They Call Us Bruce

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

They Call Us Maybe Happy Ending's Casting Controversy 08/15/2025

They Call Us Maybe Happy Ending's Casting Controversy Jeff and Phil welcome Howard Ho, playwright/composer/YouTuber, and Diep Tran, Editor in Chief of Playbill, to discuss Asian Americans in theatre, Broadway, and controversy over the recent announcement that Andrew Barth Feldman, a white actor, would be taking over the lead role in Maybe Happy Ending, the hit Tony Award-winning musical about robots finding connection in future Korea. They talk about the historical lack of opportunities for Asian Americans in theatre, enjoying a moment of hope in the wake of recent successes, and why Maybe Happy Ending's re-casting is such a disappointment on multiple levels. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of this moment in Asian American theatre. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37840075

They Call Us Superheroes 08/01/2025

They Call Us Superheroes Jeff and Phil welcome back pop cultural pals Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos to discuss recent superhero movies like Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps. (But really, a good excuse for friends to hang out and gab, because it's been a minute.) They talk about the so-called "woke" Superman, where the heck Shang-Chi has been, watching these movies in a world of real-life supervillains, and the significance of superhero narratives in the context of Asian American identity, history and culture. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37641260

They Call Us Kpop Demon Hunters 07/12/2025

They Call Us Kpop Demon Hunters Jeff and Phil welcome Maggie Kang, creator and co-director of the hit Netflix animated feature Kpop Demon Hunters. She talks about the seven-year journey of bringing the film to life; behind-the-scenes insights on crafting an epic animated action musical that incorporates both supernatural demon lore and kpop idol culture; assembling the voice and music team to tell this uniquely Korean story; and the incredible, unexpected global response to the movie. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Kpop Demon Hunters. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37382895

They Call Us Dylan Park-Pettiford 07/04/2025

They Call Us Dylan Park-Pettiford Jeff and Phil welcome -- TV writer, combat veteran and author of the memoir Roadside: My Journey to Iraq and the Long Road Home. He talks about growing up as a Black/Korean American kid in Campbell, California; getting swept up in the post-9/11 patriotism that sent him to Iraq, where his days alternated between boredom and terror; losing his brother to gun violence; uncovering a part of his identity through family history; and the kinds of topics you might want to avoid writing about if your mom might eventually read your book. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37287830

They Call Us The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of the World Right Now 06/29/2025

They Call Us The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of the World Right Now Jeff and Phil connect across travels and time zones to catch up and reflect on some of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of recent weeks, including K-Pop Demon Hunters, New York City mayoral candidates, "rooftop Koreans," ICE raids, Squid Game, and space sushi. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37211040

They Call Us The Menswear Guy 06/21/2025

They Call Us The Menswear Guy Jeff and Phil welcome fashion industry commentator and writer Derek Guy, also known as "the menswear guy." He talks about how his interest in clothing and fashion led to his wildly and ; how his writing weaves together humor, history, cultural criticism, and political commentary to make fashion feel relevant to anyone; why terrible politicians are such easy targets for sartorial critique; and why he was compelled to speak out about anti-immigrant rhetoric and stereotyping -- making himself the target of the likes of J.D. Vance. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being the menswear guy. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/37100055

They Call Us Murder at the Patel Motel 06/13/2025

They Call Us Murder at the Patel Motel Jeff and Phil welcome back actor, activist and author Maulik Pancholy, co-writer and star of the scripted comedy podcast . He talks about the real-life "Patel motel cartel" that inspired the audio drama's small town murder mystery milieu; blending the tried-and-true tropes of an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit with a gay, Indian American family comedic twist; the creative challenges of writing for an audio-only format; whether or not Maulik will ever get to attend the Met Gala; and of course, The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Murder at the Patel Motel. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36995970

They Call Us Andrew Ahn 06/07/2025

They Call Us Andrew Ahn Jeff and Phil welcome back their old friend Andrew Ahn, writer/director of The Wedding Banquet, a reimagining of Ang Lee's beloved classic. They discuss Andrew's journey as a filmmaker; assembling an all-star team -- including Youn Yuh-jung, Joan Chen, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang -- for the project; navigating the complexities and subtleties of contemporary queer representation; being a part of the legacy of Asian American cinema; and of course, The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of remaking The Wedding Banquet. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36902070

They Call Us Gold Star Trophy 05/30/2025

They Call Us Gold Star Trophy Jeff and Phil welcome back Shin Yu Pai to talk about the latest season of her podcast , along with fellow podcaster Yowei Shaw (, NPR's Invisibilia). They talk about the objects that help us move forward -- like a gold star trophy; how layoffs can be like breakups that unravel your sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth; finding healing and reinvention in the wake of professional setbacks; and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of going independent. Also: keep listening to hear a full episode of Ten Thousand Things. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36796915

They Call Us Strangers in the Land 05/23/2025

They Call Us Strangers in the Land Jeff and Phil welcome Michael Luo, executive editor at The New Yorker and author of the book , a sweeping narrative history of the Chinese in America, and their more than century-long struggle to belong in the face of bigotry, persecution, exclusion and racial terror. Michael talks about the real-life that partially inspired the project; the complexities and quirks of Chinese American immigration history; some of the fascinating stories and characters he uncovered during his research for Strangers in the Land; and the alarming parallels between past and current debates on immigration, citizenship, and our multiracial democracy. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36695690

They Call Us Sinners 05/16/2025

They Call Us Sinners Jeff and Phil welcome , documentary filmmaker, journalist and cultural consultant on Ryan Coogler's epic vampire blockbuster Sinners. They discuss Dolly's documentary on , and the deep-rooted origins of the Mississippi Delta's Chinese American community; how Ryan Coogler's own family connection to the Delta Chinese inspired the Chinese characters in Sinners; and how Dolly worked with the filmmakers to make the movie historically accurate and authentic as possible -- right down to that one horny line of Chinese dialogue. And of course, they offer their own hot takes on Sinners. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36599300

They Call Us Ten Times Better 05/10/2025

They Call Us Ten Times Better Jeff and Phil welcome director Jennifer Lin and producer Jon Funabiki to talk about their documentary and the incredible untold story of George Lee, a pioneering dancer with an unheralded place in ballet and Broadway history. They discuss the sensational skill and artistry that landed George the role he originated in The Nutcracker with the New York City Ballet; the filmmakers' search for the former dance prodigy that tracked him down in Las Vegas, where he was working in relative obscurity as a blackjack dealer; the ongoing struggle for recognition and inclusion in the performing arts; and the film's efforts to honor and preserve George's story, especially in this moment as diverse narratives face the threat of suppression and erasure. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36516435

They Call Us Heritage Month? 05/05/2025

They Call Us Heritage Month? It's May, and that means it's AANHPI Heritage Month -- possibly the last one ever, if certain people get their way. Jeff and Phil check in and discuss the significance of Heritage Month, reflecting on community resilience, cultural celebrations, and the challenges faced by Asian Americans in this moment. By way of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF, they explore the impact of recent events on mental health within the community, the ongoing importance of representation in media, and the troubling perceptions of Asian Americans in U.S. society as revealed by recent surveys. /episode/index/show/theycallusbruce/id/36433735

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 Bruce

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