MAIM TIME
MAIM TIME
What time is it? MAIM TIME! A show about overcoming the Asian diaspora identity struggle and Self-Actualization. We go DEEP & HARD into important topics: dealing with our identity struggles, intergenerational trauma with our families, reconciling different cultures, spirituality and religion after church, building confidence in dating, enterprise, and creative pursuits, and so on... to get closer to realizing our full potential!
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Top 10 MAIM TIME Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best MAIM TIME episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to MAIM TIME for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite MAIM TIME episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
02/05/20 • 70 min
#005: Years ago at the start of my journey to become the best version of myself, I came across a video clip of Robert Greene, author of the 48 Laws of Power and the 50th Law. In the video, he talks about an essay by this old dead white American guy named Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance. He said it was one of the most influential things he ever read. Thanks to Greene, it’s one of the most influential things I’ve ever read, and it still resonates deep inside my heart, mind, and soul to this day. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t read it.
Last year, at one of the most epic parties I’ve thrown, I had the fortune of meeting someone who had this tattooed on his arm: Ne te quaesiveris extra. This Latin phrase means, "Do not seek outside yourself.” It’s the first line in that essay. I knew immediately this person had read it, and it blew my mind. Finally! It was like love at first sight. Someone who knows. That someone was Andreas Varsakopoulos!
This Greek-American God came to Korea, started off as an English teacher in the countryside, to later serve on a panel in one of the most popular programs ever broadcasted on TV, 비정상회담 or Abnormal Summit. We talk about his journey, the struggles and the victories. What self-reliance means to us, how doors can open for us at the right time when we apply ourselves, and realizing our purpose and potential.
If you find this content valuable, please subscribe and leave a review!
Your feedback and support are much appreciated.
Robert Green on being self reliant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXwGWWsDAVI
You can read "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
https://emersoncentral.com/texts/essays-first-series/self-reliance/#fl-main-content
Andreas Varsakopoulos' Instagram if you wanna creep on the Greek God:
http://instagram.com/andreas_thegreek
Thank you for listening!
01/17/22 • 59 min
#057: How many Asian brothers or sisters do you know that grew up in South America speaking Spanish, and then immigrated to the US to live a better life and KILL IT? Here we have a dope convo with my Korean-Bolivian brother from another mother Samy, living a life of freedom in Cali!
This episode is just a bunch of self-help platitudes and cheesy cliches, but we don't care cause we're LIVING IT! That's life! It's DOPE!
This is Part 2. Check out Part 1 in case you missed it!
Check out the episode page for all the notes!
He also talks about investing and trading in stocks, trading for almost 11 years.
- Find something that you like, try to be the best as possible, and enjoy the process. You fail, it's fine!
- Learn as much as you can. You can learn from everyone, everything.
- 아이 빌리브 아이 캔 플라이 (Hard)
- You can find joy in just doing laundry, in every little thing you do.
- Find something that relieves your stress, whatever works for you.
- If you want to change, find your BIGGEST DEMON... YOURSELF. You really have to know yourself.
- The hardest thing is to know yourself, admit the dark things about yourself, in order to change.
- If you're not a homeless person in the street with a serious mental disorder... if you're able to listen to this podcast, you have all the opportunity to change your life, to learn and grow and be happy and live a fulfilling life! This is the most amazing time to be alive!
- Failure is okay. Don't be afraid to fail. Learn from your failures. You're failing cause you're trying.
- The beauty of this era: When you wanted to build something, it used to take 10 years. Now in this day, with the Internet, you can do it in 3 years.
- What used to take 10 years, you can do in 3. THAT'S AMAZING! You can fail 100 times!!!
- You have more chances and opportunities than ever! Go out there. DO IT!
- It's not how much you make. It's how much you keep.
- Samy loves America. Samy went to America with NOTHING. He built his life from NOTHING. He's not even that rich (or so he says!!) but he has a nice place, drives a nice car, flies wherever he wants. So if he can do it, so can you! America still has lots of opportunities. It's the land of opportunity. You can be whoever you want in America. Samy's opinion 😉
- To Asian minorities like us: People might pick on you if you're different, but that's cause they're afraid. Love yourself. Just being Asian is awesome. Somebody says something bad to you? It's cause they're scared of you. Being a foreigner, you're already better, because you're of two cultures. It takes a lot to learn two or more cultures.
- Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, live your life. Time never comes back. Life is beautiful. Love the process. Everything can be yours. You can be whatever you want to. You can do it. Just do it. It's normal to feel down at times. You're not a machine, it's human. I have those feelings too. You can do whatever you wanna do.
- Don't compare yourself to others. You're unique as a person. Love yourself.
- Everyone has the opportunity to become the best version of themselves.
Reach out to Samy on:
or his email
Rewrite your immigrant family history by HEALING INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA and by EMBRACING YOUR CULTURAL ETHNIC IDENTITY!
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of MAIM TIME, we dive headfirst into one of the most painful, complex, and transformative experiences shared by many children of immigrants: intergenerational trauma.
Growing up with parents who came from third-world countries—who survived war, poverty, and unimaginable hardship—can often mean growing up in households filled with dysfunction, unprocessed trauma, and emotional neglect. As children, we just wanted love and safety. Instead, we got confusion, silence, shame, maybe even violence. And many of us did the only thing we could do to survive: we disassociated. We rejected our heritage, our language, our roots—because to us, our culture was the source of pain.
It’s an all-too-common story: children of immigrants abandoning their ancestral identity to assimilate and survive in Western societies, only to grow up with a lingering sense of emptiness, isolation, and identity crisis.
But what if that pain wasn’t the end of the story?
What if the true glow-up—the real redemption arc—isn’t found in running away, but in returning?
In this episode, I talk about the double tragedy of denying your heritage: first because your parents hurt you, and second because you later choose to reject your roots, not realizing that doing so only deepens the wound. Healing begins with a radical act: reclaiming the parts of ourselves we were taught to hate, and learning to forgive—not to excuse, but to free ourselves from being chained to the past.
I speak directly to those who’ve ever said, “I wish I wasn’t Asian.” To those who’ve felt lost between cultures. To those who never felt heard or seen by their own family. You are not alone. And you are not broken.
Mother Asia is waiting for you.
The Ancestors are waiting for you.
The Dragon inside you—the Superconsciousness—is waiting for you to awaken.
You are the continuation of generations of struggle and love. You are a living bridge between the past and the future. And when you choose to heal, forgive, and embrace your cultural identity, you are doing what your ancestors dreamed of. You’re creating space for peace and power, not just for yourself—but for all of us.
This is the episode for anyone who’s ever felt like a stranger in their own skin. For anyone who’s ever been ashamed of their last name, their parents’ accent, their “ethnic” lunch at school. This is the call to come home to yourself.
05/30/22 • 25 min
CUNSOOM MAIM TIME on your podcast player of choice... and YouTube!
#067: "Be the hero of your own story."
Nobody's going to take charge of your life but you. No one can be the hero of your own journey, but you. You write your own story. You're not the mistakes of your past. You're not all your failures.
Anybody can do this. Even if you don't get your ultimate dream of what you want, you open up doors for something else. You can be proud and have satisfaction in who you are and what you're doing.
Struggle is an essential part to your journey in life. Without struggle or challenge, it's meaningless. Overcoming yourself and obstacles is the great reward in and of itself.
Never give up. You can do it.
See, I'm living proof. In spite of all challenges in my life, I'm doing it. I'm working. I'm becoming disciplined. I'm becoming more focused. I'm getting better everyday.
Again, anyone can choose to turn their life around. Doesn't mean you'll be a billionaire, a famous artist or this and that. But the journey itself is rewarding and valuable, rich in lessons, pride, glory, and happiness. Fulfillment is there for all. If I can do it, so can you.
YouTube video: Joe Rogan - Motivational Video [Be a Hero]
05/22/22 • 43 min
CONSUME MAIM TIME on your podcast player of choice... and YouTube!
#066: This is Part II of a great chat with Victor, who talks more about his experiences in film in America and China, and PURSUING HIS DREAMS KICKING IT WITH AND WORKING ALONGSIDE ASIAN HOLLYWOOD!
Really awesome story and projects. Inspiring. If you want to make something, just BUILD something for yourself and opportunities will appear! Even if they don't, you still have something. It'll take time, but it'll all be worth it! It's been worth it just making this podcast for you. Immensely rewarding. Don't sell yourself short! I believe in you!
Here's Part I if you missed it.
Victor Zheng is a Chinese American filmmaker from Fairfax County, Virginia. He is currently consulting on the Disney Plus show "American Born Chinese," starring Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu, Leonard Wu, Ke Huy Quan, and several other prolific Asian actors.
As an actor, he has participated in projects in China and the United States. He has been cast in major films such as the Korean War movie, "Devotion" which also stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, and Joe Jonas in lead roles. He also has a bit part in the movie, "The Menu" which is lead by Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes. Victor has also been called onto prestigious projects such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Superstore”, “The Goldbergs”, and several other sets both at the Hollywood and independent level.
In 2020, out a desire to create content and defeat boredom during the pandemic, Victor Zheng created “Team Avatar Films," an independent film collective focused on sharing stories based on the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender. A huge cast and crew composed of dozens of actors, VFX artists, sound designers, and musicians were assembled to create over 70 minutes of film that will be released this summer. The trilogy that Victor has created with Team Avatar is currently titled "A Legend of Earth and Fire."
