Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy
by Samorn Selim
I'm Samorn Selim. Welcome to the Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy Podcast. I'm a lawyer turned career coach on a mission for us to take our careers from dread to joy. Growing up as the daughter of poor Lao refugees, I was the underdog. Against all odds, I made it to a top 10 law school and landed a job in Big Law. As an outsider, I was told that I was lucky to even be there and that I had to pay my dues. After coaching over 1,000 clients, I now realize that the idea that you have to pay your dues and work in a toxic place is a myth. We can face our challenges head on, do work we are passionate about, and work with good people to make a big impact. So even as we struggle, we can find a sense of belonging.
Episodes
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How To Heal From Career Burnout, Family Trauma & CPTSD | Jane Marie Chen Author of Like A Wave We Break (Ep. 205)
Jane Marie Chen, co-founder and former CEO of Embrace Global and author of Like A Wave We Break, helped save over one million premature babies. But behind her success was a hidden battle with trauma, burnout, and complex PTSD. In this powerful conversation on Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy…
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Why First-Gen Professionals Get Trapped At Work And What To Do Instead To Get Promoted With Rachel Lee, President & General Counsel of Stand With Asian Americans (Ep. 204)
Why working harder won't get you promoted—and what first-gen professionals need to do instead. Big Law and corporate America often reward overworking, staying quiet, and trying to fit into circles that were never built for you. In this episode, Rachel Lee (President and General Counsel of Stand...
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The Secret To Success For First-Gen Professionals With Dr. Latonya Rees-Miles & Career Unicorns (Ep. 203)
Are you the first in your family to navigate the corporate world? For many first-gen professionals, it feels like everyone else was handed a "secret playbook" that you never received. You're told to "work hard and you'll be rewarded," but what happens when meritocracy is a myth? In this episode…
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I Lost My Son to Suicide: What Every Parent Needs to Ask Their Child With Deep Lam (Ep. 202)
"I didn't care about my job. I didn't care about my career. I cared about my son." In this deeply personal and courageous episode, we sit down with Deep Lam to discuss the heartbreaking reality of losing her son to suicide. Deep shares the "unthinkable" experience of loss and reveals the subtle...
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The Truth About Psychological Safety & Ethical AI For BIPOC | Dr. Janice Gassam Asare & Career Unicorns (Ep. 201)
How do we maintain our authenticity in a workplace that often demands conformity? In this episode, organizational psychologist Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D., joins us to discuss the strategies for fostering psychological safety, and ethical AI in the workplace. From the weaponization of...
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How To Lead As An Asian First-Gen Professional Without Burnout - Zeien Cheung, Asians Are Strong (Ep. 200)
Are you an Asian first-gen professional tired of doing invisible labor and overfunctioning just to be noticed? In this week's Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy podcast, we sit down with the Zeien Cheung, Co-founder of Asians Are Strong and the visionary for Asian Women Are Strong Summit to discuss...
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The Power of Enough: Choosing More Mommy Over More Money, Investing In Yourself, and Being A Leader In AI Ethics With Irene Liu (Ep. 199)
What happens when a high-powered executive, responsible for scaling multi-billion dollar companies, is asked by her 10-year-old: "What does that money actually mean to us?" In this deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Irene Liu, founder of Hypergrowth GC and former Chief Financial and…
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Rewiring Your Brain for Joy: Heal People-Pleasing, Overcome Imposter Syndrome & Own Your Voice with Susan Britton (Ep. 198)
Are you ready to stop living for others and start living for you? In this powerful episode, Susan Britton, Founder & President of the Academies for Neuroscience Coaching, Inc., explores how our brains hold onto old behaviors like people-pleasing and self-doubt. Susan has 25 years of leadership in...
