In this raw and vulnerable episode, Elizabeth shares her deeply personal journey of cutting contact with her abusive father and the profound impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships. As someone who grew up as a people-pleaser in an immigrant household, she explores the painful but necessary process of choosing your own healing over family expectations.

Elizabeth opens up about the decision to not invite her father to her wedding, the lasting effects of verbal abuse, and how childhood trauma shapes our internal narrative. She discusses the science behind early childhood development and how repeated negative messages become internalized as core beliefs.

This episode dives deep into:

• The courage it takes to go no-contact with toxic family members
• How trauma follows us even after leaving abusive environments
• The difference between physical safety and mental safety
• Learning to set boundaries as an adult when you never had them as a child
• Dealing with family pressure and guilt when enforcing boundaries
• The ripple effects of changing family dynamics
• Choosing peace over people-pleasing

If you've ever felt torn between your own healing and family obligations, struggled with setting boundaries, or are working through childhood trauma, this episode offers hope, validation, and practical insights for your journey.

In this deeply personal episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares the raw and emotional story of the summer she almost didn’t survive. For the first time, she opens up on camera about her struggle with depression, emotional suppression growing up in a Chinese immigrant household, and her experience with suicidal ideation in the summer after high school.

Elizabeth candidly discusses the cultural stigma around mental health in Asian communities, the pressure to be emotionally silent, and the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma. She also highlights her second chance at life, the brave decision her mother made to leave a toxic marriage, and how asking for help began her healing journey.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics including suicide, depression, and family trauma. If you're not in a space to hear this right now, please take care of yourself and return when you're ready. You’re not alone.

🎧 Topics covered:

• Emotional repression in Asian households

• Surviving suicidal thoughts and depression

• First-generation immigrant family dynamics

• The moment everything came crashing down

• Healing through storytelling, community, and therapy

✨ Follow @thethoughtfuladvocate on Instagram for updates, resources, and support.

In this deeply personal episode, Elizabeth opens up about a part of her life she’s never shared publicly—her experience with emotional and physical abuse as a child. From road trips filled with fear to hurtful words that left lasting scars, she shares what it was like growing up in a household where silence protected shame.

But this isn’t just a story about pain—it's about healing, generational cycles, and reclaiming power.

Elizabeth speaks directly to her inner child—and to yours—reminding us that the cycle ends with us.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unloved, or unsafe in your own home, this episode is for you.

💛 Trigger Warning: This episode includes descriptions of emotional and physical abuse. Please take care while listening.

🎧 Episode Description: Welcome back to The Thoughtful Advocate! I’m your host, Elizabeth Teo, and today we’re diving into how tourism can actually help protect our planet when done right.

In this episode, I’m highlighting a hidden gem on Mexico’s Pacific Coast called Huatulco—a breathtaking destination with nine bays, 36 beaches, and some of the cleanest water in the world. 🌊 What makes it truly special? Huatulco is one of the few destinations globally certified with EarthCheck Platinum—the gold standard in sustainable tourism.

🏝 70% of Huatulco is a protected ecological reserve. ⚡️ The town runs 100% on clean energy. 💧 85% of its water is recycled. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Local businesses thrive—from snorkeling guides to family-owned restaurants and traditional artisans. 🕊 700+ bird species live in Huatulco National Park.

Plus, I share travel tips for visiting consciously, how to support local communities, and why this small town is setting a huge example for the world.

💚 This episode is a love letter to what tourism can be when people, planet, and purpose come together.

📌 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Huatulco, Mexico

• EarthCheck Platinum Certification

• Oaxacan crafts and coffee plantations

• Eco-resorts & reef-safe sunscreen

• Affiliate: Kind Laundry – use code zerowastecutie for 10% off

💬 Listener Shoutout: Thank you to @jeonmyn5846 for the sweet comment on YouTube! Your support means the world 💕🌎

📲 Follow + Subscribe: 🎥 YouTube: The Thoughtful Advocate 📸 Instagram: @TheThoughtfulAdvocate 📝 Patreon: Support + Community

📢 Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe! ⭐ Your feedback helps us grow and helps others find this podcast. Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram to get a shoutout in the next episode!

In this powerful episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo (aka @thethoughtfuladvocate) shares her raw and emotional experience as a new mom navigating a system that pushes mothers back to work far too soon. From the trauma of giving birth to the high cost of childcare and the mental toll of breastfeeding, this is the honest, unfiltered truth about motherhood in America.

💬 “I thought I was going to die on that hospital bed — Moms in the US are expected to return to work within weeks. This system is not built for us.”

We unpack: 🔹 Why paid parental leave is still missing in the U.S. 🔹 The economic burden of childcare (up to $15,000 per year) 🔹 The physical and mental realities of postpartum recovery 🔹 How countries like Canada, Sweden & Finland are doing it better 🔹 Realistic solutions: flexible work, shorter work weeks, universal childcare

Whether you’re a new parent, future parent, or someone who believes in building a better system, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and join the movement to advocate for working parents, families, and a more human-first society.

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🌿 Affiliate Mention: Get 10% off Kind Laundry Sheets with code zerowastecutie — eco-friendly, mess-free laundry for busy parents.

📲 Follow me on Instagram: @thethoughtfuladvocate 📍 Support and get exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thethoughtfuladvocate?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink 🧡 Leave a review, share with a friend, and tag me to keep the conversation going!

#WorkingMoms #PaidLeave #MotherhoodPodcast #PostpartumTruth #ParentingInAmerica #TheThoughtfulAdvocate

🌱 Episode 02: Eco-Themed Films You’ll Actually Enjoy Welcome to the second episode of The Thoughtful Advocate! In today’s show, we dive into a handpicked list of eco-conscious, environmental-themed movies and documentaries that are actually fun to watch.

If you're looking for sustainable inspiration without the burnout, these films offer insight, creativity, and hope for a better future. Whether you're new to environmental advocacy or a long-time eco-warrior, there's something here for everyone.

🎬 In this episode: ✔️ Eco movies that inspire change ✔️ Hidden gems in sustainable storytelling ✔️ How media impacts our eco mindset

✨ Support the podcast on Patreon for early access, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes goodies. An extended version of this episode is available now!

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode if it resonated with you!

🌍 The Thoughtful Advocate is a podcast for mindful changemakers, nature lovers, and anyone passionate about building a better world — one conscious step at a time.

#EcoMovies #SustainableLiving #EnvironmentalJustice #MindfulMedia #TheThoughtfulAdvocate #ClimateAction #EcoPodcast

In this heartfelt first episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, Elizabeth Teo (formerly known as @zerowastecutie) shares her journey from burnout to renewal, from sustainability educator to thoughtful community builder.

🌱 Hear all about why she rebranded the podcast, the exciting arrival of her son Ace, and the new direction for future episodes — blending sustainability, mental health, parenting, identity, and culture into real, relatable conversations.

Topics covered: fast fashion, low-waste weddings, mental health, Asian Canadian experiences, and how living thoughtfully extends beyond zero waste.

💬 If you’re passionate about making a difference and living with purpose, this is the podcast for you.

✨ Be sure to follow, rate, and review The Thoughtful Advocate wherever you listen! It helps more thoughtful people find us.

👉 Stay connected on Instagram @thethoughtfuladvocate for more behind-the-scenes updates!