Candid and Cringe Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/candid-and-cringe A podcast about growth and the rollercoaster of life. Breaking barriers one candid conversation at a time. On this podcast, I don't shy away from difficult topics and speak candidly about things such as mental health, therapy, burnout, difficult relationships, career and more. © 2025 Thuy Doan 44574115-78a8-5f92-9e60-23ccdc500558 no en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:33:59 -0400 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:02:42 -0500 https://candidandcringe.transistor.fm/ https://img.transistor.fm/ehj3vJul3ehwnmQigokq9ih1jERI0DVWOOVDIiUAqok/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzIyODIyLzE2MzIw/ODE3MDUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Candid and Cringe https://candidandcringe.transistor.fm/ episodic Thuy Doan A podcast about growth and the rollercoaster of life. Breaking barriers one candid conversation at a time. On this podcast, I don't shy away from difficult topics and speak candidly about things such as mental health, therapy, burnout, difficult relationships, career and more. A podcast about growth and the rollercoaster of life. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection Thuy Doan No No 012: Everything Everywhere All At Once 12 12 012: Everything Everywhere All At Once full f1b656f3-c414-42ea-9c37-17596deb3147 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8edac613 Everything Everywhere All at Once is a film described by the internet as an absurdist comedy-drama film with elements of sci-fi. It follows Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) and her strained relationships with her husband, daughter, business, accountant, and interestingly, the multiverse! It’s the kind of film that people loved, were very confused by, deeply moved by, and also the kind of film people wished more people had watched.


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Everything Everywhere All at Once is a film described by the internet as an absurdist comedy-drama film with elements of sci-fi. It follows Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) and her strained relationships with her husband, daughter, business, accountant, and interestingly, the multiverse! It’s the kind of film that people loved, were very confused by, deeply moved by, and also the kind of film people wished more people had watched.


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2022 22:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2648 My personal commentary on the film, Everything Everywhere All At Once. My personal commentary on the film, Everything Everywhere All At Once. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 011: Happy Birthday Mẹ (Mom) 11 11 011: Happy Birthday Mẹ (Mom) full 185127ad-93b8-4e30-a747-b5d6d67aa2ee https://share.transistor.fm/s/da1731f3 In the summer of 2018, I lost my then 48-year old mother. This special episode is a small tribute to my mom - otherwise known as Me to me, which means “mom” in Vietnamese. She was warm and kind. A person that enjoyed talking and laughing. She was able to do that up to the day she died, which was coincidentally the same date as her birthday, having spent it with all of us. A personal recollection of a beautiful young woman full of life that courageously left her country, learned a new language and skills, turned mother and wife, from the perspective of her oldest child and daughter. Rest in paradise.


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Commemorating my dad, Ngoc Thi Tran or Ngoc Tran, on her 52nd birthday
  • How she came to Canada from Vietnam
  • My favourite memories with her
  • The kind of person she was
  • Reflecting on my life with her and her death


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy

]]> In the summer of 2018, I lost my then 48-year old mother. This special episode is a small tribute to my mom - otherwise known as Me to me, which means “mom” in Vietnamese. She was warm and kind. A person that enjoyed talking and laughing. She was able to do that up to the day she died, which was coincidentally the same date as her birthday, having spent it with all of us. A personal recollection of a beautiful young woman full of life that courageously left her country, learned a new language and skills, turned mother and wife, from the perspective of her oldest child and daughter. Rest in paradise.


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Commemorating my dad, Ngoc Thi Tran or Ngoc Tran, on her 52nd birthday
  • How she came to Canada from Vietnam
  • My favourite memories with her
  • The kind of person she was
  • Reflecting on my life with her and her death


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy

]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2022 15:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2930 A celebration of life for my late mother on her 52nd birthday. A celebration of life for my late mother on her 52nd birthday. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 010: Why Didn't You Do The Dishes? 10 10 010: Why Didn't You Do The Dishes? full b54e61c6-8c9b-4b2b-85eb-9c48a92d00fd https://share.transistor.fm/s/cb0b6501 Roommates. That’s a loaded word. It carries with it a lot of anxiety and joy. Will you become best friends? Will they be the worst ever? How do you live well together? This dynamic is even more difficult when you have a pre-existing relationship. How do we talk about it?


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Household chores with family members
  • Household chores with strangers
  • Household chores with partners
  • Household chores with friends
  • Having difficult conversations about expectations


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Roommates. That’s a loaded word. It carries with it a lot of anxiety and joy. Will you become best friends? Will they be the worst ever? How do you live well together? This dynamic is even more difficult when you have a pre-existing relationship. How do we talk about it?


Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Household chores with family members
  • Household chores with strangers
  • Household chores with partners
  • Household chores with friends
  • Having difficult conversations about expectations


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 1984 What do you do when your roommate isn’t meeting your expectations? What do you do when your roommate isn’t meeting your expectations? mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 009: Friendship Breakups > Ghosting 9 9 009: Friendship Breakups > Ghosting full 41622897-f0cd-4d01-aec8-6d66cc690e39 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3c91b353 Conflict is awkward and sometimes frustrating but not always bad. Sometimes it results in us cutting people out of our lives, even when they are a good person. These “breakups”” take the most unexpected forms too, for example, a friendship of many years. How can this be? 

Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • What is a friendship breakup?
  • What is ghosting?
  • When is a friendship breakup necessary?
  • How to approach the friendship breakup?
  • Can you become friends again after breaking up?


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy

]]> Conflict is awkward and sometimes frustrating but not always bad. Sometimes it results in us cutting people out of our lives, even when they are a good person. These “breakups”” take the most unexpected forms too, for example, a friendship of many years. How can this be? 

Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • What is a friendship breakup?
  • What is ghosting?
  • When is a friendship breakup necessary?
  • How to approach the friendship breakup?
  • Can you become friends again after breaking up?


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy

]]> Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 1895 Proactive friendship breakups are the best. Proactive friendship breakups are the best. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 008: Boundaries in Life and the Internet 8 8 008: Boundaries in Life and the Internet full 6a56d11f-59d3-4f9e-a9a4-42fb28220c27 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ec01f47f The birth of the internet has made it easier to disseminate information as well as to connect with others. This ease of access has made it possible for both healthy and unhealthy parasocial relationships to form with artists and for us to stay in touch with the people we love when life inevitably takes us in different ways. However, some will challenge that space.

Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Setting boundaries on the internet
  • Muting or blocking people on social media
  • Closing your DMs
  • Proactively pruning your friends lists
  • Vibe checks


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> The birth of the internet has made it easier to disseminate information as well as to connect with others. This ease of access has made it possible for both healthy and unhealthy parasocial relationships to form with artists and for us to stay in touch with the people we love when life inevitably takes us in different ways. However, some will challenge that space.

Host

Thuy Doan 


Topics Covered

  • Setting boundaries on the internet
  • Muting or blocking people on social media
  • Closing your DMs
  • Proactively pruning your friends lists
  • Vibe checks


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 1469 Beware who you connect with on social media. Beware who you connect with on social media. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 007: Happy Birthday Ba (Dad) 7 7 007: Happy Birthday Ba (Dad) full 1e007824-662e-4a10-ae11-4c00cb83a930 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a9a578bc In the summer of 2018, I lost my then 53-year old dad. This special episode is a small tribute him - otherwise known as Ba to me (“dad” in Vietnamese, his mother tongue). He was a provider. A person that enjoyed peace and quiet. In a sense, he eventually got it despite never realizing his dream to raise chickens on a farm and go to Hawaii. A personal recollection of a groovy young man that entered the working world young, who became a father and husband, from the perspective of his oldest child and daughter. Rest in paradise.

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • Commemorating my dad, Doan Thanh Binh or Binh Doan, on his 57th birthday
  • How he came to Canada from Vietnam
  • My favourite memories with him
  • The kind of person he was
  • Reflecting on my life with him and his death


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> In the summer of 2018, I lost my then 53-year old dad. This special episode is a small tribute him - otherwise known as Ba to me (“dad” in Vietnamese, his mother tongue). He was a provider. A person that enjoyed peace and quiet. In a sense, he eventually got it despite never realizing his dream to raise chickens on a farm and go to Hawaii. A personal recollection of a groovy young man that entered the working world young, who became a father and husband, from the perspective of his oldest child and daughter. Rest in paradise.

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • Commemorating my dad, Doan Thanh Binh or Binh Doan, on his 57th birthday
  • How he came to Canada from Vietnam
  • My favourite memories with him
  • The kind of person he was
  • Reflecting on my life with him and his death


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2077 A celebration of life for my late father on his 57th birthday. A celebration of life for my late father on his 57th birthday. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 006: The Role of Social Media in My (Mostly) Tech Career 6 6 006: The Role of Social Media in My (Mostly) Tech Career full 1d06f950-3f20-46d1-920e-a594df779b9d https://share.transistor.fm/s/8497eaa7 For my last three jobs (one in advertising and two in tech), I’ve been able to land them in large part to my social platforms and online presence (personal brand). It’s gotten to the point where I have recruiters coming to me on LinkedIn instead of me going to them. Let’s talk about being intentional and strategic (without compromising on genuine connections).

