In this episode, I sit down with entertainer Kyo York for an honest conversation about communication, confidence, language learning, resilience, and building a life in Vietnam. We talk about why the most memorable people are often open, approachable, and willing to simply ask for what they want and why being afraid of sounding awkward can hold us back more than making a mistake ever will. Kyo shares how learning Vietnamese taught him to embrace failure, listen closely, mimic what he heard, and keep speaking even when he got things wrong.

We also get into his journey as a foreign entertainer in Vietnam, including years of rejection before being able to perform Vietnamese music on major stages, the pressure behind a public career, and the personal struggles that made music even more meaningful to him. Through stories about fame, humility, grief, creativity, and perseverance, this conversation is a reminder that growth rarely comes from getting everything right. It comes from showing up, connecting with people, and continuing when quitting would be easier.

What’s something you’d try today if you weren’t afraid of getting it wrong?

In this episode, I sit down with Atlanta-based MC Hong Vy for an honest conversation about finding yourself, building confidence, and creating meaningful connections through communication. Vy shares how growing up in Vietnam shaped her understanding of family, identity, and emotional expression, and why she is still learning who she is one step at a time.

We talk about the pressure to appear successful, the danger of comparing ourselves to others, and the difference between performing confidence and genuinely accepting yourself. Vy also explains how listening, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking openly can create opportunities that may not appear immediately but can change your life months or even years later.

This conversation reminded me that communication is not simply about speaking well. It is about making people feel heard, learning from everyone we meet, and becoming comfortable enough to admit that we do not have everything figured out. Sometimes the first conversation we need to have is not with a mentor or expert, but with ourselves.

What is one conversation that helped you understand yourself differently?

I sit down with Kaya Chakrabortty, Miss Universe Japan 2024, and we go deep into what it really means to grow into yourself without forcing life into a single lane.

We talk about dreaming big as a kid, trying everything, failing, pivoting, and realizing that identity is not something that needs to be chosen, it is something that can be expanded.

We get into the real work behind communication, confidence, and leadership, not the polished version, but the uncomfortable reps, the self-doubt, and the moments where things do not go your way.

From being rejected at a critical moment to stepping onto a global stage representing an entire country, Kaya breaks down how those experiences shaped her mindset and purpose.

If pressure is actually a privilege and failure is part of the path, what is something you have been holding back from trying that you know deep down you should go after?

In this episode of Sean's Learning Adventure, I sit down with Drag queen Honey Gluttony, aka Tony Tong, Singapore's number one live singing drag queen now building a musical theater community in Vietnam.

We talk about the split between Tony, the quiet performer she used to be, and Honey, the bold diva who gave him permission to speak up, and what it really means to let every part of yourself exist at once.

Honey opens up about walking away from a comfortable job at Google to chase musical theater, and how she coaches people to find their own color instead of copying someone else's shine.

This is a conversation about identity, courage, and giving yourself permission to become who you already are underneath it all.

If you could step into an alter ego for one night, who would they be?

Communication isn’t something you’re either naturally good or bad at, it’s a skill you can actually train. In this conversation with Jenn Alex, I wanted to understand why communication breaks down so easily, even when everyone involved thinks they’re being clear. We talk about why people say yes when they really mean no, how assumptions create unnecessary mistakes, and why trying to sound smart can actually make your message harder to understand.

Jenn also explains why difficult conversations get worse when we avoid them, why preparation matters when emotions are high, and how one simple habit like pausing can completely change the way we listen and respond. We also get into workplace communication, public speaking, leadership, body language, and why simplifying a complicated idea is often a sign of expertise, not a lack of it.

The biggest takeaway for me is that effective communication isn’t about talking more. It’s about making sure the other person actually understands what you meant.

What’s one communication habit you wish more people would stop doing?

In this conversation, I sit down with a talented TV host, actress, MC, public speaking mentor, and mother to explore how confidence is actually built. She shares how she went from being a shy, introverted girl to commanding stages and television screens, not by becoming someone else, but by understanding herself, practicing consistently, and connecting every challenge to a deeper purpose.

We talk about overcoming the fear of making mistakes, preparing for public speaking, finding your “why,” and accepting that work-life balance is rarely a perfect 50-50 split. She also opens up about motherhood, stepping away from her career, navigating divorce, and learning that protecting our children from every struggle may prevent them from developing their own strength. One of the most powerful moments comes from the lesson her father taught her after their family lost everything: human beings are incredibly resilient when they know what they want and keep moving forward.

Ultimately, this episode is about self-awareness, lifelong learning, family, resilience, and becoming your own greatest supporter. What part of yourself are you still learning to understand and accept?

In this episode of the Growing Money with Sean Trace podcast, I sit down with Vietnamese artist and Miss World Vietnam finalist Mai Phuong to talk about confidence, creativity, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. We dive into her transition from beauty pageants into music, the inspiration behind her song Queenergy, and how she discovered her authentic voice as an artist.

Mai Phuong shares how self-confidence, boldness, and authenticity became the foundation of her music and personal growth. We talk about the importance of mentors, learning from the right people, and how great teachers can completely change the trajectory of your life. She also opens up about the pressure of maintaining a public image while still trying to express herself creatively, and how embracing imperfection has helped her connect more deeply with her audience.

Along the way, we explore the power of music to shape our energy, how posture and mindset affect confidence, and why believing in yourself is often the first step toward success. Mai Phuong also talks about writing music in English, performing internationally, and how language can open doors to new collaborations, ideas, and opportunities around the world.

This conversation is about more than music. It is about identity, resilience, and the bold decision to step into your own story, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

If confidence really is a form of energy, what would change in your life if you chose to show up every day with a little more of it?

I sat down with communication coach John Vautier of Vautier Communications, and this conversation completely reframed how I think about fear, confidence, and the way we talk to each other.

John breaks down why even brilliant, capable people freeze up in front of an audience, walking me through the four stages of competence and why public speaking anxiety has almost nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with reps.

We get into why comparison is quietly wrecking people's confidence, how executive presence is built in the first ninety seconds of any interaction, and why the pause, not the words, is often the most powerful tool a speaker has.

What's one time you stayed silent when you should've spoken up, and what would you do differently if you had that moment back?