Best John Lim Podcasts (2025)

1
Words fade. Actions fade. Feelings stay. — with Kira Provenzano | Ep. 25 48:56

16h ago48:56

48:56

🍪 Episode 25 is live! John Lim sits down with Kira Provenzano, founder of Sweet Daydreams Bake Shop and the viral Cookie Cart. From baking with her mom at age 4 to building a luxury mobile dessert experience, Kira shares what success means, how she turned a 4-mile dog walk into a business idea, and why “leave people better than you found them” is h…

1
🎙️ Closing 2025 & Stepping Into 2026 | Ep. 24 8:01

2d ago8:01

8:01

John Lim closes out 2025 with a real year-in-review: the lessons that stuck, what he’s leaving behind, and the intentions he’s setting for 2026. No highlight reel — just reflection, mindset, and a simple reset you can take into the new year. ✅ Topics: year-end reflection, personal growth, discipline, consistency, leadership, goal setting, intention…

1
EP 570: Author/Activist Dr. Winnie M. Li On New Novel "What We Left Unsaid" 44:53

11d ago44:53

44:53

Award-winning author and activist Dr. Winnie M. Li has recently published her third novel! What We Left Unsaid has us join three estranged Chinese American adult siblings on a Route 66 road trip that includes a mysterious detour to the Grand Canyon. It's a delicious exploration of sibling dynamics that are definitely rooted in the past, but are now…

1
You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don’t Take — Redefining Success with Luc Gruson | Ep. 23 59:45

14d ago59:45

59:45

In this episode, John Lim sits down with LuC Gruson — 41 years old, down nearly 80 pounds, and in the best shape of his life — to talk success, discipline, and transformation after 40. They dive into: How a single moment on the scale changed everything The mindset shift that finally made weight loss stick Meditation, biohacking, and building better…

1
EP 569: Kyle Ang On Creating "Tiger Tea Zine": A Space for Truths Often Carried Alone 46:30

18d ago46:30

46:30

What Kyle Ang began as a USC senior project has become a much-needed outlet for AANHPI's to express themselves artistically and in writing. Kyle's Tiger Tea Zine is a curated collection of contributions from those wanting to be seen and heard, especially as it pertains to their identities and well-being. @tigerteazine…

1
🎙️ A Year of Growth — And What I’m Leaving Behind | Ep. 22 7:53

20d ago7:53

7:53

This solo episode is a raw reflection on the year that pushed me, changed me, and forced me to grow. I break down the lessons that shaped me, the challenges that stretched me, and the old habits, fears, and doubts I’m finally letting go of. If you’re stepping into a new chapter — personally, professionally, or creatively — this episode will help yo…

1
How AI Cut Healthcare Burnout by 70% 47:31

23d ago47:31

47:31

In this episode, a16z GP Julie Yoo sits down with Peter McCanna, CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health, to break down how one of America's largest health systems is transforming from a supply-driven "walled castle" to a customer-centric ecosystem, and how it's achieving a 10% operating margin while most hospitals struggle to stay in the black. They ge…

1
EP 568: Kam Redlawsk On Learning to Make Peace with Her "Monster" 45:22

25d ago45:22

45:22

In writing and illustrating her 2025 debut picture book, Kam Redlawsk enables readers of any age to relate to her journey to come to grips with a form of muscular dystrophy that is progressively robbing her of the use of her muscles. Yumi and Monster not only showcases Redlawk's prodigious gifts as a storyteller and artist, but also as a disability…

1
Coaching, Character & What Success Really Means | Ep. 21 – Coach John Aguilar 53:02

28d ago53:02

53:02

In this episode, John Lim sits down with Coach John Aguilar — longtime math teacher, varsity basketball coach, and leader who’s shaped students and athletes for 25+ years. Coach Aguilar shares what success really means to him: impact over trophies, consistency over talent, and raising young people to lead on and off the court. He opens up about the…

1
The Future of Healthcare Payments: CMS Chief of Staff Stephanie Carlton 26:53

1M ago26:53

26:53

A labor and delivery nurse who ran Senate healthcare policy now manages $1.7 trillion in federal health spending—and she runs her team like a startup. Steph Carlton, Chief of Staff and Deputy Administrator at CMS, reveals the OKRs driving Medicare and Medicaid, why they're killing social determinants funding while building consumer health apps at s…

