Aconic

TAAF, Gold House, Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter Founders
Aconic

The Aconic Podcast features candid conversations with successful Asian and AAPI icons who share their personal journeys of challenges and triumphs. Hosted by Soon Yu.

Episodes

  1. DEC 11

    CEO of Bain & Company, Manny Maceda

    Manny Maceda: From Exile to Acclaim. In this episode, Soon Yu speaks with Manny Maceda, former CEO/Worldwide Managing Partner of Bain & Company, about his remarkable journey from a privileged childhood in Manila to becoming a global leader in consulting. Manny shares how political turmoil reshaped his family’s life, leading to their exile in the U.S. and inspiring him to pursue higher education and a career in consulting. He reflects on the importance of resilience, gratitude, and aligning personal mission with professional goals. Manny discusses his role in shaping Bain’s culture, emphasizing the firm's core value of prioritizing people over profits. He also shares lessons from his experiences, including the impact of shadowing Jack Welch at GE and his personal growth through setbacks. Finally, Manny highlights the significance of Asian American and Pacific Islander identity as a source of strength. 3:14 - Manny’s Early Life in the Philippines 7:31 - Manny's family getting exiled 12:41 - Gratitude and Positivity as a Life Philosophy 16:58 - Facing Rejection and Moving Forward 24:24 - Manny’s Personal Mission Statement 28:23 - Evolving the Mission of Bain and Company 34:01 - Navigating Disappointment and Reassessing Purpose 45:01 - Celebrating AAPI Identity and Broadening Horizons

    51 min

  2. NOV 13

    CEO of KKR, Joe Bae

    In this episode of the Aconic Podcast, hosted by Soon Yu, we welcome Joe Bae, CEO of KKR. Joe shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, growing up in a predominantly white community, and developing a passion for music which later transitioned to finance. He speaks about his rapid career progression, starting at Goldman Sachs and joining KKR. Joe discusses his significant contributions to Asian markets, his approach to inclusive and localized business strategies, and breaking the 'bamboo ceiling'. He also elaborates on his role in founding the Asian American Foundation (TAAF) amidst the rise of anti-Asian hate during COVID, focusing on education, representation, and resource allocation for the AAPI community. This episode highlights Joe’s dedication, adaptability, and his ongoing impact on the AAPI community. (Please note, this episode was originally recorded in May 2024 and some numbers are out of date at the time of the episode premiere).     02:44 Joe Bae's Humble Beginnings and Family Background 03:52 Growing Up as a Minority in America 06:25 Joe Bae's Passion for Music 10:48 The Importance of Adaptability and Dedication 12:38 Joining KKR and Early Mentorship 16:11 Expanding KKR's Business in Asia 18:32 The Formation of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) 29:00 TAAF's Mission and Achievements 38:14 Future Goals and Personal Reflections

    48 min

  3. OCT 23

    CEO of Ancestry, Deb Liu

    On this episode of the Aconic Podcast with Soon Yu, we speak with Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry, a senior executive in Silicon Valley. Deb shares her story of overcoming the challenges she faced as an Asian-American woman, reflecting on her upbringing in South Carolina and the discrimination she encountered. She delves into her mission of being a creator, connector, and problem solver. Highlighting her professional milestones, including founding Women in Product, Deb discusses her evolution from 'version 1.0' to 'version 2.0'. She emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills, adaptability, and continuous learning in achieving long-term success. We also touch on the significance of mentorship, personal growth, and finding fulfillment in the present moment. 01:13 Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers 03:39 Personal Mission and Faith 06:05 Growing Up Asian 09:58 The Power of Adaptation and Growth 13:49 Learning Interpersonal Skills 17:28 Embracing Extroversion at Work 20:40 The Power of a Learning Mindset 23:42 Finding New Motivations 25:09 The Importance of Mentorship 28:00 Learning to Love Yourself 33:23 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities 37:22 Embracing the Present

    40 min

  4. OCT 9

    Founder at Forward Party, Andrew Yang

    In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, founder of the Forward Party, and former 2020 presidential candidate. They discuss Yang’s stereotypical upbringing as the son of Taiwanese immigrants, his struggles with identity, and the challenges he faced in his early career. Yang shares his journey from a scrawny, picked-on geek to a resilient, transformative leader, emphasizing his experiences in startups, teaching, and running for president. The conversation delves into the systemic issues in U.S. politics and Yang's advocacy for universal basic income and political reforms like ranked-choice voting. They also touch on the importance of personal growth, resilience, and contributing to society. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the significance of overcoming failure, building empathy, and the need for more diverse representations of success within the Asian American community. 00:59 Andrew Yang's Early Life and Challenges 05:39 Fighting Stereotypes and Physical Fights 09:43 Career Beginnings and Law Firm Experience 16:07 Entrepreneurial Journey and Early Failures 34:33 The Decision to Run for President 37:14 The Process vs. Outcome Mindset 40:22 Financial Struggles and Entrepreneurial Journey 48:01 Asian American Representation in Politics 52:20 Advice for Aspiring Leaders 56:04 Championing Universal Basic Income and Political Reform 01:01:29 Reflections on Failure and Success 01:08:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 9m

  5. SEP 25

    CEO of OpenTable, Debby Soo

    In this episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu engages in an inspiring conversation with Debby Soo, the CEO of OpenTable. Debby delves into her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Daly City to breaking stereotypes in the corporate world. She shares her candid experiences of overcoming cultural stigmas, trailblazing through various professional roles, and mastering the art of adapting to different environments. Debby also opens up for the first time about her personal challenges and how she emerged stronger. Her story is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the power of embracing one’s cultural heritage. Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with wisdom and life lessons.   0:06 - Introduction 3:07 - Debby shares her family growing up in a humble way 5:30 - Sharing more about her father and coming to the US 8:57 - Debby's parents imparted their values to her. 11:22 - How her childhood impacted how she parents now? 13:20 - The expectations and demands on Asian children. 15:43 - How experiences at school affected Debby? 24:51 - Becoming more comfortable in her own skin. 28:57 - Debby shares her journey in getting to the C suite role. 37:47 - Debby's rock bottom moment 42:09 - There is value in all of our experiences- whether good or bad.

    47 min

  6. TRAILER

    Aconic Podcast Trailer

    Aconic

    1 min

  7. SEP 9

    President of SF 49ers, Paraag Marathe

    Ready for an inside look at the world of professional football through the eyes of a groundbreaking leader? On the premiere episode of the Aconic™ Podcast, we sit down with Paraag Marathe, the trailblazing President of the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises, who is shaking up the NFL. From his humble beginnings working in his family’s pizza shop to navigating the high-stakes world of football operations, Paraag’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to hear about his battle against stereotypes, the personal struggles that shaped his success, and why he believes that true fulfillment goes beyond career accolades.

    48 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Aconic Podcast features candid conversations with successful Asian and AAPI icons who share their personal journeys of challenges and triumphs. Hosted by Soon Yu.

Information

  • Creator
    TAAF, Gold House, Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter Founders
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SCY Advantage Corp
  • Show Website
    Aconic

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