They Call Us Bruce

Hosts Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

They Call Us The Wedding Banquet 04/25/2025

They Call Us The Wedding Banquet Jeff and Phil welcome back their old pals Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos to talk about The Wedding Banquet, writer/director Andrew Ahn's contemporary re-envisioning of Ang Lee's 1993 beloved romantic comedy, starring Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, and Han Gi-Chan. The big question: does this remake justify its existence? They discuss the film's fresh take on LGBTQ+ themes and family dynamics; some of the more questionable but necessary narrative turns; and why Joan Chen and Youn Yuh-jung are Asian American cinema royalty. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36318985

They Call Us Michael L. Wong 04/18/2025

They Call Us Michael L. Wong Jeff and Phil welcome Dr. Michael L. Wong, an astrobiologist, planetary scientist and podcaster who studies planetary atmospheres, habitability, biosignatures, and the emergence of life. And Star Trek. He talks about his involvement in the Stand Up for Science protests, the intersection of science, activism, and the challenges faced by the scientific community, particularly in light of recent budget cuts to space exploration and other STEM fields, and the broader implications of stifling diversity in science. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36222010

REWIND: They Call Us The Most Asian Costco 04/12/2025

REWIND: They Call Us The Most Asian Costco In this rewind episode, we dip back into the archives and revisit Phil and Jeff's 2024 conversation with friend, journalist and fellow podcaster Ada Tseng about her Los Angeles Times piece which asked and answered a very important question: They discuss why the wholesale chain holds a particular appeal for Asian American shoppers, the specialty items you can only find at the Most Asian Costcos, and the spiritual journey of purchasing Kirkland clothing. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Costco. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36111850

They Call Us Ji-young Yoo 04/03/2025

They Call Us Ji-young Yoo Jeff and Phil welcome actress Ji-young Yoo, star of Freaky Tales and Expats. She talks about the cathartic act of fictionally beating the crap out of some Nazis; capturing the specific fun and weird ("Bay shit") vibes of 1987 Oakland, from her punk wig to nailing the accent in Freaky Tales; feeling a sense of belonging in Hong Kong and acting toe-to-toe with the likes of Nicole Kidman for her breakthrough role in Expats; and how her career journey may or may not include going back to take those two last credits to finish college. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Freaky Tales. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35994245

They Call Us Vicki Tan 03/30/2025

They Call Us Vicki Tan Jeff and Phil welcome , digital product designer and author of , a one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling. Vicki shares her journey of writing the book, the significance of diversity in storytelling, and how her background in product design informs her approach to helping others navigate life's big and small questions -- including that immediate, persistent question: what should we have for dinner tonight? (Answer: mapo tofu, of course.) /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35922010

They Call Us Scam Factory 03/21/2025

They Call Us Scam Factory Jeff and Phil discuss the evil, manipulative, and highly organized world of online scams with journalists Nelson Wang, who became the target of a , and Denise Chan, host of the Wondery podcast , which exposes the brutal reality behind these ripoff operations. There's a scam for everybody. They talk about the increasingly creative and sophisticated ways that scammers prey on their victims, how that scammer on the other side might actually be a victim of a scam themselves—trafficked and trapped—and the bizarre corporate infrastructure behind some of these scam factories. Pizza party! /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35803300

They Call Us Stephen Park 03/14/2025

They Call Us Stephen Park Jeff and Phil welcome veteran actor Stephen Park, who discusses his iconic roles in projects like Do the Right Thing, Fargo, and In Living Color; the racist incident on the set of Friends that inspired his viral 1997 mission statement on Asian American representation in Hollywood; the ongoing challenges he's faced as a person of color in the industry; and a reconciliation of sorts with his own Korean identity, thanks to working with cool directors like Bong Joon-ho. Also: the unintended complexities of being known as Steve versus Stephen. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35703940

They Call Us Asif Ali 03/06/2025

They Call Us Asif Ali Jeff and Phil welcome comedian and actor Asif Ali, star of the Hulu crime comedy series Deli Boys. They discuss evolution of South Asian roles from stereotypes to complex characters, and how the show puts a chaotic, hilarious twist on the mini-mart narrative. Asif talks about his professional journey in comedy, how he had to create his own opportunities (including some not-entirely-truthful hustling by Asif's manager, aka his brother), and why it's okay to NOT be chill about seeing yourself on a billboard. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Deli Boys. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35568780

They Call Us Dustin Nguyen 03/01/2025

They Call Us Dustin Nguyen Jeff and Phil welcome veteran actor Dustin Nguyen, star of the indie crime drama The Accidental Getaway Driver, a uniquely Vietnamese American story -- inspired by true events -- surprisingly told as a humanistic character study. He talks about the rage, hurt and loneliness of his character; his decades-spanning career journey and the evolution of his roles in Hollywood, from 21 Jump Street to V.I.P.; and his transition to filmmaking in Vietnam (and back). Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making The Accidental Getaway Driver. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35491470

They Call Us Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 02/23/2025

They Call Us Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Jeff and Phil welcome diversity advocates and experts and to discuss the impact of the current political climate on Asian American activism and identity. They talk about the importance of diversity in higher education in shaping identities and worldviews, the assault on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the wake of Trump's executive orders, the challenges of leadership in uncertain times, and the alarming normalization of extremist ideologies. Also: pre-emptive chickenshit, Nazi salutes, and dangerous dumplings. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35392345

They Call Us Sanjay Shah and Jude Weng 02/14/2025

They Call Us Sanjay Shah and Jude Weng Jeff and Phil continue their celebration of Fresh Off the Boat's 10th anniversary and welcome writer Sanjay Shah (Everybody Still Hates Chris, Dream Productions, Central Park) and director Jude Weng (Finding Ohana, The Good Place, Only Murders in the Building) -- key creatives involved in the making of the groundbreaking series. They look back at the impact of the show on their careers, some of the challenges and critiques they faces during production, and the importance of storytelling from an Asian American perspective. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Fresh Off the Boat. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35287540

They Call Us Hudson Yang 02/07/2025

They Call Us Hudson Yang Phil and Jeff celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fresh Off the Boat with series star Hudson Yang (who also happens to be Jeff's son). They reflect on the show's impact on their family, Hudson's journey from childhood aspirations to landing a lead role, and the significance of the show in reshaping narratives around Asian Americans in media. They look back at the audition process, the challenges of navigating fame and public scrutiny as a child actor, and the lasting (and perhaps unsung) legacy of the series. Also: that time Hudson almost got fired from Fresh Off the Boat before it even got started. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35199460

They Call Us Parents in the Year of the Snake 02/02/2025

They Call Us Parents in the Year of the Snake It's the Year of the Snake! In this special Lunar New Year episode, Jeff and Phil welcome fellow Potluck Podcast pals -- and fellow parents -- Ada Tseng (), Joanna Lee (, ), and Marvin Yueh (, ) to celebrate new beginnings and the arrival of Marvin's twins while discussing the unique challenges of Asian American parenting. They explore the importance of cultural representation in children's media, the significance of language and heritage, and the realities of sleep deprivation and collaborative parenting strategies. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/35112430

They Call Us Birthright Citizenship 01/24/2025

They Call Us Birthright Citizenship Jeff and Phil welcome Eileen Chow, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at Duke University's Asian/Pacific Studies Institute, and Ava Chin, CUNY professor and author of Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming, to talk about birthright citizenship, a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, now under attack (again) by the Trump administration. They talk about their anger in this moment, who is really under attack -- not rich white folks! -- in this latest attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, the landmark precedent set by United States v. Wong Kim Ark, and why the lessons of history must be constantly learned and re-learned. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34999685

