questions and shares advice on: Why it’s important to share your storiesThings to watch out for when you start to put yourself out thereWhat and how much to shareAnd different activities to dive deeper into your own story   If you’ve wanted to share more, share your experiences, and want to put yourself out there and become an active participant in the conversation - this episode is for you.   Work with Cassandra and The Quirky Pineapple Studio on your thought leadership strategy. Get the right words and storytelling structure so you know what to say, where to say it, and when to say it for more industry opportunities. Schedule a Clarity Call here: https://bookme.name/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Connect with Cassandra elsewhere: Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources mentioned in the episode: Ep. 07: “3 obvious signs you’re hiding from yourself” - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/3-obvious-signs-you-re-hiding-from-yourself/Ep. 03: “You’re the brand/niche is toxic AF” - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/you-re-the-brandniche-is-toxic-af/ Ep. 02: “3 existential questions to consider if you want to be more visible” - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/3-existential-questions-to-consider-if-you-want-to-be-more-visible/ Article “What Trauma Porn Is, and Why It Hurts Black People” - https://themighty.com/topic/mental-health/trauma-porn/ Cassandra’s TEDx Talk, “How Current Work Culture Recreates Colonial Systems” - https://youtu.be/-QeYXHEf53c
3 obvious signs you’re hiding from yourself
Apr 10 2023
3 obvious signs you’re hiding from yourself
You’re doing yourself a disservice by hiding all the time 😓   In episode 07 of I’m lost, so what? Cassandra brings back “Sassy Cassie” for some real talk about what it’s like to ‘hide’ from yourself and your greatness. No, this is not some ‘self-help’ and ‘empowerment’ talk (well maybe, it is a little)...   This is the episode for you if you’ve ever felt overlooked, resentful, and… well, hiding.   Cassandra covers: What hiding looks like and why we hideThe 3 signs we are hiding from ourselvesWhat to do if you’re ready to ‘stop hiding’And her favorite journaling prompts to work through this   So, be honest - are you hiding behind your work?   Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/ Subscribe to “Marketing Hot Takes”, a weekly email series for overlooked thought leaders who want to shift their perspective on branding & marketing for more industry opportunities - https://thequirkypineapple7935.ac-page.com/weekly-email-series      Additional resources mentioned in the episode:   Ep. 02 - 3 existential questions to consider if you want to be more visible - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/3-existential-questions-to-consider-if-you-want-to-be-more-visible/ Ep. 04 - RIP to the me I learned to love - https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/rip-to-the-me-i-learned-to-love/    Additional resources and blogs from The Quirky Pineapple Studio:  5 Mindset Blocks Stopping BIPOC from Visibility - https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2020/07/08/5-mindset-blocks-stopping-poc-businesses-from-visibility/ Shift your Imposter Syndrome to Confidence with 3 Mindset Hacks for Small Business Owners - https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2020/06/29/mindset-hacks-imposter-syndrome-confidence-small-business/  3 Mindset Shifts Every Small Business Owner Needs to be a CEO - https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2020/03/04/mindset-shifts-small-business-owner-needs-confident-ceo/
RIP to the “me” I learned to love
Feb 27 2023
RIP to the “me” I learned to love
How do you learn to love who you were and are becoming at the same time? 🖤   If you’ve ever experienced a large gap in ‘who you are’ and ‘who you want to be’ - this episode is for you. We’re getting existential and meta around identity deaths, grieving, and making space for all we are supposed to be!   In episode 04 of I’m lost, so what? Cassandra shares her personal experience around ‘identity’ and realizing that who she was was no longer serving her.   DISCLAIMER: you may hear sniffles throughout the episode cause we’re getting emotional!   During this episode, you’ll hear about: What is an identity death?What happens when you need to move on from who you ‘were’ and learned to love?How do you welcome this next iteration of yourself?And the twilight zone where the magic happens   Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources mentioned in the episode:   Cassandra’s IG post on ‘identity death’: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj9iRqljiMN/ BetterHelp Link (get 1 week for free!): https://www.betterhelp.com/rpc/c097ae8efcccf713-1-01?utm_term=ref_v1_ddJolinda Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/coachjolinda/Gieselle Allen Coaching: https://gieselleallen.com/Episode 3 “You’re the brand/niche” is toxic AF: https://imlostsowhat.podbean.com/e/you-re-the-brandniche-is-toxic-af/
