R U O'Cake?

Ebony and May

Have you ever asked yourself… R U O’Cake? If not, it's about time! Welcome to your new favourite podcast hosted by Ebony and May, two primary school besties on a mission to inspire the world, one conversation at a time. This is a safe space where we serve up a generous slice of authentic chaos and comfort. Figuring out this world as a young person can be hard, but you are not alone! Join us for our weekly check-ins as we unpack fresh insights, share wild ideas, and navigate the messy magic of our twenty-somethings. Grab a slice, hit subscribe, and let’s go! Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok 💛💗

  1. 7.3 May: Rejection Therapy - What If Everything Can Be Learned?

    10H AGO

    7.3 May: Rejection Therapy - What If Everything Can Be Learned?

    ⭐ Theme 7: The Side Quest Chronicles ⭐ Today's episode follows May’s rejection‑therapy journey from Manila, Philippines. She unpacks the psychology behind the viral TikTok trend, debunking myths while citing the evidence. Drawing from evidence‑based therapy and theory, May explains why rejection hurts so deeply and how rejection therapy can serve as a powerful exercise for self-growth. She then shares five wildly fun, nerve‑wracking, and heart‑warming challenges; from selling street snacks to filming a singing audition and more. Along the way, May confronts imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and Tall Poppy Syndrome, showing exactly what it means to just …try. Key Takeaways: The fascinating link between social rejection and painThe revelations that helped May break free from cultural and psychological barriersThe one sentence from a friend that summed up everything she learned 💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok @ruocake.pod 💛💗 References American Psychological Association. (2017). What is exposure therapy? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapyBaumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The Need to belong: Desire for Interpersonal Attachments as a Fundamental Human Motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134J, P. (2025, September 9). An introduction to rejection therapy. Simply Neuroscience. https://www.simplyneuroscience.org/post/an-introduction-to-rejection-therapyJia Jiang. (2015). What I learned from 100 days of rejection. Ted.com; TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejectionJiang, J. (2012, November 16). 100 Days of Rejection Therapy. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLamouX6QxWIuTHuaArIOzdorWoYaF6cU5Wikipedia Contributors. (2025, June 27). Rejection Therapy. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rejection_Therapy

    46 min
  2. APR 16

    7.1 Why Your 20s Need More Side Quests

    ⭐ Theme 7: Side Quest Chronicles ⭐ What if the most meaningful chapters of your life weren't planned at all? In this episode of R U O'Cake?, Ebony and May are unpacking the magic of side quests: those spontaneous, curious, delightfully random adventures that exist outside your main game plan. From defining what a side quest actually is to sharing their own wildly eclectic lists, they make the case for why saying yes to the unexpected might just be the best thing you do in your 20s. Key Takeaways: Side quests aren't a distraction from your lifeThe things you do "just for fun" have an incredible way of shaping who you becomeYour 20s are the perfect time to collect experiences over certaintyYour gut is smarter than your mental anxietyYou don't need a plan, a reason, or even a talent… you just need to say yes!Side quests have a compound effect: one random yes leads to another, and before you know it, your whole story has changed 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok @ruocake.pod Have a wonderfully spontaneous day 💛 💗 . . Ebony’s Side-Quest Inspo List (pick one and give it a go!) 🧵 Take a sewing class🤝 Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you💭 Do that thing you've always wanted to do but thought you couldn't📖 Write something (e.g. journaling, start a book, write up a blog)💃 Join a dance class🎸 Learn how to play an instrument🌙 Set yourself a fun goal before a night out (make it a mission for you and your friends)☕ Become the local expert by finding the best something in your area (e.g. cafe, study hub, chill-out spot, park)📱 Start up your influencer era with one social media post (that’s how EbonyMayBakes was born!)🌿 Offer to mow someone’s lawn🚗 Wash people's cars References: Schubert, B. (2025, April 11). What Are “Side Quests” And How Can We Use Them for Self-Care? The Good Trade. https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-are-side-quests/ We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

    36 min
  3. APR 8

    6.3 Building Healthy Cross-Cultural Friendships (Live Panel Discussion)

    ⭐ Theme 6: Family By Choice ⭐ In this special episode, hosts May and Ebony are joined by Joshua Santos (NARRA) and an incredible panel of multicultural youth voices for an honest, unscripted conversation exploring what it really takes to build friendships across cultures. Recorded on 14 March 2026 during a live virtual meet-up, this episode was produced in collaboration with NARRA Coop to support the PAACI Arts and Culture Fellowship, a project of NARRA Coop and the Philippine Arts, Culture, and Innovation Centre, bridging Philippine communities and the Filipino-Australian diaspora through storytelling and collaborative engagement. Together, the panel explores: How family, culture, and upbringing shape the way we show up for each otherWhat it actually takes to build, maintain, and repair friendships across cultural linesPowerful personal stories of moments when a cross-cultural friendship brought deep connection and understanding Featuring perspectives from the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia, this conversation explores Filipino concepts like kapwa (shared identity) and bayanihan (community spirit), the role of art and movement in bridging language barriers, and why vulnerability is the foundation of real connection. Whether you're navigating a multicultural identity, building friendships far from home, or simply curious about what cross-cultural care can look like, this one's for you. 🎙️ Panellists: Joshua Santos, Adriana Meaza, Toyo White, Mark Angel Berdote & Jaime Benedicto 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please support us by subscribing and leaving a review on your podcast platform! 📲 Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok Take care and have a wonderful day! 💛💗 Maraming salamat (thank you very much) to everyone who joined us live and to our incredible guests for sharing so openly.

