In Confidence with Lisa Sun: A Gravitas Podcast

Have you ever finished one of our In Confidence episodes feeling inspired, only to face a situation that puts those ideas to the test? In this “Ask Lisa Anything” episode, Lisa answers three listener-submitted workplace dilemmas and shares the tools to navigate them with confidence.   In this episode, we tackle:   A respectful, trust-building way to challenge a higher-up’s decision   How to process and act on tough feedback without losing momentum   Practical steps to avoid the gossip trap and strengthen workplace relationships   We love hearing your questions and stories. Keep them coming so we can continue learning from each other and growing stronger together because what we share in confidence helps us grow in confidence.    00:00 Intro 01:58 How to Challenge the Decision from Someone Higher Up 05:28 What to Do After a Bad Performance Review 13:05 Office Gossip About Someone Who Is Tough to Work With 19:14 Outro 20:03 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

We’re taught to chase success, but what if the real growth comes from chasing failure? In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa sits down with her best friend, Jane Park, founder of Julep and Tokki, and former director at Starbucks and leader at BCG, to talk about why she sets “failure goals” on purpose. Jane shares how reframing failure as a target instead of a setback can help you aim higher, take bigger risks, and uncover who you’re truly meant to be. You’ll learn: Why avoiding failure is the enemy of growth and how to rewire your brain to seek it out The “next time this happens, I will…” method to turn regrets into learnings How to process rejection, face worst-case scenarios, and keep the conversation going when you hear “no” This conversation will inspire you to rethink your relationship with failure and see it as proof that you are stretching, growing, and playing bigger than before.   00:00 Intro 01:37 Meet Jane Park 08:22 Why Jane Thinks We Should Strive to Fail 12:00 What Is a Failure Goal? 17:37 No Regrets, Only Learnings 19:51 Why Jane Adopted This Philosophy 22:47 Jane’s Failure of Character Story and What She Learned from It 32:53 How to Process Shame and Embarrassment 34:56 Shame Buddies, Holding Space, and Recognizing Toxic Positivity 39:07 Quick Questions: Ritual to Stay Grounded, Rewards for Failing, Normalizing Failure in the Workplace, Jane’s Professional Failure Rate 48:39 Why Great Risk-Taking Means Being an Expert in Failure 53:16 Try This Failure Goal This Week 55:10 Outro 56:25 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

Only 12% of people feel confident speaking in front of others, which means the rest of us are winging it, sweating through it, or avoiding it altogether. Are you part of the 88% who don’t feel ready for the spotlight? Let’s change that. In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa shares the rituals, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped her go from a shy immigrant kid to a confident keynote speaker. What you'll get from this episode: Lisa’s 3-part framework for public speaking (no stage required) How body language, breathwork, and playlists can help you show up with power The storytelling formulas and connection tricks that make your words stick   Public speaking isn’t just for performers. It’s for all of us. And with the right tools, you can get better at it.   00:00 Intro 04:06 What to Expect: 3 Tips for Public Speaking 04:26 Tip 1: Embrace Your Body 13:10 Tip 2: Practice Storytelling 15:24 Tip 3: Energize and Enthuse 20:19 Use Season 1, Episode 1 as a Practice Too l21:35 Outro 22:05 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

This week on In Confidence, Lisa sits down with Dr. Grace Kao, IBM Professor of Sociology at Yale University and K-pop expert, to explore why Korean idol groups have taken the world by storm and what their global rise reveals about identity, belonging, and the forces that shape confidence.    This episode unpacks: The rigorous training system that gives idols unshakable confidence How fandom creates deep belonging and challenges stereotypes Why K-pop may be shifting how the world sees Asian identity Stay with us because this isn’t just about K-pop. It’s about the power of being seen.   *This episode contains discussion of mental health, suicide, and body image. If those topics are sensitive for you, please take care in choosing how and when to listen.   Listen to Dr. Grace Kao's YouTube Playlists: 10-Song Intro to K-Pop 40 Song Intro to K-Pop   00:00 Intro 02:01 Meet Professor Dr. Grace Kao 10:48 How Grace Got Into K-pop 13:07 Lisa’s Story: Reclaiming Identity Through K-pop 16:41 What Makes K-pop Fandom Different 21:50 How Fandom Shapes Identity and Belonging 27:14 How East Asian Men Are Viewed in Media and Dating 31:49 Why K-pop Crossed Over While Other Asian Music Hasn’t 37:33 Biases, Archetypes, and the “Someone for Everyone” Formula 40:52 Idol Romance Rules, Western Collabs, and K-pop’s Film Takeover 45:16 Unrealistic Beauty Standards in K-pop 48:31 Confidence Through Preparation: The Idol Training System 50:08 Mental Health Pressures in the Industry 53:13 The Global Rise of Asian Desirability 56:08 Quick-Fire Round: Music Videos, Bias Picks, and Billboard Highlights 01:01:44 Outro 01:03:32 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

