2025 Bucket List
Hi ABG! I was wondering what your top Bucket List items were for next year :) Any experiences you wish to have going into the new year and throughout 2025? 2024 was challenging by itself, but I am excited to see what's to come in the next few months. I have my goals and priorities down but outside of all that I hope to intentionally make new and more friends as my current circle I feel is reaching a glass ceiling. (friendship isn't growing anymore with some). And what advice would you have around this :)? when you feel like your friendships aren't growing and feels stagnant. Best, Raheel
Happy thanksgiving!
Happy early Thanksgiving! Very thankful for this podcast and the community you 3 have built❤️ What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Also how do you feel about listeners coming up to you ladies in public to say hi? I feel like I’m intruding if I do it lol please give us your honest answer!
How do you navigate adult friendships with people who are deeply different from you?
Maybe you're in a casual dating, hook up phase while your friend is in the marriage and family stage? Maybe you have opposite political beliefs that you hold strongly? Do you have any experiences "outgrowing" a friendship? What motivates you to hold onto friends that have grown apart from you in some way?
In laws and babies
Hi ABG! Loved your recent episode on to-do lists! I’d like to ask what your advice would be on fostering a positive relationship with your in laws especially when they will be helping take care of your newborn. I have a decent relationship and we are all very polite, but now that I have a newborn, and they have moved into my building to help us out, I feel that I should be grateful for their help with my newborn as I transition back to work. But, surprisingly, I feel possessive over my newborn and don’t want her to forget me as I leave her with my in laws during work hours.
The Holidays
Dear ABG: Holiday Season is coming up! Wishing you a wonderful and festive season :) Had a question about such times, for the 3 of you! Was wondering if you've noticed any sorts of shifts on how the Holidays are planned out comparing your younger years up until now. I'm sure as a kid and as an adult it looks totally different, but has it felt dramatically less and less festive year over year because of your busy life and schedules? I know for me, Thanksgiving, Ramadan, and the 2 Eid's look much different than they did when I was a kid, and honesty just a lot less involved ever year that passes, now I am re-imagining how to make the Holidays more fun again as our parents age and our families have less energy to invest in it, and due to this I want to try and re-imagine how to make the season more jubilant once again! FYI (*Ramadan is the fasting month in the Muslim Lunar Calendar, and Eid is observed twice a year, once immediately after Ramadan and then again right before the season of 'pilgrimage' to Mecca for those who can afford it*) *Also by the way I commented that episode 191 is one of my fav episodes, if I keep commenting on other episodes, will it help increase ABG's revenue and visibility? I will pick and choose which other episodes to comment on :)
Stress of planning for the holidays
Hello ladies! We just welcomed our baby boy last month and our four year old’s birthday was this month and then there’s the big holidays. I didn’t realize how early need to start planning for some holiday events prior to having kids. Plus there are so many things! How do you make planning less stressful and how do you prioritize activities? Do you have off weekends to rest?
Favorite questions
Ive started to write down the questions you ask yourselves and think about them for myself after each podcast. Its been helping me practice connecting with myself which ive stuggled with for a long time. What are some of your favorite questions you've asked yourselves over the years? Or what are some questions that you think about often throughout your life?
Corporate America Workplace Culture
I wanted to start off by thanking you three for being such an inspiration and wonderful role models for our community. Since listening to ABG, I find I’ve grown, become more self aware, I’ve become less awkward to speak about my emotions and have found myself having more deep and meaningful conversations with people. The three of you have been able to put articulate so many thoughts and emotions that many of us have internalized. Thank you for everything that you do ❤️ (You don’t need to read this at the Dear ABG segment but wanted to let you three know how much of an inspiration you are!!) Dear ABG questions: I’ve been working in corporate America for almost 15 years. Although workplace cultures and society have changed in the last few years, what are you opinions on women and POC having to work twice as hard to get a promotion/be recognized? Did you have this experience, and do you have any tips on how to navigate this? Do you see any future changes?
Meeting fans of the show/SF Bay Area events?
