What does it mean to figure out who you are when the world is always watching?

In this episode of Layered Lives, I’m joined by Kimmy Lac — a communications professional early in her career, navigating identity, ambition, and expectation in a world shaped by social media and constant visibility.

From growing up between cultures as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants to building a career in tech, Kimmy shares the quiet pressures that come with wanting to succeed, and the tension between external expectations and finding your own sense of self.

We cover identity, social media, early career realities, and the challenge of separating who you are from what you do.

This is a thoughtful conversation about pressure, comparison, and learning to define yourself on your own terms.

Key moments

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Kimmy Lac
02:00 Growing up between cultures
05:00 Family expectations and pressure
09:00 Early career realities and surprises
14:00 Work, identity, and self-worth
18:00 Social media, comparison, and visibility
23:00 Finding balance outside of work
27:00 Advice, reflection, and future self

Connect with Kimmy on LinkedIn

What happens when the life you planned no longer exists?

In the first episode of Layered Lives, I’m joined by Sarah Polan, a technology leader, mother of two, and an American living in Amsterdam. Her life has taken unexpected turns across countries, careers, and identities.

From starting as an opera singer to navigating life as an undocumented immigrant, Sarah shares what it really means to rebuild, not just your career, but your sense of self.

This is a conversation about being brave, not perfect, and the quiet strength it takes to keep starting again.

Key moments

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Sarah Polan
01:30 From opera singer to unexpected paths
03:30 Being undocumented — and facing deportation
07:30 Transition into tech
12:30 AI, coding, and the future of work
17:30 Women in tech and being taken seriously
21:30 Motherhood, identity, and living abroad
26:00 Financial independence and long-term thinking
29:30 Reflections and advice

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn