How Seven Years of Podcasting Changed My Life

On August, I tried posting this on Linkedin but there was a server crashed or something and I lost a lot of the work. So since I have some time on Christmas, I'm looking back it, making some edits, and posting it now.

This has been a wild and eventful year for me. I have no way of putting down all I want to talk about, but I do of course, want to talk a lot about my traveling experience.

Let’s see…I left my job at Motif Foodworks, launched a company Sobo Foods with Eric Wu, got really into board games, reconnected with old friends and keep on making new friends…. And I traveled to 9 countries I’ve never been to.

When I look back at the 7 years I started podcasting and read the annual articles I kept on writing, I reminisce on the early days when I spent 3 hours editing one podcast.

Some updates on current podcast projects

Second Shot City: My weird fantasy fiction project ended! It took me a year of pre-recorded episodes to finish. This project was technically a failure as it really did nothing monetarily but it taught me so much about audio. How to use Adobe Audition, how to optimize for a live recording with multiple people, and how to judge what’s funny and what’s not funny. Overall, this podcast was tough but was memorable and I know no one is going to listen to it. All that matters is that I created a story with a beginning and an end and I’m happy about it.

Crisis Meets Opportunity: I also decided to end my weekly podcast with Kai-Hsin Wang , who lives in New York. We just got too busy. This is still my parent's favorite podcast.

Hey, Have You Eaten Yet?: This is a new podcast I do with my cofounder Eric Ji Sun Wu . I basically told Eric to interview his friends and I’ll help with editing, structuring, and all that. It’s great talking to a network I don’t really know about. Sharing the workload with a team is super helpful. Having Sobo do the podcast technically makes me a paid podcast so I made it guys. New episodes every other week!

One of the most rewarding things about making podcasts is seeing other people get inspired to make their own and interview others. I look back and watch Veronica Hislop making Foodgrads episodes, and Paul Shapiro making his Business for Good podcast because he liked My Food Job Rocks. I am always happy to see people do podcasts and I fantasize that I helped push them in some way. My co-host Kai is also going into podcasting by herself with her new podcast Seeding the Magic Beanstalk, and Eric is now able to take podcasting equipment and record episodes who whoever he wants. This all shows me that the true benefit of creation is the ability to inspire others to do the same.

New creative project- Interns in the Dark: Whenever I live in a new city, I try to immerse myself in a popular hobby. In the Bay Area, there are three hobbies: work, hiking, or board games. So I chose board games. More specifically, board game design. Even more specifically, tabletop roleplaying game design.

I love pursuing independent creative projects from a different field. It allows you to understand a new industry from an old perspective, and you realize that commercializing creativity is more the same than it is different.

Writing rules, communicating those rules, playtesting them, doing design layouts, and talking about dice theory are super interesting to me. I'm currently playtesting this game at a local game store in San Francisco, which I found stumbling drunk from a meetup a month moving into the Bay. I've stuck with that local game shop all year and it's been my fulfilling third place for a while.

I have a track record of being obsessive with creative projects. I guess with food and podcasting, they have become uniquely useful throughout my career. You're getting a front-row seat for this one.

Anyway, I just want to talk about traveling in this article. If you’re interested, read below. Other than that, I just want everyone to know that life is really interesting and I’m having a good time.

A Synopsis on Traveling

As many of you know, I traveled the world for about 3 months exploring down under, to the rest of Asia. To say the trip was life-changing is an understatement and it was extremely rewarding to meet old-time friends, and new people and forge ever-lasting memories through the countries I explored. Throughout the 9 countries and 20 cities, I’ve pet monkies, almost missed planes, partied all night, and wandered aimlessly looking for food.

Though I’ve always wanted to do this extended trip abroad, never in my life did I think I would bring my podcasting equipment with me and interview people all over the world. This was me just thinking about how I could enhance my trip, and how I could connect with people deeper than just a standard meeting. Carrying a brand I’ve nurtured for a few years, became an asset that helped my trip tremendously both personally and professionally.

A Note on Planning

I’ve always wanted to do this trip ever since my first job. When I had a bad day at the granola bar factory, I would say to myself “I’m going to quit my job at 25 and travel the world”. At that time, I was naive, poor, and self-conscious so it didn’t happen. Every year I would tell myself I wanted to do it, but every year there was an excuse. I didn’t have enough money, I had to start a company, COVID happened, I mean, every year there was something.

The wanderlust leaked in weird ways. I’ve lived in 4 different American cities and had like, 5 different jobs. The hunt for new experiences kept growing and I think it was because of this ever-lasting wanderlust that I kept on seeking new experiences. But I think this is a good thing. What this taught me was the value of finding windows of opportunity, it allowed me to adapt to making new friends and also allowed me to create this web of networks that still benefit me to this day. The people I’ve met just throughout the United States have colored my life for the better and I just feel so glad to have met so many people throughout my life in the United States. It really taught me that everyone is interesting.

I started saving money and acted as frugally as possible as I moved from state to state. Most moves were paid for by a company, I would find great roommates who could get rooms for cheap, and in general, I just had habits that allowed me to save a ton of money. Specifically in Boston, where I made friends with a real estate agent who found a killer deal in Cambridge. I was also being paid a really good salary at Motif Foodworks, and the financial boost from the pandemic, and that situation propelled my finances to stash away $30,000 dollars for the trip.

But that also allowed me to train in finding windows of opportunities and not get held up in the analysis paralysis on decision making. Every move, every career change, every connection chipped away this anxious feeling of just going for it over time.

As the pandemic cleared and I talked about the opportunity to start Sobo Foods, there was an opportunity to travel around the world while my cofounder was transitioning his founder role at Gainful. What felt like another decision, activated and I decided to plan my trip to see the world.

Traveling

I left Boston after a great going away party and went to Chicago at IFT. IFT is always special to me because it’s the only conference where I continuously meet the same people. It’s also the only place where I’m a minor celebrity and people recognize me for my podcast so it makes me feel good. Telling people I was leaving Motif and traveling the world was cathartic, to say the least.

After a week in California, I bought a backpack with my best friend, I packed 7 days of clothing, $2000 dollars worth of recording equipment and flew to Australia where I stayed at an Airbnb with an old movie producer with two friendly cats. I then stayed at a terrible hostile in Melbourne where a kid’s family owned a shawarma shop and would blast music at night.

At the heart of Sydney and Melbourne, I caught up with old friends and new connections. Announcing I was traveling the world on LinkedIn became so helpful as people would reach out and say “let’s hang out!”. Australia probably had the best museums in all the places I went to.

After Australia, I flew to Singapore. Where I spent 20 days learning about why they care so much about food technology. Michal Klar and the people at Big Idea Ventures introduced me to the ecosystem that is Singapore and it was amazing, Though Singapore is small, it felt intimate. The work connections had a purpose being there and the non-work conenctions were easy to find. I joined a few Dungeon and Dragons groups in Singapore and had a blast connecting hobbies with strangers.

In Singapore, I intermingled with so many different companies and personalities that I really felt right at home. If it wasn’t for the weather, I would move there in a heartbeat.

I planned the trip with key events in mind which was basically, the Smart Kitchen Summit in Japan and exploring South Korea with a college friend so I had to find ways to fill in the time. I chose to sprint through Southeast Asia. Namely Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. I didn’t know anything about these countries but people told me I should check them out so I did. I wish I spent more time researching these countries but I had fun. It’s definitely a different lifestyle in these countries. It’s extremely hot, it’s chaotic, and the wifi kind of sucks.

But in Malaysia, I think it had the best food and the most memorable sites.I didn’t realize just how many connections I’ve had there and how much they truly love food. My favorite place to visit was the Batu Caverns, an artificial monument set up by the British that features a 100ft tall golden dude and a bunch of monkeys roaming around.

