Treating Steven He & His Emotional Damage

Listen to full episodes of the podcast here:

Steven He is a comedian, actor, and media pioneer who you may have seen online in the last year as the "emotional damage" guy. This line from one of Steven's videos hit a meteoric viral rise in the summer of 2022, but unlike many viral stars who are a flash in the pan, Steven was ready. His years of hustling as a working actor and content creator allowed him to run with his success and build a rapidly growing audience of people who enjoy his "Off Brand" TikToks or YouTube shorts about his most popular character known only as "Asian Dad". Steven has big plans for the future with the impending release of his original series "Ginormo" and a seemingly never-ending waterfall of fresh content across social media. We talked about his health, specifically the recent surgery he had on a cyst above his eye he believes was caused by stress. We also shared stories of our immigration backgrounds. Steven was born in China, raised in Ireland, and then went to college in the UK and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, so we actually have a lot on common. I'm so grateful we got to spend a full day together and hope you enjoy our conversation!

00:00 Intro
00:51 Worst Auditions
08:32 Starting Social Media
16:38 Emotional Damage
19:26 Mental and Physical Health
26:36 Eyebrow Surgery
44:00 Reading Negative Comments
59:20 Chinese Pressure
1:05:35 Why He Left China
1:13:20 Coping Mechanisms
1:22:53 Failure Management
1:31:30 Lightning Round

Follow Steven:

Executive Producer and Host: Dr. Mike Varshavski
Produced by Dan Owens and Sam Bowers
Art by Caroline Weigum

Help us continue the fight against medical misinformation and change the world through charity by becoming a Doctor Mike Resident on Patreon where every month I donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity, organization, or cause of your choice! Residents get access to bonus content, an exclusive discord community, and many other perks for just $10 a month. Become a Resident today:

Let’s connect:

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[StevenHe]

HAHAHA my emotional damage has been treated 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[Stefandup]

Steven is truly making his father proud with free doctors appointments

[debasmitade]

The way Doctor Mike talks, the passion, the thoughtfulness and attention to details in whatever he talks about is what we all want from a human being during a conversation. This is exactly how podcasts should be.

[avro-day]

Whenever he talks about Ireland his accent becomes 10x more Irish.

[surewhatever]

Regarding Steven’s story about how childhood events (like walking home alone) can stick with you: My parents would often forget to pick us up and we lived in a rural area, 12 miles from anything. This was before cellphones, so we had to stay put until they remembered and scrambled to get us.

When I became a parent, I made absolutely sure I was at the front of the pick up line. My kids didn’t have that scar and after a while, asked me to hold back (not too much, of course) so they could have a little chill time with their friends after school let out. It was impactful! It helped me to separate my anxieties from theirs and see them - and myself, much more clearly.

[IIITheDeadGamerIII]

"Walk around the school with nothing to do because you're waiting for breaks to end"
I relate to that so much. That's my life, lol. Relate so much to introversion and staying in my room doing my own thing.

I grew up a loner. Still am to this day.

[JoshuaDagamac]

I wanna point out how emotionally strong Steven is. The first part of the video is how he struggled as an actor but the energy he gives out is pure happiness. You my guy are my idol now.thats some superhero thing going on

[splishsplash]

“I think the current version of me is my favorite” man…. That hit me hard.

[cytavares]

What a mature conversation between two admirable men. I could listen to this conversation for hours.

[zombra]

When Steven talks about his before when he made videos it was carefree and then later it became stressful, I call that "When you turn a hobby into a chore" sucks the fun right outta the project.
That's really hard.
You're doing great Mr. He. keep up the great work.

Yes, you too Dr. Mike.

[eosrose]

I love dr. Mike's honest concern about Steven. He is so serious and takes it with a professionalism, that i could see his great medical knowledge and empathy. I love it so much 😊

[heikanaomi]

'Make an effort not to abuse my body'
...I needed to hear this..single mom to a kiddo with nine disabilities, also trying to work to make our lives better ect etc...i get 4-5 hours of sleep and my body is shot

I needed this. Thank you both 💜

[rebel.taylord]

I really relate to the closing up and endure as a coping mechanism Steven talked about. I am ethnically chinese and have abusive parents. What I told myself as a child is "you will get through this, just get through this, only a few more years". Friends said they don't know much about me, complain I don't open up, and I don't let anyone in because in my mind I only have me and I must protect myself.

[evolvingmc]

The collab I never thought would existed, 2 legends, coming together, 2 of my favorite YouTubers, finally happened

[marcus_w]

You will never ever see Steven He beyond his characters for more than an hour, ever again.Thumbs up, Mike. You made him be himself for the time. This is quite a task for a person like Steven.

[TamunaTsertsvadze]

Agreed, Steven. Works the same for all arts imo. I was warned by my parents that writing wasn't an easy job, but they encouraged me to do what I wanted. So I became a writer (in 3 fields - books, games, movie/TV screenplays). Now whoever tells me they wanna become a writer I warn them of the emotional damage they gonna receive on the journey if they ain't prepared :')

(I wouldn't trade my writing career for anything else, tho. I love my job and I keep improving <3 )

[DS-ligo]

Steven's points on comedy are absolutely spot on. Love both these creators. Definitely want expecting this crossover.

[navyalikhitabavisetti]

I just want to say Steven... conversation about stereotypes and bullies....very well articulated 👏👏👏

[darkstarwulf]

I love how it is a interview that turns into trauma diving. I will honestly say I never thought about disassociating, or what it was like or looked like...so yeah guess I really need to see a therapist now, have a bit more unpacking that I thought I did.

[LizHellsing]

I love that there is still so much medical talk in these. Love listening to these.