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Decolonizing Healing: Reclaiming Our Narrative, Resisting Erasure And Healing Trauma With Dr. Grace Poon (Ep. 197)
Welcome back, Career Unicorns! This week, we are honored to host the incredible Dr. Grace Poon Ghaffari: a motherscholar practitioner, proud daughter of Chinese immigrants, and embodied healer. Grace is an Assistant Professor at San Jose State University, where she focuses on healing and harm…
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Breaking Free From Hustle Culture: How to Leave Prestige, Redefine Success, and Build Your Dream Career with Ann Sheu (Ep. 196)
As a former lawyer, business expert, and founder of Mpowered Families, Ann Sheu has gone through her own journey of achieving society's definition of success only to realize it wasn't her own. She uses her unique background to help high-achieving leaders move past the "hustle culture" and design…
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The Mirror Effect: Dr. Sheila Gujrathi on Finding Your Voice, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and Using Gratitude To Own Every Room You Walk Into (Ep. 195)
As a physician, biotech CEO, and champion for women in leadership, Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, MD, has spent her career breaking ceilings and teaching others how to do the same. In this powerful episode of Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy, we dive deep into the real-world barriers—from childhood racism...
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Navigating Systemic Bias and Finding Our Shared Humanity with Kori Carew (Ep. 194)
Welcome, Career Unicorns! How do we lead with courage and heart when the system is stacked against us? Join us for a deeply moving and vital conversation with Kori Carew, Chief Catalyst Officer and Founder of Bridge 68 LLC, lawyer, TedX speaker, and former Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer....
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Gaslighting And Narcissists At Work: How To Leave A Toxic Job with Sarah Cottrell, Founder of Former Lawyer LLC (Ep. 193)
Are you in a toxic job, but feel stuck? Making great money but feel absolutely dead inside? If yes, then this episode of Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy is for you. Join us as we welcome Sarah Cottrell, founder of Former Lawyer LLC, who helps unhappy lawyers ditch soul-crushing jobs for…
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Reclaiming Your Power: How Trauma, Social Justice, And Systemic Gaslighting Impact Your Career And Self-Worth with Rosie Yeung (Ep. 192)
Ready to shatter the old-school corporate rules? In this powerful episode of Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy, host Samorn Selim welcomes back Rosie Yeung, a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, HR Leader, and Chartered Professional Accountant. Rosie, a Chinese-Canadian, immigrant, cis-het woman…
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Beyond Survival: Dyanna Volek's Call for Collective Action Against Apathy and Anti-Asian Hate (Ep. 191)
Get ready for a profound and powerful conversation with the incredible Dyanna Volek, a quintessential "Career Unicorn" who is using her voice and influence to push for real change. As a first-generation college student and daughter of Filipino immigrants, Dyanna currently serves as the Manager of...
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From Sunday Scaries To Love Mondays: Ron Monteiro on How to Break Free from Systemic Barriers, Find Your Authentic Voice, and Create the Career You Love (Ep. 190)
In this inspiring and candid conversation, we sit down with Ron Monteiro, author of Love Mondays, to discuss his 20-year journey from a shy finance professional to a powerful public speaker and executive coach. Ron shares how he turned a perceived weakness in public speaking into his life's...
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Lessons from Bad Bosses: Navigating Workplace Bullying, Microaggressions & DEI With Mita Mallick, WSJ Bestselling Author & DEI Leader (Ep. 189)
What if a childhood trauma followed you into the boardroom? In this powerful episode, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and DEI leader Mita Mallick shares the story of her long hair being burned as a "joke" when she was a little girl. She thought bullying ended on the playground, but learned...
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How to get your first in-house job and advocate for DEI with Lisa Mak, Senior Employment Counsel at Flynn Group (Ep. 188)
Are you looking to make a career pivot from private practice to your first legal in-house job? But you're struggling because most employers already want someone who has in-house experience? Then this episode with Lisa Mak is for you. Lisa Mak shares her journey from how she went from a...
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Career Success & Visibility for Women of Color With Cynthia Pong, CEO Of Embrace Change (Ep. 187)
Join us for an empowering conversation with Cynthia Pong, the award-winning founder of Embrace Change. A Forbes contributor and LinkedIn Top Voice, Cynthia is a leading expert on career advancement for women of color. Her award-winning work has been featured in HBR, Forbes, The Atlantic, and on...
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The Confidence Blueprint: Key Strategies for Women in Leadership with Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author (Ep. 186)
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sheena Yap Chan, a keynote speaker, an award-winning podcast host, and author of the Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of The Tao Of Self Confidence and Bridging The Confidence Gap. Sheena shares her personal journey, from overcoming a lack of...
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Thriving in corporate America as a Black man and first-generation college grad with Jaymon Ballew, Senior Counsel at The Major League Soccer (Ep. 185)
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...
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AANHPI Mental Wellness: Unpacking Workplace Microaggressions, Healing Racial Trauma, and Building Self Worth with Dr. Noel Ramirez, Founder & Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting (Ep. 184)
In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Noel Ramirez, Founder & Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting, an AAPI mental health resource center in Philadelphia. This episode delves into the unspoken realities of...
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Protecting LGBTQ+ rights, marriage equality, and civil rights with Stuart Gaffney (Ep. 183)
Join Stuart Gaffney, a leading activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, in an illuminating conversation that traces his journey into activism. This episode explores the vital intersection of education and advocacy, the enduring historical and contemporary significance of…
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Unlearning Silence: Effective strategies for women and BIPOC leaders to find their voice, negotiate healthy boundaries, and build inclusive workplaces with Elaine Lin Hering (Ep. 182)
Feeling unheard in the workplace? Join Elaine Lin Hering, a world renowned author, speaker, and coach for women and people of color in executive leadership within majority white spaces, as she unpacks the power of unlearning silence. Drawing on her extensive experience with organizations like...
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Asian American Empowerment: Fighting anti-Asian hate, creating representation, and building community with Dave Lu, Taiwanese American Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Activist (Ep. 181)
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we chat with the inspiring Dave Lu. Dave is a Taiwanese American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and activist. Dave shares his remarkable journey growing up as the child of Taiwanese immigrants to now…
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Title: Secrets to thriving in a challenging job market with Tammy Dain, Founder of Rabble (Ep. 180)
Tammy Dain has over 10+ years of experience in the talent acquisition and human resources space from the tech, legal and higher education industries. Tammy is the Co-Founder of a boutique staffing company. Prior to this, she was the Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant with Axiom Law, where she…
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Breaking the glass ceiling in finance and tech with Constance Sng, Chief of Capital Formation and Investor Relations at Alphemy Capital (Ep. 179)
Join us for an insightful conversation with Constance Sng, Chief of Capital Formation and Investor Relations at Alphemy Capital, as she shares her remarkable journey navigating the intersection of finance and technology. Constance reveals how she successfully transitioned from traditional finance...
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America's Secret War in Laos: U.S. role in UXO contamination and responsibility for humanitarian aid with Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War (Ep. 178)
In honor of Lao New year, we have a special episode featuring Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War. Danae shares her journey as a Lao American and her work with Legacies of War to address the devastating impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos...
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Navigating Ethical Tech & Career Integrity With Jeanne Sheahan, Ex-Meta Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance and Executive Career Coach (Ep. 177)
Are you wrestling with ethical dilemmas in your job? Feeling misaligned with your company's values? In this powerful episode, we speak with Jeanne Sheahan, the Founder of Jeanne Sheahan Executive Life Coaching and a former Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance at Meta. Jeanne shares...
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Black Representation, Employment Discrimination, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Tiffany Obeng, Lawyer, Change-maker and Children's Book Author (Ep. 176)
Disclaimer: Tiffany Obeng would like our listeners to know that the views expressed in this podcast are her own and my own views, and not that of any referenced organizations. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended to create an...
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Know 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...
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Building Inclusive Democracy: Generational Trauma, Civil Rights & Legal Advocacy with Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers (Ep. 174)
Join us for a profound conversation with Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers, as he shares his compelling journey from navigating generational trauma and Asian American history to spearheading efforts for social justice and civil rights. Discover how...
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Embracing Afro-Latina identity and implementing effective DEI strategies with Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz, PhD, Founder of Mainstream Insight (Ep. 173)
In this powerful episode, Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz, a leading workplace culture strategist and expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), shares her insightful experiences as an Afro-Latina woman navigating complex professional landscapes. Dr. Pertuz delves into the nuances of her identity,...
