The Goody-Two-Shoes Asian: Chasing Recognition and Validation | Cheryl Lau EDIT HISTORY PODCAST| 118

What happens when you do everything “right”… and still feel lost?

In this episode of What Kind of Asian Are You?, I sit down in person with Cheryl Lau, host of the Edit History Podcast, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, validation, and starting over again and again.

Cheryl describes herself as a “confused Asian”:
Born in North America, raised across Hong Kong and Canada, now living in Singapore, she grew up as the classic goody-two-shoes Asian. Straight A’s. Scholarships. Law school. Then a PhD track. All the boxes checked.

But behind the prestige was a quieter question:
 Who am I without external recognition and validation?

We talk about:

• Growing up as a high-achieving Asian and learning to equate worth with recognition
• Why quitting law school and later leaving a PhD program felt like an identity rupture
• The shame of “not finishing” and the invisible pressure to repay our parents
• Being Asian in different countries and why Singapore felt more like home than Hong Kong
• How podcasting became a way to find meaning, connection, and agency
• The difference between chasing validation vs choosing work that actually feels meaningful
• What makes a good podcast and why playing it safe is killing great conversations

This episode is for anyone who:

• Grew up as the “good Asian kid” and is now questioning the script
• Has pivoted careers (or wants to) but struggles with guilt and ego
• Feels caught between cultures, languages, and expectations
• Is building something creative and trying to trust their own voice

A conversation about being Asian, being ambitious, being lost and learning to choose meaning anyway.

Bio: 

Cheryl helps business leaders and organizations create a podcast they’re proud of - One that’s substantial, distinct, and built to last.

Think of Cheryl as your strategic podcast partner - someone who’s as invested in your vision as you are. She cares about making sure your content actually stands out, resonates, and opens the right doors.

Cheryl is also the host of the EDIT HISTORY podcast, which won 2x at the 2025 Asia Podcast Awards (by Radioinfo Asia) in the "Best Education Podcast" and “Best Money and Business Podcast” categories.

Find Cheryl and follow her work:

https://cheryllau.com

https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory