What’s Your LAYON?

In this conversation with my friend Kat Jardenil, we talk about keeping the 9-to-5 that pays the bills and building the work that lights you up. Kat moved countries, shifted from corporate into IT, and, slowly, grew a life centered on yoga, meditation, sound healing, and her nonprofit dream: a dog sanctuary where rescues are loved and walked, not left waiting. We get into: moving from urgency to an abundance mindset the daily rituals that actually stick (and why Vipassana changed her) patterns in love, therapy as a game changer, and choosing to “turn left” grief, grounding, and why community needs active watering If you’re in the in-between, practical vs purposeful, this one’s a gentle nudge to build both.

Robbie Danger Webb never saw themself as an outdoor kid. They grew up being told the world was dangerous. Today, they're attempting a Guinness World Record as the first openly transgender person to circumnavigate the world by bicycle. In this conversation, Robbie and I talk about doing something radical even before you know what it is, finding community in unexpected places, Oreos as road fuel, and how time alone on the bike affirmed what they truly value. We explore activism, identity, philosophy, searching for “home,” and the quiet courage of becoming someone your younger self would think is impossibly cool. It’s not a polished hero tale... Just an honest, thoughtful story from someone living it in real time.

This episode is about something we use every day but don’t always think about -- the way we communicate. Jess co-founded Plain Language Matters, a communications agency built on a simple but powerful belief: everyone has the right to understand information that affects their life. We talk about: how plain language is connected to access and justice building a movement inside (and outside) government finding purpose in work that supports others and letting our LAYON, our intention, evolve with us through each season A gentle and grounded conversation about communication, belonging, and service. What’s Your LAYON? explores purpose and intention. If this episode helped, follow the show and share it with a friend. Links and resources in the show notes. https://www.plainlanguagematters.org/

Lecturer, startup founder, tribunal chair, and ex-firefighter, Kieran Thorpe lives by one rule: adventure is the through-line. In this episode, he shares how an adult ADHD diagnosis reframed his hyper-focus as a superpower, the fuel behind his restless drive for adventure, his interest in startups and psychology. We talk about purpose, risk, and why the simple act of showing up can change everything. #whatsyourlayon

What does purpose look like when you’re raising kids, navigating public service, and trying to create something that’s never existed before? In this episode, Janeca Gross shares her story of migration, motherhood, and carving out new paths for herself, her children, and her community. From chasing legal dreams and working full-time in government, to founding Katha Kollectiv, a Filipino-Australian storytelling group, Janeca reminds us that when the system isn’t built for you, you find a new way forward. We talk about: - The quiet chaos of a “typical day” for a working mom - How community work became her way of forging new paths - Representation, resilience, and what it means to lead with purpose - Her layon: to uplift, empower, and pass on what she’s learned If you’ve ever felt in-between, unseen, or quietly determined to do more, this is for you. 🎧 Listen now. 🛻 Featuring jeepneys, law school, and the courage to start something new.

Carlo Vergara,illustrator, playwright, teacher, and creator of the iconic queer superheroine Zsazsa Zaturnnah, joins Carmen Licopit for a candid conversation about creativity, mental health, and purpose. Carlo opens up about being a late bloomer, the pressure that followed his early success, and the spiral that came when expectations didn’t match outcomes. He shares how a single image of swallowing a stone sparked Zsazsa, and how childlike innocence, Filipino melodrama, and comic-book love fused into a pop-culture icon. Now in “Chapter 5,” Carlo reflects on teaching, social media comparison, creative paralysis, and the freedom of building his own road with his own signposts. If you’ve ever felt stuck, pressured, or feel you’re on the wrong highway, Carlo’s story is a reminder: your pace, your joy, your LAYON.

To many, he is “SerPao”, educator, writer, and advocate for Filipino literature. But to me, Paolo Paculan is also a classmate, carpoolmate, and friend from way back. In this episode, we reconnect not just to catch up, but to rediscover the layon, the purpose, that’s shaped his journey. We explore the stories behind Florante at Laura, Ibong Adarna, and his retelling of Noli Me Tangere, and how his students changed him along the way. He opens up about the language we carry, the food we remember, and the parts of ourselves we bury until joy makes us dance (literally). From the classroom to the ballroom, Pao’s story is a reminder that purpose isn’t a straight line... sometimes, it’s a surprise package waiting to be opened. #whatsyourlayon

From student to guest — Jeb Favis shares his journey from burnout in sales to purpose in youth ministry, and why finding your layon isn’t always a straight path. 25 years ago, Jeb Favis was my student. Today, he’s a Youth Ministry Coordinator in California, but his path here was anything but straight. In this episode of What’s Your LAYON?, Jeb shares: Navigating family separation as a teen and finding resilience Living a “double life” in sales and ministry The burnout and car accident that became his wake-up call How he discovered that purpose isn’t always about leading — sometimes it’s about walking side by side This is a story of detours, discernment, and discovering your layon in the most unexpected places. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #whatsyourlayon

In this episode of What’s Your LAYON?, Carmen sits down with her childhood friend, Cherie Altea, also known as Jar of Salt, an independent artist, storyteller, and five-year breast cancer survivor. Cherie shares her journey from childhood doodles to solo shows in Manila and Singapore, the messy but magical path of becoming a professional artist, and how divorce, illness, and moving countries reshaped both her life and her art. She opens up about self-doubt, resilience, and finding joy in imperfection... and why her true LAYON is simply to live honestly and bring value through storytelling. This is a powerful conversation about courage, creativity, and staying the course one sunrise at a time. #WhatsYourLayon

She’s the COO of a global company. She’s the founder of the Victoria Heartstrong Organization, funding the education of underprivileged girls. And she’s the author of Becoming Sheroes, a book co-written with 14 Filipina leaders. Most people would pick one lane. Monica Maralit chose all three. In this episode, Monica gets real about the dangers of comfort, the courage it takes to start before you’re ready, and why saying your goals out loud can set extraordinary things in motion. We talk about leadership, legacy, and the messiness in between — not the polished highlight reel, but the doubts, detours, and daily choices that shape who we’re becoming. Whether you’re in a season of clarity or still figuring it out, Monica’s story will challenge you to reflect on your own LAYON - your intention, your purpose. Music credit: Mike Bernardo – Composer of the What’s Your LAYON? theme.

In this first episode of What’s Your Layon?, host Carmen Licopit shares her personal story of finding purpose, direction, and intention after a career transition. “Layon” is a Filipino word that means purpose — and it’s the heart of this podcast. Carmen talks about the life changes that inspired her to create What’s Your Layon?, why the word matters to her roots, and how moments of uncertainty can become turning points. This episode is for anyone asking “What’s next?” or “What am I here for?” Join us for real conversations with educators, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday people about clarity, confusion, courage, and the journey in between. Music credit: Mike Bernardo – Composer of the What’s Your LAYON? theme.

Welcome to What’s Your LAYON? — the podcast about purpose, pivots, and the beautiful mess of starting again. In this short trailer, host Carmen Licopit shares what “layon” means, what sparked this podcast, and what to expect in Season 1 — real stories from people finding their next chapter. 🎧 Hit follow now so you don’t miss a moment. Music credit: Mike Bernardo – Composer of the What’s Your LAYON? theme.