Big Asian Energy

John Wang
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Big Asian Energy Show is designed for Asian Americans, Canadians, or anyone wanting to learn more about psychology, mindset, and personal growth. Each week, host John Wang interviews and showcases Asian changemakers, pioneers, leaders, and entrepreneurs who share their journies of success and reveal the secrets and strategies they've learned along the way. In the show, John draws on scientific studies, psychology research, and 15 years of coaching and real-life stories to share practical knowledge on breaking through mental blocks, maximizing your potential, and finding your purpose. He has amassed a passionate following of over 300,000 followers on social media, empowering a new generation of purpose-driven Asian Americans seeking to become the best version of themselves and make a positive impact in the world. If you're ready to take your life to the next level, break through your internal ceilings, or just want to learn more about super-inspirational Asians, tune in to The Big Asian Energy Show. Follow John on instagram @johnwangofficial or check out our webpage at www.bigasianenergy.com

  1. 10H AGO

    How to Become Your Own Best Advocate for Career Advancement

    Stephen Lee is the president of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago.  He was a federal prosecutor for 11 years and was a partner at a law firm, and he now has a solo practice where he primarily defends people who are accused of health care fraud.  Before becoming a lawyer, he was a newspaper reporter, and he still writes in his spare time about topics including Asian American legal history.  In this episode, Stephen Lee shares his journey from a shy kid to a high-stakes trial lawyer, dismantling the "quiet professional" stereotype along the way. He provides a masterclass in self-advocacy, the importance of building a niche personal brand, and the technical communication skills needed to command a room or a courtroom. Key Takeaways:Be Your Own Best Advocate: As a lawyer, you're trained to fight for your clients, but often forget to fight for yourself. Stephen emphasizes that doing "great work" isn't enough to reach senior levels; you must be intentional and vocal about your career goals.The Power of a Niche Brand: In a crowded field, specialization is key. Stephen explains how narrowing his focus to healthcare fraud and data analytics helped him stand out more effectively than being a generalist.Strategic Networking: Forget the cocktail parties. Real connections are built through collaborative work, such as organizing panels or volunteering for bar associations.Mastering Presence and Communication: Stephen shares the "sprinkler vs. sniper" technique and the importance of pacing and gestures in public speaking, skills he learned through high-stakes trial experience.Confidence Through Survival: True confidence isn't born from success, but from surviving rejection and failure. About Stephen LeeStephen Lee is the president of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago.  He was a federal prosecutor for 11 years and was a partner at a law firm, and he now has a solo practice where he primarily defends people who are accused of health care fraud.  Before becoming a lawyer, he was a newspaper reporter, and he still writes in his spare time about topics including Asian American legal history.  Connect with Stephen:AABA Chicago: https://aabaogc.wildapricot.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenchahnlee/Website: https://www.stephenleelaw.com/Asian American legal history written by Stephen: https://ourapaheritage.substack.com/The Portrait Project: https://www.apaportraitproject.org/  Love this episode? Share it with someone who’s ready to level up their career. And don't forget to grab your copy of Big Asian Energy, now available on Amazon and major bookstores!

    54 min

  2. FEB 10

    2026 What’s in and What’s out with John & Dr. Stacey

    In this episode of Big Asian Energy, host John Wang sits down with our amazing resident psychologist Dr. Stacey Litam to jam on what’s in and what’s out for 2026. From how to rewire our brain for joy to oversharing, this new episode uncovers what’s actually working to make a change in your life.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstaceyalitam/ Website: https://www.staceylitam.com/ Amazon book link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM8JJTB7?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_F3M9H3XBTA8QD8A2H04M&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true

    35 min
  3. How to Heal from Adultification and Over-Functioning

    FEB 2

    How to Heal from Adultification and Over-Functioning

    In this episode, we dive into the "invisible weight" carried by many Asian adults, particularly those from immigrant families who grew up as the "competent ones" everyone turns to. We explore how early role responsibilities, such as translating at the doctor’s office or managing a parent’s emotional state, create a survival strategy that follows us into adulthood. Our conversation breaks down the concept of adultification, the difference between healthy high performance and anxious over-functioning, and how to move from reactive fixing to responsive choice. Notable Quotes: "Adultification happens when the parent-child hierarchy basically flips upside down... the child instead becomes a caregiver to the parent." "There’s a massive difference between healthy high performance and over-functioning... healthy high performance happens when you choose to excel because you’re genuinely excited. Over-functioning comes out of a sense of compulsion." "True maturity isn’t actually doing everything for everyone. It’s knowing what is actually yours to carry and allowing other people to do what they’re here to do." "Being a good child [often] means erasing your needs entirely or hiding them so that you’re not adding more inconvenience and burden to your parents' already heavy plates." Key Discussion Points: The Two Types of Adultification: Breaking down "Instrumental Adultification" (logistics and bills) versus the "sneakier" "Emotional Adultification" (becoming a parent’s therapist or marriage counselor). The Cultural Amplifier: How immigrant survival mode forces children to become cultural interpreters and emotional caretakers before they have a choice. Hyper-vigilance vs. Emotional Intelligence: Why being "good at reading the room" is often a nervous system adaptation learned to predict emotional outbursts in childhood. The 10-Second Pause: A practical tool to interrupt the autopilot "fixer" instinct and allow for self-regulation. Differentiation: Learning to build your own identity and value system while still remaining emotionally connected to your family.

