Podcasts about aanhpi

Fetishized is a memoir-in-essays by Kaila Yu--a former pin-up model and lead singer of the all-Asian American female rock band Nylon Pink. The book delves into her personal journey as she confronts--and unpacks--the complexities of being both the object and agent of fetishization in a media landscape shaped by stereotypes and colonial mindsets. Her memoir interrogates harmful portrayals--from geishas in Memoirs of a Geisha, to the Austin Powers twins in Goldmember, to the character in Full Metal Jacket, and even pin-up iconography figures like Sung-Hi Lee. These archetypes--and the lack of diverse Asian representation--led Yu to internalize the painful belief that sexualizing herself was her only path to perceived value or desirability. Ultimately, Fetishized is a path toward self-reclamation. It's an unflinching look at the violence of objectification, balanced with deep empathy for the fractured relationships we might have with beauty, desire, and our own bodies.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 36! Our guest this episode is the New York Times bestselling author Abigail Hing Wen. She's probably best known for the book Loveboat, Taipei and its two companion novels Loveboat Reunion and Loveboat Forever, as well as Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies. Her latest work is The Vale which will be released on September 16th.  The Vale is Illustrated by Yuna Cheong and Brandon Wu, and it's published by our favorite publisher Third State Books. It's a coming-of-age story that is both science fiction and fantasy in a way. Bran, the main protagonist is the son of two inventors and has helped them develop an immersive VR world called the Vale. There's a little action, romance, magic, technology, and mystery; and the themes include family, belonging, persistence, love, and friendship… in other words, there's something for every reader young and old. There's also a short film prequel being created called THE VALE–ORIGINS starring the award-winning actress, singer, and stage performer Lea Salonga. We highly recommend getting the Vale, and if you pre-order it and submit the receipt, you can even get some free stickers.  We learned a lot about Abigail in our conversation beyond her education and journey to writing. Other than novels, she's a producer, director, and woman-in-tech leader specializing in artificial intelligence… and she's a mother of two. She writes and speaks about tech, AI ethics, women's leadership and transforming culture. In our conversation, we also discuss: How The Vale got published Ways she included technology that's truly believable What it was like to create an illustrated novel The power of teacher guides and thoughtful questions What to expect from her debut directorial short film The Vale Origins And much more. To learn more about Abigail Hing Wen, you can visit her website abigailhingwen.com, follow her instagram @abigailhingwen, go to her Linktree for even more links, and of course, purchase The Vale! And don't forget, if you pre-order through Barnes & Noble or an independent bookseller, you can get some free stickers. And if you're in New York, stop by Chinatown Ice Cream Factory before September 21 for a free trial size of any flavor, but we recommend The Vale inspired Elfberry Blue. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Water Mirror Echo is Dr. Jeff Chang's ambitous and deeply empathetic cultural biography of Bruce Lee that goes beyond myth, revealing the man behind the legend while tracing how Lee's life helped shape the emergence of Asian America. Chang's storytelling deftly intertwines Lee's personal narrative with broader social currents--highlighting Asian American student activism, racial solidarity, and cultural resistance. By drawing from in-depth interviews, newly released personal papaers, and rare family photographs, Chang is able to pierce the iconography and reveal Lee's complexity--his vulnerabilities, perseverance, and influence. And by humanizing Lee, Chang reframes him as a creator of cultural identity, not just an action hero. Chang delivers more than a portrait of Bruce Lee--he offers a meditation on identity, visibility, and the shaping of Asian American culture. Lee's life becomes a lens to explore how individuals and symbols can birth movements, challenge stereotypes, and redefine belonging. His book will be available for purchase on September 23, 2025.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 35! In today's episode, we confront the stereotype that Asian Pacific Islanders are docile or apolitical—and replace it with powerful stories of immigrant women sewing their way into labor history. We shine a spotlight on the garment industry's deepest struggles—from the grueling piecework and unsafe conditions to the solidarity that transformed sweatshops into symbols of resistance. Featured stories include: The 1982 Chinatown Garment Workers' Strike in New York City, where over 20,000 Chinese immigrant women led a historic walkout—and won. The 1995 El Monte sweatshop case in Los Angeles, which exposed modern-day slavery and elevated lawyer Julie Su to national leadership. Immigrant women organizing in 1970s–1980s Vancouver, rewriting Canadian labor organizing through multilingual outreach and coalition building. We also highlight key API leaders such as Katie Quan, Julie Su, and Avtar Singh Dhillon, exploring their backgrounds and enduring impact on labor justice. In our recurring segment, we talk about an organization to support, and feature the Garment Worker Center of Los Angeles who continue to do great work in support of garment workers. You can visit the Garment Worker Center of Los Angeles website to learn more and support their work. Considering a donation? Support their mission directly through their Donate Now page.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Intro on Labor Day 02:25 The History of API Garment Workers and the Labor Movement… Stitching Resistance 12:07 Organizations to Support… Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles, CA

