Hello, I'm Minnow and welcome to Upstream!
This is my journal of what I am unlearning, learning, and relearning as a founder, creator, and human.
I say, “unlearning, learning , and relearning” because these three disciplines have been crucial in my journey of becoming more self-aware and self-accepting.
There’s a dynamic I've found within these disciplines where I unlearn unhelpful habits and narratives, learn new ideas in its place, and relearn what really matters.
I'm a founder of a coaching business, and a creator through images and podcasts.
I added the obvious label of “human” because aside from those roles, I am also a husband, son, brother, friend, and Korean-American living in NYC. And I need to practice the discipline of owning my whole story, not just the parts that are productive.
When you subscribe, you can expect stories, ideas, and updates about my work as I continue practicing these disciplines in public.
2021 Year End Review
If I had to say when this “year” started, it would be March 2020 when NYC shut down and along with it a year’s worth of work, plans, and dreams.
The Sons of Hyun Jung Kim Grant
I can’t stop thinking about Randy and his younger brother. I found out about them because Randy launched a GoFundMe for him and his brother after his mother was murdered in Atlanta in the mass shooting two weeks ago. Ever since hearing the news, I’ve been numb, weary,
Therapy, Coaching, and Community
I never went to the doctor growing up, even after one of my worst injuries in third grade. My mom and I were on our way back home from getting groceries down the street. I was running ahead of my mom, believing as all third graders do, that if I
It's Been a While Hasn't It?
Hello there! I hope you've been well since I last wrote to you back in August. I know I stopped without saying much but really, it's been so good for me. There was a point where I felt I was writing just to write something to you, and you didn't
Welcome to Upstream!
You're getting this email because you signed for this newsletter sometime between August 2021 and now, and this is the first time you're hearing from me. First, thank you for subscribing. Second, I'm sorry you haven't heard from me since you've signed up. There was a point right before you
Lessons from a Year of Coaching
So what have I learned after a year of coaching? Well a lot, but if I had to sum it up, it’s two things: the act of coaching is about listening and empathy and the result of coaching is self-awareness. Here’s what I mean. My job isn’t
Recovering a Sense of Play
Something I’m trying hard to recover when working on projects is a sense of play. It’s one that’s easy to lose because it doesn’t rank high in making a project feel worthwhile—productive, profitable, or prestigious, feels much more important. We’d certainly make time to
Earning to Be Creative
I have another question for you today: How hard are you trying to earn your identity as a creator/creative/artist? Because once we decide for ourselves that we start creating work that is generous, courageous, and intended to connect with others, most of us run straight into self doubt.
Why We're Leaving Basecamp
Below is a letter I wrote to my coaching clients this past week about why we wont' be using Basecamp anymore for our communications in between sessions. Since the start of my coaching, I've been using Basecamp, and so this is a major but neccessary move. In our coaching sessions,
Enjoy Your Life
I recently got my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The process at the hospital was smooth and the nurse who gave me the shot had probably given thousands of them by that point. She put the bandage on my arm, and I thanked her for all the work she
Yes, You Are an Imposter
For the longest time I thought the Imposter Syndrome was something to overcome or avoid. It’s not till recently I’ve learned it’s here to stay. It’s not going anywhere. Before I started coaching it was, “Who do you think you are even trying to do anything
Becoming a Transitional Character
White supremacy, the construct that white people are superior than people of color, is in the air we breathe. And just as much as we can’t see the oxygen we inhale, we can’t see but but breathe in the oppression of white supremacy every single day. The teacher
Rest in Peace and Power
Soon Chung Park 박순정, age 74 Hyun Jung Grant 김현정, age 51 Sun Cha Kim 김순자 , age 69 Yong Ae Yue 유용애, age 63 Delaina Ashley Yaun, age 33 Paul Andre Michels, age 54 Xiaojie Tan 谭小洁, age 49 Daoyou Feng 冯道友, age 44 Names of people, lives infinitely valuable,