1
EP 567: The Two Kens On "Rental Family" & "Wicked for Good" and Che Ahn Entering the Race for CA Governor 1:01:00

1M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Podcasters Ken Fong and Ken Kemp managed to squeeze out one more of their collaborative series before celebrating Thanksgiving this year overwhelms their schedules. But before diving head first into their discussion about prominent MAGA pastor and NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) global leader Rev. Che Ahn's entering the 2026 race to be California's…

1
🎙️ Build Real Confidence | Ep. 20 9:24

1M ago9:24

9:24

Real confidence isn’t loud. It’s not perfect. And it’s definitely not something you’re born with — it’s something you build every single day. In this solo episode, John Lim breaks down the truth about confidence: why most people struggle with it, how fear actually helps you grow, and the small daily habits that turn self-doubt into self-trust. If y…

1
How to Build This Generation's Big Pharma Company 41:04

1M ago41:04

41:04

Drug discovery has doubled the flow of candidates, but approvals remain roughly flat. The constraint is development, not discovery. In this episode, a16z General Partner, Jorge Conde talks with Formation Bio cofounder and CEO Ben Liu about building a modern pharma company around clinical execution. They discuss Formation Bio’s hub-and-spoke model f…

1
EP 566: Neil Nayyar On Being a Global Musician AND Hikari On Co-writing & Directing "Rental Family" 54:25

1M ago54:25

54:25

This week I'm bringing you two exceptional guests. With the much-anticipated nationwide release of feature film Rental Family on November 21, my first interview is with the Japanese co-writer and director Hikari! Her latest creation has already garnered a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and I feel that it's one of the best films that I've s…

1
EP17: You Can’t Outrun Your Sh*t: Andrea Ciannavei on Weight, Addiction and Writing Towards Healing 1:04:24

1M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

📝 Shift Shift Bloom S2 EP 17 Show Notes This is the story of a body—how it holds pain, how it hides it, and how it sometimes saves your life by refusing to keep going. In this episode, Kristen talks with Andrea Ciannavei: writer, activist, playwright, TV producer (Mayans MC, Boots), and end-of-life doula. Andrea is also someone who spent decades na…

1
Sometimes You’ve Got to Be Lucky | Ep. 19 – Seth Kaplan 52:04

1M ago52:04

52:04

In this episode, John Lim sits down with Seth Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO of WinLocal, to talk about freedom, entrepreneurship, and the power of showing up — even when it’s hard. Seth shares how he built a leading digital marketing company helping small businesses grow with simple, effective online strategies. From a childhood story about luck and t…

1
CVS Health: Building Healthcare’s Consumer Platform 27:53

2M ago27:53

27:53

Josh Weiner left Meta to return to CVS Health with two painful realizations: consumers don't manage their health—they expect it, and the healthcare market fundamentally violates every principle of economics. In this conversation with a16z's Julie Yoo, the CVS Senior VP explains why 50% of Americans can't afford a healthcare emergency, how CVS is be…

1
EP 565: John Wang On Breaking Barriers & Harnessing Your "Big Asian Energy" 51:27

2M ago51:27

51:27

John Wang is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, podcaster, and the founder of Big Asian Energy. Having just published a much-needed book of the same title, John's unswerving mission is to help Asian professionals break through hidden barriers and unlock their innate potential. With over 250,000 followers and 25 million views on social media,…

1
Dyno Therapeutics: Empowering Patients with Genetic Agency 47:28

2M ago47:28

47:28

For the first time in human history, we can diagnose thousands of genetic diseases—often for under $1,000—but we still can't treat most of them. The problem isn't understanding what's broken; it's delivering the fix to the right cells. Eric Kelsic, CEO of Dyno Therapeutics, joins a16z's Jorge Conde to explain how AI-designed protein shells are solv…

1
🎙️ Communicate. Commit. Create. | Ep. 18 7:16

2M ago7:16

7:16

In this solo episode, John Lim explores what it really takes to bridge the gap between thinking and doing. He dives into how communication shapes execution — from defining your idea clearly to building systems that keep you consistent, even when motivation fades. Learn how to start small, adjust fast, and surround yourself with people who help your…

