The Thriving Misfits

What if “home” isn’t where you were born but where you feel most like yourself?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona Yong sits down with Alena Ipanova, a culture expert whose life challenges the idea that identity must be tied to one country, one culture, or one definition of belonging.

Born in Russia, Alena never fully felt at home in her country of origin. Over time, she found deeper alignment in Sweden and has since lived and worked across Asia, including Malaysia and Vietnam.

Together, Fyiona and Alena explore what it means to feel like a misfit within your own culture, how belonging can become a conscious choice, and the complex reality of raising third culture kids across borders.

This is a conversation about identity beyond geography—and about building a sense of home that doesn’t depend on a single place.

Why do so many high-performing Asian professionals stay overlooked despite doing everything “right”?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona Yong sits down with Ivan Ng, a senior supply chain leader with 14 years of experience across APAC, having worked with global brands such as Sephora, Nike, Apple, British American Tobacco, and The Coca-Cola Company.

Together, they unpack the uncomfortable truth behind the bamboo ceiling, why many Asian leaders struggle with self-promotion, and why great work alone is often not enough to get noticed.

From navigating the tension between humility and visibility to owning your personal brand without feeling inauthentic, this conversation challenges the belief that hard work always speaks for itself.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, under-recognized, or stuck despite delivering results, this episode is for you.

What happens when you spend your life feeling like an outsider and discover that it's actually your greatest leadership strength?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Curtis Baker, a DEI leader and advocate based in Asia, to explore what it means to lead across cultures while embracing the identity of a misfit.

From moving to China with no long-term plan to building a life and career across Asia, Curtis shares how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to be uncomfortable opened doors he never expected.

Together, we discuss:
• What it means to be a cultural misfit
• Why diversity starts with embracing differences
• The power of curiosity and lifelong learning
• How language can become a bridge instead of a barrier
• Leading with humility in unfamiliar environments
• Building belonging while navigating different cultures

Whether you're working across cultures, living abroad, or simply trying to find your place in the world, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, identity, and connection.

What if the thing that makes you different is exactly what makes you successful?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Charissa Tan, fitness entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of one of Penang's fastest-growing fitness communities.

Carissa shares her unconventional journey from social entrepreneurship and corporate life to building a thriving fitness business rooted in connection, belonging, and personal transformation. Growing up in a culture that often rewarded conformity, she reflects on what it means to embrace your uniqueness, stand out from the crowd, and create a life aligned with who you truly are.

We explore:• Why being a "misfit" can become your greatest strength• The pressure to fit in and the courage to stand out• How community shapes confidence, growth, and resilience• Turning a pandemic passion into a successful business• What fitness can teach us about identity and belonging

If you've ever felt different, out of place, or unsure whether to follow the conventional path, this conversation is for you.

What if your greatest strength is the very thing that once made you feel like you didn't belong?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Belinda Esterhammer, CEO of The DO Asia, social innovator, educator, and community leader, to explore what it means to be a bridge between different worlds.

Growing up in Austria with Chinese roots and building a career across cultures, Belinda shares her experience of navigating life between identities, languages, expectations, and communities. Together, we unpack the invisible emotional labor of being the person who connects people, translates perspectives, and creates understanding across differences.

We discuss:
• The hidden costs of constantly adapting to others
• Why bridge-builders often carry unseen emotional labor
• How living between cultures shapes identity and leadership
• The opportunities and tensions that come with being "in-between"
• How to stay true to yourself while connecting with different worlds

If you've ever felt too much of one thing and not enough of another, this conversation is for you.

Because sometimes the people who don't fit neatly into a box are the ones uniquely positioned to bring others together.

What does it really mean to lead across cultures, identities, and expectations?

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, Vanessa Iloste shares her journey from France to Asia and the lessons she’s learned about connection, creativity, and the hidden work of bridging different worlds.

A powerful conversation on leadership, belonging, and thriving beyond labels.

What does it really mean to lead across cultures?

In this episode, Fuji Sartono shares how growing up as a diplomat’s child shaped his perspective on identity, adaptability, and leadership. Moving between countries and cultures, he learned early on what it feels like to belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time. That experience now informs how he leads diverse, global teams with empathy and nuance.

Fuji reflects on the challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities, and how those moments of discomfort built resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to connect across differences. Rather than seeing adversity as a setback, he reframes it as a foundation for growth both personally and professionally.

At its core, this episode is about rethinking leadership not as a fixed style, but as something shaped by lived experience, cultural awareness, and the willingness to embrace complexity.

A thoughtful listen for anyone leading across borders, cultures, or perspectives.

Most leadership advice is built on Western norms but what if Asia’s real leadership power has been overlooked all along?

In this bold Season 3 opener of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona Yong sits down with Desmond Chan - Head of Business Partnering for SEA at Arup - to challenge conventional leadership thinking and reframe what it means to lead in Asia today.

Together, they unpack why Asian leaders are often misunderstood, the invisible pressures they navigate, and how cultural strengths like harmony, context, and collective trust can become a competitive advantage.

From breaking the bamboo ceiling to embracing “yin-yang leadership", this episode sets the tone for a season that reimagines leadership through a distinctly Asian lens.

For the grand finale of Season 2, Fyiona sits down with Mary Oxley, Vice President at DHL, for a heartfelt conversation on what true sisterhood in leadership really means.

Mary shares powerful insights on the impact of women supporting women by lifting each other higher, creating space for vulnerability, and standing stronger together through every chapter of growth and challenge.

Filled with warmth, wisdom, and real talk, this episode celebrates shared strength and the kind of authentic connection that makes us all better leaders and better humans.

In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona Yong speaks with Mel Leow, Master Certified Coach and founder of Catalyst Coach, about what truly defines success in coaching.

They explore whether credentials still matter, how coaches can stay authentic in a changing world, and why courage and consciousness often matter more than certification. A candid, future-focused conversation for coaches and leaders ready to evolve with purpose.