Contact

Stories

October 18, 2023

SHARE:

Love – a universal language that transcends boundaries, cultures, and time.

It’s a force that can inspire, challenge, and ultimately transform our lives. And I’m not just talking about the heart-fluttering, romantic kind of love, but also the tough love, the kind of love that helps us grow, teaches us the hardest lessons, and makes us strong in the face of challenges. Linda Marigliano’s “Tough Love” podcast embarks on a mission to uncover these lessons hidden within the folds of love stories.

Linda is a creator, co-founder, author, and podcaster. She created Tough Love during the most difficult times of her life. It was in the middle of a rigid lockdown in Australia in 2021. After being in a long distance relationship for three years, Linda quit her high profile radio job planning to move overseas and begin a new life with her boyfriend who lived in LA, but the pandemic happened and the world stopped. She found herself stuck in Australia due to border closures and was forced to move back in with her strict parents in her mid-30s. 

Her podcasting journey began with the ambition to share her own story, inspire diversity, and share Australia’s proud immigration stories. Building the podcast from scratch was a challenge she embraced with passion.

Facing Challenges Head-On

Linda’s most significant challenge in this journey was launching, producing, and marketing the podcast as an independent creator. She had to master every facet of the podcasting industry, acquiring equipment to set up her home studio and venturing into the field as a roving reporter, capturing real-life scenes like a documentary. The hustle was relentless as she faced rolling deadlines and created a media campaign to promote the series.

As the podcast’s host, Linda also faced the personal challenge of sharing her vulnerable story. Linda had to let the listeners into her own uncertainty in modern life as she opened up her Italian Chinese family home. She addressed topics about how she froze her eggs during Season 1 and how she navigated her heartbreaking long distance relationship.

These stories, though challenging to share, created a devoted community of listeners who resonated with her journey through uncertain times.

Achievements and Milestones

The “Tough Love” podcast has been a remarkable success. In 2021, it earned the title of Best Lockdown Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards and was a finalist in the Best New Podcast category. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that “Tough Love” is a completely independent project, with no financial backing from a production company.

In 2023, Linda achieved another milestone in her journey. Not only did she release her own book, “Love Language,” a deeply personal and true story that inspired the podcast, but she also performed a SOLD OUT live podcast show at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

This performance brought her Chinese mother, Janet, into the spotlight, sharing her experiences of growing up in a tiny village in Malaysia and how her unwavering loyalty to her family back home has shaped the way she lives her life. This narrative moved the audience, making them eager to learn more about Janet, her upbringing and her immigrant journey as a teenager who had a difficult time fitting in when she first moved to Australia.

Mission and Vision

Linda’s mission for the podcast is to share her compelling story using innovative documentary storytelling and music, offering practical lessons for modern life, while her vision involves expanding her audience to live shows, events, and exploring television and film opportunities. 

With Linda’s focus on her Chinese Malaysian culture, especially through her friends and her mother’s portrayal in it as a strong business woman even in her late 60s (and fan-favorite), amplifies diverse Asian perspectives, resonating with a dedicated community of listeners.

Message from Linda

If there is one episode of the Linda Marigliano’s Tough Love podcast you should listen to, make it the Season 2 ‘Help, My Parents Are Getting Older’ episode. This one showcases how we feel when we realize our parents are aging and what it means to remain loyal to family. We attend a salsa party with my Chinese mother, Janet, and she tells us about her Malaysian upbringing. It’s a moving, heartbreaking, but ultimately joyous scene.

I am incredibly proud to have inherited my mom’s deep Asian hustle spirit! There’s delight in hard work, and I love hearing the Asian hustle stories you share.

Now, I’m finally living in LA, reunited with my boyfriend, and the hustle continues. I’m open to exploring the city and connecting with the Asian community, so please reach out. And stay tuned for Linda Marigliano’s Tough Love Season 3!

CONNECT WITH LINDA

Instagram: @lindamarigliano

Linkedin: Linda Marigliano

Tiktok: @lindamarigliano

Facebook: Linda Marigliano

Related Articles

Luxury Goods

News

The Price of Perception: What You’re Paying for in Luxury Goods

What makes a luxury product cost so much? The short answer is perceived value. But perception is a fragile thing: it shifts, it evolves, and when it does, things begin to get complicated.

Take a luxury handbag, for example. Whether it’s Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, or Hérmes, many of us are willing to spend thousands for that one beautifully crafted accessory. Why? Because we associate these brands with European sophistication, centuries of artisanal craftsmanship, and impeccable quality. We buy more than a bag; we buy into a story.