All three of you are so open and vulnerable in talking about very personal things on the podcast. That's great, and your listeners really get to know you. Is it ever weird or awkward to meet fans who know so much about you? Also, lots of SF Bay Area folks on these AMAs; when's the next Bay Area event? (The Bay Area Classic basketball game?) [In other words: how do we become BFFs in real life? 😉 Haha. I extend an invitation to all of you, especially Mel, for noodles at Chong Xing Noodle House in Alameda 😋🍜)
Wardrobe refresh
Hi ladies! I wanted to know where you guys shop for clothes. All of your styles are so cute! I’m a 37 year old mommy but don’t want to dress like a ‘mommy’. My main style is I’m down for a good quality tshirt and jeans but scared to pull off anything else. Help your girl out. Love yall!
Thoughts on Mortgage Payoff vs. Investing
Hi ABG, Wanted to know your thoughts on if you think it is smart to pay down the Mortgage (in chunks and still have savings) as compared to renting out a property or owning a second one at the same time. I am locked in at a fixed 3.625% rate since 2019. Or would you use the funds to invest? I just am not knowledgable on investing. How would you balance that and what are the pro's and cons? The intention is to drive down Debt, and have a peace of mind that the Mortgage is paid off, but if the property is rented out, the risks are the tenant may not taking care of it well, and the profit is very small because pretty much some of that income would go towards mortgage payment and finding an affordable second place to live in while renting the first one. Best :) Raheel
Passion Project Paralysis
Hi again ladies, as business owners who have built your multimedia platform in various successful ways, how do you reckon with ideas for multiple projects as they crop up? I notice I'm feeling pulled in different directions for ways in which I want to develop my own business pursuits, whether it be writing a book, starting a podcast, or doing more speaking engagements. I am eager to start on all of it but realize it's not realistic to have bandwidth (or the funds) for them all at once either. I would love your advice on how you harness your creativity in a productive but sustainable way.
Relationship update questions
Helen, what is it like to be in year 9? 10? 11? of your relationship with Phil? How have you both evolved as people and as a couple? How much of your relationship do you share to those close to you vs. keep private? What is your advice to those who fear they might be growing apart or having trouble staying connected with their partner as the years go by? Mel, how do you think taking that next step (engagement) may or may not change your relationship with Ray? Is being in a happy, committed relationship in your 30's what you imagined it would be like and if not, what is unexpected? What is your advice for those who are in a similar life stage but unsure if they can/should take that next step? Janet, how has your perspective on dating shifted from your early 30's to your late 30's? What are things you would or would not be willing to compromise on at this point in your life (e.g. would you date someone who is divorced)? Also, how "healed" do you feel from your last breakup? What is your advice to other women also looking for their life partner in their late 30's?
How much do you tell your partner?
Ideally in a serious, committed relationship, your partner ends up becoming a best friend and your closest confidant. It's natural to want to share and debrief with your partner on what you discuss or learn from conversations with friends. Aside from when your friend explicitly says "don't tell anyone", how do you decide what is appropriate vs. disrespectful to share with your partner? For example, if your friend is fighting with their SO because of wedding planning stress, does it make sense to tell your partner what they are going through so they don't ask too many questions about wedding planning when they see them? Or should that be kept private?
Thoughts on the Upcoming Presidential Election
I know this might be a controversial question, but I am curious what your thoughts are. I'm excited that Kamala Harris might be the next president, but I was burned pretty badly when Trump won. I realized I lived in this CA bubble and it has made me a bit jaded. Are you all doing anything to support the upcoming election besides voting? -Vanessa M.
Parenting Question
Parenting questions here :) What would you do if a an older kid (6+ yo) at the playground is constantly cutting in line of many younger kids that are patiently waiting their turn? The parent of the older child is on the bench on their phone and not paying attention to their child’s behaviour. Many of the parents at the playground are looking at each other, as no one is quite sure what is best to do. Do you teach your child to stand up for themselves, talk to the parent of the older child, tell the older child to wait their turn, go elsewhere..?
Being open to recieving and asking for things
Hey besties! I struggle with recieving and especially asking for things as it makes me feel "selfish". I know logically that it doesnt, but its become such a habit to say "no, im okay" whenever im offered something that its almost automatic. Asking for help (in person)? Forget about it. I mostly have this issue with extended family, friends, strangers. Have you ladies ever experienced this? What suggestions do you have for getting over this. (Note: i am an Obliger and im which may be a factor here and im working to release myself from this mindset as well)