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Toxic workplace survival: Using DEI to combat gaslighting & betrayal with Jaya Mallik (Ep. 172)
Given the mass layoffs and firings by both the government and corporations, we speak with Jaya Mallik, the founder of Jaya Mallik Coaching & Consulting and. She formerly led DEI efforts at Meta, Amazon, and Tandem Diabetes Care and provides actionable insights on using Diversity, Equity, and...
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Litigating for educational equity and civil rights with Antonio Ingram, Senior Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (Ep. 171)
In honor of Black History Month, we speak with Antonio Lavalle Ingram II, Senior Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and descendant of enslaved African Americans. Antonio's work focuses on vital educational equity cases. He shares his inspiring journey from a working-class background to Yale,...
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From adversity to advocacy: A biracial Black and White adoptee's journey to social justice leadership with Luke Liss Pro Bono Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (Ep. 170)
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of Luke Liss and the host, and do not represent the views of any referenced organizations. Join us for a powerful conversation with Luke Liss, Pro Bono Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, as he shares his inspiring journey...
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Breaking Barriers: A Black & Vietnamese Woman's Journey to Chief Legal Counsel with Michelle Trong Perrin-Steinberg, Chief Legal Counsel of Export Control | Sanctions, Americas at SAP America (Ep. 169)
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Trong Perrin-Steinberg, Chief Legal Counsel of Export Control | Sanctions, Americas at SAP America. Michelle shares her remarkable journey as a Black and Vietnamese woman navigating the legal field, from her early experiences to her current...
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Universal Legal Representation: Fighting Poverty, Homelessness, & Injustice with Adrian Tirtanadi, Founder and Executive Director of Open Door Legal (Ep. 168)
Join us for a powerful conversation with Adrian Tirtanadi, Founder and Executive Director of Open Door Legal, as we explore the transformative impact of universal legal representation on poverty, homelessness, and immigration. Inspired by a deep commitment to systemic change, Adrian founded Open...
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Empowering Asian American voices through storytelling with Jerry Won, Founder & CEO of Just Like Media and Host of Dear Asian Americans Podcast (Ep. 167)
Jerry is the Founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an innovative storytelling company home to the award winning Dear Asian Americans Podcast, whose guests include Vice President Kamala Harris, the Asian Creator Awards, and more. He is also the Founder & CEO of World Class Speakers, a speaker coaching...
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Finding purpose and passion: how to create work you love with Tammy Dain, Co-founder of Rabble (Ep. 166)
The pandemic forced many of us to confront our life's purpose. In this episode, we're joined by Tammy Dain, Co-founder of Rabble, to explore how to continue doing the work you love, even amidst global challenges. Tammy Dain has over 10+ years of experience in the talent acquisition and human...
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Balancing 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…
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From descendant of slaves to lawyer fighting for social justice with Antonio Ingram II, Senior Counsel at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (Ep. 164)
Antonio L. Ingram II is Senior Counsel at the NAACP LDF. He is a graduate of Yale College and UC Berkeley School of Law. He served as a law clerk for the honorable Ivan L. Lemelle in the Eastern District of Louisiana and for Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals....
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Happy 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…
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How to make good decisions using logic and intuition with Michelle Florendo, Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast (Ep. 162)
As we come to the end of the year, it's a time where many of us are reflective on what happened in the past year and what we hope for in the new year. Studies show that 1 out of 4 people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of...
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Managing 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…
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Advocating 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…
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Landing 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…
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Finding 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…
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From 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...
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Finding 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...
About this show
I'm Samorn Selim. Welcome to the Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy Podcast. I'm a lawyer turned career coach on a mission for us to take our careers from dread to joy. Growing up as the daughter of poor Lao refugees, I was the underdog. Against all odds, I made it to a top 10 law school and landed a job in Big Law. As an outsider, I was told that I was lucky to even be there and that I had to pay my dues. After coaching over 1,000 clients, I now realize that the idea that you have to pay your dues and work in a toxic place is a myth. We can face our challenges head on, do work we are passionate about, and work with good people to make a big impact. So even as we struggle, we can find a sense of belonging.
Hosted by
Samorn Selim
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