Don’t Be Strangers ✨☺️

Creative Chimera
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Don’t Be Strangers ✨☺️ is a podcast and social experiment for learning to create meaningful connections together via collaborative conversations! Statistics show that (1) social isolation is on the rise and (2) the number of close friends someone would say that they have is decreasing. Considering that having a strong social network is one of the key factor in general happiness, overall health, and prolonged longevity, my hope is that this podcast will serve to bring awareness to the issue as well as provide a platform to start solving the problem, together!

  1. 07/25/2025

    💧 Embracing Rest and Creativity: A Journey with Anna & Xinyi 🪷

    Join Xinyi and returning guest Anna Hsu, a self-worth coach, as they explore themes of healing, rest, and creative sisterhood. In this bonus episode, they reflect on their transformative retreat experience, the importance of slowing down, and the power of community. Discover how intentional rest and creativity can lead to profound personal growth and connection. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that encourages you to embrace your worth and find peace in the present moment. -------------------------------- 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠…⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We’ve started experimenting with retreats at Don’t Be Strangers! We know that a 1-2 hour event isn’t enough to create deeper connections! Retreats are a perfect outlet for us to merge our love of travel with our passion for community building. 💦 ⁠⁠Healing Girl Retreat: September 26-26, 2025⁠⁠ (TX weekend roadtrip getaway) - escape with an intimate group of girls (6-8 max) to a lake house a short drive from Dallas and Austin! - co-hosted with Anna of @alignanduplevelcoaching - Join us for sound bowl healing, sunset walks, hot tub dips, introspective journaling workshops, and creative play dates! PLUS reiki healer on site this year!- This is a lowkey, short, fun way to meet likeminded girls who are needing a break 🏝️ ⁠⁠Dream Rest Play Retreat: March 23-27, 2026⁠⁠ (Spring Break in Tulum) - escape with 18 other women in Mexico for an unforgettable experience on a private luxury property in the jungle - Co-hosted with MAMA STAR Brandy @brandymicheleadams , founder of @waasgallery- We will be focusing on sacred stillness, deep restoration, nature immersion, intimate sistarhood, and creative reconnection - All inclusive chef prepared meals means no hassle to you!- We’ve curated a balanced schedule to allow you to dream, rest, and play all week!

    22 min

  2. 07/18/2025

    🔌Are We More Connected or Just Online? 🤳 w/ Sam of ATXBrunchGirls (65)

    Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sam of ATXBrunchGirls⁠ & Host: ⁠Xinyi Xan⁠ (⬇️ Scroll to bottom for info on our retreats!) In this episode we chat about: Does social media help or hurt friendships?Who Sam would invite to her brunch if she could pick anyone (dead, alive, or fictional) Where technology will take us in the next 5 years (including our hot takes on AI)Our easy self care activities that we incorporate on the daily And of course... her take on how she defines a stranger 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠…⁠⁠ 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We’ve started experimenting with retreats at Don’t Be Strangers! We know that a 1-2 hour event isn’t enough to create deeper connections! Retreats are a perfect outlet for us to merge our love of travel with our passion for community building. 💦 ⁠Healing Girl Retreat: September 26-26, 2025⁠ (TX weekend roadtrip getaway) - escape with an intimate group of girls (6-8 max) to a lake house a short drive from Dallas and Austin! - co-hosted with Anna of @alignanduplevelcoaching - Join us for sound bowl healing, sunset walks, hot tub dips, introspective journaling workshops, and creative play dates! PLUS reiki healer on site this year!- This is a lowkey, short, fun way to meet likeminded girls who are needing a break🏝️ ⁠Dream Rest Play Retreat: March 23-27, 2026⁠ (Spring Break in Tulum) - escape with 18 other women in Mexico for an unforgettable experience on a private luxury property in the jungle - Co-hosted with MAMA STAR @brandymicheleadams , founder of @waasgallery- We will be focusing on sacred stillness, deep restoration, nature immersion, intimate sistarhood, and creative reconnection - All inclusive chef prepared meals means no hassle to you!- We’ve curated a balanced schedule to allow you to dream, rest, and play all week!

    56 min

  3. 06/24/2025

    Bonus ⭐️ Lessons from our 20s 🤭 what we wish we knew about relationships, feeling lost & divine timing

    In this candid girl talk, we’re sharing the biggest lessons we learned in our 20s — from navigating messy relationships and healing from the past, to finding peace in divine timing when life feels uncertain. We also dive into the importance of tracking our habits for mental health, self-management, and the power of staying curious through self-education. Whether you're in your 20s or reflecting on them, this is a vulnerable, honest conversation on growth, identity, and becoming who you’re meant to be. 🎧 Grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and join our couch! 💦 Healing Girl Retreat (Belton, TX - Sept 2025)🏝️ Self Love Retreat (Tulum, Mexico - Mar 2026)📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠…⁠⁠👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💌 Write to me! ⁠⁠xinyi@dontbestrangers.club⁠⁠📹 YouTube Video (to leave a comment)

    49 min

  4. 03/27/2025

    Social Experiment 💚 Community Live Q&A: Friendship BreakUp & Imposter Syndrome! 😱

    We asked the community to submit questions to ask some strangers (us)! 💦 Waitlist for Healing Girl Retreat (Sept 2025)📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠…⁠👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💌 Write to me! ⁠xinyi@dontbestrangers.club⁠ Friendship breakups hurt—but how do we heal and move forward? What small, everyday moments make life brighter? Let’s daydream together: What’s a lofty goal you secretly want to chase? We’ll also dive into childhood joys we wish we still had, how to turn coworkers into real friends, and ways to overcome imposter syndrome. Plus, what’s your favorite way to meet new people? Let’s unpack it all in this heart-to-heart conversation on connection, nostalgia, and growth. 💬✨

    55 min

  5. 02/05/2025

    Empowering Women w/ Jamie Knight of Career Brilliance ✨ girls in tech 💻 how to ask for help 🥹 & setting goals for friendships 👯‍♀️ (64)

    Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Knight & Host: Xinyi Xan Jamie's Book: 7 Signposts - Find Your Direction in Life's Foundational Decisions (A guide for young women) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙 Apply to Guest on this Show!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠… 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💌 Write to me! xinyi@dontbestrangers.club In this episode we chat about: How we got into tech as women working remotely and what role it plays in community, connection, and loneliness how to ask for help on the professional and personal level Jamie's book she published called 7 Signposts - Find Your Direction in Life's Foundational Decisions how her communication and connection style has evolved over her career pivots

    1h 3m

  6. 01/17/2025

    From Finance to Facials 💸➡️💆🏻‍♀️ Estefania’s Journey to Holistic Healing and Creative Freedom w/ @LombaSkin 🌺 (63)

    Dive into Estefania’s incredible career pivot from corporate finance to becoming a holistic esthetician, influenced by her spiritual journey and desire to live authentically. Learn how she transformed her work into a creative outlet and embraced continuous learning in the beauty and wellness space. Topics Covered: ✨ Life Transitions & Career Pivot: Estefania shares her journey from Puerto Rico to the U.S., her 10 years in Colorado and Dallas, and her significant career pivot from corporate finance to becoming a holistic esthetician. This decision was influenced by her spiritual journey and a realization that finance was “killing her soul.” ✨ Misunderstandings & Identity: XinYi discusses being misunderstood, while Estefania shares challenges with being perceived as reserved. ✨ Creativity & Passion in New Roles: Estefania describes her work as an esthetician as a creative outlet, combining art and energy exchange, and her love of continuous learning, despite the challenges of social media. ✨ Navigating Burnout & Culture Shock:The conversation touches on coping with burnout and cultural differences in Puerto Rico vs. Colorado, and the struggle to make meaningful connections in new places. ✨ Aging, Loneliness, & Connection: We explore our attitudes toward aging, appreciating life’s stages, and Estefania’s perspective on holistic care. Estefania reflects on the grace strangers can offer, and XinYi addresses misconceptions about loneliness through the “Don’t Be Strangers” initiative. Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Estefania (@lombaskin & Lomba Skin) / Host: Xinyi Xan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xinyixan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & Creative Chimera YouTube Channel) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙 Apply to Guest on this Show!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠… 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✕💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💌 Write to me! xinyi@dontbestrangers.club

    54 min

  7. 11/22/2024

    The Magic of Movement w/ Madison @TheFitFlamingo 🦩 Play, Motion, and Self-Love (62)

    Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison (@TheFitFlamingo) / Host: Xinyi Xan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xinyixan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙 Apply to Guest on this Show!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💌 Write to me! xinyi@dontbestrangers.club Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Madison, the heart behind The Fit Flamingo, where she empowers women to feel enough in their own skin through movement, nourishment, and self-love. Our conversation today is all about reconnecting with ourselves, making time for play, and using movement as a pathway to healing and self-expression.In this episode, we explore: The unique opportunity we have as adults to love and support ourselves authentically. What it means to feel like yourself and how to bring more of that into daily life. The role of movement in opening up, connecting with others, and releasing emotions. How we can embrace doing less but with more intention, shifting from productivity to purpose.

    53 min

  8. 10/10/2024

    🤭 How I Convinced 6 Strangers to Spend a Weekend Together 💦 Lessons & Reflections from our Soul Refresh: Healing Girl Retreat

    Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna | Self-Worth Coach & Speaker (⁠⁠⁠@alignanduplevelcoaching) / Host: Xinyi Xan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xinyixan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙 Apply to Guest on this Show!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📗 FREE eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Talk to Anyone for Introverts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋🏼  Say Hi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dontbestrangers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✕ 💬 Chat on Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💌 Write to me! xinyi@dontbestrangers.club What I learned from hosting a group of women: there's so much to learn from those both older and younger than you people genuinely want to help out, even if they've paid for an experience asking the right questions upfront improve group dynamics ⁠soul refresh: healing girl retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SEPT 27-29, 2024 | WEEKEND IN BELTON, TEXAS

    41 min
See All (89)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Don’t Be Strangers ✨☺️ is a podcast and social experiment for learning to create meaningful connections together via collaborative conversations! Statistics show that (1) social isolation is on the rise and (2) the number of close friends someone would say that they have is decreasing. Considering that having a strong social network is one of the key factor in general happiness, overall health, and prolonged longevity, my hope is that this podcast will serve to bring awareness to the issue as well as provide a platform to start solving the problem, together!

Information