Ep 73: I’m a Failure: The Real Reason I Started a Podcast
Tue Feb 03 2026
I started a podcast because I'm a loser.
This episode is the origin story I've never told: going blind, ending up in a wheelchair, and the freedom that comes with nothing left to lose. (Any Janis Joplin fans here?)
It's about the almost-but-not-quite Hollywood successes, my dad's mountain range philosophy, and why Navy SEALs know something about drowning the rest of us need to hear.
But really, it’s about this:
The more I owned my loser status, the more people related to me. And I hope it gives you courage to own your failures too.
Best Quotes:
"Everyone is performing success all the time, even when we're drowning. Especially when we're drowning."
"I was the silent Asian. To this day, we still play this game. We watch TV and we see an Asian, we're like, oh, silent Asian. That Asian never gets to speak."
IN THIS EPISODE:
Elijah Wood was my dream prom dateHow to be on TV and still feel like a failureThe $1 million conversation that set me freeWhy my life is one long Navy SEAL drown-proofing drillWhat my dad would say about Beck's "Loser" hitting #10 on Billboard 100
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Why I Started My Podcast
00:34 Blind and Paralyzed
00:57 Beck & My Hollywood Dreams
03:37 Failure & the Asian Dad
04:30 The $1 Million Story
05:24 The Bottom Bounce: Navy SEALs Know How to Sink
06:54 Owning Failure Publicly
09:21 The Loser's Anthem
10:36 Join Us at the Bottom
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Sophia Chang is a Reese's Book Club LitUp fellow, disabled dancer, and the world’s first iPod silhouette model. She hosts The Sophia Chang Show, coaches new podcasters, and believes deadlifts can change your life. She will make out with your dog. Learn more at: www.sophiachang.com
Podcast content is for entertainment purposes only. Don't jump into a pool with your hands tied, obvs.
TOPICS: bottom comeback, podcast origin story, failure in publishing, Asian American author, minorities in Hollywood, traditional publishing struggles, writing community, imposter syndrome writers, creative career failure, disability and creativity, honest publishing podcast
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I started a podcast because I'm a loser. This episode is the origin story I've never told: going blind, ending up in a wheelchair, and the freedom that comes with nothing left to lose. (Any Janis Joplin fans here?) It's about the almost-but-not-quite Hollywood successes, my dad's mountain range philosophy, and why Navy SEALs know something about drowning the rest of us need to hear. But really, it’s about this: The more I owned my loser status, the more people related to me. And I hope it gives you courage to own your failures too. Best Quotes: "Everyone is performing success all the time, even when we're drowning. Especially when we're drowning." "I was the silent Asian. To this day, we still play this game. We watch TV and we see an Asian, we're like, oh, silent Asian. That Asian never gets to speak." IN THIS EPISODE: Elijah Wood was my dream prom dateHow to be on TV and still feel like a failureThe $1 million conversation that set me freeWhy my life is one long Navy SEAL drown-proofing drillWhat my dad would say about Beck's "Loser" hitting #10 on Billboard 100 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why I Started My Podcast 00:34 Blind and Paralyzed 00:57 Beck & My Hollywood Dreams 03:37 Failure & the Asian Dad 04:30 The $1 Million Story 05:24 The Bottom Bounce: Navy SEALs Know How to Sink 06:54 Owning Failure Publicly 09:21 The Loser's Anthem 10:36 Join Us at the Bottom FREE Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing decision tree: https://bit.ly/freeflowchart Sign up for my newsletter to get more unfiltered truths. https://thesophiachang.substack.com/ No social media! Newsletter is the ONLY way to stay connected Sophia Chang is a Reese's Book Club LitUp fellow, disabled dancer, and the world’s first iPod silhouette model. She hosts The Sophia Chang Show, coaches new podcasters, and believes deadlifts can change your life. She will make out with your dog. Learn more at: www.sophiachang.com Podcast content is for entertainment purposes only. Don't jump into a pool with your hands tied, obvs. TOPICS: bottom comeback, podcast origin story, failure in publishing, Asian American author, minorities in Hollywood, traditional publishing struggles, writing community, imposter syndrome writers, creative career failure, disability and creativity, honest publishing podcast