Vince Chan
speaker
6,989 appearances
347 recordings
1 series
first heard Nov 2024
last heard Jun 2025
Vince Chan’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
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Appearances
As we are about to conclude our conversation, what's one change you are proudest to have been part of? Through all the rows of fights and setbacks, what's the one that still makes it all feel worth it?
Exactly. Real leadership isn't just about holding the microphone. It's about building the stage, amplifying the right voices, and shaping the systems so more people can step into power. Whether it's one vote, one voice, or one podcast, those early actions compound into waves of real change.
Brian, thank you so much for your generosity in opening up and sharing your honest reflections and real world actions with me today.
You are truly a chief change officer.
And that's where I'll leave you. Brian's story is a reminder that strategy beats outrage. Silence isn't the end. And data can change more than just polls. It can change power. Thank you so much for joining us today. If you like what you heard, Don't forget, subscribe to our show, leave us top-rated reviews, check out our website, and follow me on social media.
I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Until next time, take care.
Hi, everyone. Welcome to our show, Chief Change Officer. I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Our show is a modernist community for change progressives in organizational and human transformation from around the world.
Today's guest is Brian Sims, former Pennsylvania State Representative, civil rights attorney, and LGBTQ plus advocate who sees both the inside of power and the ways it shuts people out. Brian and I met in Hong Kong about two, three years ago at one of the city's largest LGBTQ plus events, a powerful moment for visibility, inclusion, and connection.
In this two-part series, Brian shares what it was really like to make history to get silenced, meet speech, but to keep showing up anyway. He has traded the mic for a new kind of advocacy, one that is built on strategy, data, and a little less ego. Let's dive right in. Good morning to you, Brian. I haven't seen you in person for like, how long? Two, three years?
Well, a lot of things have happened in two years' time. Brian, how are you? How have you been?
You are a trade lawyer. You studied business, politics, and law. And at some point, you entered politics, serving as a House Representative. We'll dive deeper into each of those roles. But first, give us a quick overview of your journey, what you've done professionally.
Then we'll trace things back to your roots, your family, your upbringing, and circle back to the different roles you played throughout the year and the rights you've been fighting for.
We'll save those stories for later, especially the part about knocking them out of office. But let's go back to your roots. You mentioned growing up in a fairly disciplined environment. Both of your parents were military officers. I've always believed that who we are today, what we do and what we strive for tomorrow are all shaped by our past.
And I think your origin story plays a big role in who you are and what drives you. What was your childhood like?
Can we go deeper into your mother's story? We know she was a military officer and a practicing nurse. And I'd love to hear more about her from your perspective beyond the titles. Growing up, how did you see her as different from other typical American mothers around you?
Yeah, it's really funny that you mentioned the haircut. Ever since I was a kid, I've always had short hair. Thinking back to those times, it wasn't exactly the norm. So people check me out, stare at me when I enter the ladies' washroom, for example. So anyway, that's the experience for having short hair in the era when long hair for women, for female, was still the mainstream, or it still is.
yeah exactly there were and still are so many stereotypes the whole image of the ideal woman being someone with long blonde hair blue eyes and if not the housewife type then the polished corporate woman in a tailored suit with that cookie cutter as short And I was like, well, that's not me.
Totally agree. Now, you mentioned that you grew up moving across different parts of the U.S. And within one country, that you get exposed to a wide range of cultures and communities, right? I can see how that shaped your lens on diversity and why the seeds of DEI were planted so early in your life. Part of DEI is also the LGBTQ plus experience. I was wondering, when did you decide to come out?
And what was that conversation like when you did?
You were raised in a household founded in both love and independence. And if I'm hearing you right... Your mother played a big part in that. She stood up for herself, lived on her own terms, and didn't let the expectation of her era dictate who she was. And that example shaped you. When your turn came, in a time of change, you stood up for yourself too, openly, honestly.
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