Interstice

In a thoughtful and tummy-rumbling-inducing episode, Tina and Ploy chat with Michelle Chen, UX Researcher and daughter of a restaurant-owning family in the Chicago area, about the emotional impact of recent anti-Asian hate events and most importantly, the Asian-American food experience. They talk about what it means to have an authentic food experience, fusion food, and how Asian-owned small business is a means of survival.

In this very political episode, Tina and Ploy discuss the 2020 election feels. They talk about navigating uncertainty, what their policy and reform hopes are, and how what it means to be a post-Trump American.

Loving yourself begins with caring for yourself. In this introspective episode, Tina and Ploy are joined by Alisha Moore, a multi-disciplined designer and active design community member. They talk about mental health, everyday acts of self-care, and what it means to demand more with each pressing generation.

There are magical lessons to be learned from our favorite childhoods stories. In this whimsical episode, Tina and Ploy are joined by Derrick Ligon author of the article Hardship & Privilege. Together, they talk about their favorite Dumbledore quotes and their different journeys engaging with the Black Lives Matter movement.

In this transitional episode, Tina and Ploy talk about COVID-19, socially distancing, and the internet's favorite documentary, Tiger King.

How do you love someone who is different from you? Ploy and Tina celebrate all types of love in this episode with Lawrence Humphrey, a creator of AI Design Practices in tech and a lover of music and personality tests. In this episode we discuss love languages, Black History Month, and allyship.

Fortune cookies, Zodiac signs, and Panda Express—Tina and Ploy celebrate Lunar New Year on Interstice! In this first episode of 2020, discussions revolve around the topics of Asian American identity, the model minority, and the bamboo ceiling. We are joined by Paula Le, designer, maker of ceramics, and mother of dogs and a hedgehog.

In this feel-good episode, Tina and Ploy talk about aliens, Netflix subtitles, and what it means to be a good collaborator on an international team. We are joined by Randy Tolentino, a developer and former hip-hop artist with a penchant for a good conspiracy. Randy wrote an article for Smashing Magazine titled: "Creating Authentic Human Connections Within A Remote Team" which highlights how we can connect with each other, even when we're not all working in the same room.

Gobble gobble...yum yum! On this delicious episode, Tina and Ploy discuss Thanksgiving, decolonizing design, and how to talk to your racist uncle at the dinner table this season. We are joined by Kat Zhou, designer and creator of Design Ethically— a framework for professionals in the tech industry to implement ethical practices in their day-to-day process.

On the premiere episode of Interstice, Tina and Ploy discuss Halloween at their workplace as designers in tech. Halloween at the design studio is a grand affair that takes a lot of work to create a big splash.