]]> For my last three jobs (one in advertising and two in tech), I’ve been able to land them in large part to my social platforms and online presence (personal brand). It’s gotten to the point where I have recruiters coming to me on LinkedIn instead of me going to them. Let’s talk about being intentional and strategic (without compromising on genuine connections).

]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2283 Getting jobs by shouting into the void (genuinely and strategically). Getting jobs by shouting into the void (genuinely and strategically). mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 005: Relationships and Work: How I Learned Some Were Not For Me 5 5 005: Relationships and Work: How I Learned Some Were Not For Me full 7609bc57-340d-4872-9fef-672090cd51b9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac74e4b3 I like to think of myself as someone with a healthy amount of self-confidence but of course there are times I have faltered and times that it has not been as high as it is now. I used to subconsciously place my worth in the hands of how many people wanted to date me and how much I’m producing (spoiler: burned out). Learn to spot changes in your behaviour, ask yourself the right questions, and apply learnings to avoid situations that are not a fit.



Host

Thuy Doan 



Note

I accidentally said, “It’s easier to marry myself to the company because I’ve started doing things just for me,” but I meant to say, “It’s easier to not marry myself to the company…”



Topics Covered

  • Changes in behaviour when you like someone you’re not a fit with
  • Changes in behaviour when you are no longer a fit at work
  • What to ask yourself when you notice changes in your behaviour
  • How to take your observations and apply them to future relationships and orgs


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy



]]> I like to think of myself as someone with a healthy amount of self-confidence but of course there are times I have faltered and times that it has not been as high as it is now. I used to subconsciously place my worth in the hands of how many people wanted to date me and how much I’m producing (spoiler: burned out). Learn to spot changes in your behaviour, ask yourself the right questions, and apply learnings to avoid situations that are not a fit.



Host

Thuy Doan 



Note

I accidentally said, “It’s easier to marry myself to the company because I’ve started doing things just for me,” but I meant to say, “It’s easier to not marry myself to the company…”



Topics Covered

  • Changes in behaviour when you like someone you’re not a fit with
  • Changes in behaviour when you are no longer a fit at work
  • What to ask yourself when you notice changes in your behaviour
  • How to take your observations and apply them to future relationships and orgs


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy



]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2246 When your gut is screaming, “This feels off,” listen. When your gut is screaming, “This feels off,” listen. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 004: IVF As Someone Who Gets Clammy About Needles and Has Avoided Bloodwork for Over a Decade 4 4 004: IVF As Someone Who Gets Clammy About Needles and Has Avoided Bloodwork for Over a Decade full c7f82176-7aa2-417e-a18e-4054b0be99de https://share.transistor.fm/s/252fe0ae I’ve been a long-time avoider of needles and bloodwork. Particularly blood work - to the point where I’ve contemplated not applying for insurance that requires any. However, persevering through an onslaught of needles and blood work, plus undergoing a minimally invasive procedure, has enabled me to make fertility decisions at my own pace, in my own way. It was a roller-coaster journey full of singing songs out loud in the clinic and a lot of Gatorade.


Host

Thuy Doan

Trigger Warnings

  • Blood
  • Needles
  • Surgery


Topics Covered

  • What is IVF?
  • Why IVF?
  • Getting ready for the process
  • The stimulation process
  • Egg retrieval procedure
  • Post-surgery
  • Reflection and future cycles
  • The cost


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> I’ve been a long-time avoider of needles and bloodwork. Particularly blood work - to the point where I’ve contemplated not applying for insurance that requires any. However, persevering through an onslaught of needles and blood work, plus undergoing a minimally invasive procedure, has enabled me to make fertility decisions at my own pace, in my own way. It was a roller-coaster journey full of singing songs out loud in the clinic and a lot of Gatorade.


Host

Thuy Doan

Trigger Warnings

  • Blood
  • Needles
  • Surgery


Topics Covered

  • What is IVF?
  • Why IVF?
  • Getting ready for the process
  • The stimulation process
  • Egg retrieval procedure
  • Post-surgery
  • Reflection and future cycles
  • The cost


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2897 When some of your greatest fears are superseded by something even more important. When some of your greatest fears are superseded by something even more important. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 003: Burnout and Things I Learned in Therapy 3 3 003: Burnout and Things I Learned in Therapy full 1a3b194c-42b1-45a6-a7e3-65b05d59189c https://share.transistor.fm/s/40051390 In the wake of The Great Resignation, people are focusing on their mental health, boundaries, and learning about burnout (sometimes the hard way) more than ever. In this episode, we dig into what burnout is, common misconceptions of burnout, my own burnout experience, how to manage your energy, and therapy.

