Episode #14
From Main Street to Wall Street + Beyond: How Grace Chung Built Success Through Radical Candor
What does it take to go from growing up in an immigrant community in Queens to becoming a trusted HR partner to C-suite executives at some of the world's most complex organizations? In this rich, practical, and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Sohee Jun sits down with Grace Chung — global HR business leader, consultant, and one of the most radically candid women you'll ever hear in conversation. Grace doesn't just talk about truth-telling. She lives it. And in this episode, she shares exactly how that has made her the go-to trusted partner for leaders navigating growth, change, and uncertainty. From her parallel upbringing with Sohee — a pastor's home full of people from every walk of life — to landing her first client as a new entrepreneur by holding firm on her pricing, Grace brings the kind of grounded, practical wisdom that makes you want to take notes and take action. And then she said something that stopped everything: "The modern Asian female knows there's space for others just like her. And when there seems not to be — she creates it." This episode is for the woman who has the answer at the tip of her tongue and stays quiet. For the one still running in seventh gear. For the one waiting for a seat at a table she should be building herself. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Grace's origin story — from growing up in Queens in an immigrant community to navigating Wall Street and beyond How her upbringing in a pastor's home full of people from every walk of life shaped her ability to build trust and community The two things Grace most commonly sees limiting Asian women in the workplace — and what to do about them How to give direct, candid feedback in a way that people can actually receive — and the exact language to use Why over-rehearsing and hesitating when you already have the answer is costing Asian women in the room The "do it afraid" moment that defined her early entrepreneurship — and how she held her pricing under pressure Why business development is really just genuine connection and curiosity — not networking events How to come back to center during the inevitable "oh shit" moments of entrepreneurship What agility and a "tapas approach" to career looks like for the modern Asian professional How to lead through uncertainty by investing in connection, trust, and curiosity on your team Quotes From This Episode: "The modern Asian female knows there's space for others just like her. And when there seems not to be — she creates it." — Grace Chung "True hope is a confident expectation in a future reality that is unseen." — Grace Chung "When you have the answer — what's holding you back?" — Grace Chung "Do it afraid." "There's always a next. There is always a next." — Dr. Sohee Jun "You are learning in two weeks, two months, what most people would take two years, ten years to learn." "Business development is the connection between you and somebody — helping them solve a problem in a generous way." — Dr. Sohee Jun "It's not a life sentence one way or another — whether it's in-house or consulting." "There's so much more that ties us together than pulls us apart." Reflection Questions for You: Where in your life are you still running in seventh gear — the survival mode that got you here? Is that gear still serving you, or are you just afraid of who you'd be without it? Think about the last room where you had the answer at the tip of your tongue and stayed quiet. What was really holding you back — and who might have been changed if you'd let yourself be heard, unrehearsed? Grace said that when there isn't space for a woman like her, she creates it. Whose door are you holding open right now — and where do you need to stop waiting for a seat and build the room yourself? About Grace Chung Grace Chung is a global business HR leader and partner to C-level executives and their organizations. She has led through significant growth and change, enabling people leaders to drive meaningful business outcomes across life science, financial services, and tech. Grace has also consulted across biotech, real estate tech, CPG/eCommerce, management consulting, and nonprofits. She grew up in Queens, New York City and lives in Princeton with her husband and two kids. Connect with Grace: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gracechung1 About Dr. Sohee Jun Dr. Sohee Jun is the founder of "asian, like me…" — a podcast and community for the modern Asian woman redefining what it means to thrive. A Korean immigrant, executive coach, author, and entrepreneur, Sohee has spent over 20 years helping high-achieving women navigate culture, career, and identity. She is also the founder of EVRten, a wellness brand for women who are ever curious and growth focused. Resources & Links: Connect with Grace Chung on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gracechung1 Explore Dr. Sohee's bestselling books — Mommytracked & The Aligned Mindset: https://soheejunphd.com/books Connect with Dr. Sohee to explore 1:1 coaching: www.soheejunphd.com Connect with Dr. Sohee to explore speaking at your company or event: https://soheejunphd.com/contact Explore Dr. Sohee's wellness products: www.evrten.com SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and don't miss a drop: https://soheejunphd.com/insights Enjoyed This Episode? Share this with the woman in your life who has the answer and keeps staying quiet. Leave a review — it helps the next woman who needs this find her way here. Subscribe to Dr. Sohee Jun's newsletter at www.soheejunphd.com Follow "asian, like me…" on your favorite podcast platform
