EDIT HISTORY | Successful entrepreneurs & creators revisit, review, and roast the content that got them to where they are

Everyone commends you for being brave when you start over. But no one tells you that your reinvention might also look… ridiculous. For our guest today, that looked like explaining to people - very seriously - that she quit her career as a lawyer… to start a podcast as a cat. Because that's the thing about starting something new: More often than not, it doesn't look polished or profound. It looks like curiosity, experimentation - and sometimes, doing something absolutely absurd, but quintessentially you. Today's guest, Iman Ibrahim, embodies that exact spirit. After nearly two decades in law, she left her career behind to rebuild from scratch - first as a coach, and then as the creator of I Am the Advocat, a podcast where a cat becomes the unlikely voice for real stories of burnout, bullying, and survival in the legal world. This episode is about what it really takes to start again, and what becomes possible when we finally stop performing who we're "supposed" to be. TIMETAMPS   (00:00) Introduction (01:40) Quitting law after 19 years (02:21) I am the Advocat (05:17) Judgment from colleagues  (06:46) Support for the cause  (09:08) Introducing the (c)lawyers (12:54) Building an episode  (15:34) Iman's EDIT HISTORY  (17:29) Building an episode (cont.) (18:43) The constraints of law (23:43) Starting over and self doubts (28:38) Iman's inner self critic (34:19) One year later (39:31) Actionable takeaways  CONNECT WITH IMAN IBRAHIM   Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/imanisoverit Instagram (I am the Advocat): https://www.instagram.com/iamtheadvocat  Instagram (Over It Club): https://www.instagram.com/overit.club  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamtheadvocat  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iman-ibrahim/  CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau WORK WITH CHERYL LAU   I help business leaders, creators, and organizations create a body of work they're proud of - One that's substantial, distinct, and built to last. Think of me as your strategic podcast partner - someone who's as invested in your vision as you are. I care about making sure your content actually stands out, resonates, and opens the right doors. Here are two ways we can work together: ✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production -A done-for-you podcast experience for business owners, consultants, and creators who want a distinctive, intelligent show that elevates their voice and attracts aligned opportunities. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch. ✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting - For organizations ready to build high-quality, strategically positioned podcasts. From concept development to scripting and host coaching, I direct capstone content projects with clarity and care. I specialize in educational and thought-leadership podcasts - guiding you from concept to production and launch. Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery CONTACT Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Before Aiken Chia became one of Singapore's most recognizable YouTubers and food content creators, he was a broke twenty-something who had spent years auditioning, collecting rejection after rejection, and was on the verge of quitting media altogether. It was that mix of setbacks, resilience, and the unwavering support of his community that shaped the creator he is today. From his breakout years through producing a popular series called Food King, to now building his own independent channel, Aiken has created a body of work that blends food and travel storytelling with raw, personal conversations - including one of his most talked-about videos, where he sat down with his mother to unpack her 18-year affair. In this episode, we revisit those early struggles, explore the turning points that gave him hope, and unpack the values that continue to guide his journey today. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:30) Character matters more than talent  (03:03) Being called fat (05:56) Aiken's insecurities  (07:49) Being in survival mode  (09:23) People who see your potential  (11:57) The upwards trajectory  (13:29) Why do others support Aiken (16:12) Being sincere  (17:31) Executing your creative vision  (20:00) How creators create impact  (25:43) How Aiken is monetizing  (26:57) Breaking out of the "food creator" box (29:59) What Aiken is working on right now (32:32) Going through a rough patch (36:27) Aiken interviews his mom (42:15) Guiding values as a creator   (45:19) Actionable takeaways  Connect with Aiken Chia   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AikenChiaMing  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aikenchia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aikenchia  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

When Ainul Md Razib  first started posting about tech careers on TikTok, almost no one in Singapore was doing it. While most of the platform was filled with dance trends and food reviews, she chose to talk about coding and professional growth - becoming one of the first local career-focused creators. Today, Ainul is a Cybersecurity Engineer at IBM, known online as AinLovesCode. She's been named to the Singapore 100 Women in Tech 2025 list, and her work continues to champion diversity and inclusion in the industry. In this episode, we explore Ainul's journey - the pressures of visibility, the boundaries she's had to set, and the internal work that's kept her creating through viral highs and quiet seasons.   In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Being taken seriously  (04:39) Creator pressures  (07:50) Complexities as a Muslim creator (13:35) Setting parameters  (17:36) Doubting your own work (20:35) Reviewing Ainul's past content  (24:33) Balancing a full time job with content creation (29:37) Chasing external validation  (32:32) Misconceptions about you (35:51) Why do you do what you do? (39:52) Actionable takeaways  Connect with Ainul Md Razib   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainlovescode/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ainlovescode  Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UvDywqpB6Gzv428oNUbAI  Website: https://www.ainlovescode.com/  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Most of us introduce ourselves with a title: "I'm a coach," "I'm a banker," "I'm a podcaster." The problem with this is that the moment you do that, you've put yourself in the same box as everyone else with that title. Our guest today, Simon Alexander Ong - bestselling author of Energize, international keynote speaker, and award-winning coach - knows this firsthand. For years, he chased job titles he thought would define his success, until he realised that real success and true differentiation come from embracing your whole self. This includes your story, your skills, and your creativity. In this episode, we explore how breaking free from labels and showing people what makes you unlike anyone else can transform you from just another professional… Into a brand.     In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:26) Being boxed in by titles  (03:35) Becoming a brand  (06:14) Simon's objections  (08:52) A partner who supports your goals  (15:44) The pressure of having it together (18:05) A compelling vision (19:49) Learning vs being an expert (23:05) Creativity as a differentiator  (25:18) What Simon is working on (26:41) Transferable skills  (27:40) Does your family get what you do?  (31:14) Should I quit my job?  (35:00) How to do it all  (40:25) 3 Tips for entrepreneurs & creators  (46:01) Actionable takeaways  Connect with Simon Alexander Ong   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonalexandero  Website: https://simonalexanderong.com Book: https://simonalexanderong.com/book  Newsletter: https://simonalexanderong.com/shots-of-energy  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonalexandero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonalexanderong  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

In this unscripted bonus episode, I answer delightfully weird and deeply personal questions from friends - Covering everything from past insecurities, podcast advice, to how my friendships have evolved.   In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (0:35) What crime would you commit if it were legal for 12 hours? (0:59) If you were a cult leader, what's your cult's name and aesthetic? (01:41) What's the weirdest compliment that would absolutely make your day? (03:03) You're suddenly famous for something stupid. What did you do? (03:44) If you woke up as a brand new person, where would you want to live? (04:20) If you woke up as a brand new person, what job do you want to do (05:08) If you woke up as a brand new person, what superpower will you have?  (05:22) What would you tell baby podcaster cheryl?  (07:12) If we caught you doomscrolling, what would you be watching? (09:16) What used to be an insecurity that no longer is? (10:26) What is an insecurity you still have? (11:15) What is your pet peeve/most annoying trait about a person? (11:44) Which emoji do you spiritually identify with? (12:27) What are 3 telling "first impression" signs of a podcast that is likely to be successful? (14:52) How has your friendships evolved overtime? Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it actually takes to create an authority-building podcast, through the lens of my work as a podcast producer for organizations and other established shows. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast or turning your existing one into a real authority-building asset, this episode will give you a look at what it actually takes. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (02:09) Stage 1: Pre-Production (08:58) Stage 2: Recording  (11:44) Stage 3: Editorial Post-Production  (15:19) Stage 4: Technical Post-Production   Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

A lot of us don't like how we sound. We cringe at our recorded voice. We worry our accent makes us seem less polished, less credible, less worthy of being listened to. Our guest today, Caitanya Tan - or Cait -  knows that feeling intimately. As an actress, host, voiceover artist, and content creator with over 200,000 followers on both TikTok AND Instagram, her voice is the tool she's built her career on… Yet it's also the thing she's had to constantly adjust, explain, and defend. In today's conversation, we explore what it means to represent your people, why Singaporeans often feel invisible in global media, and how embracing your voice (literally and metaphorically) can become your most powerful creative tool.   In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Cait's voice (02:57) Pressure to sound less Singaporean (04:45) How Cait learned to speak  (06:35) Singlish isn't represented  (08:16) Cait's past content  (10:14) Feeling embarrassed by your accent or voice   (15:03) Authenticity and using your voice  (16:29) Cait's insecurities  (18:13) Not trying because you're scared  (21:43) Assumptions about Cait's success  (25:20) Cait's morning routine  (27:16) Doing everything with just a phone (27:58) Singaporean podcasts  (33:31) Actionable Takeaways      Connect with Caitanya Tan   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitofalltraits  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caitofalltraits  Website: https://www.caitanyatan.com  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

What if your most defining trait wasn't talent, luck, or strategy… But simply the willingness to keep going, even when no one's watching, and nothing seems to be working? Today on EDIT HISTORY, we're joined by Laurie Wang - Speaker, entrepreneur, and YouTuber with nearly 200,000 subscribers - As she reflects on the invisible seasons that shaped her body of work. In this conversation, we explore what consistency really looks like behind the scenes, the emotional cost of comparison, the lessons Laurie took from her failed startup, and how she's now building a business and life aligned with her current season. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:06) What kept you going? (05:10) Laurie's insecurities  (06:32) When your husband is also a YouTuber  (10:00) Cultivating the entrepreneurial spark  (14:45) Habits & decisions  (16:01) Networking tips  (21:38) AI vs Youtubers  (25:05) A lesson from Laurie  (26:35) Connecting the dots  (28:44) A failed startup  (31:01) Pickup yourself up after failure  (33:20) Challenges outside of YouTube  (36:56) Things you like & dislike about yourself  (40:44) Building a business around your life  (46:39) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Laurie Wang   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauriexwang  Website: https://lauriewang.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriewang/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlauriewang/  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

In this impromptu bonus episode of EDIT HISTORY, I answer spontaneous questions from my friends after a last-minute guest cancellation. From podcasting highs and moments of self-doubt to K-pop playlists and unpopular opinions, I get candid about my personal quirks, creative process, and what keeps me going as a solopreneur podcaster.      In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (00:23) What's one decision you're so proud of? (01:57) What do you do to make guests feel comfortable? (04:20) Have you ever replaced a bad habit with another bad habit? (06:05) Have you ever wanted to give up on your podcast? (08:20) What are your qualifying conditions for choosing guests? (10:40) If the world were ruled by cats, how would life be different? (11:49) Would you rather only be able to use public restrooms or be 10 minutes late to everything? (12:58) What's a hot take/unpopular opinion of yours? (17:47) Who or what it is Cheryl fiercely loyal to? (19:19) Intermission break (20:27) Favorite kpop groups  (21:10) What's on your repeat playlist?  (21:44) What would you pay lots of money for? What would you refuse to pay for? (22:56) What was your dream job when you were a kid? Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Most people think storytelling is about making yourself look good. But today's guest believes the opposite. Anna Ong is the founder of What's Your Story Slam (Singapore's longest-running live storytelling show) and a global storytelling coach who's helped over 300 leaders become impossible to ignore. But before any of that, Anna spent 15 years in banking, hoping her work would speak for itself. It didn't. What did she learned instead? Great ideas don't win. Great storytellers do. After leaving the corporate world, Anna started to build What's Your Story Slam from the ground up after NOT being able to find the stage she needed, so, she created it. In this episode, we explore why her show only welcomes stories that are raw, vulnerable, and real, not polished TED Talks or humblebrags. So, if you've ever said "I don't have a story," or wondered if your everyday moments matter, this is the conversation for you.  In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:51) Telling stories that show your flaws  (03:10) What's Your Story Slam (06:06) Telling stories to impress  (09:42) Humble bragging  (15:23) The impact of storytelling  (19:59) A storytelling stage built in Asia (26:26) Anna's past content  (31:29) AI and storytelling  (35:16) A story Anna is working on  (39:35) Actionable takeaways  Connect with Anna Ong   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-ong/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatsyourstoryslam Website: https://www.anna-ong.com/  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Sometimes, silence comes at a cost. It shows up in missed job offers, overlooked talents, and years spent waiting for recognition that never arrives. Dr. Gertrude Nonterah grew up in a culture where you weren't supposed to promote yourself - you waited for others to notice your brilliance. But after losing her job in 2018, she realized that hard work wasn't enough. If she didn't learn to speak up and share her story, she'd keep getting passed over. Today, Dr. G is the founder of The Bold PhD, where she helps graduate students and PhDs navigate careers beyond academia. She's a medical communications professional with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, and she has built a body of work that speaks for itself. In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, Dr. G shares what it really takes to build a career and a personal brand, especially when life doesn't go to plan. From freelancing as a survival strategy to landing speaking gigs at Ivy Leagues, her story is a powerful reminder: Your consistency is your credibility. And if you've ever felt behind, discouraged, or tempted to give up, this episode is for you. Let's dive in. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (02:05) Being passed over for opportunities  (04:41) Work ethic isn't enough (06:16) Feeling helpless amidst unfair circumstances (11:18) Regaining power over your situation (15:27) Building a body of work (20:19) Not quitting = reliability  (23:26) Insecurities Dr. G faced (29:39) Your content is helping people  (34:22) Reviewing Dr. G's past content (41:14) Take back control of your outcomes  (45:45) Actionable takeaways Connect with Dr. Gertrude Nonterah   Website: https://theboldphd.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboldphd  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoldPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geenonterah/  Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63c76e31b4f015f30446ce4d  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

In this episode, we will look at the five characteristics I see in the most successful podcasters I know. These are internal qualities — ways of thinking, ways of working — that shape everything you create. Characteristics that help you build not just a show… but a body of work. Whether you're just starting out, or you've been at this for a while and feel like your podcast could go deeper, I hope today's episode helps you reflect — and recommit — to the kind of creator you want to be.  In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:35) Characteristic 1 (04:06) Characteristic 2  (06:31) Characteristic 3 (08:30) Characteristic 4 (11:58) Characteristic 5 (15:31) Closing Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.  

Most people start building an online presence with one goal in mind: to be seen. To grow an audience, promote their work, and build credibility.But over time, that purpose often shifts. For those who stick with it, who keep showing up with intention, an online presence can become something far more meaningful. It becomes a platform to advocate for the things that truly matter. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Van Alstyne to talk about what it means to create content that goes beyond visibility. Jennifer is the owner of The Academic Designer LLC, and she empowers professors to feel confident showing up online through website design, social media, and bio writing. Because ultimately, your platform isn't just about you. It can be a powerful tool for change, if you choose to use it that way. This is a conversation about advocacy, community, and the courage it takes to keep showing up, with your values at the center. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:40) Showing up after hate comments and going viral (06:11) Reviewing Jennifer's past content  (09:24) Developing your character as an entrepreneur  (12:56) Separating personal challenges from business  (16:34) Finding community online  (20:58) Realizing you are making an impact via your content  (24:38) Low engagement and small audience size  (28:44) Changes amidst AI (31:39) Safety vs AI (36:24) The meaning behind your work (40:30) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Jennifer van Alstyne   Website: https://theacademicdesigner.com/ Website: https://jennifervanalstyne.com/ Work with Jennifer: https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jennifer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@higheredpr Instagram: http://instagram.com/higheredpr YouTube: http://youtube.com/@higheredpr Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BCuleBpXeRcpko3t3AYC4?si=a2e570d559354141 Facebook: https://facebook.com/higheredpr X: http://x.com/higheredpr Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

There's a reason most people never become known for their thought leadership. It's not because they lack ideas… But because they haven't done the work to build their credibility or subject matter expertise. Today's guest is Simone Heng, a human connection specialist and award-winning author. Simone's mission is to inspire deeper connection in a world that's increasingly disconnected. Her book Let's Talk About Loneliness has received six international accolades. She's also spoken to thousands (ex: Harvard, Google, Meta, the United Nations, and more), and her work has been featured by CNN, Al Jazeera, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and BBC Radio. Simone built her career in thought leadership not through shortcuts, but through years of intentional work - Educating herself, building a credible brand, and publishing ideas that are not only polished, but profound. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to play the long game in a world that rewards speed… This is the conversation.  In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:57) "I've never seen an Asian woman speak like that"  (03:13) Developing a subject matter expertise  (07:17) Choosing your topic of expertise  (09:20) Being told to hide parts of you  (10:41) The behind the scenes work (12:36) Your story isn't enough  (16:09) Do you need a PhD to be a thought leader?  (22:24) Reviewing Simone's past content  (26:52) Become a speaker or author  (30:49) What's next for Simone  (35:43) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Simone Heng   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoneheng  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-heng-speaker  Website: https://simoneheng.com  Thought Leaders Now: https://www.thoughtleadersnow.com  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

There's a moment when we're taught to quiet ourselves. Maybe someone said they couldn't understand your accent. Maybe you were told you were "too much." Or maybe something happened that made you start playing small just to stay safe. And so your voice - your real voice - gets buried under layers of doubt, conditioning, and fear… But what happens when you decide you're done with that? Today's guest is Jam Gamble, an educator, award-winning media personality, and one of the fiercest advocates for vocal empowerment I've ever met. She's the CEO behind Slay The Mic, a program that helps speakers, content creators, and entrepreneurs transform how they use their voice. In this episode, we talk about reclaiming your voice after it's been silenced, why your story is more powerful than you think, and how giving yourself permission to be heard might just be the most pivotal thing you do. Because somewhere out there, someone is waiting for you to go first. In this episode, we cover:  (00:00) Introduction (01:39) Who's Your Kanye? (Framework) (03:04) Who was Jam's Kanye? (05:30) 3 Types of Kanye  (08:40) Acknowledging the elephant in the room  (11:42) Resonating with your audience  (14:47) Reclaiming your voice  (23:56) Reviewing Jam's past content  (31:39) Vocal roadblocks  (32:41) Speaking with an accent  (36:31) You ARE the example  (41:38) Actionable Takeaways      Connect with Jam Gamble   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjamgamble  Website: https://www.iamjamgamble.com  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

As creators, many of us start with a hunch, a curiosity, or a simple "let's see where this goes." Today's guest, Dexter Zhuang, embodies this experimental mindset. He's the founder of Portfolio Path and a fractional product leader who's spent the last 12 years leading teams across the U.S., Southeast Asia, and Latin America at companies like Dropbox and Xendit. In 2023, Dexter launched Money Abroad—a newsletter exploring personal finance for expats—as an experiment. Over time, it evolved into Portfolio Path, an education platform that helps high-performers grow their portfolio careers and manage their money with intention. Today, Portfolio Path reaches over 7,000 subscribers. Along the way, Dexter has leaned into audience surveys, embraced feedback, and navigated the common insecurities that come with publishing your ideas publicly. In this episode, we unpack that journey—from testing an idea to building something that resonates deeply with a growing community.     In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (02:02) Starting a newsletter as an experiment  (06:11) Pivoting the newsletter  (11:10) Reviewing Dexter's past content  (16:26) Insecurities when building the newsletter  (20:49) Content is a stepping stone for the audience  (23:24) Conducting surveys with your audience  (30:52) Underrated parts of building a newsletter  (37:26) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Dexter Zhuang   Newsletter: https://www.theportfoliopath.com/subscribe  Website: https://www.dexterzhuang.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexterzhuang  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Have you ever listened to a podcast and thought, "That was good… but I don't really feel anything new?" This is something I was wondering about in my own podcast. Yes, the conversations were insightful, but they weren't always sparking that "Ohhh… WOW" moment that sticks with you long after the episode ends. So on today's solo episode, I'll be sharing one thing that's working, one thing that I'd do differently moving forward, and one thing that I'm experimenting with right now. I also answer a few questions from listeners. In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:47) What's working (05:25) What's not working  (11:41) What I'm experimenting with  (15:46) Q&A 1: You don't talk about leaving law school or the PhD much anymore! (22:35) Q&A 2: Why did you choose to start a podcast?     Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau Free Resource for Podcasters     THE PODCAST CONTENT AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work  - Audit 9 different parts of your podcast content strategy - Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your podcast apart from the rest   Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

