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.

• This is the first official record of the investigation, capture, and prosecution of the Golden State Killer written by the lead prosecutor.
• Unlike many true-crime books that sensationalize the killer, Ho's narrative centers on the survivors and the law enforcement teams who pursued justice for over 30 years.
• Ho's book includes hundreds of new facts, insights into interrogation room interactions, and behind-the-scenes legal strategies that were never released to the public.
• It also features the authorized perspectives of survivors who turned their trauma into activism, offering a powerful testament to the "resiliency of the human spirit".
• Ho also shares his own story as a Vietnamese refugee who arrived in America knowing no English and eventually became one of only ten Asian American district attorneys in the country.
• A portion of the proceeds from the book goes toward Phyllis's Garden, a nonprofit founded by a Golden State Killer survivor to support victims' rights.

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