I quit law school, then quit my PhD - and spent years wondering if that made me a quitter or just someone on the wrong path.

In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, my friend Jennifer Ho interviews me as I open up about the parts of my journey that never show up on a resume: The guilt of disappointing my Asian parents, wanting to look "successful," and learning to make decisions that I am proud of.

This is a conversation about high-functioning doubt, career pivots, and choosing work you can stand behind - even when it doesn't immediately make sense to others.

TIMETAMPS

(00:00) Trailer

(00:47) Opening

(01:47) The story my resume can't tell

(06:02) How I used to define success

(06:46) Why law school and a PhD didn't actually fit me

(11:38) How long I knew something had to change - before I quit

(15:21) The strengths I carried through every pivot

(20:31) How do you know when something isn't right - even if you're good at it?

(23:27) The skill gaps I'm actively working on now

(26:47) How I'm thinking about future-proofing my career

(30:53) My edge vs and the part of my work that still scares me

(32:21) What an irresponsible career risk looks like

(33:29) What will never need to be on my resume

(36:34) Closing

CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

WORK WITH CHERYL LAU

I produce distinctive and deeply resonant podcasts for leaders and organizations who want their content to command attention, spark meaningful conversations, and attract high-value opportunities.

I ensure your podcast isn't just another show in the feed - it's an asset that elevates your authority and moves your work forward.

Here are 3 ways we can work together:

✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production

✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting

✨ Hosting for Corporate Shows

Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery

CONTACT

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

What does it really take to build a body of work you can stand behind - especially when the numbers don't immediately reflect the care you're putting into it?

In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, Cheryl steps into the interviewee seat and unpacks the insecurities, turning points, and decisions that shaped different stages of her career as a podcaster.

This conversation is for entrepreneurs, professionals, and podcasters who've ever wondered: Am I legit enough? Should I be further along by now? What if my work doesn't look like everyone else's, but still matters?

TIMETAMPS

(00:00) Trailer

(00:49) Opening

(03:11) What "success" and credibility meant in the early days

(06:13) External validation vs internal motivation

(09:43) Advice and templates that didn't actually fit

(12:29) The moment Cheryl realized where her real value was

(16:09) What she's most proud of from the early iterations

(18:29) Letting people into the thought process behind the work

(23:49) Seeing Cheryl's thought process

(26:39) The fears and resistance behind going all-in on podcasting

(31:16) What Cheryl wants to deepen and sharpen in 2026

(34:38) What Cheryl is working on deepening in 2026

(36:51) A message to little Cheryl

(37:52) If every body of work has a draft - what's the current one?

(39:19) Closing

CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

WORK WITH CHERYL LAU

I produce distinctive and deeply resonant podcasts for leaders and organizations who want their content to command attention, spark meaningful conversations, and attract high-value opportunities.

I ensure your podcast isn't just another show in the feed - it's an asset that elevates your authority and moves your work forward.

Here are 3 ways we can work together:

✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production

✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting

✨ Hosting for Corporate Shows

Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery

CONTACT

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

My podcast won two awards this year - but not for the reasons you might think.

This episode unpacks the creative decisions, format choices, and editorial discipline that made EDIT HISTORY resonate with judges and listeners alike.

Whether you're building a podcast, a business, or any long-term creative project, this is a deep dive into what really matters.

TIMETAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(03:31) The Current State of Podcasts

(05:12) Show Concept

(09:29) Differentiation

(15:14) Consistency

(18:23) Success as a Podcaster

(20:30) What Awards Don't Measure

CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

WORK WITH CHERYL LAU

I help business leaders, creators, and organizations create a body of work they're proud of - One that's substantial, distinct, and built to last.

Think of me as your strategic podcast partner - someone who's as invested in your vision as you are. I care about making sure your content actually stands out, resonates, and opens the right doors.

Here are two ways we can work together:

✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production -A done-for-you podcast experience for business owners, consultants, and creators who want a distinctive, intelligent show that elevates their voice and attracts aligned opportunities. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch.

✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting - For organizations ready to build high-quality, strategically positioned podcasts. From concept development to scripting and host coaching, I direct capstone content projects with clarity and care. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch.

Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery

CONTACT

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Everyone commends you for being brave when you start over. But no one tells you that your reinvention might also look… ridiculous.

For our guest today, that looked like explaining to people - very seriously - that she quit her career as a lawyer… to start a podcast as a cat.

