Top Five

Chris is thinking about the people our government is abducting, like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, while Liz is medicating with the new Lady Gaga album and the Court of Gold docuseries on Netflix. Then, inspired by our last top five, we dig into health in our 40s: the perimenopause and probiotics of it all, the radical shifts in how we think about taking care of ourselves and the amount of time it takes, and the tricks we've picked up to help us feel our best. Finally, our top five Super Bowl halftime shows. The best thing about being middle-aged is that halftime shows are now aimed squarely at our demographic, and we'll take it!facebook.com/topfivepodInstagram: @topfivepodArt by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com)Music by Origami PigeonThe opinions shared here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers!

The world is on fire, and either because of that or in spite of that, we found ourselves consumed with the details of the Murdoch family d-r-a-m-a that were unsealed in court documents last month. We dig into all the things that shocked us (Rupert Murdoch has Asian daughters?), the bizarreness of Succession impacting the family that inspired it, and the potential ramifications of this family feud on our rapidly disintegrating democracy. Whether it's an escape from the more serious calamities happening around the world or schadenfreude from seeing these toxic forces thwarted, we hope this conversation gives you a little juice today. Plus, our top five signs that we're middle-aged. We're in our eating-probiotics, buying-clothes-from-Costco, recording-an-entire-episode-about-the-Murdoch-family-drama era, and we're leaning all the way in. ✌️If you'd like to get caught up to speed, here are our primary texts:"'You've Blown a Hole in the Family': Inside the Murdochs' Succession Drama" by Jonathan Mahler and Jim Rutenberg, The New York Times, February 13, 2025"Growing Up Murdoch" by McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, February 14, 2025facebook.com/topfivepodInstagram: @topfivepodArt by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com)Music by Origami PigeonThe opinions shared here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers!

At the end of last year, Chris's mind was blown by life in Scandinavia, and Liz was mourning the loss of a dear friend. Then we shared our Big Life Updates and favorite pop culture nuggets of 2024, culminating in the inaugural Manti Te'o Award for Craziest Story of the Year. Plus, our top five karaoke songs, which Chris took to the next level. This was recorded before the wildfires, before the new administration -- what already feels like a simpler time. We're sending love to all of you, especially our family and friends in LA. We hope this gives you a bit of an escape on this Lunar New Year Eve, and we wish you all a safe and rich new year.

Welp... here we are. After absorbing the news on Wednesday, we got on the mics to process how we're feeling, what went wrong, and where we go from here. We don't have any answers, but if you're trying to make sense of what happened, you're not alone. We hope you're taking care of yourselves and each other, friends. ❤️ facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon The opinions shared here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/topfivepod/support

Oh hi we're back! After a 15-month hiatus, we fired up the ol' microphones, and we were so excited that we basically recorded two episodes. We were *especially* stoked to talk about the Olympics and we wanted to share our top five moments from Paris (and many other Olympic takes) before they got stale, so please enjoy this apéritif to our fourth season. It's good to be back, friends! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon The opinions shared here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/topfivepod/support

Chris and Liz are still buzzing from their recent trips -- Chris's to Mexico City and Oaxaca, Liz's to DC for her first sightseeing trip with kids. Then we get into a much more serious topic that's been on our minds lately: aging parents. We talk about why end-of-life plans are especially hard to discuss with our immigrant parents, the conversations we have and haven't had with them (and our siblings, and our in-laws), and the looming pressures of caring for kids and parents at the same time. To take the edge off, we wrap with a comfort-food top five: Trader Joe's items. Whether you're a TJ tourist like Chris or a TJ cult member like Liz, we've got recs! (This podcast is not sponsored by Trader Joe's; we are just this enthusiastic) And that's a wrap on Season 3! We've loved spending this time with you and we look forward to getting back in the saddle after a break. Thank you for listening and for being part of these conversations! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/topfivepod/support