We all have insecurities. And for most people, those insecurities and self-doubts are enough to stop them before they even start. They spend months, sometimes years, overanalyzing the right strategy, waiting for the right circumstances. But the truth is… nothing changes unless you focus on what's within your control right now and take action consistently, over and over again. Our guest today, Janice Tee, understood this. Janice is a business coach and social media strategist, and when she started her business, she didn't waste time worrying about what she didn't know. She focused on what she could do - Showing up, staying consistent, and trusting that confidence follows action, not the other way around. In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, Janice and I dive into what it really takes to overcome self-doubt and refuse to let it hold you back.  In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:13) Janice's insecurities  (02:47) Judgment that Janice faced  (06:41) Consistent messaging  (10:46) Reviewing Janice's past content  (16:42) Confidence and conviction  (21:29) What Janice is excited about  (27:07) How Janice built her business and life  (30:59) Focused hard work (39:06) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau Connect with Janice Tee   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janice.tee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicetee Podcast: Let's Kill It  Free Resource for Podcasters     THE PODCAST CONTENT AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work  - Audit 9 different parts of your podcast content strategy - Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your podcast apart from the rest   Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

Have you ever thought about quitting your business? Not just in a fleeting moment of frustration, but in a deep, overwhelming way—when the pressure feels unbearable? Maybe it's the unexpected challenges piling up all at once. Maybe it's the clients who are unhappy but won't say why. Or maybe, it's the strangers online who seem to have an opinion about everything you do. Our guest today, Dielle Charon, knows this feeling firsthand. She's built a 7-figure business, helped over 300 clients, and grown a podcast with over 150,000 downloads. But even at the height of her success, she's faced harsh criticism from people who don't even know her, difficult moments with clients, and personal challenges that made her question everything. On this episode of EDIT HISTORY, Dielle shares how she's navigated these moments, built resilience, and continued to create a business that matters—not just for her bank account, but for the clients and community she serves. If you've ever felt like quitting, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. In this episode, we cover:  (00:00) Introduction (01:15) A rough 2024 in business & life  (04:23) The downside of sharing your struggles  (07:35) Putting coaches on a pedestal  (10:00) Reviewing Dielle's past content  (12:50) Haters can't take your business out  (16:04) Dielle did a livestream with a hater  (19:33) Learning from criticism  (22:21) Not showing up when things felt hard (26:11) The "business rules" that coaches box themselves into  (31:40) Comparisons & jealousy  (35:13) Your job is racist  (39:57) Actionable Takeaways  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau Connect with Dielle Charon   Website  https://diellecharon.com/ IG https://www.instagram.com/diellecharon/ Podcast https://diellecharon.com/podcast/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@diellecharon Free Resource for Podcasters     THE PODCAST CONTENT AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work  - Audit 9 different parts of your podcast content strategy - Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your podcast apart from the rest   Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.

What does it really take to become the go-to expert in your space? In a world overflowing with content, why do some people become known for what they do—while others struggle to be remembered? In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, we're breaking down the power of a signature series—why the most recognized experts double down on one thing and how you can do the same. Our guest today is Natasha Pierre (Shine with Natasha), host of the Shine Online Podcast and a Video Marketing Coach for small businesses. So, if you've been showing up, creating content, and doing the work—but still feel like people don't really know you for what you do—this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover:   (00:00) Introduction (00:44) How did you decide what to be known for? (02:24) Insecurity with video (04:12) Worried about judgment  (05:18) Becoming confident on video (08:34) Reviewing Natasha's past content  (15:30) Stressing over metrics  (17:27) Mental health vs metrics  (20:13) Comparing Natasha's recent content  (29:01) Creating a signature series  (33:37) Natasha's content plan  (35:37) Becoming known for something  (43:17) Actionable Takeaways      Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau Connect with Natasha Pierre   3-Day Video Confidence Challenge: https://shinewithnatasha.com/challenge YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL2BMkT_7jIu5NeV_yAXScw  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinewithnatasha/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shinewithnatasha  Shine Studio: https://www.withshinestudio.com/ Free Resource for Podcasters     THE PODCAST CONTENT AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work  - Audit 9 different parts of your podcast content strategy - Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your podcast apart from the rest   Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit  Contact   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.