Atypical Asians

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians The crossroads of change; we all come to moments where we make some pivotal decisions that can alter all that we’ve grown accustomed to and how we live our everyday lives. The Atypical Asians is no stranger to that, and in episode 22, the guys see off cast member Geff Herrera as he takes up travel nursing, starting with a move from New York to Seattle. While it isn’t a goodbye from the podcast, and more importantly friends and family, he will be taking a hiatus of sorts from the programming. As the guys ponder the future, the group takes a dive into the nature of travel nursing and what comes with being on the move and working in different locations. In addition, the guys tackle some of the latest in popular culture, ranging from their own personal reactions (as well as media’s reaction) to Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix, the upcoming Terminator Dark Fate, Overwatch 2, the future release of Death Stranding on PC, and finally their feelings on Star Wars Episode IX, the final chapter in the Star Wars “Skywalker” saga. Geff's Departure Death Stranding Joker Movie HBO's Watchmen Overwatch 2 Star Wars Episode 9 Terminator Dark Fate Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians What is crab mentality? It’s an analogy that we use to describe human behavior that seeks to undermine the self confidence of other human beings in pursuit of success out of envy, jealousy, resentment, and competitiveness. We experience regardless of generation, ethnicity or nationality, and in episode 21 of the Atypical Asians the guys touch on crab mentality in the Asian community, especially regarding Asian American representation in media, and how we’ve begun to move past that. In addition, the guys discuss the rise and success of stars such as Awkwafina, and the hopes of her and other Asian Americans to sustain that wave of success and not make it merely a “trend”; to make meaningful and lasting stories for audiences to enjoy and remember years onward. In addition, the guys do a dive on the failure of Will Smith’s Gemini Man, and how perhaps the choice of 120 FPS versus the standard cinematic 24 FPS played a major role in its inability to connect with audiences (in addition to poor reviews, story/scripting, marketing blunders, or perhaps Will Smith’s star power versus previous generations and movies). Finally, the guys touch on other topics such as the upcoming Dr. Dolittle Remake with Robert Downey Jr, comparisons of stand up comedians such as Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, and Dave Chappelle. Gemini Man Akwafina's Come Up The Asian Wave Dr. Dolitte Eddy Murphy Will Smith Hugh Jackman Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians The idea of change is something that invokes a great response for those experiencing it. For some, in fear of said experience, they actively rebel or try to fight against. For others, it’s a phenomenon that they allow to be a part of their growth. In episode 20 of the Atypical Asians, the guys discuss the concept of change, first discussing some big changes in each member of the Atypical Asians; Geff’s big leap to Seattle, Jon and Gabe moving out together, Don’s new job, and each of their personal excitement about the transitions coming about. While they welcome some of the new changes, the guys discuss where change is being actively resisted, such as the protests for democracy in Hong Kong (and the recent controversy revolving around Blizzard’s banning of player Blitzchung over voicing his support for pro democracy). The conversation soon leans into an analysis of “Making America Great Again” (MAGA) being against change and to returning to “what used to be”, and how it’s played a role in shaping public opinion to get back/maintain power, similar to how communism shaped the Soviet Union, and how nationalism shaped China. Finally, the conversation comes full circle where the guys discuss the need for change and the lessons that come through failure; how the changes, the let downs, and the mistakes, help shaped each and every one of them to be who they are today. What's New Blizzard Ban Hong Kong Controversiy Spiderman Back in MCU What's 30 Like? Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians Artificial Intelligence. Machine Learning. Statistical Analysis and Algorithms. Popular terms used interchangeably in a rapidly growing and constantly evolving field in technology. You’ve probably watched enough movies such as Terminator and I,Robot or games such as Mass Effect to see a future where AI takes over and threatens humanity’s existence. But aside from what science fiction tells us, what do we actually know about it? In episode 18 of the Atypical Asians, the guys unpack and discuss the concepts of AI, machine learning, and statistical algorithms, and what distinguishes them particularly over one another. Whether it’s IBM Watson schooling all other Jeopardy contestants, League of Legends or Dota 2 AI’s predicting and countering moves of top players, or to the possibility of an AI being able to construct their own creative piece of art, it’s undeniable at the pace technology is moving at, and the future for it to come. The conversation is soon followed up with the recent Vape bans in the United States, and comparing it’s recent stigma in media, as well as banning of video games, is failing to address more direct causes of health and violence in our world today (such as alcohol, cigarettes, and gun control. Finally, the guys touch on the shutting down of MoviePass, the release of the Iphone 11 Pro and comparisons to rivals such as the Google Pixel 4, and naming some of their top horror movies and plot twists. Twisted Movies MoviePass Shutting Down Artificial Intelligence iPhone 11 Vape Ban Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians The experience of celebrating a holiday, even one as synonymous as Christmas can be such a different phenomenon from one country to the next; things such as climate, culture, and food have their impact on how people celebrate or spend their time despite the common customs a holiday brings. In episode 17 of the Atypical Asians, the guys compare what it’s like to spend time, and what’s more a holiday as big as Christmas, in a place outside of the New York; The Philippines. Home to relatives of some of the AA cast members, The Philippines shares some commonality in customs to Mexico and other Latin countries due to Spanish influences all the while having customs to call it’s own (such as the ornamental lantern known as the Parol). In comparing some of the food, weather, and experience differences of this holiday, the guys connect the conversation forward with what it’s like being an Asian-American in a different country altogether; how elements such as accents, upbringing, play in role not only in the experience of being in another country, but how one can feel and act because of it. In addition to this, the guys do a recap on the latest UFC 242 with Khabib Nurgmadomedov and Dustin Poirier, and discuss the highlights, letdowns, and perhaps lack of big rivalries in UFC as of 2019. Finally, the guys touch on recent release of the Bad Boys 3 starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the controversy surrounding Crazy Rich Asian’s wage disparity for Adele Lim, Pierce Brosnan and a potential female “James Bond”, and who each of the guys think is the most influential rapper of all time. Our Favorite Season Holiday Eats Language and Accents Customer Service Representatives UFC 242 Thoughts Bad Boys For Life Female James Bond Crazy Rich Asians' Adele Lim Asians in Hollywood Most Influential Rapper Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians What defines greatness? Is it a sense of purpose, the “why” we’re here; is it a sense of discipline and tenacity, “how” we go about our work and passions; or perhaps a little bit of both? In Episode 16 of the Atypical Asians, the guys reflect on their perspectives on greatness; what it means to ultimately be successful in our own eyes and the eyes of others, and the paths we embark on to accomplish our goals despite adversity surrounding us. This includes learning how to handle adversity and failure, and learning how to move forward despite certain setbacks. The conversation then moves onto the discussion of redemption in the eyes of social media and the way justice is handled in the eyes of the public. With the recent release of Dave Chapelle’s Sticks and Stones and backlash regarding his candid thoughts on “cancel culture”, the guys breakdown some of the controversy and analyze where things have been taken too far in the pursuit of equality and justice, how certain agendas can take away or undermine the efforts of those trying to make good change. This is further complicated by the question of whether people who are guilty of terrible deeds can ever learn or be considered redeemable in the eyes of others, something touched on in Season 3 of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. Finally, the guys touch on some of the latest news in regards to the up and coming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Joker (starring Joaquin Phoenix), Netflix’s scaling back of “binge watching” to weekly episodic releases, and the upcoming UFC 242 with Khabib Nurgmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. What is Greatness? Don's New Job Dave Chappelle Sticks and Stones Cancel Culture 13 Reasons Why Redemption Netflix Shows Released Weekly vs All at Once Rise of Skywalker Han Solo Movie Joker Trailer UFC 242: Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians The way we watch TV and digest movies or media today has changed thanks to the streaming service movement; the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go, to name a few, and up and coming services like Disney+, allow us limitless access to full season of tv shows, movies, and more at the touch of a button. It’s fundamentally changed how we view media compared to years before, and in episode 15 of the Atypical Asians, the guys examine how filmmakers, producers, and showrunners pace and tell their stories and the type of content that is generally formed in these streaming services, from cliffhanger, gripping endings that leave you thirsting for the next episode and binge watching a full episode through (here’s looking at you Game of Thrones and Stranger Things), to more family centric content capping out at a PG-13 rating (such as media under Disney+). The conversation also extends out to franchises that are returning with their latest, and possibly final installments in their series, such as Star Wars Episode IX (featuring a teaser of a Dark Rey and a double bladed lightsaber), Matrix 4 with Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann Moss, and 13 Reasons Why. Finally, the guys touch on a recent sore spot in the Disney-Marvel-Sony partnership, with disagreements leading to Spiderman no longer being part of the MCU, as well as the viral craze that is being led by Popeyes in their chicken sandwich, and the various comparisons it’s being made to rival Chick-Fil-A. Sleep Schedules TV Shows Release Styles Popeyes VS Chick-fil-A Chicken Sanwiches The Burning Amazon Spiderman Back to Sony Matrix 4 Star Wars Rise of Skywalker D23 and Disney+ I Love You, Now Die 13 Reasons Why Season 3 Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Confidence is everything in our world today; even the slightest boosts in attitude can be the difference between getting that job, impressing that special someone, or simply just allowing you to feel good about yourself. What they never tell you is that something as little as a good haircut can be that tipping factor, and having that go-to barber can be a world of difference. In episode 14 of the Atypical Asians, the group opens up about their experiences on finding that go-to barber, and how their experiences getting haircuts consistently from the same one or two barbers, has affected their lives in the simplest and subtle ways; whether it was looking good on the day to day, dressing up for formals, or preparing for that job interview (which the guys do a quick aside on some key bits that help an individual define themselves in an interview). The conversation then switches outward to the recent protests and riots in Hong Kong, and some of the recent controversy surrounding Mulan actress Liu Yifei, who recently voiced her support for the Hong Kong police. The controversy has led for some to actively boycott the upcoming Mulan film, despite the recent wave of Asian actors and actresses taking big spotlight roles in Hollywood, such as Henry Golding in the upcoming Last Christmas with Emilia Clarke. Finally, the guys touch on the outcome of UFC 241 and their reactions to it, as well as some of their own personal favorite tv series of late such as Euphoria on HBO, and Mindhunter on Netflix. Google Stadia Cheating on your Barber Interview Tips Mulan and the Hong Kong Riots Last Christmas & Emilia Clarke Mindhunter Season 2 and Euphoria Paradox of Intolerance Bananas Going Extinct UFC 241 Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST. Want us to cover something? Comment on our latest post on IG: @atypicalasians