Chris is ambivalent about celebrity conductor Gustavo Dudamel's surprise move from LA to New York, and Liz is still awed by the amazing food she ate during a trip to LA. Then, we talk about work: Once upon a time, it felt like our generation was all about finding a job we love so we'd never have to work a day in our lives, but judging from the conversations we've been having lately, it sounds like that's changed. Why was "do what you love" such a thing for millennials? Was it a generational thing or a developmental thing? How do we think about work now? What do you do if you don't want to sell your soul to work, but not advancing means the risk of getting fired? This is real adult shit. Finally, inspired by the Off Menu podcast (Liz's current favorite), we share our top five starters/appetizers. Turns out we both agree that appetizers are low-key better than entrees, so this was a mouth-watering joy to put together! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris is existential about giving up his California residency, and Liz is as surprised as anyone that she's become a member of the BTS ARMY. Then, inspired by our last top five, we have a candid conversation about whether or not we still identify as Christian - how our relationship with Christianity has evolved over time, why we grapple with this question, and what spirituality looks like for us now. Plus, our top five favorite things about where we live. We may not know much about spirituality these days, but we do know that Ann Arbor and New York are amazing places to live! A few things we mentioned in this episode: The Code Switch/Throughline episode about how Korean culture went global Fowler's stages of spiritual identity development facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz is obsessed with the podcast Normal Gossip, while Chris is considering a new angle on voting in his last California election. Then we get into a topic we haven't heard nearly enough about: couple friends. Why is it so much more complicated to make couple friends than individual ones? What are the signs of a good couple friend for us and our partners? And crucially for Chris: Who pays the bill when you go out to dinner with another pair? Plus, our top five dinner guests. We did not expect that making this list would change our lives, but for one of us... it kind of did. Note: This episode was recorded before the election and also before Twitter became even more of a raging dumpster fire than it already was! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

After an unexpected two-month hiatus, we're back and we can't wait to chat! Chris declares his undying love for the Container Store, while Liz is blasting through the podcast 60 Songs That Explain the '90s. Then, we finally get to talk about Netflix's excellent new(ish) documentary on the Manti Te'o story, which happens to be Liz's favorite story of all time -- how it hit us almost ten years ago, how the documentary hit us now, and who the real villain is. (Spoiler alert: If you somehow haven't heard this story in the last ten years and you don't want us to spoil the documentary for you, we love that you want to watch it and please skip from 14:15 to 39:45.) Finally, we wrap with our top five acquired tastes. Foods, activities, people -- maybe we're just getting older, but we're pretty sure our tastes are getting better. The trailer for Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist (which you should definitely watch if you haven't yet) facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris is distressed about the Great Salt Lake drying up, while Liz is basking in the afterglow of a trip to New York City. Then, inspired by Liz's recent entry into the world of travel credit cards, we get into the weeds of it all - the stresses of maximizing points and if the benefits are worth it; the inherently unethical credit card system and if it's possible to live ethically within it. Finally, in celebration of all the Asian Americana we've been consuming and discussing over the last few months, our top five pieces of Asian American pop culture. Baby Chris and Baby Liz wouldn't believe how good we have it now! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris survived COVID, and Liz cannot believe the shitshow that is the Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary. Then we celebrate the rarest of occurrences: We both saw Everything Everywhere All At Once and Fire Island! We couldn't wait to talk about the beauty of a rom-com where the suitors are secondary to the story, rave about star performances, and try to work out the takeaway of EEAAO. Plus, a surprisingly delightful top five: condiments! For the first time ever, both lists get rewritten in real time because the world of condiments is wide and deep and delicious. Happy dipping, everyone! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We're reeling from the SCOTUS leak, so we needed a minute to unpack our reactions and both the political maneuvering and the toxic theology that got us to this point. Then, on a more hopeful note, we get into the shocking abundance of Asian American movies and TV shows we're experiencing right now - how quickly the tide changed, if we're still obligated to see every single one, and what we're especially excited about. Plus, our top five hidden gems! Whether you need a domestic travel spot or a fabulous bakery item, we've got you covered.

The Slap was top of mind for us and everyone else in the world, so by popular request, we talk how we experienced it as avid consumers of celebrity culture (Liz) and survivors of toxic masculinity (Chris). Then, continuing our conversation about managing our thirtysomething lives, we dig into the division of labor in our households -- the messages we got growing up, what this looks like now with our partners, and if it can ever be truly even in heterosexual partnerships. Plus, one of our favorite top fives ever: Asian snacks! It was hard to narrow down this universe of deliciousness to five favorites, but somehow we managed. And now we're starving. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Note: This episode was recorded a few weeks ago, before Russia invaded Ukraine, and it feels like we live an entirely different world now. Sending love and care to all, especially those who are directly impacted by the atrocities happening in Ukraine.

Chris is appalled that anti-CRT rhetoric is turning into actual book bans, and Liz wept through Speed Cubers, a sweet documentary on Netflix. Then, inspired by current events, we dig into the complicated process of making a wedding guest list and the referendum on the state of your friendships it can become. How do you decide who gets an invite, especially when you're getting married in your late 30s? What does an invite convey to a new friend or a childhood friend you haven't seen in ten years? We also talk about the younger cousin of the wedding invitation -- the holiday card -- and the strange opportunity it provides for an annual assessment of your friendships. Plus, our top five TV characters of all time. How many of Chris's are from The Wire? There's only one way to find out. Note: This episode was recorded before the murder of Christina Yuna Lee in New York City; we will have more to say about this in our next episode. We hope you're taking care and being extra kind to yourselves. ❤️ facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz is loving the cast album of Six: The Musical, and Chris is unsettled by his New Year's Eve viewing of Don't Look Up. (Spoiler alert: Please skip 6:00 to 17:10 if you don't want to know how the movie ends.) Then we revisit a topic that we first discussed two and a half years ago, in our second episode: adulthood. We talk about Chris's major life updates, whether adulthood is anything more than a series of logistical tasks, and Liz's newfound understanding of why people have midlife crises. And since we're right in between Solar New Year and Lunar New Year, we wrap with our New Year's resolutions. The differences in the aspirations of someone who has kids and someone who does not have never been starker. Happy Year of the Tiger, y'all! We still have one more chance to try out those resolutions again. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Happy New Year, friends! Holiday stress was top of mind when we recorded this episode, which led us to some critical questions: Who do you buy holiday presents for? Now that we have all these new holiday gift obligations, we get into the weeds: What do you give the ten different teachers who care for your preschooler? If you're a New York City resident like Chris, how much do you tip your doorman and the seven other people who work in your building? What's the minimum you can put on a gift card without looking cheap? We end by revisiting our favorite top five: celebrity crushes. New season, new list of beautiful people. We hope your 2022 is off to a good start and we're honored to be a part of it! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris finally gets a taste of pandemic parenting, while Liz has unexpectedly gotten sucked into Succession. Then we dig into the last two items in our pop culture grab bag: The viral New York Times piece "Who Is The Bad Art Friend?" (where we arrive at different conclusions) and our experiences of taking our dads to see the new Bond movie (where our experiences are strikingly similar -- is Bond an immigrant dad thing?). Plus, our top five greatest joys from smallest pleasures. Turns out there's joy to be found everywhere, from In-N-Out burgers to perfectly-sized Tupperwares! We hope your holidays are full of it. "Who is the Bad Art Friend?" The New York Times, October 5, 2021 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Surprise -- we're back and excited to chat! We're kicking off season three with thoughts about Ted Lasso (Liz) and the sudden ubiquity of Korean pop culture (Chris). Then we go through all the culture we've been dying to talk about for the last six months, from the Olympics to Harry and Meghan on Oprah to Chris's connection to a high-profile trial. We wrap with our top five self-care practices that actually work, because in spite of our rosy optimism at the end of Season One (remember that?), this pandemic is not going anywhere. We're thrilled to be back with you, friends! To prepare for the next episode, please read "Who is the Bad Art Friend?" if you're one of the seven people who hasn't read it yet. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz is confused about why queer-affirming people continue to speak at events that are not (content warning for discussion of queer-unaffirming theology; please skip 2:10 through 9:45 if you’d like to avoid it). Meanwhile, Chris celebrates the return of March Madness, and one of us has to pay up on a wager we made when our teams went head-to-head. Then, inspired by a recent event (!!!), we talk about engagement culture: the traditions that have been locked in — even as wedding traditions get disrupted left and right — and what happens when you decide to do things differently. We wrap with our final top five of the season: subcultures we want to explore. Thanks for joining us for Season Two — we’ve loved sharing it with you! We’ll see you when we return for round three.

