EP 566: Neil Nayyar On Being a Global Musician AND Hikari On Co-writing & Directing "Rental Family"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Release Date: 11/16/2025
EP 576: Reanne Acasio On Starring in All-Pinoy Cast of "Here Lies Love"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
This week, the spotlight shines on rising Filipina American actor Reanne Acasio, who is about to take on one of the most complex and iconic roles in contemporary musical theater: Imelda Marcos in the groundbreaking disco-pop musical Here Lies Love. Reanne opens up about the thrill and responsibility of portraying such a larger‑than‑life figure, the cultural resonance of the show, and the journey that brought her from community stages to a starring role in one of the most talked‑about productions today. It’s an inspiring, thoughtful, and joy‑filled conversation with an artist whose...
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EP 575: The Honorable Elizabeth Yang On Her Noteworthy Journey to Becoming the Mayor of Monterey Park
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
The Honorable Elizabeth Yang was sworn in as the new mayor of Monterey Park, CA, in early 2025, but when you hear her share about the enormous challenges she's had to face in life, you might never have predicted where she's landed today. But as you get to know her better and what makes her tick, you'll learn never to bet against her and what she can accomplish.
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EP 574: Dr. Satsuki Ina On Her Book "The Poet and the Silk Girl: A Memoir of Love, Imprisonment and Protest"
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Until Dr. Satsuki Ina began to investigate and research the long-term, multi-generational impact of the trauma to Americans of Japanese ancestry as a result of President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, most people didn't give it a second thought. Sure, it was traumatic for an entire population of Americans to be viewed with suspicion. And of course it was indescribably terrible for them to lose everything, including their freedom and civil rights. But when the war ended and the Americans of Japanese ancestry were released from their remote prisons, didn't most of them get right back into the...
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EP 573: Kimberly Tso On Authoring "Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken" and the Importance of Adding to the Variety of AANHPI Stories
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Kimberly Tso is a debut picture‑book author whose work draws on real cultural history and themes of empathy. Her writing often highlights community stories and encourages kids to think critically about the world around them. Her book Tic‑Tac‑Toe Chicken has already received praise from award‑winning authors for its clever storytelling and heart. Inspired by a real chicken named Lillie who lived in the Chinatown Fair arcade on Mott Street in New York City, the book follows eight‑year‑old Beatrice as she tries to help Lillie find a better home.
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EP 572: Ann Kono & Renee Yang On Redefining What Being Asian American Means in America for Future Generations
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
Renee Yang and Ann Kono are two of the co-founders of @TeachAAPI.org, whose mission is to redefine what being Asian American means in America by collecting and collating AAPI stories and creating curricula suitable for Pre-K through 12th grade. Founded during the pandemic 4.5 years ago, TeachAAPI is already reaching 200,000+ students in 35 California schools!
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EP 571: The Two Kens On Looking Back and Looking Forward
ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
In this edition of the collaborative The Two Kens series, Fong and Kemp reflect on some of what they focused on in 2025, whille looking for signs of hope in this new year.
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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.
info_outlineThis 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 interview is with South Asian American music prodigy Neil Nayyar, who is the current world record holder for playing 130+ musical instruments from all over the globe. You'll get to know how he discovered his innate gifts and abilities, and even though he loves it, how hard he keeps working to improve his prowess on all these diverse instruments. And I doubt that you'll be surprised when he tells you about the new musical skillset he began developing during the COVID shutdown. You can learn about his 2024 debut album "Breaking Barriers" and his 2024 illustrated book "Passion to Exploration of 107 Sound Machines" by visiting www.neilnayyar.com.
#rentalfamilymovie
#breakingbarriers