Samorn Selim

Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy

Business EN ↓ 100 episodes

I'm Samorn Selim. Welcome to the Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy Podcast. I'm a lawyer turned career coach on a mission for us to take our careers from dread to joy. Growing up as the daughter of poor Lao refugees, I was the underdog. Against all odds, I made it to a top 10 law school and landed a job in Big Law. As an outsider, I was told that I was lucky to even be there and that I had to pay my dues. After coaching over 1,000 clients, I now realize that the idea that you have to pay your dues and work in a toxic place is a myth. We can face our challenges head on, do work we are passionate...

Author

Samorn Selim

Category

Business

Podcast website

careerunicorns.com

Latest episode

Mar 28, 2026

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Episodes

Navigating Ethical Tech & Career Integrity With Jeanne Sheahan, Ex-Meta Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance and Executive Career Coach (Ep. 177) 09.04.2025

  Are you wrestling with ethical dilemmas in your job? Feeling misaligned with your company's values?  In this powerful episode, we speak with Jeanne Sheahan, the Founder of Jeanne Sheahan Executive Life Coaching and a former Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance at Meta. Jeanne shares her firsthand experience navigating complex ethical landscapes in big tech and provides actionable i...

Black Representation, Employment Discrimination, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Tiffany Obeng, Lawyer, Change-maker and Children's Book Author (Ep. 176) 02.04.2025

  Disclaimer:  Tiffany Obeng would like our listeners to know that the views expressed in this podcast are her own and my own views, and not that of any referenced organizations.  This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship, and you should consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to...

Know your employment law rights: navigating layoffs, firings, and job insecurity with Bill Jhaveri-Weeks, Employment Lawyer and Founder of The Jhaveri-Weeks Firm, P.C. (Ep. 175) 25.03.2025

  William ("Bill") Jhaveri-Weeks is the founder of The Jhaveri-Weeks Firm, P.C., a law firm in San Francisco that focuses on representing employees in employment disputes.  The firm handles both individual cases and class actions, including harassment and discrimination.  Bill is a member of the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco's Labor & Employment Section, was a partner...

Building Inclusive Democracy: Generational Trauma, Civil Rights & Legal Advocacy with Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers (Ep. 174) 18.03.2025

  Join us for a profound conversation with Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers, as he shares his compelling journey from navigating generational trauma and Asian American history to spearheading efforts for social justice and civil rights. Discover how ChangeLawyers is empowering the next generation of public interest lawyers, fostering community empowerment, an...

Embracing Afro-Latina identity and implementing effective DEI strategies with Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz, PhD, Founder of Mainstream Insight (Ep. 173) 11.03.2025

  In this powerful episode, Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz, a leading workplace culture strategist and expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), shares her insightful experiences as an Afro-Latina woman navigating complex professional landscapes. Dr. Pertuz delves into the nuances of her identity, discussing the impact of colorism, intersectionality, and the ongoing struggles for representation. We e...

Toxic workplace survival: Using DEI to combat gaslighting & betrayal with Jaya Mallik (Ep. 172) 04.03.2025

  Given the mass layoffs and firings by both the government and corporations, we speak with Jaya Mallik, the founder of Jaya Mallik Coaching & Consulting and.  She formerly led DEI efforts at Meta, Amazon, and Tandem Diabetes Care and provides actionable insights on using Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles to navigate and heal from toxic workplace environments. We explore the devast...

Litigating for educational equity and civil rights with Antonio Ingram, Senior Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (Ep. 171) 25.02.2025

  In honor of Black History Month, we speak with Antonio Lavalle Ingram II, Senior Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and descendant of enslaved African Americans. Antonio's work focuses on vital educational equity cases. He shares his inspiring journey from a working-class background to Yale, Berkeley Law, and prestigious clerkships, including for Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory. His Fulbright...

From adversity to advocacy: A biracial Black and White adoptee's journey to social justice leadership with Luke Liss Pro Bono Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (Ep. 170) 18.02.2025

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of Luke Liss and the host, and do not represent the views of any referenced organizations.   Join us for a powerful conversation with Luke Liss, Pro Bono Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, as he shares his inspiring journey from adversity to advocacy.  Episode 170 delves into Luke's personal experiences as a biracial (Black...

