Samorn Selim - Podcast Details

Shows

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyKnow your employment law rights: navigating layoffs, firings, and job insecurity with Bill Jhaveri-Weeks, Employment Lawyer and Founder of The Jhaveri-Weeks Firm, P.C. (Ep. 175) William (“Bill”) Jhaveri-Weeks is the founder of The Jhaveri-Weeks Firm, P.C., a law firm in San Francisco that focuses on representing employees in employment disputes. The firm handles both individual cases and class actions, including harassment and discrimination. Bill is a member of the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Labor & Employment Section, was a partner at a class action firm, practiced in Big Law, and clerked for a federal Court of Appeals judge. Bill graduated with honors from Yale College and NYU Law School. In this podcast, Bill and Sam...2025-03-2549 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyBalancing career, music, and motherhood with Stephanie Wu, Cellist and Marketing Leader (Ep. 165) Do you struggle to balance your passions with your career and life? In this episode, we dive deep with Stephanie Wu where she shares her inspiring journey: From Youtube Symphony to Google: How her passion for music led to incredible opportunities, including performing at the Sydney Opera House and landing her dream job at Google. The Power of Choice: Why she made the bold decision to turn down a lifetime opportunity at Juilliard to pursue a Master's in cello performance from the Royal Northern College of Music. Balancing Act: Ho...2025-01-1444 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHappy Lao New year and connecting with our bodies to reduce anxiety and be calmer with Samorn Selim, Career Coach for BIPOC, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 163) Happy New Year. During the holidays, we can become more stressed, anxious, and sometimes depressed. Perhaps there’s too much work and you’re struggling to find balance. Perhaps a loved one passed away and you are mourning their loss. Perhaps you’re already feeling stretched so thin and traveling to see family is putting you on edge. So instead of the usual interview with guests, this episode is dedicated to reconnecting with our bodies and our breath. The meditation itself is less than 6 minutes (0.1 billable hours). If you want to...2024-12-3109 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyManaging the job search when you have mental health issues, been laid off, and struggle with applying consistently with Samorn Selim, Career Coach for BIPOC, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 161) Have you been struggling with your job search? And you want to stop feeling stuck and frustrated, and land your dream job in the next 3 months? In this episode, Samorn shares: Answers to the most commonly asked questions from working with over 1,000 clients. Why mental health is the most important thing to having a fulfilling life and career. What you can do to rebuild your life when it has been upended because of a mental illness like anxiety, depression, and bipolar. How you can manage your emotions and job search after a layoff. The n...2024-12-1743 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyAdvocating for yourself as a Black woman and getting promoted into executive leadership with Kimyatta Holder, VP, Senior Associate General Counsel, Head of Compliance, and Privacy Officer at Modern Health (Ep. 160) Kimyatta Holder is VP, Senior Associate General Counsel, Head of Compliance, and Privacy Officer at Modern Health, where she is responsible for the regulatory, product, and privacy legal functions, as well as the design, implementation, oversight, and management of Modern Health's global compliance program. Prior to joining Modern Health, Kimyatta was the Head of Internal Investigations and Regulatory Counsel at a Fortune 10 corporation and was a Big Law attorney at Alston & Bird. In this conversation, we dive deep into: The intersectionality of our identities and navigating the complexities of race...2024-12-1042 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyLanding your dream leadership role during a challenging job market with Lisa Heirtzler, Senior Director, GTM Strategy & Growth at NAVEX (Ep. 159) Lisa is a growth strategy leader with deep expertise in empowering small businesses to succeed. With over 15 years of experience in the software industry, she has successfully navigated both enterprise and start-up environments, with a focus on crafting strategies that help small businesses thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Currently, Lisa is the Senior Director, GTM Strategy & Growth at NAVEX. Previously, she led the global GTM launch of QuickBooks Self-Employed at Intuit, empowering millions of entrepreneurs, and freelancers to simplify their business management. In this episode, we dive deep into: Al...2024-12-0341 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFinding peace in the midst of chaos with Samorn Selim, Career coach for Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 158) The 2024 election results have left many of us feeling lost and devastated. During these challenging times, it’s easy to consume negative information and spiral into doom and gloom. So for this week’s podcast, we’re doing a short meditation. We hope that this mindfulness exercise will help you come back to yourself, recenter, and get grounded again. Want to connect with us? Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Dep...2024-11-2606 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFrom pro athlete to lawyer: overcoming depression, finding purpose, and becoming a managing partner with Adam Sloustcher (Ep. 157) Adam Sloustcher is the regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips’ Dallas office and is the Co-Chair of his firm’s Sports Team. In addition to advising sports employers, Adam’s practice also focuses on guiding in-house counsel, business owners, and management through all workplace issues and litigation. He has been named for numerous consecutive years in San Diego Super Lawyers, SD Metro Magazine, and the SD Business Journal for his work in labor and employment law. Adam’s drive to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients stems from his competitive athletic background where he was a...2024-11-1933 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFinding Your Voice, navigating cultural expectations, and going after your dreams with Elaine Lou Cartas, trauma-informed & award-winning woman of color business coach (Ep. 156) In this episode, we dive deep with Elaine Lou Cartas, a trauma-informed and award-winning woman of color business coach. Elaine Lou Cartas is a trauma-informed and award-winning woman of color business coach, a certified executive coach, and a speaker for women of color and allies. In the past 6 years, Elaine has worked with 7,000+ clients in 58 different countries. Elaine is recognized as the #1 thought leader by LA Weekly, best leadership and executive coach by MSN, a top 5 business coach by Apple News, and a top career coach for women by Life Coach Magazine. Elaine offe...2024-11-1251 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHealing trauma, managing burnout, and building a thriving career in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with Jaya Mallik, DEIB Expert (Ep. 155) It’s Election Day. There are so many feelings of uncertainty and chaos. We hope this conversation today with Jaya Mallik, founder of Jaya Mallik Coaching & Consulting, where she focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will leave you hopeful. Before Jaya started her own company, she worked as a teacher and led DEI efforts at Meta, Amazon, and Tandem Diabetes Care. In this episode, we do a deep dive into: 3:01 - Introduction to Jaya Mallik and her journey as 3rd culture person. 