CW: anti-Asian violence, murder We would love to be talking about something else, but here we are. We check in and talk about the shooting through our lenses as Asian Americans and former evangelicals who were raised in purity culture, and in Liz’s case, as an Asian American woman and parent. We also dig into all of the other stuff the tragedy has kicked up — like how have your non-Asian friends shown up (or not)? How has your workplace handled this, and how much of the labor did they put on you? How are you taking care of yourself right now? In the midst of everything that’s happening, we hope you’re being extra-kind and gracious with yourself. We’re thinking of you and sending you love. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

In true pandemic fashion, Netflix is giving us life: Liz finally discovered Schitt’s Creek, and Chris loved The 40-Year-Old Version. Then we get into the ethical questions that have been weighing on us in the current COVID landscape: Is it okay to wait in line for a leftover vaccine before we’re eligible? Is it reasonable to ask a teacher to return to the classroom without a vaccine? What is our individual responsibility in a messed-up system? Plus, the top five fads/trends (we’re not clear on the difference) that we don’t understand. The dawn of middle age is upon us, y’all, and we’re leaning all the way in. Note: We recorded this episode before the shootings in Atlanta; we'll discuss that in our next episode. We’re thinking of you, friends — please stay safe. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris is astounded by the Smartmatic lawsuit, and Liz recalls a fifth chapter of sex ed that she forgot to mention in the last episode. Then we get into a topic that’s resurfaced again on Asian American social media: MRAzns, or Asian men who harass Asian women on the internet. We talk about our experiences with them, what we think motivates their behavior, and if there’s any hope for change. Plus, our top five things we need to apologize for. To our parents, former youth ministry students, and more — we're sorry. For more on MRAzns: “When Asian Women Are Harassed for Marrying Non-Asian Men,” Celeste Ng, The Cut, October 12, 2018 “Eating Our Own: Deconstructing the Misogynistic Myths of Asian American Antifeminism,” Ju-Hyun Park, Reappropriate, August 22, 2017 For more on the recent anti-Asian violence, we recommend @beyonkz and @eeewhysee on Twitter and Instagram. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris atones for the transgression of calling Michelle Branch a one-hit wonder, and Liz still isn't over how amazing Michelle Obama looked at the inauguration. Then, inspired by our discussion of Big Mouth in the last episode, we talk about the fraught terrain of puberty — what the show gets right, our own awkward and traumatic experiences, and what we learned about sex and our bodies from school and church. (God knows we did not learn anything from our parents.) Plus, our top five same-sex crushes — a fitting end to an episode about hormones. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

[Content warning: body image issues] Chris pays tribute to his late uncle; Liz is blasting through Big Mouth on Netflix. Then we dig into all the messages we got from our parents about our bodies -- what they told us about our weight (and height, and skin, and...), how those messages impacted us and what was really behind them, and how we navigate these conversations as adults. We wrap with our top five one-hit wonders. Is it just us, or was the ‘90s full of fantastic one-hit wonders?

Liz is obsessed with Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa’s incredible new(ish) album, and Chris is digging into The Color of Law, Richard Rothstein’s landmark book about housing segregation. Then we talk about that age-old adult problem: how to navigate old friendships where you no longer see eye to eye. We talk about the place that our old friendships have in our lives, how we’ve handled significant differences that have appeared over the years, and the complicated question of who we feel most at home with now. Plus, the top five personas we’ve taken on. Turns out: trying on new identities isn’t just for teens. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull (colinpturnbull.com) Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

