Asian American History 101
Asian American History 101 is a fun, family-friendly, and informative podcast co-hosted by Gen and Ted Lai, the daughter and father team. The podcast will entertain and educate people as Gen and Ted dive into the vast history of Asian Pacific Americans from the struggles they faced to their contributions and triumphs. And sometimes we cover topics of the Asian Pacific Diaspora globally.
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A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Minh Le, Author of Miles Ahead
05/04/2026
A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Minh Le, Author of Miles Ahead
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 18! Our guest today is the award-winning author and essayist . Whether writing picture books, middle grade graphic novels, or essays, his work often blends an engaging story with deeper lessons. His latest picture book is , the story of an adorable dog who helps his family welcome a new baby cousin. A lighthearted search ensues after their gift goes missing. It’s a heart-warming and amusing picture book that showcases a family rethinking what a meaningful gift could be, and they just happen to be of asian descent. With detailed illustrations by Lynnor Bontigao, it’s a story with lively dialogue, family memories, and a clever ending. Minh Lê is also the author of many picture books, middle grade graphic novels, and essays. His work incudes Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), Real to Me, The Blur, Lift (an Eisner Award nominee), The Perfect Seat, and Let Me Finish!, Green Lantern: Legacy, Green Lantern: Alliance, and Enlighten Me. His essays have been published in The New York Times, The Horn Book, HuffPost, NPR, Book Riot, and Reading Rainbow. He currently serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books and is on the faculty of the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. In our conversation, we talk about how he develops ideas, his philosophy on guiding illustrators, the benefits of frequent collaboration, Thích Nhất Hạnh, and a lot more. To learn more about Minh, you can visit his , follow him on instagram , buy , or any of his other . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer and Educator Patricia Park, the Author of Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic
04/27/2026
A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer and Educator Patricia Park, the Author of Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 17! We love stand-up comedy as well as books with diverse representation. So we’re really excited that our guest today is , a professor of creative writing and an award-winning writer. Her latest book is , a YA novel about a Korean American former child actress who decides to branch out and stand out in order to pursue her newfound love — stand-up comedy. It’s a funny story that also has some very real moments as Ambrosia, whose acting career peaked at the age of eleven, confronts family dynamics, the challenges when you don’t fit the stereotypical looks in Hollywood, and how hard it is to do stand-up comedy. Patricia Park is a tenured Associate Professor in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at American University, Fulbright scholar in Creative Arts, Edith Wharton Writer-in-Residence, Jerome Hill Artist Fellow. Her other moves have included the adult novel Re Jane as well as the YA books Imposter Syndrome & Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and What’s Eating Jackie Oh. Additionally, Park has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, Guardian, Salon, and others notable publications. In our conversation, Patricia shares a little about her journey, what it was like to perform over 50 times in stand-up, how she designs emotional moments, the importance of having non-stereotypical characters of Asian descent, and more. To learn more about Patricia, you can visit her website , follow her on IG , read her , and of course buy any of her novels including her latest . Enjoy the Conversation. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with A Conversation with Scott Kurashige, Educator, President of the James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation, and Award-Winning Author of American Peril
04/20/2026
A Conversation with A Conversation with Scott Kurashige, Educator, President of the James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation, and Award-Winning Author of American Peril
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 16! Our guest this episode is , an award-winning Author, Educator, Activist, and Public Speaker, who has studied the problem of Anti-Asian Violence for 35+ years. He’s a nonprofit organizational leader and changemaker who addresses racial equity and social justice issues from an intersectional framework. He currently serves as President of the James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation. His latest book is which released on April 7, 2026 and is published by . Although the topic of Anti-Asian racism gained a lot of attention during the COVID-19 pandemic with the increase in violence and racist rhetoric, it’s not a new problem. In the book, Scott takes a deep dive into the long history and ongoing problem of anti-Asian violence. In our conversation we discuss the long history of anti-Asian racism and violence, his connection with Grace Lee Boggs, his research process, possible repercussions from the current administrations focus on hypermasculinity, and more. To learn more about Scott, you can visit his website , follow him on instagram , and purchase or any of his other books (we especially loved which he co-wrote with Grace Lee Boggs). If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Professor Theodore Chao and Jenessa Joffe, Two Co-Authors of Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism
04/13/2026
