MigrAsians

I absolutely love this human being, Shirani M. Pathak, and all the amazing work she has been doing to dismantle trauma resulting from supremacy culture. Shirani is following up her first book Fierce Authenticity with Fierce Authenticity 2.0, adding in critical information and resources about how trauma, tending to our nervous systems, and supremacy culture have to be addressed when it comes to understanding our wounds.Her transition from her first one to this one is a beautiful demonstration of how we are always in process of understanding our own conditioning within supremacy culture. Shirani has done incredible research for her new book, which she dives into in this episode as well. Follow Shirani on Instagram @shiranimpathak,  get in touch with her at https://www.shiranimpathak.com/contact, and listen to her podcast Fierce Authenticity. Shirani also interviewed me on her podcast as well, and I love how we fangirl for each other!And check out my new venture, The Healing Hype! This is my free newsletter about healing and liberation, which is also audio-accessible (you can even add it to your favorite podcast player!) If you're looking to have more conversation about these topics, you can invest in The Healing Hype for $5/month or $50/year. You'll get access to my private chat group and Nisha's Greatest Hits! - these are my intuitive hits that I dictate and transcribe for you :)  Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

So there's good news and bad news. After reflection about what feels aligned for me, I'm ending MigrAsians, BUT there will be 2 more interviews, so stay tuned!I'm shifting to a new platform that's an audio newsletter (that you can also add to your podcast player) called The Healing Hype. Subscribe today to hear about healing and liberation an an oppressive and work-driven world. And to find more about my coaching and facilitating, visit my website at www.nishaland.com.Here are awesome Asian-focused podcasts to check out.Asian AmericanaSelf Evident: Asian America's StoriesThe Bánh Mì ChroniclesModel Minority, Uniquely AmericanSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

CW: SuicideThis episode is very close to my heart. It's about a heavy topic, and I encourage you to take your time listening to it, or step away from it if it's too much.In this episode, I talk to four people, all of whom have a relationship to suicide. I speak with Monica (they/them), a freelance musician whose flexible jobs allows them to maintain their mental health; Henry Ling (he/him), who found support for mental health and suicidal ideation on YouTube; Avanti (they/she), who is training to be a therapist but wants to disrupt what therapy can look like in favor of abolition and community care; and Melody Li (佢/any) a therapist who embodies a decolonized perspective.We talk about the lack of financial and culturally-specific access to mental health care, how suicide is criminalized, and how we can try to look at suicide prevention from a space of care, sharing stories, and slowing down.Links:Melody Li's mental health directory and community Inclusive Therapists: www.inclusivetherapists.comNisha's interview with Dr. Jennifer Mullan from Decolonizing Therapy: https://www.thehealinghype.com/p/a-conversation-with-decolonizingSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Hello everyone! MigrAsians is back. Take a listen to hear a pretty big announcement about my life, learn about my coaching work, and get a sneak peek into what this season of MigrAsians will look like.Thanks for being here

In this episode, I review the season a bit, reflecting on the fact that the majority of these episodes were released during the pandemic! And I'm guessing once I start up again in early 2021, we might still be in some form of the pandemic.I talk about what we dove into for Season 1 and how I'm shifting Season 2 to be more in alignment with my passions.Thank you to my parents, my brother, Dalya Guerin, Gina Manola, all my Patreon patrons, Tiffany Wong, Shin Kawasaki, and Quincy Surasmith for your support! So grateful

