Big Asian Energy

John Wang
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Mar 24, 2026 • 46min

How to Build Your Own Table When There's No Seat for You

Don Michael "Don Mike" Mendoza, Broadway producer and founder of DMH Mendoza Productions, turned DIY grit into Broadway success. He talks about asking for what you want, reframing networking as real conversations, building LA TI DO from a basement bar to a national company, and why authenticity and holding the door open for others matter. Quick, candid, and inspiring.
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Mar 17, 2026 • 32min

How to Break Free from the Achiever Treadmill (And Finally Feel Like Enough)

A candid look at why major wins can feel hollow and how our brains adapt to success. He traces how childhood conditional approval and cultural expectations can make worth feel tied to output. Listen for a simple monk-given pivot, a quick 'Whose voice is this?' practice, and a tiny journaling trick to notice real progress.
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Mar 11, 2026 • 49min

How to Navigate Interracial Relationships Without Losing Yourself

Dr. Stacey Litam, licensed psychologist and author focused on Asian American mental health and identity. She tackles interracial relationship dynamics, fetishization versus preference, internalized racism, and media-driven stereotypes. Short, direct conversations unpack family pushback, online shaming, and how to reflect on attraction without losing yourself.
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Mar 3, 2026 • 32min

How Asian Family Comparison Culture Creates Motivation Differently than Western Culture

A deep dive into how Asian and Western cultures motivate people in opposite ways. Short studies and real-life stories show why failure fuels effort in East Asia while success boosts persistence in the West. The conversation explores perfectionism as a survival tactic, public rankings and workplace hierarchies, and why immigrant family pressures amplify comparison. It also highlights collectivist strengths like belonging and shared support.
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Feb 25, 2026 • 53min

How to Stop Playing Small and Stand Out with Diana YK Chan

Diana YK Chan, personal branding and authority strategist who teaches on LinkedIn Learning and speaks at the UN, shares how talented people sell themselves short. She outlines a simple Identify → Believe → Voice framework. Short, practical takes cover imposter syndrome, borrowing belief, positioning vs visibility, and why undercharging hurts your growth.
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Feb 17, 2026 • 54min

How to Become Your Own Best Advocate for Career Advancement

Stephen Lee, a former federal prosecutor turned health care fraud defense attorney and AABA-Chicago president, recounts his journey from shy kid to courtroom presence. He talks about intentional self-advocacy and building a niche personal brand. He explains strategic networking, visibility through panels, and communication techniques to command a room.
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Feb 10, 2026 • 35min

2026 What’s in and What’s out with John & Dr. Stacey

Dr. Stacey Litam, clinical psychologist and sex therapist who helps people with relationships and trauma, shares what’s in and out for 2026. Topics include playful self-care, managing news overload, low-effort ways to sustain friendships, nonverbal signals of safety, authenticity versus performative behavior, and using transparency to enliven relationships.
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Feb 2, 2026 • 32min

How to Heal from Adultification and Over-Functioning

A candid look at the invisible burdens placed on children of immigrants who became the family’s default fixer. They unpack instrumental versus emotional parentification and how survival mode shapes hyper‑vigilance. Practical tools like a 10‑second pause and scripts for setting boundaries are offered to shift from reactive fixing to intentional choice.
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Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 2min

How to Build Power and Influence on Our Own Terms with Hyphen Capital Founder Dave Lu

Dave Lu, managing partner of Hyphen Capital and Emmy-winning producer who elevates Asian American founders. He talks about escaping resume-driven validation and cultural silence. He explores communication hacks to be more assertive. He recounts organizing the WSJ 'Enough' letter and building power by creating visibility and community.
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Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 36min

How to Build a Personal Brand While Being Authentic as F*ck with Sun Yi

Sun Yi, founder of Night Owl who helps creators and companies tell honest stories. He talks about radical honesty, turning weaknesses into strengths, and using vulnerability without trauma-dumping. Short, practical takes on scarcity, reputation, and the three content types that actually matter.

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