My Day Job

In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Vanny Whitchelo — host of Khmer Voices podcast, and co-founder and director of the Cambodian Cultural Centre in British Columbia. Vanny arrived in Canada from a refugee camp at just three years old. Her journey since then has been anything but linear. From navigating identity as a Cambodian-Canadian teenager, to a winding career through communications...

Nhu is the founder of Nhu Design Studio, where she helps mental health coaches, somatic healers, and wellness practitioners build brands rooted in real story. But before any of that made sense, she was a sixteen-year-old exchange student landing in California with a new American name, a fearless attitude, and zero plan beyond wanting to see a bigger world. Her path from there was anything but line...

Kathryn Chao is a group benefits consultant with 16+ years in the industry and principal advisor at JM Group Benefits Consultants. In this episode, we're snacking on childhood crackers and getting into the stuff that doesn't make it onto a LinkedIn profile - growing up in Richmond with a strict mom, stumbling into insurance through a summer job, moving to LA during COVID as a self-described introv...

What does it actually mean to be free to be yourself? Alan Yuarata grew up in a rural village in the Philippines, lost his father when he was young, and won a national writing award at 17. In 2010, he moved to Canada and started over. Today, he helps run one of Canada’s busiest airports and he’s also a published children’s book author. In this episode, Alan shares how moving to Canada gave him the...

What happens when the “stable” path starts to feel… unsustainable? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Ng, a CPA-turned-entrepreneur who went from corporate finance (including mergers & acquisitions) to building multiple six- and seven-figure businesses. She eventually co-founded Amplify, where she helps creator-entrepreneurs scale with sustainable systems and virtual events. Over snacks and...

In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Yat Li, a 2025 Business in Vancouver 40 under 40 recipient, award-winning disability advocate and Associate Director at Open Door Group, for a conversation we don’t have nearly enough at work (or in life really). We talk about disability, not as a checkbox or HR policy, but as something deeply human and personal. Yat shares what it was like growing up...

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the biggest lessons I learned from the guests who joined me on My Day Job this year. These weren’t lessons I set out to collect. They showed up through honest conversations, shared experiences, and moments that made me pause and rethink how I’m moving through my career and my life. Thank you for joining me this year, I hope to see you in 2026. Happy new year!

In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Jung - Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of Cold Tea Collective. We talk about how she built a platform rooted in honest, community-driven storytelling and what it’s meant for her to create space for Asian diaspora voices in media. Natasha shares the early days of building the Collective, the life experiences that shaped her leadership, and why the power...

Have you ever faced rejection and wondered how to bounce back stronger? In this solo episode, I dive deep into the emotional journey of recovering from setbacks, exploring practical strategies and personal insights to help you turn rejection into growth. Whether you're dealing with a recent disappointment or want to build resilience for the future, this episode offers honest reflections, actionabl...

Ever feel like you’re living two lives, one at work and one everywhere else? In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach James Beng Lee to unpack his delicious metaphor: going from bento box (compartmentalized, fragmented) to bibimbap (integrated, whole). We dive into the costs of living divided lives, how unhealthy comparison creeps into our success metrics, and what it looks like to redefi...

We’ve been taught to work hard, stay composed, and keep our heads down. But what if the key to a more fulfilling career is learning how to feel? In this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with trauma-informed executive coach Amanda Lee of ATTICA Coaching to talk about why emotional awareness isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a survival tool, especially for high-achieving Asian professionals navigatin...

In this solo episode of My Day Job, I delve into the topic of identity and how we often let our job titles define who we are. I discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon, especially among the Asian diaspora and children of immigrants, and explore ways to separate self-worth from professional achievements. Learn about some of my personal experiences, red flags of over-identification with work, and...

From Shy Girl to Creative Powerhouse: The Inspiring Journey of Hankyul Oh Join me in this laughter-filled episode of My Day Job as I chat with the dynamic Hankyul Oh, Co-founder and Creative Director of GENE. Get ready for a ride through Hankyul's captivating story—from her humble beginnings as a shy Korean-Canadian immigrant who battled language barriers, to her transformative band camp experienc...

On this episode of My Day Job, I sit down with Diana Chan, a designer by day and food content creator by passion. Diana shares how a bootleg copy of Photoshop led her to a design career at Vancity Credit Union, how her food blog turned into an influencer brand, and how she juggles it all while raising two kids. We chat about: 👩🏻‍💻 How she landed her design job (without a formal design degree!)...

With the holiday season in full swing, this episode with Adriana is sure to fill your heart with joy. From Indian Chinese food to teaching in Taiwan, Adriana's journey is anything but conventional. We chat about my experience volunteering at A Better Life Foundation where I learned firsthand about the community Adriana serves in her day job. We also dive into the twists and turns of her career and...

From scrubbing hubcaps to training technicians at head office, Andrew's journey through the automobile industry is nothing short of a thrill ride. In this episode, we dive into his love for cars, discovering his Filipino roots, and the surprising twists that took him from wielding a wrench to rocking a suit. Curious about how it all came together? Buckle up and start your engines—you won’t want to...

Ever wonder what realtors actually do beyond earning those big commissions? How do they add real value to your home-buying or selling experience, and what should you be mindful of along the way? In this episode of My Day Job, I chat with Elliott Chun, who gives us an inside look at the reality of being a realtor and what it takes to support clients through some of the biggest financial decisions o...

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Jiana for a deep dive into her fascinating world. From her days as a model and pageant contestant to her dynamic career in PR and Communications, Jiana’s story is anything but ordinary. We explore how growing up between the East and West has shaped her unique worldview and approach to life. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive in PR or how...

How often do you hear about someone who's gone to med school, is a lawyer and also has an MBA? This was my first time! Samson Chan is truly the golden boy. In this insightful conversation with him, we dove into how hard decisions and a deep reflection on what he truly wanted out of life led Samson to field of law. His unique approach to his craft and his involvement in his community gives us a gli...

Often times the media glorifies jobs that can be quite demanding and volatile such as lawyers, traders, real estate agents, and well, working in media. How long does the novelty of a "cool" job last? What happens after? What about jobs that provide a stable 9-5 schedule that allows you to pursue passion projects? Why are those not talked about? In this episode, I chat with Lucas all about his jour...

In this episode, I sit down with Calvin Wong, the Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) at MEC, to uncover his unique journey into the world of finance. Calvin's path wasn't the typical one; he didn't study finance in university but somehow found his way to the numbers and analysis. From the tech space to Arc'teryx and now MEC, this became a little informational interview-esque co...

This is my FIRST EVER GUEST! We chat about Wilson's path to becoming an RMT and the importance of family. We also touch upon what massage means in different cultures and how that can pose as a challenge for his profession. Hope you'll enjoy this candid, unfiltered conversation between two good friends. Here are some useful links for you. Registered Massage Therapists Association of British Columbi...

Hello! This episode is all about me and I'm excited (and terrified) to share my story with you all. This is a shorter episode but I hope it gives you a glimpse into who I am in and outside of my 9-5. Enjoy!

It's the first episode of My Day Job, a podcast for Asians and allies who are curious about what people do for work and who they are outside of the 9-5. Join Vivian on her first time behind a mic as she shares the inspo behind this podcast, why she's doing this, and what to expect in future episodes. Hope you'll enjoy!