Breaking Free from Cultural & Media Pressures with Kaila Yu

Most of us have felt pressure – whether from culture, family, or the media – telling us how to look, act, or live. These influences shape our confidence, guide our choices, and affect our sense of self. Kaila Yu has experienced this firsthand. As an author, advocate, and former model, she has spent her career navigating identity, beauty standards, and media representation. She shares how these forces affected her self-worth and body image and the path she took to reclaim confidence, self-love, and her sense of self. Drawing from her memoir, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty , Kaila reflects on the stereotypes she faced, the lessons from her cultural upbringing, and how she ultimately embraced self-acceptance. In this episode, you'll learn: How cultural and media expectations shape identity and self-worth The impact of harmful stereotypes, including the "Asian fetish" Navigating beauty standards in media and the entertainment industry An exercise to rewrite your inner narrative Real-life tips to reclaim confidence and self-love Whether you're reflecting on your own experiences or curious about navigating expectations, this conversation is full of honesty, insight, and inspiration. Resources Mentioned: Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty IFS Therapy Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It Learn More about Kaila Yu: Website: kailayu.com Instagram: @kailayu YouTube: Kaila Yu Facebook: Kaila Yu TikTok: @kaila.yu LinkedIn: Kaila Yu Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live The Food-Mood Bundle (use code GOODMOOD50 for 50% off!) Website: elisemuseles.com

You can listen to Breaking Free from Cultural & Media Pressures with Kaila Yu online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Breaking Free from Cultural & Media Pressures with Kaila Yu is an episode from Once Upon A Food Story by Elise Museles.

This episode is 38:03 long.

This episode was published on Oct 8, 2025.

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