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Level: Asian is a weekly podcast where we have candid discussions about Asian-POC experiences with entrepreneurs, creatives, influencers & anyone breaking the bamboo ceiling.
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In this Episode 000, you’ll get to meet the team: Kan, Davie, Noel and Vivian. We delve into the origin story of how this podcast came about and what this new community all means to us. 

We’re excited to build a strong support network for Asian-Australians and inspire the next generation looking to carve their own path.

Make sure you subscribe and stay tuned because the first episode will be live across all major audio platforms on Monday May 30th, 2022.


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FIND US HERE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levelasianpod/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levelasian
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level-asian-podcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@levelasian
Twitter: https://twitter.com/levelasianpod

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ENQUIRIES
contact@levelasianpodcast.com.au

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Our guest in this episode is Phillip Liao, 2018 Australia Commonwealth Games Representative in Olympic Weightlifting. Phil graduated with a Masters in Physiotherapy with 8 years of physio experience under his belt. He now runs an online coaching and educational platform called the M3 Initiative that empowers and educates other individuals, coaches and members of the fitness industry. 

In this episode, Phil discusses his experiences leading up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and how leaving his long-term relationship helped fuel this pivotal decision. Phil talks candidly about his transition from a predominantly Asian high school into an Anglo-centric university and navigating the culture shock he felt. We also dive into the experiences of navigating his identity as a second-generation Asian-Australian along with Phil’s perspective on racial bias and unpacking the conversation of racism within Asian culture itself. 

You'll be joined by our hosts Vivian, Kan and Davie.

Links:

Phillip’s Instagram: instagram.com/phillip.liao 

Phillip’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-liao-9682491a9 

Phillip’s Book: linktr.ee/phillip.liao  

M3 Initiative: M3initiative.com

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In this episode, Claudia Li shares how she went from working as a personal trainer and yoga instructor to becoming a 6-figure business coaching company in less than a year (during a pandemic), all at the mind-blowingly tender age of 23.

Claudia has always been a pure-bred entrepreneur, known for selling pens and stationery in primary school to hustling hundreds of dollars of frozen yoghurt orders for her entire high school at 13.

She candidly opens up about her experiences growing her business so quickly during the pandemic, how much money she’s invested in coaching & courses for herself, and the return on these investments. Claudia also opens up about her relationship with money, her parents and where her drive to make money comes from.

We also get some advice from Claudia on how she deals with burnout culture and why it’s important to invest in yourself. 

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/claudialimarketing

https://www.instagram.com/claudia_l1/

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In this episode, William Wang shares his experience of being the ‘black sheep’ in the family, known as the party-goer in his younger days and failing university multiple times. 

Will is now the founder and CEO of Growth Labz, a 7-figure marketing agency, helping multiple B2B SaaS, Tech and FinTech companies grow exponentially. 

It wasn’t an easy journey for Will though. He opens up about the early stages of the business, going close to broke - struggling to pay the mortgage, bills and experiencing a lack of support from his networks.

Will also shares with us the valuable lessons he learned along the way, naming a few of the mentors that helped to propel his business forward and also gives us insight into why he chooses to homeschool his kids. 

Links:
https://growthlabz.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/growth-labz/
https://www.facebook.com/growthlabz/

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In this episode, we’re joined by Elisa Choy: economist, advisor, global speaker and founder of Australia's first AI-powered market research agency called Maven Data.

She’s been able to scarily and accurately predict the most recent federal election, the rise of Greta Thunberg, COVID vaccine hesitancy, the 2020 US election, and has even predicted the winners of the Voice for the last 3 years as well as Masterchef Australia 2020 just for fun.

Elisa opens up about her experiences dealing with an autoimmune disease, reconnecting with her mum after a family estrangement and also shares a few amusing clubbing stories from when she was younger. 

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In this episode, we’re joined by Tu Le, community worker, advocate, and organiser, currently working in the community legal sector assisting victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and coordinating capacity-building and community legal education programs.

Tu has previously served as the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Community in New South Wales. She also co-founded Y-Collab, a youth advocacy organisation, providing opportunities for young people in South-West Sydney to create a positive social impact in their local communities through grass-roots youth-led initiatives.

Through her work, Tu is committed to fighting for greater diversity and justice in Australian society, and more recently in politics. Tu shares her experience of running for the Labor Party, the importance of representation for younger generations and how she deals with criticism in the public eye. 


Links:

https://www.facebook.com/TuLe2166
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyentule/
https://twitter.com/TuLe_2166

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In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Justin Sung & Michael Tsai, Co-Founders of iCanStudy, a teaching platform helping anyone from students to professionals use effective evidence-based systems for studying, time management and productivity derived from research and designed from their experience. 

We discuss and unpack the flaws within the schooling system, pressures that students are now facing with the changing syllabuses/syllabi, different parenting styles Justin and Michael have dealt with and their advice to students struggling with studying. 

Dr Justin Sung is a medical doctor, certified teacher, author and YouTuber with over 100,000 subscribers, where he shares more of his techniques, thoughts and advice on all things to do with learning efficiently. His co-founder, Michael Tsai, is a seasoned speaker, education consultant, learning designer and professional coach who shares a mission with Justin to help change the way students and professionals invest in their learning pursuits via mainstream methods. 

Links:

https://icanstudy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/icanstudy/
https://www.facebook.com/icanstudyau
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmynbA3C3Tm0koVy_8pfLw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-sung/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tsai-a86170224/

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In Part 2 of this episode with Dr. Justin Sung & Michael Tsai, Co-Founders of iCanStudy, we examine whether or not our education system sets students up for failure, discuss how to find the motivation to study and unpack why students have become ‘mark obsessed’.

Dr Justin Sung is a medical doctor, certified teacher, author and YouTuber with over 100,000 subscribers, where he shares more of his techniques, thoughts and advice on all things to do with learning efficiently. His co-founder, Michael Tsai, is a seasoned speaker, education consultant, learning designer and professional coach who shares a mission with Justin to help change the way students and professionals invest in their learning pursuits via mainstream methods. 


Links:

https://icanstudy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/icanstudy/
https://www.facebook.com/icanstudyau
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmynbA3C3Tm0koVy_8pfLw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-sung/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tsai-a86170224/

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In this episode, we’re joined by influencer, blogger & YouTuber, Liz Miu.

Liz opens up about her parent's expectations of her going to medical school and how she eventually gained her parents' approval after becoming a career influencer. We also talk about her experience as an Asian female in the influencing space and the pressure that comes along with keeping up her image. We hear about Liz’s love for travel and discovering different cultures through food. 

We also dive into how influencers can earn a living as well as the different income streams that you can take advantage of in the space. 