    32 min
  4. How to Build Power and Influence on Our Own Terms with Hyphen Capital Founder Dave Lu

    JAN 27

    How to Build Power and Influence on Our Own Terms with Hyphen Capital Founder Dave Lu

    Guest: Dave Lu (Managing Partner of Hyphen Capital. Founder of Expo and Fanpop. Founder of Stand with Asian Americans. Producer of 38 at the Garden. Board of Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.) Host: John Wang In this episode, John sits down with Dave Lu, a serial entrepreneur, Emmy-winning producer, and the founder and managing partner of Hyphen Capital, one of the top VC funds focused on backing Asian American founders and cross-cultural entrepreneurs. From the viral "Enough" letter in the Wall Street Journal to the nuances of venture capital, Dave is a walking masterclass on how to stop being "invisible" and start being audacious. In our conversation Dave dives into the "hoop-jumping" mentality that traps many Asian American professionals and explains how to transition from feeling the need to seek validation to building real influence. Notable Quotes: "I started from a place where I felt Asians are invisible….But I realized that, we feel like we’re unseen, but oftentimes we don’t even see ourselves. So how can anyone else see us?” — Dave Lu “I did everything I thought I needed to do to make my parents proud, but also to find validation and self-worth through all the hoops I was jumping through. And I think that chase for self-worth and validation from just doing things and achieving things, it just led to emptiness again and again.” — Dave Lu “All the rules to gain power are antithetical to how Asians are raised. We’re raised to follow every rule, don’t stick out, don’t break rules, don’t disagree, don’t argue. But one of the rules to gain power is to be self-promotional and build your brand, and we’re never taught to do that.” – Dave Lu "If you don’t take credit for your work, someone else will. Advocating for yourself is having agency." — Dave Lu Dave Lu Links: https://www.davelu.com/ https://www.davelu.com/podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7plRO8VeNdoAT5fplNoNP4 https://substack.com/@davelu https://twitter.com/davelu https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelu

    1h 2m
  5. How to Build a Personal Brand While Being Authentic as F*ck with Sun Yi

    JAN 8

    How to Build a Personal Brand While Being Authentic as F*ck with Sun Yi

    In this conversation, Sun Yi and John Wang explore the significance of authenticity in personal branding, particularly within the context of Asian American cultural expectations. They discuss the challenges of navigating identity, the importance of vulnerability in storytelling, and how honesty in business can build trust. The dialogue emphasizes the need for individuals to embrace their true selves and share their experiences to foster genuine connections with others. In this conversation, Sun Yi and John Wang explore the intricacies of personal branding and storytelling. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the hero's journey, and how to transform personal trauma into compelling narratives. Sun Yi emphasizes the need to identify one's weaknesses and how they can be reframed as strengths. The discussion also touches on the balance between authenticity and marketing strategy, highlighting the significance of genuine connection with the audience. Sun Yi shares insights on crafting a personal brand that resonates with others while maintaining integrity and depth.

    1h 36m
  6. What She Learned About Leadership (That Nobody Teaches) with Sheila Lirio Marcelo

    12/26/2025

    What She Learned About Leadership (That Nobody Teaches) with Sheila Lirio Marcelo

    In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with Sheila Lirio Marcelo, co-founder of the Asian American Foundation and CEO of Ohai.ai. Sheila shares her remarkable journey from arriving in the US from the Philippines as a child to becoming a serial entrepreneur who built Care.com into a platform serving 45 million families. She opens up about transforming from a "tiger mom" leadership style to leading from the heart, and reveals how inner work and meditation helped her move from chasing approval to finding authentic power through love and service. What Sheila Lirio Marcelo Shares: How Asian Americans can break free from stereotypical leadership patterns by shifting from performing for approval to leading authentically from the heart The power of inner work practices like meditation, journaling, and Internal Family Systems to heal childhood imprints and transform limiting beliefs into sources of strength Why embracing our full identities—rather than hiding parts of ourselves—represents a fundamental shift from assimilation to integration, celebrating how our diverse backgrounds make us whole About Sheila Lirio Marcelo Sheila Lirio Marcelo is a serial entrepreneur and community leader who has built multiple platforms serving millions of families. She founded Care.com in 2006, scaled it to serve 45 million users, took it public in 2014, and exited in 2020 when it was acquired by IAC for $500 million. She is co-founder of the Asian American Foundation (TAAF), launched in 2021 to address Asian hate and promote belonging, safety, and prosperity for Asian Americans. Currently, she serves as co-founder and CEO of Ohai.ai, an AI-powered personal assistant platform helping families manage their mental load. A Harvard Law and Business School graduate who became a mother during college, Sheila has been recognized in Fortune's top 10 women entrepreneurs and Forbes' 50 over 50 list. She is a grandmother, mother of two, and dedicated advocate for caregivers and Asian American communities.

