New ACONIC Podcast Series: Challenging Stereotypes About Asian Americans

 New ACONIC Podcast Series Launches to Challenge Stereotypes and Discuss Personal and Professional Highs and Lows with Asian and Asian American Icons 

 The Aconic Podcast, a new series featuring iconic Asian and AAPI leaders in candid conversation about the challenges and triumphs experienced along their journeys to success, has premiered today on all major podcast platforms and on YouTube. The debut episode features a frank and unfiltered discussion with San Francisco 49ers President Paraag Marathe, with following episodes to come every two weeks on Wednesday.

The Aconic Podcast is sponsored by Altos Ventures, the Founders of the Asian Alumni Chapter of Stanford Graduate School of Business, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), and Gold House and hosted by Soon Yu, an international speaker, award-wining and best-selling author, and Forbes contributor who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and New York Times.

Each episode will delve into the guest’s “hero’s journey” to success including the roadblocks, misfires, frustrations, and failures they faced and their seminal moments of vulnerability, hope, perseverance, and achievement. Through these stories, Yu explores the key lessons each guest learned and how they've used them to create lasting impact in their fields. 

“Through this series we are going to dispel the common stereotype of Asian Americans as a ‘model minority’ by having real and authentic conversations with some of the most prominent leaders in business, politics, and culture,” said Soon Yu, Host of the Aconic Podcast.

“Our conversations pull back the many layers of the Asian American experience to give audiences an inside look at what it really takes to rise above the obstacles that come along with the journey to success.”

 “Our work at TAAF has shown that visibility is vital in shifting narratives surrounding our community,” said Norman Chen, CEO, The Asian American Foundation. “We’re excited to partner with Soon and his team to create a platform to showcase the complexity and variety of the Asian American experience and the triumphs achieved through adversity.” 

 “In a crowded landscape, it is up to us to invest in getting our stories out there to level the playing field when it comes to representation,” said Bing Chen, CEO & Co-Founder, Gold House. “We hope that Aconic will help Asian Pacific leaders reflect on their own journeys to success, and inspire the next generation of Asian Pacific creatives, business leaders and beyond to persevere as they pursue their dreams to become their best selves.” 

 “The powerful personal stories listeners will hear give moving examples of how some of today’s greatest leaders can stumble or face hardship, but learn and grow,” said Chris Loh, GSB Asian Alumni Chapter Co-President and Aconic Podcast Executive Producer. “The lessons learned are truly inspiring, and we hope audiences develop new perspectives and helpful insights to use on their own journeys.” 

 Upcoming guests of the Aconic Podcast include: 

• Paraag Marathe, President, San Francisco 49ers 
• Debby Soo, CEO, OpenTable
• Andrew Yang, Founder, Forward Party
• Manny Maceda, CEO and Chairman, Bain
• Deb Liu, CEO, Ancestry
• Joe Bae, CEO, KKR
• Jenny Ming, CEO, Rothys
• Ho Nam, Managing Partner, Altos VC
• Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Yamini Rangan, CEO, Hubspot
• Bing Chen, CEO & Co-Founder, Gold House
• Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts
• Norman Chen, CEO, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
• Tiffany Cheng, Miss Asia USA
• Steve Chen, Co-Founder, YouTube

I've listened to the first two episodes and both were superb. The second episode with Debby Soo, CEO, OpenTable was especially enlightening with her memories of her parents consumed by their travel business, her time spent in the library, and her absorption of an intense work ethic.

 The Aconic Podcast series was developed to promote positive narratives that inspire and empower the AAPI community by featuring candid conversations with successful Asian and Asian American icons.


The Aconic Podcast is sponsored by Altos Ventures, the Founders of the Asian Alumni Chapter of Stanford Graduate School of Business, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), and Gold House and is hosted by Soon Yu, an international speaker, award-winning and best-selling author, and Forbes contributor who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and New York Times.

In each episode of The Aconic Podcast series, Soon Yu delves into the experiences of these icons - from moments of frustration to those of hope, determination, and achievement. Guests shed light on their personal journeys overcoming challenges and sharing triumphs, and how they applied their learnings to create lasting impact in their fields. The Aconic Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and on YouTube at @aconicpodcast. New episodes are released every two weeks on Wednesday.

Check out The Aconic Podcast to learn more. After all, the more we understand about other cultures, the greater we are able to empathize and collaborate. 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by architect I.M. Pei, who once said: “Success is a collection of problems solved.”