Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy

I Lost My Son to Suicide: What Every Parent Needs to Ask Their Child With Deep Lam (Ep. 202)

"I didn't care about my job. I didn't care about my career. I cared about my son." In this deeply personal and courageous episode, we sit down with Deep Lam to discuss the heartbreaking reality of losing her son to suicide. Deep shares the "unthinkable" experience of loss and reveals the subtle signs of isolation that can hide behind high achievement, good grades, and academic success. If you are a parent, leader, or friend, this conversation is a must-watch to understand how to bridge the gap between "I'm fine" and the truth. Key Chapters: * 00:00 - Deep's Story: How I Lost My Son * 04:15 - The Signs I Missed (And What To Look For) * 12:30 - The One Question Every Parent Must Ask * 18:45 - Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health in the Workplace * 25:00 - Advice for Leaders Supporting Grieving Employees * 32:00 - How to Build a "Help Chain" at Home and Work 🆘 Mental Health Resources (Help is Available 24/7) * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 | https://988lifeline.org/ [https://988lifeline.org/] * Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 | https://www.crisistextline.org/ [https://www.crisistextline.org/] * The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] Connect with us: * Learn more about our guest, Deep Lam, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deep-lam-737aa321/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deep-lam-737aa321/]. * Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/]. Recommended Books: * Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbms2b0NpZVBQNWhReTR4Yko4a3F6dElDRVpvQXxBQ3Jtc0tsb29COWVwMzR2OVRrbTU2YTFuTldNcDNpTTdNeXl1NURyeWQzY2FuNjNlVTdiZ0NwNWxxb1pZdWZ4amctbTkyUmhKcHJYQTB4VDFlcW1uOUZleDM3a2VMWUdmc3BwWlhXYm1qMHdWanBROGdkSndHYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F49xdxrz8&v=z7Yq9XJhNCEhttps://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8 [https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8]. * Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Self-Reflection Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Find Career Clarity, Purpose & Fulfillment: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnVheXJUX1p2RmVWT1RNU2ZOZ3NvLTU5aWp1d3xBQ3Jtc0tuM3FZbFg2c3Q3SGNISlAzRFBRN2RmeW90T2dnV2JDV0J6ZmhzNy1PRm9GaU1HQXR0UEsyNHZEajMyUDl3cmhGeGNvY2QwN0FYTVBqTW9weHNsdFhDX0NqRFFXZVpvRGd5VlZFbDlyZGJqTGVSWFhuTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fnnu8k5rd&v=z7Yq9XJhNCEhttps://tinyurl.com/nnu8k5rd [https://tinyurl.com/nnu8k5rd]. * Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer: https://tinyurl.com/4z6erw7v [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWJRUllZQWVQNFBEdXRjWEotLUdoZXVfenEtUXxBQ3Jtc0trNXB1alpSb0VicUNjLTFvUlN4b0FfZTZCSkk1OTBtZFd3MkVwLU1YMGtLUHNiMEtPREdSTHhzOU9WRGo4UzNjYjBlNVQyTWFYdHdPZ1RodkdRZ0NiLWFoRmsyVnhxUFJkY2pJMlM1WGQyLXUxc2hDRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F4z6erw7v&v=z7Yq9XJhNCE] Career Coaching, Trainings & Keynotes * Schedule a free consult by sending a message at https://www.careerunicorns.com/ [https://www.careerunicorns.com/].

The Truth About Psychological Safety & Ethical AI For BIPOC | Dr. Janice Gassam Asare & Career Unicorns (Ep. 201)

How do we maintain our authenticity in a workplace that often demands conformity? In this episode, organizational psychologist Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D., joins us to discuss the strategies for fostering psychological safety, and ethical AI in the workplace. From the weaponization of "professionalism" to the risks and opportunities of Ethical AI, Janice provides a roadmap for driving societal change while protecting your own well-being. We dive deep into: * The Conformity Trap: How "professionalism" is often used against underrepresented groups. * Covert Equity: Practical advice for building effective equity strategies even when facing organizational pushback * AI & Equity: A look at the risks AI poses to marginalized groups and how to advocate for responsible tech. * Collective Action: Why community and patience are the secret ingredients to long-term activism. Connect with us: * Learn more about our guest, Janice Gassam Asare, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicegassamphd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicegassamphd/] and instagram at janicejnice * Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/]. Books: * Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy: https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8 [https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8]. * Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Self-Reflection Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Find Career Clarity, Purpose & Fulfillment: https://tinyurl.com/nnu8k5rd [https://tinyurl.com/nnu8k5rd]. * Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer: https://tinyurl.com/4z6erw7v Career Coaching, Trainings & Keynotes * Schedule a free consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.