Think your coworkers are difficult or you just can’t seem to work well together? With Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all sharing the same workplace, it’s no wonder that collaboration can feel harder than it should. In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa breaks down the values, habits, and communication styles that shape each generation and how to use that insight to build stronger team dynamics at work. You’ll learn: Strengths and triggers of each generation and how they show up at work Why trust starts with curiosity, openness, and acceptance Practical tools for cross-generational communication and collaboration Whether you’re managing, mentoring, or just trying to be understood, this episode offers insight for every generation at the table.   00:00 Intro 01:59 What to Expect: 4 Generations in the Workplace 06:19 Generation Overview: Strengths & Challenges 11:07 How to Build Trust Across Generations 12:09 What Each Generation Teaches Us and What Triggers Them 19:00 Resolving Cross-Generational Conflict 30:35 Final Takeaways 31:51 Outro 32:15 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

Career pivots can feel overwhelming, but moments of uncertainty are often turning points. Whether you're stuck in a role that no longer fits, scared to take the leap, or navigating a change you didn’t choose, these crossroads offer a chance to grow in new and meaningful ways.   In this episode of In Confidence, Nikkia Reveillac—former professional dancer turned corporate leader at Netflix and Twitter, now entrepreneur and speaker—joins Lisa to reflect on the mindset, courage, and strategy behind her major career pivots. Each transition has helped her begin breaking free from her cage, and now she’s sharing the insights that have guided her along the way.   Highlights from this episode: How to grieve a career shift without getting stuck in the past Why taking a pause can lead to better decisions about what’s next A bold approach to pivoting industries: a talk on resumes and how to stand out from the rest Your next chapter may feel uncertain, but it could also be the best one yet. So break from your cage.   00:00 Introduction 06:35 Meet Nikkia Reveillac 19:50 The Pivot Conversation Begins 20:27 First Pivot: From Need to Opportunity 26:26 Grieving Dance and Finding Abundance 31:40 Getting Fired From Twitter 39:34 When Feedback Reflects Culture 49:20 Laid Off Without Severance: What Now? 55:11 How to Pivot: Skills, Experimentation, Outreach 1:00:28 Staying Open to What's Next 1:05:06 Hire for Potential, Not Pedigree 1:06:43 Calming the Inner Critic 1:10:48 Breaking Out of the Cage 1:16:41 Sweet Exhaustion: Knowing the Work Still Fits 1:21:25 What’s Next for Nikkia 1:22:11 Outro 1:23:16 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

What if the conversation you’ve been avoiding could be the one that helps you grow most?   In this episode of In Confidence, Lisa breaks down the skill of feedback: how to ask for it, how to give it, and how to receive it with openness and grace. Feedback can feel like dynamite or a gift and your mindset makes the difference. With stories from the workplace and personal life, Lisa gives a practical, trust-based roadmap to feedback that builds relationships, not resentment.   What you’ll learn: A simple, effective way to ask for feedback that gets real answers How to give feedback with clarity, care, and purpose The four-step formula that makes feedback easier and more productive How to receive feedback without spiraling and actually grow from it Feedback isn’t always easy, but it’s always a chance to show up for ourselves and each other. For access to the downloadable PDFs for this episode, head to our website, GravitasNewYork.com.    00:00 Intro: Giving, Asking, and Receiving Feedback 02:20 Feedback Is a Gift + Lisa’s Story 03:34 Asking for Feedback: “What’s One Thing I Could Do Better?” 06:33 Leave Nothing to Mystery: Real-World Example 09:36 Giving Feedback: Everyone Starts with an A 11:00 What Great Feedback Looks Like vs. What It Doesn’t 13:41 Lisa’s Formula: 4 Steps to Give Clear, Constructive Feedback 14:40 Feedback in Practice: Personal and Work Examples 18:23 Receiving Feedback: Listen Without Defensiveness 21:07 Responding with Trust, Empathy, and Understanding 22:34 Outro 23:03 Disclaimer   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

