About the Episode:
What does a truly rich math classroom look like and sound like?
Dr. Theodore Sagoon—professor, researcher, and teachereducator at UCLA—joins us to dismantle the “natural math genius” myth and paint a picture of culturally responsive math instruction where students’ identities, languages, and thinking are at the center.
In this episode, we discuss:
Episode Breakdown:
00:12 Guest Introduction: Dr. Theodore Sagun
04:18 Theodore's Upbringing and Early Math Experiences
08:05 Messages About Math Success and Intelligence
12:12 Culturally Responsive Math Instruction
14:15 Challenges with Standardized Testing andCurriculum
22:01 The Model Minority Myth
25:41 Defining a Culturally Responsive Math Classroom
29:35 Rethinking Math Instruction: Humanizing theClassroom
30:16 Engaging Students in Diverse Learning Experiences
32:03 The Role of Teachers in a Responsive MathClassroom
36:53 The Concept of Productive Struggle in Math
40:59 Encouraging Productive Struggle at Home
47:47 Building Relationships with Teachers for BetterMath Learning
56:12 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects
About Dr. Sagun:
Dr. Theodore Sagun is a professor, researcher, and teacher educator at UCLA where he has worked with countless pre-service teachers in the teacher education program.
He is the co-author of Equity Moves to Support MultilingualLearners in Mathematics and Science, Grades K-8. He is a former high school mathematics teacher and Associate Director of the UCLA Mathematics Project and has trained countless in-service and pre-service teachers to center student thinking in math and culturally relevant practices.
At the California state level, Theodore has twice been appointed to California's Mathematics Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee, helping to shape the direction of math education for millions of students across the state of California.
How to connect with Dr. Sagun:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore-sagun-55b97518/
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:
DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
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Episode Summary
What if menopause isn’t an ending—but a second beginning?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Tamsin Lee guides us through the foundational principles of East Asian Medicine, showing how concepts like yin and yang can transform the way we experience midlife, aging, and womanhood.
We talk about how Western medicine tries to ‘fix’ menopause, while East Asian Medicine sees it as a natural evolution—an opportunity for recalibration, reflection, and growth. From decolonizing our beliefs about aging to practical daily rituals that align with the seasons, this episode is both grounding and deeply liberating.
Tamsin also reminds us that rest and rejuvenation are not the same—and that true healing starts when we listen to our own body’s messages instead of chasing external prescriptions.
Whether you’re entering perimenopause, post-menopause, or simply navigating midlife transformation, this conversation will leave you with language, tools, and hope.
Episode Outline
02:00
Yin and yang explained as dynamic, interdependent forces
08:00
From paralysis to acupuncture to rediscovering her calling
16:00
How menopause is pathologized in the West and honored in the East
24:00
Seeing aging, race, class, and capitalism as interconnected
32:00
Menopause as renewal, transformation, and creative power
40:00
Feeling sadness as a sacred step toward compassion
48:00
Learning to read your body’s signals; advocating for yourself
55:00
Breathing meditation, sensory awakening, and daily awareness
1:03:00
Aligning life rhythms with autumn and winter energies
1:11:00
What actually restores you vs. what simply stops you
1:18:00
Facing fear and rediscovering power in community
1:25:00
Practicing kindness to self; remembering the blood holds memory
1:32:00
Self-trust, cultural connection, and choosing curiosity over fear
About Dr. Tamsin Lee
Dr. Tamsin Lee is a Daoist metaphysical expert with over a decade of experience as an East Asian medicine doctor, public health researcher, and teaching artist. As the founder of Elemental Archetypes, she helps people reclaim ancestral wisdom through East Asian metaphysics, Daoist healing, and embodied ritual. On a weekly basis, she delivers hope and wisdom to her over 16,000 social media followers on how to lean into perimenopause and menopause with grace, power, and kindness.
Connect with Dr. Tamsin Lee
IG and Tiktok: @drtamsinlee
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:
DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
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Disclaimer:
Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
About the Episode:
In this deeply personal episode, Lindsay sits down with her husband Mike to talk about something that’s often overlooked in ambitious careers: rest.
Mike shares his journey from UCLA to management consulting, to London Business School, and eventually to a leadership role in real estate private equity—before making the courageous decision to step away for a six-month sabbatical.
