Asians In Space

I am back from hiatus with a short personal story for whatever this moment is.

Join me as I countdown my favourite 10 anime episodes I watched this year in quarantine. For my list in written form: https://irving-chong.medium.com/my-ten-favourite-anime-episodes-i-watched-this-year-1363b0ef92d5

I’m joined in conversation this week in the isolation station by award winning author of the memoir, “Older Sister: Not Necessarily Related,” English professor at the University of Winnipeg, and giving BIPOC makeup booklooks on her socials daily: Jenny Heijun Wills. We discuss her lived experience as an adoptee in relation to her sense of self in the Asian diaspora, the power that a name holds, and her intention when making a syllabus and reading lists for her classes.

I’m joined in conversation this week in the isolation station by The Rested Revolution's own Flory Huang. We recorded this episode just as Black Lives Matter peaceful protests began around the world. We discuss the movement that is the Rested Revolution and why rest and resilience go hand in hand. 

I’m joined in conversation this week in the isolation station by chef, nutritionist, writer, and speaker Karima Chellouf. The initial plan was to talk to Karima about the restaurant industry during this pandemic however, as protests began last week this conversation turned into more of a discussion about the non-linear process of progress with food as an anchor to the discussion. Besides amplifying Black voices, sharing information on my Asian Canadian page and donating, this is what I can do, and to whomever listening I hope you choose to do whatever you can do as well.

I'm joined in converasation this week in my isolation station by my cousin Ai-Men Lau to discuss the ESPN and Netflix sports docu-series "The Last Dance."

I am joined in conversation this week by my good friend Anita Cheung to do a deep dive into the game of quarantine: Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Welcome to the friends and fam era of Asians in Space while we are social distancing during the pandemic. Every week I'm calling up friends or fam to just chat about anything not virus related to remind us that joy is not only allowed but necessary. This week I'm joined in conversation with Sol Diana & Francis Arevalo where we discuss one of our greatest loves: basketball.

This week I am joined in conversation with writer, poet, and organizer Jane Shi. We discuss her translation google doc for Asian communities in Canada wanting to talk to non-english speakers in their lives about the Wet'suwet'en land defenders and protectors, their experience and emotional residue from being at the blockades, and their process of finding and growing into their voice.

I am joined in conversation this week with actor and artistic producer for Universal Limited Theatre Yoshie Bancroft. This week we dive into the larger theme of what it means to navigate the ocean that is art as activism and all of the peaks, valleys, and waves that live there.

I am joined this week in conversation by photographer, storyteller, and community organizer Kayla Isomura. We discuss everything in regards to the suitcase project, how to bridge intergenerational trauma, and the question, “No, where are you really from?”

I am joined this week in conversation by violinist, singer, and one half of Laydy Jams Sejal Lal. We unpack her musical identity and the process to find it, she talks about her mentors and taking care of her craft, and we break myths around creativity.

I am joined in conversation this week by Korean Canadian cis-woman Ji-Youn Kim who is a counselor and facilitator living and working on unceded Coast Salish Territory. We dive into inter-generational trauma and the emotions that come out of this, why the need to be perfect is damaging, and the struggle of finding a non-white counselor/therapist.

I am joined in conversation this week by Alia Ali. Alia is a self-described speaker and leadership instructor but above all she considers herself an empathy engineer. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, she grew up being a part of many communities but never wholly in one. In this episode we explore what that all means.

I am joined in conversation this week by comedian, poet, and co-host/producer of Millennial Line and Yellow Fever Comedy Tin Lorica. In this free flowing episode we discuss growing up in Calgary, responses to white fragility, and I drop plenty of Canadian history off the top of my head.  Show dates this month: Yellow Fever Comedy ft. Sheng Wang - February 13th at the Biltmore. Matt Braugner - February 18th at the Biltmore. Millennial Line - February 20th at Red Gate.

This week on Asians In Space I am joined in conversation with storyteller and aspiring therapist Patrica Mirth.  We discuss how she got into competing, the difference between writing for competitions and writing for oneself, and the importance of storytelling in our lives. Music by Francis Arevalo. Logo by Gracelle Mesina. Stay updated at @asiansinspace.

In part with my conversation with chef, nutritionist, writer, and speaker Karima Chellouf; we discuss why knowing stories behind what you eat is necessary before paying tribute to her popo by talking about one of their favourite things: pro wrestling. We end the episode by discussing her favourite places to eat in the city. Music is by Francis Arevalo. Logo design is by Gracelle Mesina. Follow Asians In Space on IG @asiansinspace.

This week on Asians In Space I talk to chef, nutritionist, writer, and speaker Karima Chellouf. In part one of our conversation I ask Karima how do expectations when she was younger - expectations for herself, family, and immediate world and beyond - affect expectations of herself today. The second large question I asked her, what is her process of trying to accept the two oppositional truths of her identity: the importance of celebrating all parts of herself while also knowing and understanding her ancestral countries are at war with each other.  Music by Francis Arevalo. Logo by Gracelle Mesina. Stay updated at @asiansinspace.

My guest this week is creator, performer, and collaborator Nicole Yukiko. We discuss a performance she was involved last year Japanese Problem, what should people do with white guilt, she shares her love of SNL, and more. Enjoy. Music by Francis Arevalo. Logo by Gracelle Mesina. Stay updated at @asiansinspace.

My guest this week on Asians in Space is stand up comedian Andrea Jin. We discuss her bit about her 26 year old virgin friend and their pact, how Hollywood has failed in portraying Asian men as sexy, her history with stand up comedy, her podcast IFU, her top five comedians, and her debut comedy album taping, which is on January 31st at Little Mountain Gallery, 8 & 10PM, tickets which can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrea-jin-comedy-album-taping-tickets-84560933027 Music by Francis Arevalo. Logo by Gracelle Mesina. Stay updated at @asiansinspace.

If Asians in Space isn't the latest Space Program, what is it exactly? Music by Francis Arevalo. Logo by Gracelle Mesina. Stay updated at @asiansinspace.