In Thailand, I found the royal palace and its temples a shining beacon of the city, and in Cambodia, an industrial creeping of an otherwise still budding city. All of these countries were beautiful in their own way and I wish I could have learned more about them.

Years in Moments

What makes traveling stories interesting and memorable is not the average sight-seeing but the twists and turns that happen in days rather than the tourist sites you visit really give you a nice perspective in life.

One was getting COVID in Cambodia, which canceled my trip to Japan, which then made me go into an anxious panic attack where I stayed holed up in Cambodia for a few days as I slowly changed my plans. It was very stressful being denied entry to Japan, before I had to present at a conference but in hindsight, I realized I never did my visa (at the time it was required due to COVID) so it would have been a lot more difficult if I arrived.

Anyway, I had to change my 15-day trip to Japan to a loop around that would hit Singapore and Vietnam.?When I was in Singapore, someone told me about this wonderful conference called the FHA conference. This is a similar conference to like, an Expo West or Fancy Food Show where people would show their wares to the Asian market. People said I should go and I told them I’d be in Japan for a conference at that time.

With some quick thinking, I booked my flight again to Singapore and arrived there. In hindsight, I’m glad I did. I was able to meet my friend Michal Klar, who has helped me so much on this trip and reinforced the amazing connections I’ve met in the Alternative Protein world. Most importantly, some of the contacts I’ve met carried on helping Sobo Foods grow.

It’s truly funny how life works.

After Singapore, I caught up with my friend in Vietnam. She is a food scientist I’ve been friends with in college and she was doing a boat cruise in Ha Long Bay with a. few friends. This was also serendipitous as I would have never met up with her if I had been able to get to Japan.

Vietnam was fun, and I wish I had the opportunity to connect with the industry over there but I just didn’t have the energy. I’m kind of glad I didn’t as I needed a break. Of course, I tried, but just didn’t have the tenacity at the time to follow through.

I boarded to go to South Korea after a visa scare. Since I didn’t put my middle name, my visa was rejected at like 11 pm in Vietnam. The flight was 1 am so I felt like I couldn’t make it. I reapplied for a South Korean visa and returned to a terrible hotel within walking distance of the airport.

As soon as I put my head down on a pillow, my email pinged and my visa to South Korea was approved. In what seemed like a flash, I checked out, threw about $1000 Vietnamese dollars to the driver, and caught my 1 am flight to South Korea. This was a lesson on quick thinking and finding opportunities that I’ll always cherish.

I met up with my college friend in South Korea. Now I’m his best man for his wedding which is kind of cool how things work out. He’s a great guy. Always down to do a crazy thing with me. I guess that’s what I’m going to write for my best man speech.

Anyway, I met up with time connecting Jimmy Sohn and recent connecting Helen Hy-Rien who are two different sides of the alt-meat movement in South Korea. My biggest surprise was finding out Jennifer Stojvokic was at a famous international forum and rushing to interview her.

During this time, Japan eased its visa situation and I was able to travel there. The Japanese connections are so nice and the SKS Japan committee welcomed me with open arms. I’m so glad to have connected with them as they were able to visit me when they came to America and invited me to SKS Japan 2023. I find this absolutely astonishing that this happened.

Japan was probably my favorite country. I’m a huge anime and manga nerd so this felt like paradise. If there was a place I would go to again and again, it’d probably be Japan. Maybe that might happen since I have friends there now….

One thing that I felt was so heartwarming was visiting my friend in Okinawa. He was a high school friend who joined the army, got married in Japan, and lives with 3 cats taking care of Bonzai trees. His life is perfect and I feel some sort of jealousy towards it. But that’s not what destiny has for me. It was so enlightening meeting up with him again and laughing like old times. Seeing us both grow in respectable ways.

