Interview with Y2 podcast “Chat 2 Heal” hosts - Cynthia and Diane
Have you heard the latest Y2 Podcast? Due to the disruption of scheduled programs and inability to host in-person events during the pandemic, Y2 decided to turn the crisis into an opportunity and launched the podcast Chat2Heal in 2020. The podcast introduces a series of topics dear to the hearts of parents and teachers and discusses them in depth.
What is the podcast about? Chat 2 Heal is hosted by two mothers, Cynthia Hang, co-founder and executive director of Y2, and Diane Teng, Y2’s COO. Together, they decided to share their personal experiences, Montessori concepts and practices, and other related issues in a podcast that speaks directly to the audience, creates a space for healing, and occasionally wanders down memory lane before motherhood.
No lecturing, just empathy and support
With over 10 years of expertise in family relationships, Diane cheerfully explains, “Our show’s premise is: we’re not here to lecture anyone.” As a mother, she commiserates with other parents. “The process of children’s education can be very frustrating. It’s impossible to see results right away, and it’s natural for parents to doubt themselves . We simply want to share this process with everyone. We are all doing our best, and there is no one ‘right’ way to parent.” Through candid chats about these issues, podcast listeners will discover that they aren’t alone and that many others are going through the same challenges. In fact, the podcast creates an environment of “empathy and support.”
Y2 podcast “Chat 2 Heal” host Cynthia
Cynthia often communicates with educators in her capacity as the executive director of Y2; however, she hopes to reach parents and anyone in need with this podcast, which features a more sensible and practical content. Holding an AMI Montessori 0-3 Diploma, Cynthia naturally incorporates Montessori theories and practical applications in the easy conversation with her co-host. The podcast is full of interesting content for adults, such as fatherhood beliefs and maternal gatekeeping. Moms aren’t the only ones that can benefit from learning how to apply Montessori methods in everyday life, even singles, DINK (double income, no kids) couples, and dads have found this podcast useful!
Many listeners are shocked to learn that the Montessori method doesn’t apply only to education settings, but can be utilized in all kinds of interpersonal relationships, such as parent-child relations and marriages. Cynthia believes that “We don’t need to wait until we’re successful and famous to start changing the world. Taking a small step for yourself or your family is already a big step for humanity. We hope that people can be less harsh and more kind to themselves.” This is the main message of the Y2 podcast.
Strive to be a better human being, not a “perfect” parent
In recording Chat2Heal, Diane and Cynthia both realized that there is no such thing as a perfect mother; even so, the parenting process made them strive to become better people. Full-time mothers who feel devalued may find strength in growing to become better human beings. Cynthia even joked that recording the podcast is very therapeutic for herself and that she feels somewhat incomplete whenever recording takes a long break.
Y2 podcast “Chat 2 Heal” host Diane
Diane hopes to become a graceful mommy. On her Montessori journey of learning, she realized that the most important lesson is not about Montessori’s methods or concepts, but in how to view children. She believes that what is in her heart can be observed in her actions, just as the ancient Chinese classic Great Learning states: “Inner sincerity will surely be expressed outward.” Diane adds, “Because I trust my child, I’ve learned to take things slow and live life with grace.”
“What we’re sharing is not the solution to all of life’s problems. What we offer is empathy, which empowers people to deal with issues head on. In parenting, we seek to overcome, not be overwhelmed. We need to learn to give ourselves a break, not give up on ourselves,” explains Cynthia.
Many of us only start to learn how to accept and understand ourselves and others after becoming parents. Through the podcast Chat 2 Heal, Y2 seeks to empathize with, give comfort to, and support individuals in this community. By learning to apply Montessori principles to everyday life, we can all take steps to create a better version of ourselves.
Written by Yu-Hsiu Su, Photo credit Fu-Sheng Li
This article is an excerpt from Y2 2020 Annual Report.