Aconic

Lisa Ling, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist: How Family Sacrifice and a Hunger for Truth Shaped One of America’s Most Fearless Reporters

02:15 – How Connie Chung Inspired Lisa's Career
09:30 – How Childhood Alienation Built Lisa's Deep Empathy
24:10 – Becoming a War Correspondent at 21 Years Old
37:00 – A Crushing Act of Racism Early in Lisa's Career
44:00 – Healing a Broken Relationship with Her Mother
1:04:00 – Leading the Effort to Free Her Sister from North Korea
1:12:00 – Lisa's Mission: Giving a Voice to the Invisible

From Cargo Ship Passenger to Secretary of Transportation: The Trailblazing Legacy of Secretary Elaine Chao

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu sits down with Secretary Elaine Chao to explore her remarkable journey—from arriving in America as a seasick 8-year-old on a 37-day cargo ship to becoming the first Asian American woman to serve in two U.S. presidential cabinets.

With grace and candor, Secretary Chao reflects on the incredible love story of her immigrant parents and the quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped her path. She opens up about how their unwavering support and values laid the foundation for her identity, leadership, and sense of purpose.

In a rare personal moment, she also shares her experiences navigating love and dating as a first-generation Asian American woman—and how a chance encounter led to her relationship with Senator Mitch McConnell.

In this inspiring episode, Soon sits down with Secretary Elaine Chao to explore her remarkable journey - from arriving in America as a seasick 8-year-old on a 37-day cargo ship to becoming the first Asian American woman to serve in two U.S. presidential cabinets. With grace and candor, Secretary Chao reflects on the incredible love story of her immigrant parents and the quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped her path. She opens up about how their unwavering support and values laid the foundation for her identity, leadership, and sense of purpose.

In a rare personal moment, she also shares her experiences navigating love and dating as a first-generation Asian American woman - and how a chance encounter led to her relationship with Senator Mitch McConnell.

Released in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, this episode is a moving tribute to family, perseverance, and the enduring power of the American dream. Packed with wisdom, humor, and hard-won lessons, Secretary Chao's story is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on leadership, legacy, and staying true to your roots.

1:00 Breaking Barriers & Firsts
2:49 The Power of Family & Heritage
5:00 Her Parents’ Love Story & Escape from China
8:17 Life on a Cargo Ship to America
19:40 Her Father Teaching Her English at Night
35:00 Championing the Asian American Museum
38:19 Overcoming Hardship & Public Criticism
44:00 Asian-American Superpower: Listening & Sensitivity
46:35 Meeting Mitch McConnell
52:00 Commemorating the Chinese Railroad Workers

Balancing Babies, Books, and Boardrooms: The Inspiring Journey of Sheila Lirio Marcelo

In this heartfelt episode of the Aconic Podcast, host Soon interviews Sheila Marcelo, the visionary entrepreneur behind Care.com and Ohai.ai. From navigating an unplanned pregnancy as a 20 year old sophomore in college to founding a company that became a lifeline for millions of families, Sheila’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Listen as Sheila reveals the trials and triumphs that shaped her career and life, how she balanced family demands with her undeniable ambition, and the emotional moments that reinforced her mission to make a societal impact. Discover the deeply personal story behind her drive to revolutionize the care industry and her latest venture in AI-driven personal assistance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of resilience, love, and technological innovation to create meaningful change. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a devoted parent, or simply someone looking for a story to ignite your own passions, Sheila Marcelo’s incredible journey will leave you moved and motivated.

02:15 - Sheila’s Early Life and Struggles with Young Motherhood
10:45 - Founding Care.com and Its Impact on Millions of Families
22:30 - Balancing Family Life with the Demands of Entrepreneurship
33:15 - The Emotional Turning Points in Sheila’s Mission
47:00 - The Launch and Vision Behind Ohai.ai
55:30 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Embracing Growth, Grit, and Grace with Guy Kawasaki. In this episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu sits down with Guy Kawasaki, the renowned evangelist for Apple and Canva, author of 16 books, and the host of the 'Remarkable People' podcast. Guy expounds on his philosophy around the three G's: growth, grit, and grace, and how they've shaped his career and life. He shares personal anecdotes, from his early days in Honolulu, his time at Stanford, and his pivotal role at Apple, to his remarkable journey in tech and beyond. With humor and honesty, Guy talks about the challenges of starting new ventures, the importance of having a growth mindset, and the joy of lifelong learning. He also delves into the significance of community, kindness, and using technology to enhance human connectivity.