A Conversation with Professor Theodore Chao and Jenessa Joffe, Two Co-Authors of Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 15! Today our guests are two of the co-authors of the very cool new book … and . Jenessa Joffe is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, producer, and mother who is passionate about creating social change through comedic, kid-focused content. Theodore Chao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary and Bilingual Education at California State University, Fullerton. His research centers on Digital Mathematics Storytelling to amplify counter-narratives that challenge harmful stereotypes in mathematics education. Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism is an entertaining and informative book designed for kids from approximately aged 10-14. It’s witty and inspiring, and discusses the Asian American community, past and present; explores allyship with other communities of color; finds a place in national and global movements; and turns inward so young readers can practice love and self-care. In our conversation, Jenessa and Theodore share a little about how the book came to be, some of the challenges and benefits to putting Auntie Kristina in print, the intentionality in designing activities, and more. The book will release on April 14, but if some outlets are already shipping it! To learn more about , Theodore, Jenessa, or the other two authors Kristina Wong and Anna Michelle Wang, we’ve listed their details below: link to Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism Instagram for the book: Website: Instagram: Website: Instagram: Website: Instagram: Website: Instagram: Watch If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Dennis V Tran, Strategist, Storyteller, and Inclusion Consultant
04/06/2026
A Conversation with Dennis V Tran, Strategist, Storyteller, and Inclusion Consultant
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 14! With Dennis V. Tran. Dennis is a Vietnamese American storyteller, disability advocate, and inclusion strategist whose work focuses on neurodiversity, mental health, and accessibility—particularly within Asian American communities. Dennis identifies as queer, partially blind, and neurodivergent, and he uses his lived experiences to advocate for more inclusive systems in media, workplaces, and public health. Something we think everyone should be supportive of. Among the interesting facts about Dennis is that he was a late-identified autistic ADHDer. Dennis has developed autism resource toolkits used by more than 70 affiliates of the Autism Society of America, consulted on inclusive media representation—including helping develop an autistic character for the children’s show Blue’s Clues & You! Dennis writes and speaks widely about disability justice, neurodiversity, and the intersections of identity, culture, and mental health in the Vietnamese American and broader Asian American communities. To learn more about Dennis Tran and his work, you can visit , connect with him on LinkedIn , or follow him on IG . Enjoy the Conversation! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Professor Charlotte Brooks, Award-Winning Educator and Author of the Moys of New York and Shanghai
03/30/2026
A Conversation with Professor Charlotte Brooks, Award-Winning Educator and Author of the Moys of New York and Shanghai
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 13! Our guest today is a Professor of History at Baruch College and the CUNY Graduate Center. She’s a scholar of race, immigration, and urban history, and has published widely on Asian American history, especially Chinese American and Chinese diaspora history. Her latest book is an epic biography called (published by University of California Press, 2026). It’s a sprawling book that follows the six Moy siblings and their spouses and children through a tumultuous half-century of world war, revolution, and social transformation in the United States and China. They face discrimination, hardship, triumph, and destitution throughout their lives. We love how well researched it is and how it highlights some amazing moments in the Chinese American experience we don’t often hear about. In our conversation, Charlotte shares how she got into Asian American and Chinese American History, her research process and good fortune with The Moys of New York and Shanghai, the reasons she believes people should read her latest book, what it means to get the support and encouragement from her peers, and so much more. Charlotte is also the author of three other books. , , . Additionally, Prof. Brooks’ articles have also appeared in numerous journals. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Mirai, Actor, Director, Writer, and Acclaimed Audiobook Narrator
03/23/2026
A Conversation with Mirai, Actor, Director, Writer, and Acclaimed Audiobook Narrator
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 12! We’re really excited that our guest this episode is , the acclaimed audiobook narrator who’s also an actress, director and writer. She’s a proud 3-time Audie Award Finalist for her audiobook narrating. Not sure what that is? It’s like the Academy Award of narration. Other than audiobook narration and Voice acting, she’s been an actor on stage and screen with over 20 years experience, and she’s done some directing. Her latest creative endeavor is the short film which Mirai was awarded a grant to produce. As the writer and star of this mockumentary, we know that it will feature Mirai’s wit and sense of humor while containing a deeper message about the industry struggles for Asian Americans. Interested in hearing her audiobook narration? She has a LOT of titles to her name, but some of our favorites include The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, A Perfect Day to Be Alone, and A Study in Secrets. To learn more about Mirai, you can visit her website , find her on instagram , and support the GoFundMe for her short film . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Shang Saavedra, the Founder and CEO of Save My Cents Founder and the Author of Wealth is a Mindset
