After 35 years of being an Asian woman, Stephanie Chen grew tired of feeling underrepresented, unheard, and misunderstood. "There must be other women out there feeling this way," she mused. "I wish I could hear their stories. Let's make a podcast!" Ok, so maybe it wasn't that simple. Maybe it…
Today's episode is my first completely unedited, extremely raw update - recorded in my bathroom, where I often talk to myself. Before you worry; I am A-OK, and honestly in a better place now than I ever have been. I've been spending the last year(s) and especially the last six months really focusing on my health in all the ways: mentally, emotionally, physically. I also started a dream job four months ago, so I could not be more grateful for where I am and who I am surrounded by. Even as I appreciate all I have now, I (very often) have moments like this episode. I wanted to share these parts of my journey, and not just the “Happily Ever After, Here's How I Overcame, I'm an Asian Hustler” ending - because in life, the real ending is … death! Haha. I will continue to feature guests, but now and again I'm considering sharing my unfiltered ramblings since they require a lot less editing. Here goes….*Vyvanse, the drug I mention, is prescribed to those diagnosed with ADHD **correction: Uncle Ben, not Aunt May says “with great power comes great responsibility” - this has been attributed to Winston Churchill, Voltaire, etc…IG: GetRAW_podcast Stephanie@getrawpodcast.org
Finance Degree? or Art Degree? Play it safe? or Shoot for the Moon? What's the right order? When Sculptor, Caretaker, Job seeker, Dreamer, Debbie Vu of Alief, Houston reached out to me on *LinkedIn, a 30 min conversation turned into an episode on why being (only) good at school can leave you (really) lost when it comes to real life. Meanwhile, CALLING ALL HOUSTON VIETNAMESE FINE ARTISTS - Connect to Debbie (IG: @art_dtv) to create a community of artists that understand and represent you!Disclaimer: I am not a professional coach, therapist, (anything, really) - My opinions in this episode are purely from my own experience and observations working across corporate, small business, consulting, and nonprofit organizations for 16+ years. Listen at your own risk!Note 1: Editing this episode made me realize where I got "useless potato" from (last episode, recorded after this one). So, thanks Debbie. To us, celebrating potato-ship. Potato-ness?Note 2: Talking to Debbie made me realize why I call everyone "girllll or dude" indiscriminately - it's an Alief thing? I need to update it to be "huumann..." or maybe.. "BeinG" *LinkedIn = an American job hunting / networking website. They are not paying me to mention them. They should.Recorded: 1/4/2023, the day after my cousin and I were harassed/chased in NY at a subway station by a man asking if we were from China. Takeaways:Spending 90% of your time applying for jobs isn't efficient or effective.Aiming for jobs lower than your skill set is actually hurting you.Your resume should reflect where you want to be, not just where you were.Rejections should not define you. You NEED to know your worth. In everything.You NEED a passion project outside of your job.
Sometimes I feel like a useless potato. Sometimes YOU may feel like a useless potato. But you are NOT a useless potato! I am also NOT a useless potato!"There's no such thing as a Useless Potato. Potatoes can be made in so many ways. Fried, scalloped, mashed, julienned, salad-ed, turned into a battery. Just because potato you is sitting in a (sad) sack in the dank cellar right now, wondering what is to become of you, does NOT mean you are not destined to turn into something yummy."- Special Potato
Michelle is 20 years old, battling not just Lymphoma and chemo, but her mental health, her friendships, her confidence, her outlook on life and on .... everything.In a world that fosters everyone knowing everything about everyone, does caring too much what others think ultimately lead to us caring LESS about what really matters?This episode is deeply emotional, and beautiful - just like Michelle - and a great reminder to all of us of what really matters in life."Cancer doesn't define me, it empowered me to become the best version of myself again" - MichelleIG: @ellekcimThank you to all my first lucky 8 Patreons - who motivated me to get this episode out today. Michelle, Terence, Christina, Jennifer, Janet, Tracy, James, Gardener - this post is for you. All of it.
I turned 38 two months ago. I've been on anxiety/antidepressant medication for 6 months. I was diagnosed with ADHD 2 weeks ago. I'm finally learning to be comfortable and proud of who I am. It's hard as fck, but it's awesome.This is my first ever non-edited episode! PS: I hope you will follow me on IG @getraw_podcast and consider sponsoring this podcast for $1 a month!
