217: A Lesson In Self And The World We Are Living In
Meredyth with a Why
In this episode of Meredyth with a Why, I open up about a raw look at faith, spirituality, political division, and the rise of Christian nationalism in America. I wanted to share the truth about what happened in my recent interview with PastorJackson Lahmeyer, what I felt, and why this episode may challenge what you believe about compassion, justice, and faith. This isn’t just commentary. It’s me being honest about what it means to stay grounded in love when confronted with beliefs that feel out of alignment. I explained why the conversation left me overwhelmed, what I wished I had said,...
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216: Fear-Based Leadership with Kate Lowry
Meredyth with a Why
In this eye-opening and incredibly validating episode, I sit down with CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author Kate Lowry to unpack one of the biggest workplace issues we are facing today, fear-based leadership. From tech to corporate to nonprofits, and even inside families and relationships, fear-driven leaders are everywhere, and most people have no idea how to protect themselves without shutting down or burning out. Kate and I dive into why these leadership styles are becoming more common, how they impact your mental health and professional confidence, and what you can do to stay...
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215: Dr Peter Kowey Exposes the Failure to Treat
Meredyth with a Why
In this eye-opening episode of Meredyth With a Why, I sit down with world-renowned cardiologist, professor, and author, Dr. Peter Kowey to uncover the truth about what’s really happening inside America’s broken healthcare system and what it means for all of us. This conversation hit home for me. As someone who’s personally navigated hospitals with loved ones and seen the chaos firsthand, I wanted to understand why our healthcare system feels so impossible to trust and what can actually be done to fix it. Here’s what we dig into: ➡️ The collapse of U.S. healthcare — why...
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214: Cevin Soling: “Schools Violate Civil Rights!”
Meredyth with a Why
When I first read Cevin Soling’s work, it completely changed how I saw education, and honestly, how I saw the system itself. In this episode, I sit down with Cevin, a Harvard scholar, musician, and award-winning filmmaker behind The War on Kids, to talk about how schools have become institutions of control rather than places of curiosity and growth. We dive into some hard truths and some wild stories that will make you question everything you thought you knew about “a good education.” Here’s what we get into: The hidden cost of schooling — how public education often mirrors...
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213: Screw Fear!
Meredyth with a Why
In this episode, I’m getting real with you. I’m opening up about my journey of breaking free from fear, judgment, and the pressure to live according to everyone else’s expectations. For years, I was scared to speak my truth and be my authentic self. I let others' opinions control my life, staying quiet and playing small. But enough is enough. Here’s what we’ll cover today: Facing the fear of judgment: The struggles of speaking out, being vulnerable, and putting myself out there. How I overcame the fear: After 52 years of hiding, I decided to show up, even if it makes...
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212: George Zavershinskiy U.S.S.R. Weapons Expert Turns Spiritual Guide
Meredyth with a Why
In this episode, I sit down with George Zavershinskiy, a former Soviet Nuclear Scientist who walked away from creating weapons of mass destruction to become a priest and author. His autobiographical novel Atomic Shepherd is a reflection of a life transformed, from secret research labs in Siberia to a deep spiritual awakening that changed everything. This conversation moved me deeply. George’s story isn’t just about science or religion. It’s about conscience, courage, and rediscovering humanity in a world that often forgets it. We talk about how faith and intellect can coexist, why real...
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211: Kathryn Henry: Board of Lululemon Turns Grief Into Purpose
Meredyth with a Why
In this moving episode, I sit down with Kathryn Henry, author of A Dime to Say I Love You and board director at Lululemon, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and transforming pain into purpose. Kathryn opens up about her extraordinary journey, from a childhood marked by trauma to leading in global corporate roles, caregiving for her late wife Lisa through cancer, and finding spiritual meaning after unimaginable loss. Through every chapter, she reminds us how healing, faith, and self-awareness can turn grief into growth. In this episode, you’ll hear: Healing...