03/16/2026
A Conversation with Shang Saavedra, the Founder and CEO of Save My Cents Founder and the Author of Wealth is a Mindset
Welcome to Season 6, Episode XX! Our guest today is , the founder and CEO of Save My Cents, the popular site, blog, and coaching resources on personal finance. Saavedra teaches readers the key habits and behaviors needed to become less fearful of money and live life with joy. Saavedra was named one of the “Twenty-five Most Influential New Voices of Money” by TIME/NextAdvisor in 2022 and is an Expert Reviewer and Contributor at CNET Money. Her mission is to change your financial life, one cent at a time, with a focus on mental health. She also does that through her book … released about a year ago in January 2025 by our favorite publisher, . Wealth is a Mindset provides practical, concrete applications of Saavedra’s mindset-changing research based methodology called “Trigger, Action, Reward.” In our conversation, Saavedra shares how she began , some of the key things she’s discovered throughout her consulting work, ways for students to learn about personal finance, the Three Root Causes of Money Problems, and so much more. To learn more about Shang Saavedra and how to better tackle your personal finance, you can visit her website , watch her YouTube Channel , follow her on Instagram , and of course buy published by . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of Wong Tsu, The First Asian American Aeronautical Engineer
03/09/2026
The History of Wong Tsu, The First Asian American Aeronautical Engineer
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 10! You’d be hard pressed to find people who have absolutely never heard of the aerospace company Boeing. But have you heard of their first impactful aeronautical engineer? That person was Wong Tsu, a Chinese born prodigy who was educated in both the UK and US. He helped develop many of the practices still used today. In today’s episode, we talk about his life, his career, the discrimination he faced, and his lasting impact in the world of aeronautics. Now, Boeing and the Smithsonian have acknowledged his impact, but he still isn’t a household name. We begin the episode by catching up on the final part of the Olympics and sharing some thoughts on the start of the F1 season. We end the episode with another segment of “What Are We Listening To?” Today we talk about audiobook as well as the music of and If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Intro: Talking Sports and Flying 11:27 The History of Wong Tsu, The First Asian American Aeronautical Engineer 25:24 What Are We Listening To? The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, Sarah Kinsley, and Tiffany Day
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A Conversation with Award-winning Author Julie Leung and Award-winning Illustrator Angie Kang, Creators of Navigating Night
03/02/2026
A Conversation with Award-winning Author Julie Leung and Award-winning Illustrator Angie Kang, Creators of Navigating Night
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 09! On a few rare occasions, we’ve invited more than one guest at a time, and we’re doing it for this episode! Today’s guests are and . Both are award-winning creators. Julie is an author with multiple titles to her name while Angie is both an author and illustrator. Their latest work, , is written by Julie and illustrated by Angie, and it will release on March 10. Navigating Night is the heart-warming story of a girl who helps guide her dad on his route delivering Chinese take-out food from their restaurant. She does this every night because her English is better than his. This wonderful picture book focuses on an element of the immigrant experience that some Asian Americans face, needing to help support their parents in business and family matters. We love how it celebrates the unique bond between immigrant parents and their children. Julie Leung has a long history of writing picture book biographies that include The Truth About Dragons (a 2024 Caldecott Honor book and winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist (winner of the 2021 American Library Associations Asian/Pacific American Award for Best Picture Book), A Banquet for Cecilia, Mr. Pei’s Perfect Shapes: The Story of Architect I. M. Pei, and The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee. Angie Kang is the author-illustrator of Our Lake which received a Caldecott Honor, the Charlotte Zolotow Award, and the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award. She’s a 2026 Sendak Fellow and the 2025 Ezra Jack Keats Fellow at MacDowell, her writing and artwork has appeared in The New Yorker, The Believer, Narrative, Ecotone, Best Small Fictions, and elsewhere. On her website, she shares several great samples of her paintings, short form comics, poetry, fiction, and essays. In our conversation we discuss their journeys, what they hope readers get from Navigating Night, how Angie decided on the artwork, what Julie likes about Picture Book biographies, what it’s like when a book releases, and so much more. To see more of Julie’s work, you can visit or follow her on instagram . To see more of Angie’s work you can visit or follow her on instagram at . We highly recommend getting for you or as a gift for others! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of Jawaiian Music
02/23/2026
The History of Jawaiian Music
