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

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Music Credit:

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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

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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

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Episode Summary

What if menopause isn’t an ending—but a second beginning?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Tamsin Lee guides us through the foundational principles of East Asian Medicine, showing how concepts like yin and yang can transform the way we experience midlife, aging, and womanhood.

We talk about how Western medicine tries to ‘fix’ menopause, while East Asian Medicine sees it as a natural evolution—an opportunity for recalibration, reflection, and growth. From decolonizing our beliefs about aging to practical daily rituals that align with the seasons, this episode is both grounding and deeply liberating.

Tamsin also reminds us that rest and rejuvenation are not the same—and that true healing starts when we listen to our own body’s messages instead of chasing external prescriptions.

Whether you’re entering perimenopause, post-menopause, or simply navigating midlife transformation, this conversation will leave you with language, tools, and hope.

Episode Outline

02:00

Yin and yang explained as dynamic, interdependent forces

08:00

From paralysis to acupuncture to rediscovering her calling

16:00

How menopause is pathologized in the West and honored in the East

24:00

Seeing aging, race, class, and capitalism as interconnected

32:00

Menopause as renewal, transformation, and creative power

40:00

Feeling sadness as a sacred step toward compassion

48:00

Learning to read your body’s signals; advocating for yourself

55:00

Breathing meditation, sensory awakening, and daily awareness

1:03:00

Aligning life rhythms with autumn and winter energies

1:11:00

What actually restores you vs. what simply stops you

1:18:00

Facing fear and rediscovering power in community

1:25:00

Practicing kindness to self; remembering the blood holds memory

1:32:00

Self-trust, cultural connection, and choosing curiosity over fear

About Dr. Tamsin Lee

Dr. Tamsin Lee is a Daoist metaphysical expert with over a decade of experience as an East Asian medicine doctor, public health researcher, and teaching artist. As the founder of Elemental Archetypes, she helps people reclaim ancestral wisdom through East Asian metaphysics, Daoist healing, and embodied ritual. On a weekly basis, she delivers hope and wisdom to her over 16,000 social media followers on how to lean into perimenopause and menopause with grace, power, and kindness.

Connect with Dr. Tamsin Lee

IG and Tiktok: @drtamsinlee

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

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Disclaimer:

Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

About the Episode:

In this deeply personal episode, Lindsay sits down with her husband Mike to talk about something that’s often overlooked in ambitious careers: rest.

Mike shares his journey from UCLA to management consulting, to London Business School, and eventually to a leadership role in real estate private equity—before making the courageous decision to step away for a six-month sabbatical.

Together, they explore how cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and relentless work habits shaped his views on success—and why choosing to pause became one ofthe bravest decisions of his life.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

· Why high achievers struggle with the idea of rest—and why it’s not a lack of ambition.

· How the regret minimization framework (from Jeff Bezos) helped Mike decide to take a sabbatical.

· The cultural influences (Asian, Western, corporate) that make rest feel like weakness—and how to reframe it.

· What surprised Mike most about stepping away from work for the first time in decades.

· Why redefining success means balancing ambition with family, health, and joy.

Episode Breakdown

01:26 Introducing Mike's Sabbatical

02:32 Mike's Career Journey

06:11 Balancing Work and Family

08:26 The Decision to Take a Sabbatical

11:21 Cultural Expectations and Work Ethic

17:08 Reflections on the Sabbatical

39:47 Advice for Young Parents

43:15 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Connect with Mike Hu

IG: @mikehu_bruin

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

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Disclaimer:

Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Episode Summary:
What if the life your parents imagined for you isn’t the life you want for yourself?

In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay is joined by her husband Mike and their close friends Alice Teng (Executive Director of Asia Week New York, independent curator) and Jon Eng (banking professional turned actor - catch him on episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Seal Team, 911 to name a few). Together, Alice and Jon share their journey of leaving “safe” careers to pursue creativity, authenticity, and rest—while navigating cultural expectations and building a supportive marriage.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt torn between honoring their family’s sacrifices and pursuing their ownpath, and for couples who are considering what it looks like to live boldly, together.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction: Following Others' Dreams

00:38 Meet the Guests: Alice and Jon's Bold Choices

01:34 Alice's Journey: From Pre-Med to Art

03:38 Jon's Path: From Business to Acting

05:58 Family Reactions and Inner Courage

09:12 Navigating Judgment and Building Community

21:49 Reflections on Being an Only Child

23:37 Networking and Building Relationships

25:24 Taking a Sabbatical for Acting

28:03 Parental Expectations and Career Choices

35:58 Advice for Young Couples and Individuals

How to connect with Jon, Alice and Mike

IG Alice: @lalaland

IG Jon: @jonnyfornia

IG Mike: @mikehu_bruin

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok,Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weeklynewsletter:

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

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning fromPixabay

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Disclaimer:

Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Kyle Denman—Executive Director of Arts Bridging the Gap, award-winning fashion designer, and lifelong advocate for equity through creativity.

Kyle shares his journey from being adopted from South Korea into a Midwest family, to becoming youth mayor of Cincinnati, to leading a nonprofit that empowers thousands of young people in Los Angeles through the arts.

They talk about the challenges of being “othered,” the stereotypes Asian Americans often face, and how Kyle’s experiences in politics, education, and art have shaped his leadership style. Most importantly, Kyle reveals what it means to lead with love in a world that often rewards the opposite.

If you’ve ever felt confined by other people’s expectations or questioned whether your voice matters, Kyle’s story will inspire you to create your own possibilities—and to help others do the same.

Episode Outline

00:00 – Introduction: Breaking Out of the Box
Why Kyle represents possibility beyond traditional expectations.

02:11 – Adoption, Identity, and Growing Up Different
Kyle’s story of being adopted from Korea and navigating life in the Midwest without role models who looked like him.

07:28 – The Boxes People Put Us In
Stereotypes about Asian Americans and how Kyle learned he didn’t fit the “doctor, lawyer, engineer” mold.

11:56 – Finding His Voice Through Politics
From youth mayor of Cincinnati to national policy work—how Kyle defied assumptions of weakness.

18:34 – Politics Meets Fashion
Why political science and fashion design are more connected than you think.

25:47 – Creating Safe Spaces to Speak
Kyle’s early advocacy and how it shaped his belief in co-creating safe environments for young voices.

32:15 – Arts Bridging the Gap
Kyle’s work leading ABG to uplift thousands of young people in Los Angeles through visual, performing, and healing arts.

44:02 – Expanding the Creative Economy
Why ABG pays artists more than industry standards and how representation changes what young people believe is possible.

53:40 – Leadership with Love
Kyle’s philosophy of leading with love, protecting his team, and breaking traditional molds of leadership.

1:04:28 – Shrinking to Expand
Kyle’s reflections on times he felt he had to shrink—and how being “soft” can also be a form of strength.

1:12:00 – Overcoming Underestimation
What it’s like to be a young, gay, Asian leader in the nonprofit space—and how Kyle deals with being underestimated.

1:20:45 – Closing Reflections
How Kyle stays grounded in love, and what listeners can take away about finding their own voice.

How to connect with Kyle Denman:

www.kyledenman.com

@thekyledenman

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

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Disclaimer: Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.