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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: 2018
Dec 29, 2018

Major General William Chen and businessman Wilson Lee share about the Harmony Through Union Rose Parade float, honoring their Chinese American ancestors’ arduous, dangerous, and sacrificial work on the Transcontinental Railroad. (Intro: Cult Concert)

Dec 24, 2018

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Lee shares about his passion for cars and helping kids. Sean discusses what he learned from his close friendship with “Fast and Furious” actor Paul Walker, his own history of crashing cars and motorcycles, and his charitable work with the Purist Group. (Intro: Wired and Tired)

Dec 16, 2018

Author Victoria Namkung shares about her work as a novelist and journalist. Victoria discusses the timeliness of her latest book THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, why Asian American studies gave her such confidence in her identity, and how to get apologies from internet trolls. (Intro: Tree of Honor)

Dec 4, 2018

Alice Wong shares about her mission and work with the Disability Visibility Project. Alice discusses how to be a true ally to disabled persons, what makes for a genuinely “healthy” life, and why disabled people have to be ingenious to survive in a world that is a hostile environment for them. (Intro: The Green Ninja)

Nov 20, 2018

Playwright and director Luis Valdez discusses his new play Valley of the Heart. Luis talks about the shared California experience of Chicanos and Japanese Americans, how injustices of the past mirror those of today, and why theater is a unifying force in human history. (Intro: Turkey Bowl)

Nov 12, 2018

Ed Gor discusses the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project: how Chinese Americans played a significant and courageous role in the war effort, and what the public can do to convince Congress to officially honor these veterans with a Congressional Gold Medal. (Intro: My Hero)

Nov 8, 2018

Jennifer Chang talks about her role as director of the new play VIETGONE. She discusses why every theater performance must be fresh and new, how she gets to hold the door open for traditionally underrepresented individuals, and the theme of VIETGONE as a love letter to Asian men. (Intro: Word to the Wise)

Oct 26, 2018

Paul Yen talks about his starring role in the new play VIETGONE. He discusses how he created Asian backstories for well-known superheroes, the importance of telling the story of Vietnamese people, and why the live nature of theater is so thrilling. (Intro: Roots)

Oct 20, 2018

Betty Hung and Set Rongkilyo talk about DACA and the struggle for rights for all undocumented immigrants. They discuss the tremendous organizing power of undocumented individuals, how Asian Americans have not been vocal enough, and the moral imperative for Christians to support the undocumented. (Intro: Out of the Nest)

Oct 10, 2018

Poet Mia Malhotra talks about her new book of poetry ISAKO ISAKO. Mia also discusses the continuum of the female experience, how playing with grammar and language can create new meaning, and growing up as a missionary kid in Southeast Asia. (Intro: Justice Delayed)

Sep 25, 2018

Author and Professor Dr. John Inazu talks about his book “Confident Pluralism” and how we can heal our fractured society. John discusses navigating arguments in the online world, diversifying perspective in our social media feeds, and the unlikely friendship of Jerry Falwell and Larry Flynt. (Intro: Ticking Clock)

Sep 12, 2018

Dr. Grace Kao talks about her work as Professor of Ethics at Claremont School of Theology. She discusses her experience of dealing with the 2007 Virginia Tech mass shooting, a new understanding of premarital sex, and the negative ways people react when their core beliefs are threatened. (Intro: Crazy Joy Luck Asians)

Aug 28, 2018

Annie Yee talks about her career as a dancer, choreographer, and actress, as well as her work as a community activist with Chinese American Citizens Alliance. Annie discusses her time as a Laker girl with Paula Abdul, her love for Chinese dance, and her own mother's acting prowess. (Intro: Friend Sorting)

Aug 16, 2018

Dr. Nancy Wang Yuen talks about the theatrical debut of Crazy Rich Asians and the new Netflix film To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Nancy discusses her Huffington Post article about AsianAm RomComs, and the revolutionary optics of Crazy Rich Asians. (Intro: Sealioning)

Aug 9, 2018

Dr. Bert Ballard shares about intercountry adoption and his own adoptee story during Operation Babylift at the end of the Vietnam War. He also discusses the adoption myth, his own adopted son, and how he encourages adoptive parents to broaden the narrative of their family. (Intro: Buried Treasure)

Jul 30, 2018

Dr. Joseph Lee shares about effective parenting skills for raising children to be secure, mature, and fulfilled people. Joseph also discusses why authoritarian parenting leads to bad outcomes, how surprises in life reveal our blind spots, and why parents should be gardeners not carpenters. (Intro: Sugar Rush)

Jul 24, 2018

Pen-Pen Chen shares about her experience running startup company Bang Cookies. Pen-Pen also discusses her former work as a voiceover artist, learning not to say "yes" to everything, and how she leads by prioritizing what's best for the business. (Intro: Not Annoyed)

Jul 17, 2018

Singer/songwriter Ariel Bui talks about her music, upbringing, and life experiences. Ariel also discusses her life "off the grid" constructing earthships, her love for writing sad songs, and her struggle to make this world a better place. (Intro: The Race Myth)

Jul 7, 2018

Andrew Yang talks about his upcoming campaign run for President as a Democrat in 2020. Andrew discusses his goal of implementing Universal Basic Income, how automation is taking away millions of jobs, and what his slogan "Humanity First" means. (Intro: Fish Fail)

Jun 26, 2018

Drs. Allie & Joyce Taur talk about how they made their marriage and family work when Allie came out as a trans woman. They discuss Allie's crippling battle with gender dysphoria, Joyce's decision to be a helper (not a speedbump), and the process of telling their three boys. (Intro: Yard Work)

Jun 19, 2018

Kai Tse describes his life as an Asian American non-binary trans masculine person. Kai discusses how the Pulse nightclub shootings motivated him to come out publicly, why pronouns reflect reality not just preference, and what his spirituality looks like now after having grown up in a Christian church. (Intro: Babble On)

Jun 10, 2018

Wai & Sung Tse describe their relationship with their transgender son Kai. They discuss when Kai first came out to them, how Korean families are often especially resistant to acceptance, and why their spiritual faith is now stronger than ever. (Intro: Where I Am Now)

Jun 1, 2018

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Moon aims to discover how we can expand our thinking, emotional, and relational experiences so that we find out who we really are. She also discusses the pitfalls of Christian therapy, and the damaging impact of the Nashville Statement. (Intro: Muscle Car)

May 25, 2018

Playwright Nathan Ramos and Director Alison De La Cruz talk about their new play "As We Babble On". They discuss the value of portraying joyful Asian Americans, the process of casting for specific LGBT roles, and refusing to wait for mainstream America to catch up. (Intro: Soft Power)

May 19, 2018

Democratic National Committee staff members Phil Kim talk about their efforts to mobilize the AAPI community to vote and be active in politics. Phil and Vedant discuss being more than anti-Trump, leading with values first, and what the new DNC looks like. (Intro: Yin Yang)

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