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 8! What do you get when you mix Jamaican Reggae with Hawaiian music. This isn’t the set-up for a joke, it’s an episode on Jawaiian music, sometimes called Island Reggae. Today we talk about the origin of Jawaiian music, who some of the key musicians were, why it resonated with so many Hawaiians, and some of the small controversies around it. We go more in-depth on three key musicians who have made a HUGE impact in Jawaiian music: Brother Noland, Fiji, and J-Boog. To get an idea of the spirit of Jawaiian, then look up their work! In our recurring segment, we do some celebrations of the API in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Although we recorded before they were over, we wanted to celebrate what’s happened so far for Asian Pacific athletes. We also take time to rant a bit about the really two-faced coverage of Eileen Gu, Chloe Kim, and Alysa Liu. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Intro 01:56 The History of Jawaiian Music 15:50 Celebrations and a Little Rant About API in the Olympics Top Picture is Brother Noland Bottom Picture is J Boog
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A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Lydia Kang, Professor, Medical Doctor, and the Author of K-Jane
02/16/2026
A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Lydia Kang, Professor, Medical Doctor, and the Author of K-Jane
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 7! Our guest today is , a professor, medical doctor, and acclaimed author, Her latest book is , and it’s the story of Jane Choi, a typical Nebraskan teen who loves Husker football and is a total banana. That all changes when her parents find out they’re expecting a baby, and Jane goes on a mission to become an expert… or at least more knowledgeable about her Korean heritage and pop-culture. From K-pop to K-dramas, through Korean Food and Language, and pretty much K-everything, Jane immerses herself in it. Released on October 21, 2025, K-Jame was received a Starred Kirk’s Review and was selected as a Kirkus Best Young Adult Book of 2025. Lydia writes young adult fiction, adult fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The practicing physician and associate professor of Internal Medicine has also gained a reputation for helping fellow writers with their medical accuracy in their writing. Her previous work includes Opium and Absinthe, Star Wars: Cataclysm, The November Girl, and Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything (one of your favorite nonfiction books). In our conversation, Lydia shares her journey to authorship, how she writes authentic awkward teen moments, what it means to be Asian American, and so much more. To learn more about Lydia, you can visit her website , follow her instagram , read her , and of course buy any of her books. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 2
02/09/2026
The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 2
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 6! We’re back with Part 2 on The History of the Patel Motel Phenomenon. If you haven’t listed to Part 1 which was , then we’d love it if you go back and list to that one for more context. In this episode, we continue the history, talking about what the predominantly Gujarati motel and hotel owners did when they were faced with racism from banks, insurance companies, customers, and the professional organizations that were supposed to be fighting for ALL the owners in the lodging industry. We take time to share about the Asian American Hotel Owners Association () which the Indian American hotel owners created to help lobby on their behalf and create a more level playing. One of most impactful projects was the creation of the , a document that recently was updated. In our recurring segment we bring you another segment of Racist or Not, where we share a phrase or saying and discuss whether it’s racist… or not. Today we’re talking about the phrase “It’s All Chinese to Me.” If you support what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Intro: Our Thoughts on Minnesota and ICE 05:25 The History of the Patel Motel Phenomenon, Part 2 17:40 Racist or Not: It’s All Chinese to Me
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A Conversation with XiXi Tian, Lawyer and Acclaimed Author of All the Way Around the Sun
02/02/2026
A Conversation with XiXi Tian, Lawyer and Acclaimed Author of All the Way Around the Sun
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 5! Our guest today is who is both a lawyer and acclaimed author. Her latest work is the novel , a YA Romance that focuses on themes of belonging, identity, and overcoming trauma. In it, the main character Stella, a Chinese-American protagonist who’s forced into a college roadtrip with her childhood friend turned rival. Their complicated history is made even more difficult as Stella navigates how to overcome the grief of a recent family tragedy. We love how it’s a complex story with some familiar themes, and really showcases the difficulties of expectations, both internal and external, that can create familial habits and routines. And these habits can actually be a hindrance to facing and overcoming grief. XiXi Tian was born in China and immigrated to the United States when she was a year old. After college, which included Harvard Law School, she decided to pursue her love of writing and published her first novel, , a story about two Chinese-American sisters who respond to a racist attack against their home. To learn more about XiXi, you can visit her at , follow her on Instagram , and of course buy or . Enjoy the conversation! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 1
01/26/2026
The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 1
