Have you ever thought to yourself, 'It's too late to write that book,' 'I'm too old to change careers,' or 'Social media is a young person's thing?' If you've ever felt these limiting beliefs hold you back from pursuing your dreams or exploring your curiosities, then you're going to love this week's episode. I'm interviewing my friend, Jessica Chun Williams, who'll demonstrate that there's no age limit when following your dreams and breaking from tradition.

Jessica is a writer, course creator, and HR consultant with a Master's in Communication Management from USC. She recently authored a cookbook aimed at people who didn't grow up with the typical Thanksgiving turkey dinner—immigrants, children of immigrants, and anyone unfamiliar with this American culinary tradition. Her recipes provide a way to connect with this classic holiday meal and are perfect for the season. And Jessica's not stopping there; she's currently working on a memoir about her family's immigrant journey from Qing Dynasty China to the Kingdom of Hawai'i, embracing her heritage and sharing insights on what it means to blend cultures and traditions in a meaningful way.

Jessica is also actively managing her HR consulting practice, proving that it's never too late to follow your interests while honoring your responsibilities. Her story is a reminder that forging your path doesn't need to follow a set timeline or approach; you can do it in your own way and at your own pace.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Links:

Schedule a free marketing consultation with Tasty Directives.

Follow Tradition Breakers on Instagram.

Follow Mary Vallarta on Instagram.

Purchase Jessica's cookbook, Turkey Savvy.

Follow Jessica on Instagram

In this episode of Tradition Breakers, host Mary Moses sits down with Michelle Florendo — a Stanford-trained Decision Engineer, executive coach, and Filipino American mother of two — to unpack the exact 3-part framework she teaches leaders to make decisions with clarity, confidence, and intention.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by choices, stuck in analysis paralysis, or pressured to follow the "safe" path you were raised to pursue, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Michelle breaks down the proven decision-making model taught at Stanford — Objectives, Options, and Information — and explains how to use it to move through life with less stress and more alignment. She also shares deeply personal insights about being raised by immigrant parents, unlearning the old rulebook for success, and navigating the fear and risk aversion common in the AAPI community.

You'll learn:

• The 3-part framework that simplifies even the most complex decisions

• Why smart, successful people still get stuck in overthinking — and how to stop

• How to integrate emotion + logic for choices that "feel right" and make sense

• The difference between a maximizer and a satisfier mindset

• How children of immigrants can redefine risk and choose paths that honor both heritage and individuality

• Why making intentional decisions is not only a skill — but a privilege and a gift

Whether you're navigating a career pivot, entrepreneurship, parenthood, or simply trying to make better choices with less stress, this episode gives you the tools and language to move forward with confidence.

If you're an AAPI creative, founder, or leader working to break tradition and build a life on your own terms — this conversation was made for you.

Links:

• Schedule a call with Fractional CMO, Mary Moses: https://tastydirectives.com/contact
• Follow Tradition Breakers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traditionbreakers
• Follow Mary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traditionbreakers
• Visit Michelle's website, Powered By Decisions, where her information, courses, services, and podcast link live: https://www.poweredbydecisions.com/
• Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleflorendo

In this deeply moving episode of Tradition Breakers, host, Mary Moses, sits down with Alice Kao — an Asian American woman who went from being a 12-year-old "parachute kid" raising herself in the U.S. to becoming the CEO of one of Southern California's largest indoor climbing gyms, Sender One.

Alice opens up about the raw, often unseen journey behind her success. She shares how being sent to the U.S. alone as a child forged a resilience and independence that later became essential in building a multi-location climbing gym and leading through crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her entrepreneurial story began with heartbreak. After a devastating breakup left her in depression, Alice discovered rock climbing — a sport that grounded her, healed her, and connected her to a community that would eventually inspire her to build something far bigger than she ever imagined.

As one of the few Asian women CEOs in the climbing industry, Alice talks candidly about the weight of cultural expectations, what she calls her "Asian woman backpack," and her lifelong dance with imposter syndrome. She shares why emotional vulnerability is core to her leadership, how asking for help became her superpower, and why community — not strategy — is truly what sustains entrepreneurs.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, carried the pressure of immigrant-family expectations, or built something while healing themselves at the same time.

• How being a "parachute kid" shaped Alice's survival instincts and leadership style

• Why rock climbing became the gateway to her emotional healing

• How a passion project grew into one of SoCal's largest climbing gym companies

• What it means to lead as a vulnerable, emotionally honest Asian American woman

• The truth about imposter syndrome and the "Asian woman backpack"

• How asking for help became Alice's defining leadership strength

• The loneliness of entrepreneurship and the power of community

• The lifelong work of self-acceptance, breaking traditions, and redefining identity

Links:

• Schedule a call with Fractional CMO, Mary Moses: https://tastydirectives.com/contact
• Follow Tradition Breakers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traditionbreakers
• Follow Mary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traditionbreakers
• Visit Sender One's website: https://www.senderoneclimbing.com/
• Connect with Alice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-kao-ca