Jackie Dallas was only a year from finishing her residency in pathology when she decided to leave medicine, move to California, and pursue acting. Through hardworking and perverance, she has appeared on many hit shows, including playing "Jen Woo" (science teacher Mr. Clarke's girlfriend) in Season 1 of "Stranger Things." You can see her now in The Hunting Wives, which is currently the No. 1 show on Netflix. You'll also get to know how she's using her current platform and her training as a medical doctor to help countless women understand the importance of pelvic health and to get help if needed.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 34! Before reading Table for 51, we had no idea what a “Friendship Expert” was. After meeting Shari Leid for this episode's conversation, we think everyone could use a Friendship Expert! Her newest book, Table for 51, shares her journey on the 50 States Project, where she committed to having a meal and conversation with one woman in every state. The book is a combination of memoir, self-help manual, and journey of inspiration. She learned about belonging and identity. Shari was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by a Japanese American couple after she was found abandoned in a box. She's a former litigator who is now a Friendship Expert, public speaker, and writer. After she left her career in litigation, she founded a professional mindset coaching business called An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC. Her business serves clients in those tricky middle age years, helping them create the life of their dreams. In addition to Table for 51, she has written The Friendship Series which includes The 50/50 Friendship Flow, Make Your Mess Your Message, and Ask Yourself This, which included a 60-day journaling challenge.  In our conversation, we talk about her career, what motivated her to go on the 50 States Project, how she organized Table for 51, her advice for people struggling with feelings of belonging, and so much more. To learn more about what Shari does, you can get Table for 51 or any of her other books, visit her site, follow her on instagram, join her Facebook group Flip the Box, listen to her podcast, or watch her YouTube channel.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Teenaged Sabrina Wang has the distinction of being one of the first girls--Asian American or otherwise--to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in what is now known as Scouting America. Formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, the organization recently fully embraced a significant rebranding, opening its programs now to girls and LGBTQ+ youth while retaining traditions like the Scout Oath and mission. Sabrina's enthusiasm for becoming a Scout speaks volumes to the success of this effort. And her attaining the rank of Eagle Scout speaks volumes to her leadership abilities and determination.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 33! Our guest today is Ada Tseng. She's a journalist, editor, podcaster, runner, wellness advocate and karaoke enthusiast. She is the co-author of the new book Breaking Into New Hollywood: A Career Guide to a Changing Industry. It just came out on August 12 2025, and it's co-written with Jon Healey and published by the Los Angeles Times and Simon & Schuster.  Breaking Into New Hollywood is a practical collection that offers insights on navigating the Hollywood industry today and how it's changed with CGI, AI, video streaming, social media, and more. Whether you're an aspiring set designer, agent, director, writer, actor, manager, or anything to do with making films in front or behind the scenes, this is an invaluable resource. Ada has written for a variety of outlets including the LA Times, National Geographic, Center of Asian American Media, Women's Wear Daily, HowStuffWorks, The Washington Post, Public Radio International, NBC, LA Weekly, Asia Pacific Arts, and Audrey Magazine (just to name a few). We should also mention that Ada is the co-host of the Saturday School Podcast with Brian Hu which is one of our favorites, especially for Asian American pop culture. In our conversation, we talk about how she got involved with pop culture and this book, how she organized the book, the importance of adding in diversity to the different featured insiders in the book, what she thinks is the most important element of making it in Hollywood, what her fantasy career in Hollywood could be, and a lot more. As a veteran podcaster, she even turns the tables and asks us a few questions. For more of Ada's work, you can check out her website, follow her on Instagram, subscribe to the Saturday School Podcast, and get Breaking Into New Hollywood. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Actor Sean Dulake is part of the stellar cast of Amazon Prime's new Butterfly series, an espionage thriller set in Seoul, ROK, starring and executive produced by Daniel Dae Kim. What's unique about this spy show is that it revolves around the dynamics between a father and daughter, and a mother and son. Which of course, makes an already immensely complicated situation even more convoluted. As a hapa Korean American (from Arcadia, CA), Sean is also the co-founder of the highly successful Third Culture Content production company.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 32! We love having conversations with a lot of amazing authors of a lot of fabulous books. It's even more fun when we're able to invite an amazing author who's also a long-time friend or family member. So this episode is exciting for us because our guest is Kimberly Tso, the author of the new picture book Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken which is published by Third State Books (one of our favorite publishers)! And yes, we've known Kim for the better part of three decades. Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York's Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown by Louie Chin, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with clever thinking. You don't have to wait till Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken's release date on August 19, 2025, because it's available for pre-order through Third State Books, Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more! You can even get a signed copy from Once Upon a Time Bookstore. Kim is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) SoCal and SCBWI LA. She loves the challenge of writing complex ideas in an accessible way. She also likes to draw, paint, and collage. In addition to writing children's books, Kim is the owner of Velocity Ink, LLC, a consulting firm that provides grant writing and strategic planning services to progressive nonprofit organizations. A very successful grant writer, she's also the author of the workbook "Fix It and Get Funded: 10 Do-It-Yourself Repairs for Grant Proposals.” To see more of Kim's work, you can visit her website kimberlytso.com, or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, or subscribe to her Substack newsletter. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Best-selling novelist Jesse Q. Sutanto's latest offering is a present-day re-imagining of the ancient Chinese folktale about a Chinese daughter who masquerades as a man in order to battle China's enemies. It's the most recent book in the Disney Hyperion's "Meant to Be" series, which is a contemporary romance collection featuring reimaginings of classic Disney stories, written by various authors. @jesseqsutanto

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 31! Our guest today is Daniel Tam-Claiborne, a writer, multimedia producer, and nonprofit director. His latest work is the novel Transplants released by Simon & Schuster. It's a coming of age story following two young women—Lin, who is Chinese and Liz, who is Chinese American. They're both navigating the journey to find their truest selves in a world that doesn't know where either of them belong. The novel is an exploration of race, love, power, and freedom that reveals how—in spite of our divided times—even our fiercest differences may bring us closer than we can imagine. Tam-Claiborne is also the author of the short story collection What Never Leaves, and his writing has appeared in a variety of publications and outlets including Michigan Quarterly Review, Catapult, Literary Hub, Off Assignment, The Rumpus, HuffPost, and elsewhere. Outside of writing, Daniel serves on the Board of Directors of Seattle City of Literature and on the Advisory Board of Off Assignment. He's a frequent speaker, moderator, and host. In our conversation, we discuss the process of writing a novel, inspiration for Transplants, feelings of belonging, the importance of COVID and lockdown as an element of Transplants, the diversity in the Asian American community, and so much more. Transplants is a well-written, moving book that we think shares several common themes that resonate with so many audiences. Tam-Claiborne doesn't shy away from deep issues that Asian Americans, Asians, and expats face as he explores belonging, identity, and more. You can see more of Daniel's work on his website Travel Breeds Content or his Instagram account @datclaiborne. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Kenny and Chizuko Endo met in 1975 when he was first embarking on what would become his lifelong passion for Japanese taiko drumming, ultimately using it to honor its role in the past, but also using it as a springboard to innovate compositions and collaborations that have established these ancient Japanese drums as clearly belonging to the future of music as well.  Now celebrating his 50th year with taiko, Kenny and wife Chizuko reflect on how their personal and professional lives have been shaped and sharpened by their mutual love of taiko drumming.  To find out more about the 50th anniversary shows, go to www.kennyendo50.com. You'll also find dates and locations for the subsequent shows on the Mainland. And to find out more about their Taiko Center of the Pacific, go to www.taikoarts.com.  

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 30! Today's guest is Camey Yeh, an established artist who has a cute and whimsical artistic style. Her latest work is her first picture book entitled We're Different and It's Totally Cool, published by Crown Books for Young readers. It was released on July 22nd, 2025.  Camey is a Taiwanese American artist and author, and she was inspired to create We're Different and It's Totally Cool by her own childhood experiences growing up in a predominantly white town. We love the beautiful artwork that feel both classic in style while still being unique. The colors are bright and the characters choices are inviting, and we can see how this book would be engaging for everyone… including children aged 4-8 as it was intended. In our conversation, we talk a little about Camey's journey to being an author and illustrator, how she was inspired to create We're Different and It's Totally Cool, the themes of the story, how she developed her artistic style, what makes her different and totally cool, and so much more. We're Different and It's Totally Cool makes a great gift for kids 4-8 and beyond. If you're interested in more of Camey's work, then you can follow her on instagram @tropicalspaghetti. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Mari Fong is a music journalist who not long ago launched the "Check Your Head" podcast because of being deeply troubled by the number of professional musicians who struggle with their mental health and addictions, with some even choosing to take their lives. Her show provides these artists a safe and empathetic space to share their stories honestly, and she then brings on different mental health professionals who can articulate what needs to happen in order for them not just to recover, but to thrive as people and as musicians.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 29! Today we're joined by a true icon in the world of academia—Professor Gordon H. Chang. A celebrated historian, Professor Chang is both the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities and a Professor of History at Stanford University. He's also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. We're honored to speak with him about his latest book War, Race, and Culture, published by Stanford University Press in May 2025. This anthology compiles some of his most powerful essays written over decades of impactful scholarship. The topics range from foreign relations and U.S. imperialism to race, Asian American identity, and the cultural contributions of Asian Americans. Our conversation covers everything from the role of propaganda in shaping views of Asians, the long history of harmful stereotypes, and the cultural erasure seen during Japanese internment—including how artists like Dr. Seuss and creators of Superman contributed to racist narratives. Professor Chang also reflects on the political engagement of Asian Americans and why “nurture vs. nature” plays a crucial role in debunking the myth of political apathy in the community. We also touch on a more personal subject: his interest in art history, including how his father's legacy inspired him to explore and uplift overlooked Asian American artists like Dong Kingman, whose brilliance was too often overshadowed by the racist caricatures found in mainstream media. This episode offers not only a look into Professor Chang's new book, but a deeper understanding of how history, race, and culture intersect in America—and why writing history is always personal. Links and Resources: Learn more about War, Race, and Culture from Stanford University Press Read more from Gordon H. Chang, including Ghosts of Gold Mountain, Fateful Ties, and Asian American Art: A History, 1850-1970 If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.  

Michael Luo is an executive editor at The New Yorker and writes regularly on politics, religion, and Asian American issues. His first book, “Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America,” is a well-researched history of Chinese Americans from the Gold Rush until the 1960s. Using his skills as a former investigative reporter, Luo manages to bring back to life the myriad Chinese Americans who struggled, suffered, and even were murdered in their persistent efforts to make this strange new land a new home for themselves and for those who would one day follow in their footsteps.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 28! In this episode, we sit down with Michael Luo, the award-winning journalist, editor, and author of Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America. Currently an executive editor at The New Yorker, Michael writes extensively on politics, religion, and Asian American issues. Before joining The New Yorker, he spent over a decade at The New York Times as a national correspondent and investigative reporter, earning accolades like the George Polk Award and the Livingston Award for Young Journalists. His latest book, Strangers in the Land, published by Doubleday in April 2024, is a sweeping and deeply researched narrative history of the Chinese American experience—from the Gold Rush era to the 1960s. Drawing from archival sources, court cases, and personal stories, Luo sheds light on how Chinese immigrants helped build America while simultaneously being pushed to its margins. He highlights the people and policies that shaped their journey—from the railroad workers and early activists to the architects of exclusion laws and the courts that upheld them. Through vivid storytelling and compelling analysis, Luo explores the roots of anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S., the foundations of our modern immigration surveillance state, and the broader struggle for belonging in a multiracial democracy. This is a must-read not only for lovers of history but for anyone seeking to understand how the past shapes our present-day debates on race, immigration, and identity. In our conversation, Michael shares insights on how he approached this project, why it was important to center underrepresented figures like Hung Wah, Wong Chin Foo, Chin Gee Hee, and Sun Chong, and how understanding this history can guide us through today's political and cultural tensions. If you want to hear more from Michael you can read his work in the New Yorker or see his posts on Instagram @luomich. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Shin Yu Pai was already a published poet and museologist when she entered a contest by the Pacific Northwest's National Public Radio to pitch an idea for a new podcast that focused on Asian Americans. Around seventy people submitted concepts, but NPR picked Shin Yu's. That propelled her into the very formulaic world of NPR podcasts. She learned quickly, and her show became a huge hit in that region. But after three years, she was told that it had come to an end. Shin Yu found ways to identify and process her grief, and then decided to reboot her podcast with the help of an independent production company. But now, unfettered by NPR's way of doing things, Shin Yu is bringing much more of her own voice and perspective to Ten Thousand Things, the award-winning podcast about modern-day artifacts of Asian American life.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 27! We have been known to be obsessed with true crime stories. So we were really excited to read L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood by Professor Anne Soon Choi and published by Third State Books. And we were even more excited when Anne visited us as a guest.  Professor Choi is the Interim Associate Director of Online Pedagogy and Learning for the Faculty Development Center, and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Cal State Dominguez Hills. She's a historian and also interested in True Crime as well as Asian American history… so writing a book about Dr. Thomas Noguchi is the perfect intersection of these two interests.  Noguchi was the highest ranking Japanese American official in Los Angeles County during the 1960s and 70s, and he performed autopsies of some of the most well-known people who passed away during that time including Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy, Sharon Tate, and Natalie Wood. In our conversation with Anne, she shares her process of research, some of Dr. Noguchi's biggest innovations, how the Asian American community rallied around Noguchi when he faced a racist dismissal, some of Anne's future writing projects, and so much more.  If you love true crime stories and/or learning about Asian American History, then we highly recommend buying L.A. Coroner. You can also learn more about Anne Soon Choi via her Instagram @latruecrime.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Guest Bryan Yamami is the co-founder and executive director of the acclaimed and award-winning drumming group TAIKOPROJECT (www.taikoproject.org). You'll learn why he was a less than enthusiastic young taiko student, but why he returned to this ancient form of Japanese drumming with fervor while a college student. Notably, Bryan shares why and how he and co-founder Masato Baba felt led to start their own group with the emerging vision to create a uniquely Japanese American version of taiko ensemble performances.  TAIKOPROJECT will be celebratinig its 25th anniversary with a culturally collaborative show featuring Chicanx band Quetzal and Berklee-trained Japanese musician Sumie Kaneko, who will be performing vocals, on koto, and on shamisen. More information about buying tickets can be found at www.taikoproject.org/25th.

Jessica Woo is a viral content creator, cookbook author, and mother of three known for her creative, culturally inspired bento box lunches. A pioneer in short-form food content, she's been featured by outlets like Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, and The LA Times. Beyond food, Jessica is a passionate advocate for equality, inclusion, and AANHPI cultural pride, using her platform to inspire and uplift her community.Connect with Jessica Woo!https://www.instagram.com/sulheejessicahttps://www.threads.com/@sulheejessicahttps://www.tiktok.com/@sulheejessicahttps://www.youtube.com/@SulheeJessicahttps://www.facebook.com/sulheejessicahttps://www.snapchat.com/add/jessifluffGet The Woo Blend Here!https://www.josu.co/products/woo-bundleCHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction1:13 - Meet Jessica Woo, AKA the Bento Box Queen4:27 - How she created her own seasoning salt, The Woo Blend7:01 - Jessica talks about her kids' ethnicities and their fathers' backgrounds7:58 - Jessica reflects on her career before social media and becoming a stay-at-home mom11:08 - Jessica discusses her experience in photography and social media marketing15:00 - Jessica's advice for people in 9-to-5 jobs who want to start creating content17:57 - Jessica shares the story behind her first viral TikTok video with 40M views21:48 - How she began receiving requests from various media outlets24:19 - How viral videos affect algorithm reach and follower growth on TikTok26:42 - Jessica's advice on starting from zero as a content creator: be consistent and create with passion28:50 - How she films and edits her videos32:44 - Why she chooses to speak out publicly on political topics36:00 - Recent political issues she has publicly addressed37:36 - How she built her online community39:48 - How Jessica's reach and audience have remained consistent over the past five years42:19 - Collaborating with the NFL, WWE, and The Roast of Tom Brady44:10 - Strategy of integrating movie quotes, sports, and pop culture to diversify her content45:01 - Does Jessica feel secure about her audience, or does she view it as temporary?45:59 - How Jessica landed collaborations with the NFL, Netflix, and other major brands47:59 - Jessica names other creators she follows and draws inspiration from49:05 - How Jessica connects with and builds relationships with other creators51:13 - How she became friends with Kamala Harris' niece, Castcade, Marshmello, and Meghan Trainor52:40 - Go-to apps and tools for video editing54:01 - Why she thinks the iPhone 11 has the best camera quality of all versions54:59 - How her content differs across TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Snapchat59:16 - Does Jessica create long-form YouTube videos or stick to YouTube Shorts?1:01:10 - Threads vs. Twitter1:02:30 - Recent posting volume on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads1:04:40 - Experience joining Gordon Ramsay's Idiot Sandwich YouTube series1:06:39 - Asking her exes about her best and worst qualities as a partner1:11:05 - Relationship with her ex's mother1:12:23 - Jessica discusses using the dating app Hinge to meet people1:14:18 - How transparent she is about her work and relationships with her children1:15:32 - Jessica emphasizes the importance of communication with her children1:23:11 - Jessica explains why transparency and open communication with parents matter1:28:15 - Jessica's advice to Andy about handling his parents' subtle jabs1:30:52 - Jessica shares the answers from her exes in her viral Threads post1:36:44 - Jessica talks about hanging out with friends and sometimes with her sisters1:37:16 - Jessica's recent life discoveries1:38:11 - Jessica's goals for the next 6 months1:38:40 - Jessica shares her parenting approach and how she balances strictness with openness1:39:51 - Jessica talks about how her sisters bond with her and her children1:41:57 - Connect with Jessica1:43:14 - Jessica talks about her use of Snapchat and its potential for creators1:44:05 - Outro

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 26! With the fall of Saigon happening about 50 years ago, it's important to recognize related additional moments in the history of Asians and Asian Americans. We're talking about the Secret War in Laos which was closely tied to the Vietnam War. This will be Part 1 of 2 on the topic. Laos is in Southeast Asia, a key region that the U.S. worried about during the Cold War. The Secret War in Laos was led by the CIA and fought predominantly by the Hmong, an ethnic minority in the country, and it's a major reason so many Hmong and Laotian people became refugees after the Fall of Saigon and retreat of U.S. forces. So in this episode, we dig into the geopolitical situation that was present in Southeast Asia, the U.S. role in battling the spread of communism there, the key local soldiers recruited by the CIA, and the amount of damage the U.S. did to the area.  We begin the episode by catching up on current events, including celebrating newly elected mayor of San Antonio Gina Ortiz Jones as well as all the Tony winners of Asian Pacific descent. We also give our thoughts on the push for Asian American History in Arizona. We end the episode with the recurring segment What are We Watching? In this installment, we talk about the streaming show Deli Boys and the feature film Sinners.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Introduction and Current Events 04:59 The History of the Secret War in Laos 14:40 What are We Watching? Deli Boys and Sinners

Long-time friend and Christian colleague Diane Ujiiye, the co-director of nonprofit www.api-rise.org, introduced me to her Program Director Kanaka Mālia Luna Jennings, a proud Native Hawaiian and Filipina who, while a juvenile, had been incarcerated for 23 years. Her father died while she was inside, which served as a desperately needed wake up call to grow up, turn to God, and begin turning her life around. After she was released from prison, however, ICE swooped her up, and those seven months of detention were more dehumanizing and difficult than anything she'd experienced in prison. Hers is a remarkable and inspiring story of how true change that begins within can ripple outward to heal communities and generations.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 25! We're back with Part 2 of our conversation with the very talented Olivia Cheng. Last week, in Part 1 of the conversation, we mainly focused on Olivia's acting career. In this episode, we pivot to her work behind the camera as a writer, director, and producer.   Olivia shares how she was motivated to write and direct her short film Dinner with Dex, which starred her Warrior co-star Dianne Doan. We also talk about her feature directorial debut on the documentary I am Raquel Welch. The iconic actress was the subject of another installment of CW's “I Am” series and aired in March on the channel. Don't worry, you can still catch the inspiring documentary through streaming services that focus on network television like CW, Fubo, and Direct TV.  In the rest of the conversation, Olivia discusses how the Hollywood industry has changed over the years, her thoughts on Asian Pacific activism, her latest movie Lucky Star (that she also helped produce), and more. She even takes part in our rapid fire segment where we find out her thoughts on her command of Cantonese in Warrior, which of Ah Toy's outfits was her favorite, and which recent role (between Ah Toy, Mei Lin, Master Gao, or Charlotte) was the most similar to her in real life. If you're interested in seeing more of Olivia's work, then you can stream Marco Polo and Warrior on Netflix, See on AppleTV+, and you can rent or buy Lucky Star on Apple TV or Amazon services. You can, of course, follow her on Instagram @thatoliviacheng. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. *Above photo of Oliva Cheng by Noah Asanias

This panel discusses the "Localized History Project," which addresses the lack of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in New York State's Eurocentric, test-driven curriculum. The Project advocates for both a "content and pedagogical revolution" to shift who is perceived as a historian and knowledge creator. The Project is youth-driven, centering young people through Youth Action Boards in various regions of New York, who develop resources for an archive and classroom use. Utilizing oral history, semi-structured interviews, and surveys, the project explores how the absence of AANHPI history impacts youth and aims to create a "living history" that challenges traditional, colonial frameworks of history education. The ultimate goal is to provide a community archive of localized histories to fill educational gaps and inspire revolutionary change.Panel was part of the Association for Asian American Studies 2025 Annual Conference

Third generation Japanese American Philip Kan Gotanda has gained renown as one of the most prolific Asian American playwrights, filmmakers, and musicians, but he came this close to becoming a lawyer. East West Players (www.eastwestplayers.org) is remounting his seminal play Yankee Dawg You Die in July 2025 after first staging it in 2001. Here's your chance to let him educate you about the (sadly) still-relevant message of this play, while he regales you with astonishing and hilarious stories of his journey to embrace his calling as a pioneering artist.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 24! In this episode, we have Part 1 of a Conversation with Olivia Cheng, a storyteller known predominantly for her acting, but beginning to make waves with her writing, directing, and producing.  Originally from Edmonton, Olivia's acting credits include playing Mei Lin in Marco Polo on Netflix, Ah Toy in Warrior on Cinemax and HBO, Charlotte in See on Apple TV+, Master Gao in Deadly Class, and Noel in the feature Lucky Star… just to name a few of her projects. Her performances have been praised for their depth and complexity, and she often plays roles that explore themes of identity, resilience, belonging, and empowerment. In addition to being a talented actress, she's also getting recognition for her action sequences in several roles she's played.  In this part of the conversation, we talk about her origin in acting, some of the key roles she has played, life as a journalist, how she approaches action scenes, and more. Additionally Olivia shares some of her thoughts on being part of productions with cast members of Asian Pacific descent both in front of and behind the camera.  If you're interested in seeing more of Olivia's work, then you can do the following: find her in the roles on the above listed projects, rent or buy Lucky Star on Apple TV or Amazon services, and/or follow her on Instagram @thatoliviacheng. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. *Above Photo of Olivia Cheng by Noah Asanias

Regina Linke was born and raised in Texas, and she always enjoyed the creative arts, but she didn't learn traditional Chinese painting until after moving with her young family to Taiwan in her mid-thirties. Holding management degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and Cornell University, she worked in marketing technology and information systems for the travel and tourism industry. Now, however, she creates and illustrates stories that celebrate East Asian folklore and philosophy in an accessible way. Her most notable creations are the characters from The Oxherd Boy, a single-panel, webcomic that started on Instagram. A young boy, his family ox, and a rabbit living in his garden convey the three core schools of Classical Chinese thought: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The best-selling collection of these inspirational pieces called THE OXHERD BOY: Parables of Love, Compassion, and Community released in 2024, and was followed in 2025 by its first original story for children called Big Enough. A second picture book, Little Helper expanding on this world is slated for release in Summer 2026. Here's a link for behind the scenes of her painting: https://oxherdboy.org/pages/digital-painting And here's a link if you'd like to purchase "Big Enough": https://oxherdboy.org/pages/big-enough  

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 23! It's hard to find any other apparel that signifies vacation more than a Hawaiian shirt AKA an Aloha shirt. It's not just a symbol of going on vacation, for some it means being part of the ska community, hanging out at a tiki bar, relaxing at get togethers, and even just dressing up for “casual Friday.” But what is the origin and background of the Aloha shirt, how did it grow in popularity, and what is the importance of it to the Hawaiian islands? In this episode we talk about some key early designers like Ellery Chun of King-Smith Clothiers and Koichiro Miyamoto of Musa-Shiya the Shirtmaker, who both helped popularize the Aloha shirt. We also discuss how the Hawaiian shirt grew in popularity and what the shirt symbolizes in Hawaii. And if you want to buy an authentic Aloha shirt, you're in luck because we also share several current makers like Sig Zane, Kahala, Reyn Spooner, and Ted's favorite, Rix Island Wear. Is there a brand that you like? If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Intro and Catching Up 03:45 The History of the Aloha Shirt 16:02 Expanded Current Events

Alaska's Perseverance Theatre's Artistic Director Leslie Ishii has the distinction of recently being awarded to prestigious awards: The 2024 Stage Directors & Choreographers Foundation Zelda Fichandler Award and the 2025 Paul Robeson Award. To win either of these honors is remarkable; but to win them both, back-to-back, is nothing short of extraordinary. Here's your chance to get to know why and how this fourth generation Japanese American grew up doing acts of social justice, and when she realized the power that storytelling has to educate and motivate people to act on things that truly matter.

Photo credit for Bobo: Kristine Cofsky Photography Photo credit for Jeremy: Studio Aviva Welcome to Season 5, Episode 22! It's a 2-for-1 episode! Today we have a two of the stars of the re-imagination of The Wedding Banquet, Bobo Le and Jeremy Hoffman. This modernized version of the Ang Lee's classic film is written and directed by Andrew Ahn.  Bobo and Jeremy both come from creative backgrounds. Bobo in dance and martial arts, and Jeremy in music and musical theatre. But lucky for audiences, they've transferred some of that creativity to the screen. In the Wedding Banquet, Bobo plays Kendall, the cousin of Bowen Yang's character. Jeremy plays Marshall the executive director of an LGBTQIA+ non-profit. This is a fun conversation in large part because of the synergy between Bobo and Jeremy. To get more of Bobo and Jeremy, you can follow them on Instagram @bobojle and @therealjerhoffman.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Maxwell Lee's Malaysian immigrant parents first put a violin in his hands when he was just three years old, but he soon demonstrated that he had precocious and exceptioinal musical abilities that he would later display as a classical pianist. As he focused on his music in college and graduate school, he seemed destined to make music his career path, either as a performer or an instructor. But after getting married, he dropped music altogether, becoming a successful real estate investor instead. A few years ago, however, he learned that the musician inside of him was slowly waking up. He and his family moved to Taipei, Taiwan, and he secured a coveted 3-year visa for foreign professionals.  This is Part 1 of a special series where Maxwell has graciously agreed to let us tag along with him on his dream to become a professional, performing musician. For now, you can follow him on Facebook. In Part 2, I'll share one of his latest original songs!

  In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Noel Ramirez, Founder & Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting, an AAPI mental health resource center in Philadelphia.  This episode delves into the unspoken realities of intergenerational trauma, racial microaggressions and macroaggressions, exploring the complex relationship between work, identity, and self-worth for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.  Dr. Ramirez shares powerful insights on how cultural narratives around labor and gratitude impact mental health, the struggle to find language for self-care and boundaries in Asian languages, and the vital importance of witnessing and validating shared experiences.  Discover pathways to belonging, resilience, and finding harmony in a world that often questions our "enoughness." Key topics covered: Navigating racial microaggressions, betrayal trauma, and toxic workplace dynamics for AANHPI individuals and communities. Dissecting the "good enough to work, but not good enough to cultivate" narrative for Asian Americans. Understanding compulsive behaviors rooted in societal expectations and "toxic indebtedness" within AANHPI communities. Examining the absence of self-care and boundary language in some Asian cultures and its impact on well-being. Recognizing the critical impact of racial violence and the power of community healing for Asian Americans. Challenging the "not Asian enough" or "not American enough" identity struggle and cultivating wholeness. Addressing mental health disparities and the vital need for culturally sensitive mental healthcare. Connect with us: Learn more about Noel at https://mangotreecc.com/, via email at noel at mangotreecc.com, or Instagram @mangotree.counseling. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn's book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f.  Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women — but far too often, cultural stigma, language barriers and a lack of tailored education prevent early detection and timely care. To celebrate AANHPI Month, we're joined by Dr. Judy Wang, a national leader in cancer prevention and behavioral science at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Wang unpacks how breast cancer uniquely impacts AANHPI communities, and why culturally responsive communication is critical in closing gaps in education, screening and survivorship. She also shares how providers, advocates and researchers can better meet AANHPI women where they are — with humility, trust and cultural understanding.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 21! We're really honored to have today's guest Georgette Bhathena, the Chief Programs Officer at The Asian American Foundation. She's here to talk to us about the 2025 STAATUS Index, AKA (Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the United States). Georgette has extensive work experience in the philanthropy and grant-making sector. Prior to joining TAAF, they worked at Zoom as the Global Philanthropy Pillar Lead for Zoom Cares. And that's not the only place that Georgette has left their impact. Georgette has held various roles at both private and not for profit groups including at Tipping Point Community, the San Francisco Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Citibank, just to name a few places. And Georgette helped lead the creation of the 2025 STAATUS Index. Now in its fifth year, the data continues to amaze, and sometimes dishearten us. However, the only way to change things is through education and more of us trying to make things better. We highly recommend that you download and read the 2025 STAATUS Index. You can also support TAAF's work through donations and using their resources. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Pakistani American actor Taha Mandviwala is now starring as "Pi" in the highly acclaimed theatrical adaptation of the bestselling novel and award-winning film of the same name. As part of the cast that is currently touring stages across America and elsewhere, Mandviwala reveals the depths of his character and what he has to do to come across as a believable teenaged boy. He also unpacks the artistry and athleticism that's required by the puppeteers who bring the zoo animals to life for the audience. 

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 20! The Titanic sank over 110 years ago, but people are still fascinated with the disaster. This is especially true when there are new stories that come out about The RMS Titanic that are relatable or pique our curiosity. Hearing about the eight Chinese nationals who were on the Titanic as passengers and the six who survived is one of those moments where we learned something new, and we felt that we could relate to the story. But we wouldn't have known about this obscure bit of ignored history without the work of our guest, Steven Schwankert.  Steven is an award-winning editor and author who seeks adventure and truth. His work researching and writing about the eight Chinese nationals and six survivors of the RMS Titanic resulted in both a documentary (completed by his creative partner Arthur Jones) as well as a new non-fiction book (completed by him)… both entitled The Six.  In our conversation with Steven, we discuss his process of research, some of the narratives that came out of their discoveries, the treatment of the Chinese nationals who survived the disaster, the experience of providing closure for living relatives of these Chinese Nationals, seeking truth, and so much more. The Six book and documentary were both really informative engaging. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Scholar Dr. Anne Soon Choi has just written L.A. Coroner:Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood, the first-ever biography of Dr. Tsunetomi "Thomas" Noguchi, the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner of the County of Los Angeles from 1967 to 1982. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Noguchi conducted autopsies on some of the most high profile and controversial figures in American history, including Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy, Sharon Tate and other victims of the Manson Family, Janis Joplin, John Belushi, and Natalie Wood. His elaborate press conferences, which often generated more controversy than they did answers, catapulted him into the public eye and made him a celebrity in his own right. He was the inspiration for the popular television drama Quincy, M.E. starring Jack Klugman, and penned the bestselling 1983 book Coroner.

This week on the special edition Bruce Lee Foundation takeover of the Bruce Lee Podcast for the month of May, Shannon sits down with her friend, Katie Soo. Katie is a creative force, tech innovator, and passionate advocate for underrepresented voices in storytelling. With a career that spans Hulu, HBO Max, DC Universe, Dollar Shave Club, and more, she has been instrumental in building and launching some of the most iconic and disruptive brands in entertainment and media. But what Shannon admires most about Katie is that behind every strategic move is a deep sense of imagination, heart, and a commitment to mentorship and community. In this episode, Katie talks about how it's been to navigate leadership, tech, and Hollywood as an Asian American woman—and why creating access and pathways for others has always been central to her purpose. Katie was also instrumental in helping Warrior to get a 3rd season at Max so you can thank her, Warrior Fans!  Katie shares how she continues to champion bold, creative storytelling as well as her reflections on the power of mentorship and the importance of holding the door open for others. Katie also has a robust creative life beyond the boardroom — from writing her first children's book, to serving on numerous nonprofit boards, to raising her own family to creating inspiring content on social - Katie is the ultimate community connector, creator and friend to those around her! Tune in and listen to see why Katie is such a powerful reminder that true leadership is grounded in personal passion, a desire to lift others up, and boundless imagination. Show notes and more episodes at Brucelee.com/Podcast  Connect with Katie Soo…. Website:  www.katiesoo.com  Instagram: @katie_soo

Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from musicians and composers connected to Indiana. Listen to pop, folk, electronic, classical, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock music featuring Indiana musicians representing Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar and more.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.I'm very proud of the guests I've hosted on the Original Jurisdiction podcast, who are some of the most interesting and influential figures in the world of law. But I recently noticed a significant gap in their ranks: I've never hosted the general counsel or chief legal officer of a publicly traded company.To remedy this, I went big: I interviewed Sandra Leung, who recently stepped down as executive vice president and general counsel of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the biopharmaceutical giant that's both a Fortune 100 and S&P 100 company. Sandy worked for BMS for almost 33 years, 18 of them as GC—so she's an expert on the crucial role of in-house counsel, with lots of wise advice for GCs and CLOs. At the same time, as a former GC, she was willing to address hot-button topics that many sitting GCs might steer clear of—such as the Trump administration's executive orders targeting law firms, including how these orders should affect the thinking of GCs when considering which law firms to hire as outside counsel.This interview is also timely because May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—and Sandy, a past president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), is a longtime leader in the AANHPI community. In our conversation, we discussed why she has devoted so much of her time and energy over the years to advancing diversity—and why she believes it remains essential for organizations, despite the backlash against DEI.Thanks to Sandy for her time, insight, and many years of service to the legal profession. And congratulations to her on a long and successful tenure as GC.Show Notes:* Sandra Leung bio, NAPABA* Bristol Myers Squibb GC to Retire After 33 years With Drugmaker, by Chris O'Malley for Corporate Counsel/Law.com* Bristol-Myers GC Sandra Leung To Retire After 33 Years, by Christine DeRosa for Law360Prefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 19! Health and wellbeing are so important to people who want to live a more productive and fulfilling life. So it's such a thrill that today's guest is Michelle Jungmin Bang who is an award-winning eco-entrepreneur, Chivas Venture Social Impact Fellow, and Harvard Business School graduate who spent 16 years living in Asia as a Korean-American from New York City. She is the author of the recently published Sun & Ssukgat, a wellness guide covering her research, interviews, and personal eco-conscious journey in writing about centuries-old well-being traditions she learned about during her time throughout Asia in general and Korea specifically. Ssukgat, or Chrysanthemum greens, are treasured in Korean culture for their healing abilities. In our conversation, Michelle shares some of the healthy habits of Koreans and Asians that are helping them not just live longer, but thrive in the years that many would consider more advanced. She also talks about her own personal journey, some tips for helping us all be more mindful and slow down, and so many other things. Sun & Ssukgat is a great book that's a blend of memoir, recipes, self-help, research, and more. You can find places to buy Sun & Ssukgat on Michelle's website. You can also follow Michelle on Instagram or subscribe to her Substack.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Even though New Jersey freshman Senator Andy Kim has already served three terms in the House of Representatives, he still primarily sees himself as a life-long public servant rather than a politician. Prior to becoming a member of Congress, Kim served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen. The proud son of South Korean immigrants, Senator Kim also has the distinction of being the first Asian American that New Jersey has elected to the Senate, and the first American of Korean ancestry to be a senator. Many people in the world first came to know about him when a photo of him cleaning up the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, went viral.

Picture a successful business leader, and experience says you're most likely to be picturing a white male right now.  Similarly, the realm of business books has been dominated by white males for so, so long - which is why we find it incredibly refreshing to talk with someone who does NOT fit that mold and has an unforgettable presence all the same.   What to listen for:  What made Lorraine K Lee write the book Unforgettable Presence? The many layers of creating a strong presence, including cultural upbringing, introversion vs extraversion, and more  The top three tips on where to start creating your authentic presence Advice to the Asian woman middle manager during AANHPI month - find a sponsor! About our guest:  Lorraine K. Lee is a keynote speaker, best-selling author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career, and instructor with LinkedIn Learning and Stanford. She is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice with hundreds of thousands of followers and has a decade of experience leading editorial teams at top tech firms. Her insights have appeared in outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fast Company.  

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 18!  We're back with Part two of A Conversation with Actor and Daily Show Correspondent Troy Iwata. This very talented singer and actor joined us last episode to talk about deciding on entertainment as his passion, performing on Broadway on Be More Chill, being on the feel good Netflix holiday series Dash & Lily, getting selected as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and so much more.  In today's episode, we continue the conversation with Troy to talk more about his experiences on The Daily Show, the collaborative nature of the correspondent segments, some of his memorable moments from the show, what's coming up in his career, and more. If you want to enjoy more of Troy's work, then you can stream his latest film project, Summoning Sylvia, a queer-horror-comedy also starring Michael Urie, Frankie Grande, and several others. And of course you can catch Troy on the Daily Show, through his Instagram posts, and in this episode! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Photo credit to Marc J. Franklin @marcjfranklin

With federal agency USAID now struggling to survive after being unfairly demeaned and discounted by Elon Musk and his DOGE crew, it's crucial that you hear the story of how USAID helped a poor Thai student to become a board certified radiation oncologist. Dr. Vitune Vongtama inspired both Roy and his brother Danny to follow in his footsteps. All told, the three of them have saved tens of thousands of people from dying from cancer. Dr. Roy Vongtama is also a veteran actor. You can learn why and how he continues to juggle both of his passions here: https://asianamericapodcast.com/2019/01/ep-175-roy-vongtama/

This week's guest on this special edition Bruce Lee Foundation takeover of the Bruce Lee Podcast for AANHPI and Mental Health Awareness month is chef and entrepreneur Judy Joo! Judy Joo is a Korean-American chef, author, and TV personality whose path to culinary success took a sharp left turn from Wall Street to the world's finest kitchens. From an engineering degree at Columbia to becoming the only female Iron Chef UK, Judy has built a career rooted in bold decisions, fearless creativity, and a deep love for the flavors of her heritage. Shannon kicks off this May season celebrating her friend Judy's powerful story of reinvention and perseverance. Together they talk about the importance of work ethic, kindness, celebrating one's culture, mentorship of the next generation, and following your heart as Judy prepares to launch her newest cookbook, K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less (available May 6, 2025). And listen in as Shannon reveals a bucket list wish of her own around food! Make sure to catch Judy doing her thing right now as a judge on the new Food Network show House of Knives or visit one of her wildly popular restaurants Seoul Bird to get down with some Korean fried chicken at several locations and stadiums around the world. Or maybe you need to follow Judy to discover what disco fries are! Whatever the case, sit back and enjoy this conversation with the inspiring Judy Joo as we celebrate the importance of representation and wellbeing this May on the Bruce Lee Podcast BLF edition! Show notes and more episodes at Brucelee.com/Podcast  Connect with Judy…. Get Judy's new book:  K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less  – Available: May 6, 2025. See Judy on Food Network's House of Knives Website: https://www.judyjoo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judyjoochef/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyJooChef/ X: https://twitter.com/judyjoochef

Certified leadership coach and consultant Tracey Gee has recently published her first book. Entitled The Magic of Knowing What You Want: A Practical Guide to Unearthing the Wisdom of Your Desires, it's a much-needed resource for knowing who you really are and then identifying and pursuing what you really want. If you'd like to know more about her, her work, and her fantastic new book, simply go to www.traceygee.me.  

In this episode Bay Area filmmaker Claudia Katayanagi goes into great detail about the myriad little-known incarceration camps that the federal government created to keep Japanese American "troublemakers" away from those confined in the larger and better known incarceration camps following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, HI. Her first two documentaries--"A Bitter Legacy" and "Community in Crisis" offer a fresh retelling of the courageous efforts of the Japanese Americans to endure terrible injustices and hardships, while fighting back against the forces of anti-Japanese racism. Today, many Japanese Americans are pushing back against the unjust deportation and incarceration policies of the Trump administration aimed at brown-skinned people. You can find out how you can watch her first two films by going to www.abitterlegacy.com. And you can also learn about her third film "Exiled" by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/doj-film-fund-raiser