The 'O' Word

202 job applications. Two callbacks. A first reporting job paying $8.50 an hour. Before CNN, Natasha Chen had moments when she wondered whether she was cut out for journalism at all. In this episode of The “O” Word, CNN correspondent Natasha Chen joins Stephanie Lin for an honest conversation about ambition, difficult workplaces, and building confidence when you’re used to being the high achiever....

What if success isn’t about winning... but about who you become along the way? Former world-ranked tennis player , WTA title winner , and co-founder of Harper for Kids Peanut Louie Harper spent years competing at the highest levels of the sport, where success was measured by rankings, trophies, and victories. But after a career filled with both incredible achievements and painful losses, she disco...

What does it take to build an extraordinary life when you start with very little? Award-winning chef, author, and Top Chef alum Tu David Phu grew up in Oakland as the son of Vietnamese refugees. Raised in poverty, discouraged from pursuing culinary school, and forced to navigate setbacks, he eventually built an internationally recognized career by embracing obsession, authenticity, and relentless...

In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with Dr. Jenny Wang, a licensed clinical psychologist and bestselling author, to explore why high achievers often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and burnout. We unpack how societal and familial expectations shape our pursuit of success, and how to reconnect with our authentic selves beyond achievement. You will learn: The roots of overachievement...

What happens when the thing you love doesn’t feel practical? In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with acclaimed storyteller Gene Luen Yang for a conversation about ambition, identity, creativity, and the long road to building meaningful work in the arts. As the first graphic novelist to receive a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and the creator behind the bestselling graphic novel American Born...

In this episode of The 'O' Word, we’re unpacking the hidden psychology behind overachievement, perfectionism, burnout, and the constant pressure to keep proving ourselves. Host Stephanie Lin is joined by Dr. Jen Douglas — psychologist, executive coach, former Stanford Medicine clinician, and one of the leading voices studying perfectionism, anxiety, and high-performance culture. Dive into the scie...

What happens when the life that looks successful on paper doesn’t actually feel like yours? In this episode of The ‘O’ Word , Emmy-award winning journalist and host Stephanie Lin reflects on the courage it takes to choose the unknown—and why some of the most meaningful lives are built by people willing and brave enough to step away from expectations. If you’ve ever felt the tension between securit...

What does it take to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom? In this episode, host Stephanie Lin sits down with powerhouse attorney Anh Phoong, whose bold billboards and unmistakable brand have become some of the most recognizable legal advertising in California. But behind the success is a story most people don’t know. Anh opens up about a dark chapter from her past that once placed her on t...

In this episode, award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality, and entrepreneur Kathy Fang shares the story behind building her own legacy while honoring one of San Francisco’s most iconic culinary institutions. Growing up inside House of Nanking , the legendary restaurant founded by her parents, Kathy was immersed in the intensity and creativity of restaurant life from an early age. B...

In this episode, Kelly Yang, bestselling author and advocate for young voices, shares her profound insights on handling rejection, balancing ambition with joy, and the resilience needed to pursue your dreams. Yang's journey from early academic milestones to international literary success offers a masterclass in authenticity, perseverance, and redefining what achievement really means. In this e...