No Empty Seats

Michael OuYang
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

College Students at Brown University shooting the 💩 and sharing their experiences with mental health!

  1. 6d ago

    Let people know youre thinking of them

    In this episode, I talk about one of a core principle of No Empty Seats: thoughtfulness. There are many ways we can tell our friends and family that we love them. There have been a handful of people and moments in my life that’ve reminded me the important of random acts of kindness. I’ve left interactions feeling very whole, inspired by the simplicity of the deed, and empowered to make others feel the same way.  It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Text a friend you haven’t, call someone on your 10 min commute, or follow up in person about something you guys talked about previously. We all reach out far less than we want. As a result all of us end up feeling more lonely.  Whenever you are thinking of someone, act on that impulse to text them about the fun memory that popped up in your mind. Remember how good it felt to be included and acknowledged, and pay it forward to make others feel the same way.  This will quickly become a habit, transforming into the change you want to see. Let people know you’re thinking of them and spread the love we all deserve.

  2. Oct 12

    How i get people to open up about mental health

    The best advice I’ve ever been told: the last thing you’d ever want to do is make them feel bad about themselves. Too easily are we fixated on how to fix a person or be a part of the solution. But we need to remember that a whopping majority of the time, we usually just want a shoulder to cry on and get things off our chest. What I’ve learned is the most important process is creating a safe space for them to know they’re not a bad person. When people don’t open up, they usually are holding lots of guilt or shame with what they are going through. Do whatever you can to remove any of that pressure from them: “I appreciate you telling me all this man, it mustve been really hard…youre totally good dude, wait dont sweat it and we can figure it out together…wait everyone’s been there before, ive actually done that too.” By creating that safe, non judgmental space, people are more likely to open up more candidly. Not only will they realize they don’t have to go through things alone, but an incredibly large weight will be lifted off their shoulders knowing they won’t be criticized.  And even if they did something wrong, who are we to judge them as friends and loved ones! Even while saying these kind things, we are not absolving them from their faults — but we are showing all the support they deserve as a person we love. I’ve learned it is not my place to be the judge, jury, and executioner in these situations.  someone is doing better because of you 💜

  3. Oct 5

    The story behind No Empty Seats

    Our story: from a post to national nonprofit Episode 25 available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Many people don’t know how No Empty Seats truly started. Back in 2021, I was really depressed and su***idal for a number of reasons. Seasonal affective disorder, clinical deficiencies, insurmountable pressures, and a lot of angst that I kind of always had growing up. I vividly remember the first time I told someone I was struggling, and it was easily the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life. But from that, I learned two major lessons. We're all going through something unspoken, and how relieving it was to realize I didn't need to go through it alone.  Friends I haven’t spoken to in years told me: “It feels like you’re reading the words inside my head right now.” The realization kept growing. On December 20th, 2021, I shared a 10 slide post talking about my deep depression. It was messy, emotional, raw, and too much for a 17 yo to overshare to his small hometown. But for the time being it was enough to keep me going because where we could rely on eachother.  For better or for worse, I don’t remember too much of those memories. They come up from old pictures,  journal entries, and text messages. I try to embrace that side of me without opening up fresh wounds. The IG slowly became a blog page for other people to share their stories. Then I started doing goofy stunts to spread NES. More people got involved and we started a club. More people got involved and we started a club. Before I knew it those very same people that reached out in 2021 started their own chapter at their own schools.  I don’t really know what or where I would be without the NES community. But I do know that it has brought me closer to people with the biggest hearts in the world. This nonprofit has grown with me, and through it I’ve learned how to love myself unconditionally and grow as a team and push one another healthily. i’ll do a podcast episode about those thoughts someday.  Take care of urself. this is kinda a lot but if theres one takeaway: do whatever it takes to get you through today. all the numb depression and seemingly endless anxiety will be a distant memory so soon. just keep finding the little pockets of things that you enjoy and look forward to someones doing better because of you 💜  Also special shoutout to sam dunn for being with me alongside everything.  He was with me when I wrote my first post and I talk to him almost everyday 6 years later.