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 04! When it comes to immigrant groups in the U.S., especially Asian Pacific immigrant groups, it’s not unusual to see certain industries become almost synonymous with specific communities of people. We saw it with Chinese laundromats, Thai restaurants, Vietnamese nail salons, Cambodian donut shops, and more. For Indian Americans, one of those industries was the motel business. So in this episode, we’re here to share the origin and history of the Patel Motels as well as how families got into the business in the first place. We also share some of the challenges the business owners faced in the U.S. on the road to becoming dominant in the field. We start the episode by sharing what’s on our social media feeds. We close it with a new recurring segment called “Racist or Not” where we take a phrase and talk about whether it’s racist… or not. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Social Media and Road Trip Memories 14:32 The History of the Patel Motels, Part 1 27:50 Racist or Not: White on Rice
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A Conversation with V.T. Bidania, Author of A Year Without Home
01/19/2026
A Conversation with V.T. Bidania, Author of A Year Without Home
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 3! Our guest today is the amazing author . She is of Hmong descent and was born in Laos and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. A prolific author with over 20 titles published already, her latest work is the very personal fictionalized memoir which details her family’s escape from Laos after the end of the Secret War in Laos and the Vietnam War. A Year Without Home was released on January 13, 2026 and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. It’s her debut middle grade novel and written in a unique style with lyrical verse. Told through the eyes of eleven-year-old Gao Sheng, Bidania does an amazing job of immersing the reader into the joys of what it was like to live in Laos as well as the challenges and horrors of fleeing as refugees. Her previous works are the series and the new spin-off series. Both uplift Hmong culture in a joyous informative way. In our conversation, V.T. shares her journey to writing, the challenges of researching for A Year Without Home, how she decided to lay things out in the book, why the book is even more important now than ever, and a lot more. To learn more about V.T. Bidania and the Hmong culture, you can visit her website , follow her on Instagram , and of course purchase or any book int he or series. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of Ube
01/12/2026
The History of Ube
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 2 ! Have you been caught up in the ube craze? For many people, especially in Southeast Asia, it’s not a trend, it’s a beloved food staple. This is most true in the Philippines where Ube is ubiquitous with many of their sweets. So in this episode, we talk ube… What is it? How is it used? What contributed to its rise in popularity, and more. We also take time to explain the differences between ube, Okinawan sweet potato, and taro, and we wax poetic about our ube memories. Finally, we take time to talk about some specific restaurants (like in Chicago, Illinois and in Long Beach, California) and dishes to look for if you want to try ube (we highly recommend ube macapuno ice cream, ube crinkle cookies, ube matcha lattes, and sapin-sapin. We begin the episode with some talk about New Years resolutions, 2025 Women’s world champion figure skater , and ube memories. At the end of the show, we also share another segment of What Are We Watching where we talk a little about as well as YouTube matcha content creators , , and . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Introduction… Talking New Years Resolutions, Celebrating Alysa Liu, and Sharing Ube Memories 12:34 The History of Ube 25:57 What Are We Watching? Heated Rivalry and YouTube Videos Ube Cheez Pandesal by San & Wolves Bakeshop
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A Conversation with Peter Jae, Actor, Writer, and the Star of The Workout
01/05/2026
A Conversation with Peter Jae, Actor, Writer, and the Star of The Workout
Welcome to Season 6, Episode 01! Happy New Year! Our guest today is Peter Jae, a multi-hyphenate performer in Hollywood. Peter Jae is an actor, stunt performer, producer, and multidisciplinary creative with over two decades of experience working across film, television, and independent projects. Born in Brooklyn and raised primarily in the Bronx—with time spent in Queens as well—Peter grew up navigating identity as a Korean American in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods. Those early experiences deeply shaped his worldview and continue to inform the stories he chooses to tell and the characters he brings to life. Before entering Hollywood, Peter pursued a wide range of creative paths. He attended a performing arts high school, studied menswear design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and even launched his own urban greeting-card business. That early blend of art, entrepreneurship, and storytelling set the tone for a career defined by versatility rather than a single lane. Although his first opportunities in Hollywood were focused on stunt work and action, he has expanded into more substantial acting roles, appearing in projects such as Blackhat, Olympus Has Fallen, and numerous television productions. He is especially recognized for his work in , an Asian American–led project that allowed him to portray a multidimensional Korean American character—something he has long advocated for in an industry that often limits Asian men to narrow stereotypes. Most recently, Peter stars in The Workout, an independent action-driven film that blends physical intensity with psychological tension. The story centers on discipline, survival, and the personal battles that unfold when routine, control, and identity collide—both inside and outside the gym. The film highlights Peter’s ability to merge his background in stunts with grounded dramatic performance, reinforcing his reputation as an actor who brings authenticity and depth to physically demanding roles. You can follow Peter Jae and his latest work on Instagram at . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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Season 5 Review
12/29/2025
Season 5 Review
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 52! This is it, the final episode of Season 5! As we close out 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the guests we’ve had on the show as well as the different topics we’ve talked about. We’d link them all here, but it would take a LOT of space to honor everyone. So let’s just say that we’ve had a great year, highlighted by some very special guests. Our guests this season included well-known academics like Gordon H. Chang, Ann Ishimaru, and Beth Lew-Williams; entertainers from the stage and screen like Olivia Cheng, Troy Iwata, and Nancy Wang; Journalists like Vicky Nguyen, Michael Luo, and Karin K. Jensen; and authors galore like Kimberly Tso, Abigail Hing Wen, Sarah Myer, Camey Yeh, Andrea Wang, and Jamie Jo Hoang. There were so many others who deserve mention, but it’s just way easier if you go back, see the episodes, you missed, and listen to them! We also love that we continue to have episodes on topics like Egg Foo Yung, Aloha Shirts, Dumplings, the Chinese Labour Corps, API Garment Workers, the Supreme Court Ruling Lau v Nichols, and API in Formula 1 Driving… and that’s just a small sample. Thanks for listening! We appreciate the support, and we’re excited to bring you more topics and guests in 2026. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Andrea Wang, Award-Winning Author of the Picture Book Worthy The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce
12/22/2025
A Conversation with Andrea Wang, Award-Winning Author of the Picture Book Worthy The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 51! Our guest today is the award-winning children’s book author, . She’s written several books and been recognized with many awards including The Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal. Andrea’s latest picture book is , a notable Chinese American who fought during the Civil War and, beyond all odds, earned naturalized citizenship. We love how she’s unafraid of tackling some heavy topics that include racism, discrimination, and belonging. The beautiful picture book is illustrated by Youa Vang, If you’re looking for some of Andrea’s previous, work, she’s written several notable things including the picture books The Nian Monster, Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando, Watercress, and Luli and the Language of Tea, as well as the middle grade novels The Many Meanings of Meilan and The Summer of Squee. To learn more about Andrea, you can visit her website , follow her on instagram , and of course buy and her other books. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Professor Ann M Ishimaru, Co-Editor and Author of Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change
12/15/2025
A Conversation with Professor Ann M Ishimaru, Co-Editor and Author of Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 50! Our guest today is doing important work in researching educational change. is an award-winning scholar, writer, educator and the Killinger Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at the University of Washington College of Education. Her latest book is , it was published this September by Teachers College Press. This collection of research and writing that she contributed to as both an author and co-editor is created with Dr. Decoteau Irby, and it takes a deep examination of DEI initiatives and the process of change in schools. Several of the writers are the ones doing the work in these schools. We love how she works toward understanding systemic change to increase student inclusion and belonging. In addition to many peer-reviewed articles in top-tier educational educational research journals, Ann is also the author of (Teachers College Press, 2020). Additionally, Dr. Ishimaru directs the Just Educational Leadership Institute, which hosts the annual Leading towards Justice Symposium as well as numerous research partnerships. To learn more about Professor Ishimaru’s work, you can visit her website , her instagram , and purchase . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of API in Formula 1 Racing
12/08/2025
The History of API in Formula 1 Racing
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 49! Vroooommmm!!! We’re exploring the story of Asian Pacific Islanders in Formula 1… and this is something we actually know a bit about. This is a sport long dominated by Europeans and a handful of South Americans, but there has been a small group of drivers of Asian Pacific descent who have made an impact in recent years. We’ll share a little about F1 racing in general as well as when API began making their mark in the sport. In addition to recent drivers like (our favorite), , , and now Arvid Lindblad, we’ll also talk about a few engineers, leaders, and teams that have prominent Asian representation. In our recurring segment, we’ll share what we’re listening to. For Ted, it’s the audiobook of Babel by . It’s narrated by Chris Lew Kum Hoi and Billie Fulford-Brown. For Gen, it’s the music of … specifically the song . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Intro and Catching Up 14:16 The History of API in Formula 1 Racing 38:17 What Are We Listening To: Babel by R.F. Kuang and Sarah Kinsley
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A Conversation with Karin K Jensen, Award-Winning Writer and Author of the Memoir The Strength of Water
12/01/2025
A Conversation with Karin K Jensen, Award-Winning Writer and Author of the Memoir The Strength of Water
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 48! Our guest is Karin K. Jensen. She’s a local news writer for the Alameda Post and the author of the moving memoir The Strength of Water: An Asian American Coming of Age Memoir. It’s an award-winning memoir that was recently re-released on November 7th by Sibylline Press. The memoir follows her mother, King Ying, and her Asian American journey… from her childhood in 1920s Detroit to moving back to the village Tai Ting Pong in Guangdong, China, and then back to the US again. Along the way, she faced heaps of hardship while strengthening her resolve to find her slice of happiness. From childhood all the way to adulthood and giving birth to her second daughter (the author of the memoir), it’s a moving tale that is an amazing combination of history, lived history, wisdom and tales to inspire. In our conversation, Karin shares a little about her journey to writing her mom’s memoir, how it feels to get accolades for your work, her mom’s superpower, some of the things she learned from her mom, and so much more. To learn more about Karin, you can visit her website , follow her on instagram , connect to her , and buy . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Dom Magwili, Actor, Director, Playwright, Educator, and Author of Scientific Dragons The Adventure of Ensun Castle
11/24/2025
A Conversation with Dom Magwili, Actor, Director, Playwright, Educator, and Author of Scientific Dragons The Adventure of Ensun Castle
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 47! We’re huge fans of , and our guest this episode, , has worked with them since 1974. If that’s all he did, it would be an amazing career. However, Dom has also been an actor, director, educator, and author. His latest work is . It’s an entertaining and thrilling adventure that mixes historical figures, key fictional characters, Filipino culture, and a healthy dose of imagination in a steampunk environment. Among the work he’s created for stage and screen include Much Adobo About Nothing, A Jive Bomber’s Christmas (which had a 10-year run at the Japanese American National Museum), and One Puka Puka Christmas. His first book was Legends from the . In our conversation, Dom shares what inspired him to pursue creativity as a profession, his journey to being an author, some of the themes of Scientific Dragons, and more. To learn more about Dom, you can visit his , follow him on Instagram , and, of course buy or . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Satsuki Ina, Trauma Therapist, Activist, Filmmaker, and the Author of The Poet and the Silk Girl
11/17/2025
A Conversation with Satsuki Ina, Trauma Therapist, Activist, Filmmaker, and the Author of The Poet and the Silk Girl
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 46! Many of our guests are multi-hyphenates when it comes to their impact in the world, and today’s guest can definitely be described that way. is a Trauma Therapist, Activist, Filmmaker, Educator, and the Author of the Memoir which was released on September 9, 2025. Satsuki is a survivor of the Japanese incarceration during World War II. She was born in the camps and spent her first few years there, both experiencing the trauma in her early years as well as through her parents. In her memoir, The Poet and the Silk Girl, Satsuki tells the story of how her parents, brother, and she survived and resisted their incarceration in U.S. concentration camps. One of the things that makes this memoir even more personal is that she was able to draw from diary entries, emotional haiku, censored letters, government documents, and clandestine messages that her parents Shizuko and Itaru Ina shared with each other. Satsuki further adds to the relevance and personalization by connecting her family’s experience to the race and immigration stories unfolding today as well—from rising anti-Asian hate crimes to the militarization of immigration enforcement. At 81, Satsuki continues to be at the forefront of Asian American activism. She's a co-founder of , a nonviolent, direct-action project of Japanese American social justice advocates. To learn more about Satsuki Ina, you can visit her , follow her , support , watch her recent addresses at the and the , and you can of course get your own copy of If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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The History of the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI
11/10/2025
The History of the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 45! Today’s episodes takes us back in history to the first “great war.” We’re focused on the forgotten participants in World War I… This is the story of the Chinese Labour Corps. During World War I, over 140,000 Chinese men crossed oceans to support the Allies. Their story is often forgotten and kind of ended in betrayal. China hoped to earn respect and reclaim lost territory, especially Shandong Province. But in the end, the Allies broke their promises, reinforcing racial stereotypes and leaving China humiliated. In our opening segment we celebrate the recent political wins by API in the November elections including Zohran Mamdani and Michelle Wu. We also celebrate the Dodgers 2nd World Series win. In our recurring segment, we bring back another segment of What Are We Reading to talk about by and by . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at . Segments 00:25 Intro: Celebrating the Dodgers and the Big API Wins in the November Elections 05:15 The History of the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI 17:17 What Are We Reading: The Strength of Water by Karin K. Jensen and by Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
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A Conversation with Thien Ho, Sacramento District Attorney and Author of The People vs The Golden State Killer
11/03/2025
A Conversation with Thien Ho, Sacramento District Attorney and Author of The People vs The Golden State Killer
