23 episodes

Welcome to Back to Sq 1 - a podcast hosted by best friends, Derek and Carmen. Join us as we work through life's biggest questions and explore modern topics through our shared lenses of growing up as second-generation Asian Canadians from the suburbs of Toronto. Who do you relate to more? Is it Derek - the entrepreneur, who strives to question the status quo and bachelor searching for the one while being haunted by a dysfunctional childhood? Or is it Carmen - your typical straight A's student who became a dentist, now married but still in search of purpose and happiness?

Back to Square One Derek & Carmen

    • Leisure

Welcome to Back to Sq 1 - a podcast hosted by best friends, Derek and Carmen. Join us as we work through life's biggest questions and explore modern topics through our shared lenses of growing up as second-generation Asian Canadians from the suburbs of Toronto. Who do you relate to more? Is it Derek - the entrepreneur, who strives to question the status quo and bachelor searching for the one while being haunted by a dysfunctional childhood? Or is it Carmen - your typical straight A's student who became a dentist, now married but still in search of purpose and happiness?

    Lessons Learned - Season 1 Finale

    Lessons Learned - Season 1 Finale

    After a 2 week hiatus, Derek and Carmen are back but for this season's finale episode. The best friends wrap up this era by looking back at the growth and emotional breakthroughs achieved in the last 21 episodes. Who were they before Back to Square One and how has the podcast changed them? What have they learn from this season's episodes? Derek and Carmen uses this episode to thank each other, their friends and supporters for embarking on this journey with them and they hope to see you all again in Season Two...to be continued.



    Some final words... we started this podcast with only an intention to be real with each other and showcase our friendship. Along the way, we've gotten the incredible opportunity to build such a wonderful little community and have had some amazing interactions together. Thank you guys for tuning in and being such great fans and supporters : )



    This season was sponsored by Schedule35 - your best microdosing source in North America. We've been huge advocates of the power of psilocybin and magic mushrooms for self-understanding and self-healing. If you guys are interested, feel free to use code 'BACKTOSQ1' on your checkout for 15% off @ https://www.schedule35.co

    • 55 min
    Quick Announcement : )

    Quick Announcement : )

    We'll see you guys soon in a couple weeks! 

    • 28 sec
    Mamma Mia!

    Mamma Mia!

    Welcome to Season 2 of Back to Square One! On this episode, Derek and Carmen attempt to feature their mothers as guests on the show. On this Mother's Day Special, Carmen talks about her struggle with body image and mom guilt as she enters the final trimester of pregnancy. Derek and Carmen discuss the underappreciated mother who does it all and the overpraised father who does the bare minimum. Finally, Derek recalls his need to leave home to be away from his unsupporting parents. Are your parents proud of you? What are some of the hardest things you’ve had to deal with in terms of family?



    This episode is sponsored by Schedule35 - your best microdosing source in North America. We've been huge advocates of the power of psilocybin and magic mushrooms for self-understanding and self-healing. If you guys are interested, feel free to use code 'BACKTOSQ1' on your checkout for 15% off @ https://www.schedule35.co

    • 1 hr 3 min
    We Rolling 20 Deep... Issa MILESTONE!

    We Rolling 20 Deep... Issa MILESTONE!

    This week, Derek and Carmen wrap up the first 20 episodes dabbling in the MANY recurring topics in the history of Back to Square One. From Derek's situationships and broken upbringing to Carmen's hopes and dreams for her son as she enters into motherhood. In this episode, Derek contemplates the link between his search for and need to show affection and the absence of such affection in his childhood. Carmen and Derek compare Love Languages. Derek stresses his non-desire to have kids. Carmen and Derek discuss the future of Back to Square One with a special collaboration announcement at the end.



    This episode is sponsored by Schedule35 - your best microdosing source in North America. We've been huge advocates of the power of psilocybin and magic mushrooms for self-understanding and self-healing. If you guys are interested, feel free to use code 'BACKTOSQ1' on your checkout for 15% off @ https://www.schedule35.co

    • 1 hr
    Expired Relationships, Communication, and Straddling Between Realities

    Expired Relationships, Communication, and Straddling Between Realities

    Welcome Back. What do you do when you know a relationship has expired but your heart just won't let go? What happens when you have a tendency to overthink but also have an inability to open up? I'm unhappy and struggling but, who will listen? This week Derek and Carmen dissect their friend's relationship woes. Carmen shares her identity crisis as she transitions into the new world of motherhood. Derek shares his recent hypotheses and therapeutic break-throughs. Am I truly happy and what happens when you get really good at faking it?



    This episode is sponsored by Schedule35 - your best microdosing source in North America. We've been huge advocates of the power of psilocybin and magic mushrooms for self-understanding and self-healing. If you guys are interested, feel free to use code 'BACKTOSQ1' on your checkout for 15% off @ https://www.schedule35.co

    • 52 min
    Looking for Love... Everything. Everywhere.

    Looking for Love... Everything. Everywhere.

    Welcome back! It's been an eventful week for our Back to Square One hosts. While Carmen was recovering from COVID, Derek was on a mission to find the love of his life with help from the TikTok and Aritzia community. Derek updates us on the interesting events that transpired on his most recent dates. Derek and Carmen dissect Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (SPOILER ALERT!), a film that explores generational trauma and unconditional love while exploring sci-fi multiverses and parallel timelines, all in a comical and heartfelt way. You just gotta watch it to understand.



    ** This episode is sponsored by Schedule35 - your best microdosing source in North America. We've been huge advocates of the power of psilocybin and magic mushrooms for self-understanding and self-healing. If you guys are interested, feel free to use code 'BACKTOSQ1' on your checkout for 15% off @ https://www.schedule35.co **

    • 49 min

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