  4. Sep 23

    Burnout and not being proud of your work anymore

    In this episode, I talk about a couple of years where I wasn't living up to the expectations I set for myself. For a little while, I became embarrassed of NES because it would remind me of my own failures or shortcomings. The outreach events I wasn't enjoying at the time felt soulless to me and I could feel my body rejecting something I was unhealthily forcing myself to do. Treating yourself with the same love you would to others benefits you in many more ways than you think. I've learned that when it comes to a passion project, profession, or hobby, avoiding burnout also helps you become more proud of the work you are putting out into the world.

  5. 12/22/2025

    What Follows Tragedies - Ep23

    Talking about my experiences last Saturday during the Brown University shooting. Where I was, what it felt like, and the aftermath.  Tragically, I have experienced a really terrible situation in 2022. And if there is any takeaway from this episode that I’ve learned from either of these, it is that grief and the times that follow tragedy are incredibly messy — but what is most important is that we respect each other’s spaces to be there for one another.  Since Saturday, everything has blown up and everyone is feeling all types of emotions. SADNESS for all of the victims, friends, and families. URGENCY to do something to make sure no one else feels the same way our community has. RAGE at the authorities that couldn’t come in time or prevent this. NUMBNESS from the shock of the entire week. CONFUSION as to why people are moving on so quickly. OVERWHELM at all of the opinions and emotions people are feeling. GUILT that no one can be there for everyone during winter break. Even RELIEF that none of the victims were my closest friends.  I have felt all of these reactions deeply in the past week. But that is OKAY. And we need to respect the spaces of those around us. All we have is each other, and we can’t let different reactions make us spiral even further.  Thank you for listening, and as always someone is doing better because of you 💜 Keep going. If you would like someone to reach out to you, fill out the link in our bio and someone will reach out at least once a week.

  6. 12/13/2025

    Reshifting Perspective During Hard Times - Ep22

    Hey guys! On this episode, I talk about the importance of remembering that not every feeling is final. Your current state, no matter how overwhelming, ISNT your entire life, and you need to remind yourself that this too shall pass in the future. However you are feeling in the past couple hours or days IS NOT how you’ve been feeling in the past months, years. It is such an important skill to be able to take a step back and appreciate how far you’ve come. You might not think you are doing a great job right now. But what you need to realize is your “normal” right now is your younger self’s dream.  Anything stressing you out that might feel otherworldly or absolutely dreadful is not going to be the end of the world. And whatever you are going through will be a distant memory soon enough, just keep fighting through.  You truly are doing a great job. I’m happy you’re here 💜  Thanks for listening and I hope you have a great weekend!

  7. 12/08/2025

    Adjusting to College - Ep21

    Hi, as a freshman in college, I thought I’d reflect on my adjustment to college and how I’ve been focusing on me. I wanted to share that: It’s easy to feel lonely or like you’re falling behind in college, but with the right people you can focus on your growth.

  8. 12/05/2025

    Exercise and Mental Health

    Hey guys! In this episode, I talk about my recent struggles with re-implementing exercise into my life. Since coming to college, I have never found a good structure to prioritize my physical health, and honestly, I have forgotten how much better it can make you feel and change your life. Luckily, I have been running again in response to stress and also to clear my mind for these weekly podcasts!  When you’re having a really hard time, turn your brain off and immediately go outside. Make it a non-negotiable and split-second response. Do whatever you need to get a sweat out, because it both physiologically and mentally will make you feel so much better. All you have to do is just trust the outcome more than your current emotions or state. Trust me, I fully know how hard it can be to get out of your head and actively pull yourself out of a rut. In fact, it might be a better thing to preach this at one of the most unhealthy points I’ve ever been in my life. I hate exercising just as much as you right now. But when I am having a hard time, I need to remind myself to turn off my brain and JUST GO.  It doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t worry about the pace, numbers, or quality. Just get the body moving and sweat your stress out, and you will thank yourself later. If not I will personally apologize to you. Thanks for reading and listening! Someones doing better because of you 💜

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About

College Students at Brown University shooting the 💩 and sharing their experiences with mental health!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael OuYang
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael OuYang
  • Show Website
    No Empty Seats