The Power of Enough: Choosing More Mommy Over More Money, Investing In Yourself, and Being A Leader In AI Ethics With Irene Liu (Ep. 199)
Wed Dec 17 2025
What happens when a high-powered executive, responsible for scaling multi-billion dollar companies, is asked by her 10-year-old: "What does that money actually mean to us?"
In this deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Irene Liu, founder of Hypergrowth GC and former Chief Financial and Legal Officer at Hopin. Irene shares her journey from the Department of Justice to the front lines of the AI revolution, where she now advises the California Senate on AI safety.
We explore the "Politics of the C-Suite," the necessity of high EQ in leadership, and why Irene decided to step out of the "survival mode" of corporate life to define what "enough" looks like for her family.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
Resilience born from crisis: how working in finance in Manhattan during 9/11 shaped Irene's mental fortitude.
Navigating layoffs with humanity: whether you are the one being let go, the one left with survivor's guilt, or the executive making the difficult calls.
The art of the pivot: effective strategies for transitioning from public service and government roles into the private sector.
The AI frontier: a sobering look at the "Empire of AI," the global race for innovation, and the urgent need for safeguards to protect children and vulnerable populations.
The path to the C-Suite: the two key qualities you need to transition from "just a lawyer" to a business leader.
"More Mommy" vs. "More Money": how to evaluate career choices through the lens of family values and the "seasons of life."
Owning your growth: Why you shouldn't let your employer drive your career, and the importance of self-investment and building a genuine community.
Connect with us:
Learn more about our guest, Irene Liu, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneliu1/.
Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/.
Get a copy of Samorn's book, Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy, at https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8.
Ready for a career change? Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
Disclaimer: Irene would like our listeners to know that her views expressed in this podcast are her own and do not represent those of any referenced organizations.
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What happens when a high-powered executive, responsible for scaling multi-billion dollar companies, is asked by her 10-year-old: "What does that money actually mean to us?" In this deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Irene Liu, founder of Hypergrowth GC and former Chief Financial and Legal Officer at Hopin. Irene shares her journey from the Department of Justice to the front lines of the AI revolution, where she now advises the California Senate on AI safety. We explore the "Politics of the C-Suite," the necessity of high EQ in leadership, and why Irene decided to step out of the "survival mode" of corporate life to define what "enough" looks like for her family. In this episode, we dive deep into: Resilience born from crisis: how working in finance in Manhattan during 9/11 shaped Irene's mental fortitude. Navigating layoffs with humanity: whether you are the one being let go, the one left with survivor's guilt, or the executive making the difficult calls. The art of the pivot: effective strategies for transitioning from public service and government roles into the private sector. The AI frontier: a sobering look at the "Empire of AI," the global race for innovation, and the urgent need for safeguards to protect children and vulnerable populations. The path to the C-Suite: the two key qualities you need to transition from "just a lawyer" to a business leader. "More Mommy" vs. "More Money": how to evaluate career choices through the lens of family values and the "seasons of life." Owning your growth: Why you shouldn't let your employer drive your career, and the importance of self-investment and building a genuine community. Connect with us: Learn more about our guest, Irene Liu, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneliu1/. Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn's book, Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy, at https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8. Ready for a career change? Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com. Disclaimer: Irene would like our listeners to know that her views expressed in this podcast are her own and do not represent those of any referenced organizations.