In this episode, Chu Tang opens up about how friendship has shaped her journey from refugee camps to thriving as a creative artist and entrepreneur. Along the way, she found that friendship — real, unconditional friendship — was the thread that held her life together.
Chu shares how her second book, Finding Real Friends, was born out of gratitude for the support she received while writing her first. She hopes it helps young adults rediscover the meaning of friendship in an age of social media, where connection can often feel superficial.
Throughout the episode, Chu and I explore how friendship shapes identity, provides healing where family might not, and teaches us forgiveness and empathy. Chu’s stories — from childhood friends to creative collaborators to new business allies — show how authentic relationships help us grow into the best versions of ourselves.
As Chu says, friendship is both simple and sacred: it’s about trust, love without judgment, and choosing people who help you see your potential.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why true friendship requires trust, action, and acceptance
How friendships can fill roles that even family can’t
Why some friendships are “seasonal” — and how to let go with grace
How to build genuine friendships in a social-media-driven world
Noteworthy quotes from Chu in this episode:
“I think if we come from that space [ what’s in it for me], it's very hard to find true friends because we will tend to attract people with agenda.”
“And then also we have to forgive our friend because it's like us forgiving ourselves.... No, we don't go to school to learn how to be a good friend….So sometimes friend[s], they make mistakes and then so do we.”
“A true friend is someone that I could totally depend on…without them prejudging…someone who allows me to be who I am…no judgment…love who I am.”
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Website: www.allhealth.info
Book: Finding Real Friends: Stay by My Side (available on Amazon)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chu.tang.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chu_muy_tang/#
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/health-wellness-consultant/
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts: https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey: http://www.betteryour.life/schedule
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In this episode, Chu Tang opens up about how friendship has shaped her journey from refugee camps to thriving as a creative artist and entrepreneur. Along the way, she found that friendship — real, unconditional friendship — was the thread that held her life together.
Chu shares how her second book, Finding Real Friends, was born out of gratitude for the support she received while writing her first. She hopes it helps young adults rediscover the meaning of friendship in an age of social media, where connection can often feel superficial.
Throughout the episode, Chu and I explore how friendship shapes identity, provides healing where family might not, and teaches us forgiveness and empathy. Chu’s stories — from childhood friends to creative collaborators to new business allies — show how authentic relationships help us grow into the best versions of ourselves.
As Chu says, friendship is both simple and sacred: it’s about trust, love without judgment, and choosing people who help you see your potential.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why true friendship requires trust, action, and acceptance
How friendships can fill roles that even family can’t
Why some friendships are “seasonal” — and how to let go with grace
How to build genuine friendships in a social-media-driven world
Noteworthy quotes from Chu in this episode:
“I think if we come from that space [ what’s in it for me], it's very hard to find true friends because we will tend to attract people with agenda.”
“And then also we have to forgive our friend because it's like us forgiving ourselves.... No, we don't go to school to learn how to be a good friend….So sometimes friend[s], they make mistakes and then so do we.”
“A true friend is someone that I could totally depend on…without them prejudging…someone who allows me to be who I am…no judgment…love who I am.”
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Website: www.allhealth.info
Book: Finding Real Friends: Stay by My Side (available on Amazon)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chu.tang.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chu_muy_tang/#
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/health-wellness-consultant/
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts: https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey: http://www.betteryour.life/schedule
How to communicate in a way to get yourself heard and others to respond well to you.
In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman reviews Marshall Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication, which explores a communication strategy to minimize “violence” and increase understanding in conversations. Coach Anne highlights key concepts such as how to approach conversations with empathy, without judgment, and being clear on feelings and needs.
Coach Anne also explores Rosenberg’s tips for fully using the strategy and where we might get hung up.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
The 4 steps to communicate in a non-violent way
How to respond to someone else to make them feel heard
What to watch for in this communication
Noteworthy quotes from this episode
“Now the English language isn’t really helping when we’re talking about feelings – it sort of puts a veil over them. When we talk about feelings, just because you say “I feel hurt”, does not mean hurt is a feeling. “
“Then when you share your need, it’s not what the other person did. It’s NOT like “you made me feel angry because you borrowed my shirt without asking” No one can make you feel something. “
“And JUST because you make a request, doesn’t mean they need to do it. You need to be willing for them not to agree to it.”
“And what this really is creating is not just that person being heard, but it’s also focusing on your empathy for that person. When we are feeling empathetic, we are more likely to be able to take their hateful or mocking words and recognize them as unmet needs and an expression of their pain.”
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Buy on Amazon or Bookshop *
Junto’s Emotion Wheel
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey
* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
As a Bookshop affiliate, I receive a commission, and every book you buy on Bookshop.org also supports local, independent bookstores.
Books to Better Your Life
In this episode, Chu Tang opens up about how friendship has shaped her journey from refugee camps to thriving as a creative artist and entrepreneur. Along the way, she found that friendship — real, unconditional friendship — was the thread that held her life together.
Chu shares how her second book, Finding Real Friends, was born out of gratitude for the support she received while writing her first. She hopes it helps young adults rediscover the meaning of friendship in an age of social media, where connection can often feel superficial.
Throughout the episode, Chu and I explore how friendship shapes identity, provides healing where family might not, and teaches us forgiveness and empathy. Chu’s stories — from childhood friends to creative collaborators to new business allies — show how authentic relationships help us grow into the best versions of ourselves.
As Chu says, friendship is both simple and sacred: it’s about trust, love without judgment, and choosing people who help you see your potential.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why true friendship requires trust, action, and acceptance
How friendships can fill roles that even family can’t
Why some friendships are “seasonal” — and how to let go with grace
How to build genuine friendships in a social-media-driven world
Noteworthy quotes from Chu in this episode:
“I think if we come from that space [ what’s in it for me], it's very hard to find true friends because we will tend to attract people with agenda.”
“And then also we have to forgive our friend because it's like us forgiving ourselves.... No, we don't go to school to learn how to be a good friend….So sometimes friend[s], they make mistakes and then so do we.”
“A true friend is someone that I could totally depend on…without them prejudging…someone who allows me to be who I am…no judgment…love who I am.”
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Website: www.allhealth.info
Book: Finding Real Friends: Stay by My Side (available on Amazon)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chu.tang.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chu_muy_tang/#
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/health-wellness-consultant/
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts: https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey: http://www.betteryour.life/schedule
