You Had Me At YLW is a safe space where Asian Americans can come to air it all out. I'm Lauren Espejo, artist and creator of the @YLWRNGR blog, your host. This show is the proverbial soapbox for our community. The more we share our experiences and stories, the more we can understand each other. It's…
In episode 15 I chat with Gerrie Lim, the creator of the Chasing Color Project, a photojournalism series sharing the stories of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) folks. We chat about intersectionality and what it's like for Gerrie as a self-proclaimed "gaysian." I close out the episode with a mental health tidbit on triggers and how to hone in on them.Follow You Had Me At YLW on Instagram and Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW!
Xorr Xiong reached out to me regarding how I was using gender pronouns that weren't inclusive in the early days of this podcast. I truly appreciated being held accountable because I owe it to my listeners to uplift folks of all identities. Take a listen as we dive into Xorr's work at the Asian American Organizing Project, queer identity, amplifying trans voices and why gender pronouns matter. I close out with insight on things that don't define us, things that do and how to differentiate between the two. Follow You Had Me At YLW on IG and Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW
Episode 13 is here! This episode features Sophie Kanno of the IG page, @MixedPresent. We discuss what it's like to be mixed Asians and representation in the media. I share a self-care tip on limiting your news intake, especially in today's political climate.
I got to chat with Cindy Chu, writer and actress of the series, Queens! We discuss her journey into acting and why it was important for her show to have diversity. I close out with self-care tips on skincare. Until next time!
In Episode 11 of You Had Me At YLW, I chat with writer Tiffany Soga on microaggressions: which ones we've experienced, how to deal with them, and how to educate others on how to avoid using them. We also talk about her journey to writing and activism. I close out with a self-love tip on spending quality time with yourself. Until next time, my lovelies!
Welcome to episode 10! I have a conversation with Jenn Ho, founder of Lawrence and Argyle, an apparel brand that focuses on highlighting the immigrant and refugee experience. We talk about her brand, what fuels her passion and more! To close out, I share a self-love tip of joining in on the #100DayProject. Hope you enjoy, until next time you beautiful people!
This episode features my first Asian male guests, Lee Shorten and Rob Chen. They both happen to be actors as well. Lee and I talked about his Australian upbringing, representation of Asians in the media and how his acting journey brought him to TV. Rob and I chopped it up about his experience with the stereotype of the emasculated Asian man, being a New Yorker and his upcoming projects. I close it out with a self-care tip on incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet. Until next time, my lovelies!
In this episode, I sit with Thanh Bui and talk candidly about mental health. We cover everything from anxiety to depression and therapy to medication. Thanh and I talk about our own experiences with mental health. As per usual, I close out with a self-love tip. This episode, I dish on the reasons why affirmations are helpful.
Episode 7, first of the new year! This episode features Erin Turingan, creator of blog Coffee Meets Polished. We chat about our paths to our careers, accepting ourselves and what it's like to be Filipina American. I close out with a self-care gem relating to Marie Kondo's tidying up methodology. Enjoy!
This episode is all about social justice and what we can do to activate the Asian-American community. I'm joined by my illustrious guest, Kirin Macapugay, a social justice warrior in her own right. Get those pens and paper out folks, she drops some major gems. As per usual, I close out the show with a self-care tip about ACTUALLY taking breaks, not faking it. Until next time, you beautiful listeners, you! Don't forget to follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW and your host, @YLWRNGR
This is Part 3 of the Adoptee Identity series, featuring my guest Gia Sergovich. A fellow artist, it was cool to vibe with her and learn more about her journey as a transracial adoptee. Def catch up and listen to Parts 1 and 2 of this series, with Julayne Lee and Zoë Ryan. This episode, I close out with a self-love tip in regards to an extra zen mobile app (who would've thought?) Until next time, my lovely listeners! Don't forget to follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW and our host, @YLWRNGR
This is Part 2 of the Adoptee Identity series, featuring my guest Zoë Ryan. She was so open to talking about her adoption story and exploring her Asian-American identity. Make sure to catch up and listen to Part 1 of the series, with Julayne Lee. Stay tuned for Part 3 with Gia Sergovich! As per usual I close out with a self-care tip advising you to please, please, please read those product ingredient labels! Until next time... Make sure to follow the podcast on Instagram & Twitter: @YLWRNGR
November is National Adoption Awareness Month and we're kicking it off with a three-part series called "Adoptee Identity." I was able to interview three awesome adoptees: Julayne Lee, Zoe Ryan and Gia Sergovich. I learned so much about their adoption journeys and their path to discovering their Asian-American identity. Here is Part 1 featuring Julayne Lee, author of 'Not My White Savior: A Memoir in Poems,' available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more info, check out her website: http://www.julaynelee.com/ Make sure to follow the show on Instagram & Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW and our host, @YLWRNGR
In Episode 2, Lauren Espejo backtracks and gives you the scoop on who she is and what this podcast will be all about. Here is the in-depth interview with her intern at YLWRNGR, Emily Gao. The two of them discuss Lauren's journey with the YLWRNGR blog and social media accounts and her passion in the mission behind it all. Make sure to follow the podcast on Instagram & Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW and our host, @YLWRNGR
Welcome to the first episode of You Had me at YLW! In this episode I, Lauren Espejo, am joined by my very good friend, Damar Bobb. We talk about the representation of Asian-Ams in the media, our perspective on "yellowface" and our personal experiences with it. I close out with a self-love tip regarding manifestation. Make sure to follow the podcast on Instagram & Twitter: @YouHadMeAtYLW and our host, @YLWRNGR