My Perfect Path

Sam Richards never planned to become a sociology professor whose lectures would be viewed hundreds of millions of times. Starting as a working-class kid from Toledo who skipped school to read in libraries, his path has been defined by curiosity rather than calculation. In this fascinating conversation, Richards reveals how a moment of clarity at age 20 led him to abandon his rock band, quit his jo...

What if your biggest failure became the foundation for your life's purpose? Dr. Angela Pham's journey from academic struggle to mental health occupational therapist reveals the transformative power of resilience and self-discovery. As a first-generation college student from a low-income single-parent household, Dr. Pham entered USC with high expectations but soon faced a devastating setb...

What happens when you trust your gut and step off the expected career path? For Pam Haering, that decision transformed her life and eventually led to her most meaningful work. Growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Pam was among the "lucky ones" whose parents prioritized education, setting her on a path to Dartmouth College. Initially pursuing pre-law studies based on others' expect...

My "Tetherball" Path How do you navigate career decisions when you can't predict the future? For Nathan Hillson, Department Head of Biodesign at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the answer lies in what he calls "career tetherball" – a journey tethered by your context but bouncing in different directions through experiences and mentorship. Nathan's journey began...

When Dr. Kenneth Kwon applied to Columbia Medical School, he never expected his college DJ experience would become the connection that helped him secure admission. This unexpected twist exemplifies his entire career—a journey of calculated risks and pivots within a traditionally conservative field. For over two decades, Dr. Kwon has been at the forefront of emergency pediatric medicine, serving as...

What happens when life takes unexpected turns? Deborah Kwon’s remarkable career journey proves that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the least linear ones.  Deborah takes us through her professional evolution from structural engineering studies at MIT to leadership roles at Deloitte, Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, and A&E Networks. Her candid reflections reveal how each transit...

Check out Kurt's podcast on how to find your unlocking skills to become an entrepreneur: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLby7E682NE-On_xZt7XqGlJpi8PiJAfCt My "Strength-Finding" Path Ever wondered how some people navigate from corporate careers to becoming successful entrepreneurs and investors? Kurt Wilkin's journey offers a masterclass in finding your path through uncer...

Check out our Video Podcast! https://youtu.be/hNUAJe7e86Y My "Adventurous" Path What do cleaning toilets, turning down investment banking, founding a stationery company, and becoming mayor have in common? For Velveth Schmitz, they're all stepping stones on her adventurous career path. Growing up as the child of a single mother who escaped domestic violence, Velveth developed problem...

🎙 Welcome to Season 2 of My Perfect Path! Hi, I’m Daniel Koo, your host.  In this special kickoff episode, I’m sharing the why behind the show—how my own journey through career decisions, from computer science to considering an MBA, sparked the idea to learn from others who’ve walked inspiring, unexpected, and purposeful paths. 💡 Season 2 is packed with amazing guests, including: ✅ CEO of HireBe...

My Focolare Path What if you could align your professional journey with your deepest values and make a genuine impact on society? Loretta Rauschuber's story offers insights into this possibility. With a background in software engineering, Loretta embarked on a transformative journey that led her from the bustling tech scene of Rome to a leadership role in the Economy of Communion. Her logical...

My Balanced Path What if your career path wasn’t just about personal success, but also about making a real impact in the world? Join us as Clara Ramirez, a senior digital producer for NBC and Telemundo, shares her inspiring journey from her roots in Colombia to the bustling media landscape of Los Angeles. Clara’s story is a testament to the power of cultural diversity and bilingual skills, highlig...

My White Mulberry Path Join us as we explore Rosa Easton's fascinating transition from a legal career to becoming an author. Rosa's rich family history, spanning from Korea to Los Angeles, ignited her passion for storytelling, culminating in her soon-to-be-published book, "White Mulberry." She shares her inspiring journey and the unexpected turns that led her to embrace her tru...

My Disciplined Path What if you could transform your life's path by embracing the unexpected? Join us for a captivating conversation with KC Kahn, whose journey from Hollywood to the fulfilling world of personal training and health advocacy is nothing short of inspiring. KC shares her remarkable transition from modeling and acting to pioneering the lifestyle concept "Chopped Life,"...

My Persistent Path Chris Kahn, a dynamic entrepreneur with an inspiring career journey, joins us to share his remarkable evolution from personal training to screenwriting and tech innovation. Discover how his fitness background and networking skills paved the way for the creation of Treever, a unique messaging app. Chris's journey embodies persistence and adaptability, showing how diverse pas...

My Digital Path. Maci built Mualcaina, a personal brand with an online store, social media following, and a YouTube channel. Unlock the secrets of turning your passion into a thriving business as we chat with Maci, the creative force behind Mualcaina. Maci's journey from a corporate job to creating kawaii-inspired merchandise is filled with ups and downs, but her story is a testament to the p...

My "Different" Path. Soleiman is the Director of Alumni & Int'l Relations at Chadwick International. What motivates someone to leave the familiarity of their homeland to pursue a career thousands of miles away? In this episode, we're joined by Soleiman, a Brazilian-born educator whose journey from Brazil to South Korea is nothing short of extraordinary. Soleiman story is on...

My Unexpected Path. Building JYKDoodles from the ground up. This episode is your chance to uncover Jiyoon's unique journey from artist to thriving small business owner. Discover how her passion for art and a serendipitous purchase of an iPad during the COVID-19 pandemic transformed into a thriving sticker business. Learn about the pivotal moments, including the importance of community support...

My Purposeful Path. Engineer to CFO Unlock the secrets to a successful career with Eden Warner, whose inspiring journey spans engineering, finance, and entrepreneurship. From his early days at Northrop Grumman to leading a cutting-edge mobile marketing startup, Eden shares invaluable insights on making purposeful career decisions. Learn how strategic choices and adaptability can shape your profess...

What if you could shape your own perfect career path? Join me, as I explore this compelling question in the inaugural episode of My Perfect Path. Having traversed my own journey from Seoul, South Korea to becoming a software engineer and podcaster in LA, I've had the privilege of engaging with incredible individuals who have navigated the unpredictable terrain of their careers. From switching...