The Mixed Student Union (MSU) at the University of California, Davis represents an affinity space dedicated to connecting mixed race students and giving them a space to unpack their intersectional experiences in a formal setting during their undergraduate program at UC Davis.

Member affiliates of the MSU contracted Nani to participate as a speaker for a panel presentation titled ‘Expanding Mixed Communities’, along with other mixed-race individuals to who would lead an audience in a thought-provoking discussion about how having a multiracial background informs one’s professional development and career aspirations, challenges they have faced, and how they have learned to navigate the liminal spaces as bridges to multiple communities. Nani uses three episodes of her podcast, The Filipino American Woman Project, to illustrate pivotal moments on her journey that have shaped her approach to the work she does today as a multimedia storyteller and content marketing strategist.

The quotes and stories referenced in these podcast episodes represent three life-altering realizations Nani has made on her road to self-discovery at different points in her life that have helped her unpack the complex experience of being a young Hapa (half Asian/half white) girl growing up in the Bay Area. They highlight moments from her childhood, a typical millennial identity crisis in early adulthood, and a catapult into healing from toxic aspects of her cultural conditioning. These breakthrough events would eventually staple themselves into pillars of Nani’s story now as a successful blogger, podcaster, and communications consultant.

By exposing some of her most vulnerable moments, both panel and audience members were empowered to chime in to share some of theirs and express alignment with what Nani shared. Through traditional talk-story, the group held space for one another to learn, heal, and create a unique essence of belonging through their shared experiences.