If you live in LA, you have probably seen an egg with a red yolk plastered on sidewalks and walls. This is the work of street artist Black Palms - @blk_plms on Instagram. Black Palms identifies as Hapa - he grew up in Hawaii and migrated to LA to work in TV production.In this conversation, we talk about his migration story, how he fell in love with television, transitioned from directing to producing, and how butoh dancing helped him make this transition. You'll also hear the story about how his birthplace was blown up in front of his eyes for an episode of Magnum, P.I.!And of course, we talk about his street art. What does the red yolk symbolize? How does Black Palms secretively create this art, and has he ever been caught? And why the name Black Palms?What I loved most about our conversation is how everything we talked about had an artistic lens - TV production, dancing, street art. There was a common thread, and it was clear that Black Palms valued the power of art in everything he does.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Indian Matchmaking aired on Netflix in mid-July, and every South Asian person I knew binge watched the show which follows Indian matchmaker "Sima from Mumbai" Taparia between India and the United States while she attempts to match clients with their future spouses. Everyone I spoke to had their opinions about this show - some found it entertaining, others found it offensive and cringe-worthy, some found it boring; most found it a combination of all of these. But, more notably, each South Asian person I spoke with noticed how it highlighted upper-caste Hindus with some Sikh representation. The colorism and casteism in the show was hard to miss, at least for someone who identifies as South Asian. For those who don't, it can be hard to see.There have been essays, opinions, and podcasts about this show already, but I figured I'd chime in as well by chatting with some of my closest friends about it with the help of an amazing guide created by Viraj Patel, who is donating proceeds to organizations that "[fight] anti-caste oppression, survivors of domestic violence, prison abolition, supporting queer communities, and more" - please check this guide out, especially if you identify as South Asian. It provides pointed reflection and asks questions that you may not know the answer to, demonstrating how vast the Indian diaspora is and how privilege contributes to this lack of knowledge.I spoke to my college friend Dr. Nazia Kazi, author of Islamophobia, Race, and Global Politics, a book that explores Islamophobia through the lens of U.S. Empire, and is lauded by Deepa Kumar, Moustafa Bayoumi, and Arun Kundnani. I also spoke to my high school friend and actor, Mouzam Makkar, who has starred in The Vampire Diaries, Mindy Kaling's Champions, and The Exorcist on Fox. And I also spoke to my college friend, working mom, and writer Iva Shah, who penned her own essay about Indian Matchmaking and her parent's love marriage. Listen up and hear what we have to say :)I mentioned the following within this episode:Indian Matchmaking Exposes the Easy Acceptance of Caste by Yashica Dutt“Caste and Colourism: Challenging the Standards for Love in Biased Societies" - Facebook conversationAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover Art

In Season 1, Episode 13, I interview musician Shin Kawasaki who sings the MigrAsians song "Find Another Way." Shin came from Japan to Los Angeles to pursue his music dreams as a young adult, and he's basically been here ever since! Until COVID-19 hit, Shin had a Tuesday night residency at The Escondite and talks about how he has been faring during the pandemic.Shin share's some interesting stories about his family's ancestry and struggles, including escaping what is today, North Korea, and starting out in poverty in Japan. He also discusses his views on Japanese politics and culture. We also get to a few of his new songs on his latest EP Six Songs from Insomnia (Spotify) at the end of the episode. If you purchase his album from Bandcamp, he will match it with a donation to ACLU, LA's Downtown’s Women's Center, and the Little Tokyo Service Center.Find Shin on Spotify and all the streaming platforms under shinkawasaki.About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

