In this inspiring episode of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona Yong speaks with Paul Morris, VP of Learning at Eagle’s Flight and a global facilitator with over 20 years of experience shaping leaders and cultures around the world.
Paul shares his remarkable journey of reinvention in his 40s—from confronting burnout and depression to facing his paralyzing fear of flying and ultimately discovering freedom as his core value. He opens up about the lessons learned through sabbaticals, self-discovery, and the courage to realign his life with purpose and happiness.
In this episode, host Fyiona Yong sits down with Jackie Dela Cruz, Managing Director of SmartAge Solutions and one of the “Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” recognized by FWN.
With a 20-year career at Shell and now shaping the future of smart living through innovation and technology, Jackie brings a wealth of leadership wisdom. She shares why compassionate leadership is more than a “nice-to-have”—it’s a business imperative.
Tune in as Jackie unpacks how leading with heart inspires teams, empowers women, and drives meaningful impact and without losing the human touch.
Today’s guest is Kai Ng, Bar Manager at Hong Kong’s award-winning Quinary. Born in Germany but quick-witted like a true Hong Konger, Kai has hospitality in his blood and a natural gift for blending showmanship, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind the bar.
In this episode, he shares his journey through some of the world’s top bars, his observations on drinking culture across different countries, and how he leads his team in an industry where alcohol is ever-present. Plus, why a classic Martinez remains his go-to after a long day.
In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, Fyiona sits down with Mary Foxworth—an inclusive intimacy educator and founder of the Foxworth Institute.
Mary opens up about her bold journey from corporate life to pioneering conversations around sexual health, intimacy, and relationships. Together, they explore why intimacy education matters, the unspoken challenges couples face (especially around parenthood), and how embracing diversity in relationships can lead to deeper connection.
What happens when you begin to question the emotional safety of your childhood—and start the work of healing? In this powerful episode, Fyiona Yong is joined by Sian Crossley, a UK-qualified psychotherapist, trauma-informed coach, and founder of Break the Cycle Coaching.
Sian supports adults who grew up with emotionally immature, unavailable, or self-absorbed parents—helping them unlearn survival patterns, reconnect with their authentic selves, and start reparenting from a place of compassion and clarity.
Welcome to The Thriving Misfits—a podcast that celebrates those who don’t fit the mold.
In this episode, Fyiona Yong speaks with Chris, Co-Managing Director at NovAzure, about his journey from Shell to sustainable entrepreneurship. Born to German and Chinese-Brazilian parents, Chris shares how navigating identity, culture, and career transitions helped him turn being a ‘misfit’ into a superpower for leadership and innovation.
Host Fyiona Yong sits down with Vicky South: solo traveler, entrepreneur, and community builder who has lived and worked across Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, and now Argentina.
Vicky shares powerful stories about cultivating courage through solo travel, redefining professional identity, and creating community wherever she lands; from immersive wine events to supporting those in need. She reveals what it takes to face fear, find belonging, and grow through curiosity.
Whether you’re dreaming of your own adventure or navigating life’s changes, this episode is filled with insights to inspire your journey.
Listen now and remember: you don’t have to have it all figured out to start.
Part 2:
In this episode, I’m joined by Qi Zhai-McCartney - a Couples Therapist, Coach, and former finance professional whose journey spans eight countries and careers from Wall Street to wellness.
Now based in Singapore, Qi shares her personal IVF story and insights on ambition, identity, and navigating life’s hardest transitions with emotional intelligence and grace.
Connect with Qi on LinkedIn
Part 1:
In this episode, I’m joined by Qi Zhai-McCartney - a Couples Therapist, Coach, and former finance professional whose journey spans eight countries and careers from Wall Street to wellness.
Now based in Singapore, Qi shares her personal IVF story and insights on ambition, identity, and navigating life’s hardest transitions with emotional intelligence and grace.
Connect with Qi on LinkedIn
In this powerful episode, Fyiona Yong is joined by The Brand Coach, Caleb Low—founder of the #RippleEffectMethod. Caleb shares his deeply personal journey of leaving behind his established reputation in Singapore to support his wife’s career in Malaysia, and what it took to rebuild his brand and identity from scratch in a new market.
We dive into topics like ego, reinvention, redefining masculinity, and creating real influence without the spotlight. Caleb offers candid reflections, practical branding wisdom, and inspiring advice on how to make a lasting impact—no matter where you are or what stage you’re in.
