Aconic

The Aconic Podcast welcomes Lanhee Chen, a Hoover Institution fellow at Stanford, CNN’s first AAPI political commentator, and host of “Crossing the Lines,” discussing how “losing well” shaped his values, resilience, and commitment to balanced, empathetic political discourse.Chen shares his immigrant family background from Taiwan, growing up from a small Midwestern town to Southern California’s evolving Asian American communities, and the formative impact of watching the 1988 Bush–Dukakis debate that sparked his interest in democracy and debate.He recounts early setbacks like losing a freshman class president race, building programs like mock trial and Junior State, and spending a decade at Harvard before moving to Washington with no job and taking risks to build a policy career, including advising George W. Bush’s reelection effort and serving as Mitt Romney’s chief policy advisor.The conversation covers his bipartisan public service appointments, his 2022 run for California State Controller focused on accountability and ROI for taxpayers, lessons from losing as a candidate, and his advice for AAPI leadership: take risks, expect a non-linear path, and sustain civil, substantive dialogue.

From Side Hustles to Direct Delivery: Larry Liu’s Journey to Building Weee! In this episode of the Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu sits down with Larry Liu, the CEO of Weee!, America's largest online Asian supermarket. Larry delves into his immigrant journey, the early challenges in America, and his relentless hustle from reselling backpacks to launching Weee!. They discuss Larry's initial struggles to secure funding and how, through sheer determination and community support, he pivoted Weee! from a group-buying model to a successful grocery delivery service. Larry's story underscores the importance of resilience, leveraging community networks, and the ability to pivot for entrepreneurial success. His journey is a testament to how recognizing and addressing the fundamental needs of underserved communities can lead to groundbreaking business opportunities. 01:57 Larry Liu Growing up06:09 His First Side Hustle08:58 From Friends to Co-Founders11:36 Coming to the US17:08 Early Days in Folsom and the Seed of an Idea32:38 The Birth of Weee!33:47 Early Challenges and Self-Funding49:16 The Pivot to Grocery Delivery59:51 Future Plans and Vision

Geoff Yang, co-founder of Redpoint Ventures : From Building Network Routers to Building a Network of Entrepreneurs, Hip Hop Artists and OlympiansIn this episode of the Aconic Podcast, Soon Yu interviews venture capital titan and Redpoint Ventures co-founder Geoff Yang as he shares his extraordinary journey of building influential networks that extend far beyond Silicon Valley. From early bets on game-changing companies like Netflix, Uber, and Snowflake, Geoff's vision has shaped industries. Discover how he's leveraged his leadership as head of the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation and forged connections with icons across sports, entertainment, and hip hop. Geoff delves into the leadership principles, resilience, and the art of cultivating meaningful relationships that have defined his success.3:00 - Immigrant roots: Growing up in a Chinese family with strong educational values.9:00 - The secret to success: Passion for the journey, not just financial gain.14:00 - Geoff’s advice for entrepreneurs.24:00 - The myth of “all or nothing” risk-taking: Why measured risk is key.29:00 - Blending passions: How Geoff’s love for sports led to leadership roles in skiing, golf, and basketball.39:00 - Creating Auron: Using science and technology to optimize health and longevity. 49:00 - 10 Personal Values Geoff Lives By: A blueprint for a meaningful life.

From Cargo Ship Passenger to Secretary of Transportation: The Trailblazing Legacy of Secretary Elaine Chao In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu sits down with Secretary Elaine Chao to explore her remarkable journey—from arriving in America as a seasick 8-year-old on a 37-day cargo ship to becoming the first Asian American woman to serve in two U.S. presidential cabinets. With grace and candor, Secretary Chao reflects on the incredible love story of her immigrant parents and the quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped her path. She opens up about how their unwavering support and values laid the foundation for her identity, leadership, and sense of purpose. In a rare personal moment, she also shares her experiences navigating love and dating as a first-generation Asian American woman—and how a chance encounter led to her relationship with Senator Mitch McConnell. In this inspiring episode, Soon sits down with Secretary Elaine Chao to explore her remarkable journey - from arriving in America as a seasick 8-year-old on a 37-day cargo ship to becoming the first Asian American woman to serve in two U.S. presidential cabinets. With grace and candor, Secretary Chao reflects on the incredible love story of her immigrant parents and the quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience that shaped her path. She opens up about how their unwavering support and values laid the foundation for her identity, leadership, and sense of purpose.In a rare personal moment, she also shares her experiences navigating love and dating as a first-generation Asian American woman - and how a chance encounter led to her relationship with Senator Mitch McConnell.Released in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, this episode is a moving tribute to family, perseverance, and the enduring power of the American dream. Packed with wisdom, humor, and hard-won lessons, Secretary Chao's story is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on leadership, legacy, and staying true to your roots. 1:00 Breaking Barriers & Firsts2:49 The Power of Family & Heritage5:00 Her Parents’ Love Story & Escape from China8:17 Life on a Cargo Ship to America19:40 Her Father Teaching Her English at Night35:00 Championing the Asian American Museum38:19 Overcoming Hardship & Public Criticism44:00 Asian-American Superpower: Listening & Sensitivity46:35 Meeting Mitch McConnell52:00 Commemorating the Chinese Railroad Workers

The Future Will Be Bought: How Bing Chen is Funding the Way In this episode, Soon welcomes Bing Chen, the visionary founder of Gold House, a cultural ecosystem championing Asian creativity. The discussion covers Bing's remarkable journey, his influences, and the transformative work of Gold House. From his beginnings, the impact of losing his father, to his pivotal role at YouTube in shaping the creator economy, Bing's story is one of resilience and innovation. The episode dives into the intricacies of cultural representation, the economic impact of Gold Open, and a sneak peek into his upcoming creative franchise. Join us to explore how Bing is redefining mainstream culture and empowering the next generation of creators. 00:39 Bing Chen's Background and Achievements07:48 Gold House and Asian Representation17:38 The Creator Economy and YouTube26:10 Leaving YouTube and Future Plans29:28 A Failed Startup Experience44:33 The Birth of Gold House47:34 Upcoming Creative Projects

Intentional Leadership with Mayor Aftab Pureval. In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Aftab Pureval, the mayor of Cincinnati, who shares his inspiring journey from his immigrant family's experiences to his leadership in public office. Pureval discusses his career trajectory, starting from his early days in student government to his role as clerk of courts, where he tackled systemic challenges head-on. He opens up about the hardships and public scrutiny he faced, particularly after losing a congressional race and the lessons learned in balancing personal convictions and public service. Pureval also highlights the importance of intentional leadership, community service, and conflict resolution. He offers a powerful call to action for more AAPI individuals to engage in public service, emphasizing the transformative impact and fulfillment that comes with making a difference in the community. 04:16 Aftab's Family Background and Heritage07:28 The American Dream and Public Service13:10 Early Political Aspirations and Challenges21:23 Embracing Identity and Overcoming Barriers28:58 Building Bridges in a Hostile Environment31:03 Leadership and Vulnerability33:14 Conflict Resolution and Setting Standards40:40 Facing Public Defeat and Bouncing Back41:56 The Accidental Mayor47:50 The Importance of Running for Office

Yamini Rangan: From Small Town Dreams to Leading HubSpot. In this episode of Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu, along with co-host Tina Shah Paikeday, interviews Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot. The conversation covers Yamini's inspiring journey from a small town in India, to leading a prominent software company. Yamini shares personal anecdotes about overcoming gender biases in engineering school, adapting to a new life in the U.S., and transitioning from engineering to sales. She discusses the significance of authentic leadership, the importance of embracing feedback, and her vision for supporting more women into C-suite roles. The episode highlights her approach to customer-centricity, learning from challenges, and the empowering impact of dreaming big. 03:17 Yamini's Early Life06:22 Dreams and Aspirations: Moving to the U.S.13:21 First Steps in America15:19 Transition to Berkeley and Career Beginnings16:47 Challenges and Success in Sales26:29 Embracing Authenticity in Personal and Professional Life28:18 The Hero's Journey and Career Struggles29:36 Rewriting the Playbook: From Individual Contributor to Leader34:06 Unexpected Path to CEO: A Journey of Resilience39:28 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding Purpose42:44 Future Aspirations and Mentorship Goals

Ho Nam: Resilience and Reinvention. In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Ho Nam, Managing Director of Altos Ventures. The conversation delves into Ho's upbringing in Korea, his family's immigration journey to the U.S., and the socio-economic challenges they faced. Ho shares insights into the founding and evolution of Altos Ventures over three decades, highlighting the shift from a feeder fund model to a value-focused investment strategy inspired by Warren Buffett. He opens up about personal struggles, particularly during the firm's challenging second decade, and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, resilience, and individual relationships. The episode underscores the significance of personal growth, mentorship, and the transformative power of community support. 02:09 A Journey from Korea to the U.S.12:46 Rodney King Riots: A Test of Community Bonds21:58 The Early Struggles of Altos Ventures30:48 Facing Potential Pullout and Fundraising Struggles37:53 The Hedgehog Strategy: Investing in Founders46:20 Personal Struggles and Seeking Help59:21 Looking Forward: The Next Generation of Investors