BABS
Amanda Chang
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About This Podcast
Just two best friends who just turned 40 talking about their struggles--everything from relationships, to not feeling good enough, to dealing with depression and anxiety--in hopes of normalizing things and making people feel less alone.
Welcome to Bay Area Brats Struggling (BABS)! If you find yourself saying, “This is not what I thought my life would look like at this point,” you might be able to relate to this podcast.
Raised as Asian Americans who were promised successful lives if they just studied hard and focused on school, Amanda and Sam found themselves on the cusp of checking all the boxes. Careers. Marriage. Homeowners. Kids.
Amanda got married to her college sweetheart, had twin girls after dealing with infertility, and lived a seemingly perfect life. Sam graduated law school, achieved her aspirations of working at a big law firm, and got engaged to her longtime boyfriend.
But then Amanda asked for a divorce and blew up her life. Sam called off her engagement and got a cat. They had career identity crises. They had to start using dating apps in their 30s. They suffer from anxiety and depression. And while they can recognize their complaints can seem bratty at times, they’re also realizing the common precedent leading up to their meltdowns is that they were struggling in silence for too long.
In trying to live life defined by other people’s standards, they lost themselves—or rather, they realized they never took the time to figure out who they were and what they wanted in the first place. So join them as they struggle through life, and hopefully you’ll realize you don’t have to struggle in silence… even if people call you a brat.
Disclaimer: We are NOT mental or physical health specialists. If you believe you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation, or any other mental health challenges we encourage you to contact your doctor or a medical professional. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, call 911, or go to your local emergency room.
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Recent Episodes
S2E9 Struggling with recapping the best NYE in Vegas with BSB and besties
It's February, but let's time travel back to the first week of January where Amanda and Sam were still riding the high of ringing in the New Year at the Backstreet Boys concert. It was SUCH a fun…
S2E8 Struggling with lotto scratchers, picking favorite Stranger Things characters, and reflecting on 2025
It's our last podcast of 2025! Sam shares an update on being back with her boyfriend (it's a rollercoaster, we know), and Amanda discusses why lotto scratchers are a terrible holiday gift to receive…
S2E7 Struggling with knowing love isn't enough, people not doing the work, and the state of the world
After a crazypants October, your girls Sam and Amanda are burnt out and back to randomly crying at work. Amanda's fighting with her co-parent about books and softball through her daughters'…
S2E6 Struggling with first date green flags and red flags, appropriate questions to ask, and naming our insecurities
Amanda debriefs a first date with Sam in real time, and while they still have no idea how to date without overthinking it, this is honestly when they're at their best. And by that, we mean at their…
S2E5 Struggling, with a guest star (!) who invites BABS to a live show and shares why she wants everyone to know We Are Enough
This is a super special episode (!!) because Amanda and Sam invite their first ever guest onto the podcast. Gail, owner of the event planning business Spoonful of Sunshines, invited BABS to speak at…
S2E4 Struggling with chasing dopamine hits in the bread aisle at the grocery store
Your girls are still going through something. Their sinks are full of dirty dishes, Sam ditched her emotional support podcast lollipop for a bottle of sparkling wine, and Amanda is tired AF from…
S2E3 Struggling with FOMO, Labubus, and "good" dads
"Are we going through something?" Even though the basis of our podcast is that we're always struggling with something, it feels like Sam and Amanda are going through something a little extra lately.…
S2E2 Struggling with boob reduction surgery, energy drinks, and how much we love Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
In this episode, Sam talks about her breast reduction surgery--something she's really wanted for the last couple years--and how shockingly complex and difficult it's been to say goodbye to her…
S2E1 Struggling with friendship insecurities, our bodies, and weighted vests
Amanda and Sam are back for season 2! They address theories about why they stopped talking for a few months (maybe they're not struggling anymore? LOL yeah right), and while it's not as juicy as an…
S2 Struggling to figure out why we stopped podcasting and mentally prepare for turning 40
Oh my god, we're back again! Sort of. Sam and Amanda attempt to kick off a season 2 of BABS by explaining why their podcast dropped off the face of the planet and trying to figure out why they…
Struggling with the word lazy, weight & body issues, and first dates with the same guy
Amanda and Sam start off talking about the word lazy and why it triggers them, but it leads them to what they really struggle with: insecurities and unhappiness with their bodies and weight. It's a…
Struggling with ominous positivity, anti-heroes, and boob jobs
Amanda and Sam take their first reader submission and discuss the concept of "ominous positivity," which leads them down another path of realizing they don't know what words mean including ominous,…
Struggling with our recent fight, being in love with exes, and Asian stereotypes
There's a lot packed in this episode - Sam admits she is still in love with her ex and how hard it is to stop cuddling with him; Amanda talks about Sam being mad at her the weekend before her…
Struggling with dating apps (again), self-loathing thoughts, and how to get home
Sam is recovering from both a cold and the harsh reality that getting under somebody new doesn't help you get over someone you loved (sorry to Sam's brother who has to listen to this!). After trying…
Struggling with reorgs, depressive thoughts, and Marvel tattoos
In true Bay Area brats style, Amanda and Sam talk about getting reorged (as in, their work organization reorganized) and the impact on their mental health. Amanda fell into a depressive episode after…
Struggling with whether our anxiety is making everyone worse and getting annoyed with ourselves
Amanda and Sam question if the podcast and being so open about their mental health is making everyone more anxious when talking to them. Then they get annoyed with themselves about their overthinking…
Struggling with letting go of the past, or rather the past letting go of us
Well shit. Amanda accidentally manifested a major plot twist when she said she wanted an exciting life full of interesting stories in the last episode because now the big love affair and heartbreak…
Struggling with being judged for being almost 40 & single and thinking love is supposed to be painful
Just as Amanda thinks she's had a breakthrough with her anxious attachment and why she confuses drama and toxic behaviors for love, she asks, "Love isn't supposed to feel painful...... right?" Sam…
Struggling with the consequences of our dating decisions, and figuring out what's in our heads and what's real
Sam and Amanda talk about anxious attachment again, creating scenarios in their heads and assigning meaning to things in their minds that are not necessarily true (aka causing a freakout), which…
Struggling with February, letting friends go, and disappointing ex-husbands
Well, Amanda and Sam finally made it to the end of February, and they are not well. They recap their week of being apart where Amanda lost her shit on a boat and Sam was tired in Miami, they both…
Frequently Asked Questions
BABS has published 30 episodes since November 2023, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Mental Health.
BABS is currently moderate with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 42m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for BABS, including email and social media links.
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