In this layered episode of "asian, like me..." Dr. Sohee Jun welcomes Jerry Won, the first Asian male guest on the podcast. As a keynote speaker, personal branding expert, and founder of Dear Asian Americans, Jerry shares his journey from corporate life to becoming a champion for Asian American storytelling.

Jerry reveals how losing his job in 2019 became the catalyst for creating content that amplifies Asian American voices, particularly during the challenging early pandemic period when anti-Asian sentiment was rising. The conversation explores how Jerry transformed personal crisis into opportunity by launching a podcast that eventually led to speaking engagements and a thriving business centered around authentic storytelling.

The episode delves into thought-provoking discussions about representation, the evolving landscape of DEI initiatives, and the unique experiences of Korean American men. Jerry emphasizes the importance of "showing up" in spaces where Asian Americans are traditionally underrepresented, from Little League coaching to PTA meetings, challenging listeners to redefine narratives through their visible presence.

With his upcoming book on storytelling and empowerment set for early 2026, Jerry offers powerful insights on personal branding that focus less on tactics and more on the mindset of service. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how owning your story can create pathways for others and why representation matters now more than ever.

Inspirational Quotes from this episode:

"I had been allowing myself to be conditioned and to be taught all things about business and life and leadership through the lens of a whole bunch of people that knew nothing about what it was to live my life." – Jerry Won

"I've always said don't keep it a secret. That doesn't help anyone. Pass it along because it's in service of helping and empowering others." – Dr. Sohee Jun

"Your story, your perspective, your life, your everything is a hell of a lot more relatable than you ever think." – Jerry Won

"My job is to have my own responsible owner's mindset and do better or do differently in a way that resonates with me." – Dr. Sohee Jun

"If I can plant the conviction in your heart that your story matters, and every time you share it, you're helping somebody, you're gonna care less about how you actually do it." – Jerry Won

"I've also done the work of undoing blame and saying they did the best that they could, which I truly believe, in my hard parts, they really did the best." – Dr. Sohee Jun

"The more alone you feel in thinking that you've had a unique experience... the size of your audience may not be the entire Earth, but let me tell you... there are people who only you can help." – Jerry Won

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