On the eve of his move, Chris reflects on his time in DC, while Liz finally sees the light regarding Harry Styles. Then, as we love to do at the end of every year, we reflect on what this year of cataclysmic change meant for us personally, how it changed us, and what we’re looking forward to in 2021. Plus, our top five things we’ll never do again after 2020. Which leads to a discussion about an underdiscussed topic: house clothes. Do you differentiate your wardrobe into inside clothes and outside clothes (like Chris) or day clothes and night clothes (like Liz)? We’re dying to know. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We’re so excited not to be talking about existential threats anymore! Liz is mourning the loss of Tony Hsieh, and Chris is binge-watching The Queen’s Gambit and The Legend of Kora. Then we get into the real quandary of the day: gifts for our parents. What do you get for an immigrant parent who has no hobbies and can buy anything they need? Why have we still not figured this out after thirty-some years of gift-giving? And keeping with our holiday theme, we end with our top five holiday songs. We can agree on one thing: There’s only one reigning queen of Christmas. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We've got reasons to celebrate: Liz, the power of the people in getting Detroit's election results certified; Chris, the selection of Kim Ng as the General Manager of the Miami Marlins. Then, in our final election discussion, we dig into exit poll data and try to make sense of some surprising findings: Why did support for Trump go *up* in every community of color, compared to 2016? Why did his support double among Asian American women? What does all this mean for us going forward? We wrap with our top five most inspiring living figures. We're thankful to them for guiding us through these trying times, and we're thankful for you for choosing to spend time with us. We hope your holiday is lovely, however unusual it may be. "How Whiteness Affected the Election," 1A, November 9, 2020 These pieces came out after we recorded, but they fit into our discussion perfectly: - "'People of Color' Do Not Belong to the Democratic Party," Jay Caspian Kang, The New York Times, November 20, 2020 - "A New Political Force Emerges in Georgia: Asian-American Voters," Sabrina Tavernise, The New York Times, November 25, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

IT’S NEW DAY IN AMERICA, Y’ALL. We’re elated to talk about Biden’s election win, our experiences of election week (including Liz’s day working at the polls… in Trump country), and the results we’re celebrating and grieving. Plus, our top five states and people we have messages for, in light of the election, since that’s all we’ve been able to think about for the last two weeks. Florida, it’s not us -- it’s definitely you. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz is channeling her pandemic and election anxiety into home improvement, while Chris feels the effects of an executive order at work. Then, on this Election Day Eve, we reflect on the last four years: where we were during the last presidential election, how the last four years have changed us, and (dare we even hope) what we’d want to see immediately from a Biden administration, should we be so lucky to see one. We wrap with an escapist top five: dream travel destinations. The food we want to eat, the places we want to see, and did we mention the food we want to eat? facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We‘re jazzed about the Michelle Obama podcast (and pitching in for the election)! Then, we talk about the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg - hearing the news, our favorite RBG achievements, and what progressives should do in the wake of Amy Coney Barrett's certain confirmation. And after weeks of dragging so many other people and things, we drag ourselves in this week’s top five: most embarrassing or awkward moments. So cringey, it’s delicious. The Michelle Obama Podcast "Part 1: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" and "Part 2: The Battle Over Her Seat," The Daily, September 21, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

So much has happened in culture since our last season ended, so consider this our pop culture catch-up. We finally get to discuss The Last Dance (remember when that was what everyone was talking about? Can you even remember?) and Indian Matchmaking before tackling Nice White Parents, the new podcast from the producers of Serial. We talk about the tensions between valuing equity and public education vs. wanting what’s best for your kids, our experiences of these issues as a parent and a policy researcher, and where Asian American parents fall in this equation. Plus, our top five things that haven’t aged well. Children’s books, revered politicians — we're coming for all of them. Note: This episode was recorded before the passing of RBG, which we’ll discuss in our next episode. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Liz is still buzzing from the Democratic National Convention, while Chris is reeling from the newly released bodycam footage of Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors, and his run-in with police in the aftermath of his team’s championship win. Which leads us into our topic of the day: how the racial landscape has changed in the post-George Floyd era, particularly in our Asian American communities. We talk about the engagement we’ve seen in recent weeks compared to post-Ferguson in 2014, the conversations we’re having now, and how we hope to sustain momentum for the long haul. We end on a lighter note: our top five favorite stand-up comedians. In trying times like these, their wit and incisive observations are essential. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We’re back for our second season! And my oh my, how the world has changed. Liz is thinking about education and equity as a new school year starts in the COVID era, and Chris runs down everything that’s happened in the world since our last episode. Which leads us right into the news of the day (of recording): Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential candidate, and we can't wait to talk about it. We wrap with our top five silver linings of COVID times. We know we are lucky lucky lucky to have any at all -- let alone five -- and we’re trying to practice gratitude in the midst of this long slog. We’re grateful to be back with you! Note: This episode was recorded before the DNC. (Which we’ll discuss in our next episode!) “Why Ta-Nehisi Coates Is Hopeful,” The Ezra Klein Show, June 5, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

In these trying times, we’re finding hope in the political realm, of all places -- Chris from old Obama videos, Liz from a surprising victory in Wisconsin. Speaking of politics: Now that the Democratic primary is settled, we finally have the spoons to talk about it -- who we were rooting for, our feelings about its conclusion, and our hopes and fears for the presumptive nominee. And as we wrap our first season, we leave you with the top five pieces of advice we’ve ever gotten. Thanks for taking this ride with us, y'all! We've loved sharing Season One with you. We’ll be back soon! ✌️ facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art (and episode title) by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz has Feelings about Andrew Yang’s op-ed in the Washington Post, and Chris is not feeling Tiger King. We’ve also got feelings about how some religious communities have responded to the coronavirus, which brings us to a conversation about religion and science -- how the evangelical communities of our youth separated the two, our journeys of breaking down that barrier, and engaging (or not) with people who haven’t done that work yet. We wrap with a bittersweet top five, given the sports desert we currently find ourselves in: our top five athletes of all time. Sports! We miss you! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

The world has completely changed since we last recorded, and we’re trying to make sense of it all. We break down what our lives look like in the era of social distancing and working from home -- with and without kids -- and, to lighten things up, the silver linings and winners of quarantine. Then we share our top five pop culture things giving us life in the time of corona, because in these trying times, every bit of joy counts. Sending love to you all -- stay safe, wash your hands, and don’t touch your face! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz devoured the Catch and Kill podcast, and Chris is thinking about the immediate and long-term implications of coronavirus. Then we break down our ever-evolving relationships with the suburbs: our childhoods in peak suburbia, fleeing to cities as young adults, and — dare we say it — slowly warming to the ‘burbs again in our thirties. Plus, our top five movies that changed our lives. (Note: We recorded this a week ago, before coronavirus concerns reached fever pitch. Stay safe, everyone!) facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

We can’t wait to talk about the Oscars! And we’re just as excited to talk about a recent Code Switch episode about race and friendship. We break down the kinds of friends we had growing up and now, how intentional those decisions are, and how we experience interracial friendships as adults. Then, a super-fun top five: Ways we’re turning into parents. The transformation has begun, y’all. Resistance is futile. “Ask Code Switch: What About Your Friends?” Code Switch, January 22, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

The whole world has changed since our last episode. We discuss the death of Kobe Bryant and what he meant to our communities, and Liz gives a nod to her childhood friend Jason Polan, who died the day after Kobe. Then we move to a bright spot of the last few weeks: Chris got to see Hamilton (!!!), so we can finally talk about it -- whether it lived up to the hype, the parts that moved us, and why it the show feels so revolutionary. Plus, in honor of the Oscars, we share our top five Oscar moments. For better and for worse, these lists already need to be revised because Sunday’s telecast provided so many good moments! We can't wait to talk about them in our next episode. "Jason Polan, Fast-Drawing Artist of the Offbeat, Dies at 37," The New York Times, January 27, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris is thinking about baseball’s sign-stealing scandal, while Liz is verklempt after getting a glimpse of her brother’s life in DC. Then, we talk about side hustles - the pros and cons of having projects to work on after work, piecing together a professional life with multiple jobs, and making room for rest in the midst of all of it. Plus, the top five dining experiences of our lives. Who knew that a Burger King in Budapest and a basement food court in LA could ever taste so good? facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Chris is still reeling from a visit to a California cannabis dispensary, while Liz can’t get over Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio’s interview on the WTF Podcast. Speaking of Brad and Leo, the Golden Globes happened! We break down the moments we loved, the things about award shows that make no sense, and why we love celebrity culture (all the time for Liz, some of the time for Chris). Plus, the top five things we want to see happen in the 2020s. One of us is putting their faith in Elon Musk to save us all. "Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio," WTF with Marc Maron, January 6, 2020 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Impeachment catches Chris's attention, and Liz revels in the food trends that defined the 2010s. Then we reflect on what the decade meant for each of us -- where we were when it started and where we are now, the central conflicts we had to navigate -- and what we hope the next one will be about. And to celebrate all the delicious gifts of the 2010s, we wrap them up with a retrospective top five: pop culture that defined the decade for us. We hope you relished it as much as we did, and we can't wait to talk about everything the next one brings! "8 Ways Restaurants Have Changed in the Past Decade," The New York Times, December 17, 2019 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz reflects on the end of Kamala Harris’s run for president, while Chris embarks on his first man-date. Then, in honor of the holiday season and all the big dinners that come with it, we talk about contentious family conversations: navigating them with our families and in-laws, how the addition of partners and children can change the dynamics, and setting boundaries when your parents have (literally) no language for them. Plus, the top five millennial stereotypes we embody. (We do have a podcast, so… there’s one.) facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