In this episode, I get into more detail about the connection between Black Lives and Asian Lives. I've talked about the connection between Asian American civil rights and Black civil rights. But I wanted to talk more about how this podcast is related.MigrAsians focuses on learning the migration stories of creative and political Asians. When I talk to my guests, we chat about how their story of migration affect the work they do. But what how are Asian migration stories related to Black stories? Listen up and let me know what you think!About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Suhad Khatib (she/her) is an artist with Palestinian roots who was born in Oman and grew up in Jordan. She is a futurologist, creative director, filmmaker, and public speaker. I connected with Suhad on Instagram @suhadizms. Her art drew me in immediately, and her voice kept me listening. I have listened to various parts of this interview over and over because I am mesmerized by the way Suhad talks about the world, our futures, and hope. She talks about the Massacre of Lyd, the question of Palestine, the geopolitics of home, the connection between Palestinian and Black liberation, and, of course, her art. We actually recorded this episode before the murder of George Floyd, but Suhad has been an organizer for Palestine long before. And she talks about how her first visit to Palestine was deeply connected to Mike Brown's murder in Ferguson, MO, close to where she was living at the time.Suhad is thoughtful, genuine, and steadfast in her hope and activism. Take a listen and let me know what you think!Find Suhad on on Instagram @suhadizms and on her website www.suhadkhatib.com.Here are some links to what was mentioned during the episode:1. The Pandemic is a Portal by Arundhati Roy2. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. DavisAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Immigration is not a simple process. If I didn't know this before, my conversation with immigration lawyer Dhenu Maru, an immigrant herself, proved this point. We talk about her difficulties acclimating as a young girl emigrating from Mumbai, India, and how this inspired her to become a lawyer, though the reason isn't what you might think. Dhenu talks about common misconceptions such as "immigrants are taking our jobs" or "they just need to get in line" in a way that anyone can understand. My parents may have immigrated to the United States from India, just like Dhenu, but she talks about how laws have changed, the many reasons people seek out an immigration lawyer, and the hoops you have to jump through to navigate the multidimensional U.S. immigration system. You can learn more about Dhenu's firm at www.swagatusa.com and by phone at (312) 854-7065. You can also join her Facebook group/community USA Immigration Experience. About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Recreation and Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

