222. I quit law school. Then I quit my PhD.
EDIT HISTORY
I quit law school, then quit my PhD - and spent years wondering if that made me a quitter or just someone on the wrong path. In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, my friend Jennifer Ho interviews me as I open up about the parts of my journey that never show up on a resume: The guilt of disappointing my Asian parents, wanting to look “successful,” and learning to make decisions that I am proud of. This is a conversation about high-functioning doubt, career pivots, and choosing work you can stand behind - even when it doesn’t immediately make sense to others. TIMETAMPS (00:00) Trailer...
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221. I Podcasted for 5 Years Before It Finally Clicked
EDIT HISTORY
What does it really take to build a body of work you can stand behind - especially when the numbers don’t immediately reflect the care you’re putting into it? In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, Cheryl steps into the interviewee seat and unpacks the insecurities, turning points, and decisions that shaped different stages of her career as a podcaster. This conversation is for entrepreneurs, professionals, and podcasters who’ve ever wondered: Am I legit enough? Should I be further along by now? What if my work doesn’t look like everyone else’s, but still matters? TIMETAMPS ...
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220. My Podcast Won Two Awards. Here’s How.
EDIT HISTORY
My podcast won two awards this year - but not for the reasons you might think. This episode unpacks the creative decisions, format choices, and editorial discipline that made EDIT HISTORY resonate with judges and listeners alike. Whether you’re building a podcast, a business, or any long-term creative project, this is a deep dive into what really matters. TIMETAMPS (00:00) Introduction (03:31) The Current State of Podcasts (05:12) Show Concept (09:29) Differentiation (15:14) Consistency (18:23) Success as a Podcaster (20:30) What Awards Don’t Measure CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU...
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219. She Quit Law to Start a Podcast From Scratch… as a Cat (Iman Ibrahim)
EDIT HISTORY
Everyone commends you for being brave when you start over. But no one tells you that your reinvention might also look… ridiculous. For our guest today, that looked like explaining to people - very seriously - that she quit her career as a lawyer… to start a podcast as a cat. Because that’s the thing about starting something new: More often than not, it doesn’t look polished or profound. It looks like curiosity, experimentation - and sometimes, doing something absolutely absurd, but quintessentially you. Today’s guest, Iman Ibrahim, embodies that exact spirit. After nearly two decades...
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218. The Hard Truth About Success from a Top Creator in Singapore (Aiken Chia)
EDIT HISTORY
Before Aiken Chia became one of Singapore’s most recognizable YouTubers and food content creators, he was a broke twenty-something who had spent years auditioning, collecting rejection after rejection, and was on the verge of quitting media altogether. It was that mix of setbacks, resilience, and the unwavering support of his community that shaped the creator he is today. From his breakout years through producing a popular series called Food King, to now building his own independent channel, Aiken has created a body of work that blends food and travel storytelling with raw, personal...
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217. What No One Tells You About Succeeding as a Creator (Ainul Md Razib)
EDIT HISTORY
When Ainul Md Razib first started posting about tech careers on TikTok, almost no one in Singapore was doing it. While most of the platform was filled with dance trends and food reviews, she chose to talk about coding and professional growth - becoming one of the first local career-focused creators. Today, Ainul is a Cybersecurity Engineer at IBM, known online as AinLovesCode. She’s been named to the Singapore 100 Women in Tech 2025 list, and her work continues to champion diversity and inclusion in the industry. In this episode, we explore Ainul’s journey - the pressures of...
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216. From Banker to Best-Selling Author & Global Keynote Speaker - Here’s How (Simon Alexander Ong)
EDIT HISTORY
Most of us introduce ourselves with a title: “I’m a coach,” “I’m a banker,” “I’m a podcaster.” The problem with this is that the moment you do that, you’ve put yourself in the same box as everyone else with that title. Our guest today, Simon Alexander Ong - bestselling author of Energize, international keynote speaker, and award-winning coach - knows this firsthand. For years, he chased job titles he thought would define his success, until he realised that real success and true differentiation come from embracing your whole self. This includes your story, your skills, and...
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Answering More Deep & Weird Questions (Podcaster Q&A)
EDIT HISTORY
In this unscripted bonus episode, I answer delightfully weird and deeply personal questions from friends - Covering everything from past insecurities, podcast advice, to how my friendships have evolved. In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Introduction (0:35) What crime would you commit if it were legal for 12 hours? (0:59) If you were a cult leader, what’s your cult’s name and aesthetic? (01:41) What’s the weirdest compliment that would absolutely make your day? (03:03) You’re suddenly famous for something stupid. What did you do? (03:44) If you woke up as a brand...
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215. Behind the Scenes: How I Produce Authority-Building Podcasts for Clients
EDIT HISTORY
Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it actually takes to create an authority-building podcast, through the lens of my work as a podcast producer for organizations and other established shows. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast or turning your existing one into a real authority-building asset, this episode will give you a look at what it actually takes. In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Introduction (02:09) Stage 1: Pre-Production (08:58) Stage 2: Recording (11:44) Stage 3: Editorial Post-Production (15:19) Stage 4: Technical...
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214. 200K Followers on Instagram AND TikTok (With just her phone) (Caitanya Tan)
EDIT HISTORY
A lot of us don’t like how we sound. We cringe at our recorded voice. We worry our accent makes us seem less polished, less credible, less worthy of being listened to. Our guest today, Caitanya Tan - or Cait - knows that feeling intimately. As an actress, host, voiceover artist, and content creator with over 200,000 followers on both TikTok AND Instagram, her voice is the tool she’s built her career on… Yet it’s also the thing she’s had to constantly adjust, explain, and defend. In today’s conversation, we explore what it means to represent your people, why Singaporeans often...
info_outlineI quit law school, then quit my PhD - and spent years wondering if that made me a quitter or just someone on the wrong path.
In this episode of EDIT HISTORY, my friend Jennifer Ho interviews me as I open up about the parts of my journey that never show up on a resume: The guilt of disappointing my Asian parents, wanting to look “successful,” and learning to make decisions that I am proud of.
This is a conversation about high-functioning doubt, career pivots, and choosing work you can stand behind - even when it doesn’t immediately make sense to others.
TIMETAMPS
(00:00) Trailer
(00:47) Opening
(01:47) The story my resume can’t tell
(06:02) How I used to define success
(06:46) Why law school and a PhD didn’t actually fit me
(11:38) How long I knew something had to change - before I quit
(15:21) The strengths I carried through every pivot
(20:31) How do you know when something isn’t right - even if you’re good at it?
(23:27) The skill gaps I’m actively working on now
(26:47) How I’m thinking about future-proofing my career
(30:53) My edge vs and the part of my work that still scares me
(32:21) What an irresponsible career risk looks like
(33:29) What will never need to be on my resume
(36:34) Closing
CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU
Website: https://cheryllau.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau
WORK WITH CHERYL LAU
I produce distinctive and deeply resonant podcasts for leaders and organizations who want their content to command attention, spark meaningful conversations, and attract high-value opportunities.
I ensure your podcast isn’t just another show in the feed - it’s an asset that elevates your authority and moves your work forward.
Here are 3 ways we can work together:
✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production
✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting
✨ Hosting for Corporate Shows
Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery
CONTACT
Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.