Helping teens confidently learn about sexual & emotional health their way.
Our WHY...
Dear Parents,
It was less than 12 months ago that I started this journey. As I sit down to write this, I’m reflecting on how much I’ve learned this year—not just as a cofounder of Taboos, but as a parent and a doctor. Like many of you, I’ve had moments of doubt, wondering if I’m doing enough, saying the right things, or truly preparing my kids for life’s challenges. After 15 years in medicine, I’ve seen how these questions weigh on families—and the lasting consequences when they go unaddressed. Watching young adults struggle with self-doubt and missed opportunities drives my commitment to ensuring these conversations happen early.
What I’ve learned is this: our kids want to talk. They want answers, clarity, and someone who listens without judgment. As much as they love us, they sometimes need a safe space outside of us to ask the hard questions. Our kids carry so much curiosity and anxiety, especially about their bodies and mental health. They’re surrounded by information but often struggle to make sense of it all.
This year, I’ve seen the impact of giving kids the tools to think critically, make informed decisions, and advocate for themselves. It’s not just about answering questions—it’s about preparing them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. This work has reminded me that we don’t need to have all the answers, we just need to show up.
Dear Parents,
It was less than 12 months ago that I started this journey. As I sit down to write this, I’m reflecting on how much I’ve learned this year—not just as a cofounder of Taboos, but as a parent and a doctor. Like many of you, I’ve had moments of doubt, wondering if I’m doing enough, saying the right things, or truly preparing my kids for life’s challenges. After 15 years in medicine, I’ve seen how these questions weigh on families—and the lasting consequences when they go unaddressed. Watching young adults struggle with self-doubt and missed opportunities drives my commitment to ensuring these conversations happen early.
What I’ve learned is this: our kids want to talk. They want answers, clarity, and someone who listens without judgment. As much as they love us, they sometimes need a safe space outside of us to ask the hard questions. Our kids carry so much curiosity and anxiety, especially about their bodies and mental health. They’re surrounded by information but often struggle to make sense of it all. Starting these conversations isn’t easy—for them or for us.
Even in close families, sensitive topics can feel too big to tackle. As parents, we want to help but often fear saying the wrong thing. The truth is, we don’t need to have all the answers—we just need to show up, care, and seek tools to guide us.
This year, I’ve seen the impact of giving kids the tools to think critically, make informed decisions, and advocate for themselves. It’s not just about answering questions—it’s about preparing them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. This work has reminded me that we don’t need to have all the answers, we just need to show up.
Thank you for trusting us and being part of this journey.
With gratitude,
Vian
Parent, Doctor, and Co-Founder of Taboos
Our VIsion
We’re inspired by the vision of teens confidently creating happy lives because they have the right knowledge and tools to design their future
Our Core Principles
Our Core Principles
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Prevention Creates Possibilities
Empowerment starts early. By teaching critical life skills before challenges arise, we help teens avoid mistakes and seize opportunities. Prevention paves the path to confidence and freedom.
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Prepared Teens Don’t Guess
Teens should not face life’s toughest moments through trial and error. They need tools, practice, and guidance to apply what they learn and confidently navigate relationships, emotions, and decisions.
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Daily Practices Shape Who They Become
Habits build confidence. Daily actions like managing stress, standing up for themselves, or practicing self-care shape teens' resilience and self-respect.
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Mindset Unlocks Potential
How teens see themselves shapes what they achieve. By adopting a growth mindset and letting go of fear, shame, and limiting beliefs, they embrace their potential and grow.
Taboos Formula for Empowerment:
Facts + Life Skills
Teens often lack reliable information and a space to practice essential skills, leaving them unable to apply what they’ve learned. Empowerment comes from combining facts with the skills to act confidently.
Our Team of Experts
Vian Nguyen, MD
Dr. Taboos/Co-Founder/
CEO/Ob Gyn
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A former Chief Medical Officer and practicing ObGyn, she now uses health tech to empower teens and families through Taboos. Committed to healthcare equality, she focuses on improving access to sexual health education for LGBTQ+ youth and reducing stigma. Her goal is to create safe, inclusive spaces that build confidence and understanding across all communities.
Lian Pham
Gen Alpha Expert
/Co-Founder/COO
A seasoned expert in youth culture and community building. With years of experience leading a global teen community of 47,000 members across 26 countries, Pham has a deep understanding of Gen Alpha. As an author of two books and a passionate advocate for gamified education, biohacking, and wellness, Pham brings a fresh, innovative approach to empowering today’s youth.
Maarten Ectors
CTO
Former Chief Innovation Officer at Legal & General, now shaping the future of health tech with Taboos. With experience as Chief Digital Officer and VP of IoT at Canonical, he is known for creating award-winning digital solutions. At Taboos, he uses his expertise to build engaging, tech-driven learning experiences for teens and families.
Joyce Keck, MD
Expert Advocate/
Teen Obesity Expert/Pediatrician
Dr. Rafati is a pediatrician specializing in child health and obesity medicine, dedicated to enhancing pediatric health through comprehensive care. With a strong commitment to wellness, she advises Taboos on effectively guiding teens and their families with accurate, science-based information to combat the obesity epidemic.
Sophie Remoue Gonzales MD
Expert Advocate/
Adolescent Medicine
Expert/ Pediatrician
A pediatrician specializing in adolescent health, currently focused exclusively on teen patients. Her strong connection with today’s youth enhances her advisory role on our platform. Committed to improving pediatric health through comprehensive care, she provides teens and their families with accurate, science-based guidance.
Jennifer Feldmann, MD,
Expert Advocate/
Adolescent Expert/
Pediatrician
A pediatrician specializing in adolescent care, with particular expertise in helping families navigate the complexities of reproductive health and physical wellness, during the teen years. . Through her advisory role, she provides valuable insights and support to young patients and their families on our platform.
Vandana Shrikanth, MD
Expert Advocate/
Infectious Disease
Expert/Internal Medicine
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Dr. Shrikanth specializes in adult primary care and infectious diseases, with a focus on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. She manages chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension and provides preventive care, including screenings, PrEP, and vaccinations, promoting community health through compassionate care.
Carl E. Lee, MD
Expert Advocate/
Women's Health Expert/
ObGyn
A women's health specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital. He provides comprehensive care for women, focusing on delivering personalized medical treatment to meet the needs of his patients. Dr. Lee is dedicated to advancing women's health and ensuring compassionate, expert care in his practice.
Join Our Team
Adolescent Life Skills (ALS) Coach
As an ALS Coach at Taboos, you'll provide personalized support to teens in sexual health, emotional well-being, and self-awareness through text-based check-ins. Using evidence-based guidance, you’ll create a safe, judgment-free space for growth. Ideal candidates are passionate about education, skilled at building trust, and committed to empowering youth through meaningful conversations. This role is central to our belief in building healthy habits, offering a different approach than a teacher or online course.
Teen Ambassador
As a Teen Ambassador for Taboos, you will represent our mission to empower teens and families with safe, accurate sexual health information. You'll be at the heart of our content creation, speaking directly to your generation. Your role includes engaging with communities both online and in-person, spreading awareness, and creating content grounded in clinically accurate data. Ideal candidates are creative, passionate about education, social media-savvy, and skilled at making complex topics relatable.
Expert Advocate
Our Expert Advocates are industry leaders with strong credentials who provide us with valuable materials and insights. Their expertise helps shape the content we develop, ensuring that it is accurate, credible, and aligned with the latest research. While they don’t create the content themselves, their contributions are key to helping us deliver high-quality, trustworthy information to teens and families.