Respect the Mic

Follow Respect the Mic
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Welcome to Respect the Mic podcast, where two BBC (British Born Chinese) guys talk about life as second generation immigrants living in London, England. Every week Michael Lam and Michael Truong will be discussing Oriental culture, race, food, family, funny stuff, minority myths and any other shenan…

Michael Lam and Michael Truong

  • Dec 3, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • every other week NEW EPISODES
  • 55m AVG DURATION
  • 36 EPISODES


Search for episodes from Respect the Mic with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from Respect the Mic

EP36 feat. Donny Tsang - Lockdown Life, Taking Down Statues, HK & The Model Minority

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 95:59


On this episode we invited our close friend Donny Tsang. We chat about differences between the East and West's COVID response, taking down statues, where Hong Kong is in the world right now and how the model minority stereotype affects us.

EP35 - ft. Quyen D Nguyen - Emboldening immigrant stories, Growing up Christian & Would you rather

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 87:55


On this week's episode we were lucky enough to have Quyen D Nguyen come on and talk to us about his latest project 'Ignorance', a short film highlighting the racial abuse towards East & South East Asians in a COVID-19 world. With the media discriminating East & South East Asians through imagery & Donald Trump calling it the Kung Flu & Chinese Flu, there has been growing racial abuse towards the community. We discuss his work and what it meant to him to do this. We also dive into his experience as an immigrant, the impact of his parents and background in relation to his work. To see his latest work check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwMELv8dnJ8 To see his entire portfolio check out his website here: https://qd-nguyen.com/ Find him on Instagram: @qdnvisuals Sign the petition to help bring an end to harmful depictions of Asians in the media: https://www.change.org/p/stop-depicting-east-south-east-asians-in-coronavirus-related-media

EP 34 - Lockdown 2.0, Ghost Stories, and we get into a deep debate about Cultural Appropriation.

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 70:41


On this episode we finally go into Lockdown 2! Thankfully it means we don't have to travel to see each other, but it also means we don't get to see each other (sad face). We get deep into talking about halloween and ghost stories, before we have a heavy debate over what is culturally appropriate as a halloween costume, before we end on a lighter note and discuss the new film 'Over the Moon'.

EP33 - ft. Rice is Rice Pod - Migrant Story, Male Masculinity, Creative Inspiration

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 99:04


Our next episode we sit down with @riceisricepod in our dining room. On this pod we talked about a lot of things including @jemaimamendoza_ emotional story of her family settling into the UK, and what our dream East Asian stories would be. Starting this podcast has allowed us to connect with so many others like us and broaden our knowledge of the East Asian Diaspora in the UK. It’s been incredibly gratifying. Hopefully you guys listening feel this way also and hopefully we continue to do many more of episodes like these!

EP32 ft Viv Yau - Besea.n, activism & thoughts on Gen Z

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 63:04


On this episode we have @vivyau on the show, one of the six owners of the grassroots movement besea.n (Britain's East & South East Asan Network) a movement to counteract negative representation to & celebrate ESEA folk. We discuss a lot about how she got involved in activism, her journey from marketing & advertising to a confident activist. She discusses her passion to see better representation for British Asians, along with how BLM and COVID has impacted East Asian’s role in the conversations around race. We also talk a lot about our history, boat people and how we got here, as well as the gen Z generation. We also discuss Asian men’s representation in the media and how they are reflected in society. There is also plenty of discussion around Mulan and we play some quick fire questions about food and dating! Catch her podcast ‘But Where Are You From?’ here: https://open.spotify.com/show/71r4oAbdEH1B7g51ckOwnt If you want to see more of what besea.n are doing in our community follow their socials @besea.n

EP31 Katie Wong returns - Wechat University, Tiger Balm magic & appreciating our parents

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 67:05


On this episode, we invite our good friend Katie Wong back on the show. We dive deep on a lot of topics, including the crazy conspiracies Asian parents have, the magic that's Tiger Balm and all of its qualities, we make fun of Michael Truong's excellent Cantonese, acupuncture techniques, herbal and holistic medicines. We also dive into relationships in a COVID world, weight & beauty standards in Asian families. How to be the favourite child in an Asian family and how to be a model daughter and so many other topics and how to shirk the 'when you getting married questions from aunties.' Have a listen and hope you all enjoy! We play

EP30 - Karaoke parties, Media representation for East Asians & more Covid testing

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 49:49


On this episode we talk about how much we miss karaoke, getting triggered over terrorist acts, media representation in the media and Michael Lam gets tested for Covid.

