Korean American Perspectives

Our seventh and final episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Jennifer Koh, Internationally-Acclaimed Violinist and Founder & Artistic Director of ARCO Collaborative. To speak with her, we have world-class concert pianist and music educator Alpin Hong as our guest host.   In this interview, Ms. Koh shares with us her many musical accomplishments as a gifted violinist and how her own family history and Chicago upbringing have shaped her tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the arts.   Join us as our distinguished guests candidly discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performing arts community and explore Ms. Koh's newly commissioned works which bring together women and other artists of color to tell their stories.

In our sixth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Marshall Cho, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Lake Oswego High School.   In this interview, Marshall recounts how an early career in teaching coupled with a childhood love of sports first introduced him to the world of coaching. Later, he describes his endeavors in Mozambique where he participated in high-profile international basketball programs with the NBA and Nike before returning to the States to coach players at the high school, college, and national level.   Join us as Marshall shares with us his coaching philosophy on leading with authenticity and focusing on core values which extend not only to his career but also to his life and family.

In our fifth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, we speak with Debbie Shon, Chief Strategy Officer of USA Gymnastics, legal and political advisor, NBA registered agent, and Vice Chair of the Smithsonian National Asian Pacific American Center.   Debbie Shon is a third-generation Korean American and a woman of many firsts. In this interview, she shares with us her fond memories of growing up on USC’s campus, the towering influence of her mother, and the detours in her career that turned into surprising opportunities in law, politics, sports, and advocacy.   As we track through Debbie’s multifaceted career, she encourages young people to follow their bliss and calls upon the Korean American community to push the envelope. Much of this ethos is also reflected in her work with the Smithsonian where she believes that Asian Americans need to have their voices heard for the sake of their past, present, and future.

In our fourth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, we sit down with Dow Kim, a former leading Wall Street financier, philanthropist, and loving father.   In this interview, we discuss how Dow leverages his talents and love for finance, his tenure at Merrill Lynch & Co, and his philanthropy work as the President of the Dow Kim Family Foundation.   Join us as we explore the life of successful financier and philanthropist, Dow Kim. We dig deep into his life and ask key questions: What was the secret behind his meteoric career in finance? Why is he focusing his philanthropy to help the Korean American community? Why does he hope many more Korean Americans will give back to their community?

Our third episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Tammy Kim, Vice Mayor of the City of Irvine and Founder & Managing Director of the Korean American Center in California.   In this interview, we explore Tammy’s successful career path as a former Fortune 500 company executive, nonprofit leader, and now Vice Mayor. Despite her career success and achievements, Tammy shares with us the challenges and adversity she faces all the way from early in her life as a college student to now as an elected official.   As we listen to Tammy’s family immigration journey to Flint, Michigan, her career in talent acquisition and nonprofit, and now her political career as Vice Mayor, Tammy reminds us that it is our own duty to lay the groundwork to combat racial adversity.

Our second episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Chang-Rae Lee, a celebrated Korean American novelist. To speak with him, we have guest host, Stephanie Han, Ph.D. who is an award-winning author, educator, and speaker.   In this episode, Chang-Rae Lee and Dr. Stephanie Han take a deep dive into his latest novel, My Year Abroad. They explore the novel’s themes, its colorful characters, and adventures, as well as how food plays a role in Chang-Rae’s writing. They also connect the novel with the Asian American experience and discuss how identity formation is very particular to each person as well as the myriad of complexities and questions it presents.   Chang-Rae Lee reminds us that it’s important to take risks, journey throughout the world, and ask questions especially when discovering oneself.    Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

Our first episode of Season Three of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Steve Park, the Founder and Executive Director of Little Lights Urban Ministries here in Washington, D.C.   Since its founding in 1995, Steve Park dedicates his time and energy to serving those especially in need within the African American community. However, it was not always a walk in the park for Steve. In this interview, Steve paints a picture of his upbringing as a Korean immigrant, his transformation from being a devout atheist, the founding of Little Lights, and the work he currently does today during the global pandemic.   As we delve into his work in racial reconciliation and his Race Literacy 101 class, Steve reminds us how Korean Americans can do better and play a significant role in the national conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI).   Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

We’re glad to be back with Season Three of our podcast, Korean American Perspectives.   This season, we’re introducing three new initiatives. First, we will be bringing in Korean American leaders within the Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Sports (ACES) space. Second, we will introduce discussions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) by bringing in subject matter experts and other Korean American leaders dedicated to this work.   Lastly, we are introducing a new video format so that you can both listen and see who are our guests. This means that our the Korean American Perspectives Podcast will be available on all podcast platforms as well as the CKA YouTube channel.    We are kicking off the season with Steve Park who is the Founder and Executive Director of Little Lights Urban Ministries as well as last year’s recipient of the CKA Embrace Unity Award.   With social distancing still in effect, this will be a great time for you to not only listen to our revamped podcast but also send us feedback or interviewee suggestions at podcast@councilka.org.   As always, we’re sending all of our love to you and your family and we wish you safety, health, and also a bit of sanity.   Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

Our eleventh and final episode of Korean American Perspectives features Dr. Stephanie Han, award-winning author of Swimming in Hong Kong. Many of us grew up reading books and novels, often very strongly identifying with the characters or stories we grew up with. But it’s difficult when we don’t see ourselves represented in books or literature, and for many Asian American writers and authors, it’s intimidating to be the first. Stephanie tells us that we must be brave and make that leap, both for ourselves and for others in our communities. Stephanie Han is a 3rd-generation Korean American award-winning writer. She shares great insights into how we can teach ourselves and our children to enjoy reading books, practice how we write and develop our inner voices, and explore what it truly means to be Korean American. Stephanie’s story is inspiring to future writers, parents of young readers, literary enthusiasts, and anyone who is curious about how our identities are shaped.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features Eugene Cho, Founder and Visionary of One Day’s Wages and President-Elect of Bread for the World.   You can’t talk about the Korean American community without mentioning faith and spirituality. For many of us growing up in immigrant families, the church often served as the bedrock that grounded our Korean American society here in the United States. Pastors would serve dual-purpose as family counselors, social workers, language interpreters, and more. Even today, the church continues to play a critical role in the health and welfare of the Korean American immigrant community.   My guest today is Reverend Eugene Cho, a 1.5 generation Korean American pastor, inspirational speaker, author, and humanitarian. A man of many passions, Eugene has traveled the world to speak with churches, nonprofits, leaders, justice workers all across the world. From founding the influential Quest Church in Seattle during a major recession to leading a global grassroots movement to alleviate extreme global poverty through his nonprofit, One Day’s Wages, Eugene’s incredible story shows us how all of us can take part in changing the world for the better.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features Jinhee Ahn Kim, CEO and Co-Founder of UYU E-Sports Team.   Jinhee Ahn Kim is a serial entrepreneur who has allowed her insatiable curiosity and her amazing ability to find gaps in the marketplace to lead her career from management consulting, fashion, law, education software, and now eSports. In our interview, Jinhee shares about rapidly-expanding gaming scene and what it’s like to work with pro gamers, as well as how she first got involved in the gaming industry.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features David Chun, CEO and Founder of Equilar, the top provider of critical data on corporate executives, including 70% of the Fortune 500 companies. With his company, Equilar, having a unique view into the makeup of C-suites and board rooms, David discusses current executive hiring trends and the need to fix the lack of gender and ethnic diversity at the highest levels of corporate governance. If you’ve ever thought about what CEOs are getting paid, why we need to address race and gender pay disparities in major companies, and how you can take the steps to prepare to join a corporate board, don’t miss this insightful and revealing interview with the top corporate data leader in the country.

Our seventh episode of Season Two of CKA’s podcast, Korean American Perspectives, features Dr. Kee B. Park, Accomplished Neurosurgeon and Paul Farmer Global Surgery Scholar at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Park has practiced and taught neurosurgery in operating rooms across the world, from Ethiopia to Cambodia-- even North Korea.    Dr. Park is also the Director of the North Korea Program at the Korean American Medical Association (KAMA). He leads the collaboration between U.S. and North Korean physicians and has made 18 visits to North Korea since 2007. In this highly polarized world, Kee Park reminds us that geopolitical disputes and sanctions between nations have unintended consequences on everyday lives.

Our sixth episode of Season Two of CKA’s podcast, Korean American Perspectives, features Chil Kong, Artistic Director of Adventure Theater MTC. Chil has a long award-winning career with major theater companies across Boston, San Diego, Seattle, and L.A. and is currently the only Korean American aristic director of a major theater company in the United States. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic’s turbulent effects on the performing arts industry, Chil shares how some performing arts centers are trying to find new ways to engage with their audience. As a leading voice in the performance and entertainment industry, he shares his valuable insight into Asian American representation and the importance of the performing arts to our community. Chil reminds us of the power to write our own stories and how they must be woven into the cultural fabric of America.

Our fifth episode of Season Two of CKA's podcast, Korean American Perspectives, features Jeanie Chang, Founder of Your Change Provider, PLLC, as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist. This week, we're back with Jeanie to discuss burnout seen in both students and professionals and how to address it. We delve into intergenerational trauma, cultural barriers, and societal pressures faced by today’s youth. We also touch upon health communication between college and high school students with their parents. Lastly, we discuss the value of meditation and just clearing your mind can go a long way towards establishing healthy mental health practices.

