Big Asian Energy – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, host John Wang sits down with our amazing resident psychologist Dr. Stacey Litam to jam on what’s in and what’s out for 2026. From how to rewire our brain for joy to oversharing, this new episode uncovers what’s actually working to make a change in your life. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstaceyalitam/

Website: https://www.staceylitam.com/

Amazon book link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM8JJTB7?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true

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 Xia
Leo 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: @lowhiofficial
Website: proudasianmen.com

Check Out the Upcoming Vancouver Wellness Retreat here

What does it take to reshape an industry from the inside out?

In this in-person episode of Big Asian Energy, John sits down with Christine Hung, Executive Director of Marketing at Vintage Books (Penguin Random House) and interim director of People of Color in Publishing. From growing up in Minnesota to working on campaigns for literary icons like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, Christine shares how her journey has been quietly powered by advocacy, storytelling, and community.

They dive deep into the unspoken realities of publishing—who gets in, who gets left out, and why representation isn’t just about who’s on the page, but who’s in the room. With humor, heart, and plenty of honesty, Christine reflects on identity, negotiation, diversity in publishing, and why she’d love to teach a class on financial literacy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why representation—both on the page and behind the scenes—matters more than ever

• How financial privilege and gatekeeping shape who gets to work in publishing

• What it really means to advocate for inclusion from inside the system

• Why curiosity, connection, and negotiation are essential tools for career growth

• How we can reimagine publishing to be more transparent, equitable, and inclusive

Connect with Christine and POC in Publishing!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocpub/

Website: https://www.pocinpublishing.com/

In an era where societal norms and expectations often dictate the paths we tread, finding the courage to carve our own way and author our life stories presents a formidable challenge, especially within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The weight of tradition, the fear of parental disapproval, and the daunting risks associated with deviating from the expected course can hinder the pursuit of personal aspirations and dreams

In this inspiring episode of Big Asian Energy, we welcome Amy Yip, a dedicated life transformation and mental fitness coach. Amy specializes in helping the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community break free from societal expectations to craft their own life stories. She tackles the big challenges: building self-confidence, facing parental disapproval, and daring to be different.

Amy shares her expertise on overcoming workplace challenges, boosting self-esteem, and dealing with burnout. She emphasizes the importance of listening to our bodies through somatic work and discusses how to heal from the past while setting healthy boundaries for the future.

Tune in now!

Connect with Amy!

https://amyyipcoaching.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amyyipcoaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycyip/

https://www.facebook.com/amyyipcoaching/

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae

Great melodies aren't enough to make it in today's competitive global music industry. It's about striking a chord with diverse cultures and tastes.

Join us in today's enlightening episode as we delve into the captivating journey of Renee Chan, known by her stage name Nae Nae, a trailblazing musician who has made a significant mark in the hip hop music scene of Taiwan.

In an industry often characterized by its cultural biases and rigid preferences, Nae Nae's experience stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and authenticity.

Be inspired by her relentless pursuit of artistic expression!

Connect with Renee!

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeTakeOver

https://www.instagram.com/reneetakeover/

https://twitter.com/ReneeTakeOver

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes like this!

Check out my website: https://www.bigasianenergy.co 

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial 

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae 

Welcome to another episode of Big Asian Energy! 

In today's episode, we dive deep into the intersection of identity and work. We spend so much of our lives working, often more than we do with our own families. That's why it's crucial to explore how we bring our authentic selves to the workplace.

Today's guest embodies the spirit of perseverance and ambition that many immigrants bring to the shores of America. Hailing from Taiwan, he's not just an immigrant but a trailblazer in the e-commerce technology world. With over 15 years of experience, Dennis Yao Yu has been the backbone of startups and corporate giants alike. Today, he's championing entrepreneurs at Shopify as the Merchant Success Team Leader. Before this, he lent his expertise to the prestigious University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. And his leadership at Art.com led to a monumental exit from Walmart. 

Dennis shares how his diverse background gives a valuable perspective that others may not have, leading to innovative thinking and different approaches to revenue growth and cost savings. We'll also delve into the role that identity and culture play in how Asians perceive and perform at work. Dennis sheds light on his personal experiences as an Asian professional and the challenges and opportunities they've encountered along the way. Discover strategies for recognition and promotion, as well as the importance of mentorship and sponsorship within organizations.

Tune in as we unpack the complexities of being "the other" in the workplace and the steps needed at a corporate and leadership level to ensure that all employees are seen, heard, and given equal opportunities.  Tune in now! 

Connect with Dennis:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisyaoyu/ 

https://www.instagram.com/dennis_yao_yu/ 

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes like this!

Check out my website: https://www.bigasianenergy.co

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae

Why do so many high achievers, especially in Asian communities, struggle with burnout? For many, success is deeply tied to identity, self-worth, and cultural expectations—but at what cost? In this powerful episode of Big Asian Energy, we welcome Newton Cheng, Global Director of Health & Performance at Google, world champion powerlifter, and mental health advocate. Newton shares his personal experience with burnout, the pressure of achievement, and how he redefined success to prioritize his well-being.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why high achievers—especially in Asian cultures—feel pressure to keep pushing, even at the cost of their well-being.
• How Newton confronted the “achievement monster” and reframed his relationship with success.
• What practical steps you can take to avoid burnout while still pursuing excellence.

Connect with Georgianna!

Website : https://www.newtoncheng.com/

Instagram : http://instagram.com/newtoncheng/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/newtoncheng

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae

Tune in now and take the first step toward self-acceptance and deeper connections!

It's a common narrative in many cultures to believe that our worth is tied to our achievements, that our value is measured by external validations.

The reality? This belief system becomes so deeply ingrained that it shapes our self-perception, influencing our interactions, relationships, and even our career choices.

Cultural expectations, societal pressures, and personal experiences combine to create the lens through which we view ourselves and the world around us.

And the result of this? It often leads to self-doubt, a constant need for external validation, and a disconnection from our true selves.

In our latest episode, we are joined by Visa Shanmugam.  Visa Shanmugam is a dedicated Mindset and Empowerment Coach on a mission to inspire change. Drawing from her unique experiences, including her Indian upbringing and subsequent life in the UK and USA, Visa seeks to challenge and transform deeply held cultural beliefs, especially those pertaining to women's roles in society. She passionately believes in empowering women to rise above societal expectations, encouraging them to live their most authentic lives.  

We dive deep into the transformative power of breathwork and embodiment. We explore how these practices can help us reconnect with our bodies, heal past traumas, and navigate the complex web of cultural expectations and personal aspirations.

Don't just listen! Feel, heal, and reclaim your narrative. 🌟

Connect with Visa!

https://www.visalakshi.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachvisa/?hl=en 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifecoachvisa  

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Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes like this! 

Check out my website: https://www.bigasianenergy.co

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, we sit down with journalist and author Ada Tseng to talk about what it really takes to break into Hollywood. From rejection and resilience to representation and real-world advice, Ada shares hard-won insights from years of covering the entertainment industry and uplifting Asian American voices.

What Ada Shares:

• Breaking into Hollywood (especially for Asian Americans)

• Representation, identity, and mental health in entertainment

• The realities behind the glamour of Hollywood careers

About Ada Tseng
Ada Tseng is the co-author of Breaking Into New Hollywood: A Career Guide to a Changing Industry, a forthcoming book written with Jon Healey. She co-hosts the Asian American pop culture history podcast Saturday School with Brian Hu and is a former editor at the Los Angeles Times.

Connect with Ada
Instagram: @adatseng88
Podcast: Saturday School (Apple, Spotify)
Pre Order Ada's book: Breaking Into New Hollywood 

Navigating the challenges of leadership can be daunting, especially when cultural barriers come into play. But what if these barriers are more than just external hurdles? For many Asian women leaders, the Bamboo Ceiling is a real and pressing concern, often leading to self-doubt and diminished confidence.

In the dynamic realm of leadership, it's crucial to not only break through these ceilings but also to nurture one's self-belief and resilience.

In this episode of Big Asian Energy, we are honored to be joined by Sheena Yap Chan. Sheena is a The Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and award-winning podcaster on leadership and self-confidence. She is also the founder and host of the award-winning podcast called The Tao of Self-Confidence where she interviews Asian women about their inner journey to self-confidence. 

We explore the trends and struggles women face on their journey to building self-confidence, and how cultural upbringing can play a role. But fear not, Sheena provides actionable advice on practices that can help women overcome these obstacles. We also tackle workplace challenges faced by Asian women, from being overlooked for promotions to not being taken seriously due to their appearance or name.

Connect with Sheena! 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheenayapchan/?originalSubdomain=ca 

https://www.instagram.com/sheena.yap.chan/?hl=en 

https://thetaoofselfconfidence.com/ 

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Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes like this!

Check out my website: https://www.bigasianenergy.co

Let’s connect on socials!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficial

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae