Color of Success
The Color of Success communicates the stories of Asian, Asian Americans/Canadians, and ethnic minorities as they build brands, businesses, and careers, and mental health strategies to deal with self-doubt, anxiety, and barriers. Dr. Stephanie J. Wong is a licensed clinical psychologist who blends her knowledge of mental health, culture, and business to interview diverse guests.
Am I Being Too Much?
Dr. Jenny Wang, clinical psychologist and author, and illustrator, Angela Pan Wong join Dr. Stephanie J. Wong to talk about their new children's book, "Too Much Tony." Tony has been told his whole life that he is TOO MUCH: Too loud. Too messy. However, a new friendship shows him that he can harness his energy towards helping other children feel seen. We also talk about how this notion of TOO MUCH," impacts parenting, identity development, and developmental growth of our children.
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Full Bio:
Dr. Jenny Wang is a clinical psychologist and the founder of t...
All Things Skincare with Maelove Founder & CEO, Jackie Kim
Jackie Kim is the Founder and CEO of Maelove, a women's skincare brand named as an homage to "Mae," her husband's grandmother, paired with "love," for Jackie's love for beauty. Jackie and Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talk all things skincare and how Jackie drew inspiration from her loved one's skincare routines to create products with ingredients rooted in science.
If you are a skincare fanatic, tune in and share!
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Full Bio:
Jackie Kim is a former attorney turned startup investor (specializing in hospitality and consumer goods) turned brand founder. She was an...
Liz Sargent & Ali Ahn on Take Me Home, A Korean Adoptee Feature
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong sits down to talk with Liz Sargent, writer/director and co-lead, Ali Ahn about Take Me Home is an intimate drama from Korean American writer/director Liz Sargent that centers her real-life sister, Anna, a 38-year-old Korean adoptee with a cognitive disability caring for their aging parents in suburban Florida. The film offers a deeply personal look at Korean adoption, Asian American family dynamics, disability and caregiving, as Anna navigates her relationship with her parents and her own desire for independence and community. The film premiered in New York on 9/23/26
All Wishes Come True! Re-imagination of Chinese Folklore, The Eight Immortals
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong speaks with Director & Writer, Mu Zhengyang and Pearl Studio CEO, Catherine Ying to talk about the beautifully detailed Chinese animation, which reimagines the folklore, The Eight Immortals.
Synopsis:
On a magical island where mortals and Immortals live side by side, a legendary vault is said to hold treasures beyond imagination. Determined to claim its riches, Lv Dongbin and Zhongli Quan devise an audacious plan: masquerade as Immortals and pull of the greatest heist the heavens have ever seen. Along the way, they recruit six unlikely companions: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han...
David Mura, Activist & Author of Exit, Miss Saigon
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong & David Mura discuss his new book, Exit, Miss Saigon, which explores the evolution of his understanding of his racial identity as a Japanese American man. Specifically, he has ended friendships with White artists due to their differing perspectives on the Miss Saigon casting. He also credits his friendships with BIPOC artists for helping him gain a different insight into racial identity. As an activist, David formed an Asian American arts organization.
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Full Bio:
David Mura is an award winning Japanese American author. His memoirs, poems, essays, plays and performances ha...
Samantha Ong, Founder of Joeydolls: Cultural Dolls Celebrating Heritage, Traditions, and Representation
Founder, Samantha Ong founded Joeydolls because she could not find dolls that reflected her daughter's culture. With attention to detail to skin tones, authentic culturally represented clothing, and names, dolls have skyrocketed in popularity. Signature dolls showcase Korean, Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese culture.
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with Samantha about starting a toy company with no experience and how this mission-driven company has brought joy to her family and many others. The dolls will soon have books that accompany them!
Julia Kang-Reeves, CMO of Earth Therapeutics: Carrying on Familial Entrepreneurial Spirit
Julia Kang-Reeves shares her story with Dr. Stephanie J. Wong of immigrating from Seoul to NY. She later spent nearly two decades in London, raising her daughter who attended all-female schools until returning to the US. From learning to navigate various cultures to becoming the CMO of wellness company, Earth Therapeutics to co-lead the family business, Earth Therapeutics, Julia shares the challenges and joys of a multi-dimensional identity.
Bio
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Julia co-leads the 30-year-old company alongside her brother John Kang (Founder & CEO) — a brand he launched in 1993 as an offshoot of the family's business aft...