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/itslizmiu/
https://www.tiktok.com/@itslizmiu
https://itslizmiu.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1giXBWW1kJE2qk_DZxsB1A

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In Part 2 of our episode with Liz Miu, we touch on her upcoming food and travel tour to Bali and what kind of content we can expect to see across her platforms. We unpack the reasons behind Liz’s sensitivity to racism as well as her childhood memories of China. 

Liz also leaves us with valuable advice for other people looking to pursue influencing as a career. 

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/itslizmiu/
https://www.tiktok.com/@itslizmiu
https://itslizmiu.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1giXBWW1kJE2qk_DZxsB1A

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In this episode, we’re joined by the ‘Points Whisperer’, Steve Hui – founder and CEO of iFLYflat. 

Steve guides us through how SMEs can take advantage of their frequent flyer points and credit card rewards for bigger and better returns. We also discuss Steve’s undeniably successful background in the accounting and financial space, and talk all things business, as he walks us through what it means to build trust with people from all walks of life.

We also hear Steve’s biggest words of wisdom and career advice, giving you an all-round glimpse at iFLYflat, business opportunities, and future success.

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In this episode, we’re joined by Le Tran - Director & Head of Dropbox APJ Communications and Bree Bunzel - Head of Dropbox Global Customer Marketing. 

Both Le and Bree each share their own unique backstories. Le shares what it was like growing up in the Western Sydney bubble and growing up with Vietnamese migrant parents and Bree shares how she navigated a mixed-Asian upbringing in Silicon Valley and the mid-west.

We delve into what the tech industry experience has been like for both ladies and the positive impact of having an Asian Employee Resources Gropu (ERG) to Dropbox. 

We also hear Le’s touching story about travelling back to Vietnam with her mum and Bree’s plans to visit Korea for the first time. Both women give us insights into their career journeys and share invaluable advice on getting into the tech industry, especially as a POC. 

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In this episode, we’re joined by influencer, blogger and two-time published author, Cherie Tu. Also known as the community of Thrivingonplants, Cherie takes us back to the beginning of her journey and how she turned her photography and blogging hobby into a successful career. 

Now working with small businesses as her first clients to working with brands such as Dyson, LG, and Kikkoman, Cherie gives us some advice on how to be confident in pricing for what you’re worth. 

Cherie also shares the exciting (and challenging) experience of what it was like creating and shooting her own two recipe books. 

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/thrivingonplants/
https://www.youtube.com/c/thrivingonplants
https://www.instagram.com/cherietu/
https://www.cherietu.com/

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We’re joined by wealth strategist, best-selling author, chartered accountant and certified property investment adviser, Salena Kulkarni. 

In this episode, Salena shares her journey in taking the ‘non-traditional Asian path’, her personal relationship she has with wealth and the time her parents tried to set her up in an arranged marriage halfway across the world.

Over the last 12 years, Salena has run a high-end boutique wealth building service called Inkosi Wealth, where she’s helped hundreds of investors build wealth using off-market opportunities backed by real property, she calls “alternative investments” - investments that outperform the market and offer measurable return on investments.

Salena also hosts her own podcast called The Alternative Investing podcast, sharing tactics, strategies and ideas to help people reach financial freedom in a fast and safe way.

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We’re joined by Actress, Martial Artist, Producer and Director, Maria Tran. She’s also the Founder and Director of Phoenix Eye Films, a female led film and media production company that represents culturally diverse artists based in Western Sydney.

In this episode, Maria takes us back to the beginning of her journey, how she navigated through the film industry, refined her skills around martial arts and what it took to start Phoenix Eye Films. 

She also shares a story about the time Jackie Chan took her on a road trip and gave her some Asian-dad-style life advice. 

Maria has directed and produced multiple award-winning films such as "Operation Kung Flu", "My Mother, The Action Star" and "Obsidian". She has also worked as a stunt attachment alongside Jackie Chan in his film “Bleeding Steel.” Most recently, Maria joins the cast of Paramount+ Australia’s 10-part drama series “Last King of the Cross”. 

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We’re joined by Anthea Cheng: photographer, recipe developer and blogger, also known as @rainbownourishments in the digital space.

With a background in Federal Government working in Indigenous and disability issues, Anthea talks us through how she transitioned into becoming a full-time blogger with over 242K followers on Instagram. 

In this episode, Anthea also opens up about her ecounters with racism and vulnerably shares her experience with depression and anxiety. We touch on topics around the ‘silent’ Asian culture and Anthea gives us some advice on how to navigate the mental health space, whether its to support yourself or someone else. 

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We’re joined by Tyrone Shum, property manager, YouTuber and host of the Property Investory Podcast.

Tyrone talks us through his business journey from losing $24,000 during the Global Financial Crisis to now owning Australia’s #1 Property Podcast that has over 1.6 million podcast downloads, showcasing stories, strategies and examples from Australia’s most innovative property experts.

We unpack ideas around the Asian ‘money mentality’ and Tyrone gives us insight into the lessons he’s learned along the way and why consistency in business is vital.

Links:
https://au.linkedin.com/in/tyroneshum
https://tyroneshum.com/
https://propertyinvestory.com/

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In this episode, we’re joined by Josh Chin, founder and director of Unmarked Social- a video agency based in Sydney and Hong Kong. 

Having dropped out of school at the age of 15 and entering into homeschooling, Josh takes us through his journey of turning his filmmaking hobby into a career that has allowed him to work with brands such as Fossil, Rains, Nike and Snapchat. 

Josh also gives us some advice on how to upskill yourself as a freelancer and how to price your value as a creative. 

Links:

https://www.unmarkedsocial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/unmarkedsocial/
https://www.instagram.com/joshmchin/
https://www.youtube.com/c/joshmchin/featured

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We’re joined by Nancy Yu, aka. NC Qin, a Sydney-based cast glass artist and sculptor.  Nancy creates glass weaponry exploring concepts of history, heritage and psychology. She has a long list of accolades that include winning the National Emerging Art Glass Prize in 2020 and The Vicki Torr Prize in 2021 and being featured in museums and art galleries worldwide. 

In this episode, we hear about Nancy’s journey in becoming an artist, as it was not an easy feat, especially in an Asian household. She recounts the years of convincing her parents to allow her to pursue the artist pathway and takes us through the different skills she’s had to learn along the way. 

We also delve into the inspirations behind Nancy’s incredible work, and she gives us some insight into how artists can make a living. 

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We’re joined by Jen Trinh, an ex-pat living and teaching in Bangkok. Jen grew up in South West Sydney she has spent the last decade teaching abroad, travelling and making connections with people from all over the world. 

In this episode, we talk to Jen about the concept of being a ‘Third Culture Kid’ and why she feels more aligned with her identity in Asia. We also unpack the parental expectations she’s grown up with, especially with being the eldest Asian daughter, the example she wants to set for her siblings and how Jen was able to break away from societal norms to focus on herself.

Links:
https://www.jenlalaluna.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jenlalaluna/

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In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Wong-Saunderson, who has an extensive background in advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions as a tax lawyer and accountant. She’s worked across Melbourne, Kolkata, New York and Sydney. 

Jessica is currently working as PwC’s Tax Director in Australia as well as being an advocate for greater gender and cultural diversity in Australian business leadership. She is also involved in leading the engagement of the alumni community at the Australia-China Youth Dialogue to engage mid-careers professionals engaged in the Australia-China bilateral relationship.

Amongst all things, Jessica is also the Co-founder of MumbleMe, a platform that connects professionally skilled working mums with flexible work opportunities, as well as a Board Member for OIC Australia, a charity that supports the establishment of a speech therapy ecosystem for children with communication impediments in Cambodia. 

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We’ve got a special episode for you this week! We sit down together and recap the last 6 month journey we’ve had, since launching the Level: Asian Podcast. 

You’ll hear about the specific costs and production process behind building the podcast, how much $$$ we’ve made, our favourite memories and what we’ve got planned for the future. 

Thanks for all of your support so far, we couldn’t have done it without you! <3

Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to get the latest episodes and updates www.levelasianpodcast.com

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Welcome to our new Solo Series, where we sit down with eachother to discuss more personal topics around our Asian upbringing, parental relationships and identity. 

In this episode, we talk about our own relationships with our parents and highlight both the tumultuous and healthy side of things, we unpack our experiences growing up as migrant kids and give insights into the lessons we’ve learnt from our parents. 

Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to get the latest episodes and updates www.levelasianpodcast.com

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We sit down with Jieh-Yung Lo, the founding Director of the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership at the Australian National University. He’s an experienced advocate, innovator and changemaker, focusing on advancing ethnic and cultural diversity in Australia and in particular, addressing the ‘bamboo ceiling’ and elevating emerging Asian-Australian leaders to the public sphere.

In Part 1 of our episode with Jieh-Yung Lo, we hear his extensive backstory – taking it all the way back to childhood, and we even hear stories from his schooling days as a ‘B-sian’ student. 

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In Part 2 of our episode with Jieh-Yung Lo, the founding Director of the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership at the Australian National University, we hear his insights into what the future looks like for Asian-Australians, what he’s excited for and leaves us with some valuable advice for the younger generation. 

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We’re joined by Heaven Leigh, a third-generation restauranteur and owner of Bodhi Restaurant Bar, a well-renowned, plant-based Pan-Asian yum cha spot in Sydney. 

In Part 1 of this episode, Heaven sits down with us to share her compelling story around the multi-million dollar sacrifices she’s made to support her family, lessons she’s learned from her entrepreneurial mother, Lee-Leng Whong, and adversities she’s faced – especially as a female in the hospitality industry. 

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In Part 2 of our episode with Heaven Leigh, we hear about her struggles with identity growing up as a mixed-race kid. Heaven shares with us how Bodhi has allowed her to embrace both her cultures by enabling her to combine her Western and Eastern cultures through food. 

We also chat about the closure of Bodhi Restaurant & Bar, reflecting on the last 20+ years and plans coming up for the future.

You can listen here if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet. 

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We’re joined by Alan La, founder of Invincible HQ – a martial arts gym and community providing physical and mindset training to empower individuals. 

In this episode, Alan takes us through his experiences of growing up as a shy kid and getting bullied throughout school. We hear about how these adversities motivated Alan to start his martial arts journey, which eventually led to him teaching his own classes – from empty carparks to coaching from his own world-class, award-winning gym. 

Alan also shares with us why it’s so important to adopt a healthy and abundant mindset, taking us through how it’s been key to his success for Invincible HQ and motivating others. 

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We’re joined by Emily Ung - founder and owner of The Artistry Sydney, a luxury beauty bar in the Hills District. 

In this episode, we speak to Emily about  her passion for beauty, which started when she became a makeup artist at 16 and now, at 22, has opened her own luxury beauty salon in Castle Hil.

Emily talks about her business experience as an Asian female in the industry and the importance of having a strong support network – in this case, her family of entrepreneurs who helped lift her up. 

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 We’re joined by Barry Winata, founder of Metagrove Ventures – a seed fund focused on backing founders across Australia & New Zealand and the US.

In this episode, we speak to Barry about why he purchased a one-way ticket to the US, leaving behind his stable job, friends and family, and support network, and why this decision played such a vital role in his career trajectory. 

We also get a taste of what Silicon Valley was like for Barry and why he’s finally returned to Australia after ten years.  

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Welcome to this very special episode of The Level: Asian Podcast – Christmas edition!

We sat down in the Ultrafade salon with Rich and Jenny, the powerhouse couple behind the successful hair and beauty salon, that specialises in transforming Asian hair. 

In this episode, we hear about how Rich started in hairdressing before becoming the hair bae of Guilford. Jenny also shares her story of why she’s decided to close her pharmacy career chapter, and join Rich at Ultrafade. We also speak about Rich and Jenny’s experience with meeting parental expectations, especially after becoming business partners. 

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In this solo episode, we’re unpacking our own perspectives and experiences around relationships, marriage and starting our own families. 

We discuss the expectations of Asian traditions we should be upholding, conflicts around being in mixed-race relationships, Asian masculinity and the differences between Eastern and Western beauty standards. 

You’ll also enjoy our deep dive into discussions around starting our own families, with Kan’s baby on the way, Davie thinking about starting one and Noel & Viv against having kids.

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Happy Lunar New Year! 

In this special episode, we’re joined by Steph from @luckydragonsupperclub. Steph’s a whiz in the kitchen, creating content that shows us just how easy it is to put on a spectacular food spread for friends and family.

We cook up all of our favourite Lunar New Year dishes at Steph’s house and reminisce on our own Lunar New Year experiences. You can check out the video version of this over at our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@levelasianpod

We chat to Steph about her mixed upbringing and how she went from graduating with a music degree to diving into tech. Steph also gives us insight into the future of Lucky Dragon Supper Club and the exciting content that we can expect this year! 

Enjoy the episode!

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We’re joined by Kevin La, aka SydneyFoodBoy! In this episode, we chat to Kevin about balancing a full-time optometrist job with creating incredible food content. 

Kevin talks to us about the inspiration behind ‘SydneyFoodBoy’, how he grew his platforms so quickly and we also dive into Kev’s favourite food spots & future plans for his brand. 

Show Notes Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sydneyfoodboy/

https://www.youtube.com/c/SydneyFoodBoy

https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyfoodboy

https://www.facebook.com/sydneyfoodboy/

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We’re joined by Friska Wirya, a change management thought leader who transforms large organisations to enable them to respond better to the changing environment. 

Friska is the former Head of Change at the largest gold mining company in the Southern Hemisphere, leading digital transformation changes that achieve exponential annual savings. 

In this episode, we hear about Friska’s upbringing with growing up in Perth, how she developed her interpersonal and communication skills and what her experience was like as the only Asian female in the mining industry.

Show Notes Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/friska/
https://www.instagram.com/freshbyfriska/?hl=en
The Truth About Future Fitness & Digital Transformation | Tedx

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We're joined by Alex and Tomo, the founders of Sprintlaw, a new-age law firm in Australia.

In this episode, we chat with Alex and Tomo about their unique backgrounds, the formation of Sprintlaw, and their experiences working in the legal industry.

We delve into the early days of Sprintlaw and how they leveraged technology to find clients instead of following the traditional law pathway. We also hear about the importance of maintaining a strong business relationship, the future goals for Sprintlaw, and their advice for aspiring lawyers. 

Show Notes Links:

https://sprintlaw.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/sprintlaw/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sprintlaw/

https://www.facebook.com/sprintlaw/

Alex: https://au.linkedin.com/in/asolo

Tomo: https://au.linkedin.com/in/tomoyuki-hachigo

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In this episode of the Level: Asian Podcast, we're joined by Carrie Kwan, co-founder of Mums & Co. 

We chat to Carrie about balancing parenthood and work life for Asian-Australian women. Carrie shares her personal story and experiences, including her entrepreneurial journey and the growth of Mums & Co.

She also addresses the challenges faced by women and offers other mums and aspiring business women advice.

Show Notes Links: Mums & Co: 

https://www.mumsandco.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mums.and.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/10683298

https://www.facebook.com/ausmumsco/

Carrie Kwan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwancarrie/

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In this episode, we're talking to each other about ‘Leaving The Nest’, aka the big steps of moving out. You'll hear from our own experiences and thoughts on moving out, from the pros and cons to dealing with the idea of aging parents. 

You’ll hear about Noel’s extended Italian family, Davie’s throwbacks to his granny-flat parties, Kan’s stories of having challenging roommates and Kelsey’s experience balancing mixed-parent dynamics with ethnic vs. non-ethnic perspectives. 

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In this episode, we're joined by Michael Wong, the founder of Mizko Media and The Designership.

With a platform of over 100K on YouTube, Michael shares with us how he built a large and engaged following on YouTube and social media and emphasises the importance of learning 'soft skills' as a natural introvert and balancing trial and error with striving for perfection. Michael also shares his insights on the perfect business model from his extensive experience in the tech industry and how he started 'The Designership' to help businesses grow.

Show Notes Links:

https://www.thedesignership.com/

https://www.mizko.net/

https://linkedin.com/in/mizko

https://youtube.com/mizko

https://instagram.com/mizko

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Today, we’ve got a special episode where we discuss topics from our own experiences as Asian women! 

We deep dive into the discussions around the challenges of being an eldest daughter, societal and peer pressures when it comes to beauty standards and the ongoing debate around choosing your career versus having kids – and whether or not you should tell your boss about this decision.

Kan, Davie and Noel – who are each business owners, also weigh in from their perspectives. 

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In this episode, we're talking about our relationships with money! We discuss our different upbringings and how it’s affected our perspectives on money – Davie shares his experience of growing up ‘poor’ in an Asian household, and Noel with his frugal tendencies that he continues to carry with him. 

We unpack the hot topic of deciding whether to purchase property, rent or travel - and we also discuss the older generation vs. new generation money mentality and parents using their kids as a retirement plan.

Enjoy the episode!

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We’re back again with Dr. Justin Sung & Michael Tsai, Co-Founders of iCanStudy for another two-part series to dive more into their insights and learnings within the education space.

In Part 1, we’re discussing the difference between US vs Australian students, certain limitations within the education system and how current learning curriculums lag in the modern world.

We also get a little more personal with Justin and Michael as we talk about their learnings with the ‘fear of failure’ and the perception of being perfect.

iCanStudy:
https://icanstudy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/icanstudy/
https://www.facebook.com/icanstudyau
https://www.youtube.com/@icanstudyyt/videos

Dr Justin Sung:
https://www.youtube.com/@JustinSung
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-sung/

Michael Tsai:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tsai-a86170224/

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In Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Justin Sung & Michael Tsai, Co-Founders of iCanStudy we’re talking about taking control of your own learning journey and how to challenge your own learning capacity. 

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Part One of our second two-part series before continuing on. If you have, enjoy as we continue our discussion.

iCanStudy:
https://icanstudy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/icanstudy/
https://www.facebook.com/icanstudyau
https://www.youtube.com/@icanstudyyt/videos

Dr Justin Sung:
https://www.youtube.com/@JustinSung
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-sung/

Michael Tsai:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tsai-a86170224/

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In this episode, we’re talking about a very personal topic to us. Kan opens up about his experience with grappling with death and illness within Asian families and the several nuances around navigating Eastern vs Western culture. 

If this topic isn’t right for you this week, feel free to join us again in our next episode. If you’re going through a tough time and need support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

'The Tailend' - https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html
The Farewell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RofpAjqwMa8

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In this episode of the Level Asian Podcast, we’re joined by Karen Loon, a former senior Big 4 partner, diversity practitioner and author of "Fostering Culturally Diverse Leadership in Organisations."

We’re discussing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, how family dynamics influence the way you navigate work culture, and we also explore the role of mentorship for the younger generation.

Show Notes Links:

https://karenloon.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenloon/

Fostering Culturally Diverse Leadership in Organisations: https://karenloon.com/book/fostering-culturally-diverse-leadership-in-organisations/

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In this special episode, we’re RELIVING Davie & Shirley’s Wedding Day!

We also get into the nitty gritty details of how much the big day really cost, how Davie and Shirley blew their budget THREE times and we get to hear the exciting (and stressful) parts of the wedding planning process! 

Show Notes Links: 

Davie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davie-mach/

Shirley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirley-huang-61404147/

Kirbie: https://www.instagram.com/kirbs.thecorg/

Box Advisory Services: https://boxas.com.au/

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Amit Tewari, founder of Soul Burger, plant-based entrepreneur, and former medical doctor.

Amit shares his challenges with parental expectations of becoming a doctor, how he juggled medical school AND running his own restaurant, and his journey of moving Soul Burger into the plant-based space.

He also shares his vision for the next 5+ years with how he’s changing up the vegan food space and offers some advice for future restauranteurs.

Show Notes Links:

Want to become an investor? 

https://www.birchal.com/company/veganfoodhub

Amit Tewari:
https://www.instagram.com/_amittewari/

Soul Burger

https://www.soulburger.com.au/ 

https://www.instagram.com/soulburgerau/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@soulburgerau 

Plantas: 

https://www.instagram.com/plantas_au/

Send us a text

From coming up with a crazy podcast concept on a random weekday, to now celebrating our FIRST ANNIVERSARY, the team at Level: Asian is so truly grateful for all of your INCREDIBLE support. 

We always say, we’re creating a podcast we wish we grew up with. 

So, to celebrate this milestone, we're sharing some of our favourite memories from the last 12 months!

🤫We also give you an exciting sneak peek at some of the things we're currently working on, such as our merch store, new upcoming food series and potential events 🙊

None of this would be possible without all of you, so from the bottom of our hearts - THANK YOU! Here’s to another year! 

Thank you for being a part of the Level: Asian family 💛

Show Notes Links:

Massive shoutout to: 

Eva Homes for our new couches: https://eva.com.au/ 

RøDE: https://rode.com/ 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Aaron Christie-David, Director of Atelier Wealth, a multi-awarded mortgage broker company. 

Aaron shares his story of growing up in a large family, migrating to Australia, exploring non-traditional education routes, and building a business that helps people start and scale up their property portfolio.

He also shares how "migrant mentality" influenced how he built Atelier Wealth and talks about finding work-life balance and prioritising mental health.

Show Notes Links:

Aaron:

https://www.facebook.com/aaronchristiedavid  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-christie-david-a7482a21/ 

Atelier Wealth:

https://atelierwealth.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/AtelierWealthAU/ 

https://www.instagram.com/atelier_wealth/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKdm2ssEHel1kyQLAHGvNPQ

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by our amazing guest, Vinh Giang. If you're not familiar with Vinh yet, he's an international speaker, a communications coach, an entrepreneur, and a magician!

Vinh opens up to us about his experience of moving schools five times due to severe bullying, failing year 12, navigating his son's autism, unlearning bad work habits, and prioritising a better life balance. 

He also talks with us about the importance of sharing our parents’ stories, why he chooses to do ‘Life Auditing’, and discusses the beauty of doing things you love with the people you love. 

Show Notes Links:

Connect with Vinh:

Stage Academy Course: https://stageacademy.mykajabi.com/

https://www.vinhgiang.com/

http://instagram.com/askvinh

https://twitter.com/AskVinh

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/vinh-giang/47/501/8b3

http://www.facebook.com/askvinh

https://www.tiktok.com/@askvinh

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ewNxRwiHd6BGhwdoNQA9A?view_as=subscriber

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Sally Sitou, a Labor Party Member for the Division of Reid as of the 2022 Australian federal election.

Sally talks to us about her journey of getting into politics, how her parents’ migrant story and the community support have influenced her political work and shares what it’s been like navigating the limelight of being an MP.

Sally also offers advice and wisdom for the younger generation seeking to be heard by people in the political space and guidance for those looking to get into politics. 

Show Notes Links:

https://sallysitou.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/sallysitou 

https://twitter.com/SallySitou 

https://www.instagram.com/sally.sitou 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Matt Purcell, Australia’s leading personal branding expert and the founder of KYU Media, a creative agency based in Sydney, and Social Kung Fu, Australia’s only verbal self-defence program. 

Matt opens up about his experiences growing up as an adoptee and his valuable lessons in learning business from direct experiences and mentors. 

Matt also talks about his deeper purpose of giving back to the community through Social Kung Fu, especially the young generation, and shares his insights on parents' role in raising kids in the digital age and the consequences of children’s unconsented exposure to social media. 

Enjoy the episode! 

Show Notes Links:

https://www.mattpurcell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mattpurcellofficial/?hl=en

https://kyumedia.com/

https://socialkungfu.com.au/

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Brenda Van, Founder of 'Dating Apps Suck', an offline dating event that brings like-minded people together in person.

Brenda shares her thoughts on the modern dating scene, why it motivated her to start ‘Dating Apps Suck’, and shares the success of hosting “Dating Apps Suck” events across Sydney and Melbourne. 

Brenda also opens up to us about her struggles with mental health & how it ties in with adult relationships, along with her recommendation on finding the right therapist.

Show Notes Links:

SIGN UP TO FUTURE EVENTS:
 
https://bit.ly/datingappssuckwaitlist

https://www.instagram.com/brendainbusiness/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@brendainbusiness 

https://www.instagram.com/datingappssuck_/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@datingappssuck_ 

https://www.youtube.com/@brendainbusiness 

Send us a text

In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by Amanda and Ken, the founders of EVA, Australia's award-winning, certified B Corp furniture brand. 

Amanda and Ken share their journey from how they founded EVA, the evolution of the brand, and highlight company milestones and successes, along with the challenges they’ve faced during their journey. 

We also talk to Amanda and Ken about introverted leadership in business, their advice for those wanting to enter the e-commerce space and EVA’s plans for the future.

Enjoy the episode! 

Show Notes Links:

EVA 

https://eva.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/evahomeofficial/ 

https://instagram.com/eva.home 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCESSp-9_XRezy-EJbjWZf0Q 

AMANDA

https://www.instagram.com/amndagram/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@amanda.niu 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/niuamanda/ 

KEN 

https://www.instagram.com/kenlauuu/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-lau-jx/ 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Lisa Nguyen, founder of Astrid, Australia's first multi-award-winning female led dispensary and specialty clinic for cannabinoid medicines, plant therapies, and nutraceuticals. 

Lisa shares her unique uni experience in Wagga Wagga and how it changed her perspective on life, shaped her values and the transition into her first cannabis sales role in Australia. 

Lisa also talks to us about how she built Astrid during the middle of a pandemic, the key challenges she faced along the way and why she encourages her team to embrace failures. 

Enjoy the episode! 

Show Notes Links:

LISA
https://www.instagram.com/lisatheholisticpharmacist/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/lisahn 

ASTRID
https://astrid.health/
https://www.instagram.com/astrid.dispensary/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrid-dispensary/
https://www.facebook.com/astrid.dispensary/ 

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Today, we've got a special episode where we dive deep into the lives of Kan, Davie, and Noel - the brains behind Social Wave, Box Advisory Services, and your favourite podcast Level: Asian!

The boys walk down memory lane as they share their personal experiences leading up to their entrepreneurial endeavours, including childhood ambitions, student lives, and early career ventures.

Kan, Davie, and Noel also emphasise the importance of building a strong team culture, their biggest challenges and lessons in business, and strategies for catalysing the growth of Social Wave and Box Advisory Services.

Enjoy the episode, and keep your eyes peeled for Part 2.


Show Notes Links:

SOCIAL WAVE
https://socialwave.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/socialwaveagency https://www.linkedin.com/company/socialwaveagency/ https://www.instagram.com/socialwave.au/ https://www.tiktok.com/@socialwave https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5AQncmlyKFbI-cCUkS3-g

BOXAS
https://boxas.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/boxadvisory https://www.linkedin.com/company/box-advisory-serviceshttps://www.instagram.com/boxas_syd/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCofdO06-8XFDkztEbET-F-w/featured 

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Welcome back to Part 2 of our origin and business story episode! If you missed Part 1, you'll definitely want to check it out first. 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3A7vq9G_0Q&t=11s

This time around, Kan, Davie, and Noel reflect on their biggest sacrifices in building their businesses, their personal take on the idea of work-life balance, and the nuggets of wisdom they'd pass on to their 20-something-year-old selves.

They also talk about what they love the most about being business owners, whether it's a good idea to have family members in the company, and share some tips for anyone thinking of taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

Enjoy the episode!

Show Notes Links:

SOCIAL WAVE

https://socialwave.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/socialwaveagency 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/socialwaveagency/ 

https://www.instagram.com/socialwave.au/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@socialwave 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5AQncmlyKFbI-cCUkS3-g 

BOXAS

https://boxas.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/boxadvisory 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/box-advisory-services

https://www.instagram.com/boxas_syd/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCofdO06-8XFDkztEbET-F-w/featured 

Send us a text

In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Joe Kwon, CEO and Founder of ConFit and ConFit Pathways, a social enterprise and NFPO dedicated to fostering a sense of self-worth among inmates to help them successfully reintegrate into society.

Joe candidly shares his journey from mingling with the wrong crowd during his youth, to leading a criminal syndicate by age 21, and serving 13 years in prison.

He also talks about how he met his billionaire father figure who greatly impacted his life, the creation and success of ConFit and Confit Pathways, and shares his thoughts on reevaluating societal biases against former detainees. 

 Show Notes Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-kwon/
https://www.instagram.com/joe.kwon.confit/
https://www.convictfitness.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/confitaus/
https://www.instagram.com/confit_gym/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/convictfitness/
https://www.confitpathways.org/
https://www.instagram.com/confitpathways/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/confit-pathways/ 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Traci Chen, CEO and Principal Lawyer at Maison Chen Law Group, a law firm that specialises in Australian migration support and visa application courses.

Traci shares her parents' migration story and how it guided her journey from studying law to losing her corporate job and establishing her own firm with 50 employees.

She also talks about how she's grown hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, her personal life of getting married and getting pregnant, and how she wants to continue helping migrants achieve their Australian dream. 

Show Notes Links:

https://www.maisonchenlaw.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/traci_migration/ https://www.facebook.com/tracimigration https://www.tiktok.com/@migrationlawyer https://www.linkedin.com/company/76185704/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoASYddmpvR6rjkJWJ14Khg https://open.spotify.com/show/6Se71vjFQ3hLgrynhDvmkl?si=lYgq

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Before we dive into this episode, check out Salena's first episode on our podcast-it sets the perfect stage for what's to come! 

Link here: https://www.levelasianpodcast.com/episodes/salena-kulkarni-inkosi-wealth-episode-13

Not only is Salena a familiar face, but also a wealth strategist and certified property investment adviser who has helped 100’s of investors achieve financial freedom faster in preparation for early retirement.

In this episode, Salena talks about the motivation behind Asian migrants' drive for wealth, how buying any piece of real estate early can serve as your insurance policy, and how her three-phase wealth-building strategy works. 

Salena also discusses the risks of drawing on equity, highlights offshore real estate opportunities, and shares stories of individuals buying property on modest incomes.

Show Notes Links:

https://www.inkosiwealth.com/
https://www.inkosiwealth.com/podcast/ 
https://www.instagram.com/kulkarnisalena/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/salenakulkarni
https://facebook.com/iamSalenaKulkarni/
https://www.tiktok.com/@kulkarnisalena 

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Join us as we 'wine down' and share some of the craziest and most unforgettable travel experiences.

Hear Davie's untold pre-trip break-up story, Noel's backpacking adventures, Kan's year-long trip to Asia & Europe, and Viv’s SOLO travel experiences vs. with family.

We also answer questions like: 

• What travel compromises have we made in the past that we wouldn't make today? 
• If we could choose any member of the L:A crew for a journey, who would it be? 
• And if we could fly tomorrow, where would we go?

A huge shoutout to Millon Wines for sponsoring this week’s episode! Explore their finest selections and learn more about their exquisite collection by visiting their website or checkout out the links below.👇 

Shownote links:
https://www.millonwines.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/millonwines
https://www.instagram.com/millonwines/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/millon-wines/mycompany https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkWkVT3LK6YhwgtCOEbz-WA

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Asami Koike, Founder and Director of Shapes and Sounds, a social enterprise that destigmatises and promotes mental health in Asian communities.

Asami opens up about her challenges adapting to Western culture as a Japanese immigrant,  the notable gap she discovered in Asian-Australian mental health research and how dropping out of university to pursue yoga helped catalyse the growth of her identity.

She also shares the origins of "Shapes & Sounds", its role in addressing Asian-Australian generational trauma, the community she was able to build and her advice on mental health to the younger generation.

Show Notes Links:
https://www.justshapesandsounds.com/ https://www.instagram.com/justshapesandsounds https://www.facebook.com/justshapesandsounds https://www.tiktok.com/@justshapesandsounds http://www.linkedin.com/company/justshapesandsounds

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Dai Le, a Vietnamese-born Australian politician currently serving as the federal member for Fowler and councillor for Fairfield/Cabravale Ward.

Dai shares her harrowing experience of escaping on a boat at age seven during the fall of Saigon, getting stranded at sea multiple times, and ending up in refugee camps for months before being resettled in Australia.

She also talks about the intergenerational trauma of the refugee experience, the challenges Dai's mother faced adjusting to life in Australia, and the painful realisation that gambling had become an unhealthy coping mechanism for many Vietnamese refugees.

Show Notes Links:
https://daile.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/DaiLeMP/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dailemp/
https://www.instagram.com/dai_le/
https://www.youtube.com/@DaiLeTheOfficial

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Welcome to another fun-filled Christmas episode of The Level: Asian Podcast!

We're thrilled to be joined once again (Round 2!) by OUR FAVOURITE POWER COUPLE behind Ultrafade - Rich and Jenny! 

In this episode, Rich and Jenny share their journey expanding Ultrafade to Bankstown, Jenny's transition from pharmacy to joining the biz full-time, and Rich's heartwarming experience giving a talk to disengaged students in his former high school.

We also talk about Rich's aspiration to become a keynote speaker, his advice for the younger generation who wants to join the hairdressing industry, and their exciting plans, including an online academy and the latest tech in scalp treatment!

Enjoy the episode!

Show Note Links: 

Ultrafade (Rich):
https://www.instagram.com/ultrafadebyrich/
https://www.ultrafadebyrich.com/ 

Jenny:
https://www.instagram.com/jenvyvo/ 

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In this episode of the Level Asian Podcast, we’re joined by the WHOLE L:A team, as we take a moment to appreciate our incredible journey and share some of the remarkable accomplishments and milestones we’ve achieved throughout 2023. 

Some of our key achievements include:
🧧 Cabramatta Lunar New Year Merch Stall
🎤 Vinh Giang x Level: Asian Event at the Carter
🦐 A Nostalgic Night with L:A ft. Jason from Canton Kitchen and Junda from Hojiak
🎙️ Panel Appearances at SWEH, HCC, WSU, AAF and SXSW
🎂 Celebrating Level:Asian’s FIRST Birthday
🎥 Releasing 34 Podcast Episodes + 15 Vlogs
🎊 Hitting 70k on Instagram & 50k on TikTok
✈️ Travelling as a team to Adelaide, Melbourne, Singapore and Bali

Kan takes us through his many major chapters of this year of buying a new house, adopting a new pup, and Hudson’s first birthday. Davie celebrates his marriage and the success of BOXAS - evident in multiple award winnings.Viv and Noel also unpack their travel journeys and MILESTONES in their career development.

We would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for being a part of our journey. Your engagement, support, and enthusiasm fuels our passion and we’re excited to continue growing, learning and achieving together in 2024.

Here's to an even more exciting and successful 2024! Thank you for being a part of the Level: Asian community and Happy New Year! 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Neel Kolhatkar, a comedian, filmmaker, and Youtube sensation, well known for his viral comedy sketches and stand up routines.

Neel talks about his childhood in Sydney, what captivated him into pursuing comedy at a young age, and how he turned his online success into a full-time career.

He also shares his thoughts on navigating PC and cancel culture, emphasising the importance of diversifying his skills and attracting dedicated audiences, and shares encouraging advice for aspiring comedians looking to break into the industry.

Show Notes Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBzWLRnI_Itn2W5c7J9sYQ
https://www.instagram.com/neelkolhatkar/?hl=en
https://www.tiktok.com/@neelkolhatkar?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/Neel.Kolhatkar94/

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Natalie Yan-Chatonsky, Founder and CEO of Full Time Lives, a women’s midlife specialist and author of 'The Art of Full Time Living'.

Natalie emphasises the significance of women, particularly those in midlife to prioritise self-care, nurture social connections, and design meaningful next chapters. Her approach aims to generate positive social change to prompt proactive steps towards fostering positive personal growth.

She also talks about supporting her own mother through midlife transitions, her recent ADHD diagnosis, and the strengths that come with neurodiversity.

Show Notes Links:
https://fulltimelives.com
https://fulltimelives.com/art-of-full-time-living
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-yc/
https://www.instagram.com/fulltimelives

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, the crew deep dive down a Reddit rabbit hole to unpack some of the spiciest takes the internet has to offer.

Tune in as the team debates an Asian edition of #AITA, share their insights on an Asian Parent themed Subreddit and reveal some of their own unhinged experiences.

Comment below - do YOU think they're an a**hole? 👇

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In this episode of The Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Zhoe Low, Global Manager of ‘July’, a renowned Australian travel brand specialising in luggage and accessories.

Zhoe shares her unconventional path as an early digital nomad, her transition from tech startups to travel products, and how she absorbed ten years of business knowledge into three years while working for July.

Zhoe also opens up about the profound impact of therapy, the mindset that helped overcome her self-limiting beliefs, and advice to Asian women who aspire to hold leadership positions.

Enjoy the episode!

Show Notes Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhoelow/
https://july.com/ 

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by actor, performer, speaker, comedian and creative entrepreneur, Diana Nguyen.

Diana shares her incredible journey as a storyteller, from being kicked out of home when she was eighteen and self-funding her first show, to running her own TedTalk and performing at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Diana opens up about how the arts helped her mend family trauma and build bridges where words fail to.

She also unpacks her experiences with Sex Therapy and Spiritual Coaching which unlocked a powerful connection to self, body positivity and healing.

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by content creator, Tara Chandra, who peels back the curtains of her life as a fashion and lifestyle influencer.

Tara shares how a passion for Tumblr sparked her artistic journey, how she uses fashion to showcase the different parts of her identity and the power of manifesting your wildest dreams. Tara also opens up about how traumatic experiences with chronic eczema gave her the courage to speak out, in hopes of normalising conversations around skin conditions and beauty standards.

She then discusses her values towards ethical and sustainable fashion, learning from iconic pioneers, and the need for representation both in front of, and behind the camera.

Enjoy the episode!

Shownote links:
https://www.instagram.com/tarachandra_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tarachandra_
https://www.youtube.com/user/fashionbambini

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In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we unpack the housing and cost of living crisis.

We begin by sharing how recent increases in rent, interest rates and groceries have impacted us personally and how we’ve changed our spending habits to adjust. The crew also discusses the challenges different generations face when it comes to wealth building, the changing values towards money and outlooks towards work/life balance.

Davie then explains the dire state of housing affordability in Australia, using his favourite thing in the world (spreadsheets).

Enjoy the episode!

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In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we chat with YouTuber and Influencer Amy Lyons, aka Blondie in China (@blondieinchina). 

Amy shares her incredible story - finding a second home in China, without having any Asian ancestry. We chat about her experiences learning the history and culture of a country whilst travelling and working in it, the reception of her content and how foreigner privilege has reshaped her current worldview.

Amy also reveals her hottest food recommendations, favourite travel memories and advice to budding vloggers.

Enjoy the episode! 

Send us a text

In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we’re back by popular demand for another Reddit Reacts! But once the mics turned on, things didn’t go quite to plan… (who’s cutting onions?)

We begin by reacting to stories from the “Not So Subtle Asian Parent Traits” Subreddit; from blurred boundaries, Asian love languages, financial expectations and more! However, what was meant to be a fun episode, quickly turned into group therapy, as a particular post hit a little too close to home.

This opened a vulnerable conversation, where the crew shared their experiences healing from family trauma, forgiving our parents’ mistakes and appreciating the challenges of the migrant journey.

Don’t forget your tissues, you’ll need them for this one!

