Send us a textWhat happens when you do everything “right”… and still feel lost?In this episode of What Kind of Asian Are You?, I sit down in person with Cheryl Lau, host of the Edit History Podcast, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, validation, and starting over again and again.Cheryl describes herself as a “confused Asian”: Born in North America, raised across Hong Kong and Canada, now living in Singapore, she grew up as the classic goody-two-shoes Asian. Straight A’s. Scholarships. Law school. Then a PhD track. All the boxes checked.But behind the prestige was a quieter question: Who am I without external recognition and validation?We talk about:Growing up as a high-achieving Asian and learning to equate worth with recognitionWhy quitting law school and later leaving a PhD program felt like an identity ruptureThe shame of “not finishing” and the invisible pressure to repay our parentsBeing Asian in different countries and why Singapore felt more like home than Hong KongHow podcasting became a way to find meaning, connection, and agencyThe difference between chasing validation vs choosing work that actually feels meaningfulWhat makes a good podcast and why playing it safe is killing great conversationsThis episode is for anyone who:Grew up as the “good Asian kid” and is now questioning the scriptHas pivoted careers (or wants to) but struggles with guilt and egoFeels caught between cultures, languages, and expectationsIs building something creative and trying to trust their own voiceA conversation about being Asian, being ambitious, being lost and learning to choose meaning anyway.Bio: Cheryl helps business leaders and organizations create a podcast they’re proud of - One that’s substantial, distinct, and built to last.Think of Cheryl as your strategic podcast partner - someone who’s as invested in your vision as you are. She cares about making sure your content actually stands out, resonates, and opens the right doors.Cheryl is also the host of the EDIT HISTORY podcast, which won 2x at the 2025 Asia Podcast Awards (by Radioinfo Asia) in the "Best Education Podcast" and “Best Money and Business Podcast” categories.Find Cheryl and follow her work:https://cheryllau.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheoryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllauhttps://www.instagram.com/cheryltheorySupport the showThank you for listening! Help this podcast:1. Follow us on Instagram @whatkindofasianpod 2. Share our episodes with friends and family3. Subscribe to us on your streaming platform4. Leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcast5. Buy Us a Coffee! (Supporting us financially really helps but it's definitely not required, do it if you can) All the links!https://linktr.ee/whatkindofasianareyoupod

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related