Navigating the Rise, Author at Navigating the Rise

31May 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E11] How to Be a Physician…or Not w/ Nancy Ly, Cardiologist, and Nick Huynh, pulmonologist

Culture

Nancy L. - CardiologistNick H. - Pulmonologist This week we explored what it is like to be a doctor. As we all know, most Asian parents want their kids to aspire to become a doctor. Little did they know, there are many kinds of doctors, with some don't pay that well. Heck, even being a software engineer these days will pay much more than a generic doctor. This week, we explored the nuances of the trials and tribulations of being a doctor. We found out how much of a thick skin you have to be to undergo the training. Instead of encouraging you, many people in practice point out what is wrong with your work as a way to make you a better doctor. That makes sense since doctors' actions…

16May 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E10] Why My Race Does Not Accept Me w/ Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Behavioral Scientist – Business School Professor

Business, Spiritual

This week we explored how to overcome multi-cultural communication barriers as well as multi-cultural identity crisis. We explored different contexts across communication styles situations where cultural norms can affect perceptions negatively or positively. One of the ways to address those is to have successful context switching when working with different cultural norms. Those who worked abroad or those who speak multiple languages have indirectly developed context switching that can be deployed effectively once further cultivated. That said, having a multi-cultural identity can be a blessing in disguise given the context switching needed at a young age.

30Apr 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E9] How to Be Proud of Your Culture w/ Yoshimi Nomura, Director at Draper Nexus (VC Firm)

Culture

This week I have the opportunity to interview Yoshimi Nomura. we pivoted the conversation a bit away from typical Western-born Asians to Asians who had to adapt to a new culture. The cultural conflicts still exist, and we explore the conflicting values. Additionally, we look at how do we still maintain our cultural stance. Yoshimi demonstrated a strong sense of proudness in her heritage. A lot of questions that bothered most immigrants or Asians born outside of Asia when it comes to attacking the Asian culture, Yoshimi can maintain a calm composure to stand her ground. Even when things are taken out of context, she assumes people are just misinformed. She believed it was her opportunity to educate them about the culture. This firmness is hard to find. And we…

15Apr 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [S8] How to Overcome Family Absences by Yourself w/ Steven Xu, Chief & Project Engineer at Aerojet Rocketdyne

Culture, Tech

This week I had the opportunity to interview Steven Xu, a rocket scientist, at Aerojet Rocketdyne. I have known him since high school and the grit he exhibited to get to where he is now. We explored how lack of family presence, whether physically or emotionally, has a significant impact on us. Steven went deep into how he helped himself through college application, career planning, as well as managing emotional turmoil with Asian parents. Steven mentioned how he explores his relationship with his parent's lack of involvement and how he copes with that, including going to the therapist to overcome those his historical experiences.

28Mar 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [S7] How Buddhism Gives You Top Secrets on Asian People w/ Yuichi Asakura, Chief Editor at Pure Land Buddhist Center of Southern California

Culture, Spiritual

This week, we explored how Buddhism impacted the Asian culture, specifically the culture in Japan as a guide. We examined how the fundamentals of Buddhism such as being happy and the law of cause and effect impacted the actions of those indigenous Japanese. Examples being during the tsunami and earthquake back in 2011, there was no mass-looting. The collective culture of placing the benefit of the group above one's well being compared to the West where they value politeness and harmony above many things. We also explore how some of the Buddhism influence was taken out of context such as misapplying the effort mindlessly without taking into account of inherent talent of individuals. Other topics were deeply delved into to see how Buddhism change the perspectives and outlook of various…

12Mar 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E6] America and Asia: Why You Get Frustrated w/ Calvin Shen, Director of Software Architect

Business, Culture, Tech

This week we explored with an Asia-West work veteran who had spent a significant amount of time in both regions and noticed the dichotomy of the differences. Specific examples include how the US value the terms in the contracts while those of Asian counterparts only use contracts as a reference and decide to make changes as they see fit. On the other hand, Asia has a tendency to follow the rules strictly, especially in hierarchical structures, yet the western counterpart tends to want to break the rules for innovation and hierarchy hardly exists.

25Feb 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E5] How to Overcome Suicidal Thoughts and Pressure w/ Michi Fu, Licensed Psychologist

Culture, Spiritual

This week, G. Wu interviewed Licensed Psychologist, Michi Fu about her experience in working with patients related to suicidal thoughts and how to overcome those negative thoughts. We explored what environments and conditions help to overcome and rise above those negative thoughts. We examined how having a secure network of friends and communication channels mitigate the negative influences. Additionally, we also explored how many myths were surrounding the topic of suicidal thoughts, and we should classify them in a way that can help dispel myths and provide positive outlooks. One significant unexpected finding that brought light was that Asian Americans don't have the highest suicidal rate. Either Asians do not have the pressure we imagined or perhaps we were conditioned to weather these emotional up and downs from our upbringings.…

11Feb 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E4] How to be an Attractive Asian Man w/ Jeremy Jong – Dating Coach for Asian Man

Culture, Relationship, Spiritual

This week, G. Wu interviews Asian-focused Dating Coach, Jeremy Jong, about our Asian culture and how it affects our dating life in life. Areas of focus include in cultures where direct and assertive culture dominates the indirect Asian culture. We explored how mental toughness and other psychological obstacles that prevent many remarkable Asian men from being desired by the opposite sex. Further discussions also show-cased why attractive women are usually not the best girlfriends. Also, why sometimes it is best to be single than to get into any relationships that can be toxic. We also explored how women tend to want to date up to and not date on their level. For example, I would imagine what my celebrity crushes would want in a man, and try to imagine the…

30Jan 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E3] How to Turn Your Asian Disadvantage into Strength w/ Mona Weng, Global Head – Waze for Broadcaster at Google

Culture, Tech

This week, G. Wu interviews Global Head, Waze for Broadcasters at Google, Mona Weng about her experience in overcoming triple negative as a young Asian female. We explored various avenues to deal with that problem and how to leverage these disadvantages into strength. Mona delved deep into her background on how she found her niche after exploring various careers from sales, operations, engineering, among others before she found what she enjoys and excels at in Business Development. Her example of navigating the Silicon Valley as a young Asian female exemplifies how she turned her disadvantages into assets. We also explored how we can take her case to reflect on our difficulties and how to go about rising above our circumstances. (Yes, talking about AAM as well :)) AAM -> Angry…

20Jan 2019 by Navigating the Rise

[S1] [E2] Pros vs. Cons: I Want to Be Better Than You w/ Li Lin, Founder & Coach at Successful Immigrant

Culture, Spiritual

This week, G. Wu interviews International Students Coach, Immigrant CEO Show Host, and Successful Immigrant Founder, Li Lin. We talked about how the merits and demerits of comparing yourself to others. We explored the depth of the Asian psyche in the comparison space and how that comparison against others are healthy, just have to be done in the right context. We explored the concept of "moral kidnapping" and how to find ways to negate that influence.

Author: Navigating the Rise