They Call Us Los Angeles Wildfires 01/17/2025

They Call Us Los Angeles Wildfires Jeff and Phil welcome friends, author/podcaster R Scott Okamoto and filmmaker/professor Renee Tajima-Pena to share their reflections on the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of greater Los Angeles. Scott shares about the terrifying experience of evacuating from the approaching inferno, while Renee recounts her efforts to save her family's treasures and traditions. The discuss the profound loss for the history and community of Altadena and the incredible heart in Los Angeles's response to this moment. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34901670

They Call Us Extremely Unique Dynamic 01/11/2025

They Call Us Extremely Unique Dynamic Jeff and Phil welcome Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, the directors/writers/producers/stars of Extremely Unique Dynamic, a "Meta-Asian-Stoner-Coming-of-Age-Bromantic Dramedy" about two best friends who decide to make a movie... about two guys making a movie... about two guys making a movie. They talk about making a buddy narrative to showcase their friendship and talent, how they managed to sneak in a celebrity cameo from Hudson Yang (as himself!) and the unanticipated low-budget/high-effort costs when you make an indie project. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Extremely Unique Dynamic. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34814605

They Call Us Squid Game Season 2 01/02/2025

They Call Us Squid Game Season 2 Jeff and Phil welcome back the crew — Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos — to discuss season two of the global sensation Squid Game, which is officially Netflix's most watched show ever. In what is quite possibly this podcast's longest episode ever, they discuss the return and evolution of some fan-favorite characters, their least favorite new characters, the biggest new twists in the deadly game, and whether or not Gong Yoo gets worthwhile screen time in his return as the mysterious Recruiter. And of course: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Squid Game Season 2. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34696880

They Call Us Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld 12/27/2024

They Call Us Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld Jeff and Phil welcome showrunner/producer and writer , key creatives behind the Netflix animated series starring Ali Wong. They talk about creating a uniquely Asian American young adult action/horror/supernatural family drama; melding Asian mythology and folklore with contemporary youth culture (complete with a ) to tell a multi-layered story; and how to keep your cool (and failing miserably) while working with a K-pop idol. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34633950

They Call Us Ronny Chieng 12/20/2024

They Call Us Ronny Chieng Jeff and Phil welcome comedian to discuss his latest Netflix special . He talks about his efforts to harvest his wife's eggs (with no medical training whatsoever), the frustrating susceptibility of baby boomers to internet scams, his near-decade-long tenure as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and why the only career move he's concerned with is crafting the next joke. Plus: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Love to Hate It. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34552160

They Call Us The Last of the Sea Women 12/14/2024

They Call Us The Last of the Sea Women Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Sue Kim, director/producer of , a documentary about the haenyeo, a fierce community of South Korean divers fighting the save their vanishing culture from looming threats. She talks about her lifelong fascination with this "badass girl gang," her drive to tell the stories of unique subcultures like Korea's mermaids and competitive Rubik's cube solvers, and how to film a documentary about free divers when you're actually not a very good swimmer. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making The Last of the Sea Women. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34441075

They Call Us A Great Divide 12/06/2024

They Call Us A Great Divide Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Jean Shim and actress Jae Suh Park, director and star of the independent drama -- also co-written and produced by our very own Jeff Yang. They talk about making a movie inspired by the contemporary backdrop of anti-Asian hate, the personal experiences with racism and xenophobia that informed the film's story and characters, the quirks and challenges of shooting in the wilds of Wyoming, and why it's convenient to have a doctor on set -- especially if that doctor is Ken Jeong. Also: a special bonus edition of "Pass, Fail, Incomplete, and Fail," sponsored by . /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34323610

They Call Us Interior Chinatown 11/29/2024

They Call Us Interior Chinatown Jeff and Phil welcome writer Charles Yu, showrunner/executive producer of the Hulu series Interior Chinatown, adapted from his award-winning novel of the same name. They discuss the challenges of taking a somewhat indescribable and seemingly un-adaptable book and adapting it into a 10-episode prestige series; how Interior Chinatown is actually like Pokemon; and the fun of deconstructing the TV tropes of the police procedural "Chinatown Episode." /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34199690

They Call Us Thanksgiving 2024 11/28/2024

They Call Us Thanksgiving 2024 Jeff and Phil talk turkey in their semi-traditional annual observation of thanks and giving, and welcome comedians and to talk comedy, careers and these troubled times. They talk about coming from very different -- parentally-supported versus culturally nonexistent -- standup traditions, the stereotypes that still hound them, and the future (or perhaps lack thereof) of our democracy. Also, a very special Thanksgiving edition of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34194570

They Call Us Shōgun 11/22/2024

They Call Us Shōgun Jeff and Phil welcome co-creator/executive producer Rachel Kondo and writer/co-executive prodicer Shannon Goss of Shōgun, now one of the most acclaimed television shows of all time. They talk about setting out to adapt the original novel with a different, shifted perspective, the complicated multi-step script-to-screen process of translating the show from English to Japanese and back, and getting the band back together to write another season. Also: a healing moment, a magical falcon, Zombieko, and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Shōgun. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/34103891

They Call Us David Henry Hwang 11/15/2024

They Call Us David Henry Hwang In this special live episode, Jeff (minus Phil) talks to acclaimed playwright David Henry Hwang about his trailblazing work, including Yellow Face, currently on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre. He talks about the mind-boggling play-within-a-play inception of Yellow Face, what it's like to write a version of yourself ("DHH") into your show -- played by Daniel Dae Kim, no less -- and why his work seems to keep meeting the political moment. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being David Henry Hwang. Recorded live at the Museum of Chinese in America in New York City. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33948412

They Call Us Michelle Au 11/01/2024

They Call Us Michelle Au Jeff and Phil welcome , who represents District 50 in the Georgia House of Representatives. She talks about her journey from medicine into politics -- from anesthesiologist to the first Asian American elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2020 -- how she's navigated some of the electoral shenanigans of her rapidly changing district, and the power of the Asian American vote in her swing state of Georgia during this extremely important and consequential presidential election. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33725832

They Call Us Dave Min for Congress 10/25/2024

They Call Us Dave Min for Congress Jeff and Phil welcome law professor and state senator , who is running for Congress in California 47th district. He talks about why he made the decision to step into this critical race, the unique characteristics and shifting demographics of his traditionally conservative district, and some of the blatant (and sadly, unsurprising) anti-Asian racism his campaign has faced. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of running for Congress. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33609657

They Call Us The Future of Our Former Democracy 10/18/2024

They Call Us The Future of Our Former Democracy Jeff and Phil welcome George Cheung, Director of and co-host of the podcast , which asks an important question for our anxious times: Why does American democracy suck right now? George argues that there's a major underlying issue: the polarizing winner-take-all electoral system. He talks about what it could look like if the United States dismantled its current electoral system and rebuilt a proportional representation system to save our democracy. BONUS: After the episode, keep listening to hear the first episode of The Future of Our Former Democracy. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33510752

They Call Us Culinary Class Wars 10/11/2024

They Call Us Culinary Class Wars Jeff and Phil follow up and welcome back chef -- just two episodes later -- fresh off the finale of the Netflix cooking competition Culinary Class Wars. Spoiler alert! He talks about his grueling journey to the final challenge, including the Endless Cooking Hell, his unexpected new nickname, that incredible dessert dish, and how his cooking throughout the entire show told a personal story about his Korean American identity. Also: Jeff and Phil offer The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Culinary Class Wars. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33422692

They Call Us Daniel Dae Kim 10/02/2024

They Call Us Daniel Dae Kim Jeff and Phil welcome their old friend, the one and only Daniel Dae Kim, who stars on Broadway in David Henry Hwang's . He talks about the play's brilliant, meta-comic exploration of race, representation and identity, his uniquely ascendant career as an actor, producer and advocate, and the twentieth anniversary of the role that changed everything for him: Jin on Lost. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being "DDK." /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/33293942

They Call Us Bruce

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