Now, imagine buying a bag labeled Made in China. If it’s affordable, you might not care. But if it has a luxury price tag? You might pause. The label alone could influence how you value the item.

The kicker is: Remember the bag you treasure from your favorite luxury brand? Based on the claims of factory workers and viral TikTokers, many high-end luxury products are manufactured in China, then shipped to Europe, to be relabeled and sold as European-made.

This controversial debate has sent the internet into a tailspin, asking: Are we paying for craftsmanship or the illusion of origin?

This is where soft power comes into play. It shapes how we see the world. We look at Hollywood movies and see the U.S. as a place filled with great dreams. We see the beautiful K-pop stars and K-drama idols, and we want Korean beauty products to fulfill our desire to be pretty like them. Customers don’t crave an expensive handbag because it’s objectively better; they buy it because of what luxury products emotionally and symbolically mean to them.  

But in the wake of trade wars and rising consumer awareness, people are beginning to question the true value behind the price tag. Is it about where the product is made, or where we believe it’s made?

Whether this TikTok trend is a fleeting controversy or a wake-up call, one thing is certain: when perception changes, so do buying habits. And that could reshape the entire future of an industry.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sen.bags_/video/7494196205917097262?q=made%20in%20china&t=1745296877126
  • 2 min read
grateful-being-me-cover-jpg

Stories

How Deena Kong Is Rewriting Representation in Children’s Literature

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.

Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)
Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)

Seeing Herself in Stories

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible. 

“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.” 

Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.

“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”

Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)
Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)

The Making of Grateful Being Me

Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.

“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly. 

The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.

“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”

Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.

Connect

Instagram: @bydeenakong

Website: Deena Kong

Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.

  • 2 min read
Vietnamese American Girls

News

‘This Moment Doesn’t Happen for Vietnamese American Girls Like Me’: Thuy’s Words Hit Home for Generations of Asians

Thuy has always been a proud Vietnamese at heart. In April 2024, Vietnamese American R&B artist Thuy made history at Coachella as the first official solo Vietnamese American artist to grace the well-known music festival. This year, a video clip of her Coachella speech has become widespread, sending out a powerful message to young Asian girls out there.

Thuy, a Vietnamese American R&B artist, shares empowering words for Vietnamese American girls. (Image source: PAPER Magazine)

Originally from the Bay Area, Thuy revealed that she grew up in a traditional family, hence, shaping her as a former optometric technician. However, weekend karaoke sessions with her family have brought her musicianship to life, sparking an interest that soon flourished. Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles (LA) for a music career, Thuy has proven to herself that the leap was a must, especially with the well-liked hit “girls like me don’t cry.”

Beyond her musical talent and captivating stage presence, Thuy’s performance at Coachella stands for something way greater—the well-deserved representation of Vietnamese Americans and Asian Americans in general. Her success challenges traditional expectations within Asian American households, where creative careers are discouraged due to the fear of instability associated with the jobs. Moreover, this is also a significant step forward in diversifying the music industry and amplifying underrepresented voices. 

‘This moment doesn’t happen for Vietnamese American girls like me,” Thuy reflected during her Coachella performance. “I am so honored to be here today to be the first official solo Vietnamese American.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thuyuniverse/video/7492153731891399978

  • 2 min read

Blogs, Development

Is Your Homepage Welcoming or Driving Visitors Away?

Your homepage is like a party host—it either welcomes guests with open arms or sends them running for the exit. So, how can you ensure your homepage draws in visitors? Here are some tips:

Prioritize Essential Information

Modern users have short attention spans, so your homepage must prioritize essential information. Clearly state what you do, why visitors should care, and how you solve their pain points. The more straightforward this is, the less likely users will leave confused or frustrated.

Prioritize Essential Information

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is key in navigation, layout, and messaging. While visitors may not convert immediately, an intuitive and engaging experience encourages them to explore further and return later. Avoid clutter, streamline choices, and guide users effortlessly to what matters most.

Build Confidence

Most importantly, your homepage must build confidence. People dislike feeling lost or unsure, so eliminate complexity. Use clear descriptions, trusted testimonials, and logical organization to make visitors feel comfortable and informed from the first click. A confident user is far more likely to stay, engage, and eventually convert.

Build Confidence
Create Your Irresistible Homepage!

Why AHN Solutions?

A homepage carries a lot of significance and can make or break your website. Let AHN Solutions be your ultimate wingman, transforming your digital front door into an experience visitors will love to stay for.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the AHN Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

  • 2 min read