A recent audit of America's national monuments revealed what most AAPIs already know: there aren't any that uplift deserving individuals from our respective communities. If you missed the Op Ed by AsAm News staff writer Raymond Douglas Chong who wrote about this, here's your chance to eavesdrop on Ken's conversation with him. 

Dr. Yamashita is convinced that the Model Minority Myth among Asian Americans is exacerbating the rising rate of addictions in our communities. We reflect on the lessons from the Seventies, and also zero in on what many Asian American Christian churches need to do to stop stigmatizing those with addictions.

Conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin recently wrote an Op Ed in WaPo with a similar provocative title, which prompted us to take a deep dive into this fascinating and relevant POV.

Kenneth Lui's first feature-length film--"Artists in Agony" is a mockumentary about assassins. Hearing about his unconventional approach to write and shoot it over a span of eight years gave me a much deeper appreciation for the kind of creativity and commitment that are required by up and coming indie filmmakers like Lui.

Dr. Russell Jeung and his two co-founders of Stop AAPI-Hate were recently recognized as icons of the effort to quell pandemic-fueled insults and attacks aimed at Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S. He talks about why it's critical to reshape the narrative surrounding BIPOC Americans, including those who are undocumented. And he concludes by hoping that the ongoing decline in America's Christian churches will catalyze the emergence of a re-focused remnant.

Filmmaker Jeffrey Gee Chin wants to ensure that Japanese American Human Rights activist Sei Fujii (1882-1954) is revered and respected for all that he accomplished on behalf of Japanese immigrants, Japanese Americans, and all people of color. His biography, "A Rebel's Outcry," officially becomes available on 11/2/21. He also wants to create a film or TV series about Dr. Mabel Lee, who left quite a legacy in NYC's Chinatown and beyond.

If you're like me, after you finished "Squid Games," you were wondering what was worth bingeing next. Then you discovered "Midnight Mass," binged it, and now your head is swimming with all kinds of theories and questions. Last week we dropped a special episode where we discussed the first four episodes. After finishing the series, we could hardly wait to dive back into the "MM" deep end of the pool! So here it is.

Evan Jackson Leong is best known for his documentary films. But he had long wanted to make a feature-length narrative film. He labored for years to write and edit the script for "Snakehead," and it finally will be in theaters at the end of October 2021.  

Evan Jackson Leong is best known for his documentary films. But he had long wanted to make a feature-length narrative film. He labored for years to write and edit the script for "Snakehead," and it finally will be in theaters at the end of October 2021.  

In this episode podcaster Ken Kemp and I dig into a new series on Netflix called "Midnight Mass." We both identified with the main character's struggles to live among people of faith on a tiny island while he no longer believes in any kind of higher power. 

Dr. Chuck recently self-published a book wherein he shares the sum total of all the wisdom he learned while caring for patients and medical colleagues for over three decades. His is especially passionate in his conviction that developing better mental health is the key to our experiencing greater overall health and satisfaction.

Claire and her aging mother Isabel begin their journey together by visiting the once-beautiful mansion in Shanghai where the young Isabel had grown up. Much more than a trip down Memory Lane, "Remembering Shanghai" reveals the triumphs and tragedies going back five generations that mirror China's own challenges. Chao has layered the bones of this country's history with the flesh of her own family.

Early in 2021, Dr. Kwong started a movement to challenge self-professing Christian politicians in D.C. (and their pastors) to admit that they were spewing hateful, racist rhetoric that was damaging their Asian American countrymen and fomenting the belief that China poses the biggest threat to this country. Was this incredibly naive on Kwong's part, or did he have another outcome in mind?

Born deaf in one ear and with a form of autism, Shihori had no friends and was terribly bullied. She was staring at a lonely, fraught future. But she discovered that singing and writing music provided her with the means and the motivation to connect with people. Despite achieving great success in Japan, she was recently inspired to start afresh in America, launching her debut album "Mutation" on October 1, 2021.

Before Ray's language prowess landed in the U.S. State Department, he felt God had called him to be a liturgist and musician in the Catholic Church that he so loved. But when he came out of the closet, he no longer believed that the Church would love him as much as he loved the Church. He reflects on the changes in the State Department, especially as it begins to admit its long history of homophobia and discriminatory practices against POC.

While Dan is the first to say that he's clearly a work in progress, he's managed to craft a mindset and a work ethic that keeps him positive and his creative juices flowing. You'll hear a sample of his latest songs at the end of the episode. 

Hedy Wong began writing a story that she knew: hers. But it took years of refining and determination to bring it to screens in 2020 as "Take Out Girl." She is beautiful, smart, street-savvy, and oozing with talent, bringing all of that to bear as the lead in this feature film.

In this latest special episode, these two long-time friends, former pastors, and fellow podcasters critique the "reparative therapy" movement while reviewing the Netflix documentary "Pray Away." But they wrestle with why anybody--gay or straight--would willingly be part of groups the require them to repress essential aspects of who they know themselves to be.

Director/Writer Bao Tran has given us a rarity--a martial arts film where the fighters get older and have complicated lives! Ultimately, it's the timeless tale of aging warriors needing to rethink what they once believed and practiced in the face of today's challenges.

Lee is a wife, a mom, a PTA leader, hosts several podcasts, and is the co-founder of the Asian American Podcasters Association (AAP), arguably the very first group to gather AAPI podcasters and those exploring possibilities. The lessons she imparts can be applied to so many aspects of our lives.

Suni Lee's Olympic triumphs have not only elevated her profile, but the heretofore invisible profile of her fellow Hmong Americans. Yet some are criticizing her for not displaying enough nationalism. Yang has been reporting on Lee and the Hmong American communities, and knows Suni well.

Award-winning novelist and creative writer Darien Hsu Gee recently published her memoirs in the form of micro essays. We talk about the artform and required discipline, she recites several of them, and then we explore what these say about her relationship to her parents and only brother. 

Ever since getting a 'wake up call' about her mental health at age 14, Chang has personally prioritized it, leaving a hard-earned position as a broadcast journalist and eventually going back to grad school to become a therapist. She is using her skills as a courageous communicator, entrepreneur, and clinician today to reduce the stigma of mental illness in AAPI communities, and to promote the pursuit of mental health.

Persons--especially coming from Evangelical backgrounds--who've been 'de-constructing', often end up with radically different positions and in vastly unfamiliar places. But for those who are married (and/or who have adult children), there's an oft-unspoken impact on family members who might be content with the status quo. The Two Kens talk frankly about how their respective journeys have impacted their spouses, then shift gears to discuss the current attacks on Critical Race Theory.

Kimo Cornwell loves and plays all kinds of music, but he's been the keyboardist for legendary jazz-fusion group Hiroshima for the past 30 years. This is his story.