Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Borjon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ashley, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my unyielding belief in hope. As a young girl growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I learned about optimism as a participant in my elementary school’s junior “Optimist Club” essay competition. However, long before that, I knew about hope from my roots in Houston, Texas.
I learned in early childhood just how powerful it is—hopefulness, prayer, manifestation, meditation, karma, whatever it is that one wants to call it—to believe that the best is yet to come. My family instilled hope in me to be the best version of myself, so I don’t know life without optimism. And even in my most pessimistic moments, there’s still an ounce of hope! Over the decades, I’ve learned that hope can be dashed. I’ve experienced disappointments, heartbreaks, and setbacks, no different from anyone who’s lived long enough, but restoring hope isn’t a fruitless effort.
I have many positive influences around me to stay optimistic, too! My husband, whose optimism keeps him pushing toward becoming a professional pilot and career growth in aviation, constantly reminds me that a determined spirit can move mountains. I look at my sisters—educators, sorors, semi-pro gamers, multi-hyphenate entertainers, and entrepreneurs—and see how they navigate their lives with grace and humor to bolster their optimism, and I’m inspired.
Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc. If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc)
My name is Ashley Borjon, and I reside in Houston, Texas. I am the creative behind An Album a Day (A3Day) and A3Day Sister Show, two music commentary podcasts centered on South Korean popular music, generally called K-pop. At the time of this publication, assuming the roles of podcast host and producer of A3Day has earned a finalist nomination for the 2023 Sonic Bloom Awards!
Before becoming a voice behind a microphone, YouTube was the first space to afford me many opportunities under the moniker Multifacetedacg, the word for having many facets combined with my former initials.
When I started creating videos on YouTube, the platform was only seven years old. Thus, I was part of the wave of first- and second-generation American commentators on South Korean entertainment that, ultimately, pushed the Korean Wave of culture to the forefront of interest in the early 2010s. This was the time of “Gangnam Style,” when prominent names were now unknown trainees, while groups such as Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, BIGBANG, 2PM, and MBLAQ were still reigning. For 10 years, I uploaded music video reactions, artist interviews, and travel vlogs related to this content, developing a supportive community globally.
I never did earn a viable income from YouTube alone, so I leveraged the media I created for other opportunities. I eventually gained more notoriety through appearances at local fan-hosted events, KCON USA, Seoul Fashion Week, and more. Working in the press pit for artists like GOT7, BTS, and AOMG, for example, allowed me to thrive as a consultant and digital journalist for domestic and international tastemakers and brands, such as KpopStarz, Korea.net, The Kraze, Kcrush America, and MACG Magazine.
In May 2019, I embarked upon an ambitious commitment to distinguish myself as a music historian with the debut of An Album a Day: A Review of Every Album in K-pop. The English-language podcast traverses over 30 years of discographies with opinionated and fact-based commentary and currently boasts an audience of over 10,000 listeners. Spotify, the podcast was streamed in 40 countries in 2023, with the United States bringing in 46% of my total streams.
I am proud of this organic growth. My unique position as a Black American woman in this niche has proven to be an asset, shaping me into an effective instructor and career coach. As I look towards the future, my ambitions continue to evolve. I have a passion for wine, for example. After completing training, I aim to incorporate my experience with the world of wine as a traveling wine educator.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most impactful contributions to my journey were optimism, mentoring, and autonomous learning. Since I’ve shared my thoughts about optimism, I’ll address the other two contributions.
Mentoring still plays a crucial role in my journey, allowing me to gain valuable knowledge and skills. Through the guidance of mentors, I have learned to recognize signs of resilience and the importance of taking breaks when needed. I have also come to appreciate the balance between independence and seeking guidance from others. These skills will continue to evolve and shape my path. Recognizing the significance of mentoring, I have taken the initiative to host a quarterly cohort since 2016, providing a motivating and supportive space for others to connect.
Another significant contribution to my journey has been autonomous learning. This aspect is particularly evident in my pursuit of foreign language acquisition. By taking control of my learning activities, I explored various websites and apps, engaged with Korean television shows and dramas, and interacted with native speakers and multilingual individuals. While I may not be fluent, this approach has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the Korean language and appreciate the nuances of South Korean culture while minimizing misappropriation.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Time management can be a major obstacle to achieving goals. Despite my efforts to minimize my workload, there is still room for improvement! One common issue I face is the emergence of adjacent goals. For instance, when attending an event, I often find myself taking on additional responsibilities, such as becoming a guest speaker. This not only changes the original goal but also increases my workload.
To tackle this challenge, I dedicated the month of December to focusing on my top four goals: wellness, family, personal growth, and career advancement. By prioritizing these goals, I can set weekly objectives and identify two or three tasks to accomplish. New ideas and pursuits are added to a general list in my journal with the understanding that they could be postponed to a later quarter or even a different year if they do not align with the overall four goals.
This approach has forced me to view time differently. While I cannot control time itself, I can be more intentional about how I utilize it. Although it is not an easy task, I am determined to make progress in 2024.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a3daypodcast.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a3daypodcast
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/a3daypodcast
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/instructoraborjon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@a3day
Image Credits
Sonic Bloom Awards logo courtesy of She Podcasts [https://www.sonicbloomawards.com]
