Show Notes
How can vulnerability and openness help us through our darkest times and find our truest selves?
For Eric Nam, a voice loved by millions around the world, this was not an easy question to answer. In his rise to K-pop stardom he wrestled with mental health, experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression and ‘otherness.’ And he’s seen fellow stars succumb to mental health issues. But instead of hiding his difficulties, Eric found a way through them, by finding safe ways to be vulnerable on and off stage and challenging accepted ideas of success and manhood. And he’s gone further by creating platform for other global stars to share their honest stories and help fans with their mental health.
And stay tuned to hear Eric and Dr. Murthy reveal their new boyband name!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at [email protected] with your feedback & ideas.
(05:25) Becoming a K-pop star
(09:51) How did Eric have the courage to ask himself if he was happy?
(12:03) Navigating family expectations around his career
(17:20) How do healing & vulnerability show up in Eric’s music?
(22:18) Is it harder to be vulnerable as a guy?
(27:19) Early career struggles impacting his mental health
(34:26) Handling fame
(36:37) Why making new friends can sometimes be hard?
(38:33) Helping others with mental health challenges
(41:54) What does Eric Nam love most about being Korean American?
(44:50) What are Eric Nam’s go-to tunes for relaxing?
(45:56) If Eric and the Surgeon General had a boy band, what would they call it?
(53:31) What gives Eric hope?
Eric Nam, Singer & Entrepreneur
Instagram: @ericnam
Twitter: @ericnamofficial
Facebook: @ericnamofficial
About Eric Nam
Eric Nam is a multi-faceted singer-songwriter, TV personality, actor, and entrepreneur. Named GQ Korea’s Man of the Year and Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, Eric is a household name and one of the most extensively touring Asian artists in the world. In 2019, with the help of his brothers, Eric co-founded DIVE Studios, a K-pop-focused media company with multiple award-winning podcasts. In 2021, the Nam brothers leveraged the success of DIVE Studios to create Mindset, a mental health and wellness platform with a library of authentic and intimate video and audio collections from world-renowned celebrities. Eric received a B.A. in International Studies with honors from Boston College.
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“You can re-imagine anything.” This was life advice that fashion designer Phillip Lim was given by his mother. His family escaped the Khmer Rouge and came to America as refugees. They had no resources and had to start over from scratch. Somehow, Phillip rose to become one of the most successful fashion designers in the world. He started his label 3.1 Phillip Lim with his business partner when they were both just 31 years old. In this heartfelt episode of House Call, we catch Phillip in a moment of evolution, surprising the fashion world by stepping away from his company and starting a new, unknown chapter in his life. As he opens up about his continuous journey of becoming, of re-imagining his life, Phillip and the Surgeon General ponder: how do you distinguish between success and fulfillment? How does being part of a community help our mental health? Why is creativity and sense of play so important? What is the connection between beauty and the values we live? While they come from very different worlds of medicine and fashion, Phillip and the Surgeon General are both guided by love of community, a desire to help others, and the inspiration of their mothers. (02:46) What role has Phillip Lim’s mom played in his life? (06:20) How did Phillip Lim maintain a sense of optimism in his early life? (09:20) How did curiosity and creativity put Phillip Lim on an unexpected path? (15:27) How did Phillip Lim navigate the competitive world of fashion? (18:54) What practices does Phillip Lim use to stay grounded? (23:02) What is the difference between success and fulfillment for Phillip Lim? (26:33) How can we find the courage to make big life changes? (31:58) How is Phillip Lim building community and advocating for mental health? (42:32) What message does Dr. Murthy have for Phillip Lim’s mother? (48:05) Phillip Lim asks Dr. Murthy for advice on empowering others to be seen, heard, and show up for each other. We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at [email protected] with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.
Do you feel you can no longer talk with people who hold different opinions? Has anger become the predominant tone? If we want this to change, how can we as individuals, change the way we talk and connect when we differ?