Respect the Mic - Episode 29 - We are not a Virus & Patriotism for the Motherland

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 49:29


Hey guys! We're back again and excited to finally get back to talking about Asian things that matter to Asian People. In this episode we discuss the growing Sinophobia being fuelled by the media, and how media about China has influenced our idea of patriotism towards our home country. Please help sign this petition if you care about how East Asians are being depicted in the media. At the time of recording it was just under 8,000 but is now over 12,000! Help get it to 15,000! https://www.change.org/p/bbc-stop-depicting-east-asians-in-coronavirus-related-media Leave a COMMENT down below and give us a THUMBS UP. And then tell all your friends about us. Seriously. SUBSCRIBE, and click the bell icon to stay notified. Instagram http://www.instagram.com/hungmikelam http://www.instagram.com/michaelhtruong Twitter http://www.twitter.com/_Famalam http://www.instagram.com/michaelhtruong AVAILABLE ON: Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc4bXy0vvqjfZu5RcqWf Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/respectthemic/ep1 iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/respect-the-mic/id1476384749

EP 28 - Asians for Black Lives Matter

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2020 41:43


With the impact of George Floyd's death and the momentum the BLM movement has had in the last few weeks, we have taken the time to introspect and think about Asians' role in this issue, and how we can think and take action.

EP27 - Back on the Mic

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 52:50


It's been a minute but we're back on the mic speaking about how life's been impacted since lock down, growing herbs, working from home and learning new skills! Thank you all for being so patient with us whilst we've been on radio silenced and hopefully we'll have content more regularly here on in! Join the conversation, let's be together, not apart. Share with a friend, and the fun never ends.

EP26 - feat Michelle Chai - Stockpiling on rice, vegan Asian food & visit your Chinese takeaway!

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 35:33


We are back from a trip to Bulgaria and apologise for the lack of uploads, but this week we are joined by guest Michelle Chai! We talk about Chinese businesses taking a nosedive, stockpile on rice instead of pasta. Share this podcast, a second of your time could change someone else's.

EP25 feat. Tiffany - Unconscious bias, finding our voice & being bad at Maths

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2020 45:12


In this episode of Respect the Mic we have Tiffany Bui joining us on the sofa. We discussed lots of things, from Coronavirus discrimination, unconscious bias and breaking away from older generations’ prejudice.

EP24 - CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 34:14


EP24 - CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES by Michael Lam and Michael Truong

EP 23 - Piers Madness, Casual racism & Coronavirus epidemic!

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 41:24


Lunar new year has just passed but there’s been a lot of shade being thrown around. We had some things to say about it all and end it with the unstoppable force that’s awkwafina right now. Enjoy and keep bless!

Episode 22 - feat. Robert Hoang - HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2020 50:12


This week we are joined again by friend of the show Robert Hoang, and we discuss our experiences of Chinese New Year with so many random anecdotes from our infamous Robert The Riddler Hoang. Kindly support us by sharing!

Episode 21 - Awkwafina Wins BEST ACTRESS Golden Globe

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 34:03


MT returns from a trip to Thailand, and we lightly discuss his bad hair choices. But this week we really wanted to highlight Awkwafina who won the Golden Globe award for Best Actress!

Episode 20 ft. Irham Usman - Indonesian community, breaking into the arts and being typecast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2020 55:37


In this episode we have the talented Irham Usman, doctor and actor, joining us on the mic. He talks about the Indonesian community, moving from academia to the arts, and journeying into non typecast roles.

Episode 19 (Xmas special) - Christmas carols, Asian parents do Christmas & chilli quizzes

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2019 53:11


On this special Christmas edition we discuss what Christmas is like in an Asian household, assimilation into Western culture and we take on some chillies in a Christmas quiz!

Episode 18 - Asian Parents make you believe the dumbest things and Asian flush

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2019 50:28


In this episode we talk about all the crazy stories our parents told us as kids and why is Asian flush a thing?? If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 17 feat. Vinh Ton - North & South banter, Vietnamese Community & Singing

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019 57:51


On this episode we have the talented Vinh Tron, as he discusses his time in Broadway, idols he grew up with and the Vietnamese community in London. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 16 - Episode 16 Second gen Chinese issues, Chinglish and Henry Golding

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 55:23


On this episode we look at the fine art of Chinglish, juggling the many different Chinese dialects & Michael T has a few issues with Henry Golding. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 15 - BROTHER ON THE SHOW feat. Richard Truong - Brotherly love & eldest child issues

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 51:56


On this episode we get Michael Truong’s very own older brother to get some insights into family life, brotherly banter and being the oldest in a traditional Asian family. Thankfully we managed to keep everything mildly PG. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 14 - Wedding vibes, International family, Asians in America

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 55:11


This week we talk about Michael Lam’s trip to sunny California, spending time with family and how different the Asian community is in Asia. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 13 - Are strict asian parents a myths, asian dad love & terrifying asian uncles

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 50:52


Someone call a therapist cos we go deep into asian mum and dad relationships, choosing a career path that makes them happy & whether we will ever be able to hug our dad. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 12 - @MrLeeLives speaks on Interracial Dating, Chasing the Arts, And Modelling

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2019 61:37


This week we have special guest @MrLeeLives (instagram handle), and he tells us all about his love life, having a successful career in the arts, and his face being on billboards! If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 11 - Interracial relationships, Asian men in TV & talking feelings

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2019 52:45


In this episode we talk interracial relationships being on the rise, effeminate Asian men in TV and we also get deep about why it’s so hard to discuss what we’re feeling to families, friends & loved ones. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 10 - Chinese takeaways, top asian cuisines, weird asian foods & Dim Sum.

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2019 51:54


In this episode we ramble about all aspects of asian food. We go on a long one, talking about chinese takeaways, dim sum, korean & vietnamese cuisines and where asian cuisine is going. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 9 - (feat. Katie Wong) - Yellow fever, effeminate asian men, Asian body image

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 64:16


On this episode we talk about a wide range of things - Working in news journalism, why yellow fever isn't such a compliment as you think, is effeminate asian men the norm, and body image issues for Asian women. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 8 - Mid Autumn Festival, Sh*ne f*cktar* Gill*s, and the Asian Dad

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2019 57:12


Summer is over which means one thing only! Mid Autumn festival! We discuss how we celebrate it here in the UK, how it came about and what it means to British Asian people. We also discuss mooncakes, the Shane Gillis controversy and the Asian Dad. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 7 - The travelling Chinaman - racist or new demographic??

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2019 55:26


Michael Lam stumbles across a new demographic - the travelling Chinaman. The demographic that shops so much it's its own category. We also look at mainland chinese tourists & chopstick skills & etiquettes! If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 6 (feat - Robert Hoang) - Chinese surnames, do we all look the same and Got Rice B*tch!

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 55:04


Robert Hoang joins us on the sofa to discuss Chinese surnames, his racist stories and the legendary song that is Got Rice B*tch by Azn Pride! If you're listening in iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 5 - Hong Kong protests, China's influence & our connection to HK & China.

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2019 46:45


This week we are talking about the situation in Hong Kong protests, China's willful influence & how we as second generation immigrants connect to the crisis in HK and our differences with China. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 4 (feat. Norman Cheung) - Eastern medicine & Le Soy business and takeaway

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2019 52:02


We have our first guest! Our good friend Norman comes on to talk about life as a takeaway kid and his new venture into tofu pudding Le Soy. We also talk miraculous massages, and how Eastern medicine isn't as crackpot as it seems! If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 3 - Bruce Lee in OUATIH legacy, getting beats as a kid & taking your shoes off at home!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 46:41


On this episode we talk about our idol Bruce Lee, what he meant to us growing up and his legacy being tarnished in the new Tarantino movie. We also discuss how we got beats as a kid, what our worst beats were and why doesn’t everyone take off their shoes at the front door. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 2 - Being Asian, Orientalism, Shang Chi and Superpowers

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2019 45:39


Michael Truong talks about his experience growing up Asian. We also discuss what Orientalism is and how we identify, as well as all things Shang Chi, superpowers and whether Michael Truong is ever going to be cast in the new Shang Chi movie. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Episode 1 - Growing up Asian, the royal family, Nigel Farage & Mulan?!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2019 45:10


PILOT PODCAST! Michael Lam talks about bleeding two different cultures into one childhood, confusions between English & Chinese words, and our family's take on the royal family. Plus Michael Truong gets some surprises about the latest Mulan movie. If you're listening on iTunes, please leave a 5 star rating! Instagrams: @michaelhtruong @hungmikelam Twitters: @michaelhtruong @_famalam

Claim Respect the Mic

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel