Fascinating People

On this week's episode of Fascinating People, Derek and I decided to switch things up and interview each other. First up, Derek.

Where should I start with Derek Kamm? First off, I know Derek as a classmate at 'Iolani School in Hawaii. Derek was on the school's chess team and was an avid surfer outside of school. It wasn't until our 15th year high school reunion did Derek and I reconnect and develop a friendship that has grown wonderfully over the years. We've connected over long and deep discussions about family, fatherhood, faith, philosophy, relationships, real estate, and now our collaboration for this podcast Fascinating People.

So, a little bit about Derek Kamm. According to Newsweek's ranking of America's Best Realtors in 2020 for Hawaii, Derek and his team Kamm & Partners of Coldwell Banker ranked in the top 5 in total sales volume. I've participated in some of his coaching sessions and team meetings and it's no surprise that he's been successful with his real estate practice in Oahu. He leads with expertise, empathy, and authenticity. Derek has a bachelors of arts from the University of Hawaii and previously worked in sales for Marriott. Derek is many things to many people, whether it's a realtor, coach, business consultant, or a teacher. He's also a loving husband and father. I consider him to be a great friend, mentor, and partner.

In this episode, we talk story and go deep into Derek's mindset, values, and daily schedule. You'll learn what it takes to not only be successful at business, but also in life. You'll learn the importance of faith, family, and time for yourself. This is one podcast that you'll want to listen to until the end, and on repeat. I've learned so much from Derek over the years, and I hope you will too with this podcast.

Dr. Paige Yang, founder of Paige Yang Acupuncture and Yang Face, started her quest to become a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) during her junior year abroad in Hangzhou, China. She studied one-on-one with a TCM doctor and learned the fundamentals of Chinese medicine. After graduating from college, she then spent a second year in China, and it was only when she was frequently sick and seeking out TCM for her own care that she knew she wanted to be a doctor of Chinese medicine. With that clarity, Paige returned to the United States and received both her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. She now specializes in women’s health, including fertility, emotional health, and facial rejuvenation and has a thriving traditional Chinese medicine practice in Kailua, Hawai'i. 

In this podcast, we talk about Dr. Yang's journey to traditional Chinese medicine, how healing is achieved through TCM and acupuncture, the stigmas and biases around TCM, and simple daily tweaks and rituals that may just change your life. After listening to this talk, your perspective of healthcare and healing may never be the same—and that might be a good thing. 

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm

On this episode of Fascinating People, we speak with Clarice Casamina. She has a bachelors of arts in marketing from George Washington University and is currently a loan officer and director of sales and marketing at House of Finance in Hawaii. She's one of the top producers of residential loans in Hawaii and has propelled House of Finance to become Oahu’s #1 producer of USDA loans. The USDA loan program was designed to help provide opportunities for people who normally cannot receive a traditional mortgage. House of Finance is a thriving family business in Hawaii and Clarice is proud to carry on her father's legacy to be of service to their community. Oh and by the way, she's a mother of a beautiful daughter.

In our chat with Clarice, we opened some wine bottles and had an open and honest discussion of how she helps families become homeowners through her practice, how her family's humble beginnings have shaped who she is today, and the importance of giving back to her community. We also go deep into important topics like finances, family, values, and philanthropy.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm

Marc Pomerleau is a certified professional co-active coach, strategy consultant, speaker, facilitator, designer of live experiences, and writer and producer of short films. Marc's most recent project is his short film "Seeking Home." The film follows Marc's personal exploration of Asian identity, San Francisco Chinatown, the Asian American experience, and the desire that resides in all of us to discover who we are and what it means to be home. Marc previously worked as an executive in creative and experience design agencies. He has a masters in arts in Asian Studies and International Economics from John Hopkins University and studied abroad at Beijing University and National Taiwan University. 

With so many insights into the psyche and situation of Asians in America, Marc shared with us some deeply personal stories about how his awakening came to be and how he has made it his mission to empower others to become the best versions of themselves.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm

On this episode of Fascinating People, Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm speak with Jordi Lippe-McGraw. She's a travel writer, certified holistic health coach, wife, and mother. Jordi's career actually started out in the entertainment industry. For almost ten years, she worked as an entertainment reporter where she was spotted on red carpets, fancy parties, and with A-list celebrities. She was frequent guest on the Wendy Williams talk show and was even interviewed on CNN for the story she broke about Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump. But she got tired of writing and talking about other people's lives rather than living her own life. So she quit, started traveling, and started writing about it. Her work has been featured on Conde Nast Traveler, Travel Leisure, the New York Times and more. Since then, she's refocused her life on health, wellness, and happiness—and is helping others along their journeys back to their true selves.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm

Listen to Cliff Hsia's and Derek Kamm's Fascinating People podcast with Cindy Villanueva. She is the author of Don't Fight Mad, A Black Belt's Quest to Recapture Joy. Through deeply personal stories, Cindy shares how martial arts became a metaphor for recapturing her strength, identity, and joy. In her book, she offers a candid and authentic blueprint for those who long to rekindle the wonder of a well-lived existence. Cindy has been through it all. After rejecting Stanford for UCLA, she subsequently dropped out of university to give birth to her daughter at age 19. Whether it was through domestic abuse, adultery, embezzlement, two divorces, and many other personal setbacks, Cindy found a renewed joy for life through her faith, family, martial arts, education, and teaching. Join us as we hear Cindy's inspiring message of fighting for joy and living in grace.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm

Join Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm on this week's Fascinating People podcast with Anthony Provenzano. He is a Senior Vice President with Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks, which is the oldest commercial real estate firm in Hawaii. Anthony is one of the top producers for commercial real estate in Hawaii and has earned several accolades for his work including the #1 broker in 2019 at Cushman & Wakefield Hawaii. Anthony's path to success wasn't an easy one. After the passing of his father when he was 14 years old, he was in and out of foster homes and lived on the streets of East Oahu until he was 17 years old, not knowing where his next meal was going to come from or where he was going to sleep at night. He eventually earned his G.E.D. and graduated from the University of Hawaii with a business and finance major in 2008. Now, he's a husband, father, brother, big-wave rider, and world traveler.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm