Podcast
My Day Job
Hosted by Vivian Man · ENGLISH
The work and life podcast for Asian professionals navigating modern careers
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 19: From Corporate Life to Building Businesses
Mar 100:48:05Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the “stable” path starts to feel… unsustainable? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Ng, a CPA-turned-entrepreneur who went from corporate finance (including mergers & acquisitions) to building multiple six- and seven-figure businesses. She eventually co-founded Amplify, where she helps creator-entrepreneurs scale with sustainable systems and virtual events. Over snacks and plenty of real talk, Melissa shares what actually pushed her to explore entrepreneurship, why she doesn’t recommend quitting your 9–5 too early, and how her upbringing in a traditional Asian household shaped her relationship with risk, success, and self-belief. If you’ve been quietly wondering if there’s another way to build a career and a life that actually fits, this one’s for you! 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a friend who’s been thinking about starting “the thing.”
Transcribe →
Episode 18: Breaking Barriers - Disability Advocacy in the Modern Workplace
Jan 3000:50:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Yat Li, a 2025 Business in Vancouver 40 under 40 recipient, award-winning disability advocate and Associate Director at Open Door Group, for a conversation we don’t have nearly enough at work (or in life really). We talk about disability, not as a checkbox or HR policy, but as something deeply human and personal. Yat shares what it was like growing up as a disabled Chinese Canadian, navigating stigma, silence, and the quiet calculations that come with deciding when (and whether) to disclose his disability to friends and coworkers. We unpack the emotional weight of self-advocacy, the fear of being seen differently, and the relief that can come when workplaces choose understanding over assumption. This conversation moves between personal story and practical reality. Yat reflects on the moments that shaped his path into advocacy, the people who made space for him when it mattered most, and the small changes that can make work feel safer and more accessible for everyone. We also get into what real inclusion actually looks like beyond the buzzwords, and the tangible steps employers and teams can take to create environments where people don’t have to hide parts of themselves just to belong. This episode is not just about disability, it’s also about dignity, representation, and the quiet courage it takes to show up fully as you are.
Transcribe →
Episode 17: 2025 Wrap Up
Dec 3100:17:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I’m reflecting on the biggest lessons I learned from the guests who joined me on My Day Job this year. These weren’t lessons I set out to collect. They showed up through honest conversations, shared experiences, and moments that made me pause and rethink how I’m moving through my career and my life. Thank you for joining me this year, I hope to see you in 2026. Happy new year!
Transcribe →
Episode 16: Embracing authenticity and storytelling with Natasha Jung
Nov 2500:46:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Natasha Jung - Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of Cold Tea Collective. We talk about how she built a platform rooted in honest, community-driven storytelling and what it’s meant for her to create space for Asian diaspora voices in media. Natasha shares the early days of building the Collective, the life experiences that shaped her leadership, and why the power of storytelling and authenticity is so important. Together, we explore what it means to grow a career while staying connected to your own story, how definitions of success evolve over time, and why representation and community matter so deeply. It’s a warm, grounded conversation about creativity, identity, and discovering why everyone's story matters.
Transcribe →
Episode 15: Recovering from rejection
Oct 2700:15:20Tap to summarizeHave you ever faced rejection and wondered how to bounce back stronger? In this solo episode, I dive deep into the emotional journey of recovering from setbacks, exploring practical strategies and personal insights to help you turn rejection into growth. Whether you're dealing with a recent disappointment or want to build resilience for the future, this episode offers honest reflections, actionable advice, and a reminder that you're not alone. Tune in and discover how to transform rejection into a powerful catalyst for your next chapter.
Transcribe →
Episode 14: From Bento Box to Bibimbap - How to Stop Compartmentalizing and Show Up Whole
Sep 200:39:51Tap to summarizeEver feel like you’re living two lives, one at work and one everywhere else? In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach James Beng Lee to unpack his delicious metaphor: going from bento box (compartmentalized, fragmented) to bibimbap (integrated, whole). We dive into the costs of living divided lives, how unhealthy comparison creeps into our success metrics, and what it looks like to redefine success from the inside out. James also shares deeply personal turning points that led him to this work, and practical steps for anyone ready to show up as their authentic self in every space they occupy. About James Beng Lee: James is a coach and leadership advisor with over 25 years in corporate leadership. He helps high achievers move away from external validation and toward holistic human development. Learn more about James at https://liveholystic.com/
Transcribe →
Episode 13: The Career Move No One Talks About - Learning to Feel
Jul 2800:45:17Tap to summarizeWe’ve been taught to work hard, stay composed, and keep our heads down. But what if the key to a more fulfilling career is learning how to feel? In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with trauma-informed executive coach Amanda Lee of ATTICA Coaching to talk about why emotional awareness isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a survival tool, especially for high-achieving Asian professionals navigating layoffs, burnout, and constant pressure to perform. Amanda shares her personal story of overworking, losing herself in the grind (even while managing events for people like Michelle Obama), and what it took to finally come back to herself. We unpack how emotional suppression gets in the way of clarity, confidence, and alignment, and how learning to feel can help you reclaim all three. If you’ve ever felt numb, stuck, or secretly unfulfilled at work… this one’s for you! 🎙️ In this episode: - What emotional awareness really is (and why most of us avoid it) - How cultural values around achievement can disconnect us from ourselves - What happens when you stop performing and start listening inward - Somatic tools and practical ways to name, sit with, and move through emotion - Why feeling might just be the smartest (and most radical) move you make Learn more about Amanda at atticacoaching.com or follow @atticacoaching on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Transcribe →
Episode 12: Solo episode - All about identity
Apr 25, 202500:19:54Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode of My Day Job, I delve into the topic of identity and how we often let our job titles define who we are. I discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon, especially among the Asian diaspora and children of immigrants, and explore ways to separate self-worth from professional achievements. Learn about some of my personal experiences, red flags of over-identification with work, and actionable steps to explore one's true identity outside of their career. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that invites you to rediscover who you are beyond your job title, all while enjoying a tasty snack!
Transcribe →
Episode 11: Hankyul Oh - Co-founder + Creative Director, GENE
Mar 16, 202500:43:28Tap to summarizeFrom Shy Girl to Creative Powerhouse: The Inspiring Journey of Hankyul Oh Join me in this laughter-filled episode of My Day Job as I chat with the dynamic Hankyul Oh, Co-founder and Creative Director of GENE. Get ready for a ride through Hankyul's captivating story—from her humble beginnings as a shy Korean-Canadian immigrant who battled language barriers, to her transformative band camp experience, to eventually making waves in the creative industry. Discover how the pandemic nudged her back to Korea, where she Co-founded a creative agency working with big, global brands. Filled with personal anecdotes, cultural reflections, and career advice, this episode is a treat for anyone looking to break out of their shell and find success. Grab some snacks and tune in for an inspiring, human, and truly relatable conversation.
Transcribe →
Episode 10: Diana Chan - Food Influencer at Foodology.ca and Sr. Digital Designer at Vancity Credit Union
Feb 9, 202500:42:16Tap to summarizeOn this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Diana Chan, a designer by day and food content creator by passion. Diana shares how a bootleg copy of Photoshop led her to a design career at Vancity Credit Union, how her food blog turned into an influencer brand, and how she juggles it all while raising two kids. We chat about: 👩🏻💻 How she landed her design job (without a formal design degree!) 🍕 The moment her food blog turned her into an influencer 👶🏻 Balancing motherhood, career, and content creation Listen in as we snack, chat, and laugh our way through this episode!
Transcribe →