EP 555: Kaila Yu On Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty in Her Book "Fetishized"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Release Date: 09/14/2025
EP 570: Author/Activist Dr. Winnie M. Li On New Novel "What We Left Unsaid"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Award-winning author and activist Dr. Winnie M. Li has recently published her third novel! What We Left Unsaid has us join three estranged Chinese American adult siblings on a Route 66 road trip that includes a mysterious detour to the Grand Canyon. It's a delicious exploration of sibling dynamics that are definitely rooted in the past, but are now in dire need of reexamination and healing. #roadtrip #whatweleftunsaid @winniemli
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EP 569: Kyle Ang On Creating "Tiger Tea Zine": A Space for Truths Often Carried Alone
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
What Kyle Ang began as a USC senior project has become a much-needed outlet for AANHPI's to express themselves artistically and in writing. Kyle's Tiger Tea Zine is a curated collection of contributions from those wanting to be seen and heard, especially as it pertains to their identities and well-being. @tigerteazine
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EP 568: Kam Redlawsk On Learning to Make Peace with Her "Monster"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
In writing and illustrating her 2025 debut picture book, Kam Redlawsk enables readers of any age to relate to her journey to come to grips with a form of muscular dystrophy that is progressively robbing her of the use of her muscles. Yumi and Monster not only showcases Redlawk's prodigious gifts as a storyteller and artist, but also as a disability advocate. www.kamredlawsk.com
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EP 567: The Two Kens On "Rental Family" & "Wicked for Good" and Che Ahn Entering the Race for CA Governor
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Podcasters Ken Fong and Ken Kemp managed to squeeze out one more of their collaborative series before celebrating Thanksgiving this year overwhelms their schedules. But before diving head first into their discussion about prominent MAGA pastor and NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) global leader Rev. Che Ahn's entering the 2026 race to be California's next governor, they do their best "Sisket & Ebert" impression and talk about the significance of two films that just released in theaters this weekend: Rental Family and Wicked for Good.
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EP 566: Neil Nayyar On Being a Global Musician AND Hikari On Co-writing & Directing "Rental Family"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
This week I'm bringing you two exceptional guests. With the much-anticipated nationwide release of feature film Rental Family on November 21, my first interview is with the Japanese co-writer and director Hikari! Her latest creation has already garnered a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and I feel that it's one of the best films that I've seen in years. I'll go out on a limb and predict that Brendan Fraser will be nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role, Hikari will get the nod for Best Director and/or Best Original Story, and Rental Family will be nominated for Best Picture. My main...
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EP 565: John Wang On Breaking Barriers & Harnessing Your "Big Asian Energy"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
John Wang is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, podcaster, and the founder of Big Asian Energy. Having just published a much-needed book of the same title, John's unswerving mission is to help Asian professionals break through hidden barriers and unlock their innate potential. With over 250,000 followers and 25 million views on social media, John is now recognized as one of the most effective voices for Asian professionals who are ready to unleash their full potential. His weekly Big Asian Energy Show podcast is designed for Asian Americans, Asian Canadians, or just about anyone wanting...
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EP 564: Henry King Fong On His Historical Quest To Get to Know His Father
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
When Henry King Fong was born in Sacramento, his immigrant father was already 58 and his straight-from-the-village mother was 48. Henry was the youngest of five and was only two years old when his father died. Their family was quite poor, but his mother made every penny count. Henry eventually graduated from UC Berkeley with an engineering degree, and went to work designing rockets. Even after he got married and became the father of their two sons, a part of him still had a deep yearning to know who his father was. Which is why he began to search high and low for the essential missing pieces...
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EP 563: Vicki Tan On How to Make Smarter Decisions
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Vicki Tan has written a "one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling Her new book Ask This Book a Question is "an interactive game that empowers you to understand yourself in a new way, inviting you on a playful journey of self-discovery." @vickiheart #cognitivebias #storytelling #decisiomaking
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EP 562: Cindy Lim On Creating Gen Z Asian Social/Dating App Yuzu
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Cindy Lim is the founder and Head of Brand for a new app called Yuzu. Launched in early 2024 by Match Group (the same company behind Tinder, Hinge, etc), Yuzu brands itself as a social + dating platform aimed at the Gen Z Asian community (but open to all). Many mainstream dating apps are generalized; Yuzu is part of a trend of “niche” dating/social apps catering to specific demographics (in this case Asian community) and offering more than just dating. The social mode emphasizes friendship/community (not just hookups/dating) which is increasingly important to younger users. By...
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EP 561: Harvard's Dr. Eram Alam On How Immigrant (Especially South Asian) Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Harvard Associate Professor of the History of Science Dr. Eram Alam has just published "The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare." Her extensive research revealed that, over decades, foreign medical graduates (FMGs) have become a sizeable and stable part of the U.S. physician workforce--at least a quarter since 1965. Their presence has shaped aspects of healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas. But also, their presence raises questions about responsibility: what does it mean for U.S. healthcare to be so dependent on immigrant labor? What are the...
info_outlineFetishized 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.