How To Lead As An Asian First-Gen Professional Without Burnout - Zeien Cheung, Asians Are Strong (Ep. 200)

Are you an Asian first-gen professional tired of doing invisible labor and overfunctioning just to be noticed? In this week's Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy podcast, we sit down with the Zeien Cheung, Co-founder of Asians Are Strong and the visionary for Asian Women Are Strong Summit to discuss how to shift from worker bee to leader, heal from perfectionism, and build psychological safety in our communities. We dive deep into: * How immigrant family dynamics shape your career * What we carry as first-gen professionals and navigating intergenerational expectations * Co-founding Asians Are Strong by turning pain into purpose * The silent impact of anti-Asian hate on career growth * The importance of building your own network & infrastructure for success * Why psychological safety is non-negotiable in community * How to create a culture of belonging at work * Redefining the "Asian American" identity * How to activate potential in others by activating potential * The #1 secret to scaling your organization * The link between belonging and high performance * How to stop overfunctioning & perfectionism * The top quality when hiring leaders * How to break out of analysis paralysis * Trauma, safety, and the perfectionism trap * Your worth is not your work: * Asian Women Are Strong: Join the Movement (March 7th) * When it's actually okay to say sorry (and when it's not) Connect with us: * Learn more about our guest, Zeien Cheung, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeien-cheung-3153924/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeien-cheung-3153924/] and https://asiansarestrong.org/ [https://asiansarestrong.org/]. * Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/]. * Get a copy of Samorn's book, Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy, at https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8 [https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8]. * Ready for a career change? Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com [http://www.careerunicorns.com].

The Power of Enough: Choosing More Mommy Over More Money, Investing In Yourself, and Being A Leader In AI Ethics With Irene Liu (Ep. 199)

What happens when a high-powered executive, responsible for scaling multi-billion dollar companies, is asked by her 10-year-old: "What does that money actually mean to us?" In this deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Irene Liu, founder of Hypergrowth GC and former Chief Financial and Legal Officer at Hopin. Irene shares her journey from the Department of Justice to the front lines of the AI revolution, where she now advises the California Senate on AI safety. We explore the "Politics of the C-Suite," the necessity of high EQ in leadership, and why Irene decided to step out of the "survival mode" of corporate life to define what "enough" looks like for her family. In this episode, we dive deep into: * Resilience born from crisis: how working in finance in Manhattan during 9/11 shaped Irene's mental fortitude. * Navigating layoffs with humanity: whether you are the one being let go, the one left with survivor's guilt, or the executive making the difficult calls. * The art of the pivot: effective strategies for transitioning from public service and government roles into the private sector. * The AI frontier: a sobering look at the "Empire of AI," the global race for innovation, and the urgent need for safeguards to protect children and vulnerable populations. * The path to the C-Suite: the two key qualities you need to transition from "just a lawyer" to a business leader. * "More Mommy" vs. "More Money": how to evaluate career choices through the lens of family values and the "seasons of life." * Owning your growth: Why you shouldn't let your employer drive your career, and the importance of self-investment and building a genuine community. Connect with us: * Learn more about our guest, Irene Liu, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneliu1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneliu1/]. * Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/]. * Get a copy of Samorn's book, Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy, at https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8 [https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8]. * Ready for a career change? Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com [https://www.careerunicorns.com]. Disclaimer: Irene would like our listeners to know that her views expressed in this podcast are her own and do not represent those of any referenced organizations.

Rewiring Your Brain for Joy: Heal People-Pleasing, Overcome Imposter Syndrome & Own Your Voice with Susan Britton (Ep. 198)

Are you ready to stop living for others and start living for you? In this powerful episode, Susan Britton, Founder & President of the Academies for Neuroscience Coaching, Inc., explores how our brains hold onto old behaviors like people-pleasing and self-doubt. Susan has 25 years of leadership in coaching and coaching education, and has supported 1,000s of coaches across six continents to earn their ICF credential. She shares the neuro-informed strategies you need to embrace all of yourself, shift from the "Red Zone" (fight/flight) to inner peace, and start listening to your true voice to build your dream life and career. We dive deep into: * How people-pleasing is a survival response, and the science behind changing it. * Leveraging neuroplasticity to rewrite old, self-limiting narratives that hold your career back. * Why embracing small, necessary pain (Hormesis!) is the key to massive growth and impact. * Giving voice to your "shadow energy" from a kind and compassionate place. * Recognizing the signs of burnout and strategies for a compassionate recovery. Connect with us: * Learn more about our guest, Susan Britton, at https://www.theacademies.com/about/ [https://www.theacademies.com/about/] or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachsusanbritton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachsusanbritton/]. * Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/]. * Get a copy of Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy at https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8 [https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8]. * Get a copy of Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Self-Reflection Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Find Career Clarity, Purpose & Fulfillment at https://tinyurl.com/yc3dfk73 [https://tinyurl.com/yc3dfk73]. * Ready for a career change? Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com [http://www.careerunicorns.com].