01:07 Guy Kawasaki's Evangelism and Career Highlights
04:21 The Spirit of Aloha and Ohana
13:56 Educational Journey and Early Career
21:51 Transition to Apple and the Importance of Sales
26:45 Leaving Apple: The Real Story
33:57 The Return to Apple and Missed Opportunities
39:33 Remarkable People: Growth, Grit, and Grace
46:26 The Power of Grit and Overcoming Challenges
50:19 The Grace Mindset and Legacy

Intentional Leadership with Mayor Aftab Pureval. In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Aftab Pureval, the mayor of Cincinnati, who shares his inspiring journey from his immigrant family's experiences to his leadership in public office. Pureval discusses his career trajectory, starting from his early days in student government to his role as clerk of courts, where he tackled systemic challenges head-on. He opens up about the hardships and public scrutiny he faced, particularly after losing a congressional race and the lessons learned in balancing personal convictions and public service. Pureval also highlights the importance of intentional leadership, community service, and conflict resolution. He offers a powerful call to action for more AAPI individuals to engage in public service, emphasizing the transformative impact and fulfillment that comes with making a difference in the community.

04:16 Aftab's Family Background and Heritage
07:28 The American Dream and Public Service
13:10 Early Political Aspirations and Challenges
21:23 Embracing Identity and Overcoming Barriers
28:58 Building Bridges in a Hostile Environment
31:03 Leadership and Vulnerability
33:14 Conflict Resolution and Setting Standards
40:40 Facing Public Defeat and Bouncing Back
41:56 The Accidental Mayor
47:50 The Importance of Running for Office

In this episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu speaks with Charles Yu, award-winning novelist and executive producer of Hulu's 'Interior Chinatown'. They dive into Charles' journey from a career in law to becoming a celebrated writer, focusing on his struggles and breakthroughs. 

The discussion covers the moment when he almost gave up on writing 'Interior Chinatown' and how he overcame it. They also touch on navigating life as a 'B' player, the impact of living on the margins, and balancing traditional expectations with creative aspirations. 

Charles shares insights into the innovative narrative techniques in 'Interior Chinatown', his Hollywood experiences, and the influences of his immigrant background.

06:42 Balancing Traditional Expectations with Creative Aspirations
13:59 Transition to Law and Continued Passion for Writing
32:05 Facing Career Uncertainty
35:51 Creating Interior Chinatown
39:32 Addressing Asian American Experiences
49:41 Reflecting on Success and Future Plans

Yamini Rangan: From Small Town Dreams to Leading HubSpot. In this episode of Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu, along with co-host Tina Shah Paikeday, interviews Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot. The conversation covers Yamini's inspiring journey from a small town in India, to leading a prominent software company. Yamini shares personal anecdotes about overcoming gender biases in engineering school, adapting to a new life in the U.S., and transitioning from engineering to sales. She discusses the significance of authentic leadership, the importance of embracing feedback, and her vision for supporting more women into C-suite roles. The episode highlights her approach to customer-centricity, learning from challenges, and the empowering impact of dreaming big.

03:17 Yamini's Early Life
06:22 Dreams and Aspirations: Moving to the U.S.
13:21 First Steps in America
15:19 Transition to Berkeley and Career Beginnings
16:47 Challenges and Success in Sales
26:29 Embracing Authenticity in Personal and Professional Life
28:18 The Hero's Journey and Career Struggles
29:36 Rewriting the Playbook: From Individual Contributor to Leader
34:06 Unexpected Path to CEO: A Journey of Resilience
39:28 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding Purpose
42:44 Future Aspirations and Mentorship Goals

Ho Nam: Resilience and Reinvention. In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Ho Nam, Managing Director of Altos Ventures. The conversation delves into Ho's upbringing in Korea, his family's immigration journey to the U.S., and the socio-economic challenges they faced. Ho shares insights into the founding and evolution of Altos Ventures over three decades, highlighting the shift from a feeder fund model to a value-focused investment strategy inspired by Warren Buffett. He opens up about personal struggles, particularly during the firm's challenging second decade, and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, resilience, and individual relationships. The episode underscores the significance of personal growth, mentorship, and the transformative power of community support.

02:09 A Journey from Korea to the U.S.
12:46 Rodney King Riots: A Test of Community Bonds
21:58 The Early Struggles of Altos Ventures
30:48 Facing Potential Pullout and Fundraising Struggles
37:53 The Hedgehog Strategy: Investing in Founders
46:20 Personal Struggles and Seeking Help
59:21 Looking Forward: The Next Generation of Investors