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210: Carole Lieberman, The Terrorist Therapist® & Chad Kultgen, The Necessary Conversation
Meredyth with a Why
In this episode of Meredyth with a Why, I sit down with Dr. Carole Lieberman, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist you may know as The Terrorist Therapist and host of Dr. Carole’s Couch, along with Chad Kultgen, co-host of The Necessary Conversation. Together, we dive deep into politics, terrorism, mental health, and the polarizing figure of Donald Trump. This conversation was raw, challenging, and exactly what I believe we need more of… people with opposing views sitting down to actually listen, question, and debate. Here’s what we got into: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) –...
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209: Natalie and Amy Love To C.U.D.D.L.
Meredyth with a Why
In this inspiring episode of Meredyth with the Why, I sit down with the creators of the C.U.D.D.L. Pouch, Natalie Doherty and Amy Seratt, to talk about healing, recovery, and the importance of community when life takes unexpected turns. Natalie and Amy’s journey began with friendship, but it was transformed by survival, resilience, and the invention of a product designed to make post-surgical healing safer and more comfortable. From managing surgical drains after cancer treatments to finding purpose in creating tools that truly help patients, their story is one of courage, innovation, and...
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208: Molly Skye Brown Escape From Ghislaine Maxwell
Meredyth with a Why
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Molly Skye Brown, survivor, advocate, and author of Me Too Much: A Fed-Up Survivor. Molly bravely shares her story of abuse, grooming, and an alleged assault that forever changed her life, along with her chilling brush with Ghislaine Maxwell. As Molly walked me through her experiences, I was struck by how clearly she reveals the playbook predators use, from false promises of modeling contracts and luxury trips to the “casting couch” setups and even the infamous invitations to Mar-a-Lago. Listening to her describe how she escaped, and how her...
info_outlineIn this episode, Kaila Yu, author, journalist, and cultural commentator, joins me to talk about her book Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty—and the bigger story of how media, culture, and the male gaze shape identity, desire, and safety. It’s an honest, nuanced conversation about Asian American representation, yellow fever, consent, and what real self-love looks like in a world of shifting beauty standards.
In this episode, we cover:
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Representation that actually represents — from the days of Memoirs of a Geisha and The Joy Luck Club to K-pop, Squid Game, and multi-dimensional Asian identities.
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Why Kyla wrote the book — pandemic-era racism, Stop Asian Hate, the Atlanta spa shootings, and the layers of race + gender the media often misses.
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Male gaze vs. authenticity — algorithms, clicks, “going sexy for reach,” and how creators protect agency without losing themselves.
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“Exotic,” preference, or fetish? — the red flags (behavioral expectations, disposability) and a practical way to tell attraction from objectification.
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Model minority myth & soft power — how pop culture (K-pop, film, national branding) reshapes global perception—including the desirability of Asian men.
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From microaggressions to harm — why “jokes,” accents, and caricatures aren’t harmless; how othering escalates to real-world violence.
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Learning > canceling — honest dialogue, calling-in over calling-out, and the language shifts that actually move culture forward.
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Media literacy in the AI age — slowing down, checking sources, and choosing what you let program your mind.
This episode is for anyone interested in feminism, Asian American advocacy, media literacy, consent culture, and healing from cultural and personal programming. It’s thoughtful, vulnerable, and packed with takeaways you can use in your conversations—and in how you see yourself. Tune in now!
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00:00 – Introducing Kaila Yu
04:20 – Family, Culture, and Identity
07:00 – The Spark for "Fetishized"
10:00 – Stereotypes, the Male Gaze, and Self-Image
15:00 – Navigating Success, Empowerment, and Regret
20:00 – The "Acceptable Race" and Model Minority Myth
25:00 – Healing, Self-Love, and Therapy
30:00 – Beauty Standards and Social Programming
35:00 – Generational Change and Hope
40:00 – Soft Power, Media Influence, and Cultural Shifts
45:00 – Cancel Culture, Learning, and Growth
50:00 – Final Reflections & Takeaways
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Ready to dive even deeper? I’m handing you the keys to the castle! If you loved this episode and want more, don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss out! Let’s stay connected—find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
🔗 Connect with Kaila Yu:
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Visit his website: kailayu.com/about/
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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kailayu/
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Instagram: www.instagram.com/kailayu/#