Finally, I had a choice between the Philippines or the recently opened Taiwan. Not wanting to deal with crappy internet and hot weather I chose Taiwan. I don’t know a lot about Taiwan but going there was quick. It’s a hop and a skip from Okinawa and I puddle-jumped my way there. After a week in Taipei, where I met with three awesome food innovators. I connected with an old friend who’s a part-time musician. I saw her small concert and caught up with her in Kaohsiung and enjoyed my time in the beautiful coastal city. The last week in Kaohsiung, I fell into a routine of rotating sushi, a great Chinese restaurant, and a Starbucks as things were starting to get serious with Sobo Foods coming online.

On November 1st, 2023, I took a plane back to California.

As I boarded my flight, I slept and woke up, and I was back in San Francisco, where my dad picked me up and I slept in my own bed. Overall, coming back was easier than I thought.

Something that felt different though, was the day afterwards. I took a walk through my neighborhood. Something I’ve done for the past 30 years of my life but this time, things were brighter. Things just generally felt brighter. The trees were changing colors but it felt more vibrant. The red, yellow, green and orange felt picturesque. It’s like a new filter was put on my face

Even now, everything seems brighter to me. I feel happier, more fulfilled, and people say they can tell whenever I talk to them.

A Thank You to Everyone I Met

During my trip, I was able to do around 40 interviews for My Food Job Rocks. This includes a few American interviews that I couldn’t resist such as David Kay talking about Upside Food's FDA approval, Chloe Sorvino , who debut her book, Raw Deal, Adam Richman who was the host of Man vs Food and Jake Karls , the entrepreneur making waves in the CPG space.

For those who took their valuable time to meet me in person, thank you so much.

Australia

George Peppou – thanks for inviting me to the Vow lab and eating ramen with me

Sarah Q. – I’m happy to have met you at your college incubator. Your story is inspiring and we need more awesome people like you building things from the ground up.

Fiona Fleming – Thank you Imelda Novita for connecting me with her (and for hot pot). Though we only were able to do this online, you’re a wealth of knowledge for the food industry in Australia.

Singapore (this is a long list)

Franklin Yao – So glad to have met you. You are my first contact with the Alternative Protein landscape in China and I loved your insights.

Andrew Yip ? 葉建安 – Thanks for inviting me to the Monde Nissin Office and try some delicious mycoprotein innivations

Jolene L. – Absolutely amazing to meet you and to have met you again in the Future Food Tech in San Francisco. I can't wait to see what you will do in the future

Ratna Juita – Thanks for agreeing to meet with me. Your content is amazing and your story is amazing too. It;s amazing to see how you're exploded in LinkedIn.

Aparna Venkatesh – Thanks for your warm welcome to the Buhler office and educating me about what Buhler does. Great seeing you at SKS Japan!

Valerie Pang – The most welcoming person in Singapore. Thanks for showing me some amazing vegan restaurants. Also great seeing and speaking with you at SKS Japan!

Jeff Yew - Thanks to the JUST team for giving me a chance to try cultivated meat and an even bigger thanks to Andrew Noyes for arranging a chance to talk to Chef Jeff!

Hon Mun Y. - Thanks for making time for me to interview you and getting some valuable insights. I recall being super stressed because took the wrong bus!

Mihir Pershad - Super impressed by how sharp you are and the cool things you are doing right now.

Max Rye - Surprised you live in Woodland, California and go back and forth between Singapore! Hope you're enjoying the holidays here.

Widya Putra – good to run into you and learn about the Indonesian scene! Thanks Big Idea Ventures for the Intro.

Dr. Dalal AlGhawas, PhD – thank you for inviting me to the ultimate Singaporean experience: a fancy hotel buffet. It was life changing.

Malaysia

Chang Chew, Sew - It’s good to reconnect after 10 years. We first met at a competition at IFT and it’s been amazing to see what you’ve been doing

Grace Huei Tan – So glad to have met in person after years of chatting online for years

Alyssa Eng – I totally forgot I met you in Califorina but I’m glad now that we’re friends! Also great seeing you at the Singapore conference.

