Level: Asian

Send us a textIn this solo episode, we’re unpacking our own perspectives and experiences around relationships, marriage and starting our own families. We discuss the expectations of Asian traditions we should be upholding, conflicts around being in mixed-race relationships, Asian masculinity and the differences between Eastern and Western beauty standards. You’ll also enjoy our deep dive into discussions around starting our own families, with Kan’s baby on the way, Davie thinking about starting one and Noel & Viv against having kids.

Send us a textWelcome to this very special episode of The Level: Asian Podcast – Christmas edition!We sat down in the Ultrafade salon with Rich and Jenny, the powerhouse couple behind the successful hair and beauty salon, that specialises in transforming Asian hair. In this episode, we hear about how Rich started in hairdressing before becoming the hair bae of Guilford. Jenny also shares her story of why she’s decided to close her pharmacy career chapter, and join Rich at Ultrafade. We also speak about Rich and Jenny’s experience with meeting parental expectations, especially after becoming business partners. 

Send us a text We’re joined by Barry Winata, founder of Metagrove Ventures – a seed fund focused on backing founders across Australia & New Zealand and the US.In this episode, we speak to Barry about why he purchased a one-way ticket to the US, leaving behind his stable job, friends and family, and support network, and why this decision played such a vital role in his career trajectory. We also get a taste of what Silicon Valley was like for Barry and why he’s finally returned to Australia after ten years.  

Send us a textWe’re joined by Emily Ung - founder and owner of The Artistry Sydney, a luxury beauty bar in the Hills District. In this episode, we speak to Emily about  her passion for beauty, which started when she became a makeup artist at 16 and now, at 22, has opened her own luxury beauty salon in Castle Hil.Emily talks about her business experience as an Asian female in the industry and the importance of having a strong support network – in this case, her family of entrepreneurs who helped lift her up. 

Send us a textWe’re joined by Alan La, founder of Invincible HQ – a martial arts gym and community providing physical and mindset training to empower individuals. In this episode, Alan takes us through his experiences of growing up as a shy kid and getting bullied throughout school. We hear about how these adversities motivated Alan to start his martial arts journey, which eventually led to him teaching his own classes – from empty carparks to coaching from his own world-class, award-winning gym. Alan also shares with us why it’s so important to adopt a healthy and abundant mindset, taking us through how it’s been key to his success for Invincible HQ and motivating others. 

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our episode with Heaven Leigh, we hear about her struggles with identity growing up as a mixed-race kid. Heaven shares with us how Bodhi has allowed her to embrace both her cultures by enabling her to combine her Western and Eastern cultures through food. We also chat about the closure of Bodhi Restaurant & Bar, reflecting on the last 20+ years and plans coming up for the future.You can listen here if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet. 

Send us a textWe’re joined by Heaven Leigh, a third-generation restauranteur and owner of Bodhi Restaurant Bar, a well-renowned, plant-based Pan-Asian yum cha spot in Sydney. In Part 1 of this episode, Heaven sits down with us to share her compelling story around the multi-million dollar sacrifices she’s made to support her family, lessons she’s learned from her entrepreneurial mother, Lee-Leng Whong, and adversities she’s faced – especially as a female in the hospitality industry. 

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our episode with Jieh-Yung Lo, the founding Director of the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership at the Australian National University, we hear his insights into what the future looks like for Asian-Australians, what he’s excited for and leaves us with some valuable advice for the younger generation. 

Send us a textWe sit down with Jieh-Yung Lo, the founding Director of the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership at the Australian National University. He’s an experienced advocate, innovator and changemaker, focusing on advancing ethnic and cultural diversity in Australia and in particular, addressing the ‘bamboo ceiling’ and elevating emerging Asian-Australian leaders to the public sphere.In Part 1 of our episode with Jieh-Yung Lo, we hear his extensive backstory – taking it all the way back to childhood, and we even hear stories from his schooling days as a ‘B-sian’ student. 

In this podcast, they discuss the challenges of communication with their parents, the pressures and expectations of Asian parent-child relationships, and the journey of self-improvement. They also share anecdotes about their unconditional love for their brothers, reflect on their experiences with spending money and feeling guilt, and explore the generational impacts of job losses and teaching their parents English.