Shows
Move with PowerLate 20s Unfiltered: Engagements, Turning Points, & Everything In BetweenIn this candid catch‑up episode, Shirley and Esther dive into the twists, turns, and milestones of life in our late 20s. Esther shares stories from her travels through South America, and talks about her next big chapter—moving to London for graduate school. Shirley opens up about the joy of her engagement and her gradual shift toward living more in the moment: embracing spontaneity, slowing down, making space for her hobbies, and finding a better balance between time with friends and time for herself.We wrap things up with a lively rapid‑fire Q&A, swapping sponta...2025-08-0640 min
Move with PowerQ&A: feeling lost in your 20s, why career success can feel empty, falling behind in life and relationshipsIn our very first Q&A episode, we're diving into some of the big, messy, and meaningful questions about life and career. We’re opening up about our own journeys—navigating job transitions, dealing with doubts around success, and figuring out how to define it on our own terms. On the personal side, we explore what it means to juggle multiple identities and how to handle that creeping feeling of falling behind when everyone around us seems to be hitting milestones. It’s honest, real, and a little bit vulnerable—don’t miss this special conversation!#Pers...2025-07-1026 minMove with PowerAnimating the Big Screen, Then Reimagining Her Own Path, with VFX Artist Daffy HristovaIn this episode of Move with Power, we sit down with Daffy Hristova, a seasoned digital artist whose work has brought some of the most visually stunning films to life—including Disney’s The Jungle Book, Gladiator II, and Avatar: The Way of Water.Born in Bulgaria, Daffy moved to London to chase her dream in visual and digital arts. Over the years, she’s contributed to world-class production teams, mastering the craft of digital sculpting, SubD modeling, texturing, lighting, and more. But we’re not catching her in a studio—we’re speaking with her while sh...2025-06-2539 minMove with PowerHealing the Planet and Our Climate Anxiety with Non-Profit Climate Action Club Founder, Danielle LeeIn this episode, we sit down with Danielle Lee — former climate tech product manager and now founder of the Climate Action Club — to explore her journey from the high-speed world of consulting and startups to the purpose-driven nonprofit space. Danielle opens up about the cultural stigmas she had to confront around activism and nonprofit work, and how she redefined “impact” beyond the traditional lens of tech and investing. We dive into why climate tech innovation, while important, isn’t enough on its own — and why building spaces for community, conversation, and collective care is a critical yet often overloo...2025-06-1734 minMove with PowerHow to Quit Your Tech Job and Travel the World with a Purpose, with Rosa ShiIn this episode, Esther and Shirley sit down with Rosa Shi, a multilingual storyteller and cultural connector whose unconventional journey has taken her from corporate Beijing to the decks of a Japanese NGO's global voyage.Born in Quanzhou, Fujian, Rosa studied Spanish at Sun Yat-sen University, where a transformative exchange year in Mexico City expanded her worldview. After completing her Master’s in Arts & Cultural Management from King’s College London during the pandemic, she began her career as a Brand Specialist in tech. But craving deeper purpose, Rosa stepped away from the corporate world to join Peac...2025-06-0333 minMove with PowerDeploying AI to Measure Psychological Safety and Workplace Dynamics, with Autumn AI Founder Quinn UnderwoodIn this episode, we sit down with Quinn Underwood — serial entrepreneur, University of Toronto grad, and founder of Autumn, a groundbreaking mental health startup acquired by Qualtrics. Quinn shares his journey from growing up around small business owners to becoming a tech founder. Today, he's helping organizations rethink how they measure mental health, detect early signs of burnout, and proactively strengthen team dynamics.We explore how he pivoted from early interests in medicine and law to launching Autumn, and how he and his team built proprietary AI models that redefined employee wellness — shifting the focus from outdated surv...2025-05-0738 min
Move with PowerDecoding Personalities, Designing Products: Chloe Wang’s Journey in Product Management at RooIn this special episode of Move with Power, Esther and Shirley sit down with one of our most multifaceted guests yet—Chloe Wang, a Senior Product Manager at Roo, whose career bridges UX design and machine learning.Chloe shares her journey from Shanghai to Ohio and eventually to Wellesley College, discussing the cultural transitions and personal growth she experienced along the way. She delves into her path toward product management, highlighting her experiences exploring career options through internships, scaling startups, and leveraging AI in her professional endeavors.We explore Chloe’s professional path, lessons, and takeaways...2025-04-1458 minMove with PowerWhat We Learned About Career Shifts and Wellness Four Years Out Of CollegeIn this special episode of Move with Power, Shirley and Esther break down four years of post-college work experience, sharing the real, unfiltered truth about life in banking, investing, consulting, and more. What’s real, and what’s not? We’ll clear up common misconceptions and provide a fresh perspective on what it’s actually like to work in these industries, while sharing our biggest lessons learned.
