
Episode #24
EP24: An Phan & Ben Olbon: Being Seen, Leading With Purpose & Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs
In this episode of The Book Club with Ruth Klein, Ruth sits down with An Phan and Ben Olbon for an inspiring conversation about mental health, leadership, resilience, mindset, and the power of helping others feel seen. An Phan is a Ph.D. candidate, TEDx speaker, and founder of AAPI Artists for Mental Initiative, a national nonprofit using art to break the silence around mental health in the AAPI community. As the daughter of Fall of Saigon refugees and a former frontline COVID caregiver, An has transformed a lifetime of quiet resilience into a mission centered on visibility, connection, and advocacy. She also hosts and produces a talk show that has reached more than 90,000 viewers. Ben Olbon, also known as Robert Benson Olbon, is an author, leadership and mindset coach, and former Marine Corps officer. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Ben attended the University of North Carolina before moving to California to serve at Camp Pendleton. His military experience continues to influence his approach to leadership, personal growth, and overcoming limiting beliefs. As the founder of Outcome Elite, Ben provides life coaching focused on leadership and mindset for young student athletes and adults. He also authored the children’s book Daddy, Can I Be a Marine?, inspired by his desire to share the values and lessons of his military experience with his family. Together, An and Ben offer two distinct perspectives on resilience, purpose, leadership, and creating spaces where people can feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward.