5:51 - Finding joy in DEIB work...2024-11-0549 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyBuilding your dream career and getting promoted to the C-suite with Shana Simmons, Chief Legal Officer at Zendesk and formerly at Everlaw (Ep. 154) Do you want to get promoted into leadership. But you’re not sure what to how to get there? In this episode with Shana Simmons (Chief Legal Officer of Zendesk and formerly of Everlaw), we discuss: What it means to grow up poor with very little access to resources and how it impacts the way you navigate the world. What the spirit of community and generosity means despite being poor, and how that helps you have empathy and compassion as a leader. How to get promoted into leadership, and be part of...2024-10-2945 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyBuilding a career in AI and ethical technology with Kathy Pham (Ep. 153) In this week’s episode, we chat with the Kathy Pham. She just received the AnitaB.org Technical Leadership Abie Award for being a pioneer, visionary, and bridge builder in government, tech, venture capital, nonprofit, and academia. Kathy is the Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Workday, an inaugural board member of Blue Tulip Ventures focused on funding responsible AI companies, a faculty for Product Management at Harvard University, and was the former Executive Director of the National AI Advisory Committee. In this episode, we do a deep dive in...2024-10-2248 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyRecovering from trauma, finding self-acceptance, and leading with compassion with Rosie Yeung, Founder of Changing Lenses and Certified Trauma Recovery Coach (Ep. 152) Are you wondering how to navigate the complexities of cultural identity, personal and systemic challenges, and trauma? In this episode with Rosie Yeung, Founder of Changing Lenses and the Un-Executive Coaching Methond and a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, we discuss the challenges that marginalized communities face and how this plays out in mental health and workplace dynamics. We do a deep dive into: The importance of understanding trauma and its impact on behavior and performance. The critical need for self-compassion, self-validation, and self-acceptance. How “executive presence” is often defined by outdate...2024-10-1549 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFinding belonging at work: bringing your whole self to work and building your dream career with Michaela Cultrara, Product Marketing Manager at UtilityAPI (Ep. 151) Are you feeling lost in your job search? This episode with one of my former clients, Michaela Cultrara, Product Marketing Manager at UtilityAPI, is for you. Michaela shares how she went from getting laid off, helping her mom clean homes to make ends meet, and how she successfully transitioned from public interest to tech. In this episode with Michaela, we dive deep into: - Culture & Career: Learn how your background shapes your work style and ideal work environment. - The Power of Mentorship: Discover how mentors can ac...2024-10-0847 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyThriving in corporate America as a Black man and first-generation college grad with Jaymon Ballew, Senior Counsel at The Major League Soccer (Ep. 150) This week, I’m so excited to share a podcast with one of my former clients, Jaymon Ballew. Jaymon is Senior Counsel for The Major League Soccer and a first-generation college and professional graduate. He shares his experiences navigating corporate America as a Black man, the importance of understanding the unwritten rules of the professional world, and how our work together helped him get clarity and land his dream job in sports. In this podcast, we do a deep dive into: - How to reconnect with your true passions when you f...2024-10-0148 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to leave your toxic workplace with Sarah Cottrell, Founder of Former Lawyer (Ep. 149) Are you working at a toxic job? But you’re afraid to leave? In this episode with Sarah Cottrell, founder of Former Lawyer, we do a deep dive into: - How to pay off your student loans after leaving your job. - How you can work on building your dream career while working your full time job. - How narcissism is built into workplaces. - The strategies you can use to leave a toxic work environment. Connect with Sarah at www.formerlawyer.com. Connect with...2024-09-2449 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to build a career in human rights with Lindsay Harris, Human Rights Law Professor (Ep. 148) Do you want to build a career in human rights, but you don’t know where to even begin? In this episode, we dive deep into: - How to build a career in human rights. - How to create trauma informed training for students and practitioners and why it’s important to take care of our mental health. - How to find your own voice and give yourself grace when others don’t like what you have to say. Connect with Lindsay at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay...2024-09-1749 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to balance being a mom while building your dream career with Winter Wheeler, Founder of Winter Wheeler Mediation and Arbitration (Ep. 147) Are you a parent and you’re struggling to balance work and life? Winter shares: - What you can put in place to start a business during the pandemic while being a parent. - What practices you can put in place to get through the tough times. - What snapping at her son made her realize about managing her work and life. - The importance of advocating for yourself, especially as a mom and parent. - Why we should stop buying into moms being martyrs complex. - How the sec...2024-09-1048 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to use mindfulness to create a better life and career with Mona Tashroudian, Founding Partner of Tashroudian Law Group (Ep. 146) Do you feel overwhelmed? You know you need to make a change, but you’re not sure where to start? We do a deep dive into: - How mindfulness can help you find calm in chaos. - How mindfulness can help you better serve your clients and better prepare your clients for high stakes situations. - How the pandemic has affected employment laws, and what employees and employers can do given new regulations. - How to let go of comparing yourself to others, and live a good life. 2024-09-0453 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyWhy self care and mental health is vital with Aya Miyashita, Co-Director to the UCLA Hub for Health Intervention (Ep. 145) Do you or someone you know struggle with mental health? In this episode, we do a deep dive on: - How having a mental illness like bipolar requires you to prioritize her mental and physical wellbeing. - How to manage final exams and licensing exams while being pregnant and after having a baby. - How having a mental illness deepens your compassion and enables you to better support your clients. - How even when you’re in a dark place, there are little angels along th...2024-08-2750 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to capture authentic moments with leading political figures with Jim Block, Bay Area Photographer capturing VP Kamala Harris and President Barack Obama (Ep. 144) Are you wondering how you can prepare to meet with the most powerful leaders in the world? Jim shares: - How to be true to yourself and find your vocation when the world tells you it’s not possible to do what you love. - How he captures authentic moments photographing people like President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris. - How to establish trust with people who don’t know or trust you yet. Connect with Jim at www.jimblock.com. Connect with Samo...2024-08-2046 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to manage your mental health with Lauren Tetenbaum, Psychotherapist (Ep. 143) The job search can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. In this episode with Lauren Tetenbaum (Psychotherapist and Lawyer), we dive deep into: - How you can give yourself more grace. - How to find the right therapist for you. - Why there’s power in you sharing your story. Connect with Lauren at www.latcounseling.com or on instagram @thecounselaur. Connect with Samorn at www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lesso...2024-08-1343 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to find a fulfilling career, stop energy leaks, and shift from scarcity to abundance with Elena Deutsch, Founder and CEO of WILL (Ep. 142) Are you feeling lost in your career? And you want to find a fulfilling career again? In this episode, we do a deep dive into: How loss can redirect us to find purpose. What to do when your body feels flight, fright, or freeze. The steps it takes to transform from having a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset. What in our daily lives are leading to energy leaks, and how to stop them to recoup our time and energy. The importance of tuning...2024-08-0643 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to get promoted into leadership as a woman of color and not be trapped by the golden handcuffs with Christina Yang, General Counsel & Pro Bono Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Ep. 141) Do you want to quit your high paying job? But you’re afraid you won’t be able to make ends meet? Christina shares: - How to manage graduating during a challenging economy and job market. - What you can do to manage your finances and not be beholden to the golden handcuffs at a job. - How to transition from entry level employee to leadership and management. - How to ask for help graciously and recognize that you can’t do it all. - How you can fight for so...2024-07-3049 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to put yourself out there and ask for the job you want even when it’s uncomfortable with Rupa Bhandari, VP of Legal Operations at Silicon Legal Strategy (Ep. 140) Do you know that you’re supposed to ask your network to help you? But you don’t want to feel icky doing it? In this episode, we do a deep dive with Rupa on: - How to share you're interested in a role even when it is uncomfortable. - How informational interviews can lead you to your dream role. - How to graciously ask your network to help you get introductions that can lead to job interviews. - How to make an impact even when your department is under-res...2024-07-2351 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFighting for marriage equality and having life unicorn adventures with Stuart Gaffney - marriage equality activist, filmmaker, and public health researcher (Ep. 139) The Supreme Court rulings against the LGBTQAI2+ community is heartbreaking. During these dark times, it’s important to remind ourselves that we still have a voice and can fight for social justice. In this episode with my lovely neighbor, Stuart Gaffney, we discuss: - Creating life unicorn adventures by quitting your jobs and traveling with your partner for 365 days without social media. - Growing up biracial and LGBTQ and the parallels between the movement for marriage equality for same-sex couples and that for interracial couples. - How t...2024-07-1645 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyManaging the job search when you have been laid off, feel burnt out, or struggle with mental health with Samorn Selim, CEO of Career Unicorns - career coach for BIPOC, women, and first generation professionals (Ep. 138) Have you been struggling with your job search? And you want to stop feeling stuck and frustrated, and land your dream job in the next 3 months? In this episode, Samorn shares: - Answers to the most commonly asked questions from working with over 1,000 clients. - Why mental health is the most important thing to having a fulfilling life and career. - What you can do to rebuild your life when it has been upended because of a mental illness like anxiety, depression, and bipolar. - How you...2024-07-0943 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHappy Lao New year and connecting with our bodies to reduce anxiety and be more calm with Samorn Selim, Career Coach for BIPOC, women & first generation professionals (Ep. 137) Sabai dee pii mai - Happy Lao New Year. I've been hearing from friends and clients that they're feeling more stressed, anxious, and sometimes depressed. Given what's going on in the world, it's not a surprise. So instead of the usual interview with guests, this episode is dedicated to reconnecting with our bodies and our breath. - The meditation itself is less than 6 minutes (0.1 billable hours). - If you want to skip straight to the meditation, it starts at 3:16. - If you can't do the fu...2024-07-0209 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyBeing intentional with your career, making big career changes, and bouncing back from the techsession with Stephanie Kiman, Sr. Marketing Programs Manager at SAP (Ep. 136) In this episode, we’re doing a deep dive with Stephanie Kiman (Sr. Marketing Programs Manager at SAP). We discuss: - Why winging it in your career can work for a while, but ultimately will not lead to happiness or fulfillment. - How the “techsession” led to unexpected layoffs and how to bounce back. - Why making agreements with yourself ahead of time can help with making big career changes like moving to another city, changing to a different industry, and pivoting to a new specialization. - How growing up with ref...2024-06-2543 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHealing generational trauma as a Cambodian-American and finding courage to pursue your passion with Chhunny Chhean, Supervisory Attorney at Federal Aviation Administration (Ep. 135) Do you want to be happy? But you’re afraid of making career changes? In this episode, we discuss: - How to find happiness even in a career that is known to be soul sucking like law. - What cooking can do to help us process generational trauma, including genocide by the Khmer Rouge. - Discover the importance of embracing the complexities of your identities; Chhunny discusses the unique challenges and privileges faced by refugees and how to navigate them. - How we come from refugee backgrounds but have diffe...2024-06-1843 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyBuilding your dream career in 90 days even when Corporate America wasn't designed for you with Adunola Adeshola, Career strategist and founder of employeeREDEFINED.com (Ep. 134) Do you identify as BIPOC, and feel like the odds are stacked against you in Corporate America? In this episode with Adunola Adeshola, we discuss: - What to do when your dream job becomes your nightmare. - How to build your dream career and thrive when Corporate America isn’t designed for you. - What to do if you’re the only Black, indigenous, or person of color in your office. - How to let go of “vanity metrics” and define what happiness means for you. - What you can do to take...2024-06-1145 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyLetting go of toxic narratives, healing generational trauma, and celebrating Asian women leaders with Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Tao of Self-Confidence (Ep. 133) Did you grow up wishing you looked different? Because there was a lack of representation in leadership and in the media. In this episode with Sheena Yap Chan, we discuss: - Why she is an Asian woman but wanted to have blonde hair and blue eyes, and what was the one small thing that allowed her to change. - How sometimes you don’t know where we’re going, and why it’s important to keep taking one small action that will lead to a big change overall. - What you...2024-06-0445 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFinding Purpose and creating a nonprofit with Adrian Tirtanadi, Founder and Executive Director of Open Door Legal (Ep. 132) Are you looking for your purpose? Or you’ve found it, but you’re not sure how to pursue it? In this episode, we discuss: - How to create conditions so that the only path forward is to follow your purpose. - What it’s like to confront our own privilege and leverage it to do good in the world. - How to build a sustainable nonprofit by learning skills, including fundraising from $35K to $6M, building a team with a 95% employer net promoter score, and scaling to create universal legal acce...2024-05-2837 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHealing Generational Trauma, Embracing Your Story & Landing Your Dream Job with Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War (Ep. 131) Many grapple with generational trauma and mental health challenges, impacting career paths. This episode explores: - Lao American Identity & Trauma: The U.S. "Secret War" in Laos and its lasting effects. - Healing from Generational Trauma: How past experiences shape choices and steps to move forward. - Embracing Your Origin Story: Finding purpose, connection, and belonging through heritage exploration. - Mental Health in AAPI Communities: Breaking stigmas around depression, anxiety, and seeking help. - Social Media for Career Pivots: Leveraging platforms like Instagram for learning, n...2024-05-2144 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyDr. Melissa Chan on Chinese Burmese American, Identity, Representation & Data-Driven Change (Ep. 130) Do you identify as Asian American? And you’re finding it challenging to figure out what parts make you whole? Melissa shares: - Feeling Culturally Misunderstood? Dr. Melissa Chan, PhD (East Asian Languages & Cultures), shares her unique experience growing up Chinese Burmese American. - Beyond the Model Minority Myth: Discover how economic disparities and racism shaped Melissa's childhood. - Culture in the Digital Age: How can we leverage human connection during times of isolation? - Why Diverse Representation Matters: Explore the impact of Asian visibility in American media on inclusion and b...2024-05-1451 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyFrom Refugee to Founder: How Leang Chung Shifted Mindsets & Launched a Thriving Career (Ep. 129 Repost) Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Learn how Leang Chung, a former Khmer refugee and founder of Pelora Stack, overcame limiting beliefs and built a fulfilling career path. This episode is packed with actionable tips for: - Making a Major Career Change: Explore Leang's journey, including transitioning to first-time management, entrepreneurship, or solopreneurship. - Breaking Free from Scarcity Thinking: Discover how to cultivate an abundance mindset that empowers your career goals. - Navigating Family Dynamics: Learn strategies for having open conversations with family, even when they don't support your career c...2024-05-0746 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 127: Repost: From Trauma to Triumph: Building a Business & Healing as a Black Woman Lawyer & Entrepreneur with Danielle McMillian (Founder of Pretty Petsitting and Embody Vegan) Do you dream of being your own boss, but fear holding you back? In this inspiring episode, lawyer and entrepreneur Danielle McMillian shares her remarkable journey of overcoming adversity and building a life of purpose. We delve into: - How a furry feline friend sparked the creation of her successful pet sitting business, Pretty Petsitting. - The challenges of navigating life as a Black woman with bipolar disorder and complex PTSD. - Practical steps to rebuild your life after facing mental health struggles and trauma. - The power o...2024-04-2350 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp 126: Repost: Reimagine Your Life: How to Embrace Possibility with Kate Sullivan (Emmy Award-Winning Journalist) Feeling stuck and unsure of your next step? You're not alone. In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring Kate Sullivan, a 4x Emmy award-winning journalist and host of PBS's "To Dine For." Kate shares her powerful insights on how to reinvent yourself and pursue your dreams, even when fear holds you back. Here's what you'll learn: - How to identify the whispers of your true calling and keep moving forward. - Why a "no" doesn't mean the end - it's a stepping stone to new possibilities. - The p...2024-04-1649 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 125: Repost: Network Your Way to Your Dream Job: Career Pivot Strategies with Heather Stevenson (General Counsel of Redcell Partners) Feeling stuck in your career? Want to make a pivot but lack the "perfect" experience? This episode is for YOU! Join us as we chat with Heather Stevenson, General Counsel at Redcell Partners and former Deputy General Counsel of the Boston Globe Media Partners. Heather's career journey is an inspiring example of leveraging your network to land your dream role, even with a non-traditional path. In this episode, you'll learn: - Actionable Networking Tips: Discover how to strategically leverage your network to open doors for career pivots, even...2024-04-0936 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 124: Repost: Breaking into leadership while identifying as a Lao refugee, LGBTQIA2S+, and nonprofit professional of color with Matthew Rizzie (Executive Director at GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment) Do you feel your passion is to make the world a better place? But you’re unsure of how to build a career out of it? In this episode, we discuss: - How the intersectionality of our identities impact our career and life choices. - The differences between Ally Wong’s “Jungle Asians” versus “Fancy Asians.” - How teachers make an impact, and can change our life path. - Steps you can take to turn your passion of making the world a better place into your career....2024-04-0245 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 123: Repost: Daughter of Cambodian Refugees to Managing Counsel: Meyling Ly Ortiz on Finding Your Voice Do you struggle to speak up at work? Meyling Ly Ortiz, Managing Counsel at Toyota, found her authentic voice and used it to propel her career. In this episode, we discuss - How finding your authentic voice can accelerate your career. - How being the daughter of refugees of the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields in Cambodia fuels her passion and purpose. - How going to therapy journey of self-discovery, setting boundaries, and achieving success. - Why she co-founded the Podium, a non-profit focused on amplifying the voices of...2024-03-2649 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 122: Repost: How knowing your self worth can accelerate your career growth with Jacqueline Lee (Vice President & General Counsel of Flynn Restaurant Group) Are you feeling stuck in your career? Do you want to be promoted, but you’re not sure how? This week, I'm thrilled to celebrate Jacqueline Lee's well-deserved promotion to General Counsel role at Flynn Group! Jacqueline's journey is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to advance their career. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into: - The power of self-worth: How Jacqueline's belief in her value led her to set healthy boundaries and advocate for herself. - The sponsor advantage: Why finding a mentor early on can b...2024-03-1951 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 121: Repost: Getting promoted to leadership and creating belonging with Komal Chokshi (UC Legal Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and Principal Counsel) Do you want to feel like you belong at work? But you haven’t been invited to the table and have been passed over for promotions? Komal shares: - How she successfully advocated for her leadership role as Chief DEI officer. - What she learned about her self worth when only the white guys were being asked out. - Why organizations need to stop blaming POC for leaving and look at changing their cultures. - How she and her team created diversity report cards for outside counsel. - How finding...2024-03-1245 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 120: Repost: How to find a job you love after taking a year off to travel with Lisa Chin (Intellectual Property Leader & Lawyer at Fortune 500 Company) Do you feel burnt out and need time off? But you’re afraid employers will see it as a red flag? Lisa Chin (Intellectual Property Leader & Lawyer at Fortune 500 Company) shares: - Why she took a year off to travel and explore what she really wanted from her career. - How being candid about why she took time off resulted in her getting an offer. - How she realized her specialty was not a good fit for her, and pivoted into another area. Connect with Lisa on linkedin.com/in...2024-03-0547 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 119: Repost: Making your own luck: growing up in Myanmar, getting a full scholarship to MIT, and co-founding the most popular service for gmail with Aye Moah (Co-founder and CEO of Boomerang). Do you want to make a big career change? But you haven’t taken action because you’re afraid of failing? In this episode, we discuss: - How to make a big career change going from dropping out of college and driving Lyft to becoming a software engineer at a Fortune 50 company. - How growing up as a Black man in a single parent household impacted his life and career decisions, and made him have the grit to keep going forward to achieve his dreams. - What you learn from livi...2024-02-2743 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 118: Repost: Making big career changes: driving Lyft, going to a bootcamp, and becoming a software engineer at a Fortune 50 company without a college degree with Vincent Robinson (Software Engineer at State Farm) Do you want to make a big career change? But you haven’t taken action because you’re afraid of failing? In this episode, we discuss: - How to make a big career change going from dropping out of college and driving Lyft to becoming a software engineer at a Fortune 50 company. - How growing up as a Black man in a single parent household impacted his life and career decisions, and made him have the grit to keep going forward to achieve his dreams. - What you learn from livi...2024-02-2040 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 117: Repost: Mental health for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, healing generational trauma and internalized racism, and shooting your shot with Dr. Stephanie J. Wong (Licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of Color of Success) Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate love than going to therapy to heal generational trauma? In this episode with Dr. Stephanie J. Wong, we discuss: - Why therapy is important, especially in Asian American Pacific Islander communities where it’s often considered taboo. - How there’s been an increased need for mental health support because of 45’s presidency that has emboldened White Supremacists. - How generational trauma and internalized racism has impacted Asian American Pacific Islander communities, many of these were a direct result of the...2024-02-1345 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 116: Repost: Rebuilding your life and career after PTSD and standing out as a product manager with Bosky Mukherjee (Founder of PMDojo) Do you have a physical or mental illness that is debilitating? And you had to figure out how to get help to recover and rebuild your life and career? In this episode, we discuss: - How being a workaholic in tech and ascending into leadership led to her burnout. - How she had PTSD that was so bad she could barely walk or eat and could not sleep at night. - How her son asking her why she was loving him less was the turning point for her getting help. - Wha...2024-02-0651 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 115: Repost: Navigating uncertainty and creating your own career path with Martha Hernandez (Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Bank of the West) Are you feeling uncertain about the world? And you’re trying to figure out how to