In addition to career insights, we explore how we managed our mental health during some of the most stressful times. With high-pressure environments often testing your limits, we’ll discuss the strate...2024-10-2238 minMove with PowerApplying Strategic Thinking in Chess, Debate, Law and Life, with Class Action Attorney (and Shirley’s fiancé!), Jake MillerIn this special episode of Move with Power, Esther and Shirley sit down with one of our most interesting guests yet – national chess master, poker player, Harvard College Debating Union debater and former head coach, Harvard Law student, and now class action attorney at Lieff Cabraser, Jake Miller. Jake also happens to be Shirley’s fiancé!
We explore Jake’s professional path, lessons, and takeaways on navigating mental health. Jake opens up about the strategic skills he honed growing up with chess, and how his evolving self discovery journey shaped his career choices.
We also dive in...2024-10-1342 minMove with PowerGrowing a 400k+ YouTube Presence and Evolving Personally, with Creator Entrepreneur and Ex-Engineer/Consultant, Amy WangIn this episode of Move with Power, Shirley and Esther sit down with Amy Wang, Youtube content creator entrepreneur with 400k+ subscribers, podcast host of “Your A+ Life,” and soon-to-be student at MIT Sloan. Amy shares her remarkable journey from her engineering roots at Caltech, through her experiences in consulting, to launching her channel and digital products as now a creator entrepreneur.
As she reflects on her upbringing, Amy discusses how her family influences initially pointed her to engineering, but how her self-discovery and passion fueled her path to corporate life then entrepreneurship.
Amy opens up a...2024-08-3141 minMove with PowerScaling Purpose-Led Organizations with Co-Founders of Girls Who Impact, Patricia Wang and Lyn Zhang [Mandarin Episode]In this week's special Mandarin episode, Esther and Aria Wang engage in a powerful conversation with Patricia Wang and Lyn Zhang, the visionary founder of Girls Who Impact. Together, they explore Patricia and Lyn's remarkable journey to entrepreneurship and their unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment. We dive into the key lessons they’ve learned throughout their journey, from the challenges of starting with a small team to expanding their organization to over 1,500 members. They also share the story behind their first in-person conference in New York and how it became a pivotal moment for their organization.
Addi...2024-08-2746 minMove with PowerFinding Your Voice: Behind the Scenes of Our TED Talk JourneyIn this special episode, Shirley and Esther share their journey of presenting their TED Talk in Vancouver, Canada, called "How to Find Your Voice: The Art of Continued Personal Discovery."
We dive deep into their experiences and insights on how they found the opportunity to sponsor and speak at TEDx and the key topics they covered. From the challenges of finding one’s voice to the art of self-discovery, this episode explores the personal stories and lessons that shaped their presentation.
We share insights on the preparation and planning process leading up to...2024-08-0724 minMove with PowerLetting Go of Golden Handcuffs and Living Your Passions, with Ex-Banker and Swiss-American Painter Nicolas ColemanIn this episode, we explored the incredible journey Nicolas Coleman undertook, leaving behind a high-powered career in investment banking to follow his true calling as a full-time painter. He shared the courageous decisions and defining moments that propelled this life-altering transition, inspiring anyone considering a leap into the unknown to pursue their passion.Nicolas illuminated his vision for his art career, revealing how artists have influenced his distinctive style through dedication and exploration. His work, rich with thematic depth and creative expression, stands as a testament to the power of staying true to one's artistic voice.His...2024-07-2452 minMove with PowerLeaning into Your Personal Superpowers, with Annie Chen, Founder of Central Bark & ex-MIT Poker Club PresidentIn this episode, Shirley and Esther sit down with Annie Chen, the founder of Central Bark, a premium pet care service, and former consultant, recruiting specialist, and president of the MIT Poker Club. We explore Annie’s first-time journey as an entrepreneur, as well as how her Type 2, natural people coach, and social butterfly tendencies have helped her in her self-discovery and career growth journeys and enabled her to mentor others through her efforts to give back to the women professionals circles and Asian communities, like the Apex Youth organization.
