About the Episode:

In this deeply personal episode, Lindsay sits down with her husband Mike to talk about something that’s often overlooked in ambitious careers: rest.

Mike shares his journey from UCLA to management consulting, to London Business School, and eventually to a leadership role in real estate private equity—before making the courageous decision to step away for a six-month sabbatical.

Together, they explore how cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and relentless work habits shaped his views on success—and why choosing to pause became one ofthe bravest decisions of his life.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

· Why high achievers struggle with the idea of rest—and why it’s not a lack of ambition.

· How the regret minimization framework (from Jeff Bezos) helped Mike decide to take a sabbatical.

· The cultural influences (Asian, Western, corporate) that make rest feel like weakness—and how to reframe it.

· What surprised Mike most about stepping away from work for the first time in decades.

· Why redefining success means balancing ambition with family, health, and joy.

Episode Breakdown

01:26 Introducing Mike's Sabbatical

02:32 Mike's Career Journey

06:11 Balancing Work and Family

08:26 The Decision to Take a Sabbatical

11:21 Cultural Expectations and Work Ethic

17:08 Reflections on the Sabbatical

39:47 Advice for Young Parents

43:15 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Connect with Mike Hu

IG: @mikehu_bruin

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:

⁠⁠https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning from Pixabay

invitation-no-copyright-music-388387

Disclaimer:

Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Episode Summary:
What if the life your parents imagined for you isn’t the life you want for yourself?

In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay is joined by her husband Mike and their close friends Alice Teng(Executive Director of Asia Week New York, independent curator) and Jon Eng (banking professional turned actor). Together, Alice and Jon share their journey of leaving “safe” careers to pursue creativity, authenticity, and rest—while navigating cultural expectations and building a supportive marriage.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt torn between honoring their family’s sacrifices and pursuing their ownpath, and for couples who are considering what it looks like to live boldly, together.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction: Following Others' Dreams

00:38 Meet the Guests: Alice and Jon's Bold Choices

01:34 Alice's Journey: From Pre-Med to Art

03:38 Jon's Path: From Business to Acting

05:58 Family Reactions and Inner Courage

09:12 Navigating Judgment and Building Community

21:49 Reflections on Being an Only Child

23:37 Networking and Building Relationships

25:24 Taking a Sabbatical for Acting

28:03 Parental Expectations and Career Choices

35:58 Advice for Young Couples and Individuals

How to connect with Jon and Alice

IG Alice: @lalaland

IG Jon: @jonnyfornia

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok,Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weeklynewsletter:

⁠⁠https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:

DayNigthMorning fromPixabay

invitation-no-copyright-music-388387

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Kyle Denman—Executive Director of Arts Bridging the Gap, award-winning fashion designer, and lifelong advocate for equity through creativity.

Kyle shares his journey from being adopted from South Korea into a Midwest family, to becoming youth mayor of Cincinnati, to leading a nonprofit that empowers thousands of young people in Los Angeles through the arts.

They talk about the challenges of being “othered,” the stereotypes Asian Americans often face, and how Kyle’s experiences in politics, education, and art have shaped his leadership style. Most importantly, Kyle reveals what it means to lead with love in a world that often rewards the opposite.

If you’ve ever felt confined by other people’s expectations or questioned whether your voice matters, Kyle’s story will inspire you to create your own possibilities—and to help others do the same.

Episode Outline

00:00 – Introduction: Breaking Out of the Box
Why Kyle represents possibility beyond traditional expectations.

02:11 – Adoption, Identity, and Growing Up Different
Kyle’s story of being adopted from Korea and navigating life in the Midwest without role models who looked like him.

07:28 – The Boxes People Put Us In
Stereotypes about Asian Americans and how Kyle learned he didn’t fit the “doctor, lawyer, engineer” mold.

11:56 – Finding His Voice Through Politics
From youth mayor of Cincinnati to national policy work—how Kyle defied assumptions of weakness.

18:34 – Politics Meets Fashion
Why political science and fashion design are more connected than you think.

25:47 – Creating Safe Spaces to Speak
Kyle’s early advocacy and how it shaped his belief in co-creating safe environments for young voices.

32:15 – Arts Bridging the Gap
Kyle’s work leading ABG to uplift thousands of young people in Los Angeles through visual, performing, and healing arts.

44:02 – Expanding the Creative Economy
Why ABG pays artists more than industry standards and how representation changes what young people believe is possible.

53:40 – Leadership with Love
Kyle’s philosophy of leading with love, protecting his team, and breaking traditional molds of leadership.

1:04:28 – Shrinking to Expand
Kyle’s reflections on times he felt he had to shrink—and how being “soft” can also be a form of strength.

1:12:00 – Overcoming Underestimation
What it’s like to be a young, gay, Asian leader in the nonprofit space—and how Kyle deals with being underestimated.

1:20:45 – Closing Reflections
How Kyle stays grounded in love, and what listeners can take away about finding their own voice.

How to connect with Kyle Denman:

www.kyledenman.com

@thekyledenman

Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:

@courageclasspod

@drlindsaykwockhu

⁠⁠www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast⁠⁠

Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:

⁠⁠https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a⁠⁠

Music Credit:DayNigthMorning from Pixabay

invitation-no-copyright-music-388387

Hopeful-corporate-uplifting-and-inspiring-38939from Pixabay