Our fourth episode of Season Two of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Jeanie Chang, Founder of Your Change Provider, PLLC, as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Jeanie is passionate about serving people, couples, and families alike through a holistic culturally competent approach. She shares valuable insight into navigating the perils of parenthood, as well as how we can be empowered to take care of our own mental health. Jeanie reminds us that our community’s strength depends on people supporting and looking out for one another. Throughout our lives, we should always be intentional and mindful in our interactions with our family, friends, and coworkers. You never know what somebody is going through unless you ask and listen.

Our third episode of Season Two of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Julia Park, Founder of Relationship365, a well-being clinic for people to learn and apply research and evidence-based solutions that would enhance the quality of everyday relationships. Julia Park is a licensed marriage and family therapist who’s worked with people from all walks of life. In the interview, she discusses how vulnerability is more often a power rather than a weakness, and how the perfectionism we often see in Asians is directly related to shame. Julia reminds us that we are enough— that we are worthy of love, belonging, and self-compassion.

Our second episode of Season Two of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Monica Kang, Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox, as well as a creativity expert and corporate culture influencer. Monica Kang is a creative educator transforming today’s workforce through the power of innovation. She believes that everybody has creativity— it just needs to be noticed, nurtured, and allowed to grow. Monica reminds us that exploring outside of what we know is crucial for chasing new ideas and experiences. In times of uncertainty, it’s ever more crucial for innovative thinkers to rise up and transform the world.

Our first episode of Season Two of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Alpin Hong, an Internationally Renowned Concert Pianist and Music Education Advocate.  Alpin Hong isn’t your typical classically-trained piano virtuoso. He is a larger-than-life figure with a captivating personality and spellbinding music performances. Rooted in extensive classical training and a background in extreme sports, martial arts, and video games, Mr. Hong is a creative force unmatched in his vitality and charisma.  From being a rollerblading ex-pre-med student to playing Superstar Etude with his feet to his personal connection to Rhapsody Blue, Alpin reminds us of the importance of music education and embracing failure in order to appreciate happiness and success.

Welcome to Season Two of the Korean American Perspectives podcast. My name is Abraham Kim. I'm the Executive Director for the Council of Korean Americans and I'm also your host for this show. This podcast seeks to share the inspirational life stories of Korean American leaders and explore the complex issues that shape this community. On the show, we interview innovators, trailblazers, thought leaders and artists about their lives, their immigration story, their career journeys, and the important issues and challenges that they dedicated their lives to help address. Last season we talk with politicians, musicians, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. If you had not had the chance to listen to Season One, we point you to our website at councilka.org or search Korean American Perspectives on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcasting sites.  We're glad to be back with a new season, ten episodes in all. We’re taking on some hot topics with leading Korean American experts and addressing some issues like mental health, shame, parent-children relationships and immigration issues to name a few. Looking ahead, we'll be kicking off the season with the release of three interview shows. One with celebrated pianist and music educator, Alpin Hong; the second, innovation corporate trainer, Monica Kang; and finally third, shame and vulnerability research expert and mental health counselor, Julia Park. Then each week afterwards we'll be releasing new episodes. I don't think the timing could have been better during this time of COVID-19 and all the uncertainties. I know many of you are indoors with your families and friends or perhaps just alone and as you exercise social distancing, this'll be a great time for you to listen to our many shows that are coming online. We're sending all of our love to you and we wish you safety, health, and also a bit of sanity. 

Our final episode of Season One of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Taeku Lee, a George Johnson Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley and CKA Member. Taeku is also a co-Principal Investigator of the National Asian American Survey, co-Principal Investigator of the Bay Area Poverty Tracker, and Managing Director of Asian American Decisions. He is on the National Advisory Committee for the U.S. Census Bureau.   As one of the preeminent social scientists who study the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Professor Taeku Lee points out that although Asian Americans will be the largest immigrant group by 2050, we can't wait around until then to make sure that Asian Americans are engaged and represented within the democratic process-- especially with the upcoming 2020 U.S. presidential election and census.   From the bimodal divide between the professional and working class the labor skills mismatch to the political leanings and mobilization of Korean Americans, Taeku shares his insights on demographic trends within the Korean and Asian American community and the importance of data and civic participation.   One thing Professor Taeku Lee tells all of his students: Don't think of democracy as a noun but as a verb. Not a stagnant idea to take for granted but an action we must continually nurture and participate in-- a way of life.

Our second-to-last episode of the first season of Korean American Perspectives podcast features Duyeon Kim, an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for New American Security, a columnist at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Korean Peninsula Future Forum in Seoul. She is also a CKA Associate Member.   From her abrupt leap into journalism as a correspondent of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Korean Unification Ministry to now providing analysis on issues of international relations and national security, Duyeon shares about her professional career journey and her perspectives on the world today.   Tune in as Duyeon shares her insights on U.S.-Korea relations, nuclear proliferation in North Korea, the possibility of Korean Reunification, and the state of affairs in the Asia-Pacific region.