ground yourself? Martha shares: - How she navigated the uncertainty of the DACA process to renew her work permit every 2 years. - What she learned from being undocumented and how she leverages it to create more inclusion in corporate America. - How she landed a job in finance, marketing, and product development without experience. - What she did during a conference to network her way to get an interview and job offer. - Why she...2024-01-3051 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 114: Repost: Rebuilding your confidence after rejection and having grit to find opportunities with Tyler Garvey (Vice President & Counsel at BNP Paribas) Have you experienced failure in your career? And you’re struggling with how to pick yourself up? Tyler shares: - How he navigated corporate America as a Black man growing up with Caribbean culture in Brooklyn. - What he did as a father during the pandemic to support his wife and children. - How he overcame the odds of landing a Big Law job after graduation when he received a “no offer” after his 2L summer internship. - Why crying helped him work through feeling depressed from his career setba...2024-01-2349 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 113: Repost: Being a box breaker and finding belonging with Neha Sampat (CEO of BelongLab) Do you feel like you’re being marginalized or othered? And you’re stuck between different cultures and generations? Neha shares how to: - Break the box and no longer leaving parts of yourself out just to get in the door. - Come to terms with being othered and marginalized. - Navigate patriarchy in Indian and American cultures. - Manage the minefield of unwritten rules in corporate America. - Overcome betrayal from a mentor. - Change the game and change the rules instead of assimilating, flying under radar, and telling...2024-01-1651 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 112: Repost: How to make good decisions with Michelle Florendo (Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast) Studies show that one out of four people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of January. To help you make better decisions, we’re resharing this episode with Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and coach for Type-A professionals and the host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast. In this episode, we discuss: - How the intersectionality of our identities, such as being a woman and being Asian, impact our career decisions. - The...2024-01-0943 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 111: Repost: Finding belonging in Corporate America with Rasha Gerges Shields (Partner at Jones Day) Do you have imposter syndrome? And you’re wondering if it’ll ever go away? Rasha shares: - Why she believes imposter syndrome is not just internal doubt, but part of external factors like microaggressions. - How she found a sense of belonging in Big Law. - How to balance being a working mom and a leader at the workplace during the pandemic. - Why mentors and sponsors can make a huge difference in your career. - Why you shouldn’t opt out of positions of power. 2024-01-0241 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 110: Repost: Making career pivots and managing depression with Thomas Lee (Founder and CSO of Derapi) Do you want to make a career change? But you’re not sure how to do it? Thomas shares: - How he made multiple career pivots from government to tech to VC. - What qualities to look for when founding a startup. - Why having a vision will help you with rejections. - How he manages his depression and suicidal ideation since age 8. - Why it’s important to not struggle in silence, and how to find support. - Why life is too short to work with a sucky t...2023-12-2650 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 109: Repost: Embracing yourself and creating belonging with Valerie Jackson (SVP and Chief Diversity Officer at Zuora) Do you feel like you’re the only (insert blank) person in the room? And you feel a sense of otherness? Valerie shares: - How getting burnt out taught her to take care of herself and embrace herself. - How she survived Big Law, is a recovering lawyer, and is now using those experiences to create inclusion and belonging. - How she understands that feeling othered is sometimes by design and sometimes by default, and how to intentionally and strategically make changes that have the greatest impact. - Why she crea...2023-12-1943 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 108: Repost: How intersectionality impacts our identities with Donna Vivar (Manager of Advising and Strategy + Training, UC Berkeley) Do you wonder what intersectionality means and how to embrace it in your life and career? In this episode with Donna Vivar (Manager of Advising and Strategy + Training, UC Berkeley), we discuss: - How to bring all of your identities to your life and work. - How racism and colonialism impacts our identity. - How to navigate strategic change at large institutions. Follow Donna on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvivar/. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam...2023-12-1237 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 107: Repost: How to belong in a world that isn’t made for you with Dr. Vicky Gomez (Assistant Professor at San Jose State) Have you been told that you don’t belong? In this episode with Dr. Gomez shares (Assistant Professor at San Jose State): - How she continued her doctorate program even though several professors told her she didn’t belong. - How one professor believing in her changed the course of her life. - How to trust yourself in a world that dehumanizes you. Follow Dr. Gomez on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-gomez-8a4a2615/. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.c...2023-12-0543 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 106: Repost: How to build your network from scratch with Dyanna Volek (Government Affairs Executive featured on New York Times and CNN) Are you a first generation professional who wants to build a great reputation and strong network? In this episode with Dyanna Volek (Government Affairs Manager featured on New York Times and CNN), we discuss: - How to build a stellar reputation and get featured on The New York Times and CNN. - How passion planning can help you reach your goals, like finding your soulmate. - How we can say no graciously, so we can focus on our goals. Follow Dyanna on Instagram @dyannaluna.2023-11-2850 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 105: Repost: How choosing the untraditional path can lead to your dream career with Frankie Reed (Former ambassador of Fiji and the surrounding regions) Do you know you have a dream in mind, but have been told it’s not possible? In this episode with Frankie Reed (former Ambassador of Fiji and the surrounding region and career member of the U.S. Foreign Service), we discuss: - How she forged her own path into human rights and being appointed to ambassador even though she was told it won’t happen. - How she turned a crisis turned into an opportunity that accelerated her career. - What she believes it the