Because that's the thing about starting something new: More often than not, it doesn't look polished or profound. It looks like curiosity, experimentation - and sometimes, doing something absolutely absurd, but quintessentially you.

Today's guest, Iman Ibrahim, embodies that exact spirit. After nearly two decades in law, she left her career behind to rebuild from scratch - first as a coach, and then as the creator of I Am the Advocat, a podcast where a cat becomes the unlikely voice for real stories of burnout, bullying, and survival in the legal world.

This episode is about what it really takes to start again, and what becomes possible when we finally stop performing who we're "supposed" to be.

TIMETAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:40) Quitting law after 19 years

(02:21) I am the Advocat

(05:17) Judgment from colleagues

(06:46) Support for the cause

(09:08) Introducing the (c)lawyers

(12:54) Building an episode

(15:34) Iman's EDIT HISTORY

(17:29) Building an episode (cont.)

(18:43) The constraints of law

(23:43) Starting over and self doubts

(28:38) Iman's inner self critic

(34:19) One year later

(39:31) Actionable takeaways

CONNECT WITH IMAN IBRAHIM

Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/imanisoverit

Instagram (I am the Advocat): https://www.instagram.com/iamtheadvocat

Instagram (Over It Club): https://www.instagram.com/overit.club

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamtheadvocat

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iman-ibrahim/

CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

WORK WITH CHERYL LAU

I help business leaders, creators, and organizations create a body of work they're proud of - One that's substantial, distinct, and built to last.

Think of me as your strategic podcast partner - someone who's as invested in your vision as you are. I care about making sure your content actually stands out, resonates, and opens the right doors.

Here are two ways we can work together:

✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production -A done-for-you podcast experience for business owners, consultants, and creators who want a distinctive, intelligent show that elevates their voice and attracts aligned opportunities. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch.

✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting - For organizations ready to build high-quality, strategically positioned podcasts. From concept development to scripting and host coaching, I direct capstone content projects with clarity and care. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch.

Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery

CONTACT

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Before Aiken Chia became one of Singapore's most recognizable YouTubers and food content creators, he was a broke twenty-something who had spent years auditioning, collecting rejection after rejection, and was on the verge of quitting media altogether.

It was that mix of setbacks, resilience, and the unwavering support of his community that shaped the creator he is today. From his breakout years through producing a popular series called Food King, to now building his own independent channel, Aiken has created a body of work that blends food and travel storytelling with raw, personal conversations - including one of his most talked-about videos, where he sat down with his mother to unpack her 18-year affair.

In this episode, we revisit those early struggles, explore the turning points that gave him hope, and unpack the values that continue to guide his journey today.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:30) Character matters more than talent

(03:03) Being called fat

(05:56) Aiken's insecurities

(07:49) Being in survival mode

(09:23) People who see your potential

(11:57) The upwards trajectory

(13:29) Why do others support Aiken

(16:12) Being sincere

(17:31) Executing your creative vision

(20:00) How creators create impact

(25:43) How Aiken is monetizing

(26:57) Breaking out of the "food creator" box

(29:59) What Aiken is working on right now

(32:32) Going through a rough patch

(36:27) Aiken interviews his mom

(42:15) Guiding values as a creator

(45:19) Actionable takeaways

Connect with Aiken Chia

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AikenChiaMing

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aikenchia

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

When Ainul Md Razib first started posting about tech careers on TikTok, almost no one in Singapore was doing it. While most of the platform was filled with dance trends and food reviews, she chose to talk about coding and professional growth - becoming one of the first local career-focused creators.

Today, Ainul is a Cybersecurity Engineer at IBM, known online as AinLovesCode. She's been named to the Singapore 100 Women in Tech 2025 list, and her work continues to champion diversity and inclusion in the industry.

In this episode, we explore Ainul's journey - the pressures of visibility, the boundaries she's had to set, and the internal work that's kept her creating through viral highs and quiet seasons.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:21) Being taken seriously

(04:39) Creator pressures

(07:50) Complexities as a Muslim creator

(13:35) Setting parameters

(17:36) Doubting your own work

(20:35) Reviewing Ainul's past content

(24:33) Balancing a full time job with content creation

(29:37) Chasing external validation

(32:32) Misconceptions about you

(35:51) Why do you do what you do?

(39:52) Actionable takeaways

Connect with Ainul Md Razib

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ainlovescode

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UvDywqpB6Gzv428oNUbAI

Website: https://www.ainlovescode.com/

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Most of us introduce ourselves with a title: "I'm a coach," "I'm a banker," "I'm a podcaster."

The problem with this is that the moment you do that, you've put yourself in the same box as everyone else with that title.

Our guest today, Simon Alexander Ong - bestselling author of Energize, international keynote speaker, and award-winning coach - knows this firsthand. For years, he chased job titles he thought would define his success, until he realised that real success and true differentiation come from embracing your whole self. This includes your story, your skills, and your creativity.

In this episode, we explore how breaking free from labels and showing people what makes you unlike anyone else can transform you from just another professional… Into a brand.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:26) Being boxed in by titles

(03:35) Becoming a brand

(06:14) Simon's objections

(08:52) A partner who supports your goals

(15:44) The pressure of having it together

(18:05) A compelling vision

(19:49) Learning vs being an expert

(23:05) Creativity as a differentiator

(25:18) What Simon is working on

(26:41) Transferable skills

(27:40) Does your family get what you do?

(31:14) Should I quit my job?

(35:00) How to do it all

(40:25) 3 Tips for entrepreneurs & creators

(46:01) Actionable takeaways

Connect with Simon Alexander Ong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonalexandero

Website: https://simonalexanderong.com

Book: https://simonalexanderong.com/book

Newsletter: https://simonalexanderong.com/shots-of-energy

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonalexanderong

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

In this unscripted bonus episode, I answer delightfully weird and deeply personal questions from friends - Covering everything from past insecurities, podcast advice, to how my friendships have evolved.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(0:35) What crime would you commit if it were legal for 12 hours?

(0:59) If you were a cult leader, what's your cult's name and aesthetic?

(01:41) What's the weirdest compliment that would absolutely make your day?

(03:03) You're suddenly famous for something stupid. What did you do?

(03:44) If you woke up as a brand new person, where would you want to live?

(04:20) If you woke up as a brand new person, what job do you want to do

(05:08) If you woke up as a brand new person, what superpower will you have?

(05:22) What would you tell baby podcaster cheryl?

(07:12) If we caught you doomscrolling, what would you be watching?

(09:16) What used to be an insecurity that no longer is?

(10:26) What is an insecurity you still have?

(11:15) What is your pet peeve/most annoying trait about a person?

(11:44) Which emoji do you spiritually identify with?

(12:27) What are 3 telling "first impression" signs of a podcast that is likely to be successful?

(14:52) How has your friendships evolved overtime?

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it actually takes to create an authority-building podcast, through the lens of my work as a podcast producer for organizations and other established shows.

If you've been thinking about starting a podcast or turning your existing one into a real authority-building asset, this episode will give you a look at what it actually takes.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:09) Stage 1: Pre-Production

(08:58) Stage 2: Recording

(11:44) Stage 3: Editorial Post-Production

(15:19) Stage 4: Technical Post-Production

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

A lot of us don't like how we sound. We cringe at our recorded voice. We worry our accent makes us seem less polished, less credible, less worthy of being listened to.

Our guest today, Caitanya Tan - or Cait - knows that feeling intimately.

As an actress, host, voiceover artist, and content creator with over 200,000 followers on both TikTok AND Instagram, her voice is the tool she's built her career on… Yet it's also the thing she's had to constantly adjust, explain, and defend.

In today's conversation, we explore what it means to represent your people, why Singaporeans often feel invisible in global media, and how embracing your voice (literally and metaphorically) can become your most powerful creative tool.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:21) Cait's voice

(02:57) Pressure to sound less Singaporean

(04:45) How Cait learned to speak

(06:35) Singlish isn't represented

(08:16) Cait's past content

(10:14) Feeling embarrassed by your accent or voice

(15:03) Authenticity and using your voice

(16:29) Cait's insecurities

(18:13) Not trying because you're scared

(21:43) Assumptions about Cait's success

(25:20) Cait's morning routine

(27:16) Doing everything with just a phone

(27:58) Singaporean podcasts

(33:31) Actionable Takeaways

Connect with Caitanya Tan

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caitofalltraits

Website: https://www.caitanyatan.com

Connect with Cheryl Lau

Website: https://cheryllau.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter

The edits that got cut from the podcast.

Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live.

ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording.

Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.