Disclaimer:
This episode discusses sensitive topics including abuse. Please listen with care and at your own discretion. If you are in need of support, please reach out to Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Show Notes Links:
Check Out Our Other Eps: www.levelasianpodcast.com/
Our Merch Store: store.levelasianpodcast.com/

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In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we share our favourite things about Asian culture! Of course there’s food, the arts and travel, but what are the values and day-to-day nuances that we hold closest to our hearts?

From the language we use to show love and respect, the ‘above and beyond’ hospitality, and frugality shaped by the migrant hustle, there’s so much richness in our cultures beyond the surface. On the flip side, we also address the cultural behaviours we could live without, including old fashioned expectations and WeChat experts (#iykyk).

Davie also narrates a couple of crazy stories from his recent travels, and as with most episodes, we conclude with an unplanned trauma dump.

Enjoy the episode!

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In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, it’s a family affair, as we’re joined by the brains behind ‘Gong Grocer’ - Sydney’s premiere Asian supermarket!

Brian and Vivian Nguyen, along with their mother Linh, get candid about the rollercoaster of building a business empire with loved ones. We learn about the lineage of grocers in their family, the dos and don'ts for working with relatives and how the generational and cultural differences between them helped shape brand culture.

The Nguyen family also shed light on how they mended their relationship to foster open, honest and healthy child-parent bonds, the importance of setting ego aside to understand those closest to you and the responsibility of passing heritage forward.

Enjoy the episode!


Show Notes Links:
www.gonggrocer.com.au
www.instagram.com/gonggrocer
www.tiktok.com/@gonggrocer

Send us a text

In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we’re joined by Mental Health Advocate, Emily Unity!

Emily shares her powerful story navigating childhood trauma and mental health challenges to become a voice for change. She opens up about how her diagnosis allowed her to make sense of her experiences and understand how to create safe spaces to support others with their journeys.

Emily also discusses how mental health symptoms can present differently for women and men, the need for representation in advocacy work and her framework for opening vulnerable and constructive conversations - as well as the power that holds, especially as Asian Australians, refugees and migrants.

Enjoy the episode!

Disclaimer:
This podcast discusses themes around domestic violence, suicide, self-harm and mental health. We want to ensure that everyone listening feels safe and supported, so please do listen with care. If this podcast might be heavy for you, feel free to skip and join us in our next episode. If you’re in need of support, remember help is always available. Contact lifeline on 13 11 14.

Show Notes Links:
Check Out Our Other Eps: www.levelasianpodcast.com/
Our Merch Store: store.levelasianpodcast.com/
Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyunity/?originalSubdomain=au

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Join us as we share our SURVIVOR GUILT as second-generation migrants grappling with the messy and complex issues around being the ones who ‘made it out’.

In this episode, we explore issues around escaping war, sending money back home, recognising our privilege and sharing our parents’ migration story to preserve what they went through as a way to heal.

Enjoy the episode!

Show Notes Links:
Check Out Our Other Eps: www.levelasianpodcast.com/
Our Merch Store: store.levelasianpodcast.com/

Send us a text

Join us as we dive into the journey of Eigen Ting, co-founder of a Sucre du Jour, a French fine patisserie, as he navigates the challenges of starting a business in a niche market, learning to navigate life after the death of his mother and travelling around the world in the hospitality industry.

In this episode, we explore his experiences, becoming independent at an early age, and the hurdles he faced in the culinary world.

- Starting a bespoke cake business with minimal capital and secondhand equipment.
- The significance of building a community and understanding cultural backgrounds through sweets.
- Overcoming the challenges of finding a location and capital amid COVID-19.
- The impact of family dynamics on career choices and personal growth.
- Insights on working with a partner in the same industry and managing dynamic roles.

Show Note Links:
Sucre du Jour website: https://www.sucredujourofficial.com/online-ordering
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sucre.du.jour?igshid=ZGUzMzM3NWJiOQ==
Eigen Ting: https://www.instagram.com/eigenting/

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In this episode, we're joined by Michelle Lim, an organisational culture and change lead, and an advocate for intersectional diversity, ethics, and equity and inclusion in the workplace. Michelle shares her personal journey growing up as an Asian Australian, navigating the challenges of feeling ashamed of her identity and trying to fit in, before eventually embracing her heritage with pride.

Michelle also opens up about her unconventional educational path, including homeschooling and pursuing ballet, and the mental health struggles she faced while supporting her family through a difficult health crisis. We explore the importance of cultural literacy, language accessibility, and representation, especially in areas like healthcare and government services, and how these systemic issues can have real impacts on marginalised communities.

Michelle advocates for the need to understand the difference between equality and equity, and the importance of having diversity targets to create more inclusive leadership representation.

Disclaimer:
This podcast discusses themes around domestic violence, suicide, self-harm and mental health. We want to ensure that everyone listening feels safe and supported, so please do listen with care. If this podcast might be heavy for you, feel free to skip and join us in our next episode. If you’re in need of support, remember help is always available. Contact lifeline on 13 11 14.

Show Notes Links:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-lim1/?originalSubdomain=au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellelim?igsh=MWppYXV2N2NvZTBxOQ==

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In this episode of the Level: Asian Podcast, we break down the roles and responsibilities we carry amongst our siblings, how we live into our stereotypical traits, and unlearning our roles within the family to allow our siblings to grow. 

Kan and Viv share their experiences growing up with the ‘first’ version of their parents, juggling with their dual roles to manage the parental and sibling emotional burden, and how they have started sharing the burden with the siblings, while Noel reflects his childhood as an only child and his desires to have a sibling to grow up with. 

Davie opens up about his family’s sibling dynamics, from being the youngest, carefree, and playful sibling, to the struggles of constantly being overlooked and now being the ‘breadwinner’ of the household. 

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Come sit and reflect with us on the amazing accomplishments and MASSIVE milestones we’ve shared as Level: Asian turns TWO!

THANK YOU to everyone for your incredible support over the last TWO years! We’ve grown so much together, shared many insane projects (👀 Vinh Giang’s Carter Event, #WAWE series, and two Food Events, just to name a few) and shared many stories (including our own) on this platform.

As migrant Asians, we often forget to take a moment to reflect and acknowledge our accomplishments that we’ve achieved with Level: Asian, so join Kan, Davie, Viv and Noel in this special heartfelt episode to reflect and celebrate our second birthday.

Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode where we share a special announcement. SO...in saying that, we're making a few EXCITING changes to our content over our short season break and we can't wait for you to see it.

We’re so grateful to have such a supportive community, stoked for all the exciting episodes and opportunities 2025 has planned for us!

✨ If you have any suggestions of what YOU would like to see, LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!! 🫶🏼

Check Out Our Other Eps: www.levelasianpodcast.com/
Our Merch Store: store.levelasianpodcast.com/