Ba Linh Le is the co-founder and Chief Data Officer of Frontline, a startup developing an AI-assisted risk assessment tool to end domestic abuse sooner. Born in Berlin to Vietnamese contract workers, Ba Linh studied Area Studies at Humboldt and Public Policy at the Hertie School. Today, her company’s tool is used by social services across half of Germany. She was recently named to the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list for the social impact she is making.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up German-Vietnamese and navigating language, family, and belonging

• Founding Frontline and tackling domestic abuse through tech

• The lessons she has learnt and unlearnt along the way

You can learn more about Frontline here and follow Ba Linh’s work on LinkedIn.

Xifan Yang is an award-winning German-Chinese journalist and foreign affairs correspondent for Die Zeit, one of Germany’s leading news outlets. Born in China and raised in Germany, Xifan has built a career reporting across borders. She is also the author of Als die Karpfen fliegen lernten (when the carps learnt to fly), where she tells the story of China’s recent history through the lens of her family.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Navigating cultural identity between China and Germany

• Writing about her family and unpacking hidden generational trauma

• Reporting under authoritarian constraints and the challenges of press freedom in China

• How the German media portrays China, and why nuance matters
  

You can find out more about Xifan’s work on her website and follow her on Twitter.

Chunchun Qiu is a German-Chinese entrepreneur and the former co-founder and CEO of Cyclio, a startup dedicated to helping women manage menstrual pain. After nearly three years of building the company, she and her co-founder made the difficult decision to shut it down.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why she started and closed her venture

• How her parents’ sacrifices shaped her ambitions and struggles

• The emotional complexity of sharing career pivots with immigrant parents

• Intergenerational conflict, unspoken expectations, and learning to set boundaries

You can find Chunchun on LinkedIn.

Mai Anh Nguyen is a Director of Rooms at Mandarin Oriental and has built an inspiring global career within the luxury hotel group. Born in Germany to Vietnamese parents, Mai grew up in Prague and studied in Switzerland. Her career with Mandarin Oriental has taken her around the world—from Prague to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Munich, Kuala Lumpur, and now Dubai.

Tune in to hear:

• Her family’s story from Vietnam to Germany and the Czech Republic

• What she has learnt from her career with one of the world’s finest hotel groups

• How gratitude and mindfulness have shaped her life and mindset

You can follow her journey on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Kachun To is a Hong Kong-born, German-raised entrepreneur who started his career at McKinsey before launching several ventures. His latest project, Bao Gao Club, is more than just a dumpling business—it’s about sharing real Chinese food and fostering cultural understanding in Germany.

In this episode, we explore:

• How a prestigious scholarship changed his perspective.

• The subtle racism he’s faced in business and everyday life.
• Why he transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
• How food can be a bridge between cultures and why he wants to redefine Chinese cuisine in Germany.

Tune in to hear his story, and follow him on LinkedIn or @baogao_club on Instagram for updates on his latest venture.

Kexin Ye is a technology consultant and entrepreneur currently building her startup. Her entrepreneurial journey began early, as she supported her father and younger brother through various jobs and ventures while growing up without a mother. Kex gained international recognition as a participant on The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition, which aired in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

In this episode, we talk about Kex’s experience growing up in Gransee and Berlin, reconnecting with her mother, the origins of her entrepreneurial spirit, and what she learnt participating in The Apprentice: One Championship Edition.

Follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates on her entrepreneurial journey.

Ronald Metschies is the Project Lead for Promoting Ukraine’s Sustainable Economic Recovery at the GIZ, a prominent German development organisation. After studying Politics and Public Policy in the UK, Germany and Japan, Ron went on to work for the GIZ in Manila, Beijing and now Berlin, advising different government ministries on strategic international projects. Ron grew up in Germany with a German father and a Filipina-Chinese mother.

Tune in to learn more about Ron’s experiences living in Germany and China as a mixed kid, his thoughts on Western vs Asian parenting styles, and why and how he got into the policy space. We also talked about grief, as Ron’s brother and father passed away quite suddenly, just as he was about to start his studies in the UK.

Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

Lucy Ha is an award-winning Czech-Vietnamese multimedia journalist at Reuters. She studied history at UCL in London and journalism at Columbia University in New York, and has worked for the BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and Reuters. Lucy stands out as the first Asian European journalist I have met who produces both visual and written work in English.

Tune in to learn more about Lucy’s life and perspectives as an Asian European international journalist. Get a glimpse into the history of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic, and hear her advice for aspiring journalists.

Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter for more updates.