Host

Thuy Doan 



Topics Covered

  • Mass burnout across industries
  • Energy audits
  • Energy management vs. time management
  • Burnout and a less commonly known reason for it
  • Leaves of absences (in Ontario)


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> In the wake of The Great Resignation, people are focusing on their mental health, boundaries, and learning about burnout (sometimes the hard way) more than ever. In this episode, we dig into what burnout is, common misconceptions of burnout, my own burnout experience, how to manage your energy, and therapy.

Host

Thuy Doan 



Topics Covered

  • Mass burnout across industries
  • Energy audits
  • Energy management vs. time management
  • Burnout and a less commonly known reason for it
  • Leaves of absences (in Ontario)


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2095 That time that I burned out and took 5 weeks off of work. That time that I burned out and took 5 weeks off of work. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 002: Defining Success for Every Season of Your Life 2 2 002: Defining Success for Every Season of Your Life full ca4f7c72-00af-4f95-b74f-2fa84328e2bc https://share.transistor.fm/s/66409ef8 This episode is jam-packed with a lot of uncomfortable revelations and growth moments. It also includes an interactive activity where I share my definitions of success for every season of my life. Feel free to join me and do the activity yourself while you’re listening!

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • Announcing that I am on leave from work
  • Sharing my definitions of success for the day, week, month, year, and life
  • What would it take for my leave to be successful?
  • Risks with my leave
  • Character flaws and capitalism
  • My nervous breakdown
  • Trying to cheat yourself out of a break
  • Being unable to recognize when you’re stressed
  • Therapy
  • What I did my first week of leave
  • How sharing this tough time is me living a candid life


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> This episode is jam-packed with a lot of uncomfortable revelations and growth moments. It also includes an interactive activity where I share my definitions of success for every season of my life. Feel free to join me and do the activity yourself while you’re listening!

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • Announcing that I am on leave from work
  • Sharing my definitions of success for the day, week, month, year, and life
  • What would it take for my leave to be successful?
  • Risks with my leave
  • Character flaws and capitalism
  • My nervous breakdown
  • Trying to cheat yourself out of a break
  • Being unable to recognize when you’re stressed
  • Therapy
  • What I did my first week of leave
  • How sharing this tough time is me living a candid life


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 2050 Sharing my definitions of success and inviting you to do the same. Sharing my definitions of success and inviting you to do the same. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No 001: The Birth of a Candid Podcast 1 1 001: The Birth of a Candid Podcast full ad4f76fd-18e8-4b5b-895c-a81f2fc9bb22 https://candidandcringe.transistor.fm/episodes/001-the-birth-of-a-candid-podcast

For a long time, I’ve had the urge to share my thoughts and feelings. Some ways, fulfilling. Other ways, not so much. I’ve been a person for almost 30 years and a professional software developer for almost 5 and haven’t really done a thing to uplift anyone outside of my immediate circle. With a little encouragement from the experienced, I’m doing it.

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • The meaning behind the podcast name
  • Why a podcast specifically
  • How Jason Lengstorf jumpstarted me sharing my experiences
  • What my tagline means: “Breaking barriers through candid conversations”
  • Why it’s important to me to have thought-provoking discussions
  • How I’m actually funny
  • A story about that one time I messed up baking donuts really bad
  • Building a community. Come join me!


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]>

For a long time, I’ve had the urge to share my thoughts and feelings. Some ways, fulfilling. Other ways, not so much. I’ve been a person for almost 30 years and a professional software developer for almost 5 and haven’t really done a thing to uplift anyone outside of my immediate circle. With a little encouragement from the experienced, I’m doing it.

Host

Thuy Doan 

Topics Covered

  • The meaning behind the podcast name
  • Why a podcast specifically
  • How Jason Lengstorf jumpstarted me sharing my experiences
  • What my tagline means: “Breaking barriers through candid conversations”
  • Why it’s important to me to have thought-provoking discussions
  • How I’m actually funny
  • A story about that one time I messed up baking donuts really bad
  • Building a community. Come join me!


Show Notes


Keep it candid,


Thuy


]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2021 13:29:51 -0500 Thuy Doan Thuy Doan 1634 A new era in self-expression, mental health, and career. A new era in self-expression, mental health, and career. mental health, therapy, burnout, stigma, depression, anxiety, stress, tech, software developer, swe, bootcamp, feminism, black lives matter, human rights, career, societal norms, women in tech, growth, continuous growth, introspection No