Ran Ran Wang & Annie Huang on Making A Psychological Sports Thriller
Writer & Director Ran Ran Wang and Producer Annie Huang join Dr. Stephanie J. Wong to discuss the importance of highlighting the stress that professional athletes face. In their Psychological Sport Thriller, "I Think About K*lling You" that premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival in NYC, rowing captain, Dani is plagued with invasive fantasies of unaliving her abusive coach. When the coach pushes the team too far, Dani is forced to choose whether or not to act on her fantasies of violence.
Support female filmmakers and actresses!
Carol Chin: Reinvention Through Fast Food
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong shares a conversation with Carol Chin who is featured alongside her son in a new documentary short, Home Plate. The documentary short from Breakwater Studios in association with McDonald's, spotlights a Chinese American family's story of immigration, resilience, community impact, and entrepreneurship across generations.
The film captures an intimate conversation between Carol and her son Andrew, during which Carol reflects on starting over (twice) - including the risks, sacrifices, and determination required to create stability and opportunity for the next generation.
As Carol shares her story, Home Plate draws powerful parallels...
The Season | Jesse Mei Li On Playing Cola in Hong Kong High Society
Jesse Mei Li talks about playing Cola in Hulu's The Season which explores motivations for being part of Hong Kong High Society.
-How did she channel her personal experiences into Cola? -What emotions did Jesse want to portray to the audience?
-How did she bond with her fellow actors?
-Jessie shares her favorite spots in Hong Kong!
The Season is streaming on June 17, 2026!
#hulu #colorofsuccess #pressmeet #asianamerican #actors #aapi #mentalhealth #hongkong #TheSeason #viu
The Season | Chris Pang & Justin Chien on Their Starring Roles in Hong Kong High Society
On the Color of Success Podcast, Chris Pang & Justin Chien talk about their starring roles as Andrew Fung and David Ho, respectively, in Hulu's The Season. Don't miss their dynamic friendship on-screen and in real life!
-What were their character's internal struggles?
-How did they channel personal experiences into the characters?
-Chris talks about feelings of belonging, or lack thereof
-How did this role differ from Justin's other roles doing a lot of martial arts?
-Justin shares his favorite Hong Kong eats!
The Season is streaming on...
Press Interview with Director Eugene Yi of The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas
In this powerful press interview, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong and director Eugene Yi to discuss The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas. This is the next chapter in The List Series created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, streaming on HBO Max on May 13.
Through deeply personal conversations led by journalist Jada Yuan, the documentary explores what it truly means to be AAPI — centering themes of identity, ethnic pride, belonging, resilience, and community. Interviewees such as Sandra Oh, Tammy Duckworth, Kumail Nanjiani, Schuyler Bailar, and Bowen Yang move beyond polished soundbites into honest reckonings with culture, discrimination, family, and...
Zhengyu "Z" Huang: US-China Relations
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong and Zhengyu "Z" Huang discuss his new book, "Rethinking China: Challenging Our Economic Assumptions and Opportunities for Lasting Prosperity." Zheng explained that the book was inspired by a desire to address misconceptions about China's economy and explore opportunities for mutual prosperity. He assumed the role of president of the Committee of 100, a non-profit organization founded over 30 years ago by I.M. Pei to promote Chinese-American inclusion in America and enhance U.S.-China relations, working with White House administrations during the COVID-19 pandemic to advocate for safeguarding national security while protecting civil liberties, particularly in...
Regina Linke Helps Children Answer Existential Questions
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong interviews Regina Linke, author of the children's book "Little Helper," which features traditional Chinese brush painting illustrations and explores themes of community help and Eastern philosophical teachings. Regina explained how she began writing and illustrating as a second career after moving to Taiwan with her family, inspired by her son's existential questions about life and death. The book follows a young boy who learns to help his community through Taoist principles of effortless action, representing different philosophical perspectives through characters from Chinese classical scholarship. Stephanie and Regina discuss the importance of diverse perspectives in children's lite...
Making Space with Filmmaker Christine Chang
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In this inspiring episode, filmmaker and content creator, Christine Chang opens up about her powerful journey from photography and branding to filmmaking, as well as her personal growth through healing relationships. Christine shares insights into her upcoming short film, Making Space, which explores a woman's path to self-worth and...
Neha Kumar: It's Not About What You Want To Do; It's About What You Want To Do Next!
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong and Neha Kumar discuss Neha's non-traditional career journey, starting with her initial thought of majoring in pre-med but shifting towards entrepreneurship and teaching. Neha explained how teaching allows her to contribute to others' success while providing her with personal fulfillment. Neha shares:
Market trends and investment insights, particularly in the start-up space Creation of Full Glass Wine, inspired by the passion of sharing community-based products Looking for opportunities during seemingly bleak times in the market Acknowledgement from her parents after appearing on her first podcast with Jay Shetty Her message to her children Empowering...Director Amy Wang | Slanted: Why Would A Chinese Teen Want To Become White?