Whether you're negotiating for a raise, a new title, or better work-life balance, this episode is your tactical roadmap. In Part 2 of this series, Meggie Palmer joins Lisa to break down what to say, how to say it, and most importantly, how to believe you deserve it.  Prepare for any outcome. Every negotiation ends in Yes, No, or Maybe. Define your Wish, Want, and Walk figures before you walk into the conversation. Ask for more than money. Salary is just one part of your total life P&L. A No today does not mean No forever. Follow up, get creative, and stay in the conversation. Every negotiation sets a precedent. When you ask for more, you help normalize it for everyone who comes after you.   Want to learn more from Meggie Palmer?⁠ Join the PepTalkHer community⁠⁠ Download the free PepTalkHer app⁠⁠G et your own set of Career Cards⁠   AS SEEN IN THE EPISODE From Our Studio to Your Closet ⁠The Maverick Tee (Emmeline Pankhurst)⁠   01:05 Meet Meggie Palmer: Founder of PepTalkHer 02:18 Why Meggie Created PepTalkHer and Her Mission to Close the Pay Gap 19:35 Why We Struggle to Ask for More and How to Reframe It 30:10 Yes, No, Maybe: The Three Possible Outcomes to Plan For 31:45 Wish, Want, Walk: Define Your Salary Boundaries 35:41 Beyond Salary: Non-Monetary Benefits and Your Total Life P&L 46:55 Keep Your Receipts: Why Documentation Matters 52:29 Advocate for More: Not Just for You but for Others Too 56:06 When the Answer Is Still No: Hard Choices and Next Steps 1:00:02 When Your Boss’s Narrative Doesn’t Match Yours 1:05:58 Negotiating as a Freelancer or in the Gig Economy 1:10:15 Meggie’s Wish: Normalize Transparency Around Money   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

Ever felt ready for more responsibility, recognition, or compensation, but held back from asking?  In this solo episode of In Confidence, Lisa shares a powerful reframe: asking for a raise or promotion isn’t about demanding. It’s about declaring your worth. Drawing from her Gravitas superpower framework, she breaks down how to lead the conversation with clarity, strategy, and self-belief.   This conversation sparked so much interest that we decided to turn it into a two-part series. Stay tuned for Part Two with negotiation expert Meggie Palmer, where we dive even deeper into tactical tips, scripts, and strategies.   In Part 1, you’ll learn: How to reframe fear of asking into a leadership moment What to prepare for the three raise and promotion scenarios: A title change with no money A pay increase without changing your role A promotion that comes with both more responsibility and more pay The next step in your career starts with a single conversation. Let’s make sure you’re ready for it.   00:00 Intro 01:09 The Reframe 05:10 The Three Scenarios We're Exploring 06:04 Title Change With No Pay Increase 13:25 A Pay Increase Without Changing Your Role 18:14 A Promotion With a Pay Increase 21:22 Final Thoughts 22:36 Outro   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠

The secret to looking good on camera isn’t about being flawless. It’s about capturing a moment you’ll want to remember. That’s what world-renowned headshot photographer Peter Hurley has learned after two decades behind the lens. Lighting is important, but it’s the memory the photo holds that matters most. On this episode of In Confidence, Peter shares why so many of us fear the camera, how to quiet the inner critic, and what it really takes to feel good in front of the lens. You’ll also hear his five go-to tips for being photogenic in any setting. And if you want to see those tips in action, this episode is one to watch. In this episode, you’ll learn: The mindset behind photogenic confidence How to build trust in front of the lens and in life Why self-doubt shows up the moment the camera does Why candid, unpolished photos often capture the real you So don’t skip the photo. It might become your favorite memory.   00:00 Intro 00:40 Meet Peter Hurley 07:37 Pivots and Opportunity Mindset 11:53 Peter's Purpose 13:50 Battling Perfectionism 19:20 What Makes a Great Portrait 21:46 Why People Fear the Camera 24:03 Inner Critic + Building Trust 31:42 Tip #1: Get The Jawline Out 32:20 Trust Comes From Expertise 41:04 Tip #2: Squinching  42:58 More Tips to Get the Best Photo 46:39 Capturing Moments 53:36 Let Your Subconscious Shine Through 55:18 Ideal Camera Angles 59:46 Final Thoughts   Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Gravitas on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Lisa on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suggestions or Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Us at inconfidence@gravitasnewyork.com⁠