This week's episode of Korean American Perspectives features Tim Hwang, Founder and CEO of FiscalNote, a rapidly growing Washington-based company that tracks and analyzes legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. Elected to Montgomery County Board of Education at the age of 17, Tim has always been interested in public service and maximizing impact. From the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to how data and information is consumed in the modern day, Tim provides insights into the progress and future of the Asian American community and how we can build structural power within our country. Tune in as Tim shares his journey to FiscalNote; its acquisition of CQ Roll Call for $180 million; the secret to getting what you want; and how to leverage politics, business, and media to build community influence.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features Jenny Town, a Stimson Fellow, Managing Editor of Stimson’s 38 North, and Associate Member of CKA. From growing up in Northern Minnesota to learning Korean at Ewha Womans University to the drawn-out search for her biological parents, Jenny shares her personal experience as a Korean American adoptee and why we as a community must be invested in adoptee and immigration issues. Jenny was also recently named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2019 for her role in co-founding and managing 38 North, a website devoted to providing policy and technical analysis on North Korea. Join us as Jenny’s recounts her diverse and accomplished career path and how she navigates the all-too-common scenario of being the only woman in the room.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features Angella Ahn, violinist of the world-renowned Ahn Trio and Professor of Music at Montana State University. From being one of the fabled “Asian American Whiz Kids” on the 1987 cover of Times magazine to what it was like to perform at the White House, Angella recollects incredible stories of lessons learned from her travels and performances. Find out what Angella means when she says “all politicians should play in a string quartet”, where she gets her kimchi in Montana, and much more.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features CKA Associate Member John Brougher, Founder and CEO of Skyrocket Strategies (formerly Brougher Strategies). John shares about his experience growing up as a Korean American transracial adoptee in McLean, VA, how his political awakening and passion for social justice came about, and his role in cultivating the next generation of Korean American leaders. Join us as John reflects upon the impact of social justice, civic engagement, and leadership development on both the individual and the Korean American community.

This week's episode of Korean American Perspectives features CKA Associate Member Sylvia Kim, Chief Innovation Officer of the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) and Founding Director of the National Asian American Community Foundation (NAACF).   From her Korean Canadian upbringing to her groundbreaking philanthropic efforts in Orange County to her inspirational path towards achieving work-life balance, Sylvia Kim shows us the importance of creating the future you want to see, both for our community as well as for our professional and personal success.

Our third episode of our ten-episode series features Dr. David S. Kim & Bennett Kim. Dr. David S. Kim is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA, Assistant Director for the OBGYN Department at Cedar-Sinai Medical Group, and Founder of Korean American Health Coalition. Bennett Kim is Managing Principal at Big Rock Partners Senior Housing and CEO of Sun Bay Senior Club. Together, the duo discusses the systematic barriers for Korean American access to healthcare, and the innovative new steps are being taken to reimagine elderly living within LA Koreatown. Bennett Kim discusses the philosophy behind the Sun Bay Senior Club, a first-of-its-kind senior care facility catered towards middle-income families, and how it came to be. Dr. David S. Kim explores why Korean and Korean American views on preventative healthcare differ so drastically and what organizations like CKA can do to expand access to healthcare for the Korean American community.

The second episode of our new podcast Korean American Perspectives features Eugene and Carol Choi, a Korean American husband-wife team. Since 1993, the Choi's have led United Exchange Corporation, a leading global company that delivers quality private-label goods to mass retailers across the world. CKA Senior Director Jessica Lee flew to Irvine, California to sit down with the two of them at their headquarters building. From their incredible partnership as spouses and coworkers to their journey as second-generation Korean Americans to the world they wish to leave behind for their children, Eugene Carol Choi remind us of the importance of our Korean American upbringing and the communities that shape us. Eugene and Carol were both honored on June 14, at the National Asian American Community Foundation's 2019 ASPIRE Awards for the category of Outstanding Philanthropic Leadership.

The pilot episode of our new podcast Korean American Perspectives features Congressman Andy Kim, the first Korean American member of Congress in over 20 years. Despite the Congressman's busy schedule, CKA Senior Director Jessica Lee was able to sit down with Congressman Kim for a brief but inspiring conversation. As a representative of New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, Congressman Kim constantly puts the people of his district first and is a champion of affordable healthcare in an era "where 40% of Americans can't handle a $400 emergency". From his Korean American upbringing to his journey running for Congress, Congressman Kim reminds us of the importance of civic engagement and what is at stake for the Korean American community if our voices are not heard.