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with Director of Slanted, Amy Wang about the takeaways from the bold, provocative genre-bender that uses sharp satire and sci-fi horror to interrogate beauty standards, assimilation, and the cost of belonging.
The film follows Joan Huang (Shirley Chen), a high school outsider who idolizes the popular girls and dreams of becoming prom queen, but fears the only way to win is to look like every past queen whose portraits line the school halls. When she discovers Ethnos, a mysterious cosmetic surgery clinic that turns people White, Joan undergoes the procedure and wakes...
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan & Amelie Zilber | Slanted: What Happens When You Change Your Ethnicity to Become White?
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with stars of Slanted, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) and Amelie Zilber about the thought-provoking movie that uses sci-fi horror to examine beauty standards, assimilation and the cost of belonging.
The film follows Joan Huang (Shirley Chen), a high school outsider who idolizes the popular girls and dreams of becoming prom queen, but fears the only way to win is to look like every past queen whose portraits line the school halls. When she discovers Ethnos, a mysterious cosmetic surgery clinic that turns people White, Joan undergoes the procedure and wakes...
Miyavi: How Being Open to New Experiences Led to Starring in the Wrecking Crew
Miyavi is well-known for his unique finger-slapping style of playing guitar. His love for music began when a football injury led him to learn to play the guitar. In this interview, he talks about:
How the mentality of being open to new things and not expecting perfection can lead to meaningful experiences Acting alongside Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista in the Wrecking Crew How he respects Jacob Batalon for playing a humorous character in the movie His friendship with legendary choreographer, Lia Kim==========================================
The Wrecking Crew is streaming now on Amazon Prime!
The Wrecking Crew Cast Interview | Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, Ángel Manuel Soto
The Wrecking Crew cast, Jacob Batalon and Morena Baccarin, and director, Ángel Manuel Soto visit the Color of Success Podcast with Dr. Stephanie J. Wong. They talk about how Psychology is woven throughout the movie, including:
-Ángel wanting to highlight generational trauma and the relationship between brothers (Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista's characters)
-Morena channeling her experiences as a marginalized female to her Baddie character, Valentina
-Jacob's character, Pika wanting to be perceived as a tough dude vs. living authentically
The Wrecking Crew streaming on Amazon Prime on January 28, 2026!
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Screams Behind the Scenes: Actress, Victoria Wyant on Primate
Go behind the scenes of the indie horror film Primate in this interview with actress Victoria Wyant. Victoria shares how she first found her way into acting, why she typically does not watch horror movies, but how filming horror is such a uniquely exciting experience. She also talks about what sets Primate apart and why it's a film that truly deserves to be seen on the big screen. Whether you're a fan of horror, indie filmmaking, or actor origin stories, this conversation offers a thoughtful and fun look at the craft behind the scares.
Primate is in th...
Jon Hill on Grief Not Being Linear and Laughing Through Loss
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with filmmaker and sports producer Jon Hill to explore how identity, loss, and creativity have shaped his life and work. Jon opens up about his mixed-race heritage—growing up with a Thai mother and an American father whose love story began in Thailand during the Vietnam War—and how that unique background inspired his film Above the Clouds, now available on streaming platforms.
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Jon reflects on losing his father at 25 and the long, unexpected journey of grief that follo...
Podcast Episode: Navigating the Complexities of Mental Health, Journalism, and Cults
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong and Ellen Huet dive deep into the intersection of mental health, culture, and the emotional toll of investigative journalism. From the personal challenges of reporting on trauma to the hidden world of wellness cults, this conversation offers a raw and insightful look at the human cost of telling difficult stories.
🔍 Highlights:
Mental Health in Journalism: Stephanie and Ellen discuss how journalists cope with emotionally triggering material and the intense scrutiny that comes with high-profile stories. Ellen shares her unique perspective on maintaining empathy while still doing her job...
Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): Breaking Barriers: Empowering Asian+ American Youth Through Mental Health & Leadership
Join Dr. Stephanie J. Wong and Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), as they dive deep into the pressing issues facing Asian + American communities today, with a special focus on mental health, youth leadership, and breaking stereotypes. This episode explores the intersection of culture, identity, and mental health, while offering actionable insights on overcoming societal challenges.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Addressing Asian+ Americans' Mental Health TAAF's new program: Thriving Asian Leadership Accelerator, equipping Asian+ American youth with the skills needed to thrive beyond academic achievement Combatting Stereotypes and Building Belonging Asian+...Bridging Cultures and Empowering Women: How Yue-Sai Kan Became The Most Famous Woman in China
In this episode, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong sits down with the trailblazing Yue-Sai Kan, a pioneer in cultural exchange through television, cosmetics, and business. Yue-Sai takes us through her groundbreaking work, producing the TV show Looking East in the late 70s and early 80s, which aimed to foster cultural understanding between the East and West. She opens up about the challenges she faced in both media and business, including navigating China's limited media landscape, and the hurdles of producing television content across two cultures.
Yue-Sai also shares her personal journey of learning Mandarin and the complexities of...
How Do You Heal from Narcisstic Abuse From Parents?
Healing from Narcissistic Trauma as an Immigrant
In this heartfelt episode, Agatha Peters shares her journey of overcoming narcissistic abuse within a collectivist, immigrant family. She unpacks the emotional toll of growing up with a narcissistic parent, how culture shapes our understanding of parenting, and her path to healing. With insights on setting boundaries, journaling, and supporting others, this conversation offers hope and clarity for anyone navigating toxic family dynamics.
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Full bio
Agatha Peters is a Nigerian-American psychotherapist, founder of Beautiful Sunshine Therapy, and the author of 📚 Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim You...
Entrepreneurial and Mental Health Support for Filipino Business Owners From Coast-to-Coast
Today, I'm joined by Matthew Veland, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro DC and Dyanna Volek, proud Filipina American and native San Franciscan who during the day, works in government affairs and is a champion of the Filipino community. We discuss:
Biggest challenges that Filipino business owners face Need to address mental health and business owners' relationship to money Entrepreneurial and mental health resources for business owners Ways we can support Filipino-owned businesses on both coasts=========================================
Matthew Veland is a highly respected financial planner with Prudential Financial in the Washington D.C...
Life After Death: How Recovering from a Skull Fracture Led to a Girls Education Initiative
Today, we welcome Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson to the show. Following an accident and a skull fracture, she advanced her education. She is the founder and executive director of
the Girls education initiative of Ghana (GEIG), providing
academic and financial support for girls including applicants with special needs, so they may access higher education, and professional opportunities. We discuss:
Jackie Dallas: From Medicine to Acting in Stranger Things & The Hunting Wives
Jackie Dallas followed her passion, which led to her break-out role in Season 1 of "Stranger Things," as 'Jen,' Mr. Clarke's girlfriend, Jen Woo. In the Netflix series, The Hunting Wives, starring Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman, and Brittany Snow, she plays Jia-Yi. In this episode, we dive into:
Career Transition from Medicine to Acting Her break-out role in Stranger Things and how it jump started her acting career How her surgical experience gives her perspective when facing rejection in Hollywood Ongoing advocacy for women's health, specifically education about urological issues Her role in Hunting Wives, streaming on Netflix!...
How Do We Maintain Our Humanity While Using AI for Marketing, Branding, Therapy, & Education?
Hannah Ryu is a storyteller, AI Strategist, and the co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative technology studio specializing in UX/UI, web, application design, and development. We explore:
Co-founding a creative technology studio, aiming to address the lack of diversity in UX design firms. Confronting negative self-talk/narratives when building a business The role of perfectionism in Korean culture The exciting utility of AI in creating tailored educational information for children, increasing accessibility to education Use of AI for self-reflection and as a starting point to engage in therapy How to maintain being human through curiosity, accepting that w...Joe Daru: How Does Open-Mindedness Help in Professional Baseball & Acting?
Joe Daru is no stranger to thriving in new environments. From living in various countries to playing professional baseball, and now acting and directing, Joe shares how he continues to navigate his life and career. He highlights:
How he developed skills through baseball, such as competitiveness, motivation, and work ethic, which he now applies to his career in Entertainment. The importance of open-mindedness and flexibility, particularly when living in various countries His fight scene with QUEEN, Michelle Yeoh in The Brothers Sun His dream project (spoiler alert: It's related to baseball) His recurring role in Peacock's crime drama...Expressing Complex Emotions in Short Film, Last Call with Producer, Winnie Cheung & Actress, Celia Au
We are fortunate to have Producer, Winnie Cheung and actress, Celia Au on the show to discuss their short film, Last Call which premiered at the 2025 SXSW Midnight Short Program. This short fantasy thriller takes you on the psychological journey of a traumatized motorcyclist who daydreams about a sultry serpent woman and is haunted by her enchanting voice.
Winnie's credits include being a co-producer on the SXSW Audience Award Winner "Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror" in 2021, and has won several awards at Sundance and more. Inspired by David Cronenberg's body horror, American e...