In his free time, Victor likes to go to the gym, read history books like a dork, and study other aspects of post-production. He is currently taking intensive courses on sound design, VFX, and acting in order to build his craft as a well-rounded filmmaker.
Check out Team Avatar Films!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tb_q0y4J14
03/13/22 • 79 min
#064: This is the most amazing time to be alive in human history, especially for Asian societies, and especially for Asian-Americans and diaspora worldwide. There's never been more opportunity. We're experiencing a new unprecedented era and advances in every single field of human endeavor. Peace and prosperity, industry, technology, culture, finance, art, music, spirituality, adventure.
If the First Renaissance took place in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, then is the Second Renaissance -- Trinaissance? -- taking place in Asia? This is the Asian Century. If you're Asian, if you're diaspora, there's never been a better time to be alive, with more opportunities for success, fulfillment, impact, growth, evolution.
What about your Personal Renaissance?
The rebirth of your heart, mind, and soul?
I've experienced several rebirths in my life.
From being damned to being baptized and saved as a believer in Christ.
To losing my faith entirely and surrendering to nihilism.
To starting a new life in Korea to find myself and build a new identity.
To starting a new career as a copywriter & podcaster, to fulfill the purpose of my life.
From paradigm to paradigm.
If you're reading this, if you can understand this, then you know what it means. You have immense potential.
YOU ARE THE RENAISSANCE!
Links:
www.ryantakemiya.com
www.facebook.com/ryantakemiya
https://www.instagram.com/ryanktakemiya/
TikTok: @asianamericanthoughtwww.linkedin.com/in/ryantakemiya/
https://medium.com/@ryantakemiya/how-to-tell-your-immigrant-parents-you-want-to-be-a-creative-840f66525bf7
03/06/22 • 83 min
CONSUME MAIM TIME on your podcast player of choice... and YouTube!
#063: Six exits and however many millions earned and burned later... what does it all mean? What do you do when you reach "success"?
What do you do when you're BURNED OUT?
How do you stay young?
What's the secret?
Chillionaire Mindset Coach for Burnt-out Over-Achievers Seibo Knows!
I LOVED THIS CONVERSATION!
THIS EPISODE IS A PROPER GOLD MINE, M8!!!
We are on FIRE. We are GLOWING with energy.
We want what's best for you to manifest your dreams into reality and then transcend!
We go deep and hard about some esoteric sheeeeiiiiiit.
(Or maybe not deep and harrrrd enough?)
What do you think? Is Seibo full of crap? AM I FULL OF CRAP?
Tune in and find out!
(Ladies, there's a moment or 2 where we talk about something sexual, please don't be grossed out or offended. We love you!)
We touch upon a ton of amazing things:
- Can you hustle your way as an achiever while lowering your stress to stay young, and be more effective?
- Self-awareness on one's journey - Seibo's where Maim wants to be, but Maim's not quite there yet and that's okay. Maim is exactly where he needs to be, and with that self-awareness he can appreciate and be grateful for the moment and stage he's in now. You can do the same.
- Climbing Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs to transcend it(?)
- Not rushing to get to the next level in the videogame of life -- not as fast as possible, but going through as thoroughly as possible in order to be better equipped and wiser for the final boss
- What happens when you "skip" the achiever stage and become a hippy seeking enlightenment right out of college? (Spoiler alert: You crash on Seibo's couch like a cheeky bum and realize you've been missing out on that part of life lol)
- Doing things like becoming a successful CEO out of something simple and deep like fear, or like a sense of not belonging
- Are you spending a buncha money out of actual generosity or because you want people to like you and you want to look like a hotshot?
- What sort of mindset is beneficial to you on the way to achieving your goals?
- What sort of paradigms are out there for you?
- What sort of immense benefits for meditation are there for you?
- We talk about Psycho-Cybernetics of course lol
- Who are you more likely to listen to, some hippy who doesn't have experience in the 3D-real-business-world, or a spiritual coach whose been running 3 companies for 3 years longer than he needed?
- In order to understand the metaphysical and esoteric, you have to first grasp the physical / material 3D world. It's all in stages.
Seibo's Sheeeeiiiit:
https://www.instagram.com/seiboshen/
https://www.instagram.com/chillionairecoach/
02/27/22 • 69 min
CONSUME MAIM TIME on your podcast player of choice... and YouTube!
#062: This episode is AWESOME! I interview Chelsie, a filmmaker who posted about her AMAZING upcoming short film "Mandarins" on the Asian Creative Network FB Group. Big shoutout to the ACN fam, we love you!
This story is about INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA portrayed through the funeral of a Chinese-American family. MAIM TIME is all about coming to grips with intergenerational trauma as Asian diaspora, and we go in DEEP (and HARD) about the importance of life-changing, life-affirming art such as this! You're gonna LOVE THIS episode!
Check the web page for this episode on MAIM TIME for more info!
Promotional Links:
Website: https://mandarinsfilm.com/ <- PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THEIR NEWSLETTER FOR UDPATES!
Asian Creative Network - a group for Asian artists, content creators, and generally amazing talented people where I met Chelsie
02/23/22 • 18 min
CONSUME MAIM TIME on your podcast player of choice... and YouTube!
#061: I'm quitting my main job that I've been working for 8 years to pursue a full-time freelance copywriting career. From April 2022, I'll basically be totally running my own business, pitching and closing leads, working on projects, building my ever-increasing portfolio, and STACKING PAPER.
That’s right, I’m deluding myself into thinking I know more than I actually do and DUNNING-KRUGERING MY WAY TO SUCCESS! Woohoo! I'mma becum the Mfkin' Dunning-Kruger of Copywriters, m8!
Does this mean I'm totally rich and successful and all that sheeeeiiiit? NO. But it's a huge step in that direction, and I'm just getting started.
This means:
- No more daily 1-hour commutes, 2 times a day, adding up to 10+ hours of commute time a week. I get that time back.
- I can set my own schedule to work, and have even more freedom than I already did.
- I can work from a laptop at a café on the other side of the country by a beach like one of those digital gonads or whatever they're called, as long as I has INTERNETZ. I can work almost anywhere in the world if I so choose! Doesn't mean I'm leaving Korea anytime soon, but it's awesome to know that I can do it if I want.
- I'm that much closer to living that "4-Hour Workweek" ideal. Not that I'd only work 4 hours, but that I'd have the freedom to do whatever I want with my time.
- I'm able to get paid more doing something I'm interested in and good at, which is writing content and ads for blockchain/crypto projects, whitepapers, e-commerce products & services, see the back-end of interesting businesses and industries, and so on.
- I'll have way more time and resources to devote to MAIM TIME! In fact, I never have to monetize this show if I don't want to. Why?
- I can make more than enough money I need for the rest of my gawd-man life, whenever and wherever I am.
This is the most exciting time of my life. I'm in a critical period of transition personally, financially, spiritually.
How did I get here? Where do I begin?
How can this help you in your own personal journey towards what you see as "success"?
Tune in and SEE WHAT TIME IT IS!
Check out the webpage for this MAIM TIME episode for more!
05/13/25 • 27 min
“The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
You ever feel like you’re stuck between worlds?
Too Asian for America, but too American for your Asian family?
Like your face tells one story, but your heart is somewhere else entirely?
I know that feeling. If you’re part of the Asian diaspora — whether you grew up in NYC, Sydney, London, or somewhere in the Midwest — you’ve probably felt it too. Not quite at home in your skin. Not quite at peace with your place.
But what if I told you that a Roman emperor from 2,000 years ago already understood this struggle — and had answers for it?
In this episode, I share how Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations — the personal journal of one of history’s greatest philosopher-kings — offers timeless wisdom for the modern identity crisis. Especially for Asian diaspora youth navigating inherited trauma, cultural confusion, and feelings of not belonging.
Marcus ruled an empire, buried children, endured plagues, and still chose humility, compassion, and self-discipline. And through it all, he came back to this:
Live in accordance with Nature. Do your duty. Be good. Do good. That’s enough.
As members of the diaspora, we’ve inherited so much — the good, the bad, the beautiful, the broken. But we don’t have to throw away our heritage to belong. We don’t have to hide our pain to be strong. We get to shape our identity with purpose and virtue.
Whether you’re lost, angry, disconnected, or searching — this is for you.
TL;DR - Delve into the rabbit hole of Stoic philosophy so it can change your life and help you reframe your Asian identity (struggle) in a positive meaningful way. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO START:
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FAQ
How many episodes does MAIM TIME have?
MAIM TIME currently has 77 episodes available.
What topics does MAIM TIME cover?
The podcast is about Identity, Culture, Self Development, Psychology, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Adventure, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Philosophy, Business, Party, Travel and Asia.
What is the most popular episode on MAIM TIME?
The episode title '#067 | Becoming the Hero of Your Own Journey' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on MAIM TIME?
The average episode length on MAIM TIME is 46 minutes.
How often are episodes of MAIM TIME released?
Episodes of MAIM TIME are typically released every 7 days, 5 hours.
When was the first episode of MAIM TIME?
The first episode of MAIM TIME was released on Feb 1, 2020.
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