#27 A graphic tale of honesty, darkness, truth and love with Mike Curato
Release Date: 11/24/2020
#54 Self-Expression & Living With Intentionality with Kekoa Drag Artist
Yellow Glitter
In this episode of Yellow Glitter podcast, we're joined by Kekoa. Kekoa is a unique drag artist hailing from the islands of Indonesia. She is known for her powerful performances and unique perspective as a queer Asian creative. Growing up with a mixed heritage in a predominantly conservative environment - Transforming through early challenges and military school - The role of drag as a vehicle for self-expression and living with intentionality - Redefining what it means to be an Asian drag performer - Focusing on collaboration, community, and inspiring others In this episode, we chat about: ...
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#53 Chosen Families & Breaking Asian Stereotypes with Louis Lee
Yellow Glitter
For this episode, guest Louis Lee joins us. Louis is the chief creative officer and co-founder of Bellweather, a strategy-led creative agency that specializes in transforming legacy brands in the non-profit healthcare and travel sector. Louis is passionate about helping brands thrive in an ever-changing landscape, particularly by expanding and diversifying audiences, including women, people of color, and Gen Z. In this episode, we chat about: Overcoming childhood challenges while living in an Asian household Navigating family dynamics as a queer couple Breaking away from limiting Asian...
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#52 Financial Literacy & Navigating Community Care with Leslie
Yellow Glitter
This episode we're joined by guest Leslie Xia. Leslie is a queer Chinese American graphic designer and art director currently working at Invesco. They have worked at Fast Company, Vice News, and Men's Health to Millie Magazine, focusing on finance for women, and finally moved to Invesco. In this episode, we chat about: The importance of personal finance, especially for queer and Asian communities Balancing Creativity and Practicality the importance of authenticity in content creation Ethical considerations in journalism and storytelling Maintaining equity and representation in content and...
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#51 The Evolving Nature of Social Media & Authenticity with ONCH
Yellow Glitter
This episode we're joined by returning guest ONCH. A multi-talented artist and jewelry designer. ONCH is a creative artist based in Los Angeles who makes amazing wearable art that goes beyond regular fashion. His unique pieces have been featured in a Biotechnology textbook by David P. Clark and in Vogue, as well as displayed in prestigious places like the MET Museum. In this episode, we chat about: vulnerability, authenticity, and the evolving nature of social media collaborating with legacy brands like Keith Haring his experiences overcoming bullying, and turning trauma into creative success...
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#50 Drag, Self Expression & Asian Representation with Miss Shu Mai
Yellow Glitter
This episode, we're joined by Miss Shu Mai, a Taiwanese American drag queen. We delve into Miss Shu Mai's journey into drag, her dance background, and her experiences with identity and homophobia. She is a founder of the Send Noodz Party, an API-centric drag show in LA. In this episode, we chat about: coming out and finding acceptance the importance of authenticity, community, and celebrating diverse experiences within the Asian American community touching on influences like anime, Pokemon, and the joy of gaming and fan art the significance of holding space for marginalized voices and...
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#49 Mindfullness & Ripple Effects Towards Justice & Equity with Kim
Yellow Glitter
This episode, we're joined by an extra special guest, Kim Thai . She is a community organizer and founder of They are also a mindfulness teacher, writer and an Emmy Award-winning storyteller! Tune in to dive deep into topics of identity, healing, and liberation within oppressive systems. In this episode, we chat about: The ripple effects that either reinforce or work against systems of oppression Kim Thai's mission to help others reclaim their power and freedom in the world. Ancestral practice and the healing power it can bring. The intersection of Buddhist teachings and modern everyday...
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#48 Nuanced Activism & Standing for Something with Johnathan
Yellow Glitter
In this episode, we're joined by Johnathan , a pioneering content creator who began his journey in 2008. His unique perspective as a Black American and Filipino has made him a powerful voice at the intersection of Black and Asian identity. In 2020, he founded the Black and Asian Alliance Network, promoting solidarity between these communities during a time of heightened tension. Check out his podcast series, The Boys Are Black In Town on YouTube. In this episode, we chat about: Video games and diversity Traveling to Japan and what a "sense of belonging" looks like Intersectionality of...
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#47 Building Queer Asian Spaces & Community with Tai
Yellow Glitter
In this episode, we're joined by Tai, who is a freelance creative director. His hunger for building community ultimately led to the creation of Naarak in August of 2022, and he is now an event organizer in the gay API NYC nightlife scene. In this episode, we chat about: Community resilience and fostering an environment where gay API have an accepting night-life space Coming into queer identity and finding a way to navigate that Intersectionality of queer-ness and Asian-ness as an adoptee The origins of Naarak initially starting with small gatherings and eventually expanding to...
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#46 Social Media and the Future of Queer Visibility with Mike Curato
Yellow Glitter
This episode, we're joined by Mike Curato, a gay first generation half Filipino-Irish American author and illustrator of books. He has created many picture books for young children, including his debut queer young adult graphic novel, Flamer, and upcoming books centering diverse creators and audiences. In this episode, we chat about: The launch of Flamer and how it was one of the most banned, talked about books of 2023 The difficulties with social media burnout, online bullying, and doomscrolling Strategies to protect our own mental health, energy, and peace Consuming content mindfully and...
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#45 Uplifting Our Chinatowns and API Creatives with Harry Trinh
Yellow Glitter
In this episode, we're joined by Harry Trinh, a queer Asian American art director and experiential designer based in NYC, and the Head of Creative of Welcome to Chinatown. In this episode, we chat about: His latest work with Welcome to Chinatown Pivoting from corporate life into his mission-driven work Understanding the value of community-centered work and raising the bottom-line The history of Chinatowns and unlocking our community’s potential through partnership Introducing creative career pathways for API folx Harry’s introduction to creativity and design through his family How...
info_outlineIn this episode, we are joined by Mike Curato, a queer Asian author and illustrator, to talk about his latest graphic novel, Flamer, inspired by his own personal life story. We cover a lot of topics including, mental health, bullying, suicide, and the wave of intolerance plaguing our country, and also looking ahead at how we can all do better.
Mike Curato is a gay first generation half Filipino-Irish American author and illustrator of books for youth. He has created many picture books for young children, and just released his debut queer young adult graphic novel, Flamer.
In this episode we talk about:
- How Mike is managing quarantine life and Zoom dates
- Experience of growing up biracial in an intolerant world
- The importance of finding community
- Why honesty is important in writing a book and how our shared humanity connects us together
- Finding family in the queer community - but also facing racism within our queer circles
- Navigating intolerance within dating apps and within our own gaysian community
- Mike's experience with bullying and thoughts of suicide and how it inspired the plot of Flamer
- What got him through the suicidal ideations and difficult high school experiences
- The journey towards self-discovery and turning towards healing
- Why sharing our story is so critical to help us understand each other
- The importance of looking inward at our own internalized racism and intolerance
Show notes:
- Kuku Hughs - Displacement
- Trung Le Nguyen - The Magic Fish
- Alison Bechdel - Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
- Alison Bechdel - The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For
- Ocean Vuong - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
You can find Mike Curato at:
Twitter: @MikeCurato
Instagram: @mike_curato
Website: mikecurato.com
You can follow me at:
Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com