Lets Talk Asian

I'm joined by Carol Pak (@caroljpak) founder of @drinkmakku, which offers a new take on Korea's oldest alcoholic beverage, makgeolli. Carol started @drinkmakku in 2017, and in just a few years, she has helped put makgeolli back on the radar with the help of a loyal fanbase of makgeolli enthusiasts. @drinkmakku is distributed nationwide in supermarkets, alcohol shops, restaurants, and more. Carol is a native New Yorker and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School. Follow for updates on IG @letstalkasian and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast! If you're listening, screenshot and tag us so you can be featured in the socials!

@jerryjwon is the founder and CEO of Just Like Media, and the host and producer of many podcasts, including Dear Asian Americans, Asian Podcast Network and Asian CRE Network. Prior to founding Just Like Media, he worked at WeWork and Accenture. He resides on the west coast, is happily married and a proud father of two. He is a big advocate for Asian American podcasters and the Asian American community at large. Jerry shares his personal story of how he exited the corporate world to invest 100% of his time into telling stories about Asian Americans, and now is frequently in demand from companies seeking his counsel and perspective. He is about to author his first book! Follow for updates on IG @letstalkasian and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast! If you're listening, screenshot and tag us so you can be featured in the socials!

A brief break from the Asian SMB series! @stephanielookbakes works at a private foundation during the day and studies pastry arts at the Institute of Culinary Education at night. In her free time, she is part of the core team @withwarmwelcome, an organization that amplifies Asian American chefs, restauranteurs and founders. She recently was a part of #wwwbakersbox, "a collaboration with 18 Asian American female pastry chefs and bakers to present a collection that celebrates women and combats anti-Asian racism." Follow for updates on IG @letstalkasian and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast! If you're listening, screenshot and tag us so you can be featured in the socials!

My favorite boba shop in the world is @teaandmilkny, which is located in Astoria, Queens. I talk to Mathew, one of the founders of Tea and Milk, about how he made the transition from his accounting 9-5 job to pursue his passion for boba and milk tea. Mathew takes me through the journey of his relentless perseverance to make the business a success, the dedication to crafting the best milk tea, and how that all culminated into the lucky opportunity to open the second location in Chelsea Market. Mathew is a native New Yorker who grew up in Manhattan (handball in high school, anyone?). Mathew says, "I would like to thank our fans, our team and everyone who has supported us in the past and the future! Its those who support and believe in us that made us where we are!" Follow the pod on IG @letstalkasian for regular updates. If you'd like to support, please follow the pod and/or leave a five star review on Apple Podcasts! Thank you! :)

This is part of the Asian Small Business Series where I am putting a spotlight on my favorite Asian small businesses. :) @kimberlymcamara & @__keviar are the co-founders of @fromkora, a bakery inspired by the richness of Filipino tastes and culture. One weekend, Kim visited her parent's house where she spontaneously decided to bake leftover brioche and combine it with ube. Months later, Kora has turned into a food frenzy - the donuts sell out in minutes. Kora has been featured in The New York Times and on Eater, and this is just the beginning. Kim joins me to talk about why and how she got started, her Queens background, and her future plans with Kevin on where to take Kora. If you'd like to support Let's Talk Asian, please leave a 5-star review on Apple podcasts! Stay updated by following on Instagram @letstalkasian. Thank you! :)

A microaggression occurs at work. Do you speak up or do you let it slide? I'm joined by my friend and colleague Leah (@leahdaniellexo) to share our experiences, worries and challenges as women of color in the workplace. Leah is Black and the co-lead of our employer's employee resource group that supports diversity. I tell Leah about my experience talking to my parents about white supremacy and Black Lives Matter. While we frequently bond over the importance of lifting the voices of people of color, it can get exhausting. There's one thing that always cheers us up - Trader Joe's! We share our top favorites and recommendations on what to buy and eat. PS: Leah mentions a famous TikToker in the show - his handle is elladjbalde and YES he's incredibly talented. Follow me on Instagram at @letstalkasian! If you'd like to support, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcast! Thank you! :)

One of the most important decisions in your life is who you marry. @juliasykim and @ysjwang knew nearly immediately that they were going to be married to each other, and they were engaged in seven months. As romantic as that sounds, there's no fairytale here. Josiah and Julia help explore the meaning of marriage, how they continue to learn how to resolve conflict (counseling helps) and how their different backgrounds as an interracial couple comes to play when it comes to life decisions. "When you know, you know." Follow @juliaandjosiah at their Instagram and YouTube channel for vlogs into their married life! Follow me @letstalkasian on Instagram. If you'd like to support, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Thank you :)

Jane (@janenammy) and I unpack life lessons from our 20s vs 30s as working women! We even start to ponder what it means to turn 40. Jane works in media and communications at a leading global law firm. Prior to this, she worked in PR and communications at a Big 4. Jane is Korean-American, raised in NYC, is one of the kindest people I know, and is happily married to an equally wonderful man. Fun fact - Jane was also my flatmate when we studied abroad in London. Follow me @letstalkasian on Instagram! If you'd like to support, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! :)

Today we'll be talking about kpop, and I think there's no better person to talk about it with than my friend Chris (@chrisjche). Chris works at a major record label in New York doing A&R operations and administration. Prior to that, he worked at a talent agency. Outside of his full-time career, Chris has been in a few dance crews and has done kpop dance covers. He also runs CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show (@cctvpops), a YouTube channel where he and his co-host Chan review pop music. I learn that Chris is a pop expert (western and Asian!) and knows way more about the current kpop scene than I do. I'm better at the older generation stuff. He was also scouted in Korea (he was one of those cool kids in college you know?) so listen for that story. We bond over SHINee, SISTAR, 2NE1, Blackpink and more!

I'm joined by Cat and Jinnelle for a girl talk episode. Cat was also featured on episode 4. Jinnelle is from New Jersey, Filipino American, and happily in a committed relationship. Jinnelle baked us cookies and we had a fun girl's night in. We answered questions I collected from my heterosexual male friends in their 30s and 40s and answered them. Questions included: What is your ideal date? What are your favorite date spots? What are signs a girl is into you? What's a good gift for a 40 year old? Have apps made dating easier? If I saw a good looking girl on the street in NYC, what is the appropriate way to approach? Take notes, men! Cat also drops some amazing tips for women to approach men. We'd love to hear your questions and responses too. What do you think? Follow at @letstalkasian on Instagram!

To celebrate Valentine's Day this year, Cat and I watched popular Netflix film To All the Boys Always and Forever and reviewed it. MAJOR SPOILER ALERTS in this episode! We talk about what it's like to be the main characters in our heads, moving to New York City for the first time, dating as 30 year old women (yes, the parents want grandchildren) and how we don't want the only way to meet someone to be on an app. Cat tells me about how her parents gave her *the talk* in college and how stressful that was. Happy Valentine's Day!

Kush is a very experienced traveler and foodie. We recounted happier times (when we used to travel, pre-coronavirus) and reviewed numerous Flushing, Queens eats. We also ate Spot dessert bar brownie and Diana has durian for the first time in her life. We had a chill time. Are we doing ASMR right? Ha! Follow for updates on IG @letstalkasian!

It's Lunar New Year! My sister joins me to talk about how we celebrate the holiday as a Korean American family. Now that she has a baby who is half Chinese and half Korean, she talks about how she celebrates the holiday to honor two cultures. She describes what it is like to be a new mom (hint: no sleep, very little time for self-care) and gives her sage advice for future parents. Follow for updates on IG @letstalkasian! PS: Um.. Sorry for the background noise.. I'm a noob getting used to recording and editing.

Andrew Cheng of @chengu.sweets joins me to talk about his story. He got laid off during coronavirus from his academic research role and decided to pursue his passion - baking. Andrew is not your typical baker - he's super methodical, precise and creative - and it shows in his creations. Follow Andrew @chengu.sweets or check out his menu at https://www.chengusweets.com/ and follow me @letstalkasian! PS: Um.. Sorry for the background noise.. I'm a noob getting used to recording and editing.