Together, they explore how cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and relentless work habits shaped his views on success—and why choosing to pause became one ofthe bravest decisions of his life.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
· Why high achievers struggle with the idea of rest—and why it’s not a lack of ambition.
· How the regret minimization framework (from Jeff Bezos) helped Mike decide to take a sabbatical.
· The cultural influences (Asian, Western, corporate) that make rest feel like weakness—and how to reframe it.
· What surprised Mike most about stepping away from work for the first time in decades.
· Why redefining success means balancing ambition with family, health, and joy.
Episode Breakdown
01:26 Introducing Mike's Sabbatical
02:32 Mike's Career Journey
06:11 Balancing Work and Family
08:26 The Decision to Take a Sabbatical
11:21 Cultural Expectations and Work Ethic
17:08 Reflections on the Sabbatical
39:47 Advice for Young Parents
43:15 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Connect with Mike Hu
IG: @mikehu_bruin
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:
DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
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Disclaimer:
Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Episode Summary:
What if the life your parents imagined for you isn’t the life you want for yourself?
In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay is joined by her husband Mike and their close friends Alice Teng (Executive Director of Asia Week New York, independent curator) and Jon Eng (banking professional turned actor - catch him on episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Seal Team, 911 to name a few). Together, Alice and Jon share their journey of leaving “safe” careers to pursue creativity, authenticity, and rest—while navigating cultural expectations and building a supportive marriage.
This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt torn between honoring their family’s sacrifices and pursuing their ownpath, and for couples who are considering what it looks like to live boldly, together.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction: Following Others' Dreams
00:38 Meet the Guests: Alice and Jon's Bold Choices
01:34 Alice's Journey: From Pre-Med to Art
03:38 Jon's Path: From Business to Acting
05:58 Family Reactions and Inner Courage
09:12 Navigating Judgment and Building Community
21:49 Reflections on Being an Only Child
23:37 Networking and Building Relationships
25:24 Taking a Sabbatical for Acting
28:03 Parental Expectations and Career Choices
35:58 Advice for Young Couples and Individuals
How to connect with Jon, Alice and Mike
IG Alice: @lalaland
IG Jon: @jonnyfornia
IG Mike: @mikehu_bruin
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok,Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weeklynewsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:
DayNigthMorning fromPixabay
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Disclaimer:
Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Kyle Denman—Executive Director of Arts Bridging the Gap, award-winning fashion designer, and lifelong advocate for equity through creativity.
Kyle shares his journey from being adopted from South Korea into a Midwest family, to becoming youth mayor of Cincinnati, to leading a nonprofit that empowers thousands of young people in Los Angeles through the arts.
They talk about the challenges of being “othered,” the stereotypes Asian Americans often face, and how Kyle’s experiences in politics, education, and art have shaped his leadership style. Most importantly, Kyle reveals what it means to lead with love in a world that often rewards the opposite.
If you’ve ever felt confined by other people’s expectations or questioned whether your voice matters, Kyle’s story will inspire you to create your own possibilities—and to help others do the same.
Episode Outline
00:00 – Introduction: Breaking Out of the Box
Why Kyle represents possibility beyond traditional expectations.
02:11 – Adoption, Identity, and Growing Up Different
Kyle’s story of being adopted from Korea and navigating life in the Midwest without role models who looked like him.
07:28 – The Boxes People Put Us In
Stereotypes about Asian Americans and how Kyle learned he didn’t fit the “doctor, lawyer, engineer” mold.
11:56 – Finding His Voice Through Politics
From youth mayor of Cincinnati to national policy work—how Kyle defied assumptions of weakness.
18:34 – Politics Meets Fashion
Why political science and fashion design are more connected than you think.
25:47 – Creating Safe Spaces to Speak
Kyle’s early advocacy and how it shaped his belief in co-creating safe environments for young voices.
32:15 – Arts Bridging the Gap
Kyle’s work leading ABG to uplift thousands of young people in Los Angeles through visual, performing, and healing arts.
44:02 – Expanding the Creative Economy
Why ABG pays artists more than industry standards and how representation changes what young people believe is possible.
53:40 – Leadership with Love
Kyle’s philosophy of leading with love, protecting his team, and breaking traditional molds of leadership.
1:04:28 – Shrinking to Expand
Kyle’s reflections on times he felt he had to shrink—and how being “soft” can also be a form of strength.
1:12:00 – Overcoming Underestimation
What it’s like to be a young, gay, Asian leader in the nonprofit space—and how Kyle deals with being underestimated.
1:20:45 – Closing Reflections
How Kyle stays grounded in love, and what listeners can take away about finding their own voice.
How to connect with Kyle Denman:
@thekyledenman
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
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Disclaimer: Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence and trauma and may be upsetting or triggering. It is not suitable for children. Please take care of yourself and pause if you need to.
In this powerful conversation Danielle Espinosa — therapist, PhD student, published scholar, and survivor — unpacks how historical colonialism and contemporary racialized sexual stereotypes make AAPI women more vulnerable to sexualviolence, why silence persists in our communities, and concrete steps families and friends can take to prevent harm and support survivors. The episode blends trauma-informed research, clinical insight, and practical parenting strategies aimed at disrupting intergenerational patterns of shame.
Chapter Outline
00:00 Opening question & validation
Danielle validates pain and reminds survivors that their trauma is never their fault.
01:00 Personal context & research intro
Lindsay invites Danielle to introduce her research focus and key concepts.
03:00 Colonialism as a root of racialized sexual violence
Danielle traces how militarized prostitution and colonial conquest created stereotypes (Lotus Blossom, Dragon Lady, etc.) that objectify Asian women.
06:00 How stereotypes create vulnerability & microaggressions
Discussion of how fetishization and assumptions of consent show up in pornography, workplace comments, and everyday microaggressions.
09:00 Culture of shame and why silence endures
Explores shame-based cultural dynamics, victim-blaming, and why sexual violence becomes hidden or normalized in family structures.
12:00 Denial, protection of assailants, and intergenerational trauma
Danielle and the host discuss denial, protecting perpetrators within families, and how trauma is passed across generations as survival tactics.
15:00 Parenting: teaching bodily autonomy and opening the conversation
Practical, immediately actionable advice for parents: normalize saying “no,” teach bodily autonomy, and start imperfect conversations early.
19:00 Culturally attuned, trauma-informed care & community healing
Why Western individual-focused therapy can fall short and how collective, community-based approaches (support groups, shared identity therapists) aid healing.
22:00 How friends & family can support survivors right now
Concrete actions listeners can take: reassure survivors it’s not their fault, offer practical help (meals, meds, errands), and remove blame-laden questions.
26:00 Broader systems: patriarchy, racial hegemony & sexual violence
Danielle zooms out to name the systemic forces (colonialism, patriarchy, racial entitlement) that sustain cycles of violence and where to focus change.
29:00 Hope, resilience & ongoing work
What gives Danielle hope: clients breaking cycles, generational change, and research into internalized racialized sexism — plus current projects.
33:00 Closing & where to find Danielle
Contact and project info; invitation to plug into community resources and continue the conversation.
How to connect with Danielle Espinosa, LMFT
- Website: www.danielletherapy.com
- Instagram: @danielletherapy
- Free peer wellness circle - Asian Woemn/Femme Peer Wellness through Asian Mental Health Project
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok,Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
About the Episode
In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay speaks with Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge, a licensed clinical psychologist and Co-Founder of The Modern Asian Parent (MAP).
Dr. Berssenbrugge shares her journey towards the founding of MAP, a movement and community aimed at merging cultural roots with modern parenting practices.
Together, they discuss the importance of creating real sustainable change in parenting (hint: it starts with us), the strengths and challenges of traditional Asian values, and the significance of emotional resilience and validation in parenting. They also explore methods for addressing intergenerational trauma and the vital role of repair in family relationships.
Gain invaluable insights on how to parent with a blend of Asian and Western approaches, honoring both cultural heritage and modern values.
Episode Breakdown:
00:34 Meet Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge
02:10 Founding the Modern Asian Parent
06:50 Parenting Values and Challenges
09:26 Resilience and Well-Balanced Parenting
22:45 The Importance of Self-Change in Parenting
25:03 Understanding and Healing Intergenerational Trauma
34:01 The Role of Apologies and Repair in Parenting
41:00 Connecting with The Modern Asian Parent
About Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge
Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge is a Hawaii- and New York-based child and adolescent clinical psychologist in private practice and a former middle school teacher. She works with individuals across the lifespan and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and evidence-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders (including Selective Mutism/ SM), mood disorders, OCD, PTSD, social skill and communication issues, and more.
She is the creator of ‘Dr. Laura B’s Release, Regulate, & Relax Aromatherapy Inhaler Set,’ a DBT-inspired stress management tool designed to reduce physical and emotional stress at different emotional intensity levels. And the author of several workbooks, such as: "Beyond the Blush: A CBT Approach to Overcoming Social Anxiety.”
Connect with Dr. Laura:
IG: @drlaurabtherapy
About The Modern Asian Parent
The Modern Asian Parent (MAP) believes in the power of intergenerational healing—honoring cultural roots while breaking harmful cycles to build healthier, more connected families for the future.
Founded by two Asian American psychologists, MAP is a movement for parents of all backgrounds who want to raise emotionally healthy, resilient kids in cultures of pressure, perfectionism, and sacrifice.
Redefine parenting in a way that honors our values and culture, while embracing the future. Together, they're creating a world where every child—and parent—feels supported, understood, and empowered to succeed.
IG: @themodernasianparent
Connect with Courage Class on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube:
@courageclasspod
@drlindsaykwockhu
www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast
Sign up for Courage Class Notes, a weekly newsletter:
https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/980fac101a
Music Credit:
DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
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Disclaimer:
Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of aphysician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
About the Episode:
In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Dr. Ummul Kathawalla, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, and researcher who specializes in culturally informed mental health care—and she’s here to explain what that means, why it matters for our community, and how it can transform the way we think about healing.
This episode also includes a real-time demonstration of a culturally informed therapy session, offering listeners practical insight into what this approach feels like.
Episode Breakdown:
00:34 – Why Culturally Informed Therapy?
The host sets up the episode’s focus:what therapy could look like if it truly recognized our lived experiences, and introduces Dr. Ummul Kathawalla.
01:51 – Meet Dr. Ummul Kathawalla
Dr. Kathawalla’s credentials, background, and her work in culturally informed mental health care are introduced.
10:03 – Applied Ethnic Minority Psychology
Defining the field, Dr. Kathawalla explains how research on discrimination, stress, and culture is translated into real-world interventions for minority communities.
11:28 – What is Culture? Surface vs. Deep Culture
A discussion on the difference between surface culture (holidays, language) and deep culture (values, beliefs, unspoken norms).
12:36 – Why Cultural Context Matters in Therapy
Dr. Kathawalla explains why practitioners must consider each client’s unique cultural background and how it shapes their mental health.
14:22 – Culturally Informed Care vs. Traditional Therapy
Contrasts culturally informed care (tailored, client-centered) with traditional models (one-size-fits-all, manualized), and discusses the importance of adaptability.
16:34 – Blind Spots in Traditional Therapy
Examples of how traditional therapy can pathologize cultural strengths or miss the real source of a client’s struggles, such as microaggressions.
18:23 – The Asian Community: Stigma & Nuances
Explores intergenerational expectations, bicultural stress, and how cultural beliefs can discourage seeking help.
21:39 – Finding a Culturally Competent Therapist
Practical advice for finding a therapist who is a good cultural fit, including what questions to ask and how to assess fit over several sessions.
27:10 – Real-Time Mini Therapy Demonstration
A real-time, mini culturally informed therapy session: Lindsay shares her struggle with boundaries, guilt, and career vs. family expectations, and Dr. Kathawalla models a non-judgmental, listening-centered approach.
45:55 – What Does Healing Look Like?
Dr. Kathawalla describes healing as coherence between identity and values, being comfortable with nuance, and practicing self-compassion.
49:35 – Breaking Generational Cycles
How culturally informed care can disrupt cycles of silence and shame, and help future generations live more authentically.
53:30 – Resources & Closing
Dr. Kathawalla shares how listeners can connect with her, her current projects, and the host reflects on the power of culturally attuned therapy.
Find Dr. Kathawalla at:
IG: @kirampsychology
Music by DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
Disclaimer:
Courage Class with Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu and content posted by Dr. Lindsay Kwock Hu is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website isat the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