1
EP 564: Henry King Fong On His Historical Quest To Get to Know His Father 50:00

2M ago50:00

50:00

When Henry King Fong was born in Sacramento, his immigrant father was already 58 and his straight-from-the-village mother was 48. Henry was the youngest of five and was only two years old when his father died. Their family was quite poor, but his mother made every penny count. Henry eventually graduated from UC Berkeley with an engineering degree, …

1
EP 563: Vicki Tan On How to Make Smarter Decisions 51:51

2M ago51:51

51:51

Vicki Tan has written a "one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling Her new book Ask This Book a Question is "an interactive game that empowers you to understand yourself in a new way, inviting you on a playful journey of self-discovery." @vickiheart #cognitivebias #storytell…

1
EP16: Run Towards Something: Mexican Immigrant "Abrahan" on Illegal Crossings and the Path to Citizenship 1:12:30

2M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

At five years old, he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with his mother, hidden on a bus. At twelve, he crossed again—this time on foot, in the cold, through a desert canyon. Years later, Abrahan served in the United States Marine Corps, completed two deployments in the Middle East, and earned his U.S. citizenship. In this extraordinary episode, Abrah…

1
Discipline Over Dreams | Ep. 17 – Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky 1:03:56

2M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Discipline over dreams. In this episode, John Lim sits down with Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky—entrepreneur, coach, and former competitive bodybuilder—on trading chaos for systems, using time like wealth, and building a legacy that outlives you. 🎧 Takeaways • Money is fuel—define the destination • Do the hardest task first • Reclaim hours with a screen-ti…

1
AI Meets Bitcoin in Singapore — and Why the U.S. Is Back in the Game with Jesse Darnell 16:03

2M ago16:03

16:03

The U.S. crypto scene is finally waking up. After years of regulatory uncertainty and innovation flight, the winds are shifting. Charlie Shrem sits down with Jesse Darnell, former Marine and founder of ADVXNCE Protocol, fresh off Token2049 in Singapore, to talk about why global builders are suddenly turning their eyes back to America. They dive int…

1
EP 562: Cindy Lim On Creating Gen Z Asian Social/Dating App Yuzu 44:50

2M ago44:50

44:50

Cindy Lim is the founder and Head of Brand for a new app called Yuzu. Launched in early 2024 by Match Group (the same company behind Tinder, Hinge, etc), Yuzu brands itself as a social + dating platform aimed at the Gen Z Asian community (but open to all). Many mainstream dating apps are generalized; Yuzu is part of a trend of "niche" dating/social…

1
🎙️ From Idea to Action — How to Actually Start What You’ve Been Thinking About | Ep. 16 5:40

2M ago5:40

5:40

Everyone has an idea they’ve been sitting on — but few take the leap to make it real. In this solo episode, John Lim breaks down what it truly takes to move from thinking to doing. From the fear of starting to the myth of the “perfect time,” John shares practical insights on how to build momentum, create systems that keep you going, and turn hesita…

1
EP 561: Harvard's Dr. Eram Alam On How Immigrant (Especially South Asian) Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare 51:28

2M ago51:28

51:28

Harvard Associate Professor of the History of Science Dr. Eram Alam has just published "The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare." Her extensive research revealed that, over decades, foreign medical graduates (FMGs) have become a sizeable and stable part of the U.S. physician workforce--at least a quarter since 1965.…

1
EP 560: The Two Kens On What Charlie Kirk Actually Believed 55:10

2M ago55:10

55:10

In this latest edition of the recurring The Two Kens collaborative series, Fong and Kemp explain both the irony of how he died and the Right's insistence on nationwide posthumous empathy and acclaim for him. Using his own words to substantiate their opinions, they make the case that Kirk's inflammatory rhetoric should not now be santized, nor shoul…

1
In Position for Good | Ep. 15 – Mitch Rudin 1:20:11

2M ago1:20:11

1:20:11

🎙️ Ep. 15 — Mitch Rudin: Leadership, Late Bloomers, and the 1440 Rule Our guest is Mitch Rudin—real estate executive, culture-first leader, and mentor to the next generation. Mitch has led four major public organizations, now co-leads a $200M Florida residential project, and serves the community through the Urban Land Institute, the NYC Police Foun…