Breaking Barriers: A Black & Vietnamese Woman's Journey to Chief Legal Counsel with Michelle Trong Perrin-Steinberg, Chief Legal Counsel of Export Control | Sanctions, Americas at SAP America (Ep. 169) 11.02.2025

  Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Trong Perrin-Steinberg, Chief Legal Counsel of Export Control | Sanctions, Americas at SAP America. Michelle shares her remarkable journey as a Black and Vietnamese woman navigating the legal field, from her early experiences to her current leadership role. Before SAP, Michelle honed her expertise at Deloitte's Global Trade Advisory Practice Gr...

Universal Legal Representation: Fighting Poverty, Homelessness, & Injustice with Adrian Tirtanadi, Founder and Executive Director of Open Door Legal (Ep. 168) 04.02.2025

  Join us for a powerful conversation with Adrian Tirtanadi, Founder and Executive Director of Open Door Legal, as we explore the transformative impact of universal legal representation on poverty, homelessness, and immigration. Inspired by a deep commitment to systemic change, Adrian founded Open Door Legal, which has achieved remarkable results, securing over $50 million in direct assets for low...

Empowering Asian American voices through storytelling with Jerry Won, Founder & CEO of Just Like Media and Host of Dear Asian Americans Podcast (Ep. 167) 28.01.2025

  Jerry is the Founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an innovative storytelling company home to the award winning Dear Asian Americans Podcast, whose guests include Vice President Kamala Harris, the Asian Creator Awards, and more. He is also the Founder & CEO of World Class Speakers, a speaker coaching and training company that educates and empowers speakers to elevate their influence, impact, and inc...

Finding purpose and passion: how to create work you love with Tammy Dain, Co-founder of Rabble (Ep. 166) 21.01.2025

  The pandemic forced many of us to confront our life's purpose. In this episode, we're joined by Tammy Dain, Co-founder of Rabble, to explore how to continue doing the work you love, even amidst global challenges.   Tammy Dain has over 10+ years of experience in the talent acquisition and human resources space from the tech, legal and higher education industries.  Today she wears multiple hats, i...

Balancing career, music, and motherhood with Stephanie Wu, Cellist and Marketing Leader (Ep. 165) 14.01.2025

  Do you struggle to balance your passions with your career and life?  In this episode, we dive deep with Stephanie Wu where she shares her inspiring journey: From Youtube Symphony to Google: How her passion for music led to incredible opportunities, including performing at the Sydney Opera House and landing her dream job at Google. The Power of Choice: Why she made the bold decision to turn down...

From descendant of slaves to lawyer fighting for social justice with Antonio Ingram II, Senior Counsel at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (Ep. 164) 07.01.2025

  Antonio L. Ingram II is Senior Counsel at the NAACP LDF. He is a graduate of Yale College and UC Berkeley School of Law.  He served as a law clerk for the honorable Ivan L. Lemelle in the Eastern District of Louisiana and for Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Antonio also completed a Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship in Malawi where he did anti-corruption wor...

Happy Lao New year and connecting with our bodies to reduce anxiety and be calmer with Samorn Selim, Career Coach for BIPOC, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 163) 31.12.2024

  Happy New Year. During the holidays, we can become more stressed, anxious, and sometimes depressed.  Perhaps there's too much work and you're struggling to find balance.  Perhaps a loved one passed away and you are mourning their loss.  Perhaps you're already feeling stretched so thin and traveling to see family is putting you on edge.   So instead of the usual interview with guests, this episod...

How to make good decisions using logic and intuition with Michelle Florendo, Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast (Ep. 162) 24.12.2024

  As we come to the end of the year, it's a time where many of us are reflective on what happened in the past year and what we hope for in the new year. Studies show that 1 out of 4 people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them.  And most people quit before the end of January.  So to help you make better decisions and stay consistent with your goals, we chat with Mi...

Managing the job search when you have mental health issues, been laid off, and struggle with applying consistently with Samorn Selim, Career Coach for BIPOC, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 161) 17.12.2024

  Have you been struggling with your job search? And you want to stop feeling stuck and frustrated, and land your dream job in the next 3 months? In this episode, Samorn shares: Answers to the most commonly asked questions from working with over 1,000 clients. Why mental health is the most important thing to having a fulfilling life and career. What you can do to rebuild your life when it has been...

Advocating for yourself as a Black woman and getting promoted into executive leadership with Kimyatta Holder, VP, Senior Associate General Counsel, Head of Compliance, and Privacy Officer at Modern Health (Ep. 160) 10.12.2024

  Kimyatta Holder is VP, Senior Associate General Counsel, Head of Compliance, and Privacy Officer at Modern Health, where she is responsible for the regulatory, product, and privacy legal functions, as well as the design, implementation, oversight, and management of Modern Health's global compliance program. Prior to joining Modern Health, Kimyatta was the Head of Internal Investigations and Regu...

Landing your dream leadership role during a challenging job market with Lisa Heirtzler, Senior Director, GTM Strategy & Growth at NAVEX (Ep. 159) 03.12.2024

  Lisa is a growth strategy leader with deep expertise in empowering small businesses to succeed. With over 15 years of experience in the software industry, she has successfully navigated both enterprise and start-up environments, with a focus on crafting strategies that help small businesses thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Currently, Lisa is the Senior Director, GTM Strategy & Growth at NAV...

Finding peace in the midst of chaos with Samorn Selim, Career coach for Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 158) 26.11.2024

  The 2024 election results have left many of us feeling lost and devastated.  During these challenging times, it's easy to consume negative information and spiral into doom and gloom.  So for this week's podcast, we're doing a short meditation.  We hope that this mindfulness exercise will help you come back to yourself, recenter, and get grounded again.    Want to connect with us? Follow Samorn o...

From pro athlete to lawyer: overcoming depression, finding purpose, and becoming a managing partner with Adam Sloustcher (Ep. 157) 19.11.2024

  Adam Sloustcher is the regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips' Dallas office and is the Co-Chair of his firm's Sports Team. In addition to advising sports employers, Adam's practice also focuses on guiding in-house counsel, business owners, and management through all workplace issues and litigation. He has been named for numerous consecutive years in San Diego Super Lawyers, SD Metro Magaz...

Finding Your Voice, navigating cultural expectations, and going after your dreams with Elaine Lou Cartas, trauma-informed & award-winning woman of color business coach (Ep. 156) 12.11.2024

  In this episode, we dive deep with Elaine Lou Cartas, a trauma-informed and award-winning woman of color business coach.   Elaine Lou Cartas is a trauma-informed and award-winning woman of color business coach, a certified executive coach, and a speaker for women of color and allies. In the past 6 years, Elaine has worked with 7,000+ clients in 58 different countries.  Elaine is recognized as th...

Healing trauma, managing burnout, and building a thriving career in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with Jaya Mallik, DEIB Expert (Ep. 155) 05.11.2024

  It's Election Day.  There are so many feelings of uncertainty and chaos. We hope this conversation today with Jaya Mallik, founder of Jaya Mallik Coaching & Consulting, where she focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will leave you hopeful. Before Jaya started her own company, she worked as a teacher and led DEI efforts at Meta, Amazon, and Tandem Diabetes Care.  In this episode...

Building your dream career and getting promoted to the C-suite with Shana Simmons, Chief Legal Officer at Zendesk and formerly at Everlaw (Ep. 154) 29.10.2024

Do you want to get promoted into leadership.  But you're not sure what to how to get there? In this episode with Shana Simmons (Chief Legal Officer of Zendesk and formerly of Everlaw), we discuss: What it means to grow up poor with very little access to resources and how it impacts the way you navigate the world.   What the spirit of community and generosity means despite being poor, and how that...

Building a career in AI and ethical technology with Kathy Pham (Ep. 153) 22.10.2024

  In this week's episode, we chat with the Kathy Pham.  She just received the AnitaB.org Technical Leadership Abie Award for being a pioneer, visionary, and bridge builder in government, tech, venture capital, nonprofit, and academia.  Kathy is  the Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Workday, an inaugural board member of Blue Tulip Ventures focused on funding respons...

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