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. 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.

    21 min

  2. 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!

    15 min

  3. 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.

    12 min

  4. 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 💜

    17 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    Sit in Your Thoughts - Ep18

    In this episode, we talk about the importance of sitting with your thoughts. It isn’t something that necessarily comes naturally, and often proves challenging when put in the context of our extremely busy and stressful lives. For us, being able to sit alone with your thoughts—whether it be journaling or going for walks—is something essential that should be practiced. The only way to make something easier is to keep it at, despite the challenges it presents. And maybe it isn’t meant to be easy. By reflecting on one’s experiences—both good and bad—we can better understand ourselves while also giving ourselves much needed rest. Thank you for listening, and have a great Thanksgiving!

    23 min

  6. 11/14/2025

    Don't Let Your Thoughts Ruminate - Ep17

    In this episode, I talk about the harmful effects of being in your own thoughts without any outside perspective for an extended period of time. When you spiral into these moods for long enough, these negative thoughts can start to feel like a reality and it can be really scary. You NEED to do everything in your power to go outside and get out of your head. Sometimes you don’t even need to talk or socialize to get out of your head!!! I like to go on runs, walks or ANYTHING to get out of the house and be in the company of other people. I also like to gratitude journal and write down the daily blessings that have happened in my day. I like to talk to friends on a super low-stakes vibe and simply discuss what is going on in my life. My friends help me shift my perspective on my problems and always offer advice, reminding me I don’t need to go through things alone. And finally, I like to talk on this podcast to get out of my head. It has been one of the best forums for me to talk about all of my racing thoughts that I never felt I had a space for, now cleanly organizing them into a catalogue of my thoughts and episodes —  that help me and hopefully other people.  You will realize how many people can help you and how much hope there is once you get your thoughts out. Find these spaces to express yourself. Thanks for listening!

    15 min

  7. 11/07/2025

    Am I Doing Something Wrong? - Ep16

    Hello everyone, my name is Samuel Andrade and I am a first-year here at Brown. In this episode, I reflect on my experiences so far in my first few months in college, mainly focusing on how the transition has affected aspects of myself, such as my identity. The transition to college is difficult for everyone, and has often had me wondering if I am doing something wrong. However, I believe it is truly important to understand that college is an experience for learning and growth and confusion is inevitable. At the end of the day, I believe it’s okay to not be completely sure of everything.

    13 min

  8. 10/25/2025

    Therapy is a Workout for Your Brain

    Hey guys! Late and quick episode, but here is something I have been talking about ever since the start of No Empty Seats. In this episode, I discuss my experiences with therapy and the type of connection I strive for in sessions. I seek therapists who always know how to give advice, support, or accountability, depending on the type of mental state I am in. Personally, therapy should never feel like I’m going out of my way to talk about my life. The conversation always feels natural, and I walk out ALWAYS feeling better, whether I am generally happier or just have more clarity in how to approach my life. When you have someone completely separate from your personal life that can offer professional advice, it can make the world of a difference knowing I don’t need to go through things alone.  What I am trying to say is that the ways therapy can benefit you are MONUMENTAL, and don’t let a bad experience or connection with your first therapist dictate how you feel about sociopsychological support altogether. But on the other hand, some therapy is always better than no therapy! Acknowledge the high ceiling therapy can offer while also knowing that you should be proud of carving out an hour of your week to become a more mindful and compassionate person.  You don’t need to go through something specific when walking into your sessions. Weekly therapy still helps you maintain a level-headed mind, stringing together thoughts, and helping you not be alone in your thoughts.

    13 min
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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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael OuYang
  • Show Website
    No Empty Seats