    38 min
  4. 6.2 May: Can Girls and Guys Really Just Be Friends?

    MAR 19

    6.2 May: Can Girls and Guys Really Just Be Friends?

    ⭐ Theme 6: Family By Choice ⭐ Can girls and guys really just be friends? In this solo episode, May dives into the deeply nuanced world of cross-gender platonic friendships, unpacking the social pressures, gender stereotypes, and cultural expectations that shape how we connect with people outside our own gender. Drawing from her unique upbringing in a Steiner school, her multicultural identity, and her lived experiences navigating friendships across Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, May shares her most honest and heartfelt take yet on what it truly means to form deep, platonic bonds across gender lines. How Steiner education shaped May's view of gender and relationshipsWhy cross-gender friendships are a powerful tool for social and emotional developmentGender roles and stereotypes that challenge cross-gender platonic connectionHow culture shapes the way we maintain cross-gender friendshipsThe difference between platonic and romantic love - and why it mattersTips for maintaining healthy cross-gender relationships 💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don't forget to like, share, and spread the word! 📲 Follow us on Instagram (@ruocake.pod )and TikTok (@ruocake.pod)! "When we limit ourselves to thinking that guys will always find girls romantically attractive, we lose so much opportunity to connect with the opposite gender." 💛 We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

    35 min
  5. 5.3 May: My Eating Disorder Story

    11/30/2025

    5.3 May: My Eating Disorder Story

    ⭐ Theme 5 : Food for Thought ⭐ ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of eating disorders. Please listen with care and prioritise your wellbeing. If you need support, contact your local mental health services or eating disorder helplines. Professional help is available, and recovery is possible. Join us for a deeply personal and educational conversation with May as she shares her journey with eating disorders, exploring the complex intersection of food, culture, and mental health. This powerful episode goes beyond statistics to reveal the human story behind eating disorder recovery, combining May's vulnerable storytelling about her experiences growing up, her relationship with food, and navigating recovery during COVID-19. Through authentic discussion, we debunk common myths and stigmas while sharing eye-opening statistics - including that approximately one million Australians live with an eating disorder each year. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Eating disorders are complex and misunderstood - they affect people across all demographics and are often stigmatised despite being serious mental health conditions • Recovery is a non-linear journey with ups and downs, requiring ongoing self-care strategies, support systems, and professional help when needed • Education and personal storytelling are powerful tools for reducing stigma and helping others feel less alone in their struggles • Everyone deserves help and support regardless of background, and challenging societal norms around body image is crucial for collective healing 💬 If you enjoyed the episode or learned something new, don’t forget to like, share, and spread the word! 📲 Follow us on Instagram @ruocake.pod “You are not alone in your struggles." 💛 . . . REFERENCES • Journal Prompts from Weekly Recommendations: ✍🏻“Today I’m grateful for…” ✍🏻 “I’m proud of myself for…” • ABC - You Can’t Ask That (Eating Disorder Episode) https://iview.abc.net.au/show/you-can-t-ask-that/series/3/video/LE1717H004S00 EATING DISORDER SUPPORT AUSTRALIA • The Butterfly Foundation (National support and advocacy): www.butterfly.org.au • InsideOut Institute (Research and clinical services): www.insideoutinstitute.org.au • Lifeline Australia (Crisis support): 13 11 14 PHILIPPINES • National Center for Mental Health (Crisis hotline): (02) 7-989-8727 or 1553 (Luzon-wide) GLOBAL • Eating Disorder Hope (International directory and resources): www.eatingdisorderhope.com • National Eating Disorders Association (Crisis support and resources): www.nationaleatingdisorders.org • Project HEAL (Global community and treatment access): www.theprojectheal.org . . ℹ️ We wish to acknowledge the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication and the Department of Communication for graciously providing access to their recording facilities for this podcast episode.

    36 min

About

Have you ever asked yourself… R U O’Cake? If not, it's about time! Welcome to your new favourite podcast hosted by Ebony and May, two primary school besties on a mission to inspire the world, one conversation at a time. This is a safe space where we serve up a generous slice of authentic chaos and comfort. Figuring out this world as a young person can be hard, but you are not alone! Join us for our weekly check-ins as we unpack fresh insights, share wild ideas, and navigate the messy magic of our twenty-somethings. Grab a slice, hit subscribe, and let’s go! Connect with us on Instagram and TikTok 💛💗

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