In this episode, host Fyiona Yong speaks with global leader Jane Ngugi, whose dynamic career has spanned Kenya, Geneva, Dubai, Korea, and Singapore.
Jane shares how her multicultural journey shaped her perspective on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the personal lessons that helped her thrive through change. From childhood values to leading global teams, Jane offers powerful insights and advice for anyone feeling like a misfit in their professional journey.
What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel valued, engaged, and inspired to stay? In this episode, Fyiona Yong sits down with Sam Lau, founder of Total Loyalty Company (TLC), to explore the power of employee engagement, wellness, and building loyalty from within.
With over 30 years of experience and a pioneering approach to staff rewards and workplace culture, Sam shares his entrepreneurial journey, the growing pains of scaling a purpose-driven business, and why personal wellness should never be sacrificed for success.
From humble beginnings to leading one of Asia’s top engagement companies, Sam’s story is a masterclass in integrating passion, purpose, and people-first leadership.
In this inspiring episode of The Thriving Misfits, I am sitting down with Janet Ledger, CEO of Community Business, to explore the power of social mobility.
From her working-class roots to executive leadership, Janet shares her journey, the pivotal moments that shaped her, and her mission to create inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
Tune in for powerful insights, practical advice, and a heartfelt conversation about breaking barriers and building a more equitable future.
In this episode, I welcome Jeff Rotmeyer, founder of ImpactHK and Love 21 Foundation, who has dedicated his life to empowering individuals facing homelessness, Down syndrome, and autism.
Jeff shares his inspiring journey, the challenges of driving social change, and the power of community in transforming lives. Tune in for an uplifting conversation on leading with compassion, resilience, and purpose.
Want to make a difference? Support Jeff’s incredible work:
👉 ImpactHK – Helping the homeless in Hong Kong: impacthk.org
👉 Love 21 Foundation – Empowering individuals with Down syndrome and autism: love21foundation.com
In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, host Fyiona Yong sits down with Dr. Wanjiku Gichohi, a public health nutrition researcher whose career spans eight countries and countless impactful projects addressing food insecurity.
Wanjiku opens up about navigating her career as a minority and an introvert, sharing insights on resilience, diversity, and inclusion. She reflects on her childhood in Kenya, her global experiences, and how running marathons keeps her connected to her roots.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of embracing our differences and thriving against the odds.
In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Michelle Mah, a mindfulness practitioner whose journey began through her struggles with disordered eating and corporate burnout.
Michelle shares how she broke free from the cycle of excessive ‘doing’ and embraced mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation to reclaim her well-being. We explore the connection between perfectionism, workplace culture, and eating disorders, and how mindfulness can be a powerful tool for resilience.
In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Michelle Mah, a mindfulness practitioner whose journey began through her struggles with disordered eating and corporate burnout.
Michelle shares how she broke free from the cycle of excessive ‘doing’ and embraced mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation to reclaim her well-being. We explore the connection between perfectionism, workplace culture, and eating disorders, and how mindfulness can be a powerful tool for resilience.
In this powerful episode of The Thriving Misfits, host Fyiona Yong speaks with Emily Tan, a wellness visionary and cancer survivor, about the often-overlooked journey of recovery after treatment. Emily shares her personal experiences with early menopause, resilience, and redefining wellness on her own terms.
We explore the role of social support in cancer recovery, how loved ones can offer meaningful help without overstepping, and the challenges of transitioning back to life, work, and relationships post-treatment. Emily also shares insights on advocating for more inclusive workplace policies and the importance of intentional habits in healing.
Whether you’re a cancer survivor, a caregiver, or simply looking to foster a more compassionate community, this conversation is a must-listen.
Join The Thriving Misfits as host Fyiona Yong chats with Marga Laurel, a leader in employer branding at Ciena and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Marga shares her journey with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, her efforts to foster inclusive workplaces, and tips for thriving as a neurodiverse professional.Embrace your strengths and create a more inclusive world—listen now!
In this episode of The Thriving Misfits, I sit down with Helen Corke, a seasoned recruiter and passionate DEI advocate, to explore the intersection of intuition, leadership, and diversity. Helen shares her journey of blending energy work with business strategy, insights on hiring for inclusive cultures, and practical tips for trusting your gut in personal and professional life.
If you’ve ever felt out of place or wanted to strengthen your intuition, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