future of democracy, especi...2023-11-2154 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 104: Being intentional with your career, making big career changes, and bouncing back from the techsession with Stephanie Kiman (Sr. Marketing Programs Manager at SAP) It’s Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy podcast 2 year anniversary. For this special occasion, we’re doing a deep dive with one of Samorn’s clients, Stephanie Kiman (Sr. Marketing Programs Manager at SAP). We discuss: - Why winging it in your career can work for a while, but ultimately will not lead to happiness or fulfillment. - How the “techsession” led to unexpected layoffs and how to bounce back. - Why making agreements with yourself ahead of time can help with making big career changes like moving to anoth...2023-11-1443 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 103: Letting go of someone else’s dream, finding your purpose, and creating an inclusive culture for Black women with Watchen Nyanue (Founder & CEO of I Choose The Ladder) Are you living someone else’s dream? And you’re not sure how to find your own path? In this episode with Watchen Nyanue (Founder & CEO of I Choose The Ladder), we discuss: - How growing up as a refugee from Liberia helped her to move fearlessly through the world. - What you can do to always look for the upside. - How going to therapy every week can help you heal traumas and show up as the best version of you. - What to do when you rea...2023-11-0749 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 102: From the Bronx to Chief Legal Officer: how to embrace your identities, take risks, and build your dream career with Shana Simmons (Chief Legal Officer at Everlaw) Are you wondering when is the right time to make a career move? And what if the next role isn't exactly a promotion? What do you do? In this episode with Shana Simmosn (Chief Legal Officer of Everlaw, we discuss: - What it means to grow up poor with very little access to resources and how it impacts the way you navigate the world. - What the spirit of community and generosity means despite being poor, and how that helps you have empathy and compassion as a leader. - H...2023-10-3145 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 101: You are not the problem, unlearning silence, advocating for yourself, letting go of suffering, and healing from toxic workplaces with Elaine Lin Hering (speaker, facilitator, and writer) How many of us have been told to suffer in silence because we shouldn’t burn bridges? But that silence is violence and trauma. In this episode with Elaine Lin Hering, we discuss: - AAPIs in American and how to navigate executive leadership in majority White spaces. - What happens when people of color are minoritized, racialized, and tokenized, and what we can do instead to support people of color in their careers. - What it means to “play” the game versus pushing the boundaries to move forward. 2023-10-2447 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 100: Repost: Being a Black DEI consultant and setting healthy boundaries with Janice Gassam Asare (Founder of BWG Business Solutions) Do you want to embrace the intersectionality of your identities and build your dream career? But you’re not sure where to start? In this episode with Janice, we discuss: - How she built her DEI business during the pandemic. - Why optimizing rest and scheduling time for self care and sleep is important to success. - How to learn to be your no. 1 fan. - What having a horrible first client taught her about managing her business. - How to set healthy boundaries and handle pick your brain...2023-10-1749 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 99: Repost: Being Asian and gay, recovering from a toxic workplace, creating cultural competent therapy for AAPIs with Dr. Noel Ramirez (Founder & Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting) The pandemic and the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes has been devastating for AAPI communities. How do we heal ourselves from individual, institutional, and systemic traumas? In this episode with Dr. Noel Ramirez (Founder & Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting, an AAPI mental health group mental health resource center, we discuss: - How reading my memoir, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” transformed him and gave him the courage to change his life and career. - How being a dancer at a gay Asian night c...2023-10-1052 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 98: Repost: Finding your voice, working with allies, building your dream career, and creating a culture of inclusion with Mita Mallick (Chief Diversity Officer at Carta and Co-host of The Brown Table Talk Podcast) If you’re looking for resources on how to create inclusion, order Mita’s book (out today!) “Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths To Transform Your Workplace” on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Reimagine-Inclusion-Debunking-Transform-Workplace/dp/1394177097 - currently #1 bestseller in HR category). Some of her myths include: - "I am all for diverse talent. As long as they are good." - "Our ad wasn’t racist. It was simply a mistake." - "These DEI efforts don’t benefit me. My voice as white man doesn’t count anymore." Each myth opens with...2023-10-0345 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 97: Repost: How to rebuild your life and career with a mental illness with Rohan Kallicharan September is suicide prevention month. I know firsthand how tough it is to have suicidal ideation, and I hope anyone who is experiencing this knows that they are not alone. They can get help and get better. In this episode with Rohan Kallicharan, we discuss: - What it’s like to have a serious mental illness like bipolar disorder. - How he has made several suicide attempts and how he survived. - How getting support for his mental health enabled him to become better. - How after...2023-09-2653 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 96: Repost: How to rebuild your life after addiction with Leigh Steinberg (real-life inspiration for Oscar-winning Jerry McGuire & Chairman of Leigh Steinberg Sports and Entertainment Holdings) Have you struggled with addiction? And you know this is how you want to live, but you’re not sure how to make a change? Leigh Steinberg (real-life inspiration for Oscar-winning Jerry McGuire & Chairman of Leigh Steinberg Sports and Entertainment Holdings) shares: - How being a dorm counselor of a football rookie led to him representing the first pick of the NFL draft when he was a new lawyer. - What allowed him to have a meteoric rise as a sports agent and lawyer. - How he rebuilt...2023-09-1948 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEpisode 95: Repost: How taking a risk can lead to your dream career with Alex Su (Head of Community at Ironclad) Are you in a career that is a bad fit with your skills? But you’re not sure how to transition to something that is a better fit? In this episode with Alex Su, we discuss: - How he used out of the box strategies to get into a top 14 law school with a GPA lower than 2.9. - How he decided to leave the practice of law to start over in tech sales. - How he went against conventional wisdom and leveraged LinkedIn and TikTok to build his reputation and land...2023-09-1250 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 94: Repost: Finding your authentic voice and speaking truth to power with Jill Wesley (Founder of Science + Soul of Speaking and Head of Speaker Coaching for TEDxSanFrancisco) We often hear that we should be “authentic.” But how do you do that when you know you’ll be attacked when you’re the victim or you have to keep your job to pay the bills despite toxic leadership? After being attacked at the park for simply being me: Asian and woman, I felt firsthand how victims are repeatedly shut down. Victims are met with attacks, interrogations, and minimization. I found my conversation with Jill Wesley healing. In this episode, we discuss: - What it’s like to be t...2023-09-0543 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 93: Repost: Growing up as a Black Man and a descendant of slaves in America, fighting for social justice, and finding hope in dark times with Antonio Ingram II (Assistant Counsel at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund) The recent Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action are huge setbacks for marginalized communities and communities of color. During these challenging times, it’s easy to lose hope. And it’s even more important to surround ourselves with good people and things that are life sustaining. Talking to Antonio Ingram II, someone I met when he was a first year law student and I was the Director of Employer Outreach and Career Counselor, left me feeling inspired to focus on doing social justice work sustainably. In this epi...2023-08-2950 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 92: Being a named plaintiff for marriage equality, advocating for justice, and having life unicorns adventure with Stuart Gaffney (marriage equality activist, filmmaker, and public health researcher) The recent Supreme Court rulings against the LGBTQAI2+ community is heartbreaking. Sometimes, I feel hopeless during these dark times. And in these times, it’s even more important for us to surround ourselves with good people and remind us of the good things in life and what we can do in our small corner of the universe to make things better. In this episode with my lovely neighbor, Stuart Gaffney, we discuss: - Creating life unicorn adventures by quitting your jobs and traveling with your partner for 365 days w...2023-08-2245 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 91: Breaking into leadership while identifying as a Lao refugee, LGBTQ, and nonprofit professional of color with Matthew Rizzie (Executive Director at GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment) Do you feel your passion is to make the world a better place? But you’re unsure of how to build a career out of it? In this episode, we discuss: - How the intersectionality of our identities impact our career and life choices. - The differences between Ally Wong’s “Jungle Asians” versus “Fancy Asians.” - How teachers make an impact, and can change our life path. - Steps you can take to turn your passion of making the world a better place into your career. - How to...2023-08-1545 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 90: Repost: Meditation to find peace and restore faith in humanity during challenging times with Samorn Selim (CEO of Career Unicorns and Career Coach for BIPOC, Women and first-generation professionals) As some of you may know, I was attacked by a man walking in my neighborhood park around 9:45 am. The man made no attempt to steal anything; his only goal was to hurt me by tackling me like a football player. You can read the full story here: https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/03/asian-female-attorney-hate-crime-speak-up/. - The latest crime data shows that 11% of assault victims citywide in San Francisco are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. - 25% of the elder abuse victims are AAPI, the highest among all the racial groups....2023-08-0809 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 89: Repost: Stopping anti-Asian hate, speaking up about discrimination, and choosing joy with Lisa Mak (Attorney at Minami Tamaki andPresident of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area) As some of you may know, I was attacked by a White man walking in the park around 9:45 am. This is a park where they hold summer camps and many kids were around. I bring my kids here on the weekends and celebrated one of their birthdays there just this past May. You can read about the attack here: https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/03/asian-female-attorney-hate-crime-speak-up/. The latest crime data shows that 11% of assault victims citywide in San Francisco are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 25% of the elder abuse vict...2023-08-0142 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 88: Making big career changes: driving Lyft, going to a bootcamp, and becoming a software engineer at a Fortune 50 company without a college degree with Vincent Robinson (Software Engineer at State Farm) Do you want to make a big career change? But you haven’t taken action because you’re afraid of failing? In this episode, we discuss: - How to make a big career change going from dropping out of college and driving Lyft to becoming a software engineer at a Fortune 50 company. - How growing up as a Black man in a single parent household impacted his life and career decisions, and made him have the grit to keep going forward to achieve his dreams. - What you learn...2023-07-2540 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 87: Getting into the C-suite, creating a culture of belonging, and building allies with Yusuf Z. Zakir (Chief Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Officer at Davis Wright Tremaine) This episode was recorded before the Supreme Court made its decision to gut affirmative action. Knowing the make up of the Justices, we had a bad feeling about the ruling. Unfortunately, we were right. But even so, my conversation with Yusuf left me feeling hopeful about what we can do as individuals, communities, and organizations to create belonging in our personal lives and professional lives. In this episode, we discuss: - What you can do to make big career changes, and break the glass ceiling to the C...2023-07-1844 min

Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 86: From the Killing Fields to Emmy Award winning journalist with Na Eng (Chief Communications Officer at People For The American Way) In this episode with Na Eng, we discuss: - How being born in the killing fields in Cambodia shaped her entire identity. - How the generosity of strangers helped her beat the odds. - What inspired her to be a journalist, and how her background as a refugee helps her to share stories of people dealing with incredibly challenging circumstances. - Why the model minority myth became one of the dominant narratives around accomplishments, and what we can learn from it. - How you c...2023-07-1138 min