Raised to Be Silent, Built to Lead — with Selena Yuan

What happens when you were raised to stay quiet — and then find yourself in a boardroom that demands you speak up?In this powerful follow-up conversation, Dr. Sohee Jun sits down again with Selena Yuan — one of the most downloaded guests in Asian, Like Me history — for a live Q&A that gets raw, real, and deeply practical.Selena is a senior corporate executive and Chinese immigrant who has spent years unlearning the cultural conditioning that told her to defer, stay silent, and never challenge authority. In this episode, she shares the exact mindset shifts, communication strategies, and leadership frameworks that helped her go from invisible to unmissable — without losing herself in the process.If you have ever held back in a meeting, swallowed feedback you should have given, or wondered how to shape the way others see you at work — this episode is for you.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to advocate for yourself in corporate spaces as an Asian womanWhy cultural conditioning around silence and deference shows up at work — and how to rewire itPractical tools for communicating clearly, confidently, and being taken seriouslyHow to shape your professional brand and control the narrative others have of youThe role of emotional intelligence in navigating change, conflict, and difficult conversationsWhy strategic thinking is a skill you can practice — and how to signal it in the roomThe power of doing it afraid, and why courage isn't the absence of fearEpisode Highlights & Timestamps[00:00] — Welcome & why Selena Yuan is back: the most-downloaded guest of 2025[02:55] — How Selena defines hope — and why humanity's core values matter more than ever[06:00] — Cultural tensions at work: deference, hierarchy, and the pressure to never push back[08:50] — Conflict avoidance as a cultural inheritance — and what it costs us[12:20] — Real-life example: teaching kids (and ourselves) to walk toward hard conversations[15:28] — How to give feedback in corporate environments when you've been taught to stay quiet[22:00] — Shaping perceptions: what people say about you when you're not in the room[28:00] — How to ask smart questions that signal leadership and strategic thinking[34:25] — The language of strategy: how to infuse the right words to build your brand[36:57] — Emotional intelligence unpacked: self-awareness, situational reading, and change[43:59] — Selena's personal evolution with change — and why she now leads it[50:26] — Learning to swim at 48: what fear, one small step, and doing it afraid taught her[57:28] — What it means to be a modern Asian woman in 2026Quotes From This Episode"It's not about not being afraid. It's about being afraid — and trying anyway.""We were taught obedience is a virtue. Unlearning that takes awareness, then practice, then time.""Every moment is a chance to shape how you want to be seen.""We have to do the inner work for outer success."Reflection Questions for YouWhat cultural tensions are holding you back at work — and in life?What mindset shift are you ready to make to navigate difficult challenges more skillfully?What inner work do you need to do for the outer success you want?What is your relationship to change — and is it working for you?About Selena YuanSelena Yuan is a senior corporate executive, Chinese immigrant, and sought-after voice on leadership, communication, and organizational change. Her authenticity, real-world examples, and no-nonsense wisdom made her the most-downloaded guest on Asian, Like Me in 2025. This is her second conversation with Dr. Sohee Jun — and it goes even deeper.About Dr. Sohee JunDr. Sohee Jun is the founder of “asian, like me…” — a podcast and community for the modern Asian woman redefining what it means to thrive. A Korean immigrant, executive coach, author, and entrepreneur, Sohee has spent years helping Asian women navigate culture, career, and identity. She is also the founder of EVRten, a wellness brand for women who are ever curious and growth focused.Resources & LinksListen to Selena’s previous episode on asian, like me…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhoSo5exVPwConnect with Dr. Sohee to explore 1:1 coaching: www.soheejunphd.comConnect with Dr. Sohee to explore speaking at your company or event: https://soheejunphd.com/contactExplore Dr. Sohee’s bestselling books: https://soheejunphd.com/booksExplore Dr. Sohee’s whole wellness products: www.evrten.comSUBSCRIBE to the podcast here and don’t miss a drop: https://soheejunphd.com/insightsEnjoyed This Episode?Share it with an Asian woman in your life who needs to hear thisLeave a review — it helps the community growSubscribe to Dr. Sohee Jun's newsletter at www.soheejunphd.comFollow “asian, like me…” on your favorite podcast platformThis is your space to feel seen, heard, and inspired. Let's grow together.Keywords & TagsAsian women in corporate America, Asian female leadership, workplace advocacy, being heard at work, professional Asian women podcast, cultural identity and career, emotional intelligence for leaders, strategic communication, conflict avoidance Asian culture, executive presence women of color, modern Asian woman, Dr. Sohee Jun, Selena Yuan, “asian, like me…” podcast, immigrant women leadership, corporate visibility, personal brand at work, change agility, doing it afraid, inner work outer success