Exist in Spaces As An Act of Protest--A Conversation with Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa
In Season 7's premiere, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa and Dr. Stephanie J. Wong engage in an important conversation addressing:
Dr. Oriuwa's experience being the only Black student in her medical class at University of Toronto Racial trauma in psychiatry to treat patients Challenges of connecting with friends and self-care in professional and personal settings Being honored with a Barbie made in her likeness and the impact this has on children feeling seen Strategies to navigate these challenging socio-political times in society.To learn more about Dr. Oriuwa's work:
https://www.drchikaoriuwa.com/
Bio:
Star of CBS' S.W.A.T., David Lim: Journey from Loan Officer to Model/Actor & How He Built Resilience in Hollywood
I sat down with fellow Bay Area native, David Lim, one of the stars S.W.A.T. on CBS. He shares his personal experiences, career journey, and challenges he faced in the mortgage industry, acting, and modeling. We discussed the importance of resilience, self-belief, and adaptability in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in various fields. David shares the story of how he met his wife, and how they co-founded a jewelry company following a burglary of their home, losing sentimental pieces.
Bonus: My mom gets to ask her fan questions!
S.W.A.T i...
How Do We Reduce Stereotypes and Advance Representation in Film? Dr. Samuel Jamier Shares His Thoughts!
Dr. Samuel Jamier, Executive Director of the New York Asian Film Festival/Foundation (NYAFF), tells me about his childhood, growing up as a Korean adoptee in France and how his experiences led him to his current role of promoting stories from around the world. He shares his thoughts about reducing stereotypes and advancing representation in film, including:
Supporting quality films with multi-dimensional characters vs. blanket support of films with actors who identify with under-represented groups Encouraging increased viewership of films with subtitles Volunteering with the NYAFF.==========================================
Bio:
Dr. Samuel Jamier is a distinguished cu...
Venom: The Last Dance's Mrs. Chen: Peggy Lu on Facing Rejection & Working with Tom Hardy
In an emotionally raw interview, actress, Peggy Lu opens up about her family's immigration story, her parents' emphasis on earning a doctorate (which she did), and how following her dream of being creative and having fun led her to work with Tom Hardy in the Venom trilogy. Peggy discusses her mother's wisdom, working as a pharmacist, and how crying is a release for her. I was lucky to connect with Peggy who is charismatic, fun, and emotionally intelligent.
Bio:
Peggy Lu is a professional actor fluent in Mandarin Chinese who can be seen as the...
Who are the Haenyeo? The Last of the Sea Women with Director, Sue Kim
In collaboration with renowned activist, Malala Yousafzai, Director & Producer, Sue Kim presents "The Last of the Sea Women," an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors who wage a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea's Jeju Island are renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor—without oxygen —to harvest seafood for their livelihood. Today, with most now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, hardworking women refuse to give an inch, aided by a younger gene...
Bridging the Mental Health Gap in Asia with Theodoric Chew, Co-Founder & CEO of Intellect
In this episode of the Color of Success Podcast, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong welcomes Theodoric Chew, the co-founder and CEO of Intellect, Asia Pacific's leading integrated mental health care service provider. Theodoric shares his personal journey with mental health, which inspired him to create Intellect—a platform that now serves over 3.5 million members globally. He discusses the challenges and nuances of providing culturally relevant mental health care across different Asian countries, the stigma surrounding mental health in Asia, and the importance of education and access to care.
Host: Dr. Stephanie J. Wong
Guest: Theodoric Chew, Co...
Shauntel Murphy's Journey: Overcoming Bias, Building Trust, and Promoting Mental Health
In this episode of the Color of Success Podcast, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong sits down with Shauntel Murphy, a corporate leader and the founder of Wishing You Well in Life. Shauntel shares her powerful journey through the challenges and triumphs she faced as a woman of color in corporate America. Together, they dive deep into:
Highlights:
Overcoming Bias in Corporate America: Shauntel reveals the persistent biases she encountered due to her race and gender and how she continuously had to prove herself in the workplace.
Becoming a Cultural Bridge: Shauntel discusses her role...
Breaking Barriers in Music: Super Producer Bandit's Journey from Panic to Grammy Nominations
In this episode of the Color of Success Podcast, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong sits down with the remarkable BAND!T, a Grammy-nominated engineer and two-time Billboard charting producer. BAND!T, born in Queens, New York, and now residing in Los Angeles, shares his journey as a first-generation Korean American making a significant mark in the music industry. From dealing with panic disorder as a child to working with some of the biggest names in music, BAND!T's story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of pursuing one's dreams.