It’s our first in-person episode! We talk about Chris’s weekend in Ann Arbor for the Michigan-Ohio State game and Liz’s last hurrah with football. Then, we get into a topic that isn’t discussed often enough: making friends in your thirties. Why is it so hard? What makes it so different from making friends in your twenties? How do we get over the hurdles and make these friendships happen? Plus, in honor of the big game, the top five sports moments of our lifetimes. We laugh, we cry, and we remember that sports are magic, and sports are never just about sports. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz wonders if she’s reached the final straw with football, and Chris raves about Parasite and Boon Jong-ho. Then, a discussion about the end of journalism as we know it, most recently evidenced by the gutting of Sports Illustrated and Deadspin, morphs into a conversation about how to mitigate our complicity in a capitalist system. We close with the top five things we can’t believe are still around in 2019. Once you start asking "How is this still a thing?", it's hard to stop. "Inside Football's Campaign to Save the Game," The New York Times, November 7, 2019 "The NFL Has A Painkiller Crisis That It Never Wants To Go Away," Deadspin, September 12, 2019 "A Lineman Became a Doctor, but Dementia Made Him Retire. He's Only 42," The New York Times, October 28, 2019 "The Ham-Handed, Money-Driven Mangling of Sports Illustrated and Deadspin," The New Yorker, November 3, 2019 "I Was Fired From Deadspin for Refusing to 'Stick to Sports,'" The New York Times, November 11, 2019 "How Internet Trolls And Online Extremists Are 'Hijacking' American Politics," Fresh Air, November 12, 2019 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Both of us are thinking about recent episodes of Fresh Air - Chris, an interview with the writer with whom Prince collaborated on his memoir; Liz, a discussion about the cost of rebuilding coastal real estate in the face of climate change. Then we get into another topic we can’t reasonably cover in 20 minutes: our relationships with our parents, now that we’re in our thirties. What do we talk about with them, with and without grandkids in the picture? Does the pressure stop after we meet the usual thirtysomething milestones? How have these relationships evolved since our younger days? Plus, our top five celebrity crushes - lists that were harder to make, and more self-revealing, than we anticipated. "Prince's Co-Writer Reflects On Posthumous Memoir," Fresh Air, October 28, 2019 "Climate Change & The Cost of Coastal Real Estate," Fresh Air, October 17, 2019 "Going Home With Ocean Vuong," The Atlantic, June 4, 2019 facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

Liz binges on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, while Chris reflects on the geopolitical rift between the US and China opened by… the general manager of a basketball team. Then we get to some real talk about couples and money: Does everyone merge their assets when they get married? Who should pay for the first date when culture and feminism give us different answers? Will we ever be free of our anxiety about picking up the check? Plus, the easiest top five lists we’ve ever made: pet peeves. Talking about the most irritating things has never been so fun. facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support

It’s been a minute since we applied to college, but those memories come back QUICK. We talk about that formative time, inspired by our topic of the day: the decision in the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard case. We break down why affirmative action and race-conscious admissions are important, the use of Asian Americans as political pawns, and the perils of organizing without understanding our place in the racial landscape. Then, a classic top five: TV shows of all time! facebook.com/topfivepod Instagram: @topfivepod Twitter: @thetopfivepod Art by Colin Turnbull Music by Origami Pigeon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/topfivepod/support