What if the thing that's been holding you back isn't fear — it's your refusal to make a mess?
In this rich, honest, and deeply relatable conversation, Dr. Sohee Jun sits down with Selena Rezvani — Wall Street Journal bestselling author, leadership speaker, and Forbes-named premier expert on self-advocacy at work. They go off the stage together, getting under the hood of Selena's Pakistani upbringing, the chaos of her family of origin, and how a girl who learned to be quiet, good, and invisible grew up to write books about confidence and self-advocacy.
This episode is for the woman who is still waiting until she's ready. Still perfecting. Still watching from the sidelines. Selena's message is both a permission slip and a push: you have a righting reflex. Trust it. Do it afraid.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Selena's origin story — from a chaotic Pakistani-immigrant household to becoming a WSJ bestselling author and global leadership speaker
- How growing up with an intense, workaholic father shaped her relationship with achievement, rest, and burnout
- Why perfectionism is a system built on unattainable standards — and how to start deconditioning yourself from it
- The difference between excellence and perfectionism — and why Asian women in particular get caught in the trap
- How Selena almost talked herself out of the LinkedIn newsletter that went viral, became a community, and led to four books
- Why "doing it afraid" is the only real path to building self-trust and confidence
- What it means to not gaslight yourself out of something that genuinely energizes you
- The concept of the "righting reflex" — and why you're more capable of adapting than you think
- What gives Selena hope: women refusing to settle for suboptimal
- How to fill your own energy tank — and why even your best days can drain you
Quotes From This Episode
"Do it afraid." — Selena Rezvani
"You are not served by gaslighting yourself into working harder — turning a capacity issue into a personal failing."
"Perfectionism is a system built on unattainable, out of touch standards. The more you get close but don't quite get it, the more you chase it."
"Stop taking it so deadly seriously. Have a little fun. Live a little."
"You are missing out on a huge part of life that's not just rule-following and trying to get a grade back that proves your worth."
"A modern Asian woman knows where she's come from — but she's not obligated to stay there."
"If there's a nudge and it keeps coming up, you've got to give it energy and put it out there." — Dr. Sohee Jun
"I'm doing it anyway. I'm trying it anyway."
"You have a righting reflex. No matter how sideways things go."
Reflection Questions for You
- What would you tell your younger self to do more of — or less of — and why?
- In what ways have you gaslit yourself or talked yourself out of doing something you were genuinely excited about?
- What does it look like to fill up your own energy reserves in this season — and how can you do more of that?
About Selena Rezvani
Selena Rezvani is a leadership speaker, author, and consultant known for her practical, no-nonsense advice on thriving at work. She is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Quick Leadership: Build Trust, Navigate Change, and Cultivate Unstoppable Teams — part of her popular "Quick" series that began with Quick Confidence. A recognized authority on leadership and self-advocacy, Selena's work has been featured by The Today Show, NPR, Forbes, and The Washington Post.
As a LinkedIn Learning instructor whose courses have been viewed by millions, Selena is known for breaking down complex workplace dynamics into simple, actionable strategies. She has advised leaders and teams at organizations like Microsoft, Under Armour, and The World Bank.
Connect with Selena:
- Website: www.selenarezvani.com
- Instagram: @selenarezvani
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani
- TikTok: @selenarezvani
- Facebook: SelenaRezvaniOfficial
- Twitter/X: @selenarezvani
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
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