The 'O' Word

202 job applications. Two callbacks. A first reporting job paying $8.50 an hour. Before CNN, Natasha Chen had moments when she wondered whether she was cut out for journalism at all.

In this episode of The “O” Word, CNN correspondent Natasha Chen joins Stephanie Lin for an honest conversation about ambition, difficult workplaces, and building confidence when you’re used to being the high achiever.

We discuss her unexpected path into journalism, her parents’ concerns about a creative career, and the toughest year of her professional life. She also takes us behind the scenes at CNN—from reporting during the pandemic to the editorial decisions viewers never see.

Plus: why your cultural background can be an asset, how to handle criticism without losing yourself, and how becoming a mother changed her definition of success.

If you’ve ever questioned whether to keep chasing a dream, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to The “O” Word and follow @OWordPodcast on social media for more honest conversations about ambition, resilience, and defining success on your own terms.

What if success isn’t about winning... but about who you become along the way?
Former world-ranked tennis player, WTA title winner, and co-founder of Harper for Kids Peanut Louie Harper spent years competing at the highest levels of the sport, where success was measured by rankings, trophies, and victories. But after a career filled with both incredible achievements and painful losses, she discovered a different definition of success... one built on resilience, character, and simply giving your best every day.

In this conversation, Peanut shares the lessons tennis taught her about failure, perseverance, and the importance of not tying your self-worth to your achievements. 

You will learn:

• Why failure is not the opposite of success, but a necessary part of it
• How to separate your identity from rankings, accomplishments, and outside validation
• Why consistency and small daily improvements matter more than perfection
• How parents and mentors can encourage excellence without creating unhealthy pressure
• The importance of defining success on your own terms

Through her work with Harper for Kids, Peanut is now helping young people build confidence, character, and a healthier relationship with achievement. Her message applies far beyond sports... whether you’re chasing a dream, building a career, raising children, or simply trying to become the best version of yourself, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, failure, and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

Follow @OWordPodcast on social media for more conversations about ambition, identity, resilience, and building a meaningful life on your own terms. 

What does it take to build an extraordinary life when you start with very little?

Award-winning chef, author, and Top Chef alum Tu David Phu grew up in Oakland as the son of Vietnamese refugees. Raised in poverty, discouraged from pursuing culinary school, and forced to navigate setbacks, he eventually built an internationally recognized career by embracing obsession, authenticity, and relentless curiosity.

In this conversation, Tu shares why he believes success isn't about talent—it's about persistence, community, and having the courage to keep dreaming bigger after each milestone.

Whether you're building a business, chasing a creative career, or simply wondering if you're on the right path, this episode will challenge the way you think about ambition, risk, and what it truly means to succeed.

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In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with Dr. Jenny Wang, a licensed clinical psychologist and bestselling author, to explore why high achievers often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and burnout. We unpack how societal and familial expectations shape our pursuit of success, and how to reconnect with our authentic selves beyond achievement.

You will learn:

1. The roots of overachievement in family and cultural dynamics
2. Strategies for untangling self-worth from accomplishments
3. The importance of adopting a beginner’s mindset for growth
4. Practical ways to set boundaries and cultivate resilience
5. The role of internal motivation versus external validation
6. Navigating cultural tensions around self-promotion and advocacy
7. How to embrace failure as part of the regenerative process
8. Reworking value systems for more sustainable ambition

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What happens when the thing you love doesn’t feel practical?

In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with acclaimed storyteller Gene Luen Yang for a conversation about ambition, identity, creativity, and the long road to building meaningful work in the arts.

As the first graphic novelist to receive a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and the creator behind the bestselling graphic novel American Born Chinese, Gene shares the unglamorous truth behind creative success: years of self-publishing, balancing practical responsibilities, building community, and learning not to place your self-worth in outcomes outside your control.

If you’ve ever felt torn between stability and passion, struggled with perfectionism, wondered whether it’s too late to pursue something meaningful, or questioned whether success is worth sacrificing yourself for — this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to pursue creative work while still honoring practical realities
• What immigrant family expectations can teach us — and when to reinterpret them
• Why finding community matters
• How to move through perfectionism and actually finish projects
• Why sustainable achievement requires rest — not constant output
• How to stop tying your identity to accomplishment
• What creating American Born Chinese and seeing it adapted for screen taught him about success
• Gene’s perspective on AI, creativity, and why human expression still matters

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In this episode of The 'O' Word, we’re unpacking the hidden psychology behind overachievement, perfectionism, burnout, and the constant pressure to keep proving ourselves.

Host Stephanie Lin is joined by Dr. Jen Douglas — psychologist, executive coach, former Stanford Medicine clinician, and one of the leading voices studying perfectionism, anxiety, and high-performance culture. Dive into the science of overachievement: where perfectionism actually comes from, why so many ambitious people struggle to rest, how anxiety and identity become tied to productivity, and why external validation never feels like enough.

If you’ve ever felt like your worth was tied to your productivity…if slowing down makes you uncomfortable…or if you’re trying to build a successful life that still feels meaningful and sustainable — this conversation is for you.

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What happens when the life that looks successful on paper doesn’t actually feel like yours?

In this episode of The ‘O’ Word, Emmy-award winning journalist and host Stephanie Lin reflects on the courage it takes to choose the unknown—and why some of the most meaningful lives are built by people willing and brave enough to step away from expectations.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between security and purpose, this will challenge you to rethink what success really means.

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What does it take to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom?

In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with powerhouse attorney Anh Phoong, whose bold billboards and unmistakable brand have become some of the most recognizable legal advertising in California.

But behind the success is a story most people don’t know.

Anh opens up about a dark chapter from her past that once placed her on the wrong side of the justice system—and how that experience ultimately shaped her purpose, fueled her ambition, and inspired her to pursue a career in law. Today, she runs a thriving law firm and has built a brand that stands out in one of the most competitive industries in America.

In this candid conversation, Anh shares the mindset, risks, and self-belief that helped her transform her lowest moment into the foundation for extraordinary success. If you’ve ever struggled with failure, self-doubt, or the pressure to prove yourself, this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s possible.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Anh Phoong rebuilt her life after a dark period that nearly derailed her future
• The mindset shift that helped her go from self-doubt to self-belief
• Why taking risks is often necessary for extraordinary success
• How authenticity can become your greatest advantage when building a personal brand
• The power of betting on yourself—even when others don’t believe in you
• Practical advice for anyone trying to stand out in a competitive industry

Whether you're building a business, pursuing a dream, or navigating setbacks, Anh’s story is a reminder that your past does not define your future.

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In this episode, award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality, and entrepreneur Kathy Fang shares the story behind building her own legacy while honoring one of San Francisco’s most iconic culinary institutions.

Growing up inside House of Nanking, the legendary restaurant founded by her parents, Kathy was immersed in the intensity and creativity of restaurant life from an early age.

But stepping into the family business was far from a straightforward path.

After pursuing a corporate career, Kathy made the courageous decision to walk away from prestige and stability to follow her passion for food.

Today, Kathy is the chef and co-owner of Fang Restaurant, a respected voice in the food world, and a television personality known for appearances on shows such as Chopped and Chef Dynasty: House of Fang. Through cookbooks, media appearances, and creative ventures, she carved out her own identity in a competitive industry—while remaining a trusted partner to her father and continuing the legacy they built together.

In this conversation, Kathy reflects on the pressure of immigrant family expectations, what it took to step out of her father’s shadow, and why choosing passion over prestige ultimately led her to redefine success on her own terms.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Kathy navigated the pressure of growing up in a high-achieving immigrant family.

• Why she chose passion over prestige.

• The early lessons she learned growing up inside San Francisco’s iconic House of Nanking.

• What it took to step out of her father’s shadow while still honoring their partnership.

• How Kathy built her own personal brand and culinary voice in a highly competitive industry.

• The mindset required to transform tradition into innovation.

• The importance of balancing ambition, creativity, family, and personal well-being.

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In this episode, Kelly Yang, bestselling author and advocate for young voices, shares her profound insights on handling rejection, balancing ambition with joy, and the resilience needed to pursue your dreams. Yang's journey from early academic milestones to international literary success offers a masterclass in authenticity, perseverance, and redefining what achievement really means.

In this episode you will learn:

• Kelly’s personal story of early academic achievement and immigrant family challenges.
• The importance of maintaining joy and purpose amidst ambition.
• How to reframe rejection as a vital part of growth.
• The power of self-permission and internal validation.
• The influence of cultural expectations on ambition and failure.
• The role of resilience and failure in long-term success.

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