    56 min
  7. Lessons on Courage from Creating the First Pan-Asian Church in America with Dr. Ken Fong

    12/02/2025

    Lessons on Courage from Creating the First Pan-Asian Church in America with Dr. Ken Fong

    In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with Dr. Ken Fong, the godfather of Asian American pastors and host of the top 1% Asian America Ken Fong podcast. Dr. Fong shares his journey from being told he was "30 years too soon" to creating the first Pan-Asian church in America, and reveals how Asian Americans can break free from gatekeeping systems to forge entirely new paths of leadership and community. What Dr. Ken Fong Shares: How breaking free from cultural gatekeeping and generational expectations enables Asian Americans to create new paradigms of leadership The power of building redemptive communities that transcend dominant culture assimilation and create space for authentic identity Why mastering your own instrument first is essential before showing up to collaborative spaces as an Asian American leader About Dr. Ken Fong Dr. Ken Fong is a third-generation Chinese American who created one of the first Pan-Asian churches in the US in 1978, long before "Asian American" became mainstream. A retired pastor with over 40 years of ministry experience, he now hosts the Asian America The Ken Fong Podcast, which has been downloaded nearly 800,000 times, ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally, and is archived by UCLA's Asian American Studies Center for its cultural significance. Dr. Fong has spent decades amplifying the voices of Asian American artists, activists, and community builders, and serves as a bridge between generations of Asian American leadership. Connect with Dr. Ken Fong Podcast: Asian America The Ken Fong Podcast (available on all podcast platforms) Website: asianamericapodcast.com/ Instagram: @asianamericapodcast Facebook: Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast

    56 min
  8. The Parenting Trap Asian Families Keep Repeating (And How Two Psychologists Are Helping Parents Break It) wiith Dr. Michelle Chung & Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge

    10/28/2025

    The Parenting Trap Asian Families Keep Repeating (And How Two Psychologists Are Helping Parents Break It) wiith Dr. Michelle Chung & Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge

    In this episode of Big Asian Energy, John Wang sits down with clinical psychologists Dr. Michelle Chung and Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge to explore their groundbreaking Modern Asian Parent (MAP) movement—a research-based approach that challenges traditional tiger parenting while honoring cultural heritage. The doctors share why effective parenting starts with parents doing their own inner work around generational trauma, how to redefine success beyond traditional career paths, and why validation is the missing ingredient in most Asian family dynamics.   What Dr. Michelle and Dr. Laura Share: Why healing generational trauma and perfectionism starts with parents doing their own inner work first Redefining success beyond doctor-lawyer-engineer to support unconventional career paths Building values-based parenting through connection, validation, and authentic strengths About Dr. Michelle Chung Dr. Michelle Chung is a clinical psychologist and head of Inpractice Psychology, specializing in anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. As a board member at Korean Community Services, she works directly with Asian families navigating the tension between cultural expectations and mental health. A recovering perfectionist herself and mother to a budding artist, Dr. Michelle is passionate about helping families break toxic cycles of pressure and achievement while building emotionally intelligent, values-aligned relationships.   About Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge is a Hawaii and New York-based child psychologist and former middle school teacher with specialized training from the Child Mind Institute and NYU Child Study Center. She works with children, teenagers, and families dealing with stress, anxiety, and the unique pressures facing Asian American youth. Dr. Laura focuses on giving parents practical tools to become cheerleaders for their children's emotional wellbeing while teaching stress management skills the whole family can practice together.   Connect with Dr. Michelle Chung and Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge Website: themodernasianparent.com (free worksheets and resources) Instagram: @themodernasianparent Substack: themodernasianparent.substack.com

    54 min
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Trailer

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About

The Big Asian Energy Show is designed for Asian Americans, Canadians, or anyone wanting to learn more about psychology, mindset, and personal growth. Each week, host John Wang interviews and showcases Asian changemakers, pioneers, leaders, and entrepreneurs who share their journies of success and reveal the secrets and strategies they've learned along the way. In the show, John draws on scientific studies, psychology research, and 15 years of coaching and real-life stories to share practical knowledge on breaking through mental blocks, maximizing your potential, and finding your purpose. He has amassed a passionate following of over 300,000 followers on social media, empowering a new generation of purpose-driven Asian Americans seeking to become the best version of themselves and make a positive impact in the world. If you're ready to take your life to the next level, break through your internal ceilings, or just want to learn more about super-inspirational Asians, tune in to The Big Asian Energy Show. Follow John on instagram @johnwangofficial or check out our webpage at www.bigasianenergy.com

Information

  • Creator
    John Wang
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 John Wang
  • Show Website
    Big Asian Energy

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