“You’re the brand/niche” is toxic AF
Feb 13 2023
“You’re the brand/niche” is toxic AF
Are you the niche/brand? 👀   In the world of Creators, influencers, thought leaders, and personal brands - one trend is growing in popularity and that’s the “anti-niche” Creator. What does that mean? That you don’t have a niche, you ‘are’ the niche… or you ‘are’ your brand.   In episode 03 of I’m lost, so what? Cassandra explores this concept with a critical and anti-capitalist lens and how being the ‘niche’ and ‘brand’ is actually toxic AF. You get to meet her alter-ego, “Sassy Cassie” who doesn’t hold back.   In this episode, Cassandra covers: Her personal story of how she was the ‘brand’ and what happenedWhat she believes happens when you are the ‘niche’/’brand’And questions (of course) to consider if you’re currently on this journey   If you are building a personal brand or want to position yourself as a thought leader, or need help to get your company or organization more visible - learn how to amplify your message, rally your community, and create inclusive, awesome content with the support of The Quirky Pineapple Studio. Learn more about our services here: https://thequirkypineapple.com/    Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources mentioned in the episode and for Thought Leadership: 5 Biggest Social Media Trends in 2023 from Vanessa Lau: https://youtu.be/yuL4Ror87VU “Why Thought Leadership is Important and How to Establish It”: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2022/07/08/why-thought-leadership-is-important-and-how-to-establish-it%ef%bf%bc/“3 Thought Leadership Examples to Avoid Being a “Bro”: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2022/08/10/3-thought-leadership-examples-to-avoid-being-a-bro%ef%bf%bc/“LinkedIn vs. Instagram: Which Platform is Best for Thought Leadership?” https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2022/08/04/linkedin-vs-instagram-which-platform-is-best-for-thought-leadership-content%ef%bf%bc/ “How to Use Your Brand Message Strategy with Thought Leadership” https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2022/08/31/how-to-use-your-brand-message-strategy-with-thought-leadership/
3 existential questions to consider if you want to be more visible
Jan 30 2023
3 existential questions to consider if you want to be more visible
✨ The existential questions that no one asks before they tell you to get visible…   Getting visible - either personally or professionally - is an act of courage, yet a lot of the inspirational and motivational quotes and images we see on Instagram and Pinterest don’t explore the nuance and layers of visibility… especially for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer folx, and more.   In episode 02 of I’m lost, so what? Cassandra dives into the nuance and gray areas of what it means to be visible, show up more as yourself in the world, build a personal brand, and the existential questions and considerations to think about before going out there and doing the dang thing.   In this conversation, Cassandra shares What to consider when we think about visibilityQuestions to ask yourself as you get visibleWhen to know it’s time for you to share your message   If you are building a personal brand or want to position yourself as a thought leader, or need help to get your company or organization more visible - learn how to amplify your message, rally your community, and create inclusive, awesome content with the support of The Quirky Pineapple Studio. Learn more about our services here: https://thequirkypineapple.com/    Connect with Cassandra elsewhere:   Cassandra’s Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cassandratle/ The Quirky Pineapple Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thequirkypineapplestudio/    Additional resources around visibility from The Quirky Pineapple Studio:   Mindset Blocks holding back BIPOC business owners: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2020/07/08/5-mindset-blocks-stopping-poc-businesses-from-visibility/ Planning your Content Strategy for more visibility: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2019/05/08/how-to-plan-your-content-strategy-for-more-visibility/ 5 ways to define your brand personality: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2018/02/28/5-ways-to-define-your-brand-personality/ Creating a brand messaging framework for your small business: https://thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2021/01/27/how-to-create-a-brand-messaging-framework-for-small-businesses/ Shiva Roofeh - https://www.shivaroofeh.com/