Big Asian Energy

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with clinical psychologists Dr. Michelle Chung and Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge to explore their groundbreaking Modern Asian Parent (MAP) movement—a research-based approach that challenges traditional tiger parenting while honoring cultural heritage. The doctors share why effective parenting starts with parents doing their own inner work around generational trauma, how to redefine success beyond traditional career paths, and why validation is the missing ingredient in most Asian family dynamics.   What Dr. Michelle and Dr. Laura Share: Why healing generational trauma and perfectionism starts with parents doing their own inner work first Redefining success beyond doctor-lawyer-engineer to support unconventional career paths Building values-based parenting through connection, validation, and authentic strengths About Dr. Michelle Chung Dr. Michelle Chung is a clinical psychologist and head of Inpractice Psychology, specializing in anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. As a board member at Korean Community Services, she works directly with Asian families navigating the tension between cultural expectations and mental health. A recovering perfectionist herself and mother to a budding artist, Dr. Michelle is passionate about helping families break toxic cycles of pressure and achievement while building emotionally intelligent, values-aligned relationships.   About Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge is a Hawaii and New York-based child psychologist and former middle school teacher with specialized training from the Child Mind Institute and NYU Child Study Center. She works with children, teenagers, and families dealing with stress, anxiety, and the unique pressures facing Asian American youth. Dr. Laura focuses on giving parents practical tools to become cheerleaders for their children's emotional wellbeing while teaching stress management skills the whole family can practice together.   Connect with Dr. Michelle Chung and Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge Website: themodernasianparent.com (free worksheets and resources) Instagram: @themodernasianparent Substack: themodernasianparent.substack.com

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with Leo Xia (professionally known as Lowhi), a Los Angeles-based men's mental health facilitator and founder of JinShan Collective and Proud Asian Men. Leo shares his powerful journey from classical pianist to leading transformative men's circles across the US, revealing how Asian men can break free from the belief that pain must precede worthiness. Through raw conversations about isolation, the pressure to perform, and the shame of vulnerability, Leo illuminates why community and brotherhood are essential for Asian men to sleep better at night—literally and figuratively. What Leo Shares: Healing generational wounds around worthiness and the belief that pain must precede love Why Asian men's groups succeed where traditional therapy and individualistic approaches fall short Redefining masculinity through vulnerability and community rather than performance and external validation   About Leo XiaLeo Xia (known professionally as Lowhi) is a Los Angeles-based men's mental health facilitator, founder of JinShan Collective, and lead facilitator of Proud Asian Men (partnered with the Asian Mental Health Project). As an alt R&B lo-fi artist, he uniquely blends creative expression with deep emotional work. For the past five years, Leo has been leading men's circles, retreats, and workshops across the US, creating spaces where Asian men explore identity, heal generational wounds, and build lasting brotherhood through movement, music, open dialogue, and somatic practices. His work integrates emotional intelligence, communication skills, and authentic self-expression to help Asian men redefine what masculinity means on their own terms. Connect with Leo Xia: Instagram: @lowhiofficialWebsite: proudasianmen.com Check Out the Upcoming Vancouver Wellness Retreat here

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with Jane Chen, entrepreneur and author of the forthcoming memoir "Like A Wave We Break," to explore how childhood trauma shapes entrepreneurial drive and why healing work is essential for sustainable success. Jane shares her powerful journey from Stanford graduate student to founder of Embrace, a company that saved over a million babies, and reveals how a complete breakdown led her to Indonesia for a transformative healing journey. Through exploring everything from Internal Family Systems therapy to MDMA-assisted therapy, Jane discovered that true resilience isn't about pushing harder, but about coming home to yourself. What Jane Shares: How childhood trauma and adverse experiences shape our relationship with achievement and success Why psychological safety in leadership starts with your own inner healing work Healing modalities that transform trauma into authentic self-leadership About Jane Chen Jane Chen is the author of "Like A Wave We Break," a memoir exploring trauma, healing, and finding worthiness beyond achievement. She is the founder of Embrace, a social enterprise that created a low-cost infant warmer that has helped over one million premature babies in remote areas worldwide. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Jane has been honored by President Obama and supported by Beyonce. After experiencing burnout and a mental breakdown ten years into building Embrace, Jane embarked on an intensive healing journey that transformed her understanding of success, resilience, and leadership. She now works as a leadership coach, bringing trauma-informed practices to help leaders create psychologically safe teams and organizations. Connect with Jane Chen Website: Jane Chen's Website "Like A Wave We Break"  available wherever you get your books

