OTG welcomes back Aeden Pham for a special "random show" episode where they break from the traditional interview format to engage in a free-flowing conversation covering personal finance, mindset shifts, anime preferences, and life optimization strategies. Topics include:

• Money management fundamentals
• Redefining personal value
• Creating positive environments requires shifting from proving our value to sharing experiences
• Anime and why One Piece is amazing
• Daily reflection practices
• Project management tips
• Asking good questions facilitates better communication and understanding in all relationships

Guest bio:
Aeden Pham is a published researcher, has 2 masters degrees, and has studied in 5 different countries. Professionally, he has worked in multiple industries including service, non-profit, entertainment, and technology. Aeden is an award-winning singer, dancer, writer, and film director also enjoys investing their time in various activities, such as stand-up comedy, archery, ice skating, and video/board gaming.

• IG: @aedenanthony / @iamajrp
• Aeden’s Linktree

Links/resources:

• Aeden’s Linktree
• I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi (audiobook - Amazon affiliate link)
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (book summary)
• One Piece (anime - Wikipedia)
• Death Parade (anime - Wikipedia)
• Future Diary (anime - Wikipedia)
• Glenn Clancy (Aeden’s vocal coach - Instagram)
• “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress by Jeremy Jordan (musical song - YouTube)
• “Wildflower” by Park Hyo-Shin (Korean ballad - YouTube)
• “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj (song - Wikipedia)
• “Love in the Ice” by TVXQ (Japanese ballad - YouTube)
• J.R.’s Beauty & The Beast solo duet at a karaoke bar (viral video - Instagram)

One Thousand Gurus Podcast:
Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world.

www.onethousandgurus.com
Instagram: @OneThousandGurus
TikTok: @onethousandgurus
YouTube: One Thousand Gurus Podcast
Email: onethousandgurus@gmail.com

Kan Dang shares how dance transformed his life, shaping his identity, confidence, and sense of purpose through years of dedication to the art form and mentorship of young dancers.

• Credits dance with developing his social skills and helping him overcome natural introversion
• Discusses how comparing yourself to others is unhealthy as everyone has different strengths and journeys
• Recommends Haikyuu as his favorite anime for its fantastic character development and inspiring moments
• Defines success as happiness rather than traditional markers like financial security
• Emphasizes the importance of showing up for people and making time to connection

Guest bio:
Kan is a technically inclined creative and community-minded soul who is passionate about cultivating a safe, empowering environment. He has been a part of organizations such as the Kaba Modern Family and Culture Shock Los Angeles. In his free time, you can catch him playing video games; watching anime; playing trading card games; and going on adventures with his wonderful girlfriend Tiffany.

• IG: @kandaaang / https://www.instagram.com/kandaaang/

Links/resources:

• Kaba Modern Welcome Week 2012 (dance showcase)
• Haikyuu (anime - wikipedia)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (videogame - wikipedia)
• Stardew Valley (videogame - wikipedia)
• Your Name (anime movie - wikipedia)
• Rock Lee scene from Naruto (YouTube)
• My Hero Academia, 2nd movie, final battle scene (YouTube)
• Demon Slayer (anime - wikipedia)
• Zoro’s “nothing happened” scene (YouTube)
• Dandadan (anime - wikipedia)
• Home-y Made Meals (charity organization)
• Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger (book summary)
• Homies, 3rd Place @Vibe 2025 (dance competition - YouTube)
• Atomic Habits by James Clear (book summary)
• The Pitt (TV show - Wikipedia)

One Thousand Gurus Podcast:
Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world.

www.onethousandgurus.com
Instagram: @OneThousandGurus
TikTok: @onethousandgurus
YouTube: One Thousand Gurus Podcast
Email: onethousandgurus@gmail.com

Lachlan Ma shares his journey from UC Irvine graduate to TikTok talent acquisition partner, exploring how finding his ikigai helped him navigate career choices and balance diverse passions.

• Born in Sydney, Australia to parents from Hong Kong and the Philippines
• Discovered his passion for recruiting after internships in finance, law, and accounting
• Explains the Japanese concept of ikigai - finding purpose at the intersection of passion, skills, market demand, and world needs
• Built TikTok's first engineering team in Australia and helped develop TikTok Shop from its early confidential stage
• Created a monetized K-pop YouTube channel and is launching a tech recruiting channel to share industry insights
• Attributes success to his "might as well do it" mindset that improves productivity and goal achievement
• Advocates for developing a strong online presence as essential for job seekers in today's market
• Balances corporate demands with personal passions through deliberate systems and prioritization

Check out his new YouTube channel "Level Up with Lachlan" launching in March 2025 for insider recruiting tips and career development strategies.

Guest bio:
Graduated from UC Irvine in 2020 (During Covid), first started working as a University Recruiter in Fortune 500 at CVS Health recruiting pharmacists, then became a Talent Acquisition Partner at TikTok specializing in global expansion for engineering teams in Australia, U.S., and Europe. He has built a K-pop news YouTube channel that is monetized and is currently building a tech recruiting channel giving free advice and insights to job seekers from a tech recruiter perspective. On the side, he dances with Passion Project and Espiritu.

• IG: @lachlan.ma / https://www.instagram.com/lachlan.ma/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lachlan-ma/

Links/resources:

• Ikigai by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles (book summary)
• The Mindset Mentor Podcast & Rob Dial (podcast - website)
• GRV @Vibe2025 (dance performance - YouTube)
• The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins (book summary)
• Level Up With Lachlan (YouTube channel)

One Thousand Gurus Podcast:
Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world.

www.onethousandgurus.com
Instagram: @OneThousandGurus
TikTok: @onethousandgurus
YouTube: One Thousand Gurus Podcast
Email: onethousandgurus@gmail.com