AMPlified Podcast: Voices of Artists and Activists

NYC-based musician Darro Chea shares the harrowing tales of health setbacks and surgeries that lead to the discovery of a life changing brain tumor and how he is staying healthy and releasing new music, inspired by his recovery, amidst a global pandemic.Check out Darro's new album, Songs of Recovery, herehttps://darrochea.com

Musician, producer and creative human Bao Vo discusses the recording and release of his new solo album, Perpetual Heartbreak, during the ups and many downs of 2020. Check out Bao's album here: baovomusic.comas well as his new show, Coffee with Bao, at baovomusic.com/#shows

Michelle Fujii, of Unit Souzou, talks about self care during the many detours of 2020, addressing race relations between Black and Asian Americans, and how she was able to bring together over 200 taiko community members, from across the US, for a series of virtual gatherings called Re-Imagining a New World: Building Practices of Awareness, Activism and Anti-racism as a Taiko Community.Please check out Unit Souzou at unitsouzou.comFor interviews from Re-Imagining a New World, please visit Michelle's YouTube page.

Musician, educator and activist Ariel Bui shares how she’s been navigating the many stresses of 2020, processing trauma, dealing with activist burnout and the importance of self care and therapy.For more info on Melodia Studio and its online music lesson offerings, please visit melodiastudio.com. Also, check out arielbui.com for Ariel’s many projects, including her albums, performances and nonprofit work.

Discussing the Radical Dharma chapter, It's Not About Love After All, and the roles of collective and individual liberation in our movement for social justice.

Jason K Cummings discusses his role in speaking up about a problematic Facebook post mocking George Floyd's murder, by someone in the Asian American community in Eugene, Oregon.Article on the aftermath of the Facebook post.Jason and Joe also chat about navigating social media in 2020, mental and physical health during a pandemic, as well as how to engage in activism on a local level.

Musician, composer and organizer Tanya Palit Husain talks healing, repairing, productivity and creative outlets in the time of a global pandemic. Recording during the first weekend of the Justice of George Floyd protests, Tanya and Joe also explore the importance of therapy and support for activists on the frontline.As discussed in the podcast, here are links to Taraji P. Henson's charity:https://borislhensonfoundation.org/and more information about the ever growing Mutual Aid Networks:https://www.idealist.org/en/days/what-is-a-mutual-aid-network

A collective of Asian American artists and activists from APANO's Arts and Media Project discuss the Preface and Introduction to Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owens, Jasmine Syedullah. Recorded the day after the start of the Justice for George Floyd protests across the country, the group examines their own relationships to systemic racism, processes the developing unrest and ongoing oppression of the Black Community, and tries to apply the teachings of Radical Dharma to become better supporters and allies.