In this personal episode, Stephanie and her sister Wei Wei (Christine) finally do a podcast ... by accident. During a call about their 99 year old grandpa's passing, they remember his strength, vitality, and courage in escaping communist China - as well as how repressed their family is when it comes to dealing with grief and ... all feelings.Warning: Crying, Cussing, Sad Feelings
What is life like for a biracial, white passing daughter of a mother that chose to erase her Indian heritage? How does looking "ethnically ambiguous" effect an actor when booking jobs? It's not enough Sheila is an executive producer, writer, show runner, opera singer, and krav maga-er. On top of it all, she is a role model, philosopher, mental health advocate, and veritable geyser of wisdom and humor. From creating a safe set on her upcoming project Night, Mother to representing BIPOC and neuro-divergent characters with respect and grace, Sheila could teach Hollywood a thing or two on how it should be run. Links at getrawpodcast.org/the-long-white-con/
According to her eastern and western zodiac signs, Stacy is a riotous combo of a stubborn ox and fiery ram. Just kidding, Stacy hates astrology. And compliments. And parental PDA. And marriage. And Affluent Anti-Affirmative Action Asians.So how did a painfully shy girl turn into an irreverent, irrepressible illustrator that people just can't get to shut up? Get ready to hear a lot of opinions, and laugh - a lot. Visit getrawpodcast.org for Stacy's illustrated story about a hilarious convo with her mom and why she hates astrology so damn much.@stacynguyencreativeStacyNguyen.com
What happens when Stephanie's neighbor's dog attacks her dogs for the third time in three months? Does she channel Leslie's training to defend herself and her pup?Part 2 of "You are Worth Defending" with Leslie.Bonus: Listen to the recording between the neighbor, the police, and me. Fun times.For those who haven't checked it out, you really need to let Leslie empower you at reclaimingyourcourage.comSpecial thanks to Jerry who taught this podcast host over a decade ago about the "One Party Consent Rule" when it comes to recording conversations, and all the friends and fam who have been supportive while I dealt with this @$$hole.PS: Jerry says, "One party consent is only in certain jurisdictions. You should seek legal advice from an attorney licensed in your particular state or territory."
Where did our Instagram Account go? Down the Sh*tter. What happened? Was it because I pulled The Tower card in my last Tarot card reading?! Find out in this mini episode. www.getrawpodcast.org
Love. Freedom. Strength. Vulnerability. These are the tenets of Leslie Lew, Martial Arts / Female Empowerment / Modern Self Defense Coach & Badass Kung Fu Witch . If you have EVER felt hesitant standing up for yourself at work, at home, or in life, Leslie is the guide and verbal hug we all didn't know we desperately needed. From overcoming generational to personal trauma, to being bullied at work, to potentially losing faith in romantic love, Leslie teaches us in this inspirational episode how to distill your deepest pain into the purest form of inner power. "Sick and tired of being sick and tired?" This episode is for you.Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, SuicideLinkswww.reclaimingyourcourage.comhttps://www.instagram.com/reclaimingyourcourage/Highlight videos to look forhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CNa34hwjgRs/https://www.instagram.com/p/COGJjgjD0HN/Skills to build from LeslieMindset questions to ask yourself What do I believe is a worse case scenario here? What is my strategy to navigate through this?VocalizationWhat is a boundary I have no problem protecting? What can I say to someone who crosses that boundary?MovementWhen presented with a technique or self-defense advice, ask yourself: "How can this work for me?"