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 44! Our guest today is , the Sacramento District attorney and long time prosecutor. He’s also the author of the upcoming book, which will be published by and releases on November 11th. This true crime memoir follows Thien's experience as the lead prosecutor on the case against Joseph DeAngelo, one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th century. It covers never-before published details about the investigation, capture, and trial that put DeAngelo behind bars. At the same time, the book is a memoir that follows Thien's personal story escaping war-torn Vietnam as a young boy and working his way up the law enforcement system to becoming the lead prosecutor in the case. Ho has gone on to become the Sacramento District Attorney, one of only 10 API District Attorneys in the country (there are 2400 total DAs). We loved how the book also highlights the experiences of three key survivors of DeAngelo's crimes, something that other books on the Golden State Killer haven't done to any significant extent… and this gives power to the survivors. In fact, a portion of the book’s proceeds will be donated both by the author and to , a nonprofit advocating for victims’ rights begun in honor of a GSK survivor. To get a copy of the book, we encourage you to purchase through the links on because you’ll be supporting small businesses. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Sheilah Jane, Wellness Advocate and the Author of Shadows and Sunrises A True Story of Shame, Strength, and Rebirth Across Continents
10/27/2025
A Conversation with Sheilah Jane, Wellness Advocate and the Author of Shadows and Sunrises A True Story of Shame, Strength, and Rebirth Across Continents
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 43! This episode’s guest is . She’s a writer, entrepreneur and wellness advocate. Her latest work is a heartfelt memoir called In it she brings lived experience and lyrical prose to tell the story of her life and family. Her book is a powerful memoir that was released on October 7, 2025. From a childhood under Martial Law in the Philippines to rebuilding a life in America, Shadows and Sunrises traces Sheilah Jane’s journey through teen motherhood, cultural dislocation, and the quiet rituals that held her together. Outside of writing, Sheila is a Certified Yoga Instructor and the co-founder of Sempre Avanti Imports, which is focused on family-run wineries and distilleries. She is also the founder of Foxy Flower CBD, which is rooted in natural wellness. To learn more about Sheilah’s work, you can visit her , follow her on instagram , and of course, buy . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with with Brenda Do, The Author of the Picture Book It's Okay Not To Know
10/20/2025
A Conversation with with Brenda Do, The Author of the Picture Book It's Okay Not To Know
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 42! Our guest today is . She’s a copywriter who has spent nearly two decades helping businesses communicate in a more humanistic way which helps them connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. She’s also the author of a fun and meaningful picture book called . It’s Okay Not To Know is a picture book that helps readers understand how to overcome self-doubt and stress that they sometimes feel when they are faced with challenges. Through curiosity and compassion, kids are able to flip these challenges and obstacles into opportunities for growth. Illustrations by C.S. Fritz, the book is a great reminder that empathy starts with yourself and then you can help others. In our conversation, Brenda shares why she was inspired to write It’s Okay Not To Know, what it was like working with C.S. Fritz, some of the design choices she made, what the response to her story has been, and so much more. You can learn more about Brenda through her , Instagram account , and . If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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A Conversation with Beth Lew-Williams, Award-Winning Professor and Director of Asian American Studies at Princeton University, and Author of John Doe Chinaman
10/13/2025
A Conversation with Beth Lew-Williams, Award-Winning Professor and Director of Asian American Studies at Princeton University, and Author of John Doe Chinaman
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 41! Today’s guest is award-winning author . She’s a Professor of History and the Director of the Program in Asian American Studies at Princeton University. She’s best known for her work on migration, violence, and ethnic studies. She’s also a 2025 winner of the that honors innovative research on the human past. It’s the largest history prize in the world, and only nine people were awarded it in 2025! Her latest book is is published by Harvard University Press and was released on September 16 of this year (so it’s available now)! We love the angle she takes by examining the laws, policies, and various regulations created by Federal, State, and Local leaders that impacted the Chinese in America. She uncovered thousands of laws and policies across the nation that targeted Chinese migrants. She also tells the stories of the Chinese Americans who refused to accept a conditional place in U.S. life. Lew-Williams previous book was published in 2018 (also by Harvard University Press). In it, she maps the tangled relationships between local racial violence, federal immigration policy, and U.S. imperial ambitions in Asia. The Chinese Must Go won the Ray Allen Billington Prize and the Ellis W. Halley Prize from the Organization of American Historians. John Doe Chinaman isn’t just for academia. It’s for all those who are interested in reading about a part of America that hasn’t been talked about as much. So it’s great for all! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram . For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at or our links at . If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at .
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