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with Emmy Award-winning journalist and NBC News anchor Vicky Nguyen to explore her remarkable journey from Vietnamese refugee camp to national television and New York Times bestselling author. Vicky shares powerful insights from her memoir "Boat Baby" about the immigrant experience, breaking through the bamboo ceiling in broadcast journalism, and why she now embraces bringing her full identity to her work after years of staying neutral. From navigating jealousy early in her career to empowering the next generation, Vicky offers wisdom on collective success, generational healing, and what it means to truly thrive rather than just survive. What Vicky Shares: Why integration, not assimilation, is the key to authentic success in professional spaces Breaking the survival-mode parenting cycle to raise children who thrive without identity insecurity How adopting an abundance mindset over competition elevates the entire Asian American community About Vicky NguyenVicky Nguyen is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, NBC News correspondent, and anchor of NBC News Daily. Born in a Saigon, her family fled Vietnam by boat when she was just 8 months old before their journey to make a new life in America. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir "Boat Baby." Throughout her career in broadcast journalism, Vicky has worked across the country—from Orlando to California to New York—covering major national stories including the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. She is passionate about representation in media, platforming diverse voices and thought leaders, and using her position to inspire the next generation that "if you can see it, you can be it." Vicky lives in New York with her family. Connect with Vicky Nguyen"Boat Baby" by Vicky Nguyen available wherever books are sold

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with TeachAAPI co-founders Ann Kono and Renee Yang to explore how personal experiences of racism against their children during COVID sparked them to leave successful corporate careers and create systemic change in education. Ann and Renee share their journey from C-suite executives to education activists and reveal how they've reached 125,000 children across schools nationwide by building bridges rather than creating division. What Ann and Renee Share: Why AAPI education must move beyond once-a-year celebrations Building confidence in parents and educators to advocate for full representation in schools Navigating political volatility around education by creating safe educator communities built on authenticity, trust, and peer-to-peer support new quotes for these ones About Ann Kono Ann Kono is co-founder of TeachAAPI and a 2025 Female Executive of the Year Finalist from the LA Business Journal. A Chinese American who grew up in inner city Boston, she built a 25+ year career in corporate leadership, helping grow assets from $18 billion to $150 billion and serving on multiple public company boards. After her son faced microaggressions during COVID, she activated her network to create TeachAAPI, transforming her experience with childhood racism into a force for systemic educational change. About Renee Yang Renee Yang is co-founder of TeachAAPI with a 25-year career in strategic marketing at Fortune 500 companies including Neutrogena and Mattel. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Los Angeles, she combines her corporate expertise with deep passion for education equity. After her fifth-grade son courageously stood up to racist comments during Zoom school, she partnered with Ann to create programming that has achieved a 95% school retention rate and reached over 125,000 students. Connect with TeachAAPI Website: teachaapi.org Social media: Follow @TeachAAPI

Breaking PR Gatekeeping: Visibility, Trauma, and Authentic Storytelling with Gloria Chou In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with award-winning PR strategist Gloria Chou to explore how cultural conditioning affects business visibility and why healing generational trauma is essential for entrepreneurial success. Gloria shares her journey from US diplomat to PR disruptor and reveals how small business owners can land major media features without expensive agencies or connections. What Gloria Shares: How cultural conditioning and generational trauma impact business visibility for BIPOC entrepreneurs Breaking down the gatekeeping in PR to make media access democratized and affordable The CPR framework for pitching journalists without expensive PR agencies About Gloria Chou Gloria Chou is an award-winning PR strategist, host of the top-rated Small Business PR podcast, and Forbes Next 1000 honoree. A former US diplomat turned PR disruptor, she helps BIPOC and female entrepreneurs land features in outlets like The New York Times, Forbes, and Vogue without connections or massive followings. After experiencing burnout and a health crisis from chasing traditional success metrics, Gloria rebuilt her business around authentic messaging and community healing. She's passionate about dismantling PR industry gatekeeping and creating safe spaces for marginalized entrepreneurs to step into visibility. Connect with Gloria Chou Instagram: @gloriachouprFree Masterclass: learn.gloriachoupr.com/masterclass or DM "ASIAN" on Instagram for AI workflow resource Podcast: Small Business PR

In this spontaneous street encounter turned deep conversation, John Wang sits down with internationally renowned entrepreneur John Lee for an exploration of wealth creation, business psychology, and the future of entrepreneurship. Recorded on-site in Austin after a chance meeting, this episode dives into the mental frameworks that separate successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle, and how AI is reshaping the business landscape. What John Lee Shares: The inner work and mindset shifts required to build substantial wealth How AI is creating new business opportunities while disrupting traditional industries Breaking through cultural limitations to build a global entrepreneurial empire About John Lee John Lee is an internationally renowned entrepreneur, investor, and speaker who has been featured in Forbes, Sunday Times, and BBC. Awarded Man of the Year in 2017 by Global Women's Magazine, he has built a community of over 6 million social media followers worldwide. Starting as an animator who was paid £50,000 to speak on his first major stage, John transformed unconventional skills into business advantages. His empire now spans multiple industries, and he's pioneered AI clone technology that allows entrepreneurs to scale their expertise. His upcoming book with Hay House focuses on the psychology of wealth creation and business success. Connect with John Lee:Website: https://johnlee.com/Instagram: @john_lee_official

In this solo episode of Big Asian Energy, AAPI author and podcast host John Wang provides an in-depth psychological analysis of the Netflix phenomenon K-pop Demon Hunters. This animated film has broken streaming records worldwide while exploring themes of Asian American identity, intergenerational trauma, and mental health. John decodes the deeper meanings behind the demon-fighting storyline to reveal insights about cultural patterns, perfectionism, and generational healing in Asian communities. What John shares: How "faults and fears must never be seen" reflects collectivist cultural conditioning Understanding patterns as unconscious behaviors that limit our potential Why shame-based identity creates self-sabotage and how vulnerability heals it Connect with John Wang Instagram: @johnwangofficial"Big Asian Energy" book - Available at major retailersFree Big Asian Energy patterns quiz at bigasianenergy.com

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang teams up with therapist and author Dr. Stacey Litam to analyze the deeper psychological themes in the animated film K-pop Demon Hunters. Through their analysis, they uncover how this seemingly simple story about demon-fighting K-pop stars reveals profound insights about cultural trauma, healing patterns, and authentic self-acceptance in Asian communities. What Dr. Litam Shares: Understanding "patterns" - the unhelpful cultural scripts we carry from childhood Why Western therapy often misses the mark for Asian communities How K-pop Demon Hunters reveals the difference between toxic and healthy collectivism About Dr. Stacey Litam Dr. Stacey Litam is a certified relationship expert, therapist, and professor specializing in Asian diaspora mental health. Her book "Patterns That Remain: A Guide to Healing for Asian Children of Immigrants" was published by Oxford University Press in January 2025. In this conversation, she explores how the film's demons represent internal critics and voices of shame, while analyzing the difference between toxic collectivism (hiding flaws to maintain harmony) and healthy collectivism (showing up authentically in community).Connect with Dr. Stacey:Instagram - @drstaceyalitamWebsite - https://www.staceylitam.com/References "Patterns That Remain: A Guide to Healing for Asian Children of Immigrants"  by Dr. Stacey Litam "Big Asian Energy" by John Wang Take the free Big Asian Energy quiz at bigasianenergy.com

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, we sit down with actor, producer, and CEO Sean Dulake to explore his groundbreaking journey from stereotypical casting calls to starring in Amazon Prime's first American series shot entirely in South Korea. Sean opens up about his move from LA to Seoul, creating content that bridges cultures, and finding purpose through what he calls the "third culture perspective." What Sean Shares: Breaking stereotypes and navigating representation as an Asian American actor Building authentic cross-cultural content through Third Culture perspective Surviving creative entrepreneurship and finding your deeper purpose About Sean Dulake Sean Dulake is an actor, producer, and CEO of Third Culture Content. Born in California and raised in Arcadia, he made the bold decision to move to South Korea in 2010, where he debuted on Korean primetime television. He created and starred in the Netflix series "Drama World," which won Best Foreign Drama at the Seoul International Drama Awards. Sean also directed the Discovery Channel documentary "Korean Next: Finding Hollywood," earning a Best Director nomination at the Asian Television Awards. He currently stars as Hollis in Amazon Prime's spy thriller "Butterfly" alongside Daniel Dae Kim - marking the first American series fully financed by a US studio but shot entirely in South Korea. Connect with Sean Dulake Instagram: @seandulake Third Culture Content: thirdculturecontent.com Instagram: @thirdculturecontent Watch "Butterfly" and "Drama World" on Amazon Prime Video