Episode Summary

Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu sits down with ASPIRE (Asian SistersParticipating in Reaching Excellence) leaders Sophia Lai (Board Chair) and Michelle Chen (former Program Manager, Youth Leadership Program) to explore what it takes to nurture the next generation of AAPI girls and women.

They discuss the cultural and structural challenges AAPI girls face, why identity-rooted mentorship matters, and how ASPIRE’s programs turn mentees into mentors—creating a self-sustaining pipeline of leadership, sisterhood, and belonging. Listeners gain insight into how they get involved and support this vital initiative.

Guests

• Sophia Lai, Board Chair - Former director of the 2019 Asian American Women in Leadership Conference; longtime volunteer and builder of mentorship ecosystems

• Michelle Chen, (former) Youth Leadership Program Manager - Led cohorts, cultivated safe spaces, and watched mentees return as mentors and conference volunteers

About ASPIRE

ASPIRE empowers Asian American girls and women through identity development, mentorship, and education. Programs include the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), professional mentorship tracks, and community-based initiatives. Alumni frequently return as mentors, creating a tiered, intergenerational network that compounds impact.

Episode Guide00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey00:34 Welcoming ASPIRE Leaders + Leadership Pathways07:16 Challenges Faced by AAPI Women16:27 Importance of Mentorship20:06 ASPIRE's Unique Programs22:06 Diverse Experiences in ASPIRE22:22 A Success Story: From Student to Mentor25:09 The Impact of ASPIRE's Mentorship28:00 How to Get Involved with ASPIRE29:29 Qualities of an Ideal Mentor32:30 Future Plans for ASPIRE33:19 Personal Reflections on Mentorship36:51 Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with ASPIRE

Website: www.girlsaspire.org

Email: mentorship@girlsaspire.org

IG: @girlsaspire

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage ClassNotes, a weekly newsletter: https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning from Pixabayinvitation-no-copyright-music-388387

About the Episode:

What does a truly rich math classroom look like and sound like?

Dr. Theodore Sagoon—professor, researcher, and teachereducator at UCLA—joins us to dismantle the “natural math genius” myth and paint a picture of culturally responsive math instruction where students’ identities, languages, and thinking are at the center.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to spot a healthy, challenging math classroom: daily check-ins, multiple ways to participate, and tasks that value reasoning over rote speed.
• The real harm of timed tests and tracking - and how they shape fixed beliefs about "being smart".
• culturally responsive teaching in math: swapping textbook contexts for ones that reflect students' lives, languages, and communities.
• Productive struggle as a life skill: how to help kids grapple, reflect, and collaborate instead of rushing to the answer.
• Parent toolkits: questions to ask at home and at school to encourage discourse and understand what's happening in class.
• Teacher-Family Partnerships: building trust and dialogue without demonizing teachers who are already carrying a heavy load.

Episode Breakdown:

00:12 Guest Introduction: Dr. Theodore Sagun

04:18 Theodore's Upbringing and Early Math Experiences

08:05 Messages About Math Success and Intelligence

12:12 Culturally Responsive Math Instruction

14:15 Challenges with Standardized Testing andCurriculum

22:01 The Model Minority Myth

25:41 Defining a Culturally Responsive Math Classroom

29:35 Rethinking Math Instruction: Humanizing theClassroom

30:16 Engaging Students in Diverse Learning Experiences

32:03 The Role of Teachers in a Responsive MathClassroom

36:53 The Concept of Productive Struggle in Math

40:59 Encouraging Productive Struggle at Home

47:47 Building Relationships with Teachers for BetterMath Learning

56:12 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

About Dr. Sagun:

 Dr. Theodore Sagun is a professor, researcher, and teacher educator at UCLA where he has worked with countless pre-service teachers in the teacher education program.

He is the co-author of Equity Moves to Support MultilingualLearners in Mathematics and Science, Grades K-8. He is a former high school mathematics teacher and Associate Director of the UCLA Mathematics Project and has trained countless in-service and pre-service teachers to center student thinking in math and culturally relevant practices.

At the California state level, Theodore has twice been appointed to California's Mathematics Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee, helping to shape the direction of math education for millions of students across the state of California.

How to connect with Dr. Sagun:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore-sagun-55b97518/

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:

⁠⁠https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning from Pixabay

invitation-no-copyright-music-388387

About the Episode:

In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay converses with Samuel Shin, a licensed therapist, coach, and men's group facilitator. Samuel is known for his exceptional work in helping Asian men overcome cultural stigmas, heal, and step into their authentic selves. The discussion explores the unique pressures faced by Asian men in Western and Asian societies, common emotional and identity struggles, and Samuel's transformative PIE method (Process, Integration, Embodiment) for healing. The episode also delves into Samuel's personal journey, the cultural and systemic factors affecting Asian men, and practical steps for men to start exploring vulnerability and emotional expression. Lindsay and Samuel also discuss insights for partners looking to support the men in their lives better. This is a deeply inspiring and informative conversation for anyone looking to understand and support the mental health of Asian men.

Episode Breakdown

00:42 Meet Samuel Shin

02:50 Samuel's Journey to Men's Mental Health

05:33 Exploring Masculinity and Emotional Struggles

08:40 Holistic Healing and Alternative Therapies

12:00 Common Struggles of Asian Men

23:10 Systemic Issues and Societal Pressures

26:38 Samuel's Therapeutic and Coaching Methodology

28:21 Understanding the Root of Personal Struggles

29:42 The Process of Transformation: PIE Method

30:59 Challenges Men Face in Seeking Help

32:55 Creating Safe Spaces for Men

35:08 Building Trust and Vulnerability in Relationships

40:38 Breakthrough Moments and Transformations

44:28 Embodying Divine Masculinity

50:28 Practical Steps for Exploring Vulnerability

55:56 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

About Samuel:

Samuel Shin, is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Personal Development Coach, Certified Men's Work Facilitator and host of Samuel and Friends Heal the World, a podcast spreading the message of healing and transformation for the world. In his clinical work, he helps Asian men break free from cultural stigma, heal, and step into an authentic, empowered masculinity. He is also the founder of the Mindful Masculine, an 8 week program designed to help Asian men heal past trauma, build emotional resilience, and discover a more balanced, authentic masculinity using culturally responsive methods.

How to connect with Samuel

IG: @samuelshin.co

Website: www.samuelshin.co

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:

⁠⁠https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning from Pixabay

invitation-no-copyright-music-388387