Adwin Koh Hsien Win – Thanks for dealing with my schedule and sharing with me the best char siu in the world.

Cambodia

Edwin Yang – Thanks for agreeing to meet with a stranger. I learned a lot about the beer scene in Cambodia

South Korea

Juhang Jimmy Sohn – We’ve been connected for a while but it’s good to see you live in Korea at a nice Korean café in sunny Seoul

Helen Hae-Ryoun Gi – A treat to have met you and understand the vegan landscape in Korea. Thank you for some of the connections you’ve shared with me!

Jennifer Stojkovic – An amazing surprise that Korea was holding their economic forum. And even more surprising that you did a podcast with me so quickly (I think less than 12 hours when I contacted you?)

Japan

Akiko Okada – So glad to have met you via Michael Wolf and thank you so much for the support in helping me be a part of SKS Japan

Satoshi Umino – I’m glad to have met you twice in the United States and I see this friendship blossom

Yuki Hanyu – We met at the Cultivated Food Symposium and I find your undying love of anime and manga inspiring and I’m glad you wear it with pride.

Taiwan

Mai Bach – It’s amazing and brave to see an American citizen building a business in Taiwan!

Evelyn (Pei-En) Sun – I was amazed about the venture side of Taiwan. Thank you!

Karen Chiu – You’re super friendly and welcoming! Thanks for having me try the Lypid burger.

Already, meeting these amazing people has been enlightening in so many ways and I have a feeling I will keep on meeting them as my career progresses.

A Thank you to Connectors.

This trip could not have been possible without the connections on LinkedIn and specifically, key people who allowed me access to the ecosystem of fantastic food innovators.

As mentioned multiple times, one of our angel investors for Sobo Foods and a personal friend, Michal Klar was directly involved in making my trip as eventful as possible. He knew almost everyone I’ve interviewed.

I am happy to have him as a personal angel investor in my new company, Sobo Foods. Dalal and the Big Idea Ventures in Singapore were super helpful and welcoming throughout my spawl through Singapore.

I hope to pay it forward to anyone else who asks for help.

Global Player

I did my first live international talk at SKS Japan. During that time, I met with global players new and old at this event. Shockingly, I’ve met these people a year ago yet we all share so much in common.

I feel much more confident in my role in the food industry because of this trip.

I truly feel like meeting these amazing entrepreneurs and innovators and just in general, people have made me realize that I am truly not alone when it comes to solving the world’s greatest issue.

The food industry is truly global. It is the most interconnected, international system we have and because of this, we have to face our problems together.

We are all in this together and I can’t wait to work with you all again.

10 Years in the Industry

The Institute of Food Technologists might have had a rule that if you cross 10 years into an industry, you are no longer a "young professional". What does that mean? I think I get it.

I'm not sure if this is everyone, but once you hit your 30's, something flips and I feel much more confident in myself. When I first started Better Meat Co, I felt like an impostor and now I don’t. I have no idea why.

As I reflect on this year, it's been the most satisfying year I've ever had. I feel sated, and not itching to get to the next best thing. Sobo Foods , which launched this year, has been my most fulfilling work from a creative standpoint and it's felt so good seeing the progress one dumpling at a time. I look back at hand folding sub-par plant-based meat products into wheat wrappers, to now running a machine where we pump out thousands of dumplings a day. To going to events and demos and having people immediately buy a bag of dumplings when they try a sample. As a creative person, this is the best feeling in the world.

No one's really excited for 2024 it seems. I think those who say they are, are obliged to say it. Like everything, it's going to come whether we like it or not.

But I feel prepared because one more year going forward, is another year reflecting just how great life has been.

As cliche as it is, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. No one really tells you about the mid-journey but I have to say, through reminiscing about what it took to get to this specific place, I'm glad I started one step at a time 7 years ago.

As always, thanks for reading.