A new play based on the true story of Qian Xuesen, the brilliant aerospace engineer from China who helped launch America’s space age—until Cold War paranoia forever changed the course of his life...and ours.
Qian Xuesen, a promising young engineer from China, travels to America in 1935 on a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship. Advancing quickly through the ranks at MIT and Caltech, he becomes a pioneer of the American space age, co-founding JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and helping the United States of America win World War II. Then, as extreme nationalism swells at the beginning of the Cold War, Xuesen finds himself accused of being a Communist, and what happens next shapes the future of both his new and native homelands.
Developed by Henry Ong and director and dramaturg Diana Wyenn from 2016 until the playwright's passing in 2018, this production marks the long-awaited world premiere of the beloved playwright and LA Theater champion's prescient and timely final play. Inspired by true events and filled with Ong’s signature blend of heart and humor, Ascent reveals how fear, extreme nationalism, and xenophobia affects individual lives, shapes political decisions, and overshadows truth—often with lasting global consequences.
Americans have had to remove the late Cesar Chavez from the pedestals we've put him on amidst a recent torrent of credible allegations aimed at him of sexual abuse, rape and pedophilia. This has resulted in a newfound interest in Larry Itliong, a Filipino American labor organizer who's often called the "Father of the West Coast Labor Movement." Until now, he's been unfairly overshadowed by the iconic Chavez, but Larry's son Johnny is relieved that more of the unabridged history of that movement is now finding an audience.
In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Dowd, the Head of Public Programs at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to discuss the upcoming 2026 IlluminAsia Arts and Culture Festival. Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary, this year's festival spotlights the power of Asian American storytelling through literature, film, and community connection. #IlluminAsiaFestival #aanhpi #aapi #koreanadoptee
Fiona Ma is currently terming out as California's Treasurer, but after more than two decades of public service, she's now running to be the state's Lieutenant Governor. While most of the media's attention has been focused on the still unpredictable gubernatorial race, there are sixteen in the race for California's No. 2 seat of power, and Fiona has the clearest institutional resume, giving her an early advantage in name recognition among voters even as most remain undecided. Over 30 current and former California mayors have endorsed her. Early polling gives her a lead with likely Democratic voters, but eight in 10 voters still have no opinion of her--a reminder that institutional status has not translated into decisive primary support.
This episode is your chance to get to know her better and to appreciate her immense qualifications to be California's next Lieutenant Governor. Find out more about her and her vision for California by going to www.fionama.com.
In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Rae Huang, a candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles who is looking to bridge the gap between grassroots activism and City Hall. As a Presbyterian minister and a seasoned organizer with Housing Now! CA, Rae brings a unique perspective to the race—one rooted in "the theology of the neighborhood."
We dive deep into her personal journey as a daughter of Taiwanese immigrants and a single mother, exploring how those lived experiences fuel her "Housing for All" platform. Rae breaks down her vision for social housing, her plan for a Public Bank of Los Angeles, and what it would mean to lead the city as the first Asian American woman in the Mayor's office.
Sacramento County's District Attorney Thien Ho's book, The People vs. the Golden State Killer, is highly recommended for readers interested in true crime, legal history, and stories of human resilience. As the lead prosecutor in the case, Ho provides an "insider" account that differs significantly from previous narratives about Joseph DeAngelo.
David Henry Hwang is a Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and the most-produced living opera librettist in America. A three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and member of the Theater Hall of Fame, Hwang is best known for his masterpiece M. Butterfly and the critically acclaimed Yellow Face.
In 2026, Hwang returns to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song for a landmark production at East West Players, marking the "grand finale" of their 60th Anniversary Diamond Legacy season. #eastwestplayers #flowerdrumsong #asianamerican #chineseamerican #musical #theater @eastwestplayers
We’re going behind the curtain at East West Players for a two-episode event! Today, in Part 1, we’re sitting down with Lily Tung Crystal. Not only is she the Artistic Director guiding EWP into its 60th anniversary season, she is also personally directing their massive upcoming revival of Flower Drum Song. We’re diving into her creative process and why this story matters in 2026—all to get you ready for Part 2 with the iconic David Henry Hwang.
www.eastwestplayers.org
In this latest in the collaborative The Two Kens podcast series, Fong and Kemp focus on the now month-old war with Iran, wondering whether President Trump has a deterioriating form of dementia, and how that might have played a part in his leading us into this unwarrented war in the Middle East.
In Carol Lin’s memoir, When News Breaks: A Memoir of Love and War, the jade bracelet on the cover is a powerful symbol of her cultural identity, her relationship with her mother, and the "breaking" of her own life.
While the book primarily chronicles her career as a CNN anchor (including being the first to break the news of 9/11), the bracelet represents the personal narrative beneath the headlines.
@carollinnow
World-renowned social entrepreneur Jane Marie Chen is also an author, speaker, and leadership coach. Her best-selling memoir Like a Wave We Break is a frank and moving account of growing up as a success-driven child of immigrant parents , but how that eventually broke her in every possible way.
#domesticviolence #aanhpi #socialentrepreneur #cleansing #healing
www.janemariechen.com
Ted Taekeun Kim is a Korean American filmmaker and a director/producer. He is currently a graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in the Peter Stark Producing Program.
He is a rising filmmaker who explores narratives that resonate with the Asian American experience. His short films have screened at the Cannes Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival, and have won awards at BIFAN and the Asian American International Film Festival.
He is currently nearing completion on a short film titled "I Missed You" that utilizes Virtual Reality as a therapeutic tool.
Before attending USC, he worked at Authentic Literary & Talent Management. He also co-founded Souvenir Media, a music video and commercials company based in Brooklyn and Seoul, with work featured on Nowness Asia and Director’s Library.
Ted is passionate about cultivating new Asian American voices and arthouse cinema.
IG: @IMissedYouShortFilm
Julie Thomas Achettu, already a well-respected Asian American literature educator in Chicago, recently co-founded "House of Jaya," a women's apparel line that blends traditional South Asian fabrics with the fashion sense of today's South Asian American women. www.houseofjaya.com
My guest today describes herself as a 'city girl at heart' who traded her corporate business suits for Steve Madden platforms and a life of authentic passion. Lori 'Sas' Sase is a graduate of Coach U and the voice behind The Imaginal Podcast. From her Japanese-American heritage to her love of live music and her deep reverence for the loyalty of dogs, Sas brings a refreshing, honest, and messy humanity to the world of self-improvement. We’re going to talk about reclamation, healing, and living expansively.
Dr. Stan Lai is the author of the influential book CreativitRy: Asia’s Iconic Playwright Reveals the Art of Creativity(originally published in Chinese in 2006 as Stan Lai on Creativity). His work is significant because it shifts the conversation from creativity as a "mysterious gift" to a trainable skill.
Dr. Lai argues that creativity consists of two parts: Method (the craft or technique of one's field) and Wisdom (the cultivation of life experience and self-awareness). He posits that while schools teach method, they rarely teach the "wisdom" necessary to fuel deep creative work.
He’s a violinist, he’s a cellist, and together, they are ARKAI—the Grammy-winning duo pushing the absolute limits of their instruments. Fusing classical roots with live electronic processing and pop-star energy, Jonathan Miron and Philip Sheegog create soundscapes that feel more like an IMAX experience than a recital. They’re the masterminds behind the hit album Brightside, and they’re my guests today.
Podcasters Fong and Kemp are back to tackle the Melania film, the Super Bowl halftime show alternative, the Epstein files, and the evil of ICE in Minneapolis. And more!
This week, the spotlight shines on rising Filipina American actor Reanne Acasio, who is about to take on one of the most complex and iconic roles in contemporary musical theater: Imelda Marcos in the groundbreaking disco-pop musical Here Lies Love. Reanne opens up about the thrill and responsibility of portraying such a larger‑than‑life figure, the cultural resonance of the show, and the journey that brought her from community stages to a starring role in one of the most talked‑about productions today.
It’s an inspiring, thoughtful, and joy‑filled conversation with an artist whose star is only getting brighter. Tune in for Episode 576 and get to know Reanne before she takes the stage.
@centertheatregroup.org
The Honorable Elizabeth Yang was sworn in as the new mayor of Monterey Park, CA, in early 2025, but when you hear her share about the enormous challenges she's had to face in life, you might never have predicted where she's landed today. But as you get to know her better and what makes her tick, you'll learn never to bet against her and what she can accomplish.
Until Dr. Satsuki Ina began to investigate and research the long-term, multi-generational impact of the trauma to Americans of Japanese ancestry as a result of President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, most people didn't give it a second thought. Sure, it was traumatic for an entire population of Americans to be viewed with suspicion. And of course it was indescribably terrible for them to lose everything, including their freedom and civil rights. But when the war ended and the Americans of Japanese ancestry were released from their remote prisons, didn't most of them get right back into the swing of things, without any signs of lingering trauma?
In her new book The Poet and the Silk Girl: A Memoir of Love, Imprisonment and Protest, Dr. Ina uses her parents diaries, letters and poetry journals to document both their resistance and resilience. And she also shares with me about the lingering effects of this level of trauma on those who experienced it firsthad, but also those who would come later.
Kimberly Tso is a debut picture‑book author whose work draws on real cultural history and themes of empathy. Her writing often highlights community stories and encourages kids to think critically about the world around them. Her book Tic‑Tac‑Toe Chicken has already received praise from award‑winning authors for its clever storytelling and heart. Inspired by a real chicken named Lillie who lived in the Chinatown Fair arcade on Mott Street in New York City, the book follows eight‑year‑old Beatrice as she tries to help Lillie find a better home.
Renee Yang and Ann Kono are two of the co-founders of @TeachAAPI.org, whose mission is to redefine what being Asian American means in America by collecting and collating AAPI stories and creating curricula suitable for Pre-K through 12th grade. Founded during the pandemic 4.5 years ago, TeachAAPI is already reaching 200,000+ students in 35 California schools!
In this edition of the collaborative The Two Kens series, Fong and Kemp reflect on some of what they focused on in 2025, whille looking for signs of hope in this new year.
Award-winning author and activist Dr. Winnie M. Li has recently published her third novel! What We Left Unsaid has us join three estranged Chinese American adult siblings on a Route 66 road trip that includes a mysterious detour to the Grand Canyon. It's a delicious exploration of sibling dynamics that are definitely rooted in the past, but are now in dire need of reexamination and healing.
#roadtrip #whatweleftunsaid @winniemli
What Kyle Ang began as a USC senior project has become a much-needed outlet for AANHPI's to express themselves artistically and in writing. Kyle's Tiger Tea Zine is a curated collection of contributions from those wanting to be seen and heard, especially as it pertains to their identities and well-being. @tigerteazine