1
Why Bitcoin’s Biggest Threat- and Opportunity Might- Come from Quantum Physics 19:50

2M ago19:50

19:50

“Quantum computing is taking the laws of nature — light, heat, entanglement — and turning them into a new kind of computer. When that happens, the way we think about Bitcoin’s security will have to change forever.” — Charlie Shrem This week on The Charlie Shrem Show, we go deep into the strangest frontier yet: the intersection of Bitcoin, cryptogra…

1
EP 559: Playwright Prince Gomolvilas On the World Premiere of "Paranormal Inside" 46:52

2M ago46:52

46:52

Thai American playwright Prince Gomolvilas first appeared on this show in 2019 to promote The Brothers Paranormal which would soon become his penultimate play in his long career. This week I invited him back because he's written the much-awaited 'spiritual sequel' Paranormal Inside, which will begin its rolling world premiere at East West Players' …

1
🎙️ What I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Podcast | Ep. 14 6:27

3M ago6:27

6:27

Everyone loves the idea of starting a podcast — but few talk about what really happens behind the mic. In this solo episode, John Lim opens up about the lessons, challenges, and surprises of creating Relive the Moments. From scheduling to structure, teamwork to purpose, this is the honest truth about what it takes to bring a podcast to life. 🎧 Take…

1
EP 558: Drs. Allie & Joyce Taur On Remaking Their Marriage & Family After Husband Comes Out as Trans 2:12:56

3M ago2:12:56

2:12:56

As the last of my short Honeymoon Reprise series I'm sharing what originally aired in June 2018 with medical doctors Allie and Joyce Taur. It's truly one of the most remarkable stories that I've ever shared on my platform in the entire eleven-plus years that I've been recording weekly stories. You'll soon learn that while Allie was identified as a …

1
EP15: Raising Yourself: Mary Grace Lim on Immigration, Inheritance, and Forging a Voice 54:50

3M ago54:50

54:50

Season Two continues exploring themes of resilience, inheritance, and reinvention. In Richie Barlow’s story, we saw how unmet needs became entrepreneurial muscle. In this conversation, we step through another doorway—immigration—to ask how identity and family are reshaped across borders. Mary Grace Lim was born in Carmona Cavite, Philippines, and c…

1
Do It Right — or Don’t Do It at All | Ep. 13 – Chris Ward 1:09:21

3M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

🎙️ Episode 13 – If You’re Going to Do Something, Do It Right — or Don’t Do It at All Today’s guest is Chris Ward Sr.—a distinguished athlete, award-winning coach, and lifelong mentor who has dedicated nearly four decades to shaping athletes on and off the court. From his days as an All-Region standout at Summerville High to a scholarship basketball…

1
Value-Based Oncology at Scale: Inside Thyme Care 41:16

3M ago41:16

41:16

Cancer care in the U.S. costs over $250 billion each year, and nearly 2 million Americans receive a new diagnosis annually, yet too often the journey begins with silence: no call, no plan, no guide. In this episode, a16z’s Vineeta Agarwala and Jay Rughani talk with Thyme Care leaders Robin Shah (cofounder and CEO), Bobby Green, MD (president and CM…

1
EP 557: Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Bandy X. Lee On the Dangerous Case of Donald Trump 1:03:27

3M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Today, in 2025, there are numerous mental health professionals on television and streaming podcasts who talk openly about the state of President Trump's mental health. They don't pull any punches, given the ample evidence from his public appearances and his frequent online diatribes. They say he has a personality disorder, that he's an antisocial m…

1
🎙️ Why You Must Tell Your Story | Ep. 12 4:56

3M ago4:56

4:56

We all have a story inside us — but too many of us wait. We wait for the perfect time, the right words, or the courage to begin. In this episode, John Lim shares why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for connection, healing, and impact. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why your story matters more than you think The fears th…

1
EP 556: Dr. Joseph Lee On Raising Healthy, Happy Kids 1:31:50

3M ago1:31:50

1:31:50

First aired in 2018, this episode still ranks in the Top 5 of most popular ones. I'm sharing it here as part of my short Honeymoon Reprise series. Dr. Joseph Lee shares about effective parenting skills for raising children to be secure, mature, and fulfilled people. Joseph also discusses why authoritarian parenting leads to bad outcomes, how surpri…

1
EP14: Holding On Tight and Healing through Entrepreneurship (Part 2) with Richie Barlow 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

EP14: Holding On Tight and Healing through Entrepreneurship (Part 2) with Richie Barlow In the conclusion of this two-part conversation, Richie Daiches Barlow returns to share what happened after he aged out of the UK state care system—abandoned, robbed, and utterly alone. What followed was unlikely, healing, and deeply powerful. Starting with a pa…

1
A Hundred Years from Now | Ep. 11 – Alvaro & Maria Vazquez 1:08:40

3M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

🎙️ Episode 11 – A Hundred Years from Now In this episode, we sit down with Alvaro & Maria Vazquez, partners in life and purpose, who remind us that true legacy isn’t about houses, cars, or bank accounts—it’s about impact. Alvaro shares his timeless perspective: “A hundred years from now…it may only matter that I was important in the life of a boy.”…

1
Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy: Melanoma Care with Associate Professor Rachel Roberts-Thomson 29:32

3M ago29:32

29:32

In this episode of the Spot On Podcast, host Peter Birch speaks with Associate Professor Rachel Roberts-Thomson who is a Medical Oncologist from Adelaide, about adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies in melanoma care. Discussing what each therapy involves, adjuvant therapy given after surgery to lower the risk of recurrence, and neoadjuvant therapy giv…

1
EP 555: Kaila Yu On Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty in Her Book "Fetishized" 53:17

3M ago53:17

53:17

Fetishized is a memoir-in-essays by Kaila Yu--a former pin-up model and lead singer of the all-Asian American female rock band Nylon Pink. The book delves into her personal journey as she confronts--and unpacks--the complexities of being both the object and agent of fetishization in a media landscape shaped by stereotypes and colonial mindsets. Her…

1
🎙️ Creating Your Own Freedom | Ep. 10 3:52

4M ago3:52

3:52

Sometimes, life doesn’t play fair. The rules shift, the goalposts move, and the weight gets heavy. But in this solo episode, John Lim shares how fairness and freedom aren’t always the same thing—and why one of them is still in your control. This is a raw reflection on what it means to lead, build, and show up when the odds don’t feel even… and how …

1
EP 554: Dr. Jeff Chang On Bruce Lee & the Making of Asian America 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

Water Mirror Echo is Dr. Jeff Chang's ambitous and deeply empathetic cultural biography of Bruce Lee that goes beyond myth, revealing the man behind the legend while tracing how Lee's life helped shape the emergence of Asian America. Chang's storytelling deftly intertwines Lee's personal narrative with broader social currents--highlighting Asian Am…

1
EP13: Finding Light in the Darkest Places (Part 1), with Richie Barlow 57:25

4M ago57:25

57:25

Show Notes In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, Kristen sits down with Richie Daiches Barlow—entrepreneur, bestselling author, and survivor—to share a story of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and hope. Richie’s childhood in the U.K. was marked by neglect, abuse, and systemic failure. Locked in his room for days without food, f…

1
The Right Strategy Can Save You a Decade | Ep. 9 – Joe Apfelbaum 1:05:11

4M ago1:05:11

1:05:11

🎙️ Episode 9 – The Right Strategy Can Save You a Decade This week, we sit down with Joe Apfelbaum—serial entrepreneur, AI innovator, LinkedIn expert, and author of High Energy Networking. Joe has trained over 1,000 companies on how to grow with AI and LinkedIn, built one of the fastest-growing agencies in the U.S., and still finds time to rap and r…

1
From Surgeon to CEO: Lessons in Frameworks, Funding, and Founders with Nic Roberts-Huntley of Blueprint Finance 26:11

4M ago26:11

26:11

What happens when you take the discipline of an Oxford-trained surgeon and apply it to crypto? You get Nic Roberts-Huntley, founder of Concrete and Glow, two of the fastest-growing DeFi protocols. In this episode, Nic and Charlie dive deep into the frameworks, philosophies, and practical decisions that turn ideas into billion-dollar realities. From…

1
EP 552: Jackie Dallas On Netflix Hit "The Hunting Wives" & Her Decision to Leave Medicine to Pursue Acting 52:10

4M ago52:10

52:10

Jackie Dallas was only a year from finishing her residency in pathology when she decided to leave medicine, move to California, and pursue acting. Through hardworking and perverance, she has appeared on many hit shows, including playing "Jen Woo" (science teacher Mr. Clarke's girlfriend) in Season 1 of "Stranger Things." You can see her now in The …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

John Lim Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide