#102 - Big Asian Energy: Authentic Leadership That Bridges East And West - with John Wang

John Wang is the author of the recently released Big Asian Energy, the host of the Big Asian Energy show, and a coach and speaker helping Asian professionals break through barriers. He’s worked with clients at Google, Apple, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs, blending cultural insight and science-backed strategies to build confidence and visibility. John’s content on assertiveness and imposter syndrome has reached over 25 million views.

Here are the major topics we dig into in this episode: 

🔥 Authentic Leadership & Dropping the Mask
We get real about what true leadership looks like — and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t. John shares the pitfalls of performative leadership, how people can sense inauthenticity, and the power of leading from mission rather than ego.

❤️ Humility vs. Toxic Humility
We dive deep into the concept of humility, especially within the context of cultural conditioning. John distinguishes between embracing genuine humility and falling into a pattern of self-erasure — something he experienced firsthand growing up as a person of Asian descent in the Western world.

🌏 The Inner East Meets the Inner West
For all the listeners who’ve ever felt like they straddle two worlds — this conversation is for you. John opens up about reconciling his “internal East and West,” the struggle of trying to fit into multiple cultures, and the beauty (and challenge) of true integration.

🧠 Healing the Wound Behind the Mask
We explore how so many of us walk through life with invisible wounds, wearing masks to protect ourselves. John gets candid about his own journey — from performance and burnout to inner work, radical honesty, and building the courage to be seen.

📚 The Birth of Big Asian Energy
We chat about the highs and lows of writing a book that has no comparison. From the immense pressure to represent so many diverse voices, to hiring research assistants to go deeper than just storytelling, John’s creative process offers a behind-the-scenes look into writing an authentic, paradigm-shifting book.

Links from this episode:

🌍 Website: https://www.bigasianenergy.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnwangofficial/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae

📖 Big Asian Energy Book: https://a.co/d/c0T1c8t

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