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ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST

Ken Fong gets to the heart of Asian American culture, history, and spirituality. Through interviews with culture-makers and -shapers in the Asian American community -- some you know, others you've never heard of before -- prepare to laugh, cry, and be amazed.
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ASIAN AMERICA: THE KEN FONG PODCAST
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Now displaying: 2017
Jun 27, 2017

Simon Tam took his battle all the way to the Supreme Court -- and won. Hear how his band fought the government to trademark their own name ("The Slants"), his early foray into artist management, his TedTalk prowess, and his faith. (Intro: T-boned)

Jun 19, 2017

Hudson Yang, Forest Wheeler, and Ian Chen talk about what it's like to act as the Huang brothers on the hit TV show "Fresh Off The Boat". The boys discuss their audition stories, being recognized in public, and what they want to do when they grow up. (Intro: Hold These Truths)

Jun 7, 2017

Rapper Heesun Lee talks about what it's like to be a female hip-hop artist whose lyrics are unabashedly positive and Christian. She also discusses her status as a Korean adoptee, whether rapping has an age-limit, and how she strives to be a Christian hip-hop MC whose main goal is ministry, not self-promotion. (Intro: Pay Up)

May 22, 2017

Actor Ryun Yu talks about his lead role in HOLD THESE TRUTHS, a play produced by The Pasadena Playhouse, in association with East West Players, that follows civil rights hero Gordon Hirabayashi. Ryun also does an amazing Sean Connery impression, and explains how he was the first theater major ever at MIT. (Intro: Reviews)

May 13, 2017

Deedee Magno Hall talks about her role as lead actress in NEXT TO NORMAL, the rock musical currently produced by East West Players. She also discusses what it was like to be a Mouseketeer, her Broadway role as Kim in MISS SAIGON, and how her parents and faith keep her grounded. (Intro: Mortal)

May 5, 2017

On the 25th anniversary of the L.A. Riots, we visit with Angela Oh, the eloquent spokesperson for the Korean-American community during that period of civil unrest. Angela gives context for how everything happened, as well as her current efforts to create lasting change through meditation and conflict resolution. (Intro: L.A. Riots)

May 1, 2017

Licensed psychotherapist Ling Lam (PhD, MFT) gives a fresh interpretation of the biblical story of Esau and Jacob, and how it specifically relates to the struggle of gay, Asian American Christians. Ling shares about his own history, how monkeys handle trauma, and how we all try to find acceptance with "goatskins". (Intro: Manzanar)

Apr 26, 2017

Tim Ouyang discusses what it was like to finally come out publicly as a gay man. Tim describes his past bouts with amnesia and anxiety, and how he now rests easy in his true identity. He also talks about the future of his music career, being an awesome uncle, and walking on water. (Intro: Overbooked)

Apr 14, 2017

Rev. Lydia Suh is a pastor and co-founder of the popular Facebook group "Progressive Asian American Christians". She talks about her early years as a rebellious pastor's kid, what it truly feels like to be a minority, and how she brings her unique voice and identity into ministry. (Intro: Next)

Apr 6, 2017

If you are a HOUSE OF CARDS fan, you'll recognize Jae Jin as the guitar playing worship leader. Hear the amazing story of how he got that part, his transformation into a musical artist, his spiritual outlook, and how he survived a terminal cancer diagnosis -- twice. (Intro: Hey Universe!)

Mar 30, 2017

Author Oliver Chin drops by the studio to talk about his company Immedium, an independent publisher of children's books and contemporary non-fiction. Oliver discusses his popular series Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, his love for comics, and Asian American characters in children's books. (Intro: Termites, Part 2)

Mar 22, 2017

Helen Hong just might be the hardest working comedian in Hollywood. With starring roles in film and TV, Helen recounts the audition that got her into a Coen Brothers film, and a Trekkie nerd-out experience with Patrick Stewart. She also discusses dating difficulties, supportive parents, and her spiritual life. (Intro: Termites)

Mar 15, 2017

Miranda Kwok can do it all: acting, writing, producing, stuntwork, and martial arts. Miranda talks about how she created her own opportunities as an Asian American in Hollywood. She says that she initially rejected her heritage when she was young, but recaptured it in a personal journey back to China. (Intro: Hate Mail)

Mar 7, 2017

Actor Anil Kumar is on an amazingly joyous ride to move and transform the spirit of other people through his performances. Anil discusses his current role in the play FREE OUTGOING, the hustle needed to keep the dream alive, and the huge Best Picture Oscar fiasco. (Intro: Free Money, Part 3)

Feb 28, 2017

Nancy Yuen discusses her new book REEL INEQUALITY, and how Hollywood continues to put forth white people and white stories as the standard, while ignoring and dehumanizing people of color. Don't miss Nancy's rant about LA LA LAND and her love for MOONLIGHT!  (Intro: Unseen)

Feb 22, 2017

Award-winning novelist, race car driver, and professor Shawn Wong stops by to chat about his upcoming book, drag racing exploits, and the Red Badge Project -- an amazing program that supports military veterans as they discover and give voice to their unique stories. (Intro: Free Money, Part 2)

Feb 15, 2017

Playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar talks about the L.A. debut of her new work FREE OUTGOING, running at East West Players' David Henry Hwang Theater from 2/9 - 3/12. She discusses the collision of modern technology with traditional values, and the hypocrisy that exists regarding female sexuality. (Intro: Free Money)

Feb 9, 2017

Author Jeff Chang discusses race and resegregation in his newest book WE GON' BE ALRIGHT. He talks about displacement, the growing economic gaps between races, the warehousing of people of color in prisons, and how Asian Americans need to do more than just stand on the sidelines. (Intro: Tears)

Jan 31, 2017

Director/Producer Dinesh Sabu talks about his new documentary film UNBROKEN GLASS, which chronicles his journey of discovery with his family dealing with the still raw emotions and consequences of his immigrant parents’ lives and deaths over 20 years ago. (Intro: Thank you, Nate)

Jan 26, 2017

Paula Williams Madison has a fascinating life story, and you need to hear it! She also discusses her search for her grandfather's descendants, her passion to improve relations between people of the African and Asian diasporas, and her growing concern over the future of race relations in the era of Donald Trump. (Intro: Women's March)

Jan 20, 2017

Liz Lin is the co-founder of the Facebook group "Progressive Asian American Christians". She talks about the genesis of the group, her own spiritual and racial history, the commitment required to make change, and the progressive dilemma of making things "more perfect". (Intro: Toxic Tank)

Jan 12, 2017

George Cheung is a longtime Hollywood actor with decades of fascinating stories. Hear how he started out as a Wah Ching gang member and Wing Chun martial artist, then performed death-defying stunts, and finally ended up starring alongside Sly Stallone and Steven Seagal. (Intro: Toilet Trouble)

Jan 6, 2017

Katherine Sui Fun Cheung was a true badass: the first Chinese American woman to earn her international flying license. Director Ed Moy and Katherine's daughter Dottie share about AVIATRIX, the new award-winning documentary celebrating this amazing aviation pioneer. (Intro: Final Wishes)

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