In this episode of 2 PKs in a Pod, Annie and Sharon welcome their very first guest, David Kim, an attorney for LA County and a former runner for US Congress, who shares his honest journey through college, career changes, and the unexpected turns that shaped his life. Through David's story, they explore the pressure to choose the "right" path, the fear of making the wrong decision, and how our identities can become tied to our education and careers. Together, they reflect on the "what ifs" that so many people carry into adulthood, the weight of family and cultural expectations, and the realization that success rarely follows a straight line. Rather than offering simple answers, this conversation encourages listeners to see detours, setbacks, and changing directions not as failures, but as experiences that often lead to growth in ways they never expected. 00:00 – Welcome to Colleges & Careers 04:32 – Meet David Kim, our very first guest 10:18 – Why education feels so high-stakes in Korean immigrant families 17:45 – The pressure to choose the “right” school and career 25:10 – Law school, identity, and figuring it out as you go 33:58 – Leaving prestige behind for more meaningful work 42:36 – Serving vulnerable communities through law 43:35 – How David rallied the Korean Christian community in his political campaign despite being gay 52:20 – What success looks like after the “perfect path” 01:02:48 – Regrets, detours, and advice for younger listeners 01:13:12 – Final reflections Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com. Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University. Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim. If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod to connect with us. Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website and on Instagram!