Annie shares her fascinating background, including her pa...2024-07-151h 03Move with PowerHow to Become an Influencer (while killing it at your day job), with Amy JinIn this episode, Esther sits down with Amy Jin, a Wellesley alumnae, influential Instagram personality with 12.7k followers, and talented product designer. Amy shares her unique journey from growing up immersed in the world of golf to pursuing a career in product design with a mission to solve real-world problems.
We delve into Amy's early experiences on the golf course and the influences that shaped her passion for both the sport and design. Dedicated to making golf more accessible and inclusive for women, Amy discusses her efforts to empower women to take up the sport and break...2024-07-0441 minMove with PowerAdvancing Sustainability and Gender Inclusion in Business, with Professor Ellen Touchstone from International Business School SuzhouIn this episode, Esther and Mengtian, one of our Power Move Society interns, sit down with Ellen Touchstone, the inaugural Associate Dean for Responsible and Sustainable Business Education at the International Business School Suzhou (XJTLU). We delve into Ellen's passion for sustainability, her journey from the United States to China to trace her grandparents' footsteps from a century ago, and her adaptability to new cultures and environments.
Ellen is a recognized thought leader in inclusive banking, with her research on the linguistic servicescape and multilingual advertising published in the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of...2024-05-3038 minMove with PowerBuilding a Dynamic Product Management Career with Flow Product Lead, Erica LeeIn this episode, Shirley and Esther sit down with Erica Lee, a seasoned product management leader with an impressive career spanning roles at Visa, Blend, Better, and now Flow -- a residential rental real-estate company. Flow was founded in 2022 by the former CEO of WeWork, Adam Neumann, and funded by the VC a16z.
Erica, who holds a business degree from Berkeley, shares her journey through the dynamic world of tech and product management. We dive into Erica's upbringing and early influences that shaped her career ambitions, as well as her diverse experiences across startups and large...2024-05-2242 minMove with PowerLaunching a Boutique Impact Consultancy, with Founder & CEO of Waban Impact, Callie KimIn this episode, Esther and Shirley sit down with Callie, the founder and CEO of Waban Impact LLC, and alumna of Wellesley College. We discuss her passion in sustainable impact, her journey from management consultancy to entrepreneurship, and how she builds and taps into her various communities.
Trained as a consultant, Callie has collaborated with diverse entities, from governments and Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits and startups. Her expertise lies in helping organizations scale their social impact work internationally --to create meaningful change that ripples across communities and transcends borders.
Now, in her role as the...2024-05-0833 minMove with PowerChartering Intersectional Climate Justice with Earth Day Summit MYCO Founder, Kemi OritsejaforIn this episode, we sit down with Oluwakemi "Kemi" Oritsejafor, the organizer behind MYCO, a three-day Earth Day summit event on Apr 19th-21st at Brooklyn Commons — an exploration of the climate and environmental justice movement and its intersections with racial, gender, and queer liberation -- and a moment for pause, inspiration, and restoration. (Note: link to MYCO's EventBrite below!)
Kemi's multifaceted prowess as an entrepreneur, creative, climate leader, and more, is a true source of inspiration for all of us on the journey to pursue an authentic life and career, aligned with our passions and values. In addition to he...2024-04-1638 minMove with PowerEmpowering Teams as a Growth-Minded Leader in Consumer Brands, with CEO of De Soi, Scout BrissonIn this episode of the "Move with Power" podcast, hosts Shirley and Esther sit down with the remarkable Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, a consumer beverage brand of non-alcoholic apéritifs made with natural adaptogens founded by Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan.
Scout shares her background as a middle child and a crew athlete in school, to graduating from MIT and her foray into management consulting at McKinsey. After her experience in early-stage venture and founding her own better-for-you food brand, Scout joined De Soi as the General Manager in the brand’s infancy, and later ste...2024-04-1142 minMove with PowerBuilding Enterprise AI from Scratch: VectorShift COO Albert Mao’s Founding Journey from Y CombinatorIn this week’s episode, hosts Shirley and Esther unfold Y Combinator S23 founder Albert Mao’s launch into the realm of LLM / AI and establishing his company VectorShift.
Albert Mao, an enthusiast for data-driven solutions and AI applications, explored automation solutions for enterprises with his buddy/co-founder from college until landing on and launching VectorShift. Post graduation, Albert embarked on his career as a management consultant and upon getting accepted to join the YC S23 batch, Albert went to the West Coast and participated in the intensive YC bootcamp. At the bootcamp, he fully developed the idea...2024-03-2240 minMove with PowerEvolving from Liberal Arts Academia to Corporate Management Consulting, with Yanni LiIn this week’s episode, hosts Shirley and Esther delve into the Yanni Li’s journey establishing herself in the realm of academia and transitioning into the corporate world.
Passionate about bridging communities and fostering mutual understandings on international relations perspectives, Yanni founded and lead the US-China Better Relations Coalition during Covid, building an organization across North America and Asia. We explore how Yanni’s upbringing moving across countries fueled her curiosity for the various cultures and people encountered during her journey. We also learned how her interests in Art History and East Asian Studies at Wellesley and St...2024-03-1251 minMove with PowerHow to Build Intention in Life and Work: Lessons From Our First 25 YearsShirley and Esther are back -- this time with a introspective episode on their personal lessons in life and work at the quarter life mark.
In this episode, we're getting raw and real about the ah-ha moments navigating our evolving professional careers as twenty-somethings -- from realizing our true priorities, to shedding perfectionism, to taking ownership and finding your voice, to being present and living in the now, and more.
The journey of self growth and discovery is messy but ultimately rewarding -- so join us as we explore the highs, lows, and invaluable lessons...2024-02-2128 minMove with PowerTrailblazing in Crypto with a Private Equity Background, with Chief Business Development Officer of Match Chain, Jessie XiaoIn this week’s episode, hosts Shirley and Esther delve into the dynamic career of Jessie Xiao — transitioning from private equity at Macquarie to becoming a trailblazer in the crypto space — from her co-founding of BubbleDAO, a venture that aims to increase inclusivity in the world of crypto, to her current role as Chief Business Development Officer of Match Chain.
We explore how Jessie's background in finance and government relations has helped prepare her for her current role in the crypto industry. We also gain a deeper understanding of her transition from working in a large corporate enviro...2024-01-2456 minMove with PowerIgniting the World of Design, with Yuhan Liao, Founder of Mono Space [Mandarin Episode]In this week’s episode, Esther sits down with guest Yuhan Liao (Wendy) and explore her journey to entrepreneurship in the products design space. We delve into the motivations behind Yuhan’s passion for arts and designs, as well as the impact of her parents, who have been active in the creative industry for decades. We also explore mental health practices for stress reduction as a founder in New York City. This will be our first episode in Mandarin, as we are dedicated to broadening diversity and language on this podcast through our collective efforts!
Our guest, Yuha...2024-01-0754 minMove with PowerRevolutionizing Financial Diligence Through AI, with Co-Founder and CEO of dili, Stephanie SongJoin Shirley and Esther in an exhilarating conversation with Stephanie Song, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of dili, a cutting-edge Y Combinator Summer 2023 startup revolutionizing investment due diligence through the power of AI.
Stephanie started her career on Wall Street and after executing billions of dollars of deals, joined the Corporate Development and Ventures team at Coinbase. Her personal experience working as a banking associate drove her passion to streamline the deal-making process through co-founding dili.
In this episode, we get a glimpse into the highs and lows of Stephanie's entrepreneurial journey. From pitching to...2023-12-2248 minMove with PowerFashion, Entrepreneurship, and Science: Exploring Multifaceted Self-Identity and Career Pursuits, with Anya KanyukaIn this episode, Shirley and Esther sit down with Anya Kanyuka. Anya is the founder of fashion brand Mafia Swimwear, and has also graced the runways of the world's most prestigious fashion weeks as a model, from New York Fashion Week to Paris and Vancouver Fashion Weeks. In her career, Anya is also a biologist who has delved deep into the realms of scientific research, particularly in the fight against cancer, holding degrees in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Toronto and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology and Genomics from Ecole Normale Supérieure.
2023-12-0550 minMove with PowerLeading with Business Principles and Resiliency, with CEO of Anja Health, Kathryn CrossIn this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Cross, the founder and CEO of Anja Health, a healthcare startup on a mission to democratize access to cord blood banking.