One of the great milestones in becoming an adult is the process of living out on your own; independent of any form of parental guidance, and applying your knowledge, combined with trial and error to make things work and ends meet. In episode 13 of the Atypical Asians, the guys open up about the eye opening experiences and feelings of being outside the safety net of a family household, be it added responsibilities scheduling around work & pets, to the liberties of making your own schedule as you like or Uber-eating whenever you dare choose. In addition to the experience of living out on your own, the guys do a dive on the concept of enhancing your experiences via psychedelics, such as Iowaska. Finally the guys do a follow up to the 8chan controversy discussed in episode 12 of Atypical Asians, as well the upcoming UFC fights with the likes of Nate Diaz, Daniel Cormier, Dustin Poirier in the next lineup. Iowaska & Psychedelics Living on your own & how it feels to have responsibility 8chan & Hate Speech Popeyes Chicken Controversy Upcoming UFC Fights Presidents of the United States Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Outside science fiction and comic book franchises, such as Star Wars, Marvel, and DC, there’s only a handful of series that have managed to stay popular and relevant for generations. Even more so, reinvent itself in such a way that’s brought in new life, excitement, and interest into it. In Episode 12 of Atypical Asians, the guys examine a movie series that’s managed to continue going over 19 years; The Fast and The Furious. Originally starting off as a street racing series in LA, Florida, and Tokyo, by the fifth film of the franchise the Fast and the Furious had been able to redefine itself into a heist/spy action series. Despite the passing of beloved actor Paul Walker, an integral part of the Fast and the Furious, the series has stayed strong in the box office, even spawning Hobbs and Shaw as a successful spin-off of the series itself. The guys discuss some of the elements that made the series popular to begin with, and just how it’s managed to maintain its popularity through its evolution over the years, despite critique of the film having campy and cliched parts much like any other action film (e.g Lethal Weapon, John Wick). The guys soon follow up with a discussion about some of the recent developments in the gaming industry, such as gaming unionization, and how these changes will help protect and better aid industry developers from discrimination of any kind (such as those recently uncovered by Kotaku regarding women at Riot Games), as well as safeguarding job security in the event of company crisis (such as the layoff of employees at Telltale Games who had little notice or preparation to even backup portfolio work). Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw Halo TV Series Gamers Unionizing Witcher Netflix Series Awkwafina Campy Movie Success Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