Our producer Kristal hosts this episode, telling the very dark, twisting, fascinating and TRUE story of Sister Ping, Queen of the Snakeheads, arguably the most successful documented human smuggler in history and based right in the heart of New York's Chinatown.From warring Fujianese street gangs, to international money laundering, to sneaky-sneak side deals with the FBI, fans of the HBO Show Warrior (and women led organized crime syndications) will NOT want to miss this. Also, there is a movie soon to be released based on this sensational story! Links on our website an in bio.Warning: Descriptions of Graphic ViolenceBased on the book “The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream” by Patrick Radden KeefeSister Ping photo credit: NY Daily News Archive/GettyThis episode is dedicated to our friend Jenny. www.GetRawPodcast.org
Jordana is full of wishes. She wishes to be more connected to her Chinese culture. She wishes she knew more before engaging in hookup culture. She wishes she knew her birth parents. She wishes her two Jewish dads were ok with her wearing spaghetti straps. She wishes people were more ok with her emotions, her thoughts, her opinions - and if they're not, actually, come to think of it.... she doesn't care. The thing about Jordana is, she's not just a dreamer, she's a doer. She KNOWS she will learn from her past, she INTENDS to cultivate a better relationship with her parents, and she PLANS to go back to China one day to live, work, and search for her birth parents. From learning how to set boundaries to dismantling her drive to be hyper productive, this episode has a little something for everyone. www.GetRawPodcast.org
On the inaugural episode of Real Asian Voices, Sho Morikawa opens up about his experience as an Asian American trans man. From telling his Asian parents (while navigating language barriers) to telling his girlfriend he's trans, Sho shares and bares all, with humor, vulnerability, and awe-worthy honesty. "People who identify as queer ... their identity tends to be more fluid, and that may or may not have to do with the fact that once they identify with the queer community, you're exposed to more diverse types of people, and you become more educated in the different nuances of gender identity — It's not just about identifying as a man or a woman." - Sho MorikawaInstagram: @greatestshomanPhoto Cred: @graceful_captureswww.GetRawPodcast.orgResources from Sho for trans people and/or for trans allies:@translifeline (https://translifeline.org)@translawcenter (https://transgenderlawcenter.org) @getplume (https://getplume.co) @pinkmantaray (https://pinkmantaray.com) https://getrawpodcast.org/he-him-his/
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the course of the parent/child relationship never did run smooth. Why didn’t our Asian immigrant parents talk to us about their/our feelings? Was that because they didn’t love us, or were they just dealing with their own trauma?How many of you now, as parents, are grappling with how to raise kids – trying to uphold the values of your honored ancestors while teaching them empathy so they don’t grow up to be racist a-holes?Also – what do you do when your Asian kid comes home from school, asking you if they’re White? From acknowledging the strength of her parents who came to the US (literally by boat), to recognizing her own privilege, to raising a bevy of 3 children (all under the age of 7), superwoman Kristine very candidly shares her journey of parenting during a pandemic.Mentioned Links:www.instagram.com/asianlitforkids/www.instagram.com/asiansformentalhealth/ www.GetRawPodcast.org
We work out, we eat healthy, we go to the doctor when we don't feel well. Why don't we treat our minds and hearts with the same level of care? Why is mental health still not prioritized, especially amongst Asians, and why is there ANY negative stigma at all towards one of the BEST THINGS YOU CAN EVER DO FOR YOURSELF? Therapy: No Shame, All Gain. If listening to amazing mental help therapist Diana in this episode doesn't make you realize how AMAZING therapists can be, this podcast host will shave her head.Additional Resources from Diana at www.GetRawPodcast.org
PSA to all Asians: Did you know that dating outside your ethnicity can make you LESS Asian? We didn't either. Meet Alicia, a first-gen Vietnamese American, Master of Public Health student who struggles daily not to become "Less Vietnamese" as she dates someone Black. SARCASM. You are not less of ANYTHING by dating outside your race. In this episode, Alicia shares the eternal joy of tolerating the opinions of relatives regarding one's dating life. Visit www.getRAWpodcast.org for more info!
News Flash! Your life is NOT over after a divorce (or two!) Also, not staying with the same human partner until you die does NOT make you a failure - no matter what your Asian family says. Thank goodness for Grace, a defiant, daring, and dating divorcée - listen and learn, and then love - however you damn well please.Visit www.getRAWpodcast.org for recommended content by Grace!
Imagine being a newly grad, arts focused young professional with immigrant parents who want you to be a doctor or lawyer (no joke) during the height of a global pandemic while living at home. How do we NOT let ourselves be defined by the external, cultural, familial, societal, and self applied pressures to 'succeed' in the job market? How do we stay motivated, creative, active - when it's honestly hard enough to just get out of bed?Also - we dish a bit about Bling Empire. Hate it or Love it, the reality show featuring Real Life 'Crazy Rich Asians' is a hot topic on the internets. Either way, Angela and I agree - support Asian (diverse) representation!Also - Watch HBO's Warrior.www.getRAWpodcast.org
Erica is mouthy, opinionated, rebellious. An artist, photographer, and musician hailing from Singapore, this F bomb dropping young lady sounds off on the struggles of being a creative, refusing to be a cog in the corporate machine, Asian on Asian racism, and giving herself and her grandma at home tattoos during quarantine. From fighting the power of parental disapproval to surprisingly sage advice on dating, you don't want to miss out on Erica's wild, winsome wisdom!Check out Erica's music at www.getRAWpodcast.org*Recorded 6/12/2020
Season 1 of the RAW Podcast kicked off in 2019 with the pilot episode: "I'm Not a Good Asian Girl." Almost 2 years later, Stephanie reveals the racism, harassment, and gaslighting that caused her to quit her toxic job, leave the city of Houston, and launch this podcast series. Through the soothing guidance of guest host Peter, a scientific interview originally conducted to study instances of racism experience by Adult Children of Immigrants turns into a healing conversation, a surprising realization, and potential spinoff series. Welcome to Season 2!www.getRAWpodcast.org
What DO you want? What do YOU want? What do you WANT? When was the last time you thought about it?After six months of just trying to survive and stay sane, a random encounter with a juggling club in the middle of Bryant Park in New York City has woken me up again. Here ends Season 1 of the Get Raw Podcast! www.getRAWpodcast.org
"Being Black shouldn't be exhausting. Racism is exhausting." Omar shares what it's like growing up Black in America and why this movement isn't about politics, but about humanity. What can the Asian (and non Asian) community to do be an ally? Listen, learn, and keep the pedal to the medal. Most of all, Omar shares the best tool we can arm ourselves with as a society. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Real Asian Dudes with HSP (Find out what it means to me). Meet Terence and Michael, two amazing men who recently discovered they are a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). What does it mean to be a male HSP, especially if you grow up in an Asian household that believes "men don't cry?" Why is sensitivity something we should appreciate in others and honor within ourselves -- now more than ever? www.getRAWpodcast.org
Pandemic. Riots. Racism. Abuse. Trauma. Grief. Anxiety. Depression. Guilt. Anger. There a lot of bad things out there right now, guys. What should we do when we feel overwhelmed and confused by it all? www.getRAWpodcast.org
Three and a half years and lots of therapy later, Stephanie names her abuser online and addresses the flood of responses that result from that decision. Why is it particularly difficult for the Asian community to talk about the horrors that lurk behind close doors? What happens when we start to talk openly and name names? Fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, and righteous anger are only the beginning. Sequel to "Please just Listen" Episode.Trigger Warning: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Abuse. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Kobe Bryant. His death stirred up a lot of emotions, a lot of debate, and a lot of questions. Ramneet is back and armed with rage, research, and rapid rhetoric as she leaves us with the unanswered question: If someone can commit atrocities and still be worshiped upon their death, what message does that send? Where is the line? Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault & Rape. www.getRAWpodcast.org
21–55% of Asian women in the U.S. report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. So WHY is no one talking about it? In this podcast, Kristal and Stephanie share personal stories of past abusive relationships, explain why it's so hard to share, and discuss how we can be more supportive as a community to the (too) many survivors around us. Trigger warning. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Celebrating 15 years of friendship, Stephanie and Jenny dissect why it is that some friendships last while others wither. What DOES it take to be a good friend, stay a good friend, and communicate your needs - without being an asshole? And if the friends in YOUR life aren't boosting you up - maybe it's time to ditch a b*tch? www.getRAWpodcast.org
South Asian, East Asian, ALL first gen immigrant children have been warned at some point to 'behave' - lest ye be judged! What impact does this mindset have on our mental health, our relationship with our parents, and our stressful strive towards perfection? What happens when we STOP letting our lives be dictated by the phrase: "What will people think?!" www.getRAWpodcast.org
Other than grades, is there anything else Asian parents nag their kids about more than getting married? In our hilarious 16th episode, Ramneet talks about the 16 weddings she's invited to this year, and how she deals with parents who bug her NON-stop to get married.www.getRAWpodcast.org
1 year after the recording of her first podcast session and after 5 months of living abroad, what has Sonsera learned about going outside her comfort zone while eating, traveling, and living - with intention? Has she finally learned to give less f*cks? www.getRAWpodcast.org
At some point we were taught that thinking / saying / doing what you want somehow means you're "bad" - Declaring "I want" means you're selfish, disobedient, ungrateful. But do we really prefer a generation of robots? What do you do when your whole life has been planned out and now you’re on your own? How do we learn to break free and discover what WE want in OUR lives? Find out with our youngest guest yet - Katherine! www.getRAWpodcast.org
As the first Asian American (and Asian American female) to serve as Speaker of the Student Senate at Texas A&M University, Jasmine shares all the ways the powers that be tried to keep her speechless during her term. While working for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas during the 2019 Texas legislative session, Jasmine experienced taunts and threats, berating and blocking. So just how does one keep on fighting the good fight - when it seems like everyone is against you? www.getRAWpodcast.org
If you haven't seen The Farewell, go so see it. Like, right now. If you've seen The Farewell, and/or have Asian parents or grandparents, this episode is for you. Join Rachel, who actually hails from China and eloquently provides some much needed emotional balm for the gaping wound the movie left behind in my soul. www.getRAWpodcast.org
As the spawn of tiger moms & dads, we were always asked "What could you have done better?" and not "What makes you happy?" How has this mindset impacted our life choices - from college majors to career decisions to relationships? Is it too late to shift our focus and prioritize happiness at 25? 35? 45? Join Angeline during her quarter life crises as she questions ... everything. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Broadcasting from Houston Chinese Youth Camp, PhD-to-be Amy covers a spectrum of issues that impact young/old/male/female Asian Americans today. Pay Gaps, Ageism, Sexism, Racism, Work Culture, Immigrant Culture, Alpha males in the wild... So how DO we gain awareness of the injustice we face every day, navigate around it, and create sustainable, positive cultural change in our communities? www.getRAWpodcast.org
Our Asian parents taught us to hustle, but were we really taught to hope? PS: Where the heck has this podcast been in the past month? Find out! www.getRAWpodcast.org
"Too old, too girly, too silly"… Is your "Egoic Self" limiting you from real experiencing joy? Why do we wait until it's too late to tell people we appreciate them? Do Asians have a harder time accepting compliments? How do we have courageous conversations and deal with shit in an adult way? But first. You get to hear our returning guest Gloria sing the Egg Song. Because you're never too old for the Egg Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNndX9qua1o | www.getRAWpodcast.org
Do you often relive the pain from your past? How do we stop creating pain in our present? Have Asians been brainwashed by our culture to not speak up - even against pain? When does tough love become too tough? What is the secret to inner peace? Find out in episode 7, featuring Gloria basically living Ch 2 of The Power of Now. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Do you control your thoughts, or do they control you? Does your inner angry toddler run your life? Are you upset with the past and anxious about the future? If so, this episode is for you. In this mini-podcast, Stephanie explores the concepts of Eckhart Tolle's international bestseller, The Power of Now. Each episode features a new chapter and more uncensored sh*t. Chapter 1: You Are Not Your Mind. www.getRAWpodcast.org
Are you an artist with Asian parents? Do you have a hard time finding inspiration and a harder time knowing how to relax? Are your family dynamics kinda f*cked and leave you feeling like nothing you do is good enough? This podcast with Jennifer shares how we cope and hope that it's all gonna be OK. www.getrawpodcast.org
Why do we feel pressure to act 'OK' when we don't feel OK? What are the dangers of repressing your feelings? How do we learn the "Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK?" How do we balance empathy for others while not allowing ourselves to be disrespected? Find out with Sonsera! www.getRAWpodcast.org
Inconsistent character development. Plot holes. Limitless WTF?! moments. Before you watch the last episode, let Game of Thrones guru Jennifer redeem your faith in GoT just before the big finale. **Spoiler alert if not caught up with S08E05 of GoT. www.getRAWpodcast.org
As the inaugural guest of the Raw Podcast, Sonsera talks about the pitfalls of comparing yourself to others and how a Chinese cultural camp helped her transition into the next stage of life. 14 years later, the pressures of growing up second generation Asian American still sounds pretty darn familiar. www.getRAWpodcast.org
How to be every Asian immigrant parent's nightmare: Quit your full time job. Start a podcast. Talk about not playing by the rules, not studying hard, doing whatever the heck you want, and ... your parents. www.getRAWpodcast.org
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
