Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast My Day Job

It's the first episode of My Day Job, a podcast for Asians and allies who are curious about what people do for work and who they are outside of the 9-5. Join Vivian on her first time behind a mic as she shares the inspo behind this podcast, why she's doing this, and what to expect in future episodes. Hope you'll enjoy!

Hello! This episode is all about me and I'm excited (and terrified) to share my story with you all. This is a shorter episode but I hope it gives you a glimpse into who I am in and outside of my 9-5. Enjoy!

On this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Diana Chan, a designer by day and food content creator by passion. Diana shares how a bootleg copy of Photoshop led her to a design career at Vancity Credit Union, how her food blog turned into an influencer brand, and how she juggles it all while raising two kids. We chat about: 👩🏻‍💻 How she landed her design job (without a formal design degree!) 🍕 The moment her food blog turned her into an influencer 👶🏻 Balancing motherhood, career, and content creation Listen in as we snack, chat, and laugh our way through this episode!

From Shy Girl to Creative Powerhouse: The Inspiring Journey of Hankyul Oh Join me in this laughter-filled episode of My Day Job as I chat with the dynamic Hankyul Oh, Co-founder and Creative Director of GENE. Get ready for a ride through Hankyul's captivating story—from her humble beginnings as a shy Korean-Canadian immigrant who battled language barriers, to her transformative band camp experience, to eventually making waves in the creative industry. Discover how the pandemic nudged her back to Korea, where she Co-founded a creative agency working with big, global brands. Filled with personal anecdotes, cultural reflections, and career advice, this episode is a treat for anyone looking to break out of their shell and find success. Grab some snacks and tune in for an inspiring, human, and truly relatable conversation.

In this solo episode of My Day Job, I delve into the topic of identity and how we often let our job titles define who we are. I discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon, especially among the Asian diaspora and children of immigrants, and explore ways to separate self-worth from professional achievements. Learn about some of my personal experiences, red flags of over-identification with work, and actionable steps to explore one's true identity outside of their career. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that invites you to rediscover who you are beyond your job title, all while enjoying a tasty snack!

We’ve been taught to work hard, stay composed, and keep our heads down. But what if the key to a more fulfilling career is learning how to feel? In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with trauma-informed executive coach Amanda Lee of ATTICA Coaching to talk about why emotional awareness isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a survival tool, especially for high-achieving Asian professionals navigating layoffs, burnout, and constant pressure to perform. Amanda shares her personal story of overworking, losing herself in the grind (even while managing events for people like Michelle Obama), and what it took to finally come back to herself. We unpack how emotional suppression gets in the way of clarity, confidence, and alignment, and how learning to feel can help you reclaim all three. If you’ve ever felt numb, stuck, or secretly unfulfilled at work… this one’s for you! 🎙️ In this episode: - What emotional awareness really is (and why most of us avoid it) - How cultural values around achievement can disconnect us from ourselves - What happens when you stop performing and start listening inward - Somatic tools and practical ways to name, sit with, and move through emotion - Why feeling might just be the smartest (and most radical) move you make Learn more about Amanda at atticacoaching.com or follow @atticacoaching on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Ever feel like you’re living two lives, one at work and one everywhere else? In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach James Beng Lee to unpack his delicious metaphor: going from bento box (compartmentalized, fragmented) to bibimbap (integrated, whole). We dive into the costs of living divided lives, how unhealthy comparison creeps into our success metrics, and what it looks like to redefine success from the inside out. James also shares deeply personal turning points that led him to this work, and practical steps for anyone ready to show up as their authentic self in every space they occupy. About James Beng Lee: James is a coach and leadership advisor with over 25 years in corporate leadership. He helps high achievers move away from external validation and toward holistic human development. Learn more about James at https://liveholystic.com/

Have you ever faced rejection and wondered how to bounce back stronger? In this solo episode, I dive deep into the emotional journey of recovering from setbacks, exploring practical strategies and personal insights to help you turn rejection into growth. Whether you're dealing with a recent disappointment or want to build resilience for the future, this episode offers honest reflections, actionable advice, and a reminder that you're not alone. Tune in and discover how to transform rejection into a powerful catalyst for your next chapter.

In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Jung - Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of Cold Tea Collective. We talk about how she built a platform rooted in honest, community-driven storytelling and what it’s meant for her to create space for Asian diaspora voices in media. Natasha shares the early days of building the Collective, the life experiences that shaped her leadership, and why the power of storytelling and authenticity is so important. Together, we explore what it means to grow a career while staying connected to your own story, how definitions of success evolve over time, and why representation and community matter so deeply. It’s a warm, grounded conversation about creativity, identity, and discovering why everyone's story matters.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the biggest lessons I learned from the guests who joined me on My Day Job this year. These weren’t lessons I set out to collect. They showed up through honest conversations, shared experiences, and moments that made me pause and rethink how I’m moving through my career and my life. Thank you for joining me this year, I hope to see you in 2026. Happy new year!

In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Yat Li, a 2025 Business in Vancouver 40 under 40 recipient, award-winning disability advocate and Associate Director at Open Door Group, for a conversation we don’t have nearly enough at work (or in life really). We talk about disability, not as a checkbox or HR policy, but as something deeply human and personal. Yat shares what it was like growing up as a disabled Chinese Canadian, navigating stigma, silence, and the quiet calculations that come with deciding when (and whether) to disclose his disability to friends and coworkers. We unpack the emotional weight of self-advocacy, the fear of being seen differently, and the relief that can come when workplaces choose understanding over assumption. This conversation moves between personal story and practical reality. Yat reflects on the moments that shaped his path into advocacy, the people who made space for him when it mattered most, and the small changes that can make work feel safer and more accessible for everyone. We also get into what real inclusion actually looks like beyond the buzzwords, and the tangible steps employers and teams can take to create environments where people don’t have to hide parts of themselves just to belong. This episode is not just about disability, it’s also about dignity, representation, and the quiet courage it takes to show up fully as you are.

This is my FIRST EVER GUEST! We chat about Wilson's path to becoming an RMT and the importance of family. We also touch upon what massage means in different cultures and how that can pose as a challenge for his profession. Hope you'll enjoy this candid, unfiltered conversation between two good friends. Here are some useful links for you. Registered Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia: www.rmtbc.ca Regulatory Body for Complementary Health Professionals of BC (including RMTs): www.cmtbc.ca West Coast College of Massage Therapy (where Wilson went to school and currently teaches): https://collegeofmassage.com/ We Massage Clinic (Wilson's massage clinic in Surrey, BC): https://www.wemassageclinic.com/ Follow us on IG: https://instagram.com/mydayjobpodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Calvin Wong, the Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) at MEC, to uncover his unique journey into the world of finance. Calvin's path wasn't the typical one; he didn't study finance in university but somehow found his way to the numbers and analysis. From the tech space to Arc'teryx and now MEC, this became a little informational interview-esque conversation where I learned so much about the role of FP&A, how it's such a relationship building function, and also solidified that I am not smart enough to be in finance (lol!) We also chat about wholesome Sunday soccer, his love for his friends and family, and ways he decompresses during busy seasons. Join us for an inspiring and insightful conversation as we unravel Calvin's unique path to leadership in finance, offering valuable takeaways for anyone looking to forge their own Finance career path! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find Calvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvincywong/ Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mydayjobpodcast Check out our website: https://www.mydayjobpodcast.com

Often times the media glorifies jobs that can be quite demanding and volatile such as lawyers, traders, real estate agents, and well, working in media. How long does the novelty of a "cool" job last? What happens after? What about jobs that provide a stable 9-5 schedule that allows you to pursue passion projects? Why are those not talked about? In this episode, I chat with Lucas all about his journey from the ever demanding media space to finding stability in the world of insurance, and all the twists and turns in between. We learn about his creative venture, a podcast called "Have you made it yet?" and his YOLO year. This was such an enlightening conversation and his perspective is one that we don't often hear. Hope you enjoy this one! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Lucas and Josh's podcast called "Have you made it yet?" at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SC6FM1tPQ584FzfCeFpaY?si=04259ce126a24a1b Find us on IG at https://www.instagram.com/mydayjobpodcast

How often do you hear about someone who's gone to med school, is a lawyer and also has an MBA? This was my first time! Samson Chan is truly the golden boy. In this insightful conversation with him, we dove into how hard decisions and a deep reflection on what he truly wanted out of life led Samson to field of law. His unique approach to his craft and his involvement in his community gives us a glimpse into what and who lawyers are. Not all closers are like Harvey Specter and what you see on tv is not always true! I learned a lot from this episode and I hope you will too! Find us on IG at https://www.instagram.com/mydayjobpodcast

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Jiana for a deep dive into her fascinating world. From her days as a model and pageant contestant to her dynamic career in PR and Communications, Jiana’s story is anything but ordinary. We explore how growing up between the East and West has shaped her unique worldview and approach to life. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive in PR or how pageantry can be more than just glitz and glam, this conversation is packed with insights and surprises. You’ll leave with a new perspective on ambition, adaptability, and how your roots can shape your success. Don’t miss it! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Follow us on IG @mydayjobpodcast Learn more about My Day Job at www.mydayjobpodcast.com

Ever wonder what realtors actually do beyond earning those big commissions? How do they add real value to your home-buying or selling experience, and what should you be mindful of along the way? In this episode of My Day Job, I chat with Elliott Chun, who gives us an inside look at the reality of being a realtor and what it takes to support clients through some of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. But Elliott’s story goes deeper than real estate. We also explore his personal journey—how his childhood experiences shaped the way he approaches fatherhood with his two daughters and what keeps him grounded outside of work. If you’re curious about the real people behind the business cards, this episode is for you. Listen in and get to know Elliott beyond the job title. Follow us on Instagram: @mydayjobpodcast and learn more about My Day Job Podcast at mydayjobpodcast.com

From scrubbing hubcaps to training technicians at head office, Andrew's journey through the automobile industry is nothing short of a thrill ride. In this episode, we dive into his love for cars, discovering his Filipino roots, and the surprising twists that took him from wielding a wrench to rocking a suit. Curious about how it all came together? Buckle up and start your engines—you won’t want to miss this one!

With the holiday season in full swing, this episode with Adriana is sure to fill your heart with joy. From Indian Chinese food to teaching in Taiwan, Adriana's journey is anything but conventional. We chat about my experience volunteering at A Better Life Foundation where I learned firsthand about the community Adriana serves in her day job. We also dive into the twists and turns of her career and what brought her into the non-profit space. I encourage you to learn more about A Better Life Foundation and consider donating to this meaningful cause if you're able to this holiday season (and beyond!). Learn more about A Better Life Foundation: https://www.abetterlifefoundation.ca/ Donate here: https://www.abetterlifefoundation.ca/donate/