We are pausing on MigrAsians interviews for this episode supporting Black lives. The majority Asian Americans would not be living in the United States if it wasn't for the Civil Rights movement and the emotional and physical trauma experienced by Black people. We have been positioned as a model minority to create divisions instead of solidarity. Let us recognize and support Black Americans for what they have done for us and the continued oppression and marginalization they face.How to Support #BlackLivesMatterPetitions, donations, and other resourcesAnti-racist book listBlack-owned independent bookstoresDon't have money? Money from the ad content on this YouTube video will be donated to BLM causes (don't skip the ads!): https://bit.ly/2Mtvrl2Black-owned Etsy shopsCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Meet Nic Strack, a Korean and Indian, non-binary autistic Parenting Coach. I had a very very hard time summarizing our conversation for the title of this episode because it was full of SO MANY GEMS. I'm not a parent, but it doesn't matter. Nic blew my mind with their unique migration story, strategies for parenting, and experience with discovering their non-binary self (and how this informs their own parenting style and the work they do!)We talk about how their dad used translators to talk to their mom, who didn't know any English when they met, and they explain about why saying "use your words" to your kid can be harmful. I loved their story about how discovering systems of oppression transformed the way they think. So many parts of this conversation hit me in the feels. I have a newfound compassion for all the things after chatting with Nic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!Support me on Patreon if you're able. Links that Nic mentionedNic Strack (they/them):https://www.nicstrack.com/https://www.patreon.com/nicstrackhttps://www.instagram.com/nicstrackJames-Olivia Chu Hillman (they/them):https://inquisitivehuman.com/https://www.instagram.com/inquisitive_human/Andréa Ranae Johnson (she/they):https://www.andrearanae.com/https://instagram.com/andrearanaejJenn McCabe (she/her):https://drjmac.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr.jennmccabe/Links I mentionedMy Medium Article: We Learn What We See, Not What We're ToldOur Culture of Contempt by Albert Brooks (New York Times)About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Episode 8! MigrAsians is halfway through its first season, YAY! In today's episode, you'll get your fantasy fix :) I talk to fantasy author James Yu about the historical distinction between Taiwan and China, writing full-time in the age of COVID-19, and why he chooses to write fantasy (I love his answer!) James reminds me about the importance of community, especially when it comes to writing. After all, this is how I know James! We went to a writing coworking space together, and now he's part of my weekly writing feedback group, I love James' spot-on critiques!I really enjoyed talking to James about how power and political perspectives are written into novels. He talks about how we can have empathy for a perspective we don't particularly care for - not to believe in that perspective, but to understand where it comes from.Find James on his website: www.jameslyu.com and sign up for his newsletter!Here are some of the Asian fantasy authors and writing books James mentions:Asian Fantasy Authors: 1. Fonda Lee - The Green Bone Saga2. Rebecca Kuang - The Poppy War3. Gene Yang, cartoonistWriting books1. The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass2. The Story Grid by Shawn CoyneAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Meet Sonalee Rashatwar (she/they), known as @thefatsextherapist on Instagram! They're an award-winning superfat queer bisexual non-binary clinical social worker, sex therapist, adjunct lecturer, and grassroots organizer based in Philadelphia. This episode was recorded toward the end of March, just as many shelter-in-place orders were taking effect. First of all, we talk cantaloupes! Our melon chat frames a very serious dialogue about Sonalee's challenges within the social work field and creating an activist community. We also discuss Hindu casteism and how it relates to body image and body purity. The common thread in our discussion is navigating family dynamics and relationships, especially when family members support Hindutva/Hindu nationalism. Sonalee also sheds light about what it means to work as a sex therapist.Find Sonalee on Instagram @thefatsextherapist and at www.sonaleer.com.And here are some links I promised to share!Unmasking Modi - The New RepublicRead what Ambedkar wrote on why Brahmins started worshipping the cow and gave up eating beefEast Coast Solidarity SummerThe zine Sonalee mentioned: Guilty Pleasures in the Age of the Problematic FaveCover Art by Tiffany Wong: www.tiffanywongvisualart.comMusic by Shin Kawasaki "Find Another Way" - Get his newest EP! Search for Shinkawasaki (one word) on Spotify and all other music streaming platforms.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Meet Marzieh Saffarian, the collage artist behind @psychpersia. Marzieh is also a speech-language pathologist who I met during graduate school. Our conversation flowed in so many wonderful directions. We chat about her feminist artistic inspirations, the Iranian revolution, identity and assimilation, and the challenges both of us face around speaking our native language, especially given our speech and language backgrounds. I love how Marzieh so beautifully connects feminism, art, and culture in this episode. I hope you do too!Find Marzieh on @psychpersia and @vintagepersia.Here are links to Marzieh's collage art that I mentioned as well as the data I cited toward the end. 1. Example of Marzieh's collage art2. Iran: A Vast Diaspora Abroad and Millions of Refugees at HomeCover Art by Tiffany Wong: www.tiffanywongvisualart.comMusic by Shin Kawasaki "Find Another Way" - Get his newest EP! Search for Shinkawasaki (one word) on Spotify and all other music streaming platforms.Please support MigrAsians on Patreon at www.patreon.com/migrasians, anything helps!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

In this episode, I explore the C-word, but not the one that's all over the news lately (though I will touch on it a little bit). This episode focuses on the CENSUS! Yes, the U.S. Census, which is given every 10 years, should be in your mailbox. It looks at household information like age, sex, home information, race, and ethnicity. And, you guessed it, I'm going to talk about how the "Asian" category is "defined" on the Census, which is under the Office of Management and Budget (the OMB). Let's just say that I was pretty surprised that, on the Census, individuals from the Middle East are considered White. I'm going to get pretty heavy on some history here, so listen up to find out why and hear other nuggets too! If you'd like to dive in more, check out the references below!Let me know what you think! You can email me at nisha@nishaland.com.Also, I'd appreciate any support you can give, even if it's a one-time donation! Please visit www.patreon.com/migrasiansReferencesU.S. Census Website References:About Race. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.census.gov/topics/population/race/about.htmQuestions Asked on the Form. 2020Census.Gov. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://2020census.gov/en/about-questions.htmlResearch to Improve Data on Race and Ethnicity. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.census.gov/about/our-research/race-ethnicity.htmlRevisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. (n.d.). The White House. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/15626Scholarly Books and ArticlesKayyali, R. (2013). US Census Classifications and Arab Americans: Contestations and Definitions of Identity Markers. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 39(8), 1299–1318. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2013.778150Nobles, M. (2000). Shades of citizenship: Race and the census in modern politics. Stanford University Press.Prewitt, K. (2016). What Is Your Race?: The Census and Our Flawed Efforts to Classify Americans.Strmic-Pawl, H. V., Jackson, B. A., & Garner, S. (2018). Race Counts: Racial and Ethnic Data on the U.S. Census and the Implications for Tracking Inequality. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, 4(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2332649217742869Takaki, R. (1998). Strangers from a different shore: A history of Asian Americans. Little, Brown.About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

I chat with Khadija aka @browngirlbiz on Instagram in this episode about the multiple diasporas she has been through, how that has made her more self-reliant, and how entrepreneurship is more than what we think! Khadija strives to help other children of immigrants navigate society, especially entering the job market. We talk about how leadership can look, how to alter our views about money, and...Oprah! You'll have to listen to the end for that conversation :)Find Khadija on Instagram @browngirlbiz.As I mention at the end, the best work comes from collaboration, I gave a shout out to some amazing Instagram accounts:@sharynaholmes@tiffanywongart@teachandtransform@asiansdotherapy@radreads94@decolonizingtherapy@dr.rosalesmeza@dr.marielbuque@reflectionswithaparna@suh.ad@ravideepkaur_@desireeadaway@asiansformentalhealth@wagatwe@britthawthorne@millanasnow@thefatsextherapist@seerutkchawla@yumisakugawa@thewitchesmuse@witchdoctorpoet@cassandra_solanoAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtsSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

CW: rape, sexual assaultIn this episode, award-winning author, actress, screenwriter, and speaker Reema Zaman joins me! She is the author of I Am Yours: A Shared Memoir, a global story of sexual assault, being silenced, and finding your voice. She talks to me about her book, abusive relationships, the challenges of the immigration process, as well as family healing.Find Reema on Twitter and Instagram @reemazaman and at www.reemazaman.comResearch cited:Decker, M. R., Raj, A., & Silverman, J. G. (2007). Sexual Violence Against Adolescent Girls: Influences of Immigration and Acculturation. Violence Against Women, 13(5), 498–513. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801207300654Murphy, J., Samples, J., Morales, M., & Shadbeh, N. (2015). "They Talk Like That, But We Keep Working": Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Experiences Among Mexican Indigenous Farmworker Women in Oregon. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 17(6), 1834–1839. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-9992-zVAWnet: https://vawnet.org/sc/immigrant-women-and-sexual-violenceAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Meet Tiffany Wong, the artist behind the MigrAsians cover art! I loved Tiffany's flowing art and colors, and I knew she would make amazing cover art for this podcast. And she did!In this episode, Tiffany and I talk about perfectionism, making time your friend, and her art process. We had a delightful conversation about how it feels to be othered and defining "normal" as the children of Asian immigrants.Tiffany WongInstagram: @tiffanywongartWebsite: http://tiffanywongvisualart.com/Strangers From a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/754098836About NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)

Welcome to the first episode of MigrAsians! MigrAsians is a podcast about creative and political Asians and their story of migration. In this episode, you'll meet Nisha Mody, the host. This podcast was birthed to understand how migration affects creative and political work. This podcast will cover the Asian diaspora. This means ALL Asians, not just the one we think of as "Asian."The immigration stories from Asian countries hold so many similarities and differences. Yet, the common threat of living between two (or more) cultures and navigating the effects of migration are always there. Click subscribe to learn how these stories contribute to powerful creative and political work!Please support this podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/migrasiansAbout NishaFollow me on Instagram and Twitter! Check out my writing and coaching services on my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter!MusicShin Kawasaki: Find Another WayCC Mixter: Resonance by AirtoneCover ArtTiffany Wong ArtSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/migrasians)