We live pretty comfortably as a result of the digital age; it's easy to take that for granted until the moment power goes out, and we’re deprived of the things now consider basic necessities. In Episode 11 of the Atypical Asians, the guys do a dive back into the past and talk about living through some major blackouts or natural disasters that occurred in New York City, such as the blackout of the Northeast US in 2003, and Hurricane Sandy of 2012. These instances include the loss of electricity, network services, or shortages of gasoline, and what it meant to accomplish normal day to day things without it, such as unboxing candles for light during the nighttime or searching for gas stations that had available fuel on a near-empty tank. The guys also muse about what would happen in the event of greater, biblical-in-nature calamities would occur. Soon after, the discussion moves onto Cambridge Analytica, a data mining and analysis company widely known for its scandal with Facebook in 2018 regarding its acquisition and sale of personal information without its consent. Largely the focus of a recent documentary by Netflix known as “The Great Hack”, the guys discuss the effect Cambridge Analytica had on specific political events such as the US election in 2016, Brexit, and ultimately how their logging of personal data affected the spread (or mispread) of information to users worldwide. Finally, the guys do a second discussion on Shang Chi, Marvel’s upcoming and first superhero of Asian ethnicity, and talk about a controversy regarding Shang Chi’s villain, The Mandarin, to be played by well known Hong Kong actor Tony Leung. Blackout + Disasters we've been through together Grasshoppers in Vegas and Biblical Curses and how we'd react Cambridge Analytica and it's effect on the US. The big Hack. Shang Chi and Mandarin Controversy Avengers Endgame Deleted Scene Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Over the years, there’s been plenty of diets and health fads that people have followed for a “better lifestyle”. Keto diet, juice cleanses, intermittent fasting to name a few; we’ve all tried something in one way, shape or form. In Episode 10 of the Atypical Asians, the guys open this episode discussing the varying health trends and their experiences on the ones they personally followed, and the lasting impression or lessons it left them with; be it a change in their overall diet, or even giving them the motivation and attitude to keep moving forward. The conversation then takes a shift over to recent and upcoming releases laid out by Disney, first starting with the 2019 version of The Lion King. A heavily anticipated title in Disney’s live-action re-releases of classic titles, for many it missed the mark and soul their predecessors had, and the guys break down some of the accomplishments (and failures) The Lion King had, and comparisons to other titles such as The Jungle Book. They follow up with their excitement on Disney/Marvel’s big reveals at San Diego Comic-Con, such as Blade with Mahershala Ali, Thor, Dr. Strange, and a big one for Asian-Americans; Shang Chi. Musing over a superhero with Asian roots on the big screen, the guys reflect on some of the great strides Asian-Americans have had over the past year paved by titles such as Crazy Rich Asians and Always Be My Maybe, and the bright future moving forward with Marvel’s Shang Chi, The Farewell by Lulu Wang further opening the eyes of the world to the talents of Asians all over. Craziest Health Trend Attempted Lion King + Thoughts Dicks? Eric Andre's dick?! Blade & Marvel Phase 4/5 Favorite Upcoming Marvel Movie Asian American Experience Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

There’s a beauty in how we can access content, products, and services thanks to a fast-evolving digital age; right now you’re currently reading and accessing this podcast thanks to that. In Episode 9 of the Atypical Asians, the guys talk about the companies that are leading the charge in that accessibility, such as Google and Amazon, and breakdown some of the differences and similarities both have to offer, such as Google’s integration and ecosystem of their varying devices and apps, to Amazon’s own AI products, online ordering, and their recently passing Amazon Day. They connect it forward to the upcoming streaming service war, with competitors such as Disney, NBC, Google, and Amazon looking to take on Netflix, the company largely responsible for changing how we view and access tv shows, movies, and music today, and ultimately the costs required if one wants to be able to view content from each and every different company. Finally, they touch on some of the recent news, such as the pending invasion of Area 51 to discover about the true existence of Aliens. Amazon Prime Day Google vs Amazon Products Stream Service War Huawei & China Area 51 Event Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Disney has had some varying success with their live-action remakes of its many cartoon IPs; some loving their reimaginings, and others feeling it fails to capture the magic its predecessors did many years ago. In Episode 8 of the Atypical Asians, the guys get down to business and discuss the recently released teaser for the Mulan live-action remake, with some of the noteworthy differences and controversies including it no longer being a musical like it’s cartoon counterpart, and the absence of key characters like Mushu or Captain Shang. They also discuss another popular Disney title being crafted into a live-action film, The Little Mermaid, and some of the backlash that Disney has received for its casting of Halle Bailey (not Halle Berry) for the main role of Ariel. In addition to Mulan, the guys talk about Spiderman: Far From Home and where it stands in the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as Ari Aster’s Midsommar, a horror film by Ari Aster, who directed the acclaimed Hereditary. Finally, the discussion moves onto cosplayer and viral sensation Belle Delphine, and UFC 239’s outcome, such as the fastest KO recorded in the Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren fight at 5 seconds, and the accomplishments of Amanda Nunez and Jon Jones in their fights against Holly Holmes and Thiago Santos respectively. No Mushu Mulan Mysterio the Best Ever *Spoilers* Midsommar Review The Little Mermaid Belle Delphin's Water UFC 239 Live Every Wednesday at 9ish EST.

Lovable Losers: The New York Knicks. Avengers Endgame re-release to take on Avatar’s #1 spot. Changes in Apple’s design team and the leave of one of their key designers. Summer 2019’s off to an eventful kickoff in sports, media, and culture, and Episode 7 of Atypical Asians is out to unpack some of these big events. After what was widely considered a disappointing 2019 free agency for the team itself, the guys talk about the missed opportunity for the New York Knicks in acquiring key players for the team, with fan favorites such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving going to rival New York team, the Brooklyn Nets. The guys follow up with talks about the re-release of Avengers Endgame, and its bid to dethrone James Cameron’s Avatar as the number one film of all time worldwide. Already crowned number one in the US, it included 7 minutes of extra footage, a teaser for Spiderman: Far From Home, and a tribute to Stan Lee, and whether it was considered worth the watch for those who have already seen Endgame the first time around. Followed up by this is a discussion about the leave of key designer Jony Ives from Apple. An important individual next to Steve Jobs in Apple’s history, Ives had been instrumental in every design of Apple’s products over the past 20 years. The guys reflect on the legacy and impact his work has had on revolutionizing the world, and what it means for Apple now that he’s opened up his own company independent of the Apple umbrella.

Do you guys miss any of your local favorite spots that have either shuttered or changed from when you last saw it? In Episode 6 of the Atypical Asians, the guys do a small trip down memory lane and reminisce about food locations in their hometown that, while not Michelin award-winning, are long-running local favorites for dates & quick eats. Places such as the recently shuttered Douglaston’s Movieworld or Burger King, as well as Whitestone’s Christina’s and Cherry Valley, two neighborhood delis across the street each other known as a beacon of light for late night party hungry party goers. The guys also tackle “caring for mental health”; why it’s important to do so next to your own physical well-being, and ultimately why we need to destigmatize the idea of seeking help from a therapist. Opening up about some of their newfound ventures by stepping outside of their comfort zones, be it working out in a new gym, meeting new people, or even trying new experiences such as salsa dancing, the guys talk about how these experiences not only contribute to caring for your own well-being but how these new experiences help you learn to be your own hero.

In episode 5 of Atypical Asians, its the battle of the fast-casual dining! The guys give their personal grade on well known casual dining restaurants such as California Pizza Kitchen, Olive Garden, Applebees, and what they like or find better versus its contemporaries. The conversation then moves into discussing the careers of well-known comedians such as Dave Chappelle and Aziz Ansari; their impact and the “cost of success”, especially after career hiatuses or controversies relating to the #metoo movement, respectively. In addition to a brief recap on recent events such as MMA’s upcoming Dustin Poirier vs Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, and the assassination attempt of David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, they touch on “Scare-ness Awareness”; the lasting phenomenon one experiences after watching scary movies or media such as The Exorcist, The Grudge, and the Blair Witch Project.

In this episode of Atypical Asians, the guys do a dive on HBO’s Chernobyl, a miniseries focusing on the events of the nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986, and it’s effects on the world then and 30 years later. They then discuss some of the recently announced gaming titles unveiled at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, aka E3, and one of the world’s premier trade events for the gaming industry. Musing over how titles such as Death Stranding and Cyberpunk 2077 have notable Hollywood celebrities such as Norman Reedus and Keanu Reeves, they discuss how cinematic lines are being blurred with more actors having their likeness brought into gaming, and the future of gaming itself may tie in with this.

In the latest episode of Atypical Asians, the guys open up about some of their recent experiences in signing up for gym memberships, and comparing them with other fitness programs such as Better Body Fitness & Cross Fit. They follow up with discussions of upcoming games and events, such as the soft reboot of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, and the Electronic Entertainment Expo, aka E3. Finally, they air their thoughts on Netflix’s Always Be My Maybe, a romantic comedy with a brilliant and talented Asian-American cast. They discuss its impact on Asian representation media, and draw some comparisons to Crazy Rich Asians, another Asian led romantic comedy that saw much success in last year’s box office.

In this latest episode of Atypical Asians, the guys tackle the concept of “the immigrant mentality”; how it’s affected them growing up and ultimately its influence when they would someday raise children of their own. In addition, they touch on the series finale of Game of Thrones, the upcoming Loot Box Bill and where they see its placement based on it effect on a game’s play-ability. They discuss beloved actor Keanu Reeves, his current star status with John Wick Chapter 3 & his long spanning career, as well as movies they feel came in ahead of time and could be rebooted in the current generation.

In this new episode of Atypical Asians, the guys do a final thoughts and discussion on Avengers Endgame, followed by their thoughts on Season 8 episode 5 of Game of Thrones. Reflecting on the imminent end of varying franchises and comparing it to the ends of other beloved series such as Harry Potter and How I Met Your Mother, they think about “what’s next” in culture and media, and even touch on the return of some fan favorites such as Final Fantasy VII. Spoilers are mentioned for each series, so be warned!