After graduating from Wellesley College, Kathryn desired for a greater purpose in work which led her to entrepreneurship. Founded in the memory of her brother, Andrew, who had cerebral palsy, Anja Health raises awareness about the importance of cord blood stem cells for treating diseases like cancer, HIV, cardiovascular disorders, and more.
Today, Kathryn is not only scaling her business but also has cultivated a strong community on TikTok (@kathrynanja...2023-11-1541 minMove with PowerHow to Create Authentic Fulfillment in Life and Work, with Anna ChenIn this week’s episode, Shirley and Esther borrow the lens of development psychology to examine self identity and personal career aspirations. With guest Anna Chen, an expert in human development, we delve into the impact of immigrating as children and growing up with career-focused mothers as role-models. We also explore essential aspects of mental health: forming authentic connections with coworkers, cultivating a healthy relationship with our work, and mastering the art of self-compassion.
Our guest, Anna Chen, was born in Guangzhou and raised in Vancouver. Anna prioritizes building meaningful connections and relationships. After studying communications at Ne...2023-11-1352 minMove with PowerCultivating Impactful Relationships in Our 20s in New York City, with Jackie XuanIn this week’s episode, Shirley and Esther delve deeper into relationship building in our early 20s with our dear friend from Wellesley. With guest Jackie Xuan, a seasoned finance professional, we explore our shifts in life mottos, as well as various ways to forge meaningful bonds pre and post college. We also examine mental health practices and philosophical quotes that could potentially transform attitudes and outlooks for life during challenging times.
Our guest, Jackie Xuan, was born and raised in Inner Mongolia, China. After visiting the US at a younger age while supporting her mom's pursuit in aca...2023-11-0538 minMove with PowerReflecting On Mental Support Networks This World Mental Health DayIn honor of World Mental Health Day, join us in this special podcast episode with Shirley and Esther as we update each other on our own well-being and how to break free from the stigma surrounding candid mental health conversations.
We share openly about what often gets in the way of opening the conversation on well-being with friends and family and how to embark on a journey toward greater understanding, compassion, and healing.
Stay updated by subscribing on Spotify, following us on Tik Tok (@powermoveorg), and joining our growing...2023-10-1021 minMove with PowerMastering Mental Resilience as a Female Investment Banker, with Rhea MehtaIn this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting an incredible guest speaker, Rhea Mehta, a woman in finance who has made their mark in the world of investment banking in the MedTech industry. We'll gain unique insights into Rhea's personal background and the path that led her to a profession that has traditionally been challenging for women to enter.
We'll also explore Rhea's experience as a graduate of a women's college and how it may have set her apart in the workplace and in other aspects of her life. Additionally, Rhea will share her experiences with...2023-09-3039 minMove with PowerBreaking Barriers in the Performing Arts as a Woman of Color, with Cassie ChangIn this episode, we're talking about breaking barriers as women of color in the world of Opera — with an incredible guest, Cassie Chang. Join us as we explore the unique career journey in opera and delve into the challenges, triumphs, and the transformative power of diverse representation in this traditional art form.
Our guest, Cassie Chang, is a Canadian operatic soprano and a luminary in her field, as one of the Top 10 emerging young artists by the Canadian Opera Company Summer Intensive, the most prestigious producer of opera in Canada. She recently had her de...2023-09-1846 minMove with PowerNavigating Gender Biases in a Male-Dominated Workplace, with Rosey LiIn this week's episode, we delve deep into a topic that resonates with so many of us as professional women — navigating gender biases and dynamics in the workplace, while being our authentic selves -- especially in male-dominated careers like finance. Today, we are on a quest to uncover strategies for not just excelling and leading as women in the workplace but also for embracing our authentic selves in the process. And if that’s not punchy enough -- we are also exploring the vital balance between our ambitious career pursuits and our mental and holistic health, sharing some of our o...2023-09-1842 min
Move with PowerWhy Talk About Holistic Health and the WorkplaceWelcome to the Move with Power podcast, where two young professional women talk about mental health and leadership in the workplace. Here, we share our personal stories - our mistakes and our growth - and bring in our favorite people and role models as guest speakers, to share our insights and learnings with other aspiring women leaders.
In this inaugural episode, Esther and Shirley introduce their background and their "why" for starting the Move with Power podcast and the broader Power Move platform. We go into detail on how our personal and professional journeys...2023-08-2726 min